Red Snow

CHAPTER 3

     The mingled scents of all Clans filled the air on a small island on the lake. ShadowClan and WindClan were already waiting in the clearing when BloodClan came padding up. Snowshade watched with narrowed eyes as his Clan separated themselves from the rest of the cats. I suppose it's for the best.

     "Where is Shellstar?" Fawnstar questioned Flintstar as he leapt onto the Great Oak. She must have noticed that there were RiverClan cats in the clearing, but no Shellstar.

When the BloodClan leader didn't respond, Snowshade took his place by the Great Oak and sat silently. He was aware of his sister staring at him, as if she wanted to go up to him but wasn't sure. He dipped his head to her, and hoped that was all she needed to show he still cared. Something was different about her, however. What was it?

Once the full moon shined directly above the island, the chattering turned to hushed murmurs, then to silence as Oakstar began. "WindClan would like to start if that is okay?" He nodded to Flintstar and Fawnstar.

"Shouldn't we wait for someone to stand in for Shellstar?" A cat called from the crowd.

"No." Flintstar replied flatly.

Fawnstar smiled weakly at Oakstar and motioned for him to continue. The giant brown tabby cleared his throat before giving his report. "We have struggled to face the wraith of this frighteningly cold leaf-bare, but through this we have still managed to find prey and provide for our queens and elders."

"Yeah, right." The ShadowClan deputy, Toadclaw, whispered to him. "Look how skinny they are, and I know WindClan cats are usually pretty slim but-"

     "Shhh!" Shatteredwish hissed quietly.

     "One of our warriors has moved to the nursery as she awaits her kits." Oakstar meowed, and flicked his tail to a pale ginger she-cat. But not just any she-cat.

     Sandfeather! Snowshade realized. That's what was different about her; her belly was swollen with kits! He purred in delight and quietly noted that he would have to congratulate her after the gathering.

     Oakstar stepped back and let Fawnstar take her turn. "ShadowClan has also suffered from this season and we had to say goodbye to Redscar."

The Clan cats held their heads in sorrow. Snowshade didn't know the ShadowClan elder, but he was supposedly one of the best warriors in the forest. She waited for the murmurs to die down before finishing. "That is all I have to report."

Snowshade anticipated Flintstar's speech, his claws kneading into the dirt. He ignored the curious stares thrown his way and focused on the black tom. The wind was parting his fur, but he still looked like the most powerful cat to ever live.

"ThunderClan and RiverClan are no more." Flintstar yowled.

Multiple gasps rang out in the clearing. "What do you mean?" A WindClan cat wailed, while the BloodClan cats sat up straight with their chins held high.

"We have united to form BloodClan."

Snowshade looked at the other leaders, they were horror-stricken. "Flintstar this is against the warrior code." Oakstar growled while Fawnstar looked too stunned to speak. The cats in the clearing were on their paws, their fur bristling so they all looked twice their size. Snowshade noticed Sandfeather glaring at him.

Flintstar looked surprisingly calm. "Many of us have decided that united as one Clan instead of four will benefit us in many ways. I'm giving ShadowClan and WindClan the option to join us, or we will make you join." When no one spoke, he added fiercely, "with teeth and claws."

Fawnstar took a deep breath, though she didn't answer Flintstar's question. "What did you do with Shellstar? And the others who didn't want to join your Clan?"

"Shellstar was weak. He fled with the others." The tom growled. "Now would any cats like to join us freely without getting hurt, regardless of what your leader says?" He asked the whole gathering.

     Uneasy glances were passed. Snowshade faintly heard a cat whisper, "it doesn't sound so bad." His hope was rising, it sounded as if some cats were going to join them after all!

     Oakstar's lip was curled in a snarl. "No WindClan cat will be joining your BloodClan. We will fight if we have to."

     Snowshade felt the tension in the air as no cat spoke. "They can make decisions for themselves, Oakstar. Or is WindClan too weak to take care of itself?"

     "Very well." Oakstar's fur was still bristling. "If any of my cats wish to join this traitor, you are free to go." He clearly didn't expect any of his Clanmates to leave, but a few took deep breaths.

     To his astonishment, Snowshade's proud, independent sister spoke up. "I do not believe in having one Clan, but I won't risk my kits' lives in a battle." She heaved herself up and slowly padded over to stand beside Snowshade. "I'm with you, brother."

     She couldn't know I killed Featherpool. She would despise me. He thought to himself as he buried his muzzle in his sister's fur. "You made a good choice."

     Oakstar's mouth was wide open as another one of his cats walked over the BloodClan. Frecklepelt, a well-respected warrior. "Traitors!" He hissed. "Fawnstar what do you think of this?"

"I think you have bees in your brain." She replied calmly to Flintstar. "And I agree with Oakstar that my cats can make their own decisions, but they will be judged by me, and your former Clanmates." Her brown and white pelt rippled in the wind. When no ShadowClan cat dared to move, she dipped her head in satisfaction.

     "Very well." Flintstar rasped. "I congratulate those who have come over to my side, and I warm those who have not. You have brought war upon yourself, because before there is peace there is blood."