Warriors: A New Beginning #1: The Beginning

Chapter 43

"I don't know," Ironstrike murmured, walking beside Wavepelt on the way to Fourtrees. "What will RiverClan think?"

ThunderClan was going to the Gathering. Ironstrike's wounds had mostly healed, and he was accompanying them to go back to RiverClan.

"I have no idea," Wavepelt replied. "It's Reedstar's choice."

"I just hope I don't mess everything up," Ironstrike meowed.

"You won't." Wavepelt glanced at him.

Ironstrike didn't say anything

"All Reedstar's going to do is sat the news," Speckledfur told him. "He's not going to mention you at all."

The RiverClan warrior's fur was prickling nervously.

I know what he's feeling, Wavepelt thought. I would feel like a cat in a bird's nest if I was accompanying RiverClan to the Gathering.

"Come on!" Wheatwing exclaimed. "We're almost at Fourtrees." Her eyes were sparkling with excitement.

"Yes!" Blossomleaf picked up her pace. it was her first Gathering as a warrior, with the ceremony only a couple sunrises ago.

"I'll race you!" Hawkclaw challenged. "Three, two, one, go!"

He dashed off, and Blossomleaf took off after him in pursuit.

"Don't go too far!" Whiteheart called, then sighed. "New warriors will be new warriors, I guess." She glanced at Ironstrike, whose gaze was flickering all around. "Don't worry. It'll be fine."

Ironstrike looked at the elder. "Thank you, but I really wish I hadn't gotten in this mess. If only..." He finished with a sigh.

Wavepelt felt sympathy for him.

"Let's go," she beckoned. "You'll just have to return to RiverClan once we arrive at Fourtrees."

As she spoke, Wheatwing exclaimed: "We're here!"

Wavepelt spotted the clearing and when she looked up, she saw the tops of the four Great Oaks.

Reedstar bounded in the clearing, followed by his cats.

"RiverClan's here." Wavepelt could scent them. "But not WindClan or ShadowClan."

Ironstrike breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm going to go join them. But... I think it's best to stay away from Flyfish."

Wavepelt nodded in agreement. "Bye."

"Bye." Ironstrike ran over to a wide-eyed Stonestep.

"Why were you there?" Wavepelt heard the dark grey warrior ask.

"Flyfish," Ironstrike growled.

Stonestep seemed confused. 'What do you mean?"

"She tried to kill me," Ironstrike explained. "I was unconscious and not able to go to camp, so ThunderClan brought me to their camp. Mintleaf treated me, and now I'm fine."

"Flyfish said you were killed by ThunderClan!" Stonestep exclaimed. "Do you think she'd lie?"

"Do you think I'm dead?" Ironstrike retorted.

"Well, no..." Stonestep muttered.

Wavepelt turned her attention away from the littermates and looked at Reedstar who climbed onto the Great Rock. Bushstar was already there, and she narrowed her eyes at the ThunderClan leader.

She probably blames him for ThunderClan 'murdering' Ironstrike, Wavepelt guessed.

Suddenly ShadowClan scent filled her nostrils as the Clan appeared in the clearing. Windclaw was among them, his sister Appleflight by his side. He was talking with her in a hushed whisper, and Appleflight glanced briefly in Wavepelt's direction.