Dark Sky

Chapter seventeen

A few sunrises ago, Sandpaw and Ravenleaf had brought back the precious catmint to heal the greencough shaking the clan.

Now, most of the cats were in top shape. The first to recover was Shadefeather. She was now in the nursery with Rosekit. The small surviving kit was growing stronger and stronger.

Only Berrytail and Swiftclaw were still in the medicine-den, but they were quickly healing. Today was the Gathering night.

---

As soon as they reached the island, Sandpaw scanned the crowd of cat, and finally spotted the flame colored pelt, lying under a honeysuckle bush.

"Pearwing! Pearwing!", he shouted.

"You had to yell my name? I'm not deaf", a familiar voice replied.

"How are you? Can you continue last Gathering's story?"

She purred. "No, Graystripe comes with me, Firestar said. Oh, Firestar, do you have to fight? You only have one life left, pleaded Sandstorm. My warriors have only one life too, he told her. Dovewing walked up to him. They're coming! she hissed, pelt bristling. The leader and his patrol ran to the encounter of the evil Dark Forest cats."

Attracted by Pearwing's voice, various clans warriors and apprentices were clustered around her.

---

"Then, Ivypool saw a dark shadow lunging towards her. Another one, she thought. The black cat smashed into Hawkfrost, sending him tumbling on the ground. Hollyleaf!"

All the cats listening gasped in surprise.

---

"No, NO! Leafpool cried as life ebbed away from Hollyleaf. You saved me. You- you shouldn't have. You had such a beautiful life ahead of you!,Ivypool said, sharing tongues one last time with the black warrior."

The cats listening had tear in their eyes now.

"Mousefur! yelled Longtail. He clenched his teeth in pain and grief, and dove back in the battle."

Briarstar began the Gathering. Pearwing stopped talking. 

"We had greencough in our camp. Without catmint, two of Shadefeather's kits died". Alarmed whispers grew all across the clearing.

"Thanks to Windclan and Riverclan, we are now back to health, and stronger than ever. I want to thank our medicine-cat, and one of our apprentice who helped bring back the catmint."

"Sandpaw, please come foward."

What? Me?, he thought. Still, his paws carried him across the clearing, right in front of the Leaders' Tree.

Briarstar leaped down.

"Sandpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?", asked Briarstar.

"I do", he said, almost choking on the words out of emotion.

"Then, by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. Sandpaw, from this moment you'll be known as Sandfeather. Starclan honors your hunting skills and your loyalty. We welcome you as a warrior of Skyclan. You prove your loyalty the best way possible, not with your claws" he glanced at Aspenstar, "but with your heart. You did what you think was right, and you saved many of us. May Starclan light your path, Sandfeather. Always follow your heart, since it led you to us."

Sandfeather licked Briarstar's shoulder fur. He couldn't express how glad he was, how much he owed to the old leader.

"Sandfeather! Sandfeather!", the crowd chanted.

He walked back to the honeysuckle, where Pearwing was waiting for him, a glimmer of pride in her green eyes.

"Congrats! I see you quickly found your place in your clan. I almost wished you'd joined Thunderclan instead."

He purred.

---

The leaders finished talking, and it was time to share tongues.

Instead, Pearwing continued her story to all of the cats willing to listen.

"When you see her, tell Ferncloud I love her, Dustpelt whispered in Firestar's ear". Sandfeather noticed several cats biting their lip, trying not to cry. He was part of them.

---

"Sorreltail? Brackenfur called, stepping in the nursery. A few heartbeats later, a muffled No! came out of it." As Pearwing said that, many cats broke down in tears.

"Wow, am I so good at telling stories?!", Pearwing barked a laugh.

"It's like you were there", said Leafpaw between two sobs.

---

Skyclan left the island last.

When they reached the camp, Sandfeather hurried to the nursery.

"Embertail! Guess what?!"

"What?", she smiled at him.

"I'm Sandfeather now!", he almost yelled.

"Wow, congatulation! He named you at a Gathering! It's such a rare honor!". She rose to her paws and pressed her muzzle against his.

"I love you", he whispered in her ear.

"I love you too."

Hi guys! Sorry again for this short chapter :(