Warriors: Divided Loyalty

Chapter Twenty-One

Nightshrike barely heard Spiderstar calling for the cats who were attending the Gathering to get ready to go. Her paws felt numb and she felt weightless as she padded towards Iceleaf and Tawnywillow. Since Deerstripe's execution, Nightshrike was in her own exile. She hardly ate, scarcely slept, and constantly took Goldenpaw training.

He was shaping up to be a good tom, cocky but battle-hungry. Just how I want him. She thought and unsheathed her claws, her expression blank as she followed her Clanmates into the forest. This moon, Deerstripe's death and the four new apprentices would be announced.

Dread filled Nightshrike but she pushed it down, narrowing her eyes. She had Rowantail right where she wanted him yesterday when Deerstripe was killed and she led him go. I should've shredded him where he stood.

Reedpaw was padding with the other apprentices, chatting away like starlings in the morning of Greenleaf. Leaffall is among us. The trees are losing their leaves and the days constantly grow shorter and shorter as time goes on. What is Leafbare like?

As her thoughts crowded her mind, she didn't realize her Clan leader had stopped and she crashed right into him. "Hey!" She hissed and glared at Spiderstar, who eyed her warily before bounding down into the Gathering Hollow.

Memories of the night she spent with Thorntail filled her mind, making her cheeks flush and warm. I wonder if he's here. Shaking her head, she bounded into the throng of cats. Is Rowantail here?

Out of the corner of her eye, Nightshrike spotted the familiar flash of dark ginger and she instantly tensed. Rowantail's Clan allowed him to come to the Gathering after he killed Deerstripe.

She stalked towards the tom and his Clanmates, eyes and heart as cold as ice. Her tail lashed to and fro, making her anger be known to those around her. Rowantail looked away from Otterfire and saw Nightshrike. His eyes flashed and Nightshrike unsheathed her claws.

Otterfire looked uneasy and quickly fled after Darkeyes, his tail streaming after him. Nightshrike sized up the ginger tom, eyes glowing with hate and anger.

"What are you doing here?" She hissed, startling Rowantail. "The Gathering is for noble warriors, not warriors that deliberately kill elders." Rowantail looked shocked then anger set into his eyes.

"If I recall," he spat. "You killed Blackheart at the Moonpool. You have no right to say that I am not a noble warrior." Rowantail looked smug, enraging Nightshrike further.

"You," she snarled. "Killed Tanglewatcher and Deerstripe. Therefore, you are not worthy of coming here. At least I felt guilty for killing Blackheart, you don't even look guilty for killing Tanglewatcher and Deerstripe."

Rowantail looked like he was about to burst with anger but a familiar voice called for Nightshrike. Her fur stood on end and she whirled around to see Thorntail waving at her with a paw raised.

She drew her lips into a snarl and glared at Rowantail. "The next time we meet in battle," she threatened, lashing her tail. "I will give you as much mercy as you gave the medicine cat and elder."

Without another word or second glance, Nightshrike stalked towards Thorntail, who looked confused and slightly hurt. What's his problem? She relaxed as she neared him, her heart lifting.

"Hey, Thorntail." Nightshrike's pelt burned at how small her voice sounded and she scolded herself. "How are you?" Idiot. She looked up at the large tom, who looked down at her with soft blue eyes.

"I'm doing better now that you're here." He replied smoothly, making Nightshrike warm. "Sit with me and let's talk before the Gathering starts." He purred.