Sandclan's Destiny Book 3: Blackout

Chapter 12: A Black Moon Gathering

Firesong was standing idle, watching as Bigstar pried her complaining kits from her legs, nudging them over to Blackeye who promised to take good care of them. "It's only for this night!" Bigstar promised. She had decided to attend the gathering- she had to speculate the events that were going to transpire. Something was stirring and she craved to know.

Twilight stars gleamed down at the camp. Firesong knew it meant nothing. StarClan did not watch them with starry eyes anymore, so those gazes in the sky were void and empty of any meaning. Still, every Clan felt obliged to go to the gathering.

Firesong saw that Rockshade was eating prey with Midnightpaw across the camp, and they were conversing in excited tones- or at least Midnightpaw was. Rockshade purred in response as he spoke to her. Firesong was glad Rockshade liked his apprentice. Firesong felt less of a conjoined attachment between her and Rockshade, and that the both of them were gaining their independence. She liked that. She needed that. Plus she honestly didn't think that Rockshade was capable of bonding with an apprentice.

Firesong felt rapid paw-steps from behind her and turned to see Juniperpaw bound up to her mentor, "You think I'm gonna go?" She squealed. Firesong purred, "Of course!" I hope I'm going. This gathering should mark history. I wonder if a fight will break out, and if so, what would happen?

"I will be going to the gathering." Bigstar announced to the warriors mingling below, and some cats yowled encouragement to their leader. Cougarfang was seen slinking around from the back of the Slanted Rock. It seemed he had just leapt down from it to give his leader back her rightful spot above the clan. She took it gladly.

"The warriors to the gathering are as follows: Cougarfang, Brackenshade, Swiftfoot, Greyfur, Sandstripe, Stormtail Firesong, Rockshade, Stormtail, Midnightpaw, Whitepaw, and Juniperpaw." She announced, her voice clarion throughout the clearing as all cats silenced to heed her words. As their names were called, the cats going to the gathering began to gather into a group to await their leader. The cats remaining behind begged that someone would tell them what happened upon their return.

Firesong linked up with Rockshade and Midnightpaw as they made their way over with the rest. Cats were talking excitedly, lashing their tails.

"I wonder if the other Clans are going to mention what happened with StarClan," Sandstripe wondered, glaring at Swiftfoot as he approached.

"Maybe the medicine cats will tell us what they saw. Even though I trust Sunspots."

"What if Wolfstar stops them? I bet he's glad StarClan doesn't visit us anymore. Maybe we should just take this time to attack VenomClan- ambush them at the gathering!"

Cougarfang overhead and growled, "We should keep our claws to ourselves! Even if StarClan may not be watching, we should never break the truce."

The group left and padded across SandClan territory, still talking. Firesong looked over at her apprentice who was scenting the air with parted jaws, "I smell something awful," she complained.
Their paws met sand. "VenomClan territory!" Midnightpaw squealed.
"That explains it," Juniperpaw muttered sourly.

Whitepaw rushed up to Midnightpaw and yowled, "We're in VenomClan territory! I've never seen it like this before."
SandClan had to wander around the edges of the territory, but they could see still across it because of the moonlight, and the vastness of the territory itself. "There's nothing here. Think they'll attack us, though?"

Rockshade flicked his tail, "Of course not. They're going to the gathering, too- why would they miss it?"

Brackenshade turned around, mewing, "Wolfstar loves gatherings. He enjoys scaring young apprentices like you with his half-hearted threats to the other Clans. He likes to brag, too."