Clans Accused

Prologue

"Come on!" Skystar yowled to HopeClan. "We're going to be late for the Gathering." The clan sped up, hurrying to cross the river.

"Oh come on," Vortexfang mutters. "Do we have to swim?"

"Quit complaining," Suntail tells her mate affectionately.

"Skystar's right," Pebblestep mews. "We really need to go." She slowly pads into the water. The water made the cats frigid, as it lapped at their paws.

"I-It's not t-t-th-that bad," Petalsong mutters, unconvincingly, shivering.

Thunderpaw shrugs. "It's really not- WAH! THAT'S COLD!" Acornpaw snickers, before jumping back from the cold.

"Unless you want to be left behind, hurry!" Sootpaw mutters. Skystar turns away from the arguing apprentices, and pads into the water. The water was cold, but she doesn't care. The river is shallow, and she makes it across easily and waits for the clan on the other side. The warriors lead the apprentices across the river as they managed the cold. Once everyone is across, they start to pad across Riverclan territory.

"Are you done complaining?" Sunpaw mutters to Thunderpaw who had been grumbling about the cold water.

"Hey! Unco-"

"COME ON!" Suntail mews.

"Where's Needlestar?" Skystar asks. Harsh, hate-filled Shadowclan eyes stare at them as they enter the clearing.

"Before this Gathering begins, I have something to announce," Foxcatcher, deputy of Shadowclan announces. "Needlestar, our beloved and trusted leader, was murdered!"

"Who killed him?" Voltstrike asks quietly.

"I'm glad you asked that." She turns to Skystar, and snarls, "The answer is right before us. In HopeClan!" Gasps of shock and amazement come from the rest of the clans.

"Why suggest them?" Rainstar mews, softly, not willing to believe that HopeClan had done such a thing.

Furious yowls of "Murderers!" from Shadowclan shatter the frail peace. In an instant, all of HopeClan are on their paws, prepared to defend themselves. "We found Needlestar's mangled body next to HopeClan's border. Whitepaw and Sharppelt were killed also. It was covered with HopeClan scent!"

The other leaders turn to Skystar. "We did no such thing!" she roars in fury. "Needlestar has been my friend for many, many moons! All of you know that."

"Maybe not you," Rainstar mews. "But, perhaps a clanmate?"

Skystar looks aghast. "You're believing her?"

"Well... I have no proof that you are telling the truth. The recent border skirmish between HopeClan and ShadowClan does, make sense." The other leaders nod.

Skystar sighs, looking up to see the moon covered. Starclan is angry. "So be it."

The other leaders huddle, then speak. "We'll give you 2 moons."

"TWO MOONS?!" Snowtuft of RiverClan mews.

"Snowtuft, you'd be best to listen to your leaders," Voltstrike mews sadly. "Two moons." Rainstar nods.

"Alright. Come." Skystar jumps off the tree. "Come on, Daisy-"

Daisycloud's eyes had glazed over. In a deep and dark voice, she mews,

"When Leaves Fall in Shattered Peace,

At Groupings Peaceful in the Night,Blood Shall Be Shed from Those Who Know,Who Live in the Shadows.There Will be Proof,Read through Lines,Of Broken Stars, to Peace and Life.Take These Words to Mind for Only When Fulfilled,So Light Shall Reign Supreme."