ShadowClan crowded on the otherside of the clearing, glaring at the rest of the cats. Falconstar and Reedstar stopped talking to each other and each Clan grouped back together. Reedstar, Falconstar and Clawstar gathered in a small circle, talking quietly. Reedstar lift his gaze and his eyes landed on me. With a flick of his tail, the three leaders leapt upon the large rock. Heartstorm's body tingled with anticipation. 

           "We have decided to start the Gathering without WindClan. As they are late," announced Clawstar, a malicious glint in his eyes. Heartstorm felt his fur rising. Clawstar's eyes swept over the cats and rested on Heartstorm. He tilted his head, his yellow eyes piercing into Heartstorm. He curled his lip slightly and Heartstorm felt a shudder run through him. He glanced to the side and spotted Bumblepaw. Bumblepaw looked contempt; looking around in awe at everything. Frogleap was perched looking grumpy beside him. Clawstar eyes flickered to Bumblepaw and he gave a small small. Heartstorm swallowed. 

           "We will start," interrupted Falconstar. He stepped forward and flicked his tail. "ThunderClan is thriving. We are all happy that green-leaf has finally arrived. We have four new apprentices, Stonepaw, Moonpaw, Spottedpaw and Nightpaw." Falconstar tilted his head. ThunderClan cheered their apprentices'. RiverClan joined in. Heartstorm cried out Moonpaw and Stonepaw's names but then found his voice dry. He coughed slightly. He felt something bad tugging at him. He siddled up to Eelfrost. Eelfrost leaned over to him. 

          "Why isn't WindClan here?" asked Eelfrost. Heartstorm shrugged. That was the least of his worries. Who cared about WindClan? They were probably too weak or something. WindClan was no threat.

          "Did you see how Clawstar looked at Bumblepaw?" whispered Heartstorm. Eelfrost frowned.

          "Nah," Eelfrost answered. "He just looks at everybody like that." Heartstorm wasn't so sure. The cheering dimmed down and there was silence once more. The moon shone brightly above the sky and no clouds were in sight. Maybe everything would be alright. Maybe Heartstorm was getting all worked up for nothing. 

           "Thank you ThunderClan. We are happy for you," Reedstar said without glancing at Falconstar or ThunderClan. "RiverClan is also doing just as well." One ShadowClan warrior snickered loudly. Reedstar ignored him. Heartstorm swivelled his head though and spotted the cat who had snickered. It was Rabbitleap. He stood at the base of the rock and he looked smug. Heartstorm wanted to rip his smile off his face. 

           "What's with him?" muttered Eelfrost. 

           "All of ShadowClan are like that," grumbled Smoketail. 

           "I am glad to announce that we have new apprentices as well," continued Reedstar on a bright note. "Bumblepaw, Daisypaw, Heatherpaw and Brightpaw." RiverClan shouted out the names loudly. Heartstorm would have felt a bubble of pride if it had been a normal Gathering. But this was no normal Gathering. WindClan wasn't there. ThunderClan was their ally. ShadowClan despised them. Heartstorm heard ThunderClan joining in on the chants but he didn't care. He turned to look at ShadowClan. All the cats had dark looks on their faces. Some were hissing and others were growling under their breaths. Heartstorm felt himself bristling as he caught sight of Firfrost and his vibrant coat. Firfrost's eyes were fixed on Bumblepaw. Heartstorm wanted to yell at him to stop staring. Something in Firfrost's eyes made Heartstorm sure that Firfrost was not looking at Bumblepaw in a friendly way. 

           "Thank you Reedstar," Clawstar said slowly, his voice deep and sharp. He stood in front of all the cats and ShadowClan straightened up. "I'm glad to hear the good news of RiverClan and ThunderClan." Clawstar spit the words out like they were toxic. "But... I can't help but wonder why, if RiverClan has new apprentices, why aren't they here?" That was a good point. Heartstorm's eyes darted to Reedstar. Reedstar gave no answer, he just stared on blankly. 

           "And why, if RiverClan are doing so well, why are there only seven warriors here representing RiverClan," slurred Clawstar. Heartstorm bit his tongue. He could feel ThunderClan's questioning gaze on them and ShadowClan's smirks. 

          "Ugh, I hate him so much," spat Eelfrost under his breath. 

           "I know son, I know," muttered Embergaze. 

           "Thank you for your concern," Reedstar replied lightly. Heartstorm was glad that they had a leader who didn't lose his cool. He could hear it in Reedstar's voice that he was confident but somehow, Heartstorm knew that Reedstar's mind was racing. That Reedstar was trying to think up an excuse quickly. Something in the way Reedstar stood made Heartstorm know that Reedstar wasn't as confident as he made it out to be. 

            "But... that is none of your business," Reedstar finished. Sparkbelly and Stripedfur shifted uncomfortably beside Heartstorm.

             "Well, this is a Gathering. Pray, tell us what is going on," urged Clawstar smugly. Reedstar gave him a glowering look then turned to the clearing. Heartstorm hoped he knew what he was doing. 

            "I don't answer to you, Clawstar," replied Reedstar curtly. Falconstar stepped in. 

            "He has said all there is to be said," Falconstar said forcefully. "Why don't you go, Clawstar?" Reedstar gave Falconstar a small thankful nod and Clawstar hissed. 

            "So ThunderClan is taking RiverClan's side, eh?" he growled. Falconstar looked at him in disdain. "Well ShadowClan is doing great. ShadowClan is strong. We are ready to fight. Whenever. Wherever." Heartstorm wanted to roll his eyes. That was all ShadowClan said at Gatherings nowadays. Just stupid words about how good their Clan is.

          "So come on, pick a fight," grinned Clawstar. Reedstar and Falconstar's furrowed their brows. 

           "What are you saying, Clawstar?" demanded Reedstar. Clawstar's eyes glowed and he chuckled lightly. 

           "Oh nothing," he giggled. "Well, we aren't picking a fight. No no no, we've come here in peace." The words peace on Clawstar's tongue were dirty. Heartstorm didn't recognise him. He didn't recognise his former mentor. This wasn't the strong mentor that had taught him things when Pinestar had passed away. This was a cold, deadly cat. A cat with nothing on his mind but vengeance and violence. Heartstorm knew that ShadowClan had turned into a bloodthirsty Clan. He wondered what had happened. He remembered it as a nurturing, happy but still strong Clan. He remembered it as his childhood home. Where Stormpelt had brought him up. Where he had learnt for the first time to hunt and fight. Now, ShadowClan had turned into something darker. Maybe it had been the absence of Pinestar and now Cinderstar. Heartstorm had a sad feeling that maybe it had been his fault. But no, how could it be? They had thrown him out. They had exiled him. It was their lost. Their fault. Their mistake. Heartstorm was RiverClan now and ShadowClan resented everything for that. Suddenly, Heartstorm realised what had been bothering him. Nothing had been right all along. He was right to have been worried. He shouldn't have let his guard down when ShadowClan had arrived. He shouldn't have dismissed WindClan. Heartstorm groaned inwardly. He needed to tell someone. He needed to warn Reedstar. He needed to get back to Clan. To keep Bumblepaw safe. Heartstorm wanted to bite himself for being so stupid. Of course, ShadowClan was still the enemy here but ShadowClan had also found their own allies. Suddenly, a loud shriek slashed through the Gathering. Every cat turned their head back. Heartstorm's suspicions were confirmed.

 WindClan was attacking RiverClan.