Chapter 7

                The storms of the morning had cleared, leaving behind only a few thin wisps of cloud. As Crazyheart and her Clanmates trekked on by the lakeshore, one drifted across the moon, briefly blotting out some of its light. Is that a sign? A sign that the truce is about to be broken, perhaps?

                The ThunderClan cats had only just crossed into WindClan territory. The small stretch of forest on WindClan’s side of the stream ended, to be replaced by barren moorland. Hills went on to the horizon, covered by grass and rocks. In the distance, Crazyheart could just catch a glimpse of the horse-place.

                They arrived at the tree-bridge. WindClan came from the opposite direction, at the same time. For a moment, Fernstar and Flamestar stared at each other, neither saying a word. Then, Crazyheart’s father stepped back and dipped his head courteously to the light brown she-cat. “WindClan may pass first,” Flamestar meowed.

                Fernstar nodded and leapt onto the tree-bridge. “Thank you, Flamestar.”

                Crazyheart gritted her teeth, struggling to keep back a snarl of fury. Why does he have to be so nice to that mouse-brained she-cat?

                Apparently, other cats were having similar thoughts. She heard low growls rumbling in the throats of some warriors and Blazeheart, who stood to her right, stiffened, anger smoldering in her eyes.

                At last, after a cat had time to travel to the mountains and back, or so it seemed to Crazyheart, WindClan had finished crossing. The gray-furred she-cat leapt up onto the tree just behind her father. For a moment, her hind legs dangled in mid-air. Scrabbling with her forepaws at the slippery bark, she quickly hauled herself up. She crossed carefully, using her tail for balance and her claws to get a better grip. Soon, she was leaping down onto the sandy shore of the island.

                Pushing through the bushes, Crazyheart emerged into the clearing. The other three Clans were already waiting. She padded over to her new seat at the base of the Dead Oak, eager to tell her RiverClan friend, Minnowstream, that she was ThunderClan’s new deputy. Instead, she was greeted by Lionpelt.

                The golden tom looked up. “Greetings, Crazyheart. Looking for Minnowstream, I assume?”

                Crazyheart couldn’t answer. She was too stunned by his appearance. Instead of being sleek and glossy as usual, his fur was dull, matted, and unkempt, as if he hadn’t the time or perhaps the energy to groom it. His bones showed through his pelt and his amber eyes were darkened by hunger. RiverClan are supposed to be the fattest Clan by the lake! But now, they look scrawnier than WindClan.

                Lionpelt noticed the expression on her face. “Yes, I know, we’re a little bit skinnier than usual.”

                A little bit?

                Crazyheart tried to speak again. “Great StarClan, Lionpelt, what happened? You look-look…”

                “Awful?” Lionpelt’s gaze was challenging, as if daring her to admit that had been exactly what she’d been thinking. “RiverClan doesn’t want the other Clans’ pity or sympathy.”

                “Where’s Minnowstream?” Crazyheart blurted out. “Did she die of starvation or something?”

                Lionpelt shook his head. “No. She left on a journey, along with some of our warriors.”

                Crazyheart felt a mixture of relief and worry. “Where did she go?”

                “We don’t know,” Lionpelt replied.

                “Is it dangerous?” Crazyheart hoped her friend was still alive, wherever she was.

                “Yes, but it’s no worse than staying here.” The RiverClan warrior suddenly sounded exhausted and miserable. “Nothing could be.”

                Crazyheart was saved from having to respond to a comment like that by Oakstar’s call. “We gather before StarClan to discuss the happenings of the past moon and to uphold the temporary truce, as is the will of our ancestors!”

                The ShadowClan leader’s green eyes scanned the crowd. “ShadowClan has one new apprentice this moon: Hollypaw!”

                The four Clans gave a warm welcome to the new apprentice. Oakstar nodded to Flamestar, signaling that he had finished speaking and wished for ThunderClan to speak.

                “Stonestar died about a quarter-moon ago, and I am ThunderClan’s new leader,” Flamestar meowed. “Crazyheart is my deputy!”

                Crazyheart lifted her chin with pride as all four Clans cheered for her.

                After a moment or two, Flamestar raised his tail as a signal for silence. “Also, we have three new apprentices. Their names are Whitepaw, Sandpaw, and Nightpaw!” The ThunderClan leader waited yet again as the warriors chanted the names of the new ‘paws. “Pebblestar, would you like to speak next?”

                “Minnowstream is gone.” Pebblestar’s voice was oddly flat. “Lionpelt is our new deputy.”

                None of the Clans chanted Lionpelt’s name this time. Uneasy silence followed Pebblestar’s announcement. What is wrong in RiverClan?

                Crazyheart looked at the crowd. She spotted Reedstream, Briarstorm, Vineleaf, Leafclaw, Tigerstep, and Deerpaw. It seemed that at least RiverClan had enough cats to bring a decent patrol to the Gathering. Perhaps things aren’t so bad…but they must be. All of these cats are so skinny!

                Fernstar opened her mouth to speak and instantly, Crazyheart knew there would be trouble. “Whatever problems you are having in RiverClan give you no excuse to steal prey from us and to ATTACK MY PATROL! It’s breaking the warrior code, which surely infuriates StarClan!”

                Pebblestar’s fur stood on end and his eyes narrowed. “If StarClan have a problem with my actions, then they should come down to island and say it to my face instead of hiding in the sky like cowards! And they should also justify the fact that they HAVE NOT HELPED RIVERCLAN AT ALL! StarClan are worthless!”

                Gasps of shock came from the crowd as Pebblestar unsheathed his claws and leapt on a stunned Fernstar, sending both leaders tumbling from the tree onto the ground. She flailed wildly beneath him, but the RiverClan leader clearly had more strength. He held her down with ease and raked sharp claws across her stomach, powerful muscles rippling beneath the fur on his shoulders.

                Fernstar kicked upwards forcefully with her hindlegs. Winded, Pebblestar’s grip relaxed ever so slightly and the WindClan leader slithered out of his grasp. She leapt towards him, but Pebblestar easily swatted her away with one forepaw, as if she was as light as a feather.

                The island was plunged into darkness as clouds covered the moon. The two fighting cats ignored the sign from StarClan, too furious to care or perhaps too occupied by the battle to notice. Fernstar barely rolled out of the way in time as Pebblestar charged. Before the WindClan leader could scramble back to her paws, the dark gray tom had turned and planted his left forepaw on her chest.

                On the Dead Oak, Oakstar and Flamestar exchanged a glance. Both cats had heard the stories of how StarClan once set the island on fire and were fearful of StarClan showing its anger over the two battling leaders.

                Flamestar pounced on Pebblestar and dragged him off of Fernstar. However muscular and frightening the RiverClan leader was, Crazyheart’s father was even stronger.

                Fernstar’s eyes gleamed in the darkness, assuming that she was getting assistance from her ally. She raced towards Pebblestar, but Oakstar jumped in front of her. She skidded to a halt, narrowly avoiding a collision with the ShadowClan leader.

                “STOP!” Flamestar’s voice was outraged. “These quarrels should be settled at a different place and a different time! By the will of StarClan, this Gathering is dismissed!”

                Pebblestar opened his jaws more than likely to protest or make some scathing remark about StarClan, but thought better of it as both Flamestar and Oakstar shot him a warning look.

                Flamestar beckoned with his tail for his Clan to leave. Crazyheart padded over to his side and prepared herself for the long journey home.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed the chapter! I really want to hear your thoughts about this chapter so please share them with me in the comments! Thank you for reading, you all are awesome!

Happy holidays and may StarClan light your path!