Bramblestar’s Storm

“And we have new kits in RiverClan,” Mistystar reported, with a satisfied swish of her tail. “Petalfur gave birth to a she-cat and two toms.”

Bramblestar spotted the brown tabby warrior Mallownose looking very proud. He must be the father.

As the other cats murmured congratulations, Mistystar stepped back. “Would you like to speak next, Blackstar?”

The ShadowClan leader rose to his paws. Bramblestar thought that he looked older than ever, white as bone against the dark branches. “ShadowClan is strong and thriving,” he announced. “Snowbird has had three kits, all she-cats.”

He sank back down on his branch, while below in the clearing Scorchfur looked smug, licking one paw and passing it over his ear.

Onestar stood up. “There’s excellent hunting in WindClan,” he reported. “Birds have been coming inland from the sun-drown-place, blown by the wind. They don’t seem to be comfortable landing on grass, which makes them easy to catch. And although we have no new kits yet, we expect good news soon.”

His gaze rested on Sedgewhisker, who gave her chest fur a couple of embarrassed licks, and leaned into her mate, Emberfoot.

Bramblestar’s pads prickled with disquiet as he stepped to the end of his branch and looked out over the cats. Why are the other leaders making such a big deal about new kits? It’s barely newleaf; there’s plenty of time to fill the nursery. “We have been strengthening our boundaries,” he announced, his tail-tip twitching. Pay attention, ShadowClan and WindClan! “And five new apprentices have begun their training: Lilypaw, Seedpaw, Amberpaw, Snowpaw, and Dewpaw. Lilypaw and Seedpaw have been apprentices for three moons, but this is their first Gathering. All are learning fast, and will make excellent warriors.”

“Lilypaw!”

“Seedpaw!”

“Amberpaw!”

“Snowpaw!”

“Dewpaw!”

As their names were yowled to the star-filled sky, the five young cats sat up straight, their eyes burning with pride. Bramblestar jumped as wind rattled the branches above him, and the Great Oak creaked in the cold blast. A scrap of cloud drifted across the moon, briefly dimming the silver light that bathed the island.

“The Gathering is over!” Onestar called out.

The cats on the ground began to break up into smaller groups. As he leaped down from the tree, Bramblestar spotted Squirrelflight staring at Tigerheart and Ratscar from ShadowClan, who were chatting with Cherryfall and Ivypool.

“You look like a hawk sizing up its prey,” he meowed as he slipped through the crowd of cats to Squirrelflight’s side. “Tigerheart and Ratscar are just being friendly.”

“There are some cats I’ll never be able to trust again,” Squirrelflight growled.

“They’re not your Clanmates; you don’t have to trust them,” Bramblestar murmured. “But you can’t make them enemies because of a mistake they made in the past.”

Squirrelflight let out a snort. “I bet I can.”

Bramblestar didn’t bother to argue. He knew it would take a long time for his deputy to put aside her mistrust of any cat who had been led astray by the warriors of the Dark Forest. He struggled himself with the knowledge of what a few of his Clanmates had done. Some wounds are slow to heal. Instead he looked around for his sister Tawnypelt, and spotted her squeezing through a group of her Clanmates as she made her way toward him.

“Hi,” she purred, touching noses with him. “It’s good to see you, Bramblestar.”

“And you,” Bramblestar replied. “Rowanclaw did a brilliant job with Blackstar.”

Tawnypelt’s purr deepened. “I know. Rowanclaw is great.”

“And he’ll make a good leader,” Bramblestar went on. “It can’t be long now…”

Instantly Tawnypelt’s neck fur bristled. “Are you suggesting that Blackstar is too old to lead us?” she growled. “Because you’re wrong! Blackstar is fine.”

“Okay, okay!” Bramblestar took a pace back. “Keep your pelt on!”

Tawnypelt lashed her tail once, then pressed her muzzle into her brother’s shoulder. “Take care, you stupid furball,” she meowed as she turned to rejoin her Clanmates.

Bramblestar noticed that Tigerheart was still talking to Ivypool, though Cherryfall and Ratscar had moved on. Faintly curious, he eased his way into earshot.

“Where’s Dovewing?” Tigerheart was asking.

Ivypool had a guarded look, and her tone was distant as she replied. “She’s in the camp.”

“With Bumblestripe?” Tigerheart glanced around as if he was looking for the pale gray tom.

“I don’t think that’s any of your business,” Ivypool retorted.

Bramblestar wondered why Tigerheart would want to see Dovewing. Cats in other Clans never learned about the Three’s special powers, so it can’t be that he wants her to see something far away.