The Raging Storm

“I don’t know.” Sagenose looked at Blossomheart. Gravelpaw and the other apprentices, Pigeonpaw, Quailpaw, and Sunnypaw, were fidgeting at her side. “Should they mix with other ’paws?”

“I don’t see why not.” Blossomheart flicked her tail, and the young cats bound over to the others.

Around the clearing, warriors stopped to talk to one another, or nodded polite greetings. Hawkwing was talking with Squirrelflight and Berrynose. Plumwillow was chatting with Sandynose and Podlight while Harrybrook exchanged gossip with Emberfoot and Oatclaw. Only ShadowClan hung back. Their apprentices stayed at their mentors’ sides and watched through narrowed eyes. Violetshine shifted her paws uneasily. Twigbranch was with Lionblaze as he talked with Reedwhisker and Minnowtail. Her sister’s gaze flitted away from the RiverClan cats and caught Violetshine’s eye.

Violetshine blinked at her, happy as their old connection sparked anew. She began to cross the clearing, wondering what news her sister had to share. Were she and Finleap mates now? As she neared, the Clans grew still. A hush fell over the clearing. She glanced around. Tigerstar was heading toward the Great Oak. Bramblestar followed. Harestar, Mistystar, and Leafstar padded after him. As Tigerstar leaped onto the lowest branch, Tawnypelt, Hawkwing, Reedwhisker, Squirrelflight, and Crowfeather took their places on the arching roots below.

Violetshine looked at Twigbranch. Her sister dipped her head apologetically and turned back to her Clan. Disappointed, Violetshine returned to her own Clanmates and looked up at the Great Oak as Bramblestar cleared his throat.

“Newleaf has brought fresh prey to ThunderClan.” He gazed out over the Clans. “Our bellies are full, and the warmer weather has given us chance to strengthen our dens and begin to restock our herb store.” He turned to Tigerstar. “Alderheart is currently taking care of Puddleshine. ShadowClan’s medicine cat was injured by some Twoleg silverthorn and is being treated for infection in the ThunderClan camp.”

“I trust he will be ready to return home soon.” Tigerstar met Bramblestar’s gaze.

“Of course.” Bramblestar didn’t hesitate, but Violetshine saw Leafpool glance nervously at Jayfeather. Was there more to Puddleshine’s illness than either leader was giving away?

Tigerstar lifted his muzzle. “We have nearly finished restoring our camp. And we have new apprentices training under experienced ShadowClan warriors. They will be taking their warrior names soon.” He nodded toward a white-and-ginger tom, one of the cats Tigerstar had brought back with him from his journey beyond the territories. “Blazepaw”—the young tom puffed out his chest—“Cinnamonpaw, and Antpaw.” Cinnamonpaw. The name sounded strange to Violetshine. It must be a Twoleg word. She followed Tigerstar’s gaze as it flicked to the other cats with him. They looked too old to be apprentices, but pride shone in their eyes as their leader acknowledged them. “We have more news.” As Tigerstar spoke, Violetshine saw Juniperclaw slide from among his Clanmates and push his way to the front of the gathered cats. Tawnypelt hopped down from the roots of the Great Oak, and Juniperclaw took her place. Tigerstar blinked at the black tom approvingly before addressing the Clans once more. “Tawnypelt is stepping down as our deputy. Our new deputy will be Juniperclaw.”

Murmurs of surprise rippled through the watching cats.

“Didn’t Juniperclaw abandon ShadowClan to follow Darktail?” Brackenfur called from among the ThunderClan cats.

Macgyver stared up at Tigerstar. “Why would you trust a cat who once betrayed your Clan?”

“A deputy must be loyal!” Sandynose called.

“He might be your leader one day!” Brackenfur’s pelt bristled indignantly.

Tigerstar silenced the Clans with a sharp flick of his tail. “I choose my deputy, and my choice concerns no Clan but ShadowClan!”

Strikestone raised his voice in support of his leader. “ShadowClan makes its own decisions!”

Sparrowtail chimed in. “No one dictates to ShadowClan!”

Tigerstar’s gaze blazed across the gathered cats. “ShadowClan is born again. Past mistakes have been forgotten.”

The ShadowClan cats yowled in loud agreement.

Violetshine shrank beneath her pelt. How had ShadowClan grown so sure of itself in a single moon? She noticed Tree watching Tigerstar, interest sparking in his amber eyes.

“Prey is running well—”

“So well that sometimes they have to follow it onto SkyClan land!” Sandynose’s hackles lifted as he interrupted the ShadowClan leader.

Tigerstar returned the SkyClan warrior’s gaze coolly. “No borders have been crossed,” he meowed slowly. “My warriors have assured me of that.”

Leafstar’s tail twitched irritably. “If that’s true, then why have my warriors reported finding ShadowClan scents on SkyClan territory?”

“Perhaps they’re not sure where the borders lie.” Tigerstar met her gaze evenly.

“They are very sure,” Leafstar growled.