#tumblefang

Barleypaw was staying behind, as expected, but she had specifically asked to stay and protect Smokyrose and the kittens. 

“You won’t need to,” Floodpaw had said, “We’re going to beat the rogues, easy. The prophecy said so.” 

“It never hurts to be safe,” Yarrowshade had said. 

Floodpaw wasn’t sure how much he agreed with that but he’d forgotten about it easily enough when the other Clans started gathering in their camp. EarthClan was first. Floodpaw scrambled out of the apprentices’ den when he heard them. Orangestar and Darkmoon were there, along with three warriors he had met before on patrols. He also spotted Fishpaw and Boldpaw among the crowd and he hurried across the clearing to talk with them. Fishpaw wasn’t interested in conversation but Boldpaw sat and humored him which made Floodpaw swell with pride. 

Shortly after, FallenClan arrived with Flightstar, his deputy Pigeoncover, and three other warriors. Flightstar immediately ducked into Goldenstar’s den to talk with the other leaders but unlike the EarthClan cats, FallenClan didn’t mingle at all with RisingClan’s warriors. Floodpaw frowned. 

“Can you believe they almost didn’t show up?” he asked Boldpaw. 

Fishpaw looked over and said, “I can. FallenClan are a bunch of heartless snakes.” 

“They are?” he asked, squinting at the cluster of cats, two of which looked very similar to himself. 

“Flightstar at least is bad news,” Boldpaw said. “Darkmoon says the patrols have only gotten more standoffish since he took over.” 

“Huh,” Floodpaw said. He used to think that Flightstar was a strong and admirable warrior but now he wasn’t sure. What was a warrior without concern for others? Even he knew how important that was! 

Soon after, Snowstar, Tangletooth, Coyotechaser, and four other SkyClan warriors arrived along with Fernpaw who bounded over when Floodpaw waved at him. 

“Hey!” he grinned, joining them. “You guys ready to tear some rogue pelts?” 

“Definitely!” Floodpaw nodded, kneading the ground with his claws. 

“Shouldn’t be long now,” Boldpaw said. “Everyone’s here.”

“Who all from RisingClan is coming?” asked Fernpaw, looking around.

“Um,” Floodpaw tried to remember. “Me, Sparrowpaw… Goldenstar and Russetfrond, of course, and then Ospreymask, Branchbark, and I think Pantherhaze?” 

“Okay, not bad,” Fernpaw said, looking around.

“So everyone is bringing more warriors than FallenClan, then,” Fishpaw scoffed. 

“I heard they’re the smallest Clan there is,” Fernpaw said. “They don’t even have any apprentices or anything.” 

Floodpaw flicked an ear dismissively. “Who cares,” he said, “We’re all going to battle together! I can’t wait.” They didn’t have to wait long, which was a good thing, given the snow. After a few more minutes, the leaders emerged and Goldenstar jumped onto the Stoneperch to call a meeting. 

“Warriors!” she cried, and everyone fell silent. “We’re finally ready to drive these city rogues from our territory once and for all!” The cats cheered and Floodpaw joined in as loudly as he could. The energy was intoxicating, all of their bodies gathered in the little camp, hearts beating in time, their purpose aligned. He felt like a part of something bigger than himself and it was amazing. 

Goldenstar continued, “StarClan is with us today and our victory has been foreseen! All we need to do is follow through. Thank you all for joining us in this endeavor. It would not be possible without you and for that Orangestar and I are grateful.” Flightstar and Snowstar puffed up a little, looking proud of themselves, although Flightstar was the only one wearing a smirk. 

“Here’s the plan:” said Goldenstar. “We attack in two waves. The first wave will be led by Snowstar and made up of cats with pale coats. We’ll call them the Stoat Group. They’ll blend into the snow and advance stealthily, making way for the rest of us to follow. The second group, who we’ll call Eagle Group, will follow in their pawsteps about four fox-lengths behind.”

Snowstar lifted her voice and said, “Stoat Group will make the first approach, assess the rogue camp, and then attack. Once Eagle Group hears signs of combat, they’ll move in as well.”

Goldenstar nodded, looking a little perturbed. “Stoat Group will be Snowstar, Charredbranch, Pebblefall, Fernpaw, Bogmist, Fishpaw, Pigeoncover, Tumblefang, and Floodpaw.” Floodpaw gasped. He was going to be a part of the first attack? And without anyone else from RisingClan with him? He couldn’t believe it. “Everyone else, you’re with Eagle Group. Are there any questions?” 

No one spoke up, instead looking around to identify the cats they would be fighting side by side with. Floodpaw bumped shoulders with Fernpaw excitedly and Fernpaw grinned back. 

“Alright then,” said Flightstar, standing up. “Let’s form up and move out. Good hunting!” A few of the cats cheered but Floodpaw noticed Goldenstar frown. 

“I’m gonna check in with my mentor,” he said, “and then I’ll be right back, okay?” 

“Okay!” Fernpaw nodded. Floodpaw jumped up and bounded over to the food of the Stoneperch just as Goldenstar jumped down. 

“Hey,” he said, “Thanks for letting me go with Stoat Group!” 

Goldenstar looked down at him and a smile spread over her worried expression. “They need all the cats they can get and you’ve got the right coloring,” she said. “Just be careful. Stay close to the other warriors and don’t let the rogues overwhelm you. We’ll be right behind you but there’s probably going to be a good few seconds where you’re outnumbered.” 

“Got it,” he said, nodding. “I’ll see you there then.” 

“Good luck, kid,” Goldenstar purred, butting her head against his. He pressed up into her touch and then turned to go find Stoat Group. Before he got too far, he ran into Sparrowpaw. 

“Hey,” Sparrowpaw said, stepping in front of him, “Be safe out there, okay?” 

“Yeah,” Floodpaw said, “you too.” 

Sparrowpaw smiled. “Will do.” Floodpaw rubbed up against his brother fondly, then hurried towards Stoat Group. Luckily, nothing else got in his way and soon enough he was standing in a circle of mostly white cats, belly deep in the snow. It was almost surreal. He didn’t think he’d seen this many cats like him in one place all his life. 

“Alright,” said Snowstar, as he and Bogmist joined the huddle, “that’s everyone. Let’s move out. Stay within sight of at least two other cats at all times. Once we get there, watch me for the signal to attack, understood?”

“Affirmative,” said Pigeoncover with an obedient nod. Most of the others nodded or voiced agreement. Floodpaw puffed his chest up and nodded. What an honor to be among such a capable group of warriors!

“Good,” said Snowstar. “May StarClan guide our claws!” She looked across the camp to Goldenstar and the others and made eye contact before nodding and heading up the slope and into the thicker snow. 

“Good luck!” Floodpaw heard Oddstripe calling after them. He looked back at the healers’ den to shoot a grin at his papa who seemed worried. Don’t worry, Papa, he tried to say with his smile, I’ll come back a hero! Just watch!

Stoat Group fell into a small arrow shape with the apprentices in the middle, directly behind Snowstar and Pigeoncover. Floodpaw made sure to check regularly that he could still see Fernpaw and Fishpaw on either side of him as they made the long and silent journey to the border, or rather, to where the rogues had pushed the border. Despite the biting cold, he felt like he was burning with anticipation. It felt like at any moment they would suddenly be in the thick of battle. 

Eventually, Snowstar lifted her tail to stop them, and Floodpaw craned his neck to see the tracks ahead of them, covered heavily with freshly fallen snow. He wanted to ask if they were close but managed to keep a hold on his tongue. Snowstar looked at Pigeoncover and seemed to convey a message without a word. The FallenClan deputy nodded, glanced at Tumblefang, and then the two cats peeled off to the East, making a wide circle. Snowstar glanced at Charredbranch and he grinned, then flicked his tail at Fernpaw and the two of them split off to the West. 

Floodpaw started to vibrate in excitement. This must be it, he thought, we’re about to attack! He opened his mouth to try and catch any scent but the snow had muffled all of it. If the city cats were here, he had no idea where. 

A tense moment passed. Then another. Floodpaw strained his ears for any sound. He couldn’t hear anything above the blood pounding in his own ears. He spotted Charredbranch’s ears poking out of a snow bank to their right. He couldn’t see Pigeoncover anywhere.

Snowstar chirped, like a chattering bird, and all of the cats surged forward in an instant. Floodpaw moved as soon as he realized what was happening, flowing through Snowstar’s pawprints like rain water finding the fastest way down a hill. She bounded down a small slope then turned sharply right. Floodpaw blinked and suddenly there were dens in the snow in front of them. Snowstar crashed through into one and one of the cats inside screamed. 

“What’s going on?!” he heard a stranger cry out.

“We’re under attack!” another voice shouted, “Get up! Everyone up!” 

Pebblefall was in front of him and a rogue rose up to meet him, barring the entrance. Floodpaw shifted from foot to foot and glanced at Fishpaw. She growled in frustration and glanced around so he did the same. There was a second den where the two offshoots had converged and were being held at bay by a big ginger tabby with a jingling collar. There didn’t seem to be another den to attack. 

“Back up!” he heard Pebblefall hiss and the rest of the group hurried back to allow Pebblefall and Snowstar back out into the snow. Floodpaw gaped in disbelief. Had they been driven out so easily?! Then, he saw the genius in their plan. As they retreated, the city cats inside followed, leading them out where the other warriors could more easily attack them. 

A silver speckled tabby dashed out of the den and was tackled by Bogmist before she knew what was happening. A pale ginger she-cat with bengal spots lunged for Pebblefall only to have Fishpaw pounce on her from the other side. Snowstar arched her back in a hiss and a pale silver tabby tom, bleeding from a nasty claw wound above his eye, leapt to meet her. The tom looked just like Fogkit and Floodpaw realized suddenly that he must be Ghost.

Spitting furiously, Floodpaw darted in and grabbed Ghost’s back leg in his teeth. He gave a tug and Ghost stumbled, crying out. Snowstar took the opportunity to lunge for his neck but Ghost managed to roll out of the way. 

“What do we do?” a ginger tom cried from inside the den. More cats huddled behind him, reeking of fear scent. Floodpaw frowned. That wasn’t right.

“Get out of here!” Ghost barked, backing away from Floodpaw as he desperately tried to blink the blood from his right eye. Snowstar pursued him with a hiss but something unnerving twisted in Floodpaw’s gut.

“You will stay and fight!” shouted the ginger kittypet from across the way where he had Charredbranch pinned. “That’s an order!” Several kittypets had poured out of the den to join the fight. Pigeoncover and Tumblefang were trading back and forth between a black and white tom and a brown and white tabby she-cat. Fernpaw danced in circles, avoiding the swipes of two more kittypet rogues. 

Floodpaw immediately sprinted to his friend’s rescue. Snowstar would handle Ghost. Fernpaw needed him. 

He sprang at the bigger of the two, a scarred black smoke tabby tom and landed on his back. He clung for dear life, biting at the tom’s neck, but the kittypet rolled over and he wasn’t quick enough to avoid being crushed under the heavier cat’s weight. 

Still, he had drawn one of the cats off of Fernpaw who called out, “Thanks!” as he finally turned to attack his pursuer. 

Floodpaw rolled to his paws just in time. Right where he had been, the scarred kittypet slammed his paws down with enough force to crack Floodpaw’s sternum in half, he thought. Floodpaw darted to nip at his hind legs and followed the movement to circle the tom as he tried to round on Floodpaw. 

“Big-eared brat!” the rogue hissed, snapping for Floodpaw’s tail. Floodpaw squeaked but managed to leap out of the way just in time. 

A roar sounded on the hill, a dozen cats crying out. Eagle Group descended into the circle of trampled snow and crashed into the rogues. Russetfrond barreled into the tom Floodpaw was fighting and took him to the ground. Floodpaw panted heavily, glad that he’d been saved but unsure how to help now. 

He backed up to try and get a better look at the battlefield. The noise was suddenly overwhelming, a cacophony of yowling, writhing bodies. Now that the second wave had arrived, the Clans outnumbered the city cats more than two to one. All at once, the smell of blood became overwhelming. It wasn’t a tantalizing smell like prey blood. No, it was all wrong, like a sinister corruption of the taste. Floodpaw instinctively crouched low to the ground, trying to get his bearings against the tide of sensory information. 

“We need to go!” shrilled the silver speckled tabby, bleeding heavily from her shoulder. 

“Do not break rank!” bellowed the black and white kittypet, dodging blows from Tumblefang and Branchbark. 

“Kill the damn pests already!” hissed a voice behind Floodpaw and he twisted suddenly to see the ginger tabby kittypet bearing down on him. 

“Floodpaw, look out!” shouted Ospreymask as she heaved herself back onto her feet, a gash on her leg spraying blood over the snow. Floodpaw twisted to try and get out of the way but the kittypet slammed into him, pushing him onto his back in the snow. Floodpaw kicked with his hind legs, felt them connect with the soft flesh of the tom’s belly, and tried to dig his claws deep into it. Meanwhile, teeth snapped at his neck, grazed the skin, then made contact, tearing into the loose skin there. Floodpaw shrieked in pain. 

The tom’s head twisted suddenly, pulled off course by Ospreymask’s claws hooked into one of his eyes. The kittypet roared, spun around, and swiped at her. Floodpaw acted on instinct and lunged, grabbing the skin beneath the tom’s arm in his teeth. He pulled hard. Blood gushed over his face, hot and sour. 

Ospreymask slammed the tom face first into the snow, pulling him out of Floodpaw’s grip. He backed up and pressed a paw against the wound in his neck. 

“Floodpaw!” suddenly Goldenstar was beside him. “Are you alright?” He nodded silently, reeling.

He couldn’t look away from Ospreymask. Fury burning in her eyes, she rolled on top of the rogue, ignored his claws swiping at her face, and sank her teeth into his neck. Floodpaw had never seen such ferocity. The tom twisted his hind legs to strike at her. His claws tore at her belly, blood spattered the ground. She adjusted her grip on his neck and tore. 

Blood, more blood than Floodpaw had ever seen, spurted rhythmically from the kittypet’s neck and bathed the snow red. The tom gurgled and fell over, eyes staring blankly as he shuddered in the throes of death. 

Ospreymask looked at Floodpaw with an intense stare. “Are you alright?” Her whole chin and a good portion of her chest were drenched in blood.

“Uh, yeah-” he said, trying to meet her eyes, but he couldn’t help looking back at the kittypet - at his body.

“Sycamore!” screamed the kittypet she-cat. Suddenly she was tearing across the clearing towards Ospreymask. “You little bitch! I’ll tear you apart!” Robinswoop was behind the kittypet and hooked his claws into her tail, causing her to tumble into the snow. Then Ryestripe was on her, raining down blows. 

“Shit!” cursed Ghost. When he turned around to look, Snowstar swiped out and deepened the wound above his eye. Sparrowpaw leapt onto his back and sank his claws in, forcing him to refocus on the fight in front of him. 

“Sycamore’s dead!” cried the cat who had been fighting Fernpaw. “Retreat!” 

“Retreat!” chorused the street cats. There was a pause as everyone took a step back and the rogues started to flee. Some of the warriors cheered or spat insults at their backs. The brown tabby she-cat snarled furiously and lunged for Ospreymask again, but the black and white tom caught her by her scruff and pulled her back. 

“We have to go, Bella!” he snapped. Tears in her eyes, the she-cat looked at the horde of warriors hovering at the ready around them. They were the only two city cats left. Floodpaw watched the gravity of the situation sink in on her face. 

Backing up against the other kittypet, she glared at Ospreymask and said, “This isn’t over! You’ll pay for what you’ve done! All of you degenerates will pay!” 

“Yeah, yeah!” laughed Tumblefang.

“Beat it, flea bag!” jeered Fishpaw. 

Seething through gritted teeth, the kittypets turned and fled after their compatriots. 

“We are victorious!” shouted Flightstar and the crowd whooped and hollered in response. Cries of triumph went up throughout the group as cats turned to each other with wide smiles and bloody pelts. 

“Sparrowpaw!” Russetfrond barked above the noise, “Go fetch your father!”

“Yes, sir!” cried Sparrowpaw and he bounded over the hill the way they had come. Snowstar started moving among the cats, checking for serious injuries. Goldenstar rasped her tongue over Floodpaw’s neck, cleaning away the blood, and he suddenly came back to his body. 

“Are you alright, kid?” she asked, making eye contact with him. 

“Yeah,” he said, “I think. Is it bad?” He tried to look down at his wound. 

“It’s not that bad,” said Goldenstar, licking over his ears fondly. “We’ll get some cobwebs on it and you’ll be right as rain.” 

“Who got the kill?” shouted Tumblefang, moving through the crowd.

“Ospreymask!” said Robinswoop. A few cats called their congratulations and Ospreymask blushed, running her tongue over her dripping red muzzle. 

“As prophesied!” declared Snowstar with a dawning wonder. “Behold, the raptor that crushed the snake in its beak!” Floodpaw’s eyes widened. That had been a part of the prophecy? Cheers went up among the group. Branchbark appeared to try and lift Ospreymask onto his shoulders and the two of them laughed and began to wrestle. Floodpaw found himself staring at the body again, at the blood coagulating in the cavity she had made in its throat. That had been a person before but now it was just a stiff thing lying in the snow. Floodpaw couldn’t even remember its name. 

“Hey,” Goldenstar said, nudging him. “Maybe we should head back to camp, yeah?” 

“Oh,” he said, tearing his gaze away. “Yeah, maybe.” He looked back at the body. “Is it always so… scary?” 

Goldenstar laid her tail over his back and mumbled. “The first time is the hardest. It gets easier. But it’s a good reminder. Warriors try not to kill to win their battles.” 

“Because it’s scary like that?” he asked, looking back at her.

“And because the dead never get to see their loved ones again. You remember how much it hurt people when Nightfrost died, right?” He nodded. “When possible, you should try not to cause that much hurt. Nothing good ever comes from it.” 

“But we won,” he said. “We won because she killed him.” 

“We did,” Goldenstar said, lips pursed. “We probably could have won without killing anyone. But what happened happened. Sometimes you try your hardest and it still happens like that. We can’t change the past. We can only try and make a better future.” 

“Gotcha…” he said, swallowing as he looked at the bloodstained snow. 

“Floodpaw!” Oddstripe cried, rushing down the slope in front of Sparrowpaw. “Oh, StarClan, are you alright?” He reached them and took Floodpaw’s face in his paws to angle him this way and that. 

“The wound isn’t serious,” Goldenstar said reassuringly. “He fought well.” 

“They both did,” said Russetfrond, coming to join them. Sparrowpaw beamed at his brother but Floodpaw was too busy trying to break free. 

“Papa, stop! I’m fine!” he protested, trying not to draw too much attention to himself. 

“Oh, I was so worried about you, is-” Oddstripe stopped as he looked up and saw the body. “Oh- Stars above!” 

“It’s alright,” Goldenstar said, “He’s one of the rogues.” 

“There aren’t any other casualties,” said Coyotechaser, approaching, “but Pebblefall has a lot of wounds and Furrowleap can’t move his leg properly.” 

“And I should probably get my belly seen too,” said Ospreymask, stumbling over, leaning on Branchbark.

“Oh,” Oddstripe seemed suddenly overwhelmed. “Right, yes, let me look at your belly. If you could fetch Pebblefall…”

“Will do,” said Coyotechaser, moving away. 

Goldenstar reared up on her hind legs and called out, “Everyone who can should start heading back to RisingClan’s camp! Sagetooth and Tangletooth will be waiting to tend to your wounds and there’s a feast of fish waiting for all of you!” The war band cheered uproariously and began to meander back in the direction they had come. 

“Russetfrond,” Goldenstar said, dropping back to all four paws, “take the body over the Thunderpath please. Take whoever you need with you.”

“You got it,” he said, then looked at Branchbark. “Come on, you.” 

“Wh- me?!” protested the warrior. 

“Yes, you,” grumbled Russetfrond, “now hop to it. The faster we get this done the faster you can go back to doing whatever you wanted.” 

“Can I come?” Sparrowpaw asked. 

Russetfrond hummed then shrugged. “Alright. You can be our look out.” Sparrowpaw nodded seriously and moved with them as they went over to the body and began to drag it through the snow. 

Fernpaw appeared and butted heads with Floodpaw. “Was that awesome or what?!” he cried. 

“Yeah,” Floodpaw said, letting the other apprentice’s energy infect him. “You were amazing! When you were fighting those two cats at once-?!”

“Don’t forget when you saved me!” Fernpaw beamed. “I can’t believe you’re younger than I am!” 

“Yeah, well, I didn’t eat death berries and spend a moon in the healers’ den,” Floodpaw joked, swiping playfully at his ear. 

“Hey! I told you that in confidence!” Fernpaw laughed, looking around to see if anyone had heard. 

Floodpaw gave him another shove and said, “I’ll race you back to camp!” 

“Okay, readysetgo!”  Fernpaw blurted quickly and then tore off through the snow.

Someone had explained that so long as the full moon could be seen, the gathering would progress, but if clouds ever covered the moon, that meant StarClan was unhappy and the gathering would immediately come to a close. Scorch had refrained from voicing the thoughts in her head. 

Now, she glanced up at the moon as it started to rise above the clearing and the crumbling half of the old twoleg nest there. The other Clans were supposed to arrive soon, but so far, there hadn’t been sight or scent of them. 

“This is ridiculous,” Russetfrond said, tail lashing. “Why did we leave so early?” 

Goldenstar stopped her pacing to shake her fur a bit and look his way. “I overestimated how long the trip would take,” she said, “I’m sorry, everyone.” Scorch shuffled awkwardly. Goldenstar had confessed earlier that she wanted to arrive early so that RisingClan would start the gathering in a place of authority, to make things easier when she announced Scorchplume’s joining and the changes she was planning to make. Scorch had been impressed by Goldenstar’s bravery, to be honest, but she hadn’t said so, only promised to be on her best behavior. 

“It’s alright,” Pantherhaze purred reassuringly. “The others shouldn’t be much longer, right?” He looked around as if hoping someone would back him up. 

“They’d better not be,” grumbled Sagetooth. Russetfrond growled in agreement. 

“Patience,” Smokyrose urged gently. “They will come in time.” Sagetooth’s ear twitched but everyone fell silent again and waited quietly for the next several minutes. 

Suddenly, Yarrowshade sat up sharply, ears swiveling, and said, “SkyClan?” Everyone turned their attention to the trees where the sounds of cats moving softly started to drift towards their ears. Scorch took a deep breath and gave her fur a few quick licks. Moment of truth, she thought. 

A white she-cat with grey ears and paws led a small party of cats out of the trees and into the clearing. Goldenstar raised her tail to greet them and started talking brightly with the cat, who she called Snowstar. Scorch sat quietly beside Yarrowshade and listened as the two groups began to mingle. Sagetooth asked a fluffy white and brown tom about someone named Tangletooth and was told he had stayed home due to body aches. Smokyrose greeted a young ginger tom named Robinpaw and asked about a scar. Russetfrond and Pantherhaze spoke with a grey speckled tabby about the rain. Scorch did her best to memorize names and details and tones of voice, to gather who was safe and who was a threat and who would be easy to persuade. 

Yarrowshade stood as a white tom with a black striped rear approached him, and Scorch’s attention was pulled closer when he called, “Charredbranch! How y’doin, man?” 

“Good,” Charredbranch said, distractedly. Scorch watched him looking her over and she curled her tail tightly around her paws as if to shield herself from his eyes, “who is this?” She picked up on the interest in his voice and resisted the urge to scoff. 

“This is Scorchplume,” Yarrowshade purred, his tail curling around her shoulders. “I found her on the thunderpath a while back and she decided to stick around.” 

Charredbranch tilted his head and smiled at her. “Scorchplume, what a lovely name.” 

“You flatter me, sir,” she purred smoothly with a cool stare and a grin. 

“Sir?” he mused with a laugh, “Wow, she’s a charmer too! It’s a shame you didn’t join SkyClan, I would have liked to get to know you better.” Yarrowshade laughed a bit, but Scorch picked up on some tension in the tail end of the sound. 

“Alright, man, ease off,” he said, “you’ll make Greyvoice jealous.” 

“Eh, she’s not here tonight,” shrugged Charredbranch, settling down. “What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her.” 

“How is she?” Yarrowshade asked, finally twitching his tail off of Scorch’s back as he sat down too. 

“She’s good,” shrugged Charredbranch. The conversation moved on casually and Scorch was happy to let them change the subject, content to let herself slip into the periphery. After a while, another group of cats entered the clearing, led by a rosetted blue tom with sharp green eyes. Charredbranch perked his ears in that direction. 

“I’m gonna go say hi to Blizzardmoon,” he said to Yarrowshade, “you wanna come?” 

“Nah, I’m good,” smiled Yarrowshade. “See ya ‘round.” 

“Sure thing,” said Charredbranch, and then he dipped his head to Scorch and said, “It was good to meet you, Scorchplume.” 

“Likewise,” she smiled back and he took his leave. Yarrowshade watched him go and then leaned in to Scorch’s ear. 

“Sorry about him,” he mumbled so that Charredbranch couldn’t hear. 

“What for?” she asked, shifting her eyes but not her head in his direction. 

Yarrowshade faltered a bit. “For being such a meathead?” he said as if it were obvious. 

“Oh, was he?” she said dismissively, one ear flicking. “I guess it takes one to know one.” 

He rolled his eyes and shoved her a little, causing her to chuckle wryly. “Oh, come on, I’m not that bad.” 

“Sure,” she raised a brow skeptically. “You sound exactly like that when you talk to Nightfrost.” 

Yarrowshade winced. “Do I really?” 

“A bit,” Scorch nodded. 

“Well, at least I didn’t flirt with you when we first met. He shouldn’t have talked to you like that.” 

“Honestly, Yarrowshade, it’s fine,” she huffed, starting to get annoyed. “It’s not like I haven’t been ogled before. I know how to take care of myself.” Her tail twitched as she looked out over the clearing. “He wasn’t even persistent or anything.” 

Yarrowshade frowned but fell quiet. Scorch almost felt more irritated by it. Was he pitying her? She huffed through her nose and turned to watch Goldenstar climbing up the ruins of the twoleg nest after the blue rosetted tom who had just entered. She had a feeling Goldenstar wasn’t happy that he beat her there. 

Shortly after that, the third and (to her understanding) final group of cats arrived, led by a fluffy ginger she-cat. Scorch was surprised to see a pair of older kittens among the group, a russet tom and a white she-cat with a ginger splotched tail. She flicked her tail to get Yarrowshade’s attention and then nodded in their direction.

“You bring kits to these gatherings?” she asked.

He brightened at the sight of them. “Those must be new apprentices!” He said, “They’ve got to be at least six moons old to attend a gathering. By the looks of it, those are Furrowleap’s kits.” He pointed at the speckled brown tom hovering over them and introducing them to a SkyClan cat. 

“Hm,” Scorch said simply, intrigued. She supposed she had been younger when she started taking care of herself, so it wasn’t that strange, but something about it being formalized made her pelt prickle. The ginger cat who had led the others in, bounded quickly to join the other leaders on top of the mossy ruins, and shortly after Goldenstar stood and raised her tail with a yowl, drawing everyone’s attention. 

“Welcome, everyone!” she called as chatter faded and everyone settled down to listen. “I’d like to start the gathering off by introducing a new member of RisingClan.” Scorch took a deep breath and made sure to adjust her posture to something more regal before everyone turned their eyes on her. “Our new warrior, Scorchplume, has joined our ranks along with a new healer named Oddstripe, who stayed home with their newborn kits tonight.” Everyone began to murmur immediately. Scorch cast her gaze around cooly, challenging anyone to stare. Many cats did. 

Goldenstar continued after a moment, “Both cats came seeking our aid and, after spending some time among the Clan, decided to stay. Furthermore, Scorchplume has brought some concerns to my attention that I have been trying to address in RisingClan and that I would urge you all to consider as well.” The crowd rippled apprehensively, even the leaders shifting on top of their perch, and Scorch braced herself. Goldenstar definitely wasn’t the most effective speaker. Still, she admitted, this was a difficult topic to begin with. 

“I have come to believe that the Clans need to change,” said Goldenstar, retaining her composure for the moment. “For too long we have made the thought of life outside the Clans a terrifying fate worse than death. We have-” 

“It is!” cried a cat from below, and a few cats hissed in agreement. Some laughed.

Goldenstar spoke louder and firmer, “We have pushed away cats that could have strengthened us and disparaged those who find their paths leading them away from the Clans!” Several cats booed and hissed. Beside Scorch, Yarrowshade’s muscles tensed and shifted expectantly. 

“Goldenstar,” said the blue tom next to her, “listen to what you’re saying. Are you really so weak to have let this stranger upend your Clan on a whim?” Scorch felt eyes turning on her and she glared back at a few of them. 

“I’m not letting anyone upend my Clan,” Goldenstar retorted, ears pinning back. “I’m listening to feedback and trying to be more compassionate and open minded! This isn’t a spur of the moment decision, I’ve spent weeks thinking about this, I even spoke to Sunstar about it!” Of course, there was that appeal to StarClan. It seemed effective though, causing confused murmurs in the crowd. 

“From now on,” Goldenstar continued, pressing her advantage, “cats joining RisingClan are no longer required to change their names or renounce their old lives. Any cat who wishes to leave is free to do so and will be welcomed back at any time. Even strangers passing through, if they bear no ill will, are welcome in my camp.” 

“Next you’ll be eating out of twoleg’s paws and purring at their feet!” shouted a white and grey tabby she-cat and a few of her clanmates nodded. Goldenstar bristled, and Scorch realized quickly that she didn’t have a good way to respond. A vision of the gathering spiraling out of control flashed before Scorch’s eyes, of Goldenstar being shamed and disgraced. Before she could think better of it, Scorch found herself lifting her tail and speaking. 

“It sounds to me like you would rather cling to your traditions even as they fail you than admit someone somewhere might possibly know something you don’t.” Her voice was clear and strong and cut through the chatter. All eyes turned in her direction. 

The cat who had just spoken rounded on her and stood, tail brushing up furiously. “You have no right to speak here!” she hissed.

Scorch laughed. “I’m a full and respected member of RisingClan. I have just as much right to speak here as any of you.” 

“You’re no warrior,” the cat hissed, lashing her tail and stepping closer. Scorch tensed, anticipating a fight. “You’re nothing but a pitiable stray!” 

Scorch stood and took a step towards her, narrowing her eyes coldly. “Really?” She laughed again, harsher this time. “I’ve fought for every scrap of food I’ve ever had. I’ve seen more and done more than you could imagine. I was attacked by a monster and survived! You?” She scoffed and looked the young warrior up and down dismissively. “You look like you’ve barely grown into your paws.” Beside her, Yarrowshade couldn’t help but laugh and she even heard a few tense laughs or sympathetic winces throughout the crowd. The cat clearly grit her teeth in white hot embarrassment and rage and Scorch grinned smugly. 

“Watch your mouth, stray,” hissed the cat, taking another step forward.

Suddenly, a voice from atop the ruins boomed, “Tumblefang! There is no fighting at the gathering.” Both the she-cat, Tumblefang it seemed, and Scorch looked up to see Snowstar glaring down at them. Tumblefang growled lowly but sat back down, shoulders hunched. 

Scorch bowed her head deeply and said, “My apologies, Snowstar. Don’t be too hard on her. I should have known better than to respond to such a childish outburst.” Yarrowshade chuckled again and Scorch sat down smoothly, a confident smile on her face. She glanced at Goldenstar who seemed to be trying very hard not to grin. 

Snowstar nodded regally and asked, “Is there anything other news you’d like to share, Goldenstar?” 

“No,” said Goldenstar, “I think I’ve said enough for now. Although I would urge any leaders or mediators to visit if they want to know more.” She sat down and folded her tail over her paws. 

“Alright,” Snowstar nodded again. “I would like to share that Robinpaw has finished his training and been given the name Robinswoop.” 

The gathering didn’t last much longer. As they left, she could tell that cats were watching her and made sure to be the picture of grace and composure. Regardless, she could tell Sagetooth was not happy. Oh well, she thought. As a priest of this StarClan faith, she was probably never going to be very fond of Scorch and her new way of doing things.

Goldenstar bumped up into her with a purr. “Wow, you were amazing. Thanks for saving my hide there.” 

“Of course, your excellence,” Scorch purred. “It was honestly very satisfying.” 

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a cat put someone in their place that effectively,” Yarrowshade laughed. “And without a single threat? You have a gift!” 

“I know,” purred Scorch. Goldenstar and Yarrowshade laughed. She continued, “Do you think there will be consequences for your announcement? Cats seemed pretty upset.”