The Raging Storm

Leafstar grunted. “I’m not sure any solution will suit ShadowClan,” she snarled. “First the rogues, then Rowanclaw, now this. ShadowClan seems destined to cause trouble for the rest of us.”

Tree blinked calmly. “Let me try to help.” He wove his way to the front. “A meeting between the leaders of SkyClan and ShadowClan might help us find out what each Clan needs. There must be enough land to share, because no cat has starved so far. I will help find a solution.”

Bramblestar dipped his head. “Thank you, Tree. We will leave this matter in your paws for now.” He looked at Mistystar. “Perhaps it’s time we moved on with the Gathering and heard news from RiverClan and WindClan.”

Mistystar sniffed. “It seems the longer we stay, the more chance there is that the rest of you will come up for an excuse to take our land.” Swishing her tail, she leaped down from the Great Oak and headed for the long grass. As her Clanmates hurried after her, Harestar spoke.

“It looks like this Gathering is over.” He nodded to Bramblestar, Tigerstar, and Leafstar and then jumped into the clearing.

Violetshine watched WindClan leave. ThunderClan followed. They were muttering as they headed into the long grass. Violetshine blinked at Twigbranch as she passed. Twigbranch dipped her head apologetically. They weren’t going to get a chance to share tongues tonight. Tree waited for Leafstar as the SkyClan leader scrambled down the oak. Was he sure he could help Leafstar and Tigerstar come to an agreement? How would talking solve Tigerstar’s hunger for territory?

Violetshine hurried to meet her father, unease pricking in her belly. “Will Tigerstar make Leafstar let him hunt on our land?” The thought of ShadowClan warriors sharing their forest made her nervous.

“Let’s hope Tree comes up with a solution.” Hawkwing glanced at the yellow tom, looking unconvinced.

Her chest tightened. “Do you think we’ll have to leave the lake?” What else could they do if Tigerstar wouldn’t give up his claim to their land?

Hawkwing touched his nose to her head. “It will be okay,” he promised softly. “StarClan led me here so that you, Twigbranch, and I could be close to one another. They won’t make us leave.”

As he spoke, a hiss sounded from the edge of the clearing. Macgyver and Strikestone stood face-to-face, their hackles up. Both cats had tried to take the same trail through the grass. They held their ground, growls in their throats.

“Let him pass,” Leafstar called across the clearing. “We can wait.”

Macgyver flattened his ears and stepped back. Strikestone barged past him, Blazepaw at his heels. The ShadowClan cats streamed past SkyClan, heads high. Sagenose and Nettlesplash showed their teeth but let them pass.

As ShadowClan disappeared into the long grass, a shiver rippled Violetshine’s fur. Was this how it would be now? Must SkyClan give way to ShadowClan to avoid a fight? Her paws felt heavy. She’d believed StarClan had led SkyClan home by guiding them to the lake. But would it ever be a real home if the other Clans were always threatening to take it away?

CHAPTER 7

Fear gnawed at Alderheart’s belly as he watched Cloudtail and Molewhisker race from the camp. He wished they were carrying better news.

Bramblestar shifted beside him. “Let’s pray Tigerstar doesn’t overreact when they tell him.” The ThunderClan leader’s eyes were dark. With a curt nod, he turned and bounded back onto the Highledge.

Alderheart pushed his way heavily into the medicine den, feeling the tug of the brambles along his spine as he slid into the shadowy cave.

Jayfeather looked up as he entered. “Well?” His milky blue gaze seemed to reach for Alderheart. “What did Bramblestar say?”

“What do you think he said?” Irritation flashed beneath Alderheart’s pelt. Why do I have to keep explaining myself? I’m doing my best!

“Did you tell him about the deathberries?” Jayfeather’s gaze was unwavering.

“Yes.” Doubt shifted like a stone in Alderheart’s belly. After all he’d gone through to convince his denmates that this treatment was Puddleshine’s only hope, the berries didn’t seem to have made a difference. Puddleshine was still sick, slipping in and out of consciousness, racked by a high fever that threatened to send him into spasms once more.

His uncertainty had worsened when he’d told Bramblestar about his radical treatment for the sick tom. As his father’s eyes had widened with disbelief, Alderheart had shrunk beneath his pelt. “You should have consulted me before you gave him the berries,” Bramblestar had growled.

“I consulted with Leafpool and Jayfeather,” Alderheart defended himself.

Bramblestar’s fur bristled. “They’re not your Clan leader!”

“You’re not a medicine cat,” Alderheart snapped back.

“I’m the one who told Tigerstar last night that Puddleshine would be ready to return home soon.”