Brookshadow trotted beside Dewfur, her siblings all around her, as her Clan travelled to the Gathering. The light brown tabby felt herself shaking with anxiety and fear. She'd been scared of her clan; How would she feel with all four Clans, in one spot?

However, she knew she could handle the multitudes. Piketooth possibly being there scared her the most.

Dewfur hadn't even wanted her to go. Bramblestar had insisted, and for what reason, Brookshadow hadn't cared to find out. The idea of seeing Piketooth again chilled her soul and rooted her paws to the ground. She'd gotten dizzy with nausea and Dewfur had taken her outside of camp and talked soothingly to her until she could breathe correctly again.

"It's going to be okay, Brookshadow," He mewed, entwining his tail with hers. "I'll be right there, the entire time. You won't be alone. It'll be okay, I promise."

Brookshadow had shaken, shifting closer to Dewfur. "Please don't let him hurt me," She mewed incessantly. "Please don't let him hurt me."

Now Brookshadow blinked and hesitated, coming to a stop. Dewfur looked back at her, then stopped and pressed his forehead against hers. Brookshadow closed her eyes, her lips quivering, knowing that Dewfur's touch was the only thing keeping her from flying apart.

"It's alright, Brookshadow. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."

He waited until her breathing had steadied again before pulling back and looking at her. "You alright now?"

Brookshadow nodded a bit, and Dewfur stood by her side and guided her paws forward. He nudged Brookshadow onto the tree bridge, and she looked down into the water as she crossed, seeing a reflection of herself. She blinked slowly before jumping down at the other side, noticing that she landed harder than usual. She turned to see Dewfur jumping down right beside her. He smiled reassuringly at her, and Brookshadow took a breath.

She looked at him, her face a mix of anxiety and hope. Dewfur gave her a lick on her ear then led the way through the bushes. Brookshadow paused, then followed him, pushing slowly through the bushes and feeling some of the branching reach out to scratch her, and feeling some leaves attempting to cling to her pelt. She emerged and pulled back her ears, swallowing nervously. Cats were everywhere, talking and mingling together.

Dewfur stood in front of her, looking back. He flicked his ears invitingly, his smile guiding Brookshadow forward to his side. He led her slowly through the throngs of cats, Brookshadow trying not to flinch every time a cat accidentally touched her. They got to one of the clearing and Brookshadow paused, looking around. Dewfur kept going forward, so Brookshadow bounded forward and kept pace with him.

They settled down to await the start of the Gathering. Brookshadow's pelt itched. RiverClan wasn't here yet, and Brookshadow watched, her green eyes flashing in the night, as Bramblestar leapt onto his designated branch on the tree the leaders spoke on. His eyes were narrowed, his tail lashing every now and then, his tail-tip flicking in impatience between lashes. Bramblestar's gaze raked the clearing, and Onestar was watching him with a suspicious look in his eye.

Brookshadow gulped. Could I be the reason the truce is broken tonight? She thought, laying down on her stomach and shutting her eyes tight. She didn't want to be the only thing Bramblestar was concerned about anymore. She didn't want to be the victim of a rape she'd allowed to happen. She didn't even want to be Dewfur's mate anymore; he didn't deserve someone who let themselves be raped by a tom especially one in a different Clan. But mostly, she just wanted to disappear. Maybe then everything would go back to normal. Better than disappearing, hissed a voice in her head, is dying.

Brookshadow felt someone's tail resting on her back, and she looked up to see Dewfur smiling down at her. She blinked a few times, then sat up and leaned against him, burying her nose in his chest fur.

Dewfur gently nuzzled her and put his tail around her protectively. "Nothing bad will happen," He promised quietly.

Brookshadow nodded, relaxing.

Until a specific scent caught her attention. A flash out of the corner of her eye. Green eyes in the underbrush. Brookshadow felt her stomach clench in fear. She quickly looked away. RiverClan was here.

She and Dewfur had found a place close to the leaders, so as Mistystar jumped up onto her branch, they could hear Bramblestar mutter, "It's about time, Mistystar."

Mistystar turned her gaze to the ThunerClan leader, confused. "I'm sorry, are we late?"

"Not really," Bramblestar replied, his voice evening a little. "We just have some very important news to share that involves one of your... Warriors, who may be in attendance tonight."

Mistsystar looked at Bramblestar, her eyes narrowed in confusion. "I see. Well then, if no one else has any objections, you may go first."

Bramblestar shook his head. "No, this matter is personal and should be kept for last so it doesn't cause a disruption."

Onestar rolled his eyes. "Fine then. I'll go first." He cleared his throat and stood on his branch, tail out behind him for balance. "Cats of all Clans!"

The conversations ceased as everyone turned their gazes to the leaders. Broookshadow didn't listen as the Clans gave their reports on "full fresh-kill piles and new kits, apprentices, and warriors, oh my!" and instead focused on taking deep breaths. Nausea had risen and was making her dizzy. She gently reached over to Dewfur and tugged his fur with her claws.

He looked at her, concerned. "Are you alright?" He whispered.

"N-no," She mewed, trying not to shake. Dewfur nodded and rose, gently whispering as he led her through the throngs of cats and over to the bushes on the outskirts of the island. "Excuse me, excuse me,"

Brookshadow nausea grew as they reached the edge. Dewfur stood beside her as she swooned on her paws. Taking in a quick breath, she lowered herself down onto her stomach. Dewfur sat down and looked around, his eyes flashing in concern. Brookshadow felt bile rise in her throat and she wretched, coughing a bit.

"Brookshadow?" Dewfur mewed quietly, a worried tone to his voice.

The light brown she-cat took a breath and covered her vomit, then turned to look at Dewfur. "I-I'm fine now," She mewed, feeling her nausea recede.

Dewfur looked at her like she was crazy. "Are you sure? You just threw up for no given reason and now you're fine!?"

Brookshadow nodded, letting out another breath. "Yes. I'm fine."

Dewfur looked at her for a moment then nodded and slowly started to head back. As the two cats settled down in their spot, Bramblestar stepped forward. Brookshadow felt herself subconsciously sinking down towards the ground.

Dewfur glanced at her, wrapping his tail around her again.

"I have some horrid and vile news to share with you," Bramblestar meowed out, his eyes flashing angrily into the crowd. Dewfur's tail-tip flicked, and Brookshadow glanced at him to see his eyes also narrowing in anger.

"About half a moon ago, one of my dear warriors was raped by another Clan's warrior,"

Brookshadow nodded a bit, glad that Bramblestar hadn't shared her name. Dewfur must have insisted he didn't, because last Brookshadow knew, Bramblestar was going for full publicity. All cats turned and whispered to each other, wondering who it was. A few turned to the ThunderClan cats, whom hadn't spoken, and asked, but the cats just shook their heads and shrugged their shoulders. "We don't know."

Mistystar's eyes flashed, but she remained silent.

"Who's Clan were they from?" "Who did it?" The yowls started to ring out into the night.

"Silence, please," Bramblestar mewed, flicking his tail. "Sadly, it was one of RiverClan's warriors who did this."

Mistsyar stood and dipped her head, although her eyes were not very happy. "I respect you, Bramblestar. You are a noble warrior, and I know you would not accuse us of something so horrible without good reason, but I don't know who possibly could have raped one of your warriors."

"Don't worry, Mistystar," Bramblestar mewed. "I have taken all this into account and have already gained knowledge of who this cat is."

"Please, continue," Mistystar mewed, her eyes wary.

"Piketooth," The ThunderClan leader replied simply. "Is he in attendance today?"

"He is," Mistystar mewed, slightly shocked as the reality of the situation was taking hold. "But I-"

Brookshadow didn't get to hear the rest as she was dragged away from the cats and into the bushes. She let out a small yelp of surprise that was quickly silenced by the feeling of jaws at her throat.

"Scream, and you're dead," The cat above her said. Brookshadow trembled as she recognized the orange pelt and the voice along with it. "You told them about us?"

"I-I-I..." Brookshadow stuttered, her heart hammering in fear and her blood running cold.

Piketooth stepped back from her and placed his paw, claws extended, on her throat. "Don't move," He mewed threateningly, flexing his claws and making them dig into her throat slightly. Brookshadow felt them prick and tried not to whimper.

"Brookshadow?" She heard a faint call, and she tried to turn her head towards the sound.

Piketooth swiped the side of her face with his claws. "Pay attention!" He hissed quietly. "Now, you're going to come with me, or not only will you be dead, but so will your precious Dewfur and your siblings. Understand?"

Brookshadow nodded a bit, unsuccessfully holding back a small whimper.

"I told you to shut up!" Piketooth warned.

"Brookshadow!" There was a gasp from Dewfur.

"Where is she?"

"I-I don't know! She was just here!"

Piketooth growled under his breath. "Get up!" He hissed.

Brookshadow slowly stood, watching Piketooth carefully, her chest quaking in fear.

Piketooth watched her just as she was watching him. He motioned to the tree-bridge. "Go on."

Brookshadow took a breath, turned, and headed slowly towards the tree bridge.

"Faster." Piketooth hissed, slashing his claws across her neck wound. Brookshadow yowled in pain, then screamed as Piketooth's eyes narrowed in rage and he pounced on her, his jaws snapping at her throat. Brookshadow was holding him back with her paws, crying out as he got closer and closer with every lunge.

"What are you- Get off of her!" Suddenly Piketooth's weight was gone, and Brookshadow scrambled to her paws.

"Brookshadow!" Dewfur yowled, relieved.

Brookshadow glanced around and saw Dewfur and ran to him, burying her face in his chest fur and whimpering.

He held her close to him, whispering to her. "Are you alright? What did he do? You're bleeding!"

Brookshadow just whimpered and pushed closer to Dewfur, not replying until he had calmed her down enough to realize that Piketooth was being held down by Bramblestar and Misystar while Onestar and Blackstar tried to keep the Clans from rushing forward to see what was happening.

"I-I'm okay," Brooksahdow stuttered. "I'm j-just scared and w-want to go home."

Dewfur nodded. "I know, I know, but we have to wait."

Mistystar was snarling at Piketooth. "You're a disgrace to RiverClan!"

Bramblestar was glaring down at Piketooth, who had ceased struggling and was simply lying there, looking up at the two leaders, his eyes narrowed in anger.

Now the ThunderClan leader looked at Mistystar. "I asked ThunderClan what they thought must be done. They all agreed execution was the only route."

Mistystar looked down at her warrior, anger in her gaze. "I'm not disagreeing with you, but I feel everyone deserves a seconds chance."

Bramblestar had a small growl in his tone. "I agree with that, but it's different. The Warrior Code says nothing about rapists," He spat in Piketooth's face, causing the orange tom to hiss.

"Exactly. We should be an example. Letting him live, he might get better."

"Or he could hurt more."

"How about a compromise?" Mistystar asked, not wanting to start a fight. "Whoever pleases can harm him in any way they please, so long as he can still function and it's not a serious wound. After that we chase him out of Clan territory, and if he shows up at any of our territories, we kill him?"

Bramblestar hesitated. Squirrelflight, who had been standing next to the two leaders, ready to help if she was needed, nodded. Bramblestar sighed a bit. "You have a deal, Mistystar. Squirrelflight." He let go of Piketooth and Squirrelflight quickly took his place.

Bramblestar cleared his throat. "Any cat who wants to punish Piketooth can do so now, but no serious wounds."

Most of the cats that stepped forwards were from ThunderClan, then RiverClan, but there were still quite a few from ShadowClan and WindClan. Brookshadow couldn't look at Piketooth as the cats clawed at him and beat him up. Brookshadow didn't even notice when Dewfur had taken her all the way home and nudged her to settle down in her nest in the Medicine Den.

Brookshadow curled up in her nest and put her muzzle in between her paws, her eyes downcast. Dewfur made sure she was settled before starting towards the door. Brookshadow's eyes slid upward at him. Dewfur stopped and looked back at her. Brookshadow let out a small sigh and closed her eyes. Dewfur glanced between her and the ivy curtain for a second, then turned and laid down next to her. Brookshadow raised her head and looked at Dewfur, watching as he got comfortable. Then he looked at her and gave a small smile. She smiled back and laid her head down right next to him and closed her eyes after giving him a lick on his cheek.

"It'll all be okay," He mewed softly to her, holding her tail with his.

Brookshadow smiled. Feeling truly loved, she drifted off to sleep, her tail remaining twined with Dewfur's.