Moonlight bathed the clearing, causing the grass to glow. Drops of dew hung from the blades, evidence of the short period of rain from earlier. The cats of ShadowClan weren't alseep quite yet, and though no cat would admit it, they were worried. Runningpaw had fell off a tall tree during training. One of the branches had dug into his back while he was falling.

Nightfeather bit into the soggy mouse, trying her best to keep her mind off Runningpaw. Leaftail and her kits had disappeared into the medicine den, followed by Wolffur. There was still no news of his condition.

The black she-cat looked up, giving a hiss as a droplet splashed against her nose. She was sitting just below the weeping willow, but the moisture somehow found it's way through the leaves and branches. The weather was quite gloomy for leaf-bare.

A pang in her chest reminded her of who used to sit with her under this very tree, laughing and sharing tales. She closed her eyes. For once in her life, she didn't have to worry about waking up in the Dark Forest. It was a relief, but guilt still rested deep under. Was it really worth it to pass it on to someone else?

A voice broke her thoughts, and she blinked her eyes open.

"Mind if I join you?" Snowstripe inquired, voice almost a whisper. Her eyes were dull and stormy.

Nightfeather observed the white-striped she-cat. She wasn't very social. The black she-cat guessed that her only friends were Mistflower and her, but she didn't mind.

"Sure." Nightfeather meowed crisply, using her tail to pat the spot next to her.

Snowstripe looked quite relieved as she scurried forward. "Thanks." She breathed. "I didn't have anywhere to sit."

Nightfeather nodded to show she was listening and used a paw to push the mouse towards her. "D'you want it?"

Snowstripe nodded eagerly and dipped her head to sink her jaws into it. Nightfeather watched her fondly and turned back to stare into the clearing. A pair of eyes stared right into hers. Her confusion grew when she realized they were Mistflower's. They burned with something bitter...jealousy?

Snowstripe licked a paw, eyes glittering with sadness. "Mistflower's mad at me."

Nightfeather gave her a curious glance. "Why?"

Snowstripe averted her gaze and flicked her tail. "Nothing."

Nightfeather rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Snowstripe." She muttered.

The she-cat sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm just not ready to tell anyone yet." Her tone grew bitter as she dug her claws into the ground. "My father wouldn't care either way."

Nightfeather winced inwardly. She recalled a time when she was a kit, when Addertooth and his mate, Gingerfur, were happy. But that was long ago. After her death, he closed up.

Fawnfur's eyes widened as the screams outside of the nursery grew louder. Nightkit suddenly felt herself being shoved deeper into the moss nest.

"You don't act like my dad!" Snowpaw's screech shook the den.

Nightkit pushed past her mother's tail and peered into the entrance. Her dark blue eyes widened as she spotted Addertooth, claws unsheated and flecked with something dark. Snowpaw panted heavily as blood trickled from her cheek. Her eyes darkened.

"You're no daughter of mine! " Addertooth spat.

Nightfeather closed her eyes. It had been horrifying to witness as a kit. She never really thought of Addertooth the same way again.

》》》》》》》》》》

Nightfeather blinked open her eyes, a little groggy from her nap. She peered through the branches of the warrior's den into the foggy clearing. Today was the day of the gathering, and the cats attending were slowly trickling in. She felt a rush of anxiety as she got up. What would happen? Would RiverClan attend? WindClan had agreed to nurse them back to their paws, but the damage they had suffered was severe.

The black she-cat ducked into the open, jaws wide as she tasted the air. The misty scent of rain rushed over the camp, foretelling storms. She glanced at the night sky. The stars twinkled beneath the blanket of clouds, bright as ever. Nightfeather desperately hoped this was a good omen.

She trotted over to the medicine den, nearly bumping into Blazefur.

She muttered a quick apology. "How's Runningpaw?"

Blazefur's eyes flashed. "Not so good. I'm not sure he'll ever walk again. He hurt his legs pretty badly."

Nightfeather felt her heart break for the young apprentice. He had his whole life ahead of him. If he made it through now, residing in the elder's den would be his only option.

"That's horrible," she whispered. "Does Leaftail know?"

Blazefur shook his head, sadness evident in his actions. "No. I was going to wait for him to wake up."

Nightfeather nodded. She quickly excused herself and made her way to the group of cats gathered by the entrance. Most of them bore scars from the battle.

She made herself comfortable next to Snowstripe, who seemed to be alone.

"Nightfeather," she breathed. "Thank StarClan. I thought I was going to have to sit alone again."

Nightfeather cracked a small smile. "Your saviour has come. Fear not, fair Snowstripe."

Snowstripe let out a mrrow of laughter. "Oh, you." She giggled, slapping Nightfeather with a tail.

Nightfeather curled her tail around her paws. "What do you think will happen at the gathering?" She inquired. She couldn't be the only one who felt nervous.

Snowstripe shrugged. "I dunno. RiverClan probably won't come."

Nightfeather opened her jaws to agree, only to be cut off by Mistflower's yowl.

"Cats of ShadowClan! Gather!"

Shadestar, who was looking quite sickly, slowly led the way out of camp. Nightfeather trotted behind the senior warriors, mind whirling with all the possibilties of the night.

》》》》》》》》》》》

The full moon hung high in the sky, its light outshining the brewing clouds. Nightfeather opened her jaws to taste the air as she stepped down from the log, surprised to find the fresh scent of RiverClan mixed in with that of WindClan and ThunderClan.

Nightfeather made her way through the thick crowd, and finally found a spot behind the medicine cats. She sat down and looked up.

"Let the gathering begin!" Stonestar yowled.

She watched as Shadestar stepped forward.

"In the recent moon, ShadowClan faced an attack from... Rosestar's band of rogues. We were pushed out of our territory. We then resided on the gathering island. WindClan agreed to ally with us, and we both pushed Rosestar out of RiverClan and ShadowClan territory. We also found the remains of RiverClan. They were starved, and many of them passed away. With the aid of WindClan, we nursed them back to health. Rosestar and her band have been exiled." Shadestar reported shortly.

Shocked murmurs rose from the crowd, mostly from ThunderClan. Nightfeather dug her claws into the ground. How would they react?

Shadestar started again once the murmurs died down. "We are now back in our territory. Four new apprentices have been made, three of which are here today. Thornpaw, Sunpaw, Cloudpaw, and Runningpaw."

"Runningpaw! Cloudpaw! Sunpaw! Thornpaw!" The cheers, mostly from ShadowClan and RiverClan, rose louder and louder. Nightfeather joined in happily, jaws wide as she congratulated the apprentices.

"Lilyheart has had kits. Willowkit, Sagekit, and Robinkit."

"Willowkit! Robinkit! Sagekit! Lilyheart!"

Shadestar flicked his tail. "ShadowClan is stronger than ever before," he concluded before sinking into the shadows.

Stonestar turned to face the ShadowClan leader. "You used the gathering island?!" He hissed.

Mistflower's crisp meow rose from below the tree. "That is correct."

Stonestar glared at the deputy before opening his jaws again. "StarClan would never approve! If a Clan is weak enough to be kicked out of their territory, why should they seek refuge in a place shared by all the Clans?"

Nightfeather felt rage bubble in her throat. ShadowClan wasn't weak.

Shadestar cast Stonestar a cool glare. "That is none of your concern, now is it?"

Flamestar thrust herself in between the two toms. "Stop!" She commanded. "StarClan will be angry!"

Stonestar let out a low growl. "Very well, Flamestar. Why don't you give your report, since you were included in this little adventure?"

Flamestar lifted her chin and fixed her stare on the crowd of cats. "Shadestar is correct. We allied with ShadowClan to save RiverClan and exile Rosestar. We're sure ShadowClan will find a way to repay our generosity. Hunting has been good. WindClan is prepared for leaf-bare."

Stonestar snorted, but didn't say anything. Icestar stepped forward next.

Now that the white tom was bathed by the moon light, Nightfeather finally got a good look at him. He was skinny. His bones were visible from under his pelt, and his eyes were dull and glassy. His voice came out in a hoarse whisper as he spoke.

"RiverClan has faced horrible damage. We have lost our deputy, among many others. We thank ShadowClan and RiverClan for the good deed they have preformed." He paused and let out a cough. "The new deputy of RiverClan is Troutfin."

Small yowls rose from the crowd. "Troutfin. Troutfin."

Icestar seemed to wince. "Given our state, we have a...request. We ask that a peace treaty be formed for RiverClan, until we rise back to full health."

Shadestar and Flamestar nodded in agreement, while Stonestar laughed.

"Absolutely not." He hissed.

Flamestar, who looked fed up, faced the gray tom. "Very well, Stonestar. WindClan warriors will be sent to guard RiverClan. If you attack, it will mean war."

Shadestar nodded. "As will ShadowClan."

Stonestar's eyes widened, and Nightfeather smirked in satisfaction. Two Clans were a worthy opponent.

Stonestar muttered something inaudible before giving his report. "ThunderClan is strong. There has been good hunting."

The gray tom leapt to the ground and led ThunderClan out of the clearing.

》》》》》》》》

And because I love you guys: *drumroll please*

♣Rosestar ~ Setting: ??? ♣

Murmurs rose from the rogues seated beneath the large rock. The russet she-cat slammed a paw down, eyes dark with rage.

"Silence!" She yowled. "I will have silence!"

A black and white tom rounded on the others. "You heard her!"

She began again, fur bristling. "The plan is failing! Why wasn't she brought to me? She was required to transfer the spirit!" Her dark blue gaze landed on the black and white tom. "Thistle, explain!"

Thitsle gave the other cats a nervous glance before clearing his throat. "R-rosestar, she escaped from our grasp."

Rosestar let out a screech of anger. "Who's grasp!?"

Thistle shrugged. "I'm not s-sure."

Suddenly, a burst of lightning illuninated the cloudy sky. Rosestar's eyes grew wild as she used her tail to point at the sky. "See? The Dark Forest is angry! You imbeciles have caused me to fail them!" She bunched her muscles and leaped to the ground, dissapearing from their sight.

Rosestar sighed as she sat down in front of a puddle of water. Her tail snaked around her paws. She stared into the dark murkiness, eyes narrowed. Suddenly, the water rippled, and the face of a she-cat appeared.

"Finchwing," Rosestar murmured. "I have failed you."

Finchwing's crisp voice filled the air around her. "Though I am compelled to agree, you have not. Nightmare has received the spirit." A smirk grew on her face.

"Nightfeather was foolish enough to fall right into our trap."

》》》》》》》》

Yay! Chapter 20 ended with a bang, didn't it? Lol

So... who do you think is the real villian in all this?

Are you relieved Night left the dark forest?

X3

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