Crookedstar couldn’t forget about the following day when Tigerstar had come to his Clan, demanding RiverClan formed an alliance with TigerClan otherwise lives would be lost. Before he had heard Tigerstar say RiverClan would pay, he had declined the alliance, stating RiverClan was as strong as it is.

   “Maybe we should have joined Tigerstar,” Leopardfur insisted. Crookedstar let out a heavy sigh. Leopardfur’s pestering bugged him a lot. It was as if she was desperate to join TigerClan.

    “No, Leopardfur,” Crookedstar told his deputy. “We don’t need to join an alliance with TigerClan. We can thrive without them.”

   “Are you saying RiverClan should be too independent to accept a simple alliance?” Leopardfur questioned. “We should accept it. Think about all the benefits it could bring to us – more prey, territory and less battles!”

      “No,” Crookedstar repeated more sternly. “Stop bugging me about it. I’ve made my mind up already and I’m sticking with it.” The RiverClan deputy let out a growl of anger and was about to leave the leader’s den.

    “You should be less stubborn and think about your Clan, not yourself,” she said and then left. Crookedstar let out another sigh. Leopardfur had been different ever since Whiteclaw’s death when he had fallen over the gorge moons ago. They were mates, Crookedstar thought as he couldn’t blame Leopardfur. I felt the same way she did when Willowbreeze.

    Willowbreeze. She had been the only cat besides Shellheart and Oakheart who had treated him nicely when he had broken his jaw as a young cat. He felt as if he had no place in his Clan and he’d never become a warrior, only bringing shame onto RiverClan.

    Crookedstar walked out of his den, breathing in fresh air. Mistyfoot and Blackclaw were tending to several reeds while the newly-named Reedpaw, Pikepaw and Primrosepaw played as if they were still kits. Crookedstar began to recall on how he and Oakheart used to play as kits all the time until Crookedstar’s accident.

    “Hi, Crookedstar,” Stonefur greeted. Crookedstar returned the greeting with a flick of his tabby-striped tail. “You made the right choice to decline Tigerstar. There was something. . . different that I sensed around him.”

   “Thanks, Stonefur,” Crookedstar replied. “Leopardfur’s bugging me non-stop about Tigerstar’s offer.”

“Don’t let her get to you,” Stonefur began. “She just wants what’s right for RiverClan like any other cat.”

        “Of course,” Crookedstar answered. “And with the Gathering later we’ll have be ready to hear what Tigerstar has to say.” Stonefur nodded, something beginning to cloud up in his eyes. Crookedstar couldn’t read what it was but thought nothing more about it.

    The moon and stars of Silverpelt lit up the dark sky. Silhouetted cats were gathered below the Great Rock in Fourtrees, waiting to hear what the leaders had to report. Crookedstar watched as Tigerstar trotted to the edge of the rock, staring down at the crowding cats below.

    “All the prey is well in TigerClan,” he began. “But I would like to announce how foolish you two are for declining TigerClan’s alliance.” His head swung to Tallstar and Crookedstar, who stared at him. Tallstar’s eyes were full of hatred while Crookedstar was silent.

    “Cloudpaw, that kittypet Firepaw brought in, as you may know, has left TigerClan. If you see him be sure to kill him and do not offer him shelter. ShadowClan is now part of TigerClan and will be in the same camp as my Clans’.”

    “And you killed Gorsepaw,” Tallstar growled, his pelt bristling while his eyes were full of hostility. “He did nothing to you yet you thought it was okay to murder him before my Clans’ eyes.”

    “You brought his death on your Clan,” Tigerstar replied, keeping calm. “If you had accepted my generous offer that puny apprentice would be living today. Now if you would let me continue, I’d be happy.” Tallstar didn’t say another word, just sat silently while glaring at the TigerClan leader.

    “Darkstripe and Goldenflower have died, Ferncloud moved into the nursery with Dustpelt’s coming kits and Sorrelkit, Rainkit and Sootkit are apprentices,” Tigerstar continued. “Thornpaw is now Thornclaw, Runningnose is our medicine cat. That’s all.”

    Tigerstar retreated for several paw steps while Tallstar took his place. There was no point in hearing ShadowClan’s news and it would be the same as TigerClan’s. Tallstar looked around before he spoke.

    “Gorsepaw, as you know, was killed under Tigerstar’s paws,” the black-and-white cat began. “Crowpaw and Nightpaw are now apprentices and we have a new kit: Owlkit.” He looked to Crookedstar and gave a nod. The WindClan and RiverClan leaders swapped places at once.

    “The fish in RiverClan is well,” Crookedstar reported. “There is nothing else RiverClan has to share though.”

    “Oh, and may I just say that RiverClan and WindClan will expect trouble coming from --”

    “Hey, get out here you little spy!” a voice hissed. Crookedstar noticed Cloudpaw being pushed into the clearing. Scourge, who was next to Tigerstar and didn’t utter a word, leaped down from the Great Rock and began walking to Cloudpaw.

     “Why are you here, Cloudpaw?” The white-furred apprentice looked thinner than usual; his pelt was untidy and hadn’t been groomed for days. It was as if he couldn’t catch his own prey and had to rely on another cat to do it for him. The apprentice did not reply. “I thought I told you to never come near the Clans again. Can you not obey your leader’s words?”

    “I – I can,” Cloudpaw replied. “I’m so hungry. . .”

    “I don’t care. I hope you die of starvation and go join that pathetic little StarClan of yours,” Tigerstar spat. Several cats were shocked in the clearing while Scourge circled the former TigerClan apprentice.

    “You don’t want another scar, do you?” he questioned, showing Cloudpaw his paw as he unsheathed his claws. Cloudpaw was staring at Scourge’s claws in fear. Tigerstar should never have been leader, Crookedstar thought. Bluestar should still be alive.

    Cloudpaw said nothing but only shook his head. Scourge unsheathed his claws, walking back to the Great Rock. Tigerstar was scraping his claws against the stone, staring at them thoughtfully. “Perhaps I should kill you right now, actually,” he mewed.

    Stonefur walked in front of Cloudpaw as if to protect him. He glared up at Tigerstar, not looking pleased. “You shouldn’t be killing innocent cats,” he growled.

     “Stonefur, don’t bother trying to interfere,” Leopardfur told the grey tom. “Do you want to sleep in the apprentices’ den for the rest of your life?” Leopardfur sounds different, Crookedstar thought as he stared at his deputy. She sounds as if she’s leader herself.

    “No,” Stonefur replied. “But killing cats is no necessary. It’s against StarClan’s will and the warrior code itself. A deputy would surely know how to follow it by now.”

    “This is Tigerstar’s words your questioning,” Leopardfur replied. “Would you rather be killed by protecting this worthless apprentice – or live without interfering with Tigerstar?”

    “Shut up,” Tigerstar told Leopardfur as he stood up. He began to climb down the Great Rock and stared at Stonefur when he landed. Leopardfur had remained silent, gladly doing what Tigerstar had told her to. “I’ll kill you if I have to. I’ve done if before; I can certainly do it again.”

    “Try,” Stonefur challenged, unsheathing his claws. Stonefur’s no match for Tigerstar. I admire his bravery to protect an innocent cat but he’ll die. Tigerstar was going to leap for Stonefur before Crookedstar spoke.

    “Leave Cloudpaw alone, Stonefur. Tigerstar, Cloudpaw can die another day.” Tigerstar’s gaze fixed onto him.

    “Are you questioning me? No cat dares question me!” Stonefur turned to Cloudpaw, sheathing his claws as he knew Tigerstar wasn’t going to attack.

    “Go – run for safety as far as you can,” he instructed. Cloudpaw nodded, staggering away from Fourtrees. Tigerstar began to walk towards Crookedstar.

    “Do you really want to lose your life?” the dark tabby questioned. “I’d be glad to kill you until all your remaining lives are gone.” I’ve only got one left, Crookedstar thought. I have to stay around longer so Leopardfur doesn’t get cats killed with her mouth. It was like Leopardfur had a different side to her lately. She seemed to be going along with Tigerstar’s plans.

    “I’ll deal with him,” Scourge offered. Tigerstar nodded, backing away from Crookedstar to let Scourge finish him. Scourge lunged for him but Crookedstar rolled to the side, making Scourge miss him. I can fight better in water – wait, Mapleshade’s training!

    Crookedstar ran behind Scourge and sunk his teeth into his hind leg. Scourge began kicking his leg for Crookedstar to let go. That did not work so Scourge whipped around, making Crookedstar lose his grip.

    Thunder crashed in the sky and dark clouds began to cover up the glowing moon, light turning ceaselessly. The two cats stopped fighting, looking up at the sky. “StarClan has called this Gathering to an end,” Tigerstar growled. “You are free for now, Crookedstar. Expect trouble in the future – you too, Tallstar.”

    Scourge looked disappointed and followed Tigerstar as the dark tabby began walking away, flicking his tail for his Clan to follow him. “Are you okay, Crookedstar?” Mistyfoot asked the pale tabby.

    “I’m fine,” Crookedstar replied. “I appreciate your concern for me though.” Thank StarClan this was a Gathering and StarClan could stop it. I’d be crow-food by now if we weren’t fighting at Fourtrees.