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  He blinked at her, hurt flashing in his eyes. “I’m sorry to hold you up, but it’s important.”

  “Sorry.” Twigbranch tried to push back impatience, but it wormed beneath her pelt. “What is it?”

  “Reedclaw is sick. Rosepetal just told me. She and Blossomfall met Plumwillow at the border while they were patrolling. It’s only greencough, but when she was a kit, greencough always made it hard for her to breathe. I’m worried about her.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” The thorn barrier shivered, and Twigbranch glanced at it, hoping that Flypaw had returned. Her heart sank as she saw Molewhisker pad into camp. “Have you seen Flypaw in the forest?” she asked him.

  “No,” Molewhisker told her as he passed. “Is she okay? Do you want help finding her?”

  “No, thanks. I’ll find her myself.” Twigbranch shifted her paws. How far from camp had Flypaw wandered?

  “Listen!” Finleap was still gazing at her.

  “What?” Twigbranch dragged her attention back.

  “Reedclaw’s my littermate,” Finleap mewed urgently.

  “I know that.” What did he want from her?

  “I need to visit her.” Finleap searched her gaze.

  Twigbranch stared at him. “She’s in SkyClan.”

  “So?”

  “You’re a ThunderClan warrior now,” she reminded him. “You can’t just visit SkyClan whenever you feel like it.”

  “You used to visit Violetshine.”

  “When we were apprentices,” she mewed. “We were young. We didn’t care so much about rules.”

  “But Reedclaw’s sick.”

  “I know.” This conversation was taking too long. Flypaw could be on the other side of ThunderClan territory by now. “And I’m sorry. But SkyClan has a medicine cat. Frecklewish will take care of her. She’ll be fine.”

  “What if she’s not?”

  “You have to stop worrying about your kin in SkyClan,” Twigbranch told him. “There’s nothing you can do to help them. You left them when you joined ThunderClan.”

  Anger sparked in Finleap’s eyes. “I only joined ThunderClan to be with you.”

  Twigbranch bristled. “Are you regretting it?”

  “No!” Finleap’s eyes glistened. “But I thought we’d be mates by now. I thought we’d be starting a family.”

  Twigbranch’s chest tightened. She fought to steady her breathing. Was he going to press her into a relationship before she was ready? “What’s the rush?”

  “There’s no rush,” he meowed pointedly. “I thought it’s what you wanted. That’s why I left SkyClan. I thought it’s what we both wanted, but I guess you need more time to be sure.”

  Guilt hollowed her belly as he marched away. I should go after him and tell him that I am sure. I don’t need more time. Shame washed her pelt as she stood rooted to the spot and watched him go. I am sure, aren’t I?

  CHAPTER 6

  Violetshine’s heart quickened as she followed Tree across the bridge to the island. Would Twigbranch be at the Gathering? It would be good to share tongues with her sister again. The smooth bark was cold beneath her paws. Moonlight shimmered on the water below her. Ahead, her Clanmates were already swishing through the tall grass toward the clearing. She could smell ShadowClan scents. Tigerstar and his warriors must already be here. ThunderClan cats were pacing on the shore behind, waiting for SkyClan to cross. She glanced back and spied her sister’s pelt, pale in the moonlight. Twigbranch didn’t see her. She seemed distracted, frowning at the young tabby at her side.

  “Hurry up!” Sagenose pressed at Violetshine’s heels. His apprentice, Gravelpaw, was trying to squeeze past.

  “Sorry!” Violetshine ran along the log and leaped onto the far shore.

  She caught up to Tree as he shouldered his way into the long grass. “Are you nervous?”

  “Why should I be?” Tree padded beside her.

  “What if they ask you to mediate?”

  He shrugged. “Then I’ll mediate,” he meowed. “That’s what I’m here for, right?”

  She wondered how he could be so calm at the thought of addressing the Clans. Did he realize how many cats would be there?

  As she nosed her way out of the grass, her Clanmates were already streaming across the moonlit clearing. The scent of ShadowClan was stronger here, and Violetshine’s pelt prickled with alarm as she saw the Clan shifting beneath the trees. Moonlight dappled their thick pelts. They moved with confidence, muscles rippling beneath their fur. And there were so many of them! She remembered the last time she’d seen ShadowClan cats at a Gathering. They’d bowed their heads and hardly spoken, avoiding the gaze of the other Clans. How different they seemed now.

  Violetshine caught Tawnypelt’s eye without meaning to. The tortoiseshell stared back coldly, as though she had no memory that they’d shared a camp a moon ago. Grassheart and Strikestone watched the arriving Clans, their gazes betraying nothing. Unnerved, Violetshine shivered and moved closer to her Clanmates.

  As ThunderClan padded into the clearing, they nodded friendly greetings to ShadowClan and SkyClan. Only SkyClan returned them.

  “Hi!” Pigeonpaw called out to a ThunderClan apprentice. The black-and-ginger apprentice blinked back excitedly. Violetshine guessed it must be her first Gathering.

  Leafpool and Jayfeather padded to the Great Oak and sat down without speaking. When Frecklewish and Fidgetflake joined them, the ThunderClan medicine cats greeted them with a curt nod but barely returned their gazes. Violetshine narrowed her eyes. They seemed anxious. Was there sickness in ThunderClan?

  WindClan and RiverClan entered the clearing. Their apprentices hurried to greet the apprentices from ThunderClan and began showing off battle moves.

  Gravelpaw glanced hopefully at Sagenose. “Can we join them?”

  “I don’t know.” Sagenose looked at Blossomheart. Gravelpaw and the other apprentices, Pigeonpaw, Quailpaw, and Sunnypaw, were fidgeting at her side. “Should they mix with other ’paws?”

  “I don’t see why not.” Blossomheart flicked her tail, and the young cats bound over to the others.

  Around the clearing, warriors stopped to talk to one another, or nodded polite greetings. Hawkwing was talking with Squirrelflight and Berrynose. Plumwillow was chatting with Sandynose and Podlight while Harrybrook exchanged gossip with Emberfoot and Oatclaw. Only ShadowClan hung back. Their apprentices stayed at their mentors’ sides and watched through narrowed eyes. Violetshine shifted her paws uneasily. Twigbranch was with Lionblaze as he talked with Reedwhisker and Minnowtail. Her sister’s gaze flitted away from the RiverClan cats and caught Violetshine’s eye.

  Violetshine blinked at her, happy as their old connection sparked anew. She began to cross the clearing, wondering what news her sister had to share. Were she and Finleap mates now? As she neared, the Clans grew still. A hush fell over the clearing. She glanced around. Tigerstar was heading toward the Great Oak. Bramblestar followed. Harestar, Mistystar, and Leafstar padded after him. As Tigerstar leaped onto the lowest branch, Tawnypelt, Hawkwing, Reedwhisker, Squirrelflight, and Crowfeather took their places on the arching roots below.

  Violetshine looked at Twigbranch. Her sister dipped her head apologetically and turned back to her Clan. Disappointed, Violetshine returned to her own Clanmates and looked up at the Great Oak as Bramblestar cleared his throat.

  “Newleaf has brought fresh prey to ThunderClan.” He gazed out over the Clans. “Our bellies are full, and the warmer weather has given us chance to strengthen our dens and begin to restock our herb store.” He turned to Tigerstar. “Alderheart is currently taking care of Puddleshine. ShadowClan’s medicine cat was injured by some Twoleg silverthorn and is being treated for infection in the ThunderClan camp.”

  “I trust he will be ready to return home soon.” Tigerstar met Bramblestar’s gaze.

  “Of course.” Bramblestar didn’t hesitate, but Violetshine saw Leafpool glance nervously at Jayfeather. Was there more to Puddleshine’s illness than either l
eader was giving away?

  Tigerstar lifted his muzzle. “We have nearly finished restoring our camp. And we have new apprentices training under experienced ShadowClan warriors. They will be taking their warrior names soon.” He nodded toward a white-and-ginger tom, one of the cats Tigerstar had brought back with him from his journey beyond the territories. “Blazepaw”—the young tom puffed out his chest—“Cinnamonpaw, and Antpaw.” Cinnamonpaw. The name sounded strange to Violetshine. It must be a Twoleg word. She followed Tigerstar’s gaze as it flicked to the other cats with him. They looked too old to be apprentices, but pride shone in their eyes as their leader acknowledged them. “We have more news.” As Tigerstar spoke, Violetshine saw Juniperclaw slide from among his Clanmates and push his way to the front of the gathered cats. Tawnypelt hopped down from the roots of the Great Oak, and Juniperclaw took her place. Tigerstar blinked at the black tom approvingly before addressing the Clans once more. “Tawnypelt is stepping down as our deputy. Our new deputy will be Juniperclaw.”

  Murmurs of surprise rippled through the watching cats.

  “Didn’t Juniperclaw abandon ShadowClan to follow Darktail?” Brackenfur called from among the ThunderClan cats.

  Macgyver stared up at Tigerstar. “Why would you trust a cat who once betrayed your Clan?”

  “A deputy must be loyal!” Sandynose called.

  “He might be your leader one day!” Brackenfur’s pelt bristled indignantly.

  Tigerstar silenced the Clans with a sharp flick of his tail. “I choose my deputy, and my choice concerns no Clan but ShadowClan!”

  Strikestone raised his voice in support of his leader. “ShadowClan makes its own decisions!”

  Sparrowtail chimed in. “No one dictates to ShadowClan!”

  Tigerstar’s gaze blazed across the gathered cats. “ShadowClan is born again. Past mistakes have been forgotten.”

  The ShadowClan cats yowled in loud agreement.

  Violetshine shrank beneath her pelt. How had ShadowClan grown so sure of itself in a single moon? She noticed Tree watching Tigerstar, interest sparking in his amber eyes.

  “Prey is running well—”

  “So well that sometimes they have to follow it onto SkyClan land!” Sandynose’s hackles lifted as he interrupted the ShadowClan leader.

  Tigerstar returned the SkyClan warrior’s gaze coolly. “No borders have been crossed,” he meowed slowly. “My warriors have assured me of that.”

  Leafstar’s tail twitched irritably. “If that’s true, then why have my warriors reported finding ShadowClan scents on SkyClan territory?”

  “Perhaps they’re not sure where the borders lie.” Tigerstar met her gaze evenly.

  “They are very sure,” Leafstar growled.

  Tigerstar didn’t respond. Instead he turned away and addressed the Clans once more. “ShadowClan was weak when Rowanclaw gave up territory to SkyClan. My father had many noble qualities, but not every leader would have made the decisions he made. When he surrendered our land to SkyClan, he was protecting the Clan that we were then. He wasn’t thinking of the Clan we’d become.”

  Bramblestar blinked in surprise. “It was your suggestion that ShadowClan give territory to SkyClan!”

  Tigerstar ignored him. “ShadowClan is strong now. We need more territory to feed a growing Clan.” The ShadowClan leader’s tone was ominous. Violetshine looked anxiously at Hawkwing. She wanted reassurance. But her father’s eyes were dark with worry. Violetshine’s pelt prickled as Tigerstar went on. “We will let SkyClan keep the territory Rowanclaw gave them if they agree to let our warriors hunt on it.”

  Harrybrook growled. Sagenose’s ears flattened. Plumwillow and Macgyver showed their teeth. On the Great Oak, Leafstar stared incredulously at Tigerstar. “Have you decided which part of our land you wish to hunt on?” she mewed sarcastically.

  Tigerstar blinked at her. “All of it. It was once our land, after all.”

  “And now it’s ours!” Leafstar bristled. “We won’t share it.”

  “ShadowClan is strong now.”

  Violetshine shuddered as Tigerstar repeated the phrase. It sounded like a threat.

  “Strong!” Leafstar hissed. “Perhaps ShadowClan would never have been weak if you hadn’t abandoned them!”

  “StarClan guided my paws,” Tigerstar meowed solemnly. “They led me to where I stand now.” He faced Leafstar, muscles twitching in his wide shoulders.

  Dread hollowed Violetshine’s belly. Were the leaders going to fight at a Gathering? She glanced at the sky. Clouds drifted around the bright, round moon.

  “There must be a way to solve this.”

  Violetshine jerked in surprise as Tree called out from beside her. She grew hot as Tigerstar ignored him, his dark amber eyes glaring at Leafstar. “Do you reject the will of StarClan?”

  “We don’t know this was StarClan,” Leafstar hissed back at him.

  Harestar shifted on the branch. “This must be settled. Tigerstar’s claim should be heard. Rowanclaw surrendered the land when ShadowClan was too weak to patrol it. But ShadowClan has been restored since then.”

  Leafstar glared at the WindClan leader. “Are you saying we should give our territory to ShadowClan?”

  “No.” Harestar’s gaze flicked from Leafstar to Tigerstar. “There must be five Clans beside the lake, and a Clan needs territory. But this dispute must be settled.”

  Tigerstar eyed Leafstar threateningly. “I’m happy to settle it right here.”

  Bramblestar slid past Leafstar and stood between the leaders. “This is not an issue that can be decided quickly or easily.” The Clans watched him in silence, their eyes round. “StarClan did not lead SkyClan to the lake for fresh blood to be shed.”

  Tigerstar let his fur smooth. His gaze suddenly softened. “It seems strange that StarClan would lead a Clan to the lake and yet ask only one of the Clans to sacrifice territory to keep them here. Surely StarClan meant for every Clan to give up land, not just ShadowClan. What is stopping us from shifting all the borders to accommodate SkyClan? Why should ShadowClan be alone in giving up prey to feed other cats?”

  The gathered cats murmured to one another. Violetshine watched them. Did they agree with Tigerstar? After all, the ShadowClan leader’s argument sounded reasonable.

  “What use would RiverClan territory be to SkyClan? Or to any of you?” Mistystar’s mew took Violetshine by surprise. “Who could make use of the marsh or the river but us? No other Clan likes getting their paws wet.”

  “And no other Clan knows how to hunt the moor,” Harestar chimed in. “Would SkyClan want to endure the snow and ice up there come leaf-bare?”

  “They could learn,” Tigerstar argued. “They’ve learned to live in a gorge and in a pine forest. Why not learn to live in a marsh or on a moor?”

  Leafstar bristled. “You talk about us as if we’re a bunch of loners with no rightful home!” Her gaze flashed over the other leaders. “We’re meant to be here. StarClan brought us. Why should we have to move our home every time one of you thinks you need more territory?”

  Mistystar shook out her fur. “It’s ShadowClan’s problem, not ours. They want their territory back, let them fight over it.”

  “Let ShadowClan and SkyClan settle this between themselves,” Harestar meowed.

  Violetshine felt a pang of sadness. The Clans weren’t even going to consider giving up land. Her heart sank as Bramblestar nodded in agreement.

  “We shouldn’t let this dispute lead to conflict among all the Clans.” The ThunderClan leader looked at Tree. “We agreed under StarClan that you would be mediator, the cat who seeks compromise when none can be found. Perhaps you could meet with Tigerstar and Leafstar and come up with a solution before we all get dragged into a battle over territory. I’m sure there must be a solution that suits both SkyClan and ShadowClan.”

  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 tro
uble 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.”