Alderheart saw worry flash in Willowshine’s eyes. Did she doubt Mistystar’s commitment to the Clans? It had not been long since she closed RiverClan’s borders, even to medicine cats, refusing to engage with the other Clans. She might see sense in SkyClan doing the same.
“What about Tigerstar?” Jayfeather was staring at Alderheart, his milky gaze more piercing than any sighted cat’s. “You’ve been living in their camp. Do you think Tigerstar can be persuaded to cooperate?”
“I d-don’t know.” What could he say? Tigerstar hadn’t spoken to him about the dispute with SkyClan, but with one of his warriors lying injured in the medicine den, he doubted the ShadowClan leader would feel much compassion for his neighbors. Besides, Tigerstar had started the dispute with his claim to SkyClan territory. And he’d actively encouraged his warriors to cross the border time and time again. The ShadowClan leader would never give up his claim, even if StarClan wanted SkyClan to stay beside the lake.
Jayfeather got to his paws. “We will just have to persuade him.” He nodded to the others. “Tell your leaders they must meet. The Clans must make peace and stand together.” A chilly wind spiraled around the hollow as he went on. “Or the coming storm will tear us all away.”
CHAPTER 14
Stones jabbed into Twigbranch’s pads as she followed Sparkpelt and Larksong along the shore. Bramblestar and Squirrelflight headed the patrol. Flypaw, Snappaw, and Eaglepaw chattered excitedly at the back. It felt strange to be traveling to the island when the moon was barely more than half-full, but after Jayfeather and Leafpool had returned from the Moonpool, Bramblestar had sent word to the other Clans that there would be a special Gathering.
Finleap’s fur brushed Twigbranch’s flank and she glanced at him, wanting reassurance. “Do you think SkyClan will really leave the lake?”
“I don’t know.” Finleap wouldn’t meet her gaze.
“But if StarClan sent a message saying there has to be five Clans, surely the other Clans will try to persuade them to stay?”
“I don’t think ShadowClan wants them to stay.” He sounded weary, as though he thought reasoning with ShadowClan was pointless.
“But surely, if the other Clans want them to stay . . .” Her mew trailed away hopefully.
“Who says they do?” Finleap stared ahead.
Twigbranch’s belly tightened. Would the other Clans refuse to support SkyClan? After all, no one had offered them land. What if they do leave? She’d lose Violetshine and Hawkwing forever! Her thoughts quickened. Would Finleap go with them? She hadn’t decided about kits yet.
The other Clans won’t let them go! They can’t! Twigbranch knew that Bramblestar was taking Leafstar’s threat seriously. He was clearly determined to stop her. He’d said as much to Squirrelflight and Lionblaze that morning, and his gaze had been dark as he’d chosen warriors for the patrol.
She glanced at Finleap, wishing he would say something encouraging. “I’m glad Bramblestar picked us. What if it’s the last chance I get to see Violetshine and Hawkwing?” Please tell me everything will be okay.
“I thought kin wasn’t important.”
There was bitterness in his mew. Twigbranch flinched. Since he’d told her he wanted to have kits, Finleap had been distant. She always seemed to be the one to start conversations, while he only replied in short, vague phrases. Her heart ached, but what could she do? Promise to be his mate? Give up mentoring Flypaw so that she could have his kits? Anger pricked at her belly. He was pressuring her into something she didn’t want yet. But she loved him, and she could understand that he was acting out of unhappiness. If only he could find his place in ThunderClan. She’d planned to keep stalling—refusing to give him a straight answer—to give him time to adjust. But what if SkyClan left? It would force him to make a decision. Clan or kin?
She changed the subject. “I hope Reedclaw has recovered from her cough.”
Finleap didn’t respond.
Ahead, Lilyheart stopped at the lake’s edge to take a drink. As Twigbranch passed her, she glimpsed ShadowClan across the water, trekking along the far shore.
Sparkpelt must have noticed them too. “ShadowClan will be glad to see SkyClan leave,” she mewed to Larksong.
Larksong followed her gaze. “Leaf-bare must have been hard for them. How could they hunt properly when SkyClan had taken half their land?”
“I hope they get it back.” Sparkpelt fluffed out her fur. “If ShadowClan goes hungry, it means trouble for all the Clans.”
“No cat wants a hungry Clan on their border,” Larksong mewed.
Sparkpelt swished her tail. “With SkyClan gone, everything can go back to normal.”
Twigbranch could hardly believe her ears. Sparkpelt wanted SkyClan to leave. What about StarClan? Didn’t she care that the five Clans were meant to be together?
She blinked at Finleap. “Did you hear that?”
Finleap’s pelt was prickling. “I guess she’s worried the conflict between ShadowClan and SkyClan might spread.”
Twigbranch was unnerved. Sparkpelt had been her mentor. Had she always wished SkyClan would leave? Why didn’t I realize? “Do you think the other Clans feel the same way?”
Finleap shrugged. “If they do, then SkyClan will have to leave.”
Her mouth grew dry. Hearing Finleap say those words out loud made her realize that she hadn’t truly thought it was possible until now. But he was right—SkyClan would have no choice but to leave if none of the Clans were on their side. “I really might never see Hawkwing and Violetshine again.”
Finleap didn’t speak. Didn’t he care?
“Will you go back with them?” She stared at him, her heart pounding.
“I don’t know.” He avoided her gaze.
Was she going to lose her kin and her love at the same time? What would be left if they went? Feeling sick, Twigbranch followed her Clanmates to the tree-bridge.
She crossed silently, pulling away from Finleap as she reached the far shore and hurrying to catch up to Flypaw.
Flypaw glanced at her. “I hope Harepaw and Dapplepaw are at the Gathering. I’ve got so many new moves to show them.”
Snappaw swished through the grass beside them. “Wait till they see all the battle skills we’ve learned.”
As they emerged into the clearing, Flypaw whisked her tail. “They’re here!” WindClan and RiverClan moved beneath the trees, moonlight dappling their pelts. Flypaw darted toward a knot of apprentices at the far side. As Snappaw chased after her, Twigbranch hesitated. Her Clanmates were nodding greetings to the other warriors. She scanned the clearing. SkyClan and ShadowClan hadn’t arrived yet. Sparkpelt was talking with Breezepelt and Mallownose. Twigbranch narrowed her eyes. Was she telling them that she wanted SkyClan to leave? Were they agreeing with her?
Nervously, Twigbranch padded to the shadows beneath the Great Oak. Bramblestar was already waiting beside the wide, gnarled trunk. The ThunderClan leader’s gaze was unreadable.
Twigbranch’s paws pricked as she smelled SkyClan scent. The long grass swished, and SkyClan spilled into the clearing. Leafstar and Bellaleaf flanked Frecklewish. Sandynose and Plumwillow were at their heels. Hawkwing! Violetshine! Relief swamped her as she saw her father and her sister pad into the moonlight. She hurried to meet them. “Is it true?” She blinked at Hawkwing, her heart pounding. “Is SkyClan going to leave?”