Silver Claws - (May be rewritten?)

❀ chapter thirty four ❀

"The coming moons have brought cold weather to the three Clans, and the prey in the river is slowly becoming scarce. However, EagleClan is thriving nonetheless, and one of our queens, Sparrowsong, has given birth to a small, brown kit named Sagekit."

"Good for Sparrowsong," Brambleflower murmured to Willowfire. "I've seen her and Timberstream at Gatherings. They were so close, I had a feeling they were going to have kits soon!"

Willowfire flicked an ear in acknowledgement, but kept her eyes on the leaders in front of her. Mossystar's glossy black pelt shone silver in the moonlight, and his eyes gleamed unusually bright. He sat down, wrapping his tail over his paws.

"Even after the unjust ambush on EagleClan's camp for Floodrocks"--Jaystar glanced up sharply when Mossystar brought up the battle--"We are still strong. In fact, perhaps the attack has made us even stronger than we were before."

Willowfire and Astertail exchanged glances, obviously taking note of the fact that OwlClan had ambushed both EagleClan and HawkClan. They said nothing, their attention snapping back to Great Rock, when the leaders kept speaking.

"As for Floodrocks, Jaystar," Mossystar dipped his head. "We're very sorry about Adderpaw's death. Perhaps one of your warriors dying trying to keep Floodrocks is an omen that the stones rightfully belong to us." He swished his tail. "My warriors will take Floodrocks back when new-leaf comes. It's far too cold to fight over territory right now."

Jaystar's blue eyes blazed with anger, and Willowfire noticed Astertail move in closer, as if the OwlClan leader's glance scared her. "You're too kind, aren't you, Mossystar?" Jaystar said, completely ignoring the fact that other cats were listening. "However much your thoughtfulness is appreciated, Floodrocks belong to OwlClan now."

"Who put ants in her nest?" Brambleflower muttered to the she-cats next to her, and Willowfire and Astertail nodded in silent agreement.

Jaystar stepped forward, standing tall among the other two leaders. "OwlClan is doing well. In fact, we have a new warrior--she is not with us tonight, but her name is Emberflower." She lashed her tail in frustration when no cat cheered her new warrior's name. She sniffed. "That is all I have to say."

"Wait, Jaystar," Sunstar stepped closer when Jaystar began to pad down the Great Rock. "You haven't heard HawkClan's report yet."

"You're doing fine," Jaystar stated bitterly. "That's all you would ever say, though, Sunstar."

Willowfire glanced at Astertail, rolling her eyes. "She's always in such a bad mood, isn't she?"

"I guess some cats naturally have the personality of an angry badger," Astertail snorted, to which Willowfire snickered in reply.

"OwlClan!" Jaystar called. "We leave now."

Sunstar spoke quickly, "Yes, HawkClan is doing well," with a glare at Jaystar. "In fact, we have made two warriors these past moons: Pigeonspeck and Dawnsong."

"Pigeonspeck! Dawnsong!"

Willowfire glanced around, noting that HawkClan's warriors received more cheers than OwlClan's. Maybe Jaystar's bad attitude ruined Emberflower's chance of getting praise, she thought to herself. She did find it unfair that Emberflower didn't get praised just because of her leader.

"As the weather gets colder, note that the river will freeze over," Mossystar spoke up, and Sunstar nodded.

"Yes--and remember to patch up any holes in the roofs of dens. We wouldn't want snow falling on warriors' pelts."

The golden she-cat nodded to Mossystar before she bounded down the rocks, calling, "HawkClan! To home."