Two days later, I was still recovering from my neck injury. Tropicpalm checked in on me everyday just in case. Peaceclan, on my orders, hadn't retreated, but kept fighting as Tropicpalm treated my wounds. In the end, Shadowclan had surrendered and Duskstar had agreed to a mutual peace. The full moon shone in the night sky as I selected the warriors who would accompany me the Gathering.

Beestripe was staying back with Stormcloud and Liontail. Tropicpalm had also refused to leave the queen's side. I picked Yellowpaw to represent her instead and then we were off. Crossing the thin bridge that was really a tree trunk, we arrived early at the gathering. Using my powerful hind legs to push off, I settled onto a high branch and Fallenleaf sat down amongst the roots as Duskstar slipped in, a patrol of Shadowclan cats trailing after him.

I smoothed my fur, nodding a cool greeting to him, "How are things in Shadowclan?"

Duskstar dipped his head respectfully, clambering onto a lower branch,"We are coping well. Leaf-fall is merciful on us this year. Prey is plentiful and Silverbreeze is expecting my kits!"

I purred, "Congratulations! Peaceclan has been making the best out of this leaf-fall as well. Beestripe's kits will be coming soon."

I turned my head as Thunderclan entered. Bravestar padded up to the tree and briskly pounced onto a branch opposite mine. He glanced at me briefly before engaging Duskstar in conversation. I pretended not to notice the obvious way he was ignoring me. 

Thunderclan had been the most against Peaceclan, refusing to think of it as a real clan. Luckily, Lemonstar and Amberstar slipped into the clearing side by side, both jumping up onto branches next to mine. Amberstar greeted me warmly and Lemonstar nodded approvingly at my choice of deputy. 

Last to arrive was Riverclan, with Reedstar holding his head up high even though his patrol was smaller than normal and his pelt bore obvious claw marks. 

As soon as he struggled onto the lowest branch, he meowed loudly, "I shall start off the Gathering. Riverclan was attacked by Windclan not long ago over territory. I believe that Windclan does not need any new territory."

Lemonstar stood up indignantly, "We do! Peaceclan took our territory and we need more to survive."

Larkwing hissed in agreement to his leader, "We've got only half the territory we used to have!"

Reedstar accused, shooting me a glance, "And who's idea was it to give up their territory?"

The Riverclan cats hissed back defiantly in defence of their leader and pelts were ruffled as claws slid out.

Bravestar raised a paw for silence, "I think it is quite clear what we should do here."

Whiteslash yowled, "We need to drive out Peaceclan!"

Murmurs of agreement sounded and I saw my clan mates bristle, moving away from the hostile cats and sticking to each other. 

Standing up, I flicked my tail impatiently, "Quiet! Peaceclan has done no harm. We barely took any of Windclan or Sky clans territory. Half of our territory is the barn."

Amberstar agreed, though she sounded uncertain, "Peaceclan has the smallest territory of all of us, even though they are the biggest clan so far. Be glad that they are not taking more land."

Lemonstar lashed her tail, "Windclan cannot survive with only this much land! Starclan foretold that five clans would roam the lake! Five! Not Six! I agree with Bravestar, we should drive them out!"

I gaped, wasn't Windclan our ally? The Gathering was suddenly a mass of bared teeth and flattened ears as the cats turned on Peaceclan. 

I spun around to face Lemonstar, fury making my fur puff out, "How dare you! Peaceclan has every right to be in this forest as Windclan does!"

The golden she-cat turned away, "I'm sorry, Mistystar, I have to put my clan first. Good luck - " Her claws flashed, and she almost grinned, "With your other lives!"

I shrieked, tumbling backwards as Lemonstar launched herself towards me, teeth bared. The Gathering exploded as cat turned on cat. 

I screeched, "Stop! Look at the moon!"

Claws paused mid-strike and fear-scent mixed with freshly shed blood. Lemonstar ignored everyone, slapping me across the face with her claws unsheathed. Caught off guard, I fell out of the Tall Tree, paws flailing, my throat tightening.

"Mistystar!" Fallenleaf cried, dashing towards me. 

But it was too late. 

I twisted midair and landed on my side. My whole body groaned in agony and I couldn't raise my neck as Fallenleaf licked my cheek desperately. Yellowpaw and Lilypad came a second later, followed by Huckleberry. 

Fallenleaf asked despairingly, "Is she losing a life?"

Huckleberry mewed comfortingly, "No. She'll need a poppy seed for the pain and we'll have to see if there are any broken bones."

I choked, "Oh, just kill me! I would rather die than be crippled."

With that, I blacked out. 

A/N

Ah, Mistystar was such an arrogant hothead... but fun to write, nevertheless. 

- quill