A Moonless Night || Chapter Ten

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A Moonless Night Chapter Ten ____________________________________________ Panthershadow's eyes widened in fear. His mother was a Medicine Cat who had kits with Mangrovestar, which gave Panthershadow and his littermates a good reason to be pressured to work hard. The leader before Mangrovestar was cruel and stern, so she forced Mangrovestar, at the time Mangroveleaf, to bring his own mate to an end. His days as deputy filled with grief, Mangroveleaf only found joy in the times that he got to be with his kits. After the previous leader, Cedarstar, saw that Mangroveleaf was strongly devoted to his young, Cedarstar ordered one of his most loyal warriors to poison the kits. The warrior told Mangroveleaf of what he was ordered to do and, knowing Cedarstar was on her last life, took the poison she'd use to poison the kits and give it to Cedarstar, telling the clan that the leader had eaten a mouse with maggots in it. Only Panthershadow and his siblings knew about this because Mangrovestar eventually had to tell them why they didn't have a mother like the other cats. “What did she say?” Summerleaf broke into his thoughts like a thorn, her voice cracked with worry. “She told Cloudystep that there was a cat in Treeclan that could cause bad things to happen, though she didn't say what. We have to find that cat, and get rid of them. Panthershadow, you're the bravest and fiercest. I want you to watch the clan and see if any cat is acting suspicious. Summerleaf, you're a very smart, young she-cat. I want you to ask cats hard questions, and see how they reply. And then... Pubblepool, you're... You're uh-” Meadowstar hesitated, his gaze looking at Pubblepool with a disappointed expression. “You can entertain your siblings while they're at it. Thank you all for the help!” “Cats of all clans, perhaps you could socialize while we wait for Nightclan.” Coldstar of Sunclan yowled from the High Tree. Panthershadow looked around the large, crowded clearing for a friendly looking cat. Among all the cats in the large clearing, a Sunclan she-cat's light-colored calico pelt stood out. Panthershadow unconsciously padded over to her, unsure why Pubblepool was giving him a quirky and suspicious look. “Hi.” Panthershadow said dully. “Oh. Hello.” she meowed. “You're from Treeclan, right?” Panthershadow nodded, “Yeah. I'm Panthershadow.” “Pubblepool told me about you at the last half-moon meeting.” She said. “Oh! You're the medicine cat?” he asked. “Yeah. I'm Dappledpool.” The calico said softly. “I remember you. I think we met as apprentices at our first gathering.” He purred. “I remember you, too! I remember thinking you were a warrior because of your size and serious face.” she chuckled. Panthershadow's whiskers twitched in amusement. “I remember we had lots of fun.” he purred before being cut off by Yellowstar. Panthershadow sat down a few tail-lengths away from Dappledpool, looking up at the High Tree. “Nightclan is doing well. We have a new warrior, Celestialstrike. My mate, Gorsenose is expecting a litter of kits.” Yellowstar said boastfully before nodding towards Coldstar. “Prey's running well in Sunclan. We have a medicine cat apprentice, Mudpaw.” The half-blind tabby said. “Lakeclan has a new apprentice, Sweetpaw. We also have four new warriors, Wolfclaw, Ravenpelt, Graystorm, and Streamsong. Doveprance is expecting kits, and one of our warriors, Leafclaw, who was taken by twolegs found her way back.” Petalstar said, her calico head held high proudly. Panthershadow was amazed by Lakeclan's luck. Ever since the young leader, Petalstar, became leader, Lakeclan was thriving. “Treeclan's prey is running well. We have nothing to report.” Magrovestar said. “Let the gathering come to an end.” Coldstar said. Panthershadow turned to Dappledpool with a purr of farewell. “I hope to see you again soon. It was great to talk to you again after all these moons.” she purred, holding his gaze before slipping away. Panthershadow felt a tail tap his shoulder. He turned to see his sister, Summerleaf. “C'mon, we haven't got forever to watch Sunclan leave.” She said, nudging Panthershadow in the direction of Treeclan. “I know, I know.” ___________________________________________ End of part!