a second chance to make amends [clan meeting]

Swiftheart joined the meeting almost right away. She did a double take for a second seeing their new leader not on the rock but rather at its base. Well okay then whatever suited leo was fine.


She sat nearby wondering what this meeting was all for.

She gave a wave and friendly smile to her friend.

Nightstalker was angry. Had been for a long long time, and even more so nowadays since his clan showed their true colours. So quick to betray him, so quick to forget all the good and greatness he had brought to Shadowclan, as so fickle when it came to Leopardsun- or Leopardstar now as he saw her pad into camp. Echomist was so quick to spit in anger at his mate, and Shadowclan so quick to distrust her when they had no reason to do so. In a way he was glad he wasn't their leader anymore and just some regular warrior now, because why would he want to walk on eggshells around the clan cats that were so sensitive and touchy? So quick to blame and much slower to understand.

Nightstalker idly watched Leopardstar pad to the jaggedrock and call for a meeting, and his nose wrinkled. Thinking of all the ways she could ruin everything he built, all the ways she could weaken Shadowclan more, any policy she could instill would be forgotten the moment she did anything wrong. So why bother changing anything? Shadowclan was just going to betray her just as they did him.

Nightstalker rose from where he was laying, the ache in his spine never seeming to leave, and with his relationships with the medicine cats tarnished he never approached them for any pain medications, despite the nights where it seared like fire and numbed his toes. They did not need to help him, and he did not need their help either. He was still strong, despite now being the oldest cat in Shadowclan aside from Rookfire.

He tried to ignore the flecks of grey starting to show on his muzzle.

Tried to pass off the white flecks near his white markings that seemed like they were trying to grow.

Denied vehemently the way his joints ached, not just from the lightning strike, or the tree, or the monster.

Why didn't they understand just how much he did for them!?

He sat next to Swiftheart, his face stoic and stony, just how it used to be. He brushed her fur lightly with his but sat no closer.

Rookfire didn't know what this was about.

Leopardsun had just come back from her journey to the Moonstone - which probably meant that she gained her new name; Leopardstar. It was also interesting for her to stand at the base of the Jaggedrock (maybe as a demonstration of their equality? He'd never seen a leader do that before, but he appreciated the gesture).

Sighing, he waited for the announcement to appear.

~~

Poppycloud is here too.

Badgermask sat in the shadow of the warrior's den - her eyes narrowed as she spotted the familiar pelt of her mother slip into the camp without a sound and take a seat at the base of the Jaggedrock. There was little doubt of what had happened, that Leopardsun had left to get her lives. Leopardstar, now, if StarClan approved which she had a feeling they did - if they disapproved her as deputy as much as they had of Nightstalker being leader...Well, she would have been struck by the lightning as well.

Of course, just because her mother had a new name...It didn't change how the warrior felt about her - and that was simple uncertainty. The blind loyalty and trust for her mother - her mentor - had bleed out alongside her siblings. It was obvious that Leopardstar had been avoiding her, not that she minded as she had no words for her or for any of her Clanmates other than Heatherberry. But still, her option had yet to be fully formed so she rose to her paws and stepped forward to take her place among her Clanmates to see what Leopardstar had to say.

Echomist stayed were he sat, even as his mate called for the meeting. Where anger burned once before now sat a bitter nothingness. He didn't feel anything towards the she-cat at the moment but he couldn't bring himself to speak with her. At least not yet. Green eyes narrowed as she stayed at the base of the rock, watching, waiting for her next words to be spoken. Whatever it was, he wanted it over.

Sablestrike turned to face Leopardstar as she called for the clan's attention, though he began scowling as he saw where she was. Even as a leader she refused to take her rightful place on top of the Jaggedrock. If she assumed she could make a habit of that then she was sorely mistaken. Forcing the scowl from his face Sablestrike wrapped his tail around his paws and waited.

Green gaze swept over the growing crowd, lingering monetarily in Nightstalker. Though anger clouded her judgement whenever she looked at or even though of him, there were brief pauses where she would recall the private conversation the two had shared when they had been leader and apprentice. They had shared the same sentiments about StarClan then... StarClan was cruel. If he hadn't messed with the lives of her family, Heatherberry may not have felt so betrayed by a tom who loved ShadowClan so much it ruined him and the lives around him.

Would they speak again one day? Maybe. But today she would lean her shoulder against the medicine den, awaiting the first meeting with ShadowClans NEW leader: Leopardstar. Whatever words left her mothers mouth this starry night could make or break the beginning of a new dawn.

Leopardstar.

Snowfoot joined the gathering cats, pride bubbling through her whole body. Her niece was leader. Her son was deputy. This was what she’d fought for her whole life, her family thriving. In that moment, Snowfoot offered a gentle nod to her new leader. I’ll always be there for you. Every step of the way.

With every word that came from Leopardstar, a sliver of hope rebuilt within Heatherberry's heart. The rules on safety were more strict this time around, and she enjoyed the idea of welcoming newcomers who sought out a new life. The medicine cat found herself nodding along, eyes focused solely on her mother. There wasn't anything she disagreed with, though she was a little hesitant to be a part of the council considering what happened the last time: she hadn't spoken up, whether it would have changed anything or not. The fact the rest of the clan would be made privy to any decisions made this time gave some relief.

One thing did bother her, though: their leader addressed the clan as though they were equals. While they were (in some ways) the same outside of rank and special blessings, this was not the way to start out a leadership. "I have no disagreements, Leopardstar. But I ask that you address your clan with your head held high upon the Jaggedrock. It's hard to see you with the others in the way - Let ShadowClan get a good look at their new leader!" This was the first time she had spoken to her mother since the tragedy that tore their family apart, but a kind smile was still present on her face regardless. Was there still resentment? Absolutely. But that didn't mean there wasn't any love left. "Leopardstar! Leopardstar!"

Swiftheart sighed a bit glancing back and forth as the meeting went on. This whole thing felt like a continuation of dragging her brother's name through the mud. She was almost the only one who had even tried to defend Nightstar... well no longer a star anymore she supposed.


When her brother sat by her she gave a gentle nudge to him. She couldnt image how hard this would be for him. It was hard enough for her to watch this yet alone how he must be feeling.
should be you up there she thought but only to herself.


As far as leopards policies they seemed to just be reversing what her brother had done. And, while swiftheart knew her brother made plenty of mistakes was making a complete 180 the right choice for shadowclan right now?

She was not so convinced it was.

However, she did like leopardstar and more than anything the experenced warrior just wanted the clan to get back together again. So she didnt voice any of her concerns just gave a little nod.

She didnt envy any position of deputy or leader. She had always just wanted to stay as warrior and was happy with that. So perhaps part of being a good warrior was to support the current leader.

She gave a sigh but nodded to leopardstar in support.

As for apprentices needing accompany? she didnt love this actually. She was known for taking even kits out while under supervision. She was a very free spirited cat and didnt like the idea of others having to be cooped up unless they had some one with them.

What if a cat just wanted some alone time?? She knew when she was a queen there were times she wanted to just be alone for a bit when the kits finally were all sleeping. Ugh... having to have some warrior along after all that? Didn't sound very fun to her.


Her good friend Heatherberry seemed excited enough with it.

Leopardstar! she meowed in support as well but not nearly as enthused as she usually was and not as loud as her mca either.

The rule changes were largely what Snowfoot would expect from her niece and under the current circumstances. She inwardly sighed a little at the announcement of elders not leaving camp without an escort, but remembered she had retired early for a reason. If she got ambushed by a predator on her own these days, her weak leg would make her an easy target. Much as Snowfoot valued her alone time, she understood that this was for her own safety.

The other announcement that got her attention was her own name being called for the council. She stood promptly to reply. “As an elder I was more or less dismissed from the last council, but I accept. I will serve for as long as I can. Thank you, Leopardstar.”

Nightstalkers lips peeled back into a snarl as Leopardstar gave her speech, reversing his policy on rogues and loners being allowed once more to join Shadowclan. Furthermore, she did not call his name as she requested her council. The fur along his spine raised, anger evident. Did she truly think so little of him? Of all the moons he has lived, he now stood amongst the most senior members of Shadowclan aside from Rookfire. In fact, he was surprised that Rookfire himself was not on her council, and at the thought of him, his eyes flicked over to the black-and-white tom.

"I'm surprised that you did not select Rookfire or myself, Leopardstar, but I suppose that the den is only so big when it comes to electing your close friends and family. Rookfire is peace-loving, would he not be a reasonable choice amongst your council?" Nightstalker hissed, himself surprised to hear himself vouching for the tom who was nothing but a thorn in his side. A betrayer of his trust. "I'm not surprised that you've decided against any sort of experience I could provide either. And decided against Swiftheart herself, who would also help push your peace-and-love agenda. Unless you've decided against her because of who she associates with?" White teeth were pulled back in an angry sneer, getting to his paws as he pushed against Leopardstar.

Maybe in a way, there were still lessons he could teach, or maybe he was just being mean for the sake of being mean because it was just so much less effort to try to be liked anymore. Or he was just making excuses for himself to feel better.

"Undo everything I've done to make Shadowclan safe. Welcome outsiders into our home. But you could at least wait until I'm dead to do it." Nightstalker spat before rising to his paws. "And don't bother running to me when your trust is used and abused, and Shadowclan turns on you for it. Echomist sure as the dark forest won't be there. Proved just that last time." And with that, Nightstalker stalked through the camp entrance, lashing his tail.