Eye of the Storm (OPEN)

Flattening patches of snow-brushed fern and bracken underneath paws that had given up any meaning of stealth, Leopardstar stalked at the head of ThunderClan's Gathering party, the fur along his back rippling and prickling as if it had been struck by lightning.  The tom's hazel eyes reflected nothing but pure, horrifying fury, and it was clear to anyone who saw him that at the moment, nothing could stand between him and what he needed to do.  He was a cat on a mission...one he was about to settle once and for all.  I will not stand for my clan to continue under the weight of its undeserved reputation...maybe I've been too soft on these grudge-holders...maybe I should've killed Sharptooth after all...maybe...if I had only...

...if only I had been a better leader...maybe they would've respected what I've worked so hard to build.

How I've worked so hard...to protect them.

Without a glance behind to see if his cats were even following him, the broad-shouldered tom pushed his way through the gorse tunnel, ignoring the thorns that embedded themselves into his skin; they were nothing more than tickles compared to the agony that raged inside him.  His gaze flashed towards the apprentice den, where the two delinquents slept soundly; well, not for much longer.  With a low, rumbling growl, he dashed across the camp and took a flying leap onto the Highrock, before calling out what should've been the normal summons; instead, his words were unfamiliar and harsh, scraping against the rocky walls like sharpened claws.  "Hailpaw, Ridgepaw!  I demand your presence before me...now!"  Searching the camp until he found the trusted face of Marshstorm, the spotted tabby leader jerked his head abruptly towards the apprentice's den, face holding no sign of its usual patience or poise.  He was done with this flagrant disobedience, with his home and family being pained as vicious maulers...with having to watch the faces of his clanmates fall as, once again, it was announced to them that they had been sharing nests with codebreakers.  Grasswhisker...Wolffang...tell me what to do!  How am I ever going to get through to them?!

The uncomfortable news prickled at the back of Marshstorm's mind. It whirled and twisted with thoughts as he contemplated the two she-cats in trouble. How could they? They had jeopardised the peace that Leopardstar had been patiently trying to make with RiverClan. Their single thought-less actions were all to close to starting a war. One that would wound many cats. RiverClan had the advantage of size and health, and while ThunderClan had been fairing well this leaf bare, there was no denying that their shape was less kind. Food would run scarce, and danger was all too looming.

This extra cloud on the horizon made his pelt prickle with unease, like ticks at his skin that bit and fleas that made him itch. Deeper, lingering, dangerous. He stopped only when Leopardstar fairly flew to the top of High rock and immediately turned towards the apprentice's den. Leopardstar's loud yowl cut through the silence like the roar of the mighty cat he was named of. Perhaps he truly was a leopard right now... his eyes blazed with an anger Marshstorm had never before seen except in madness. Yet, he couldn't say he wasn't furious as well.

Amber eyes glowed in the darkness of the apprentice's den. Bright with restrained rage that kept his pelt raised even as the heads of apprentices shot up around the den in bewilderment. As Ridgepaw's head lifted, then lowered with hazel eyes wide and fearful.
"To Highrock. NOW." His hiss was dark, an unpleasant sound that matched his appearance. A shadow with glowing eyes that loomed around the den and shoved both apprentices harshly.

---

Ridgepaw's head lifted in a panic at the sound of a loud yowl. Her hazel eyes filtered in the light of the moon that wieved through the den, and caught sight of a shadow. Looming and dangerous. They widened, her ears flattened with a chill that seemed to pierce through her heart. Was it Icepaw? Did he die and come back for revenge? As the shadow came closer, she realised the glowing eyes belonged to the deputy. Marshstorm was barely ever angry.

Her heart sank as she realised what was happening. There was only one reason for Leopardstar's yowl, Marshstorm's anger and the brutal awakening in the middle of the night. They knew... and she bowed her head miserably. Scrambling from her nest and out to the middle of camp with a whimper of panic. Waiting for Hailpaw to come to her side as she huddled with messy fur in the middle of the clearing until Marshstorm came up behind her with Hailpaw and pushed her forward, gently to the front of High rock.

"L-Leopardstar... it's... it's not what you think..." She started, her voice so soft she cringed at it. "I...It was an accident!"

Contrary to what Leopardstar assumed, Hailpaw had never fallen asleep. Rather, she had been unable to. Curled up in the nest of moss, the fluffy apprentice lay almost as still as a statue. The careless observer, only noticing her lack of movement, would believe her to be no different from her snoring denmates. They would never realize that her yellow eyes were really wide-open. Her blank yellow stare was only interrupted by the occasional blink. If looks could burn, she would have already singed a hole in the side of her nest. How could she be expected to sleep, when tonight was the night of the Gathering? The events of that day were still branded firmly into her mind's eye—from the rage that had overtaken her, to the horror written on Icepaw's features, to the blood that had dyed both of their white pelts an unmistakable crimson. In particular, the snarl of a certain RiverClan warrior plagued her memory constantly. Despite the retaliation Lightstep had promised, the past few days had passed more or less peacefully. Clanmates went about their daily duties, and neither Leopardstar nor Marshstorm had shown any signs of knowledge regarding the situation. Hailpaw could be rather dense at times, but she understood very well what decision had taken place. There was only one possible answer. If Leopardstar were to learn of all that had happened, and he undoubtedly would, it could only be during the Gathering. For the very first time in her life, Hailpaw had asked to be left behind in camp. Her excuse had been something along the lines of "keeping Beartooth company." Something told her that she had not been particularly convincing, but no cat had opposed her request.

Hailpaw did not usually feel fear. It simply was not in her nature. Ever since she had gained her apprentice name, she had engaged in numerous skirmishes along the ThunderClan borders. Ninety-percent of the time, she had been the one to instigate them. With nary a thought for her own safety, she plunged straight into battle. She lived for the thrill and adrenaline she felt in such moments. Neither claws nor the pain they inflicted was enough to deter her. During the war against Lichenmask, when defeat had meant death, the stocky she-cat had managed to enjoy herself. Her main concern had been the safety of her littermates. When questioned, most of her clanmates would probably agree that Hailpaw was a little too fearless for her own good. However, at that moment, said apprentice's gut had twisted itself into a knot. Any moment soon. Any moment soon. Any moment soon. Leopardstar would burst through the gorse tunnel, and then she would have to look into his face, take in the fury, the betrayal, the disappointment. The pressure of the trepidation was overwhelming, almost crushing her. Pricklepaw, Gladepaw, Beartooth, and Blizzardshine—their faces ran on endless repeat through her mind, as she simulated the many possible reactions they could have. Once again, she had run into an enemy that she could not defeat physically. The truth of the matter was that she really was afraid. Afraid of having failed those who had believed in her, afraid of possibly being forced to leave her clan, and afraid of being separated from her family and friends. She did not regret what she had done, and she did not intend to pretend otherwise. If she were to go back in time, Hailpaw had every certainty that she would simply repeat what was now history. Nevertheless, her heart still raced against her will, hammering out a rapid rhythm. To the prideful she-cat who prized her own strength, there could barely have been anything more humiliating. Stop it. You don't regret anything. Feeling scared won't help you now. What was it that she ought to focus on instead?

At length, Leopardstar's furious cry pierced through the fern-woven walls of the Apprentice Den. Throat suddenly dry, Hailpaw knew that it was time. Her pelt seemed to prickle with an electric current. There was no use in pretending to be asleep, for half of the clan must have woken up then. Through the darkness, Marshstorm's burning gaze flashed. The sharp hiss caused Hailpaw to flatten her ears. When was the last time she had seen him this angry? Such were the consequences she had brought upon herself. Now was the moment to face them. When she thought back to that scene, to Icepaw and Ridgepaw's battle before she had arrived, anxiety's scream was stifled. She swallowed once and steeled herself. Forcing on an expression as calm as she could manage, she followed Ridgepaw out of the den. When the two of them had been shoved before the Highrock, the white she-cat raised her head to meet Leopardstar's gaze. The friction in the air was palpable. Ridgepaw was first to speak, her quivering voice barely above a whisper. Hailpaw flashed her sister a glance. She knew what had to be done. Stepping forward, she cut between Ridgepaw and the Highrock in an attempt to shield the smaller she-cat. "It wasn't an accident." She corrected, as boldly as she was able to. Her voice trembled lightly, but she continued to speak, "I know you're angry, Leopardstar, but please hear me out. Ridgepaw had nothing to do with this. Everything was my fault." It would be easy enough to agree with the other apprentice, to plead that it had all been an accident. But it hadn't been an accident. The stocky she-cat did not intend to lie, especially not to the clan leader. Her actions had been carried out willingly, knowingly, based on the circumstances at the time.

Hailpaw had acted of her own accord and created this mess; thus, she would also pay of her own accord. First of all, she had to direct all blame away from Ridgepaw.

Stormpaw had been peacefully asleep, the young apprentice dreaming of going to the gathering herself next time yet those peaceful dreams had been shattered when she heard the yowl of Leopardstar. She had not heard what he said, all she knew was that the cats had come back from the gathering, Leopardstar was furious and that she was scared. She quickly got up scared, when hazel eyes looked into the apprentice den she wanted nothing more then run out of the camp and go right back to her twolleg nest. She quickly almost ran out of the apprentice den when she caught the words 'high-rock now'. She did not now for who the words where meant but really she was not about the argue with them. When she saw other warriors and apprentices already sitting by the high-rock she calmed down a little her white fur smoothing. She looked over to the leader and her ice might have become as big as Owlpaw's because the leader looked furious never before in her short life had she seen him this out of character whatever was going on, it was bad.

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Owlpaw had been sound asleep dreaming of a better world in which she could hunt with her father in the tree's and Eaglefang training her and that she could come into the camp and show Spottedpelt the prey she caught. A beautiful dream so when she heard the sound of her mentor she was very sad. She looked up still salty about Marshstorm taking her out of her dream she expected to wake up at dawn with him taking her for training but something different was shown. He sounded furious and it was the middle of the night.
What in Starclan's name is going on here?
He saw how the tom got hushed two younger apprentices out of the den and was about to stand up when white fur shot out of the den like lightning. She looked around to see more dazed and started apprentices  and decided that for more information she had to go outside, and so she did.
When she looked outside she saw an apprentice speaking to Leopardstar she was to late to catch what she she-cat had said but she did catch the angry reactions from her clanmates. She set down close to high-rock in a spot where she could she Marshstorm. Still wondering what was going on she looked up at Marshstorm and Leopardstar and almost ducked the two looked furious their eyes screaming bloody murder. Maybe that was what was going on?

Harefoot awoke in the warriors' den to the sound of Leopardstar's yowl, fur sticking up and tail slightly tucked. This was new... he couldn't recall the leader ever sounding this enraged, and when he crept out of the den to see what was going on, the new warrior could see that even Marshstorm was incensed. He glanced at Hailpaw and Ridgepaw when they appeared, feeling both fearful for them and concerned at what they'd done to make the two tomcats so mad. Obviously something ahd just gone down at the gathering. He listened to the apprentices, wondering just what they could have done, and stayed in the background to avoid getting involved.

Dawnpaw followed the group back to the camp, curious how Leopardstar would handle the two she-cats once they returned. They must have been hiding this from Marshstorm and Leopardstar for a while. That probably wouldn't earn them any grace. Dawnpaw closely observed Hailpaw as she objected to the circumstances, at once admiring her boldness and yet condemning her foolishness. If everything Jaystar said at the gathering was true, Ridgepaw and Hailpaw were in for a terrible punishment. And if Hailpaw was speaking the truth, then Ridgepaw would only barely escape. Dawnpaw glanced at Marshstorm to see how he was going to deal with this, her yellow eyes emotionless and focused intensely on the deputy.

Pricklepaw scampered back into camp right behind the leader and deputy, not pretending he wasn't somewhat scared by the amount of fury that had possessed both toms. And while it was deserved, he couldn't help but also be afraid on behalf of his sisters, who had gotten mixed up in this mess. Oh, Hailpaw.... I warned you. I was afraid this would happen. But how could you do this to Ridgepaw, too? To Mother? As the two she-cats were herded out to the Highrock, the fear in their eyes broke something inside of him. Though some part of him had been in denial at the words, he loved both of his sisters with all of his heart, and anything that happened to them would hurt him too. He knew that Hailpaw had been mouse-brained and fox-hearted to hurt a RiverClan apprentice so badly, but oh, he just wished that it could all be forgotten. But with the rage alight in Leopardstar's eyes, it wouldn't be a possibility.

The medicine cat apprentice ran to Ridgepaw, who was so scared she seemed to be trying to disappear. "It'll be okay," he whispered softly, pressing himself against her in attempted comfort. "I'm sure Leopardstar will be merciful..." But the words rang hollow in his own ears, even as he looked with sympathetic but frightened eyes at Hailpaw, the instigator of this whole mess. Oh, what have you done?!

The tip of his long tail jerkily flicking close to the surface of the rock, Leopardstar stood with his shoulders hunched and claws present, as if he were about to leap into the heat of battle.  His furious heartbeat pulsed in his ears, almost succeeding in drowning out his thoughts as the two perpetrators emerged, one before the other.  Ridgepaw's voice was so soft it could've passed as a whistling breeze, but he heard every word, and his slitted hazel eyes narrowed even further.  An accident...where have I heard that before?!  'I didn't mean to kill Fawnsong', 'I didn't mean to kill Rowanpaw'...have you no shame?!  Accidents only happen because one places themselves in the position to make them...it's a feckless excuse, especially now!  His mouth opened, about to voice these inner thoughts, when the second of Blizzardshine's daughters stepped up.  Her words were stolen from the past as well...and hurt so much more to hear.  

"Do not take me for a fool Hailpaw, I've seen many more moons and many more mistakes in my life than you have, and I've taken every lesson to heart.  Family protects family...the last time I watched a cat take the blame for a mistake committed by two was a mother giving her life to protect her criminal daughter and misguided granddaughter...as well as her whole clan!  I know well that you and your sister are tied by a bond that can never be broken...but if you are lying to me apprentice...if you are making the same mistakes as your predecessors, those cats who gave us the unfounded reputation of merciless maulers and unfounded killers...then StarClan help you, for I will not be as merciful twice.  Leopardstar's rough voice bad touch out of his throat, a low rasping that lay bare the storm of turmoil and fear that raged within his being.  This wasn't merely about a single injured apprentice anyway, and it never could've been; his home's very existence could be on the line if one more lie slipped past his ears.  This had gone on long enough; he wasn't planning to accept anything less than the whole, unfiltered, complete truth this time, even if they had to sit out here in the snow all night.

"Tell me the truth, now.  Jaystar is expecting to receive a messenger in the morning, and I refuse to let him dictate your punishment in our own camp, not again.

The sight of Leopardstar crouched on High-rock sent a chill down Ridgepaw's spine. Her heart beat rapidly in her chest as she looked ashamedly down at his words. A quick glance to Marshstorm's dark and severe expression didn't help. Her fluffed tail curled tight around her paws. She risked a glance towards Hailpaw, but her jaws opened first. As much trouble as she knew she'd be in for that small tresspassing act, perhaps... if they heard that he had reacted negatively first...

Then again how was he supposed to have reacted? Ridgepaw was no fool, and her ears flattened miserably.
"L-Leopardstar... I." She paused, taking a deep breath. "I crossed the border." The words fell off her tongue, clumsy and awkward as she looked up imploringly. "I didn't mean any harm! I just wanted to be friendly and thought maybe we could play or something... but he took it the wrong way... t-then Hailpaw..." She cast a glance at her sister. Her eyes bright with fear as she recalled that moment. "W-when the other RiverClan cat came... he shoved her away, a-and we went home."

Hailpaw had barely been recognisable. Her pelt covered in the other tom's blood as she brutally slashed at his eye. As she hurt him far worse than needed. A cold chill swept through her body, it made her tense up and shuffle herself close to the ground. She never wanted to see Hailpaw like that again.

---

Marshstorm listened in a stony silence to Leopardstar's words. His amber eyes so normally filled with a kind warmth were aglow with anger that surged beneath the surface of his pelt. His emotions only changed slightly when he saw Ridgepaw hunker down as she relayed her role in the events. His jaws clenched tight. How many times had he warned the young she-cat to not do exactly as she had done? Her escapades into other territories needed to stop. Yet, it made some sense. The she-cat had always been curious, but never a particularly strong or brutal fighter.

"Ridgepaw." His low rumbling voice felt loud compared to the quiet one she had used. His tail flicked to still any whisperings from other cats. "You've been warned against tresspassing. It doesn't matter if it's for curiousity or amusement." As he watched her look away he bit back the urge to sigh in frustration. Instead, his gaze turned towards Hailpaw expecting her side of the story now.

Blizzardshine watched with a heavy heart and a lump in her throat between the crowd. Her usually tail and ears, usually held high with pride, were now low as her eyes started to fill with tears, tears that reflected ore emotions than she could put into words.

The death of her beloved Beepaw still clung to her, like thick honey would to her long fur. Knowing that if things took a turn for the worst she could lose another two of her kits. The simple thought was enough to make her spirit, her muscles lock in place and her voice flee from her throat. She had felt many kinds of pain in the past, but never something so…powerful, agonizing…even the bites from the fox that took 7 of her lives back when she was leader didn’t felt so ruthless as this.

She wanted to talk, ask her kits for answers, beg to Leopardstar for mercy upon them. But no sound left her muzzle.

She just couldn’t believe it, she refused to believe it…

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Streampaw watched the trial being performed alongside Blizzardshine, only separated from her by a couple cats. He was….confused. In disbelief. He thought that after Beepaw’s death his littermates would’ve learned to be more careful…this was clearly not the case.

His ears lowered and gaze got fixated on the ground, he knew Ridgepaw was a curious one, he was a bit curious himself, but crossing a border? Was she truly so naïve? Even so foolish? Especially RiverClan of all clans they could’ve messed with?

He had to close his eyes and took a deep breath to keep his composure, he didn’t want to lose Hailpaw and Ridgepaw too. Losing Beepaw was enough, he didn’t expect having to face that chance yet again, especially not like this.

"I wasn't lying!" Hailpaw cried out, her voice rising sharply in agitation. The fur along her shoulders had begun to bristle. As much as she tried to remain composed, she had always been a rather excitable cat. Her true feelings were slipping to the surface. Her bright yellow gaze clashed with Leopardstar's hazel-green. At that moment, she caught a glimpse of the chaotic state of the leader's emotions. Almost instinctively, she flinched. His words rang in her ears, "Tell me the truth, now." Even without turning to face the rest of her family, she could feel their stares pricking into her pelt. Blizzardshine was watching; she was acutely aware of that fact. After the grief Beepaw's death had caused the dear she-cat, Hailpaw had no desire to see the expression her mother was currently wearing. The fluffy apprentice had never felt as cold as she did at that moment. One obvious reason was the ongoing season of leaf bare. On that particular night, however, the chill in the air seemed to penetrate to her very bones. Ridgepaw began to speak, and Hailpaw shot her sister a reproachful glance. The sight of the frightened calico stung her with guilt. Everything had really been her fault. If she had not arrived at the riverbank when she had, the two of them would not be in this situation now. Hailpaw had dragged Ridgepaw into this.

If she had not interfered, however... If she had not interfered, would Ridgepaw still be safe now? Who could tell what Icepaw would have done? For StarClan's sake, he was a RiverClan cat! Had they not been raised on tales of RiverClan's atrocities during the Sunningrocks War? Even if he had not intended to severely harm Ridgepaw, was she to let him get away with hurting her sister?

Hailpaw drew a shaky breath, before she began to speak. The words tumbled out in a torrent of emotion. " I wasn't lying. All Ridgepaw did was cross the border. She broke the Warrior Code, sure, but she's already done that many times before! This was barely any different, Leopardstar. The two of them got into a fight. I—I saw the RiverClan apprentice strike her, and I couldn't stand by watching. I was angry. I wanted to get him back! I was the one who tore out his eye and continued to attack him even when he couldn't fight back. Ridgepaw barely even touched him; I did the majority of damage. I wanted to go even further, but she stopped me." She lashed her feathery tail, desperately trying to quell the fear that twisted within her. As she gazed up at Leopardstar, her eyes flashed with her desperation. "You can punish me however you want. I don't care. But leave her out of it. Tell Jaystar that this incident was really my fault."

Ahh, her voice was shaking. This wasn't good.

Stormpaw stand in shock as she heard what the apprentice said every word detailing what happend made her filled with dread wondering what Leopardstar would do. Everything about the whole affair was wrong, it should't have happened like this. From what she learned the clan cats where honorable, they lived for the code their ancestors made. And true Stormpaw wasn't to sure about the whole 'starclan' thing but to think that a cat who was just a bit older then her would do such gruesome deeds.. It was to much for the young apprentice. Wide eyes she looked at the apprentice wondering what her fait would be.

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Owlpaw was in a small shock but as she saw her other clan mates she was not the one most in shock. Maybe because of the fact that if she had been in Hailpaw situation she would have done the same. Well maybe not the half blinding and letting him pool in his own blood but she would have attacked. She silently ponderd what Starclan thought of the whole event and looked up at the night sky. Maybe, just maybe Starclan would help them.

Emberheart sat silently, watching as Hailpaw and Ridgepaw were called forward, Ridgepaw pleading that what had happened had been nothing more than an accident and Hailpaw contradicting her. It brought back memories of Specklefang's trial, which felt so long ago now, and a small part of her expected RiverClan's leader to storm into their camp once more, demanding a life in repayment for a life. Or, she supposed, in this case it would have been an eye for an eye. Regardless, she found herself casting nervous glances to the camp's entrance when she wasn't looking up at Leopardstar or over to the accused apprentices.

Leopardstar sighed.

"However good your intentions might have been, you must learn to control yourself Hailpaw!  It is important for every warrior to know their limits, and scale back their attacks to a reasonable level.  You were within your rights to cross the border to save your sister, but going that far, maiming an apprentice for life, is something I will not tolerate, never again!"  His teeth were bared, the tom stood poised at the edge of the Highrock as if about to pounce down upon the she-cat, but after a moment closed his eyes and stepped back, shakily seating himself.  His mind raced...how was he going to fix this?  How was he possibly going to make the point he wanted to prove?  In the moment it seemed insurmountable, and the crushing weight of his inexperience suddenly lay heavy upon his shoulders.  What would Blizzardshine do...no, what would Darkflight do?

Grasswhisker...what should I do?

"I hope you realize how fortunate you are Hailpaw...I'm sure you know the stories of our past aggressions with RiverClan.  Shame, execution, exile...the punishments were severe under Ivystar, and Jaystar carried that torch.  So far, he had been a much more merciful leader...but we cannot expect his patience to last much longer.  Nor will I allow ThunderClan's blatant disregard of the Warrior Code to continue.  We are an honorable, honest clan, who takes in the less fortunate and treats them with kindness, while also defending our borders and our clanmates from those who threaten us.  We can no longer be divided from the inside by the foolishness of reckless young cats.  So...you must receive a fitting punishment for your actions, a just punishment."  His gaze drifted around the clearing, falling upon Marshstorm.  He wished for guidance, for a voice besides the confused one that had taken over his brain...he needed an answer.

Marshstorm stared down at the apprentices. His ears flattened as he listened to Hailpaw's confession. There was no excusing what she had done. The burning glare from his eyes eased up only as she tried valiantly to defend her sister from the consequences of her own actions. He turned to Leopardstar, catching the golden tom's gaze before looking back down at the cats before them. The small idea he had in mind burned. They couldn't afford to lose her, yet... she had to learn. When he first arrived in Thunderclan a young apprentice had been ripped away from her home forever due to killing another. The lack of empathy would only spread... and slowly it would consume them all... if something wasn't done. He closed his eyes. Posture straightening as he reopened them.

"What I am about to suggest... it does not come lightly." He meowed seriously. There was less growling in his tone now as his chest ached with the thought of sending a cat into the unknown. He turned his gaze to their leader "Leopardstar, you have worked hard to build a trust with Riverclan." it turned back down to Hailpaw. "Hailpaw. Does the well-being of that apprentice not matter to you simply because he is not in this clan?" He asked carefully. His claws sheathed and unsheathed beneath the high-rock where Leopardstar stood. "I must be blunt. We are warriors. It is our duty to fight and defend our territories, but unlike rogues, clan cats have the ability of something I've rarely seen outside of us. Compassion." He stood, and gestured to Blizzardshine meaningfully. "No clan embodies compassion like Thunderclan. We take in most cats who come to us in need. Yet, Hailpaw, you have shown a complete disregard for that." He turned his gaze to Ridgepaw, who shrunk beneath it shamefully. "Ridgepaw, you did not directly maim the cat, but you did cause this chain of events. For her, I suggest a camp suspension for a moon. She will aide the elders and medicine cat whenever needed."

He took a breath, then turned towards Hailpaw.
"For Hailpaw... Leopardstar. I understand this will sound strange... but... I suggest we surrender Hailpaw to Riverclan for one moon. Perhaps two. There, she will be responsible for assisting their medicine cats in Icepaw's care." He turned towards Leopardstar. "We can't let Jaystar continue to claim us dishonourable, perhaps this could act as a truce. Harm to her during the tenure would be a breech of it." Marshstorm finished, then settled back down. It was a radical punishment. Never something he had heard of before, but what better way to show Hailpaw the consequences of her action, then to have her live among the ones affected.

Every muscle in Hailpaw's body seemed to have tensed up. It took considerable effort for the fluffy apprentice to continue meeting Leopardstar's gaze, when her instincts were screaming at her to turn away. For the briefest of moments, she considered the odds of her winning a fight against the ThunderClan leader. It was foolish to even think she stood a chance, but such foolishness had always been a part of her nature. In reality, she did not think Leopardstar would actually attack a clanmate, let alone an apprentice. During all the moons she had lived as a ThunderClan cat, however, she had never seen the golden leader this furious. Hailpaw took the sharp rebuke in silence, her jaws tightly clenched and her ears flattened. Of course she had heard the stories. She knew them almost as well as the back of her paw. As a kit, she had loved nothing more than the tales of war and conflict. Specklefang, Sharptooth, and Wildfire—their names ran through her mind; two were dead, one had been exiled. She had seen Sharptooth once before, when the former warrior had brought Leafstorm's body back to camp. After the vigil, the white she-cat had badgered Sharptooth's story out of her clanmates. To be unwelcome in one's own home was a terrible fate. Truly, Hailpaw was far from ignorant. When it came to one of her siblings, however, she was willing to throw all rational thought to the wind. It was only natural that she accept whatever punishment Leopardstar had in store for her now.

Hailpaw's yellow gaze grew cold, barring the emotions that raged within her from further spilling out. Her features stiffening, she turned a blank expression to Marshstorm. Undoubtedly, every cat who had heeded the summons for a clan meeting now pricked their ears for the deputy's words. Hailpaw, of course, was no exception. As the large tabby began to speak, the young she-cat seized the whirlpool of dread and anxiety that had been swirling within her heart, and she forced it to the very back of her consciousness. The ThunderClan apprentice known as Hailpaw was not supposed to know fear. I won't look down, I won't bow, and I won't run away. She had made up her mind, and she refused to continue putting on a pathetic display, especially when the eyes of her clanmates were on her. She merely twitched her whiskers when Marshstorm addressed her. The truth was that she actually did not care. The forest was vast, and the world beyond it even more so. If she were to show concern for every single cat she came across, she would soon grow weary beneath the weight of their welfare. Loyalty to her clanmates she could understand, hospitality to a wandering rogue perhaps, but not compassion to an enemy. She had never understood the concept of such compassion. Thus, she did not give Marshstorm an answer. At the mention of Ridgepaw's punishment, she glanced quietly at the pale calico. A month would not be too long of a duration. Knowing her free-spirited sister, Ridgepaw would definitely complain about being stuck in camp. Considering the fact that time never slowed or stopped, however, the punishment would be over in a flash.

Then there was her own punishment. For a second or two, Hailpaw felt unable to breathe. A suffocating ache seemed to catch hold of her chest. Go to RiverClan? To be left in the paws of cats who were supposedly their sworn enemies? She would be apart from her family, from her friends. She would be unable to fight, unable to romp beneath the trees she had gotten so used to looking up at, unable to nap in the shadow of the Highrock. Trapped within unfriendly walls, she would be forced to live without the very things that gave her life meaning. Still, it was the more favorable choice, in comparison to being exiled or killed. Death... She was still too young to long for StarClan. As painful as Marshstorm's suggestion was, it was not beyond her expectations. She had to stop herself from trying to imagine the expression that undoubtedly must have painted Blizzardshine's face at that moment. Squaring her shoulders, she meowed in a voice as calm as she could manage, "... Go ahead. Send me to RiverClan or even to the very edges of the forest. Whatever you wish."