Venomous Revelations

The sickness that had gripped Mossbloom had been fiercer than any she had ever experienced. The stress and exhaustion of the last several moons had torn apart her ability to fight back the infection that filled her belly and eyes, and she had been defenseless against it. All of her little remaining energy had been focused on trying to get better, to make it through another night, to not get Daisybloom or anyone else sick. Luckily, this didn't seem to be overly contagious, unlike greencough or whitecough. Finally, after nearly a moon of desperately clinging to the scraps of willpower that she retained, her fever broke in the night.

When she woke, she could immediately tell the difference. She was still exhausted, but she knew the worst was over. Replacing the Moss in the nest was easy, and within a few more days the medicine cat was back on her feet walking around, well, stumbling is more like it. She was very thin, and weak, her normally shiny fur dull and hanging off of her frame. Still, the nightmares of what she had learned at the medicine cat meeting had haunted her through her illness, and as soon as she was able she pushed her way out of the medicine cat den towards Oakstar's. How long had it been since then? When was the next meeting, had she missed it? Pleading that he be there silently, she mewed, her voice hoarse and cracking. "O-Oakstar? Do you h-ah-have a moment?"

It was quiet.

That was the way things were these days. Calm peace drifted over the camp after moons of turmoil. Were he a younger cat, he’d have read the signs as great things coming. Leisured in the peace and harmony of the breeze as it weaves through the trees outside. He was not younger though. His heart ached over the death of his daughter. The disappearance of the other… and the hate that roiled inside of his own clan.

It threatened to rot it from the inside out. There was nothing he could do. He could retire, leave it to Nettlefire, but that wouldn’t be fair to his daughter… the one who stayed. The one which he hoped still loved him, because he wasn’t even sure Batbite did anymore. His head lifted at the voice of his medicine cat. Amber eyes widened in concern. Within a moment he was on his paws to pad up to her cautiously.
"Mossbloom! Are you alright? Do you need Daisybloom?" He asked his poor bedraggled friend. The last he had seen her was in the medicine den. He wondered, for a moment, if her sickness had been involved with Starclan, but shook it off.

That faction was no longer among the stars… if it ever had been.

Still, the knowledge that they had existed. Had been able to walk along his own cats. Had effectively destroyed his own relationships… he feared that they might come again. Worry stirred in his stomach, that next time they would turn the whole of the stars against him… and what would he do?

Mossbloom's head shook in a wide half moon, as she attempted a weak smile at her leader. "No, Oakstar, I'm...alright. Been b-better, but I'm getting there." Her final words were cut off by a single cough, her ear flicking in annoyance. "I'm actually here to speak with you about something urgent." Pausing to clear her throat, she looked past him to the quiet, empty den. A flicker of concern lit behind her eyes as she looked over her friend's pelt, taking in the haunted look in his gaze. Perhaps this wasn't the best time.... No, she reminded herself. If this was allowed to continue to fester, it would only become worse. She should choose her words carefully, however.... The Righteous Fews betrayal had stung many, Oakstar taking the brunt of their hatred and ridiculous virtues.

"Do you remember the adder that took one of your lives several moons ago? I was able to learn more about it's origins, finally. It seems as though it wasn't simply a lost snake that got turned around in the forest - it was deliberately placed in your nest. I worry that something similar may happen again, if the chance is provided, and... Well, I need you. The clan needs you, too." The thought of losing Oakstar like they had lost Leopardstar made her heart twist. "I know who was behind it, as well, and I think it explains quite a bit..."

All at once, Oakstar felt the worry in his chest abate. Mossbloom was fine… she had to be. He sighed in relief and stepped back to welcome her into his den. He listened to her, muscles tensed when she mentioned the snake. He closed his eyes. The pain of the bite still lingered close in his memories.

Now he had to find out it wasn’t just an accident.

Please, don’t be Rainpaw. He begged the stars silently. He had to hope it wasn’t Rainpaw… but then, that meant another cat had done it. Dawngaze maybe? She openly attacked him in the battle. If it was Dawngaze, then the situation was already dealt with… and Mossbloom wouldn’t be here. Wouldn’t be so worried if it was just that simple.

"Who was it?" He asked, his voice choked mid word while tears stung in his eyes. A clanmate of his tried to kill him before the battle even started. He hoped it was because of the evil Starclan’s influence… but the only way to know… was to ask.

Oakstar welcomed her into his den, and Mossbloom gratefully padded into the cool shelter. Turning slowly to face him, she found his eyes closed, body tensed against the memories stirred by her words. Once more her stomach twisted, and she wondered again if what she was doing was cruel, even if she had the best intentions... Biting her tongue for a moment, his choked voice brought tears to her own eyes as she raised them to the tom's. "Oakstar.... It was Rainstri-, Rainpaw." She caught herself saying the demoted warrior's name, even though she had been Rainstrike at the time of the attempt, she was now Rainpaw again. "She had gone to Snakerocks and captured a snake, bringing it back to place in your nest. She... She covered it, so you wouldn't see it, and when you laid on it, well... We know what happened then. It seemed as though that action is what caught the Righteous Fews eyes, and they wrapped her in their arms. I don't know that it means anything different than what she claims happened with Dacedream's death, but what I can say for certain is she knew, and was in agreement with the Righteous Few following the incident with the adder. It seems as though she did it of her own accord.... But you would have to ask her yourself to hear what she says about it. I will advise you, however, several other medicine cats also received this information, and are concerned of the implications of it being revealed to them as well. As always, Oakstar, I stand by you. I'm so sorry...." Her voice cracked at the final words, and she sat down, defeated and exhausted.

There they were.

The words he had never wanted to hear.

Silence ruled the weary leader’s den. His heart clenched painfully in his chest while the agony of the revelation sent memories of the adder’s venom into his veins. Muscles tensed and twitched while he sat still and silent. He thought she had been doing well… was she always like this? Had it been her father’s death that put her on this path? Had it been him… no, it partially had been. She’s said as much by aiding the purist star-dark forest cats.

His amber eyes closed for a moment. There were many things he could do… but none of them were right. Forcing her to serve a clan she no longer had respect for, a grandfather she clearly didn’t want. Her family… he flinched internally, those left he hoped would understand. Now, however, was a time to act. There was no other just punishment. His eyes reopened. The amber orbs darkened by shadows of grief that warred with his anger. Starclan forgive him for what he had to do now.

"The clan needs to know." He declared, pushed himself onto weak muscles and slid past Mossbloom with lowered ears and a heavy heart. It stayed on the ground while he leapt onto Highrock. The gentle breeze and sunlight could not cure him of the shadows. He took a deep breath, and made the call.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Highrock for a clan meeting!" His yowl cut through the peace like a claw. It roused cats from their summer doze, and woke hopeful kits who’s dreams of an apprentice ceremony would not be filled this day. Instead, he looked at each and every cat. All of them could have been hurt by that adder. If it hadn’t been killed… it could have killed any of them, and what would happen then? Would Rainstrike be proud? Would she see her wrong?

"RAINPAW! Step forward." his pelt bristled while he thought about what could have happened. What disaster could have been. His gaze was intense like his voice. Every inch warned he was not happy, at all. This would be no re-warrior naming… no. His head tilted towards Mossbloom. Apology flickered in his gaze. "Mossbloom. Will you tell our clanmates what she has done?"

News of Mossbloom's sickness had reached Cherryblossom, and she'd hoped with every day that the medicine cat would pull through and once again stand alongside Daisybloom in service of her Clan. She was happy to see the medicine cat leave her den for the first time in a moon to talk with Oakstar, though she hoped that it wasn't about anything bad, though her hopes for good news was dashed as Oakstar emerged from his den with fur on end, and Mossbloom following closely behind, worry etched clearly on her face.

Cherryblossom scrambled to her feet as Oakstar called the Clan together, almost roaring Rainpaw's name to signify who this meeting would be about. The little tabby personally had her own reservations about the pointed she-cat, and flicked her tail as she sat down beneath the Highrock, gazing up at Oakstar above.
This certainly can't be a re-naming ceremony for her. What'd she do this time?

Rosepaw scampered out of the apprentice’s den as soon as she heard Oakstar’s call. As he called for someone named “Rainpaw” to step forward, the rosy-brown and white tabby tilted her head in question. Did the apprentice do something wrong? Is this what would happen if she did something wrong? Looking around for someone who probably knew the answer to her question, Rosepaw’s eyes fell on a small cream warrior and she shifted closer towards her. “Uh...hi. I’ve never really been to a Clan meeting before...so, is this what happens if apprentices do something wrong?” Rosepaw whispered quietly towards the warrior, not wanting to bother anyone else.

Batbite joined her Clanmates as Oakstar called them to a meeting, curious as to what had happened. She sat silently, observing her leader's face for any details she could catch. If his tone was any indication, this wasn't a pleasant meeting - but what had happened?

And then he called out to Rainpaw. It was strange, the way her own ears snapped to attention at the name, but she was at least partially responsible for the demoted warrior at the moment. The look on Oakstar's face, the sound of his words... Something had happened.

She kept her own expression neutral, reserving judgment. Last time she'd let her emotions and lingering adrenaline get to her, had jumped to conclusions and broken down in tears. This time, she would wait and listen.

Quailpaw looked from his nest to see Oakstar calling out the clan. And then Rainpaw? Confused, Quailpaw made his way over and sat near his mother, wondering what was going on.

(ooc: because paradoxing, Daisy isn’t here. She’s taking someone to the Moonstone)


Cedarheart heard Oakstar call a meeting. Rainpaw, with a start, she realized, was her mentor. The brown tabby settled in. Maybe her mentor would become a warrior again? She stepped down, sitting at her usual spot, glancing as Quailpaw walked past. But when her leader continued, she sensed something was wrong. Rainpaw had done something wrong? At least, that’s what it seemed like from the older tom’s tone. She looked at her former mentor with concern.

Nettlefire joined the rest of her clanmates in gathering to hear her father’s announcement. She didn’t think there were any apprentices ready to be made warriors, so then--?

As soon as he called Rainpaw forward, she knew this meeting was going to be about nothing good. She felt herself tense up almost involuntarily. The last clan meeting like this had gone...less than well, and Nettlefire had low expectations for this one, whatever it was about, to go any better. The deputy let out a long breath, bracing for impact.

The sound of her name - her former name - woke her from her slumber. Throughout her punishment, the pointed she-cat had done every task asked of her, obeyed every command given, all except going by Rainpaw. Anyone who addressed her as such had been steadfastedly ignored, she was no apprentice, she was a warrior, and even Oakstar's order could not convince her otherwise. This time, however, in a haze of pain-induced compliance, the she-cat lifted her head. She was curled against the bramble barrier in a dark corner of the camp, a spot she'd become very familiar with in the time since the dog ambush on ThunderClan's camp.

Now, though, as the rest of the clan gathered, Rainstrike rose, too, unsteady at first as she took a few steps forward. With considerably more effort than it should have taken, she limped her way towards the shapes of cats, eye still bleary with sleep. The ThunderClan leader's tone left no room for query - he was mad, at something. Someone. Her, most likely. But as she sat, heavily and with an almost unnoticeable flinch of pain, she raised her gaze to meet her grandfather's.

Where the right half of Rainstrike's face had been was now a mass, a mixture, of scars and still-healing wounds. Her ear was practically gone, the lower half that remained just a shredded nub, and where once, two bright, icy eyes glowed, now did only one. The other remained permanently closed, and right now was swollen and crusted with blood she hadn't managed to be able to clean herself, and refused to ask anyone else to. Regardless of her current condition, the she-cat held herself with the air of a warrior that did not intend to admit defeat or surrender, not here, not now, possibly not ever. Whatever Oakstar had found out, whatever had set his hackles raising in her direction, would be dealt with in the same way she dealt with everything else.

The battle with the dogs had left Thrushpaw sore and shaken. Brief though her training had been, she’d learned a bit about fighting and the forest’s dangers—enough to know the world held things that might be worth fearing, and things that were worth the risk anyway. But ThunderClan’s camp had always been safe. That illusion crumbled to dust overnight. She couldn’t even feel brave for helping drive the dogs off, not when she was jumpy enough to scare a dead squirrel back to life. It was complicated, and not in the fun way. Inconvenient-complicated. Mostly, she just wanted to get it over with, but that meant knowing where to start, and she…didn’t.

At Oakstar’s yowl, the tabby she-cat picked herself up from where she’d been resting, tilting her head in response to the name Oakstar called. By now, she’d figured out Rainpaw was Rainstrike. It was sort of like Thrushpaw’s own pair of names, except Rainstrike didn’t like using her other one. When Thrushpaw looked to her mentor, certain Nettlefire would know what this was about, she found only confusion in her gray-striped face. Was this something other than a ceremony? It had to be, if ThunderClan’s own deputy was in the dark about it. Still moving a little gingerly, she waded into the crowd and settled down beside Quailpaw and Batbite. After a moment, she leaned into her mother’s side. Though the weather was too warm for it, the contact was comforting.

Hickorypaw got up from where she had been resting with Thrushpaw and gave her sister a gentle bump with her shoulder, joining the gathering of cats beneath the Highrock. Tension prickled in the air, hanging like the humidity, and she pinned her ears back as she sat on Batbite's other side. Judging by Oakstar's tone, this couldn't be anything good. Bright green eyes watched as the offending cat, Rainpaw, no, Rainstrike, padded up, her face a scarred mess. A shudder ran down the apprentice's spine; she had been away at the Gathering during the dog attack and she felt horribly guilty that she wasn't there to protect her siblings and her Clan. Rainstrike's scars looked painful, though, and in a way she was glad she hadn't been in camp that night...

As her gaze swept around camp, she spotted her mentor Cherryblossom. The small warrior looked alone, so Hickorypaw got to her paws once more, running her tail along her mother's side in a parting gesture. She joined Cherryblossom with a nervous smile, sitting down and curling her feathered tail around her paws. The tail tip twitched back and forth anxiously as she and the rest of camp waited for Oakstar to continue.