Red Skies In Morning [Clan Meeting]

It was time that the Clan knew exactly what was going to happen, and what already has happened. WindClan was in danger, and they needed to prepare. This was going to be a bloodbath, if her suspicions were correct.

Making her way up the tall rock, Lilacstar let her gaze sweep across the clearing. Cats were lounging about, simply having a good time. It was the calm before the storm.

"Let all cats old enough to run the moor gather around for a Clan meeting!"

Sunpaw perked his large ears. This was only the second time he had heard this call, the first being from Dayspring. This time it was Lilacstar, which got the wheels in his mind turning. As he loped over to sit in front of the Tallrock, he frowned, eyebrows creasing in worry. What if it was something serious this time?

Swiftspirit had been curled in her nest, finally managing to get a few moments of shuteye when Lilacstar's voice rang over the camp. With a yawn, she made it to her paws, padding over towards where the meeting was taking place, blinking the sleep away with a sigh. Things were going to be busy, anyone who had been at the gathering could probably tell. She just hoped that the clan had the strength to deal with what was to come.

Yarrowpaw had not but a moment in WindClan.

He was enjoying himself, really, spending time with his mother and meeting his family. He had managed to snag a couple of moments away from Tawnyflare in order to lounge by himself, like he used to in RiverClan, when cats began to accumulate around Tallrock, WindClan's meeting spot. There must be a meeting, which wasn't a big deal on it's own, but the look in Lilacstar's eyes made him nervous- she looked so solemn, so sad. What was happening? Yarrowpaw stretched himself out before deciding to join the throng. Maybe he could make out what Lilacstar was saying if he looked hard enough.

He hoped it wasn't something bad.

Hayglow smiled softly as she laid next to her daughter, talking to Sunnyskip about how life had been since her daughter had become a warrior and they had grown distant. Next to her was Muddyleap, curled up next to his mom and using her back as a pillow. Hayglow was in the middle of regaling one of her hunting trips when Lilacstar's call went out, causing the words to die on her tongue as she glanced up at her leader. "Muddyleap," she meowed, twisting to poke her son in the side, frowning at how thin he was as he stirred. "No time for napping, its time for a meeting," she murmured as he stretched awake, sleepily turning his focus onto their leader.

Ashfall had been sitting in camp, watching, as usual. Not like she was ever able to relax anymore anyway. She was unsure if her father was gone, or had simply been avoiding her. At least her mother, Hayglow, and Muddyleap seemed to be having a nice time. When Lilacstar's yowl rang out across camp, it wasn't long before Ashfall sat before the Tallrock. Ashfall's face was neutral, but she had a sinking feeling as to what this meeting would be about. Dawnhawk, like half her thoughts weren't about him and his possible sins already. So she watched, and waited, as she had always done.

Quite frankly, Dayspring wasn't in the mood for any other bad news. Her ears were perked tentatively as she padded over to join the rest of her Clanmates underneath the Tallrock. It seemed as if most Clan meetings nowadays seemed to carry yet another problem for WindClan, unless they were official ceremonies, but judging by the leaders' tone, an apprentice would not be receiving their warrior name tonight. Her heart felt heavy despite the fact that the announcement hadn't been made yet, and she couldn't help but anxiously shuffle her paws on the camp floor as she lifted her head to meet Lilacstar's gaze.

Goldenfang had picked up a general feeling of anxiety from the Gathering and it followed her through the morning. Something was wrong, and it was obvious what it was about. Or at least she thought she could guess. The warrior took a seat next to Sunpaw, fur lightly brushing. She was watching her Clanmates. They seemed to share her apprehension, and she turned her gaze up to her leader.

Spotlake felt concerned. Ever since her clanmates had returned from the gathering, there seemed to be trouble in the air. Like a lot of trouble. So much trouble, that you could smell it. Spotlake towards the crowd, her gaze looking for Smallbean. He was at the gathering, did he know what was up? Most likely, but if he doesn't, we'll all find out soon. She thought, as she looked up at Lilacstar.

Smallbean poked his head out of the medicine den, eyes flicking up to Lilacstar with curiosity, but there was a hint of apprehension in his gaze. As far as he knew, there were no apprentices ready to become warriors and no kits ready to become apprentices. Every apprentice needed to travel with him to the moonstone before becoming warriors, so he was certain of that fact. That left the question of what this meeting could be about. He fully stepped out of the medicine den and sat down outside with an uneasy expression. Whatever was going on, he didn't feel like it was going to be good.

Shrikestorm was sitting near the edge of camp when he heard Lilacstar's call. Frowning, he got up and padded towards the Tallrock, though he remained near the back of the gathered cats. Things between him and the leader were understandably tense, and he wondered if the meeting was about anything related to that. About Dawnhawk, the Gathering... He wasn't sure, and all he could do was wait and see what she would say.

Sunnyskip was smiling brightly, a rare occurrence in recent days, as her mother shared tales of adventures she had been on. Muddyleap was laying on their mother, and Sunnyskip had gently rested her tail along his hind legs as she listened to Hayglow's stories. They were interrupted by Lilacstar's call, and Sunnyskip's ears perked as she turned to look at the leader. Instinctively, she looked for her kits, spotting Ashfall near Tallrock, but there was no sign of Ryesnap... Or Dawnhawk, she realized, brow furrowing. Where were they? Were they together? She chewed on her tongue absent mindedly as she wondered what was going on. Tensions had been high at the gathering, but she had admittedly been distracted by the conversation with her mother and brother.

Seeing as a sufficient amount of the Clan had gathered, Lilacstar felt content to continue her announcement.

"Cats of WindClan! You all might have been able to guess, but we are on the verge of war with SkyClan. At the most recent gathering, it had been leaked to a SkyClan cat that Dawnhawk had been in our camp, although he has now been asked to leave. We must be prepared for an attack at any time! No cat will be allowed to leave camp on their own, and guards will be placed at the entrance to camp at all times. Ivystar has agreed to aid us in this battle on the condition that RiverClan may hunt on some of our territory. If you see this, they are not to be chased out, but be sure that this is all they are doing.

"As for you and your kits, Sunnyskip, I ask that you guys remain in camp until all of this blows over, as SkyClan is a Clan to act emotionally and illogically, and I would not put it past them to be petty and attack Dawnhawk's family simply because of your relations. One of his kits has already needed to escape from SkyClan due to everything going on.

"Additionally, with current circumstances, I fear that you may not respect my decisions as leader, which I find disturbing. But as I cannot punish you all for having doubts, I have decided to relieve you all of these doubts instead. I am now going to form a council of which every decision I must make will be discussed with. Dayspring and Smallbean, as high ranks, will be taking part in this council, as will Amberfluff, Swiftspirit, Spotlake, and Fawnstep. These cats have proven themselves to be trustworthy, and to be able to think logically in emotional situations, and I hope you all will respect them in their new positions. Is there anything that you all feel should be added?"

A war?!

Sunpaw sunk down into a crouch, large ears flattening against his skull. Tears welled up in his eyes as he looked towards Goldenfang for comfort, curling his tail tightly around his thin frame. He was scared, very scared.

"G-Goldenfang," he whimpered, sniffling. "Are w-w-we gonna be o-okay?"

Muddyleap glanced up as Lilacstar started to speak, eyes widening a bit at the mention of perhaps a war - a battle...A fight. He lifted his head, a small smile forming on his face as he spared a glance at his mother, before it started to fade at the solemn look that had crossed her - disappearing completely when she gave a knowing glare at him.

"No," Hayglow said sternly, causing Muddyleap to wince.

"But momma, I wanna fight! I want to protect Sunnyskip and her kits!" he whined, tail lashing as his claws dug into the ground beneath him. "I wanna protect WindClan!"

Hayglow's ears slicked back as she straightened up, glaring down at her son with a look that only a mother could pull off. "I said no. I'm sure Lilacstar, Dayspring and Amberfluff will back me on this - you cannot fight." She kept the hard glare until Muddyleap finally glanced away, giving a shake of her head with a heavy sigh before she turned her attention to her daughter. "Oh Sunnyskip...I wish I knew what to say, claim that everything will be fine...If you want to share my nest until this is all over, Muddyleap and I would be happy to have you."