Fourtrees #8

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Fourtrees is a group of four tall oak trees that the Clan wolves have held their Gatherings at since the early days of the Clans. Fourtrees is described as neutral territory, and is often used when wolves from different Clans want to meet outside a Gathering. There is a large rock in the middle of Fourtrees called the Great Rock.The Clan leaders use it to look down on the Clans and share their news during Gatherings. Also, there is a small opening in the rock with a space big enough for many small pups to fit into.

As Heatherstar spoke Thistlepaw nodded in agreement with her statements. It could become a very dire situation for every Clan. The only one that hadn't been directly targeted or affected yet was ThunderClan, so it was best for every Clan to be on their guard now. Thistlepaw heard Heatherpup's outburst yet still wasn't so sure about this Mosseybreeze. Anyone could kill, but just because they were in your Clan did that make it okay? The apprentice kept a solemn expression on his face as Heatherstar finished speaking.

Slypaw felt a bit of joy when he heard his name being called. He agreed with Shadestar saying that wolves will be attacked if they come into Stormclan anymore and he will defienatly follow that order if they do. His training was coming along nicely and he would use his skills on this. Stormclan was no longer a friendly place to go and visit!

Heatherpup listened as the older went on to talk about clan matters. She did not understand too much of it, but she perked her ears when Heatherstar said that bad wolves attacked Windclan. Then she said that they killed a Sunclan wolf named Isenfire. "Who's Isenfire?" She wondered. Heatherpup was still a bit frustrated that they didn't listen when she spoke, but she wasn't quite as angry.

Direstar twitched his ears and said "will we be sharing tongues tonight or returning to our clans?". his blood red eyes stared at Shadestar, he knew that that pompus cat didnt like him and his clan. but starclan had accepted him so Shadestar should bite his tongue. his mind drifted to the subject of mosseybreeze. he would hold a clan meeting about it when he returned.

It seemed like all of the leaders had finished speaking. Direstar turned to them and asked them a question, though through Shadestar's eyes it appeared it was directly to him. Looking up at the sky he replied, "This Gathering went faster than usual. We could stay a bit after." In all honesty Shadestar just wanted to keep an eye on all of the Clans and make sure they didn't try any funny business. After all, it seemed like every wolf of every Clan had made a journey through StormClan territory in the past moons.

Suddenly a sharp crack echoed through the night which sent Shadestar quickly in alarm mode with hackles raised and fur standing straight up. A second shot came soon after the first and then faded into oblivion.

(hunters shots)

Tallfeather listened half-heartedly to the heated conversation between the leaders and various other wolves, but most of his attention was on Okamipaw. He nodded in understanding at her words. Tallfeather had never been very social at gatherings - most of the wolves he'd met had been introduced to him through those he already knew. He hadn't really broken out of his shy, quiet shell until a little after being made a warrior. Now, Tallfeather enjoyed talking and socializing. "I understand." He said sagely, casting the younger wolf a half glance.

Okamipaw froze as she heard the bullets, she was beside Tallfeather in a moment. her black eyes shining with fear. she gasped "w-w-what was that?" she flinched as another crack echoed through the air and she yelped. her shoulder suddenly on fire, she stared as crimson red blood slowly began to drip down out of the wound.

pingTallfeather was on his paws in an instant as loud shot rang out around the clearing. He looked around wildly, feeling the small figure of Okamipaw press against him as she sought out comfort. Tallfeather was just craning his neck to reassure her when she suddenly writhed and jolted beneath him; Tallfeather realized in horror that whatever was being shot had hit her. Blood instantly began pumping and pulsating from the wound; Tallfeather pushed back his panic. "Are you alright?" He asked, trying to keep his voice even and spare the worry, though Tallfeather knew it was futile. She'd just been shot, for Starclans sake!

She whimpered in pain and whispered "it hurts Tallfeather i want to go home!". she let out a howl of pain, the wound seending fire through her veins. she stared up at the leaders hoping that they would flee. they couldnt die or the clans would be lost. she continued snuggling into Tallfeathers side. his familiar scent wafting up her black wet nose. she s niffled a little feeling slightly calmer though her shoulder felt like something was writhing in it.

Tallfeather was torn with worry and fear. He wanted desperately to stay here in at Fourtrees and see what would happen; would more shots be fired and more wolves be put in danger? Would the leaders adruptly end the gathering and send everyone to their safe territories? Tallfeather wondered if the territories were even safe at all - what if these deathly things intruded upon their homes? At the same time, the Windclan warrior felt obligated to make sure Okamipaw wasn't put in even more danger. She'd acted so viliant and selfless down in the tunnels - Tallfeather wasn't about to abandon his friend when she needed him most. "Alright," He said gently, burying his worry as he lapped a few times at the bleeding wound. "We'll go back to camp."

Shadestar looked around wildly to see if anyone had been hurt. It appeared that everyone was fine? Straining his eyes he looked at every individual wolf he could. Suddenly he picked a peculiar wolf from the crowd with snow-white fur and strange red markings. Blood was pouring out of the wolf's shoulder! "We need a Medicine Wolf now!" Shadestar bellowed to everyone. There had to be a Medicine Wolf here, right? Looking at Direstar he said, "Perhaps it's a bad idea if we stay longer."

Direstar said "everyone return to your camps! this is a new predator of the clans! we must defend our camps and protect our clans!" his eyes looked to the other leaders "stay safe" he said before he leapt down and barked "Sunclan to me!". he turned and picked up heatherpup before he leapt out of the clearing.
-camp

The large Warrior padded into the clearing, his tail wagging in a pleasant greeting to anyone who happened to glance his way. It had been so long since he had participated in a gathering, the buzz of the crowd was truly his drug as he felt his heart pump even faster, he was a social animal that craved this kind of company after so long alone. But he did not immerse himself in the general hubbub of the gathered clans, no he had someone he was waiting for as he eyes searched for Honeysplash. He had somehow lost her and now he was determined to find her again, he had come with her to the gathering after all. Suddenly the sound of thunder erupted in the clearing along with several hollow whining sounds as the objects that had been flying toward them bounced off of various things. Instinctively the male ducked down to create a smaller target for what ever was attacking them. He heard a cry as a wolf was hit by the mysterious attackers, instantly concern for the wolves as a whole body filled his heart, but another fear entered his soul, where was Honeysplash?! Staying low the male frantically searched the faces of the crowd trying to find her distinctive shape.

Okamipaw screamed again, the pain truly un bearable. she pressed herself shaking into Tallfeathers fur. she wasnt sure if she would survive this pain. it was worse than the heart ache within her whenever she looked at him. her white fur was quickly becomming stained crimson. she whimpered as she stayed beside tall.

At the first sound of the white wolfs scream honeysplash was beside her. she nipped at tallfeather then began inspecting the wound. she growled "somethings in there, somekind of lead thing". she glanced up at the white wolf and said "trust me this is gonna hurt but i have to get it out ok? my brothers a medicine wolf i know as much as he does". she then glanced around for Apachewind. her staunche warrior, her eyes scanned over the frightened wolves before she steeled herself and began searching the wound. her eyes worried. she would have to dig around in there to get it out.

Shadestar leaped off of the rock following Graystar's lead and made his way towards the middle of the clearing. "All of StormClan back to camp immediately!" he howled, repeating Graystar's words. He would remain until the last StormClan wolf disappeared into the night. His golden eyes searched wildly, peering into the unknown that laid all around now that the moon was high in the sky. Clouds past over it, blocking its light from reaching the wolves below. It was almost pitch black now with the screams of the injured wolf coming from somewhere. SunClan wolves were already moving back towards the mountains now.

The shots startled Thistlepaw and as he saw one of WindClan get hit he raced over. They were in an alliance, and that meant he would do whatever he could to help. Ignoring his father's call to camp, he ran to the side of the wolf and the other StormClan warrior. Hearing her last words he said, "But wouldn't that just make the bleeding worse? Why don't we keep it in until she gets to a safe environment and then take it out. If we take it out now she'll just bleed all over the place." He looked down at the wolf in concern. Looking at the WindClan warrior beside her Thistlepaw said, "I could help you take her to WindClan camp if you want. Then she can get help there." Glancing around Thistlepaw saw the large form of Shadestar stalking around, as well as the other StormClan leader. Wolves were running all over the place and it was just chaos.

Heatherstar shuddered violently as a piercing bang thundered through the air, closely followed by yet another one. Pinning her ears to her skull the WindClan leader surveyed the clearing, checking each individual wolf for signs of injury. Feeling her heart jump as finally her blue eyes rested on Okamipaw, her crimson, blood stained pelt sticking out like a sore thumb from the rest of the wolves she gave a hurried nod to the other leaders before leaping off of GreatRock and hurtling across the clearing to Okamipaw's side. "It's ok Okamipaw, everything is going to be alright, don't you worry." her voice was soft and soothing as she spoke to the injured apprentice, trying to offer her comfort and support and to help her through her pain. Turning to Tallfeather she began issuing her instructions. "Tallfeather, I need you to fetch as many cobwebs as you can, and quickly."