Keeping the Clans Alive {An Advanced Warriors RP} discussion

{Roleplay}
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Rainstar led her camp over the log bridge and onto the grassy island. Fresh scents hit her nose, and she could easily tell ShadowClan were the first there. She smiled, making her way to the center of the island. The sun was still setting over the trees, and she squinted to look at it for a moment, before returning her now-blinded gaze to her Clan.

Testing the ground curiously beneath her paws, Sootpaw gazed around in awe at the Island, tripping and falling into her brother as she tried to take it all in, eyes squinting when the sun caught her gaze. "It's amazing," she meowed to her littermates, and proceeded to run around, taking in the stale scents of the other Clans.

Amused, Spiderpaw left his sister to it, shadowing his father to a spot where he caught the scents of other cats, and assumed it was where the warriors would gather. Sniffing the air, he sat, not yet wanting to leave Deadfeather until he knew where to go.

Deadfeather nudged Spiderpaw with his nose, encouraging him to where the apprentices usually gathered, and flicked his tail to indicate that Pricklepaw should join him. It had been a long time since his first Gathering, he realised with some sadness.

Sicklyfrond padded to sit in the warm shadow of a tree, her yellow green eyes scanning the clearing. She knew the other clans would be arriving soon, and waited patiently. She saw Deadfeather's three kits drifting over towards where the apprentices meet, and watched as they looked unsure of it. She had been similar at her first gathering. Not long after that was when she became confident and determined. Her old mentor helped influence her like that, and she blinked as he shooed his second daughter after her brother and sister. Sicklyfrond looked away, to watch for the other coming clans.

Padding from their camp, Iceshade led the RiverClan cats to slip through the water up to the island, his silver striped fur wet as he joined Rainstar, acknowledging her respectfully with a nod. He knew that, even filling Honeystar's position for the Gathering, he was beneath the leaders of the other Clans here, and he would treat them respectfully, as was right to.

Nutpaw followed his deputy closely, gazing around the present cats curiously, spotting only ThunderClan cats as he sat where his paws had carried him to his last Gathering. He was sure he had seen one of those apprentices before, but the smaller one was likely a new apprentice.

Pricklepaw followed Spiderpaw and Sootpaw, glancing back at Deadfeather for a moment, she was glad that he was with them for their first Gathering. "How many other apprentices do you think will be here?" she asked her littermates. Her eyes widening as another group of cats entered the clearing, she crinkled her nose up at the stench. They smell... Interesting, she thought, not quite sure which Clan they were from.

Ivywhisper pushed through the brush at the edge of the clearing, glancing over her shoulder to make sure that Hawkpaw had made it over the log bridge successfully. They were the first ones there, but she could smell RiverClan's scent on the breeze. They must be coming right behind us, she thought.

Sandfeather padded into the clearing, following Iceshade through the brush. ShadowClan is here, she thought as she scanned the cats that Rainstar had decided to bring along.

Sweetpaw padded along between Iceshade and Mapledream, glancing between her mentor and the deputy as they entered the clearing at the center of the island. She'd been to a Gathering before, but she was still extremely excited. She swished her tail, looking around as her clan fanned out and merged with Shadowclan, who had already arrived. Slightly disappointed that the other clans weren't there yet, she wandered off to find someone to talk to, still keeping either Iceshade or Mapledream in her sights.

Silverdawn drifted along, seeing that only Shadowclan had arrived. She was always in the mood to socialize with the other clans, and looked for someone to talk to. She found a nice warm, shaded spot to sit where the queens often sat to chat. She curled her long tail around her, and licked down some of the fur on her chest. Windclan and Thunderclan should be arriving soon, she hoped.

Dawnpaw followed her Clanmates, shaking out her orange-golden fur as she pulled herself up on the island. She looked around, the thick woods scent reminding her of earlier. What is that smell...? she wondered to herself, trying to remember. Then it hit her. Of course! ShadowClan!
She whirled her head around, scanning the foreign Clan with her bright green eyes. Her gaze landed on a familiar-looking she-cat and she smiled slightly. It was the apprentice she'd met during the dusk patrol. She squeezed her way over, taking a deep breath to get rid of her sudden shyness. This was what gatherings were all about, wasn't it? Making friends?

"Hi!" she mewed to Sootpaw as she approached. "Fancy seeing you here!" she chuckled slightly at her own comment, trying to seem friendly, though the glances of the other two ShadowClan apprentices made her slightly nervous.

Rainstar dipped her head politely to Iceshade as he approached. "Honeystar feeling alright?" she asked, worriedly. She may not be of RiverClan, but Honeystar had been leader since before Rainstar had been born. She looked up to the old she, and worried the leader may have passed on to StarClan without her knowledge.

Featherstar led the WindClan cats into camp, and let them talk to each other. She saw the ShadowClan leader, Rainstar, talking to Iceshade, the RiverClan deputy. She padded over to them. "Hello, Rainstar, Iceshade. How are RiverClan and ShadowClan?" Featherstar looked a bit ragged, and her eyes were dull, but she looked otherwise fine.

Silentpaw trudged onto the Island and sat down near the edge of the WindClan cats. He didn't want to talk- er, listen -to any cat. Gatherings are pointless. Not only that, but why should we tell all the Clans our secrets? And besides, I don't even like any cat from the other Clans. Why should I? It'd be breaking the code.

Applepaw bounded onto the Island, nearly bumping into a grey WindClan apprentice. He turned and glared at her. "Sorry," she mewed. The tom was silent, and she walked on, casting a nervous glance back at him. She looked around for Fawnpaw, but she couldn't see her. She looked around for Sandfeather.

Cinderblaze padded onto the Island and began to search for cats from the other Clans. WindClan had just arrived, she noticed, and ShadowClan had been here for a while. She saw the ShadowClan medicine cat, Nightfeather, standing by the base of the Great Oak. She sighed and padded over to sit by Silverdawn.

Pricklepaw narrowed her eyes as an apprentice from another Clan walked up. She knew that they were supposed to chat with other cats tonight, but it felt a little odd to be friendly to rival clans. She eyed the she-cat, she was a bit bigger than her, probably a couple moons older. "I'm Pricklepaw," she mewed, "Sootpaw's sister." She figured telling the she-cat her name wouldn't hurt.

Sandfeather spied Applepaw, she knew her apprentice well enough to tell she was at a loss for what to do. She padded up behind her, "Why don't you go talk to other apprentices?" she advised, "It looks like there's a couple ShadowClan apprentices and Dawnpaw is over there too." She flicked her tail in the direction of the apprentices.

Maplenose padded into the clearing, his eyes scanning the crowd for any familiar faces. He recognized cats from seeing them at the border or at past Gatherings, but he usually stuck with his own Clan when it came to Gatherings. He searched for Silverpaw, wanting to keep a bit of a closer eye on her to make sure she behaved herself around the other clans.

Lionpaw strolled into the clearing, his eyes falling onto the group of apprentices. He hesitated, not sure if he wanted to walk over there all on his own. He spotted Silentpaw but knew that the tom wouldn't be much a help in breaking that barrier of awkwardness.

Dawnpaw smiled, turning her green gaze on the other apprentice. "Nice to meet you, Pricklepaw! I'm Dawnpaw, Sootpaw and I met the other day on a dusk patrol." she meowed kindly, trying to explain how she knew Pricklepaw's sister. "Is tonight your first gathering?" she asked, trying to move along the conversation.

"Evening, Featherstar." Rainstar dipped her head to the WindClan leader. Her thoughts were different toward Featherstar than they were to Honeystar, as she hadn't known the she-cat as long and wasn't quite sure what she was planning or if she was planning anything at all. In that case, Rainstar kept her voice cool as she spoke, but kept her smile.

Flamepaw inched slowly along the tree trunk, careful not to fall into the lake water beneath her. She came to the edge, feeling it with her paws, and pouncing off, only to land directly into Lionpaw where he had stopped in his tracks. "Great StarClan, why are you standing in the middle of where cats are jumping?!" she hissed crossly, rolling to the side and struggling to stand back up. Her red fur was covered in dust. Already the gathering had started off badly--everyone had to have seen her fall and were likely already making fun of her for it.

Sweetpaw looked around the clearing that was now beginning to get crowded. She saw two apprentices from Windclan, one golden and the other grey. The grey tom might be Silentpaw, who was mute. She'd heard about him, and seen him at past Gatherings. She could approach him, maybe... Sunkit, one of the kits in camp, was deaf so it couldn't be harder than communicating with him. She saw a golden tom nearby who was also from Windclan. Sweetpaw padded over, deciding she might as well try. "Hi... I'm Sweetpaw. You're Silentpaw, right?" She tipped her head a little. He could nod yes and no... She was pretty good at figuring cats out, so hopefully they could somewhat hold a conversation. Unless, of course, he just wasn't in a good mood. She noticed Flamepaw trip over Lionpaw, and let out a small purr of amusement as Lionpaw got his ears nearly bitten off. She would greet the other medicine cat apprentice in a moment, if she wasn't busy reprimanding her companion.

Silverdawn flicked her ears as Cinderblaze came to join her. She scanned the crowd, looking for any familiar faces. She spotted a few of their own warriors, and then Maplenose from Windclan and Deadfeather from Shadowclan. Plenty of apprentices, as well, she noticed. She let out a mrow of amusement as she watched the young cats awkwardly approach each other. "I remember when I was that young, and simply greeting another apprentice was such a daunting task at a Gathering." She though about how in five moons that would be her own kits out there, nervously talking to other cats.

Lostbreeze padded after Featherstar, and saw Nightfeather at the base of the Great Oak. She debated going over to say hello, but the medicine cat didn't look to be in a very good mood so she stayed away. Instead, she followed Featherstar over to where the leaders and deputies were gathering. She dipped her head respectfully, wondering where Honeystar was. Iceshade seemed to be stepping in more and more, and she hoped the frail she-cat hadn't passed away suddenly.

Galestorm padded into the Gathering, her stormy eyes flicking around as she looked to see who was there. She saw Maplenose looking for someone, and guessed that it was probably his apprentice. She purred, and padded by. She saw Sandfeather, a RiverClan warrior that was generally friendly. She trotted over, noticing there was an apprentice with her. "Hello Sandfeather. How is everything in Riverclan?" She sat down, blinking reassuringly at the apprentice. "Is this your apprentice I've heard so much about?" Galestorm purred, wondering if the apprentice felt awkward or a bit lost, and if this was her first Gathering. She looked a bit old for her to be at her first, but you can't bring along everyone every time.

"A few," mewed Sootpaw, considering it, "Less apprentices than warriors." Watching RiverClan appear, she flicked her tail, nervous that she would see Duskpaw again, but instead spotted Dawnpaw pad over. "Hello, Dawnpaw. This is Spiderpaw, my brother," she introduced him on his behalf, since Pricklepaw had already introduced herself, spotting that look of suspicion in Spiderpaw's eyes. Her eyes flicked around the cats, trying to spot Hawkpaw, but left him be when she saw him by his mother. "Who else is with you from your Clan?"

Dipping his head again to acknowledge Rainstar's words, Icesgade began, "She has some aches, and wants to look after the kits," he mewed, keeping it short and avoiding talking about how much worse Honeystar's aches and joints were getting. Hearing Featherstar, he dipped his head respectfully to the WindClan leader, "Hello, Featherstar. RiverClan is thriving. How is WindClan?" Observing Lostbreeze as she approached, he added, "Hello," to her as well.

"Yeah, this is our first Gathering," Pricklepaw replied, taken aback by how enthusiastic and kind Dawnpaw seemed. She could smell kind of a musky, fishy scent on the young she-cat so she assumed she was from RiverClan. She glanced over as WindClan entered the clearing, noticing some cats who looked to be apprentices.

Sandfeather turned to Galestorm, the she-cat was just a few moons older than herself. "Hello Galestorm," she replied kindly, purring as she glanced down at Applepaw. "Yes it is. This is Applepaw," she said, introducing the two cats to each other.

Lionpaw gasped in surprise as Flamepaw toppled onto him, his fur growing hot with embarrassment as he imagined what all the other Clans would think of him and his littermate. "Sorry Flamepaw," he mewed as he began trying to wipe the dust and dirt off his sister with his tail, leaning in to give a couple licks her and there. "Don't worry. Nobody noticed," he told her, trying to not only convince her but also himself.

Rowanheart walked on to the island behind Rainstar. He looked through the crowd for friendly faces, but finding none, he sat at the roots of the oak tree. He used to try to socialize, but no one ever seemed comfortable around him, so he gave up a while ago. Whenever he tried to join in on a conversation, the cats would always go quiet and move to another place. He knew why, of course, but thought that they could at least try.

Applepaw nodded proudly to Galestorm. "You're a WindClan warrior, right? I can tell because your fur is thick, like you've been running around a lot. Also, most WindClan cats are grey or brown or red or white, right? What's WindClan like? I know we share a border and all but still, I don't know much about them..." Applepaw suddenly realized that she'd been talking too much, and went silent, squaring her shoulders.

Silentpaw heaved a sigh as Sweetpaw padded up to him. The mouse-heart probably thought he was lonely or something, and "needed a friend." He shrugged when she asked his name. Why does it matter? I don't even like you anyway. And you know who I am, everyone does. All four Clans knew the silent apprentice. He'd heard the whispers at Gatherings, seen the stolen glances across the Island. Before he realized it, his pelt ruffled, and he struggled to keep it flat, not wanting Featherstar to chide him again for "breaking the truce."

"Very well, thank you," Featherstar mewed to Iceshade. She knew that Rainstar didn't trust her, but she understood why. Featherstar hadn't been leader for long, and therefore the other Clans didn't quite know what to do with her. "We had a little incident with ThunderClan, but we're all fine, I believe."

Cinderblaze purred. "Yes, I remember that," she mewed. The two had been apprentices together. "Remember when Swanpaw dared me to talk to that ThunderClan apprentice- Tigerpaw, I think it was- and then I went up and did it? He was so much younger than me, only six or seven moons, while I was almost ten! The look on his face was hilarious."

Galestorm let out a mrow of amusement. She didn't blame the young she-cat for being curious... She had been like that. She always loved learning new things and meeting new cats. "Yes, I am a WindClan warrior. And I suppose so, yes, a lot of Windclan cats are white, grey and brown, and red too. You can see, for example, our deputy, Lostbreeze over there, is white and gray. And Flamepaw over there, the apprentice scowling at her brother, is red." Galestorm purred, watching Flamepaw and Lionpaw standing over by the tree-bridge. "And we're just about the same as the other Clans, we just live in a different territory." She humored the young cat, but didn't say much of anything as far as divulging anything important. "So is this your first Gathering?" She glanced around the edge of the clearing to see if any ThunderClan cats were coming. They'll get here soon enough, I'm sure.

Sweetpaw noticed that Silentpaw didn't seem very enthusiastic. She let out a dry mrow of amusement. "You think I pity you or something... No, I just know you don't feel like talking to anyone and I'm probably a bit less annoying than some other new apprentice that's nervous and ready to shake right out of their paws, or an apprentice like Dawnpaw that'll talk until your ears fall off." Her eyes glimmered with that medicine cat look, that told you she knew a lot more than you thought and was clever right along with it. "So that way you don't have to deal with anyone too terrible... I'm the RiverClan medicine cat apprentice, in case you don't know. Do you mind if Flamepaw and Lionpaw joined us? Flamepaw doesn't look terribly happy." Sweetpaw watched Silentpaw patiently, curious if he would mind for his clanmates to join them.

Silverdawn mrowed humorously, remembering the incident. "Yes! That was hilarious... And when I accidently ran into the ShadowClan deputy? I thought I was going to die on the spot!" She recalled that incident... She had been following another apprentice and wasn't watching where she was going and literally ran into the deputy. She was so embarrassed, she had actually wanted to just sink into the ground.

Lostbreeze nodded to Iceshade. She was glad to find out that Honeystar was still doing okay, however she knew Iceshade would be her successor soon, whether the old she cat retired or moved on to StarClan. She figured that since Iceshade would be the RiverClan leader, she should be on his good side. "Hello, Iceshade. I'm glad to hear that Honeystar is doing well." She noticed that ThunderClan wasn't there yet, and wondered if it would be anytime soon. She felt a bit awkward, but since Iceshade was stepping in for RiverClan and she didn't spot the ShadowClan deputy, she decided to stay where she was at.

Rainstar smiled, relieved to hear the old leader was still alive. "Well, wish her well for me." she meowed kindly to Iceshade. She glanced up at the rising moon. ThunderClan would be late tonight. She nodded slowly at Featherstar's response, wondering if that was the reason the forest Clan was late.

Dawnpaw smiled. "Nice to meet you as well, Spiderpaw," she then turned back to address Pricklepaw again. "Mine too," she admitted. "Honeystar didn't let Duskpaw or I come the first few we were around for, not sure if we would return to our kitty-pet life or not." she didn't seem to care that she just told ShadowClan cats that she used to be a kitty-pet. "Duskpaw's my sister." she added quickly.


Flamepaw huffed, pulling away from him. He could be such a mouse-brain at times, but it made her laugh most of the time. She shook out her short red fur and scented the air, putting the incident behind her. "What're you staring at anyways, you big goof?" she asked, trying to pick up individual voices with her long ears, a slight teasing note in her voice.

Thistlefrost flicked her son's ear with her tail, telling him he could follow if he liked, but he was also allowed to join the group of apprentices forming. She made her way over to where Sandfeather and Galestorm were forming a group of warriors. "Evening Sandfeather, Galestorm." she meowed with a smile. She thought it strange that not many senior warriors had attended so far, and had no one her age to chat with, but found it just as compelling to speak with the younger warriors. She'd watched most of them grow anyways.

Not touching on Featherstar's remark on ThunderClan, supposing that if it was important then the leaders would bring it up themselves more, Iceshade mewed a, "Thank you, I will let her know," to Rainstar and Lostbreeze - it would cheer Honeystar up to hear that the two she-cats were concerned for her. "Should we begin soon?" he asked, aware of the moon in the dark sky - even with ThunderClan's delay, the sooner they began, the sooner their cats could mingle further.

Spiderpaw shifted between his sister's as Dawnpaw brought up that she had been a kittypet, and pulled back his lips, about to snarl an insult before Sootpaw flicked her tail across his muzzle. The she-cat quite liked the RiverClan apprentice, and did not share her brother or father's view on kittypets - RiverClan had taken the two sisters in, and therefore they were as good as Clan cats. "Is Honeystar here?" she mewed, looking around - from what she had heard, the RiverClan leader was very frail, but she could not spot any cats fitting the description.

Hawkpaw padded after his mother, casting a look at his fellow ShadowClan apprentices with a RiverClan apprentice, but focused on staying by Thistlefrost. He felt much more comfortable at her side, and he could listen to the other warriors and work out what made them truly good warriors of their Clans. Silent, he stood by her, his tabby fur mixed with her pelt from the close proximity.

((Since Jess has left the group, I will be roleplaying as Featherpelt to lead ThunderClan until a new leader has been made.))

Rainstar was about to open her jaws to reply, when Featherpelt stumbled down from the tree trunk, his old legs hardly able to hold his wait.
"They're here now." she meowed softly, then put a smile on her muzzle as the ThunderClan deputy approached.

"Our leader is currently ill with white-cough, so I'll be taking over for him tonight." Featherpelt meowed, approaching the group of leaders and deputies. He did not bother to bow his head or even nod, his days of dipping his head to others were over. At his age, it was considered disrespectful for young cats to not dip their head to him. "Terribly sorry we're late however, shall we get started?" he meowed, his throat raspy.

Dawnpaw shook her head, but kept her smile. "She didn't feel up to traveling tonight, so she stayed back to help with the kits." she meowed. She didn't know what Iceshade was telling the other leaders, so she didn't want to betray more information than was needed. She turned her bright green gaze on Spiderpaw, having easily caught his look of distaste. She didn't mind, though. She was used to the look, she caught it many times in her own Clan. "Our father was a Clan cat though, so it's not as though we're full kitty-pet." she explained cheerfully.

Featherstar nodded. "Let's begin. I'm sorry about Thornstar, by the way." She scrambled up the tree, her silver pelt streaking behind her as she climbed.
((I don't know how to start a Gathering sooooo...))

Silentpaw shrugged. He didn't really care if they joined them. Flamepaw and he were a lot alike, he supposed, but that didn't mean the grey tom had to like her. Seeing his leader climbing up the Great Oak, he jerked his head up to the tree.

Cinderblaze purred. "Yes!" She sighed. "Sometimes I wish I could be an apprentice again. Those were days of wonder- everything was new and fresh. I suppose it's why I love kits so much... they're so innocent and unknowing." She watched the leaders climb up the Great Oak. "Look, they're starting!" she meowed to her friend, pointing with her tail.

Tigerpool slipped into camp behind his Clan, keeping close to his apprentice so that she wouldn't bump into anyone. "They're already starting," he whispered to Nightpaw. "Let's just sit here for now. We'll explore later."

Nightpaw nodded and sat down. Though she couldn't see the Island, or the Clans, she knew by scent that they were all there.

Nightfeather huffed and let the leaders slip past her, nodding to them as they passed. She didn't really care what happened- and nothing ever did, anyway- so she sat at the base of the Great Oak and let the leaders begin.

Applepaw shook her head. "My third," she mewed proudly, "but it still feels like my first! Oh, but is it really true that WindClan cats can run faster than a rabbit? And why do you sleep outside? Doesn't it get cold? I'd hate to sleep outside!"

Sandfeather shook her head in disbelief and wonder as she listened to Applepaw ramble on and on. As excitable as she'd herself been as an apprentice she didn't even compare to Applepaw. She noticed the leaders making their way up the tree, flicking Applepaw's ear with her tail. "They're about to start," she said, not wanting her apprentice to be the last voice heard. "Good evening Thistlefrost," she mewed, dipping her head to the older warrior. She eyed the tom beside her, noting that he was probably around the same age as Applepaw.

"This place just makes me feel so small," Lionpaw admitted with a shrug, "And the Great Oak is so tall." He turned his eyes to the clearing, this was only his second Gathering so everything was still kind of knew to him. "Do you want to sit with the medicine cats? Or head over to the other apprentices?" he asked Flamepaw. He knew she didn't need his help finding her way around, but it made him feel better knowing she was okay.

Pricklepaw noticed a slight hush coming over the crowd, her eyes moving towards the Great Oak. I wonder what it would be like to sit up there, she thought with wide eyes. She wasn't really that interested in becoming leader, but the idea of sitting up there, looking down on all these cats just seemed like an amazing experience.

Ivywhisper had stopped to briefly chat with some cats before quickly making her way over to Hawkpaw and Thistlefrost, dipping her head in greeting to Galestorm, Applepaw, and Sandfeather. She loved Gatherings. She enjoyed hearing the news, and it also made her dream of becoming deputy and maybe even leader that much more enticing.

Maplenose spotted Sparrowtail, a she-cat from ThunderClan that had been an apprentice the same time as he. He took a seat beside her, the two cats softly chatting as they awaited the call from the leaders.

Sparrowtail enjoyed talking with Maplenose, she'd always liked the WindClan tom. Her eyes briefly followed Tigerpool, she was still worried about her brother's injuries, but he seemed to be doing okay today.

((I didn't realize we had gone to the gathering! XD))

Mapledream headed over to where the medicine cats sat. She looked around for her apprentice, Sweetpaw. After a mental debate she decided to let her apprentice enjoy herself and mingle with the other apprentices for now. She purred. Gatherings were so nice.

Scorchpaw looked up to the tree as the Gathering started. He had sat at the sidelines for this Gathering, feeling bad that Ivypaw couldn't come. He felt that it wasn't fair for him to have a good time while she was back at the camp hurting. He would have loved to socialize, he always did, just felt that it would be wrong. He didn't know why he felt this way, it just seemed natural, and he didn't think much about it. Maybe the next time she would come and they could talk to other apprentices together.

Climbing the tree to reach the usual spot for RiverClan leader, Iceshade took his spot gladly, having only twice sat there before - both times due to Honeystar's frailty and difficulty with climbing. While when she did attend she could climb, on the day of the Gathering if she seemed too plagued by her joints it was decided between them and Mapledream to have him take her place. They did not want the other Clans to see just how much more difficult it was getting for her to climb. Flicking his tail, the spotted tom looked to Rainstar and Featherstar to begin, understanding that it was only right that the Clans with leaders present begin.

"HalfClan," Spiderpaw scornfully mewed, but quietened as he saw the leading cats climb the tree, leaning on Pricklepaw to whisper in her ear, "Never trust a halfClan." Acornbelly had warned him since he was a young kit, stuck in traditional ShadowClan views, despite the rare halfClan ShadowClan cat.

Sootpaw hushed her brother and looked to Dawnpaw sadly, not wanting to rile up her brother by apologising on his behalf, but wanting Dawnpaw to know that she did not condone or agree with his views. The young black she-cat padded to sit closer to the RiverClan cat in a silent point, gazing up at the tree, excited to hear what would be said. She and her littermates would be announced, and she wondered if the other Clans would announce new apprentices as well.

Flamespirit padded onto the Island behind her Clan, and sat by the warriors, struggling not to greet them so as to be silent while the leaders and deputies prepared to talk. She wondered what it looked like for them, gazing down upon the Clan cats.

Mapledream looked around at her clan and gave them looks, telling them to get quiet. She could tell the gathering was about to start. She looked around for her apprentice. She couldn't find her.

Sweetpaw looked up to see that the Gathering was about to start, and whispered to Silentpaw. "Alright... Thanks. I need to go sit with the medicine cats, though. Bye!" She waved her tail, and headed over towards Flamepaw. "Hey, Flamepaw. We should head towards the medicine cats, the Gathering is about to start." She lightly touched the other she-cat's shoulder with her tail tip, nodding in greeting to Flamepaw's brother. "Hi Lionpaw!" She meowed cheerfully, swishing her plumy tail as she started padding towards her mentor. She spotted Applebranch and Nightfeather sitting over near the base of the Great Rock, sad to see that Slatepaw wasn't there. She also saw the deputy of Windclan sitting near the bottom, in a different spot for the deputies. Iceshade sat atop the Great Rock, fitting in with the other leaders.

Lostbreeze nodded to Iceshade, then trotted over to sit where the deputies usually did as the leaders climbed up to sit atop the Great Rock. She looked out among the hordes of cats as a hush fell over them. She loved hearing the ripple of quieting whispers as the Gathering was ready to start, everyone quickly becoming silent as they waited to hear the leaders of the Clans speak. One day, she would be up there speaking to the Clans. She hoped so, at least, although not for quite a while. Featherstar was still young, and would hopefully reign for many moons before Lostbreeze(or possibly another deputy) would need to take over. Lostbreeze nodded to Featherpelt as he passed her to climb up next to the other leaders and deputy. She wondered where the ShadowClan deputy was at.

Galestorm nodded, purring in amusement as Applepaw asked more questions. "It'll still feel like that, even when you're a seasoned warrior from what I've heard," the WindClan she-cat teased her. "And of course, how else would we chase them down to catch?" She brushed her tail over her mouth as the Gathering was ready to start, but whispered one last answer. "It feels free to sleep under the stars with the wind in your fur." She turned to look up to the Great Rock.

Silverdawn mrowed in agreement. "Of course... It's interesting to watch them grow and learn." She knew this, even with her first litter still so young. She thought of them back at camp, wondering how Honeystar was faring with them. She still worried about Sunkit, even though she knew that Cloudkit would take good care of him. She understood him better than anyone. Silverdawn settled, waiting patiently for the Gathering to start. She overheard one of the ShadowClan apprentices comment about HalfClan cats, and considered saying something. She decided against it, although she would definitely comment on their words when the Gathering was over. She took a deep breath, flicking her tail as she watched the leaders.

Sicklyfrond saw her old mentor, Deadfeather, sitting alone a little ways away. She got up and padded over to join him, stretching before she sat down. She meowed a greeting as she waited for the leaders to speak.

Mapledream smiled in satisfactipn when she saw Sweetpaw. She beckoned her over with a flick of her tail. "Where were you?" She asked her scornfully. Then she shook her head and waited for an answer.

Lightfeather sat down quietly. There were so many cats! She hoped no one would talk to her. Well, maybe I should go talk to someone. They could be nice... No, its not worth the risk. Her mind ran in circles while deciding.

Rainstar nodded, pulling herself up into the tree and balancing herself on the spot where the ShadowClan leader usually sat. She ran her blue gaze along the Clans, landing on Rowanheart for a moment and nodding to her deputy. She then glanced to the other leaders, knowing that as the youngest leader she wasn't supposed to speak first.


Flamepaw flicked her ears, scenting Sweetpaw before the RiverClan she-cat approached. "I have to sit with the medicine cats, but you can sit wherever." she meowed to Lionpaw, flicking his ears with her long tail. She nodded to Sweetpaw, following her over to where the medicine cats were sitting.


Dawnpaw smiled, turning and sitting beside Sootpaw to watch the leaders tell their reports. She was so excited, more curious than ever to find out what the Clans were up to than she had been about anything before.


Thistlefrost smiled at her son and nodded to Ivywhisper before looking up to the leaders where they sat. She could easily tell Rainstar was feeling slightly nervous about giving her report. She smiled comforting to her leader, her green eyes telling her not to worry.


Featherpelt pulled himself up slowly to where the ThunderClan leader sat. If he weren't a ThunderClan cat, used to climbing trees all the time, he wouldn't have been able to get his old bones up to the high branch. But he made it, the last one to settle into his spot. He smiled slightly down at the cats below, waiting for them to quiet down.

Sweetpaw padded over to her mentor, confused why she was upset with her. "I was talking to the other apprentices. As soon as the Gathering looked to be starting Flamepaw and I headed this way..." She flicked her ears and sat down next to Flamepaw uneasily. She wasn't quite sure why her mentor was in such a bad mood. She scooted so she could see the leaders better, pushing the thought of her mentor's reproach to the back of her mind as she waited for them to speak.

"Oh all right." Mapledream said. She felt sort of bad for being so hard on her apprentice. Her eyes softened in an unspoken apology. She looked up at the tree, trying to asses how soon the gathering would start.

((Im going with the wightcoigh))

Mapledream frowned a bit. "Sadly, yes. I thought Sweetpaw was still a little too young to watch them on her own, so I stayed" she smiled again. "All survived, so that's good."

((Ohhh right XD))

Featherstar coughed. "Cats of the Clans! I will speak first." Her voice carried loud and clear through the hollow. "WindClan is well. We had a little skirmish with ThunderClan the other day." The lie slipped out of her mouth easily. "Prey is running well. Rainstar?" Featherstar stepped back to let the ShadowClan leader report.

Rainstar flicked her ears, surprised to be going next, Featherstar had spoken so quickly.
"Prey is plentiful in ShadowClan," she meowed clearly, gazing around at the Clans below her. As she spoke, her confidence slowly flowed back into her. "We have four new apprentices: Pricklepaw, Sootpaw, and Spiderpaw were apprenticed at the beginning of the moon, and Hawkpaw has just had his ceremony," her blue gaze drifted over the apprentices as she spoke their names. "And we have one queen well on the way to having her kits. They should be born any day now." she finished, sitting back on her branch. She gazed next to her, where Featherpelt sat, and below her to Iceshade, unsure of who would speak next.

Featherpelt smiled at the young leader, and nodded to Iceshade in an effort to let the young tom to go next. He was content to go last, simply listening to the other leaders.

Listening carefully to the two leaders in attendance, Iceshade dipped his head to Featherpelt, and began his own update on RiverClan's progress. "The fish are swimming well this greenleaf. Rowanrose has joined the elders' den and is present tonight. Honeystar will be at the next Gathering, but for tonight she has decided to care for the kits so that our queens can be here," he meowed, and flicked his tail with a nod at Featherpelt for the tom to go on.

Featherstar remembered the mention of Pricklekit, Sootkit, and Spiderkit, as well as Hawkkit, when they were first born. She looked at Featherpelt and waited for him to continue.

Featherpelt cleared his throat, yet did bother to stand on his branch. He wasn't about to push his frail legs past their limit.
"ThunderClan is doing well. The forest is filled to the brim with prey this green-leaf. Shiningmoon is close to kitting and the nursery will be filled any day now, as well as our apprentice den. As Featherstar mentioned, we were involved in a border skirmish, but have recovered as a Clan," he paused for a moment, unsure if what he would say next would reveal weakness. But then, it was only one cat, and the Clans should know in case she were to not make it through this. "Ivypaw has lost an eye." he finished, nodding his chin to announce that he was finished.

Silentpaw cringed at Featherpelt's serious tone. And it was all my fault. If I hadn't... He shook his head. This is no time for regrets. I've helped my Clan, that's all that matters.

Tigerpool sighed. He'd seen Ivypaw after the accident. He didn't know what it might be like for the tabby apprentice.

Cinderblaze gasped- who had hurt the poor young cat so badly? She never deserved that! She growled softly under her breath.

Sweetpaw snapped her head up at Featherpelt in alarm, then looking back down at Applebranch. She had wondered why the ThunderClan medicine cat had seemed so somber. She was good friends with Slatepaw, and felt so bad for the ThunderClan medicine cat apprentice. Taking care of a Clanmate with an injury like that must be so painful. Sweetpaw couldn't stand seeing other cats in pain, and she'd met Ivyppaw before. The she-cat was so fun and high-spirited. Sweetpaw couldn't believe someone could do that to her, and she hoped that Ivypaw could bounce back from this quickly. She'd heard of cats losing eyes or limbs and becoming so depressed they couldn't function, moving to the elders' den at such a young age. Sweetpaw hoped that wouldn't be Ivypaw's case.

Silverdawn purred as she heard of new ShadowClan apprentices and kits on the way. She couldn't help being happy to hear of new little lives just starting or leaving the nursery. She remembered the ShadowClan queen Fallenberry, and sighed, knowing her kits would be missing her in this important moment. Silverdawn had always liked the black she-cat. Silverdawn dipped her head to Iceshade when he mentioned herself and Cinderblaze, and then her eyes opened as wide as the full moon above them when Featerpelt reported. Ivyppaw was such a sweet young cat, who could ever hurt her like that? Silverdawn just couldn't believe it. She took care of all the young cats, and she easily placed Applepaw or Mudpaw or Echopaw into that slot in her mind. She couldn't imagine what it was like for the poor apprentice, or her Clanmates.

Lostbreeze raised her head to look up at the leaders, her silver eyes glinting in the moonlight. She was glad to hear the other Clans were doing well. She never wished harm on the other Clans, especially not on a Gathering night. They all lived around the lake together, didn't they? She was shocked to hear about Ivypaw... she remembered seeing the apprentice at a Gathering once. She seemed very happy and fun loving, and Lostbreeze thought it was a bit cruel to take an eye from her at such a young age.

Pricklepaw squirmed as her and her littermates were announced. It felt like every cat was looking at her. She looked around for Deadfeather, wanting to see a familiar face in the crowd of cats. Pricklepaw was barely listening, but somehow the news of Ivypaw managed to wriggle its way into her mind. Her head snapped up to look at Featherpelt, her eyes wide with dismay. "Someone took out her eye?" she murmured in disbelief.

Pinestream (formerly known as Ivywhisper) purred softly as Hawkpaw was announced, flicking his ear with her tail. She was so proud of him, she couldn't imagine what Thistlefrost must feel seeing as the young tom was her son.

Featherpelt flicked his ears as a hushed murmur of disbelief rippled through the Clan. Once the murmurs had died down, he nodded to the other leaders and announced, "The Gathering is over." and began to slide back down the tree.


Rainstar hopped down a few branches until she landed on the grassy ground. The Clans would stay for a bit longer to chat with each other, but she didn't want to get caught up in a pointless discussion. Her blue eyes landed on her deputy and she padded over to sit with him, knowing he wouldn't disappoint her with boring chatter.


Dawnpaw smiled to Pricklepaw and her littermates. "That's so great that you were all mentioned!" she purred. Silently, she wished that Iceshade had announced her as well, but she figured it was because she'd been announced two moons earlier, when she'd become an apprentice. There was no reason to point her out now. But something inside of her was telling her she wasn't announced tonight or ever because of her kitty-pet past.


Flamepaw stood back up, wanting nothing more than to squirm away from the crowd of cats. Especially the other medicine cats--they all smelled so fresh and herby. It made her think she was in the den back in camp, and the scents were always too strong for her in there. That was why she slept outside with the other apprentices, or alone, instead of with her mentor. And as if the herb scent wasn't enough, she could smell every single cat in the clearing, and the most recent places they'd been.
She let a little hiss out between her teeth and began to push her way through the other cats, trying not to but inevitably crashing into other cats in her efforts to find her own space. The noise was starting back up again, too, and everything was getting worse again. She flattened her ears, plopping herself under a low tree branch, and trying to block all the scents crowding her senses.

Iceshade leapt down to join the throng of cats, padding to join Silverdawn and Cinderblaze to escape the concern of others about Honeystar - all Clans had noticed how weak she was, and while he had settled the leaders and announced her decision to remain at camp. Sitting down aside them, the spotted silver tom mewed, "Three more moons, and we will be able to announce four apprentices as well," he remarked happily.

Proud, Sootpaw fluffed up her chest and focused on having been announced, hardly hearing anything else at all, wanting Rainstar to spot her looking like a fine young apprentice as she looked over them. Turning to Dawnpaw, she nodded, lashing her tail to the side, "In a few moons, we'll be announced as warriors! I might even become deputy of ShadowClan one day!" she boasted.

Spiderpaw pricked his ears, and nodded glumly at Pricklepaw's murmur, "We might have to do that to any cat here one day," he told her, pessimistic to the tail-hair. It was always a possibility, he knew, and his sisters needed to realise that as well. "Whichever cat did it, they had a reason," he added, nudging his shoulder into his sister's tabby fur.

Catching Pricklepaw's glance, Deadfeather gave her an approving nod, and went back to listening to the Gathering. Once finished, he approached Thistlefrost, Pinestream and Hawkpaw, more comfortable amongst his Clanmates than the other Clans. He always had been, and the Gathering was no exception.

"I'm going to sit up there one day," Hawkpaw told Pinestream and his mother, sounding so sure of himself that it was almost like StarClan had given him his own prophecy. Certainly not, but his serious tone always made him sound a little too confident with what he said, whether true or not. "I'll be Hawkstar, and I'll be the best leader of them all," he added, hoping the warriors would agree with him. It was kit-like, he thought to himself, but he really did feel like he could lead ShadowClan one moon, if he could work out how to make ShadowClan the strongest Clan of all.