Time for a Gathering

[kitty]

Once again, it was that time of the moon. Palestar led his Clanmates to the island where cats from every Clan met on the night of the full moon for a Gathering to share news with each other. This moon, RiverClan did not have much to report, but that didn't mean the other three Clans didn't. Although there had been a new warrior made in the past moon...

As they approached the fallen tree that provided an easy crossing point onto the island - not that it mattered much to the cats of RiverClan, since they were the swimmers of the four Clans. It made crossing for young apprentices and elders easier, though. He paused in front of the tree and gazed back over his accompanying cats. From the warriors he had brought Cloverfang, Russetfang, Nightshadow, and Finchnose, who was surely eager for his first Gathering as a warrior. Along with them was his own apprentice, Blazepaw - very likely his last Gathering as an apprentice - Heatherpaw, and the medicine cat and deputy of his Clan. Then he gave a nod, flicked his tail in the gesture to continue, and leaped up onto the trunk.

As his front paws connected with the old tree, smooth from season upon season of Clan cats crossing, Palestar began crossing. As usual, there was no scent save the stale scents from last gathering and cats of his own Clan. RiverClan was the first one here. They were the closest Clan, though. All the other Clans had to cross over rival Clan territory to reach the island, while RiverClan just crossed part of theirs. ThunderClan and ShadowClan especially had a longer journey.

Upon reaching the other side of the log, he hopped to the ground and pushed right through the brush and undergrowth to the center of the island, where the clearing used for Gatherings was located. The RiverClan leader paused and let his Clanmates pass him. His amber eyes turned to the clear sky, the full moon bright above him. A satisfactory grin crossed his face. There would be no chance of clouds covering the moon tonight. "No sign of clouds. The Gathering will still be held. Now we must wait for the rest of the Clans to arrive." He crossed the clearing and sat beneath the tree the leaders used to sit on and announce their news to the surrounding cats, curling his tail neatly around his paws as he watched his Clanmates who would surely begin to blend with the other Clan cats as they trickled in.

Yes, as soon as the other Clans arrived, they could begin the Gathering.

[mystic]

Finchnose
^{I am not distracta- Oh look a butterfly!}

Finchnose padded along, his tail up in the air. It was a good night, it was his first night going to a gathering as a warrior. He decided that it was too slow to walk in the log to get to the island and wait in line. So he jumped off the log and into the water. Good way to bypass the line. However as soon as he hit the cold water he regretted it. Letting out spluttering sounds he paddled to the island and ran up the bank. He shook himself dry and padded into the center of the island. With a smile he wrapped his tail around his feet as he sat down. Tonight was going to be an amazing night.

The ginger tom didn't sit still for long. Instead he stood up and began pacing about. He turned his gaze to the moon and purred happily. He was quite glad for this. Oh the stories he could tell Rainkit, he woudln't put it past her to sneak out to try and see the gathering. He told her that she shouldn't be doing that, but he knew his sister better than he knew himself. He hoped that she wouldn't act in character tonight. Starclan knew he'd get blamed.

[Yellowstar]

Screw Gathering lists, people can bring whatever WindClan cats they want. It's much too confusing making a list. x.x

Again, it was time for a Gathering. How many had she been to over the moons? Too many to count, that was for sure. Fernstar couldn't count all the Gatherings she'd spoken at as a leader, much less all those she had attended before that. She just left it at 'a lot'. And it was time again for one, the moon hung high in the sky, fully illuminated by starlight as their warrior ancestors looked down on the chilled night. The sky was mostly clear but there were a few clouds and Fernstar narrowed her eyes a bit, wondering if something was troubling StarClan.

Deciding that she wouldn't know until she got to the Gathering, Fernstar quickened her pace. Her patrol followed her along the bank of the river toward the island, composed of her deputy, medicine cat, the warriors she had chosen to come this Gathering, and Heathpaw. It would be the young tom's first Gathering and he was likely brimming with excitement. Fernstar just hoped that this Gathering would go well. Leafbare had begun and tensions would soon be escalating among the lake Clans when the weather continued to chill and prey remained scarce. Fighting didn't always break out among the Clans under the truce but it had happened before and she prepared herself for the worst.

When she and her cats reached the log that led to the island, she scented the air and picked up recent RiverClan scent. They had already arrived, but judging by the lack of ThunderClan or ShadowClan scent, WindClan would be second. Fernstar leaped first onto the log, digging her claws into the well-worn bark to get a firm old on the slippery surface. With moons of practice but still the caution of a first-timer, the elderly leader moved slowly toward the island until she had reached the end of the trunk. Then she leaped off and waited until the rest of her cats had made it safely to the island before turning and leading them to the Gathering place.

After looking around for a few brief moments and seeing that there were indeed only RiverClan cats so far, she padded further in. Spotting the RiverClan leader sitting below the tree which the leaders spoke from during the Gathering, she padded over and mewed a greeting to Palestar. "Greetings, I hope all is well in RiverClan?" She waved her tail in a friendly manner and sat next to him, preparing to wait for the other two Clans to arrive.

[/size][/blockquote][/justify]

[maplefrost]

Cloverfang lifted a paw to his face, waiting for his Clanmates to cross the tree bridge in front of him. He was near the back of the line, but he didn’t mind. He gave his paw a lick and swiped it across his face a few times. This was his second gathering as a warrior. Seeing as last time, the other Clans weren’t aware of his new name, he had decided that, in a way, this was his first night as a full warrior.

He leapt up onto the log, tempted to jump over into the water. However, he knew that it was probably freezing, so he kept to the bridge, padding slowly behind the other cats, half listening to their soft conversations.

He jumped, startled, at the sound of a splash. Finchnose had fallen, or jumped, into the water. Cloverfang chuckled, watching the new warrior swim to shore. He smiled, remembering that he’d been Finchnose’s age not too long ago. He reached the edge of the log and jumped, landing on the island with a soft thud.

He trotted off, moving away from the log so that newcomers could get onto the island. He spotted Finchnose at the center of the island. He smiled, walking up to his clanmate. “Have a nice swim?” he asked.

[mystic]

Finchnose
^{I am not distracta- Oh look a butterfly!}

Finchnose shook himself. "It was wet." He commented. "And cold." He added, shaking himself again. "What about you?" He asked, perking his ears up. "You walked the log didn't you?" He paused and licked his paw, drawing it over his ear. "I didn't, took too long." He mewed. "I'm so exited, this is my first gathering ever. Palestar never took on gatherings before. I guess he thought I'd make a scene. I'm distractable, not stupid." He mewed with eyes narrowed. He sighed. "I hope Rainkit stayed put like I told her. I really do, if she sneaks out my mother will blame me..."

[Sporelett]

[/b][/justify][/ul][/size]

[kitty]

Palestar smelled them before he saw them. WindClan.

A group of cats entered the clearing, their leader at their head, and the pale ginger tabby watched them with interest as they intermingled with cats of his own Clan. Fernstar was soon at the base of the leader tree, and Palestar dipped his head in greeting to the she-cat. "Good evening, Fernstar," he meowed in his good-natured way, at ease around even a cat from another Clan, even though she was leader. She was elder than he, and Palestar respected her for that, though technically they were of same status amongst their Clanmates. "RiverClan is well, thank you. How is WindClan?"

His amber eyes found their way back to the direction of the fallen log. The other two Clans would be arriving soon. His ear twitched; there were several cats coming their way, he assumed. Then the scent of ShadowClan hit him and into the clearing came ShadowClan's deputy, Rainfur. But where was Longstar? The expression on the young cat's face told Palestar all he needed to know. "Well, looks like ShadowClan may have news for us," he murmured to Fernstar, glancing over at the elder leader. The ShadowClan warrior and apprentices - he could never get used to the smell of those cats - began intermingling with the RiverClan and WindClan cats already present.

The ShadowClan tom approached the two leaders, a tabby she-cat at his side, and dipped his head. This time, though it was a greeting, it was more of a greeting among equals, further confirming what Palestar already expected. Longstar had been an ambitious cat, but she had seemed rather well at leading her Clan. "Greetings, Rainfur. We are well, thank you." He dipped his head, returning the tom's greeting. "Where is Longstar?" he asked, glancing around. "Judging by your expression, I fear the worst."

[maplefrost]

Cloverfang smiled weakly, lifting his tail to touch his Clanmate's shoulder. "I know you're not stupid," he mewed. "You're just curious. All cats are curious sometimes." He chuckled at his worries about Rainkit. "Kits will be kits," he said, feeling older than he was. He wasn't usually the type to give advice.

He turned his head to look at the ShadowClan cats. He spotted Rainfur, the deputy, but Longstar was missing. "Oh no," he muttered. He maneuvered his head closer to Finchnose's, trying not to be heard. "It looks like something's happened to Longstar."

[[S]ydney]

[/i] eyes.

Tonight, RiverClan arrived first, as expected, and Nightshadow had found the log just a wee bit more slippery then the last time. He went along to quite a few gatherings, mostly because of his “likable” attitude. Of course, it was rare when both he and his good friend (best friend), Russetfang, both went to the gatherings at the same time. The two tended to egg each other on, something Palestar had learned early on.

Settling into a comfortable sitting position, the tom shot his friend a look as WindClan cats filtered in, soon followed by ShadowClan cats. ”Not going to hit on she-cats again, are you Russetfang?” If he could, he would of raised a brow.

But, he couldn't.

So he didn't.

- - -

The moon was high in the sky, giving off the tell-tale signal all cats gathered below knew.

It was time.

Tonight was the night of the gathering.

Tonight ShadowClan would march across the same log they always did but, tonight would be different. Longstar would not lead ShadowClan across the log, tonight she would not speak for ShadowClan, tonight was different. Tonight Rainstar would lead his Clan at the gathering for the first time and, tonight, Ivytooth would sit at the base of the tree instead of Rainstar, for as of a few suns ago, Ivytooth was the new ShadowClan deputy. It gave the tabby she-cat a surge of pride, knowing Rainstar had chosen her to be the deputy. There had been plenty worthy cats in the Clan and yet he found her the best, maybe it swelled her ego a bit but, really, Ivytooth was happy. And she had been doing her best since she received hew new rank, too. And most cats seemed to listen to her well enough, too and, if they didn't she just boxed their ears and they learned the lesson.

Well some did, anyway.

(She resisted the urge to glare at Lightheart as she though this, she'd had to turn around to give him a good stare, anyway.)

And tonight would be her first gathering as deputy, not that she was nervous. There was no reason to be, anyway. ShadowClan would be strong tonight, would look strong, and show the others clan they were strong. Longstar's death would not be a sign of weakness.

Keeping up with her leader, the deputy dipped her head respectably to both Palestar and Fernstar.

ThunderClan had yet to arrive.

Hm, odd.[/size][/ul]

[Cai]

[[The ThunderClan cats attending this gathering are: Whitestar; Stonewhisker; Bramblepelt; Ivyclaw; Lightpool; Rosethorn; Mapletail; Breezepaw; Duskpaw; Mudpaw]]

With sure-footed steps, Whitestar emerged from the trees. His white pelt glowed almost eerily in the moonlight as each snowy hair was lit by the silvery shine which only a clear-skied full moon night could bring. ThunderClan was the last Clan to arrive tonight, though they could not be called late, and Whitestar padded in quiet assertion through the throng of cats, his tail waving very slightly to signal to the cats he had chosen to bring today that they might now move about the island freely. He was sure all cats here were keen to talk to friends - and perhaps family - from other Clans.

Without turning his head, Whitestar checked that Stonewhisker was still with him, his steady stride not altering as he passed by many cats, some familiar, some not. He nodded and smiled his greetings to a few cats who hailed him, but he did not pause to talk with any. Whitestar could see that the other leaders had already congregated by the Great Tree; Palestar and Fernstar and Longs-

Whitestar raised his eyebrows very slightly as he realised that the third and fourth cats sitting by the tree were not ShadowClan's Longstar and Rainfur. It was, in fact, just Rainfur, with no sign of Longstar anywhere. Ivytooth sat beside him, and it was no hard task for Whitestar to piece together what had happened in ShadowClan as of late. Longstar must have died or otherwise given up leadership at some point in the past moon, and now Rainfur had taken over, probably choosing Ivytooth as his own deputy.

"Greetings to you all." Whitestar's calm, sure voice was pleasant as he arrived next to the other leaders. He nodded amicably to the small group as he greeted them. "ThunderClan sends warm greetings as the season grows cooler. I hope the prey runs well for all your Clans." A polite, formal greeting to start this Gathering. The Gatherings to which Whitestar was gradually becoming accustomed, each time easier than the last. It was still a strange feeling, taking Lionstar's place to speak to the Clans, but now he had been leader for just over four moons, the experience was less challenging now. The other Clans were used to seeing his white pelt instead of Lionstar's fire-red. In fact, he was no longer the newest leader by the looks of things, if his judgement on Rainfur's ascent to Rainstar was correct. He did not comment on it, however, letting Rainfur say what he desired to say before the Gathering started.

[/blockquote]

[Heathclaw]

Redfang kept in step behind Fernstar, his face stony and impassive. As in all things, he had approached previous gatherings with pride and purpose, especially upon his appointment to WindClan deputy six moons ago, but he had felt his confidence shaken as of late. Behind his level facade, a flurry of emotions darted about, doubt, shame, fear, and rage. But he was deputy. Any visible weakness on his part was a weakness on the part of the clan. And thus, the blank expression, and the rhythmic, marching, stride, made slightly uneven from his recovering wound.

They crossed the log bridge, and Redfang followed Fernstar as she gathered with the other leaders. He himself stood a little ways away, from the other cats- he had never been the social type at gatherings. He didn't see the point in forming bonds with cats outside of the clan. Nothing good ever came out of them.

RiverClan was already here, as to be expected, and ShadowClan arrived sometime later, followed by ThunderClan. It was this clan that Redfang had a bone to pick with. He fixed their leader and deputy with a piercing stare as they walked onto the island. Your Clan will not get away with this. At the very least, they had the mindfulness not to bring Pinestorm with them.

-----

Unbelievable! Amazing! Heathpaw couldn't believe that he was going to his first gathering! He had only been made an apprentice for a short time, and the fact that they thought he was ready for a gathering... incredible! Heathpaw had practically darted across the bridge to get to the island, nearly slipping off, had it not been for a quick nudge back from one of the senior warriors.

“Thanks!” said Heathpaw, slightly mollified, but still overenthused. His eyes darted around, and he ran off excitedly, off to find some other apprentices. This was going to be so much fun!

----

Ah, yes.. another gathering. There was nothing Lightheart loved better than a good gathering. So many cats to meet, to joke around with, to annoy… and so many new faces popping up from moon to moon. His tail flickered- he couldn’t wait to get started! Even Ivytooth’s warning glance at him couldn’t douse his enthusiasm. After all, there was no way she could keep track of him among all the other cats gathered there. Upon arrival on the island, he quickly spotted Finchnose, and called out to him. “Hey, Finch! Swallow any more bees yet? Nope? Alright!”

And with that, he darted off deeper into the throng. So many cats, so little time…

[mystic]

Finchnose
^{I am not distracta- Oh look a butterfly!}

Finchnose looked up. "Oh, hi Lightheart." He had been hoping to talk to the Shadowclan cat, hey it was okay to have friends outside your clan. "'Scucse me." he mewed standing up. He then picked up his pace and darted after Lightheart. He caught up with the pale tom and smiled. "Hi." He mewed, grinning from ear to ear. "I'm so happy that I got to come to the gathering." he mewed. "How are you doing." he paused. "Hey, did you ever think of sneaking to the gathering as a kit? I'm thinking my sister might do that. I did tell her to stay put." He giggled, pretty sure that Lightheart would find Rainkit amusing. "When she's an apprentice I'm sure you'll get to meet her." he added, purring happily. "Oh who's this?" he asked as a cat approached them.

Nightflower
^{I'll wait for you Forever}

"I might ask the same question." the feminine tom asked, flicking his long bushy tail. "Who are you?" He turned looking to Lightheart. "And how does a Riverclan cat know Lightheart?" He asked. He wouldn't put it past Lightheart to do something less than codeworthy. The black tom flicked his tail. "Redfang looks... upset." he noted, turning to gaze at the deputy of Windclan. "You know." he mused. "I expecting to see him as leader any moon now, Fernstar is getting old."

Rosethorn
^{I will survive}

Rosethorn padded onto the island. Her tail drooped and her shoulders were down. She was feeling, glum. The she-cat looked at Whitestar then sighed. She then turned her gaze to Windclan, jumping out of their deputy's way just in time. He looked very upset. She shook her head, wondering what was eating him. Not that it mattered to her with him as a cat, but he was the deputy of a rival clan. If Windclan was upset, that could spell trouble for Thunderclan. She turned and glanced at Stonewhisker, then shook herself and moved as far away from him as possible.

Lizardheart
^{If you are afraid to die, you have already died}

Lizardheart padded up to her friend. "Redfang?" she mewed gently. "Don't blame all of Thunderclan... " She pleaded. "One warrior does not act for the whole clan." she added. She inclined her head and gave a half smile. She tried to distract him, knowing it would be futile. "Look, I think Shadowclan has a new leader." She gave a little sigh and stood up. "Please don't sit here and glare all gathering, it's unbecoming of a deputy." She mewed, then stood up and padded off, looking at the other cats. Finally she sat down and curled her tail up around her legs.

[maplefrost]

Cloverfang merged into the throng of cats, many different pelt colors walking around him. He wasn’t looking for anyone in particular; he was trying to keep himself occupied. He trotted off towards a less dense area of the cats and found a place to sit.

The RiverClan tom lifted a paw, bending a blade of grass down in boredom. He watched as it popped back up, and then stirred in the slight breeze. He sighed, and lowered himself to rest his chest on his paws.

Cloverfang spotted a cream colored she-cat moving towards the edge of the crowd. As she drew nearer, he could pick up the scent of ThunderClan. He also noticed that she looked very down. He looked up at her.

“Hey, are you alright?”

[Icy-son]

Icewhisker;; WindClan Medicine cat


Ah, the night of the Gathering. With the full moon shining brightly in the sky and not a cloud in sight, it seemed peaceful. She was kept at the back of her Clan, WindClan, and pulled her lips back in a small grin. She trotted soundlessly toward her deputy and Lizardheart, licking the she-cat's ear. "Good to see you here, both of you," she purred, shooting a sharp glance at the red-furred tom. Icewhisker thought it was all right for him to come, just as so he does not overdue it.

She slightly rolled her eyes, her white and gray turned silver in the dim glow of the moon, and her icy blue eyes stared at the four leaders, Whitestar, Fernstar, Palestar, and- wait? Rainfur? Where was Longstar? She looked toward the deputies, and Ivytooth was there tonight. "Aw, is Longstar dead?" she muttered to herself, kicking a cloud of dust into the crisp leaf-bare air.

Spottedtail;; Elder of ShadowClan


Oh, great StarClan. Why do the elders have to come to a Leaf-bare Gathering? Her dim amber eyes scanned the small groupings of cats, and she seemed to find ThunderClan, the last to arrive. She craned her neck over the younger warriors, searching for Dappleflower, but with no prevail. "Darn it. I had a great story to tell her, too." she moaned, puttering around. Perhaps she would chat with the apprentices for now, since no other elders were in sight...


Ivyclaw;; ThunderClan Warrior


The wiry gray warrior puttered over the log, with a bright and shining grin swept across his face. He was looking forward to his apprentice's first gathering, and his first Gathering as a mentor, once again. It was depressing, since his daughter couldn't come either. She would be made a warrior any day now, and his son would become a warrior as well. His mate was getting along well with his son, Ivykit, and his death at a moon old. It was agonizing, but things were not going as smoothly in ShadowClan. Longstar has died, and Rainfur was in his place. He was possibly Rainstar now, but Ivyclaw was more keen on finding the new deputy of ShadowClan instead...

[Grim]

The beast exuded an elated aura; one that only seemed to permeate even further with every smooth step his long limbs stole. He padded stiffly behind his Clan-mates, his bright jade eyes positively incandescent with anticipation. Beneath the thick mass of luxurious ginger fur, his firm muscles coiled and rippled with the effort of staying his restless paws. His large white feet itched to dash ahead of the cats padding patiently ahead of him, but the impatience had become almost habitual to the warrior during Gathering periods. The prospect of mingling with other Clans pleased the tom significantly, just as it had on his very first venture to the island. He peered around the cat plodding ahead of him, his brilliant green eyes scanning the small line of cats waiting to cross the fallen log. A loud splash pierced the quiet night air, setting off several inquisitive murmurs within the line. Russetfang merely flicked one bright ear back in mild annoyance and glanced sidelong at his swarthy companion, Nightshadow. ”I hope he catches green-cough, the mouse-brain,” he muttered, casting a dark look towards the auburn head bobbing steadily in the lake.

Only a half-brained idiot would have submerged their body in the freezing waters, particularly in the midst of leaf-bare! Finchnose was doing his previous mentor, and mother before that, no credit by diving into subzero waters. Even the youngest RiverClan kits knew when it was proper to swim and not to swim. Tonight was a fine example of when not to swim.

At last it was Russetfang’s chance to sashay across the log. He leaped up and landed deftly on the makeshift bridge, holding his flamboyant ginger tail high for greater balance. Initially, his steps were brisk and hurried. Almost immediately, he felt his right forepaw slip across the slick plane. He gasped quietly in alarm and jerked upright, his tail whipping and his claws sinking in to the moss-layered trunk to steady himself. He sniffed at his obvious imprudence and waved his tail high again, picking his paws up where they’d unintentionally left off. He crossed without further difficulty and landed softly beside his raven-hued comrade, his lips twisted in a brash grin. He had undoubtedly narrowly avoided making a complete fool out of himself, but it was that very truth that had birthed his haughty expression. He had avoided it. With a vain twitch of his lengthy whiskers, Russetfang set off beside his younger ally towards the center of the unforgettable little island.

Nightshadow’s words roused a throaty chuckle from the older warrior. His ears flicked back momentarily and he grimaced in a very convincing façade of shame. The next instant, however, Russetfang was laughing again and shaking his head. The minute rival clans had begun pouring in, his attention had made a beeline towards the main entrance into the clearing. His gaze skittered off of most of the cats, immediately noting their tom-like qualities and avoiding them entirely. It was only when the last Clan arrived, notable ThunderClan cats even from across the moonlit meadow, that Russetfang’s interest touched its peak. He visibly straightened, rolling his broad shoulders back in the process. His acute gaze cut through the forest cats, at last alighting upon the soft beige fur of a small ThunderClan she-cat. ”Check the tail on that kitten, Nightshadow,” he purred, jerking his white chin in Rosethorn’s direction. Without another word, Russetfang stood and stalked over to the rival warrior, his large head and feathery tail held shamelessly aloft.

Within seconds, he was upon the she-cat, but not before another feline had greeted her. Surprise flitted briefly across his tabby mask when he saw Cloverfang, but it vanished as quickly as it had come. He nodded a respectful greeting towards his Clan-mate, but his bright green eyes had settled upon the smaller she-cat. In a showy flourish of ginger fur, Russetfang descended into the feline version of a bow, his thick forelegs stretching out before him and his broad head sinking low. ”Good evening,” he murmured, his voice a low purr.

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