The full moon is shining down into a clearing with four oaks. Nightpaw is kneading the ground as he wait for Brokenstar to give the signal to go down.
"Shadowclan is always the first to arrive. Should go explore before it gets filled up with the others." Littlepaw softly mew as he glance at Nightpaw.
"Wonder if the others know about Windclan?" Gingerpaw is on his other side.
"Even if they do, we don't say a word about it. Let see what the other clans been up to." Archeye mew softly from behind them as Brokenstar raised his tail and lead the way to the clearing. The rest went to find good places to sit as Littlepaw begin to show Nightpaw around.
"That rock is where the leaders sit. Riverclan leader is Crookedstar. Trust me, you will know him when you see him. Bluestar is Thunderclan's leader. You probably already know this due to them being our closest rivals. Close to the rock is where the deputies sit. Leopardfur is Riverclan's deputy. I heard she is cold, even for a Rivercat. Lionheart is warmer but Thunderclan is the friendly clan. Or that is what the elders say." Littlepaw ears perk up as he glance to the south west. Nightpaw look to the edge of the clearing to see other cats approaching. These cats were thicker and their paw steps were heavy.
The paw steps were followed by the scent of fish and Nightpaw made a face as he smelt it. His eyes widen as a huge tabby with a twisted jaw went towards Brokenstar. Littlepaw wasn't kidding when he said he will know Crookedstar when he see him. He want to know the story but knew it be rude to ask. Littlepaw motion him to follow as he walk towards a pale grey tom with shredded ears. The warrior's eyes narrow as he saw them approaching.
"Hey Shellstream. Volewhisper says hi. How is the prey swimming?" Littlepaw voice was like chatting with a clanmate. Nightpaw ears twitch warily as Shellstream ears twitch. He begin to feel self conscious as he notice how sleek all the Riverclan cats look, feeling shabby in comparison.
"Doing well. And tell Volewhisper that my kits haven't been born yet. Haven't met your friend. There been rumors that Thunderclan and Shadowclan had something in common. Is it true that you let a kittypet into your clan? He looks tough." He gave a friendly blink as Nightpaw fur begin to bristle.
Realizing that he was just teasing, he settle down. Besides one of the rule is no fighting during the gathering. He lick his chest fur in embarrassment as he thought on how to respond.
"My name is Nightpaw and Yes I was a kittypet. Don't think that means I don't know how to fight. I heard about you Shellstream. Mostly due to Volewhisper. He do like to tell tales." He let out a small mrrow of amusement.
"Hey Shellstream, didn't know you like talking to apprentices. Who is your friends?" A voice interrupt what he was going to respond as a pale grey and white molly bounce up. Her blue eyes look at them both with such friendliness that Nightpaw wondered if everyone was wrong about the friendly clan being Thunderclan.
"Nightpaw. Littlepaw. Meet my youngest sister Willowstep. Don't be fooled. She is a fierce warrior." He mew as he move so she can sit with them.
"Haven't met you before, Nightpaw. How are you liking the gathering?" She ask as he begin to look around. Littlepaw was carrying on a quiet conversation with Shellstream.
He notice other warriors in small groups talking and it looks so peaceful. The elders were all together, probably talking about the past. Brokenstar was murmuring into Crookedstar's ear and he nodded to what he was saying. Saw Blackfoot's smirk as he seem to get under a spotted molly's pelt which he guess is Leopardfur. Why can't the clans just be this? If it wasn't for scents, he would have thought this was a huge gathering of one clan.
"This is nice. Didn't know the clans can be at peace like this. I do wonder if you sleep in the river. Still can't wrap my head around cats who like to be in water." He look down at his paws, wondering if he was being rude.
"It the same with us and wonder how you can stand the marsh. Isn't it hard to walk around with your paws in mud all the time?" She counter with a friendly bump. He look up at her with a grin.
"But no we don't sleep in the river. We have nests made of reeds. What do you make your nest out of? I know Thunderclan uses moss and leaves. Last time we had no time to share tongues so I couldn't ask. Unless it is a secret. I know how you Shadowcats are with revealing anything."
"We use pine needles. It is very comfortable. Speaking of Thunderclan, I wonder where they are. They are usually here by now." Littlepaw interject as he stood up to look around.
"Probably going to make an entrance like they always do. The heroes of the forest always arrive in dramatic fashion." A pale blue molly spoke drily as she walk towards them. Her plumy tail wave slowly as she walk and Nightpaw didn't need introductions to guess who this is. Volewhisper is right, Rainfall is a good looking molly.
"Well speak of the cats, here they come now." Shellstream said as he glance south east and towards a hill. Nightpaw quickly stood up, hoping he can see a flame colored pelt as they ran down.
"I know who you are looking for," Rainfall murmur in his ear as she is next to him, watching Thunderclan mingle with the others.
"I'm going to look for him. Nice talking to you all. Thanks for making me feel welcome." Nightpaw mew as he ran off. Littlepaw stay to talk to them more as the crowd swallow them up.
Please be here. He wave his tail at Spottedleaf as she went to join the other medicine cats. He is surprise to see Ravenpaw as he seem to be too timid to be at a gathering. He was talking to other apprentices, seemingly blind to Tigerclaw watching him. He is so into his story as he motion wildly with his body. Nightpaw eyes widen as a flash of hatred cross Tigerclaw's face. What is that about? He wonder as he join them.
"Told you we have things in common." He murmur as he is behind Firepaw. He purr a bit as he jump, turning around with a glare. He sat next to him, listening to the other apprentices asking Ravenpaw questions about his story.
He motion to Firepaw away from the others so they can talk.
"Who are you?" Firepaw tilt his head as he told him.
"What was it like to join Thunderclan? Shadowclan isn't what others think. They didn't give me that much of a hard time." Nightpaw murmur as Firepaw show disbelief.
"But your ear? Did Shadowclan do that?" He asks with eyes widening.
"Oh, this? I forgot about it. Got it from fighting rogues." Nightpaw puff his chest out as he touch the cut.
"If Longtail was here, you will see what I did to him. I have to work hard and do you get lonely because no one else can understands?"
"Yes! That why I wanted to talk to you. Who is your mentor? Mine is Badgerfang. He is stict and fair." Nightpaw purr a bit at remembering his past lessons.
"Before I was being mentored by Lionheart, Whitestorm and Tigerclaw. But now Tigerclaw is going to be my mentor full time. You will find out why soon." Firepaw gave a smirk as he glance over at Tigerclaw. He was busy talking in a group with other warriors.
"What did you do to Sandpaw though? She describe you as a stuck up fox heart." His eyes widen in amazement as Nightpaw told him.
"You are brave. They are still teasing me about being a former kittypet. I hate it. Been with them for close to two moons. My kittypet stink is long gone." His claws dug into the ground and Nightpaw can see how frustrated he was.
"Know what I did? Told them off. That why they don't tease me about it anymore. Just stand up for yourself. If they are mean, be mean right back. Show them your claws." Nightpaw's tail was about to touch Firepaw's shoulder but a yowl stop him.
They ran back into the crowd, seeing the leaders on the rock. Nightpaw couldn't believe how tough the leaders look up there, staring down at them. He saw Bluestar, again noting that Volewhisper was right about how she and Rainfall look alike. He walk until he found a spot next to Gingerpaw. She gave a friendly nod before looking back at the leaders.
"It is time for the gathering to begin." Bluestar said in a commanding tone.
"But Windclan isn't here. We can't start without Windclan." Voices start in protest as Bluestar raise her tail, quieting the crowd.
"Seem Brokenstar want to start regardless." Bluestar step back, giving space for him to step forward to address the crowd.
"We can't wait for Windclan all night. The prey is running well and we chased out two badgers from our territory. I would like to thank Thunderclan for giving us much needed herbs." Brokenstar gave a nod to Bluestar and glance down at the medicine cats. Nightpaw glance at the medicine cats, widening his eyes in surprise when he saw Ravenpaw sitting with them. No wonder Tigerclaw seem angry at him. He lost his apprentice.
"I would also like to thank an apprentice that got us the medicine in a timely manner. Nightpaw, our newest apprentice that used to be a kittypet. We are growing and Shadowclan is thriving. Brokenstar grin at him as the others turn to look at him. He sat up straight, his tail flicking a bit at the attention. He wasn't expecting Brokenstar to mention him, but after seeing the respect in other eyes, he begin to feel pride. Firepaw gave him a friendly shove as Brokenstar step back, giving Crookedstar space.
"Sound like your clan has a badger problem. Riverclan also had to chase off a badger. It is thanks to Shellstream patrol that made sure it was gone. The prey is swimming like always."
He look towards Bluestar as she step forward. She look a bit stern as she walk up.
"Like you two, my clan also chased out a badger. Though I'm sorry to say it may been one of the badgers you fought, Brokenstar. As they chased it over to your territory. Anyway Firepaw, is now being mentored by Tigerclaw. Ravenpaw asks to become a medicine cat apprentice as he feels that warrior isn't the right path for him. He is now Spottedleaf's apprentice."
"That makes sense. I never seen him in a battle or even fight. He seem so timid too." Nightpaw's ear turn as he heard a Riverclan cat murmur. He saw Firepaw's pelt begin to bristle but with a touch of his tail, he calm down.
"Bet they would regret that when Riverclan needs his help." He murmur into Firepaw's ear with a purr. Firepaw purr back as they continue listening to Bluestar's report.
"I did notice the lack of activity on Windclan border so I took a patrol over there. Apparently Windclan is gone. The whole clan is gone. Do you have anything to say about this, Brokenstar?" Bluestar look at him, eyes narrowing as gasps sound out at this.
"That a serious accusation, Bluestar. My clan was busy healing from the badger attack, as you know. Why do you suspect my clan? How do you know it wasn't badgers? We all had to fight them." Brokenstar's mew was calm, looking at her as his tail curl around his paws.
"Because the scent of Shadowclan was everywhere. It was around their camp. We all know that Shadowclan would do anything to expend their territory." Bluestar mew is confident as outrage came from Shadowclan.
"What is your leader problem?" Blackfoot snarl to Lionheart.
"We know the truth even if the rest of you ignore it." Lionheart snarl back.
Nightpaw let out a snarl as the clans separate.
"This gathering is over! Be careful Bluestar, for there is no safety in shadows." Brokenstar jump down and gather the clan around him.
Nightpaw quickly whisper to Firepaw. "We should meet up when things calm down. I get a message to you somehow." He flinch as he saw Archeye, staring at him with his eyes narrow.
He quickly ran to the others as they left, pelts bristling in anger. As they ran back, Nightpaw couldn't believe what happened. Is this how the other clans see them? As an evil clan? Wanting to take over territory? If Thunderclan sees themselves as the heroes, do they think Shadowclan should be the villains? Bluestar look so confident as she accuse Shadowclan, like she strongly believed that she is right.
As they went inside the camp, Brokenstar quickly jump onto the rock and told the rest exactly what happened.
"Seems the rogues plan is working as Bluestar accused us of chasing Windclan away. This shows us two things. The rogues have been paying attention to the way our clans interact. And they are smart enough to use this knowledge." He look at the nursery as Ashfoot is sitting outside. "Ashfoot, did your clan welcome any outsider? I'm beginning to suspect that this plan has been long in the making."
"Actually yes. Tallstar welcome two cats as visitors. A molly name Tess and a tom named Claw. Despite their rough appearance, they were kind cats. They was sleeping when the attack happened though they disappeared when the clan ran. We didn't blame them as they had no fighting experience." Ashfoot gave a thoughtful expression as she look at the clan.
"I see. I will be going to the Moonstone tomorrow night. Hoping they give us some guidance to find your clan and how to move forward. We should keep a lookout for an alliance between Thunderclan and Riverclan. Shadowclan is strong and will never fall!" The clan cheer as Brokenstar jump down to talk to the senior warriors.
"Sorry that your gathering broke up but wasn't it cool to meet the other clans?" Gullpaw asks as the other apprentices went to the den.
"I did meet the other kittypet and he seem nice. Too bad about his crazy leader though." Nightpaw mew softly as Blackfoot came towards them.
"Nightpaw, Littlepaw, and Turtlepaw. Brokenstar want you three to go to the Moonstone tomorrow night. I suggest you rest as you have a long journey ahead of you." Blackfoot gave a small smile as he saw their expressions. "All three of you have worked hard so don't waste this opportunity to show Brokenstar all you learnt."
"We won't Blackfoot!" They said in unison, their eyes sparking with excitement.
Blackfoot turn to the others. "Runningnose just told me that Brownpaw will be coming back to the den, being able to be put on light duty. So don't be too rough with him. Don't want to reopen any of his wounds. He will be back tomorrow." Blackfoot left towards the warriors' den as Nightpaw quickly went to his nest. He wasn't the only one either. The moonstone is where they talk to Starclan. Maybe this is where he learnt about what Starclan is. He can't wait.