The full moon was set high in the sky, with no clouds to cover it's brilliant light. Rainwhisper waited by the camp entrance, talking to the apprentices about what happens at gatherings. Tonight was their first one, and all of them could not stop bouncing with excitement, their eyes glittered in anticipation and a hint of nervousness. Deerpaw looked the most nervous out of all her den-mates,
"What if they don't like me?" She fretted.
"Who?" Rainwhisper replied, tilting her head.
"The other apprentices!" She called, and Rainwhisper let out an amused purr. "You never know Deerpaw, just be yourself, no one could judge you for that." She advised, and Deerpaw seemed to grow more confident, Okay Rainwhisper, I will." And the young she-cat ran off to find her den-mates, who had ran off in search of something. I wish I had an apprentice. Rainwhisper thought, and looked around at the mentors of the four apprentices. Falconmoon, Echoleaf and Mudwhisker were chatting together in a small group, what they were talking about, Rainwhisper couldn't hear. Pinesmoke was sitting alone by the warriors den, watching the group of warriors who would leave soon for the gathering. Rainwhisper guessed he wasn't going because of the fear of other cats, and what they thought about him, just like his daughter Deerpaw.
After a few more minutes of waiting, a loud yowl came from above. The clearing grew sillent. Wolfstar was perched on a branch far above the clearing, hanging on tightly with his long claws. "Everybody ready to leave?" He called, and yowls of agreement swept through the crowd of warriors. Wolfstar leaped down and landed onto the dirt with a thump. He made his way to the entrance and passed through, while everyone else followed, including the four apprentices, who stayed right next to their mentors. They were still asking questions about what the gathering would be like, and Rainwhisper had answered most of them already. But that couldn't stop the team from being even more curious about everyone's opinion.
The beach was bustling with activity when MoonClan arrived. Loud chatter was erupting from the huge crowd of cats. Rainwhisper recongnized the plain pelts of IceClan, and the soft, forest tone pelts of ValleyClan. But no SunClan yet. I hope they don't come because they're too busy cleaning the wounds we gave them! Rainwhisper prayed silently, but she kept her composure as Wolfstar led the Clan down to join them. Wolfstar had not spoken to her in the past two sunrises, but Rainwhisper didn't mind. She was more worried about Tigerflash, whom had not been too kind to her in that time as well. She sent Rainwhisper on every early morning patrol and any patrol who needed an extra member, which wore Rainwhisper down to the bone, and she wouldn't dare complain.
Rainwhisper settled down near the middle of the beach, next to a sleek white tom. Rainwhisper recognized the mountain scent of IceClan on his pelt, like rocks and snow. He turned to her and gave her a grin, and which Rainwhisper smiled back. She was taken aback by his piercing blue eyes, like the color of the northern lights. "Hi there," He said, his voice was similar to that of Wolfstar's; lower tone but full of joy, "I'm Frozenheart, and you?"
"Rainwhisper." Rainwhisper replied, nodding her head once. "Are you from IceClan?" She asked, and Frozenheart nodded, "Yep! I'm assuming you're from MoonClan. Quite a nice forest home you have, it looks much more comfy than the mountains." He stretched his neck to see over the sea of cats and into MoonClan territory where the forest lay. Rainwhisper followed his gaze, "Yeah, it's pretty nice. It seems a lot warmer than up there." She gestured with her tail toward the mountain peak, sprinkled with white snow. Frozenheart laughed, "It looks much warmer," he agreed with a sigh, "I'm still not used to the cold up there." He seemed to shiver and Rainwhisper purred in amusement. Just them, a yowl came from behind, and everyone turned around.
Adderstar and his Clan had arrived, he had yowled to signal his entrance. Rainwhisper's ears drew back and she began to growl. As Adderstar led his Clan through the others, they drew back to give them more space, and all of SunClan held their chins higher, which made Rainwhisper more irritated.
"What's wrong?" Frozenheart asked, obviously confused by her sudden hostility, "MoonClan and SunClan had a battle a half-moon ago. Adderstar killed my friend, Robinflight." She growled, and she heard Frozenheart shuffle in discomfort, "That's awful! I'm sorry Rainwhisper." He said soothingly, and Rainwhisper sighed, "It's okay, I couldn't do anything about it anyway." She whispered, drooping her head. Adderstar leaped over the front row of cats to join Wolfstar, Rosestar (the leader of ValleyClan), and Blizzardstar (leader of IceClan). Wolfstar gave him a menacing glare, but Adderstar kept silent, "Now that everyone is here," Wolfstar yowled, "We may begin the gathering!" All the cats on the beach went quiet, waiting for one of the leaders to start. Rosestar stepped up first, "ValleyClan has had amazing hunting with the arrival of new-leaf," She began, her sunset colored eyes glowed brightly with pride, "Brightwhisker has given birth to three healthy kits; Leafkit, Windkit and Branchkit." She paused as yowls of congratulations swept through the Clans. She continued, "Other than that, ValleyClan is well." Rosestar stepped back with the other leaders, and Blizzardstar stepped up after her, "IceClan is doing well." He said, his voice low and booming, "Hunting is well, and we have two new apprentices. New-leaf has brought new life to my Clan, and I hope all the other Clans are doing well." He finished with a nod and stepped back for the next leader to give their report.
Rainwhisper side glanced at Frozenheart, who was beaming with pride. Rainwhisper said nothing and looked back up at the leaders. Wolfstar gave a friendly nod to Blizzardstar and stepped up, "Thank you Blizzardstar. MoonClan is thriving now that new-leaf has come. The battle with SunClan a half-moon ago has not fazed us and we are now as strong as ever." He paused as whispers of uncertainty, defiance and nervousness spread through the cats. Rainwhisper saw Adderstar smirk, his amber eyes glinted brightly in the light of the full moon. Rainwhisper couldn't hold back her growl. Wolfstar continued, his voice turned back to joyful, "Prey is plentiful, we have more than enough food for our Clan. As well as two new additions to our nursery, Honeypool's kits; Riverkit and Fernkit." He stopped and stepped back for Adderstar to give his report, his voice was snake-like, and raspy like sand.
"Thank you Wolfstar for that wonderful report," He said, nodding to Wolfstar in a very un-friendly way, "SunClan is also thriving in new-leaf. Our warriors are healthy and our fresh-kill pile is always fully stocked. The battle was a struggle to recover from, but my Clan is optimistic and ready for anything. Thank you, the gathering is over." Adderstar blinked once at the other leaders before yowling for his Clan to gather with him.
Rainwhisper didn't realize that her fur was ruffled for Adderstar's whole report and quickly licked it down. Frozenheart stood up and stretched beside her, "Some attitude that cat has. I can see why you hate him."
"I don't hate him," Rainwhisper exclaimed, "I just… really dislike him." Frozenheart laughed, "You're hilarious. I wish I could stay for a little longer, but Blizzardstar is calling me." He gestured toward his leader, who was lashing his tail in annoyance, "Frozenheart! Stop flirting with MoonClan she-cats and let's go!" Blizzardstar yowled, and Frozenheart's fur ruffled in embarassment, "Oh StarClan… see you later maybe?" He asked, standing up.
"Maybe at the next gathering." Rainwhisper replied, and Frozenheart grinned, before bounding over some cats who were in his way. What a funny tom. Rainwhisper thought, and stood up, looking around for her clan-mates.
Wolfstar lead MoonClan back to camp, and greeted by the warriors who didn't go. Rainwhisper hurried to the warriors den before she could be showered with questions on how it went, she was far too tired to talk anymore. Pinesmoke was curled up in his nest, his breathing shallow and smooth, he must be asleep. Rainwhisper traveled over to her nest with ease, sinking into the soft moss.
A claw prodded her side, jolting Rainwhisper awake. She blinked rapidly to adjust to the bright light shining through the fern curtain. It was Tigerflash, her eyes just as angry as ever, "Get up Rainwhisper, you need to go on a patrol!" She hissed into her ear.
"Tigerflash, I was at the gathering last night." She complained.
"So was I, but I'm not complaining, get up." Tigerflash prodded her again with her claw, right into Rainwhisper's shoulder, "Okay, okay! I'll get up!" She hissed, and Tigerflash snorted in her face before padding out of the den. Stubborn fox-brain. Rainwhisper cursed, and slowly got to her feet and followed the she-cat into the clearing.
Not a single cat was in the clearing except Tigerflash, who sat in the middle, staring at her blankly, her eyes glowing fiercely in the faint dawn light. Rainwhisper met her gaze, bracing herself for a hostile move, but the tabby she-cat sat still.
"What is this about Tigerflash?" Rainwhisper asked, breaking the silence. Tigerflash narrowed her eyes, "You are getting in my way of being with Wolfstar, and I can't have you take him away from me." She growled and slid her claws in and out, Rainwhisper took a step back, her legs were shaking, "What do you mean Tigerflash? I have no intention of 'taking' Wolfstar away. I have never considered being his mate!" She cried quietly, careful not to awaken her still sleeping clan-mates. Tigerflash stood up slowly, her eyes still meeting Rainwhisper's blue gaze, and her tail lashing, "You can't fool me Rainwhisper, I've seen the way Wolfstar looks at you. And I know he was strong feelings for a kind, loyal warrior like you." She paused. A soft breeze traveled through the clearing, ruffling Rainwhisper's fur, making her shiver. Tigerflash continued,
"And I will have him, and I will go to great lengths to get rid of the ones in my way."