The meeting ended with a flick of Mistystar's tail. I watched as Firestar leaped down from his branch and padded into the crowd of cats with Brambleclaw. I saw his tail lift above the bodies of the cats around him, signaling us back to him. Hollowflight stood up next to me. "Looks like it's time to go. It was nice meeting you," he said with a smile and whirled to go join his clanmates.

Ivypool twitched her ears. "Come on. Firestar's waiting."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm coming. Can't a cat enjoy their first gathering without getting harassed?"

She snorted. "You'd be surprised," she grumbled, starting off toward the Thunderclan cats. I followed a few paces back. My eyes darted everywhere, taking in the scenery, the swimming sea of fading cat eyes, until I bumped into a tree. I didn't notice that I had lost Ivypool.

"Ivypool," I cried nervously. Even if the cats had been friendly during the gathering, there was nothing holding them back now that the meeting was over. "Ivypool?" My paws itched and I took off in the direction it seemed like most of the cats were going. She had to be here somewhere.

As I broke through the trees, I could see the pelts of my clanmates ahead of me. I breathed in relief as the familiar scent of Thunderclan washed out of me. I was so relieved that I let my guard down. Stupid me. My paws flew out from underneath me.

"GAAAH," a scream ripped out of my throat as I slammed down on the wet bark of the tree bridge. My hindquarters slipped down and off before I could dig my claws into the wood. I scrambled with my front paws, trying to find a hold with my claws. No use. I was slipping and I couldn't stop it. "HELP!"

There was a pain in my neck as I felt myself plummet toward the water. The world jerked to a stop mid fall. My hind foot splashed into the water, but that was all. What the?

Confusion flooded me as I was slowly raised up until I could climb my way back to the top of the bridge. Someone saved me? Still panting from the slight scare, I lifted my gaze to see the cat who had grabbed me.

It was the cat I had run into when I first set foot on the island. His blue gaze glowed warmly as he looked down at me. "You know, it would be nice to meet each other without having it be some sort of accident."

I blinked. Was he joking with me? The heat of embarrassment coursed through me from nose to tail tip. My lip curled into a snarl. I wasn't going to let this stranger make a fool of me any more than I have done to myself. "Well maybe if you just minded your own business you wouldn't have to worry about it."

One of his ears flicked to the side. He took a step back and closed his eyes. A deep throaty sound reached my ears. He was laughing! "You didn't think that remark out very well. If it weren't for me not minding my own business, you'd be up to your ears in the lake."

"So what," I snarled. "I know how to swim."

"You didn't sound like it when you were calling for help," he chuckled. "So you just didn't want to get your paws wet?"

My ears burned. "Well what about you? Did Shadowclan cats suddenly turn into fish because they live by Riverclan."

His smile fell and his gaze darkened. "I know water better than any Riverclan cat," his voice was almost menacing. "That doesn't mean I have to like it."

That threw me for a loop. I mean, what the heck was that supposed to mean? "Well then you understand what I'm talking about," I snapped.

He nodded, voice going from menacing to grave. "Yes I do. That's why you should thank me." His words once again caught me off guard. Thank him? He had to be joking. What a pain in the tail, being so high and mighty like that.

"Shut up, Stormpatch," someone growled behind him. "You're blocking the tree bridge. If you wanted to talk you should have done it when the gathering was still going."

The comment made me realize that we were still on the tree. The tom's, Stormpatch's, eyes softened "Fine, Crowfrost." He said nodding toward the shore. "Looks like your clanmates are waiting for you to."

I turned to see Firestar watching from the other end of the tree. Annoyance sparked in his eyes. "You're right," I growled, not willing to let go of my temper just yet. I sped across the wood towards the shore, careful to catch my claws against the bark with each step. I could hear Stormpatch's breathing behind me as we moved. Annoying furball.

I sprang off the trunk to land beside Jayfeather. "Can't you do something without getting into trouble," he grumbled.

"That would take all the fun out of it," I retorted. Firestar slid down beside us and signalled his cats to leave with the flick of a tail. Before leaving, I turned to give one last hiss to that tom.

The ground shook a little as Stormpatch leaped down. He was followed by dozens of Shadowclan cats milling about on the shore until Blackstar could get down. I could still see his glowing blue eyes staring at me from the edge of the crowd. Stormpatch, huh? What was his problem?

"Iceshadow," Brambleclaw called. I turned to see my clanmates already to the marsh and they weren't slowing down for me.

"Coming," I answered. I bounded forward after them. My fur burned where the tom's blue eyes kept watching me. I could feel them as I caught up to Cinderheart. I could still feel them when we rounded the bend around the reeds and out of Shadowclans sight.

All right. I owe everyone an apology. I meant to take a weak off because I got bored of the story and was hoping a weak away would get me back to top shape. I wasn't expecting school and everything to get so hectic. I had to cut my writing and FFN time into practically nothing. I hope it doesn't happen again, but I realize I cannot promise anything.

Thank you to those who I noticed kept coming back to check on the story. You guys are the reason I write. ;)