Poppytail's POV

The day was beginning to end, though the temperature was still quite warm, and there was no complaint. The water swirled around the stones, gurgling as it did so, a peaceful sound thata could easily lull a kit to sleep. The water was clear, if not cold, and this was a beautiful sight to behold. From this place, it was quite simple, and easy to see the sunset, as it was doing now, the clouds gathering around the sun as it dipped into the horizon, the sky changing to hues of pink and orange.

A she-cat had taken advantage of this spot, sitting peacefully on the steps, a smile easily visible on her visage. She hated to be alone, but apparently it seemed to be her destiny or something. She had made little friends, though she had tried, and seemed very much the opposite of what her mother had been. Adventurous, friendly... and most of all, surrounded by family and friends. The tortoiseshell she cat shook her head forlornly. This could not be what StarClan had planned for her, right? Surely, since life seemed, to her, be at an all-time low, things would look up right?

Her gaze was still riveted on the sunset, though her mind was still thinking. There were many in the clan, though barely any she could call friends. What was going on here? Was StarClan punishing her or something? The clouds were beginning to turn a deep red, reminding her of bloodshed. Bloodshed... like how Mistpelt had been murdered by Leopardclaw two moons ago. And bloodshed, reminding her of the many deaths that were probably still to come from Leopardstar's quest for power. Soon, no cats would be safe, even within the darkest and most secluded corners of the forest that they called home. And, no matter how life was, home would always be ThunderClan.

"Hey, Poppytail!" Her thoughts were scattered at the sound of a voice calling her name. She sniffed the air and immediately recognized the scent. It was her own apprentice, Ivypaw. The tortoiseshell queen nodded absently at Ivypaw. The light brown tabby cocked her head questioningly. Poppytail realized how foolish she must look, but she didn't care. For reasons unknown to her, Tigerheart was ignoring her. Ivypaw scrambled up to the rock to sit beside her mentor. "Sure is a beautiful evening, isn't it?" A warm smile, true and genuine, lit up the dappled cat's face.

"Yes, it is. We should head back though. I'm sure you'll get chosen for the Gathering tonight," Poppytail gazed deeply into Ivypaw's light blue eyes. Ivypaw was the grand-daughter of Leopardstar, the cat who was undoubtedly planning his revenge upon Swiftstar and the whole of ThunderClan. Her mother was Brightfur, and her father was Graystorm.

Ivypaw's whole pelt quivered with anticipation. She had never been to a Gathering before.

"Do you really think so? I hope so!" Ivypaw purred, flicking her mentor's flank with her tail. Poppytail purred back at the young cat, feeling the warmth of the bond that was between a mentor and apprentice.

"Of course I think so, mousebrain. Swiftstar would have to have beetles in his brain not to pick you!" The tortoiseshell mewed, standing up abruptly. "Come on. Let's go home."

Tigerheart's POV

"You're not going to the Gathering?"

Tigerheart let all his shock and disbelief show in those six words he had uttered. He stared back in disbelief at his leader, who was staring up defiantly at the ThunderClan deputy.

"You heard me, Tigerheart. I'm not going. This Clan is full of traitors. You lead them," The small gray tabby spat, his green eyes glaring at the deputy. The ginger tabby flinched, his frustration growing.

"But you have to go! You're our leader!" His desperation was growing, and inside his mind he began to panic. What would ThunderClan do if their leader refused to go? Swiftstar's eyes narrowed accusingly.

"Are you questioning my orders?" He hissed, standing up and looming over the ginger tom. Tigerheart shook his head, and dipped his head in assent. Swiftstar paused, and mewed, "Good. You shall take Brightfur, Graystorm, Lionheart, Poppytail, Firestripe, Bearheart,Littlefish, Ivypaw, Pantherpaw, Polarpaw, and Goldenpaw."

Tigerheart nodded, the shock of his leader's lack of faith still cutting into him like thorns. "As you wish, Swiftstar."

The old gray leader did not respond. He curled his tail over his eyes and stared off into nothingness. Tigerheart wondered if he was staring into the future and watching the destruction of ThunderClan.

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather around the Highrock for a Clan meeting!" Tigerheart recited the familiar words, daunted by how high this rock was. The Clan slowly gathered around him, their confusion at seeing the deputy where their leader usually stood apparent in the way they quietly conversed with each other.

"What are you doing up there?" Sunningfur, his own daughter, asked the question that the ginger tabby was sure his whole Clan was wondering.

"Swiftstar is not well enough to attend the Gathering." Tigerheart announced. He saw the ripple of shock spread throughout the mass of cats. "He has asked me to lead the Clan to this Gathering. The cats he has chosen are Brightfur, Graystorm, Lionheart, Poppytail, Firestripe, Bearheart, Littlefish, Ivypaw, Pantherpaw, Polarpaw, and Goldenpaw. Aspenleaf, you will be in charge of defending the camp while we are away." The tiger-striped tom surveyed the cats through wide golden eyes as he leapt down from the Highrock. The cats he had named followed him slowly, as if they still were wondering if their leader was going to be all right.

Suddenly, Tigerheart began to sprint through the trees, hurtling towards Fourtrees. He felt as if he was running from his problems, but as long as the cats who followed him depended on him, he could never truly be free.