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And I am sorry for the rather late update! Enjoy, and reviews are very welcomed!

Chapter 3

"So do you really learn super fantastic battle moves?" Oakpaw was asking, almost desperately to Willowpaw. Before Willowpaw could react, her brother Sunpaw was battering her with questions. "Oh my gosh, brothers! I love you guys and all, but one question at a time, please! And I haven't learned any battle moves yet!" Sunpaw seemed as if he wouldn't believe it, staring at her with his shining green eyes. "You haven't learned a single move?" he asked, bewildered. "Yes! I haven't! And can you please get out of my way, because I have to go to the dirtplace?" she meowed. As she trodded out of the camp, she thought about her training once more. She was an apprentice for quite a while now, and maybe not learning a single battle move until now is a strange happening. 'Maybe I'll ask her privately..?' she thought. But she had trust in her mentor, and decided to wait a bit more.

As she was returning to the camp, it seemed like the clan was in a bubbly mood. Cats were talking in groups loudly, and the senior warriors were discussing matters with the deputy. She went to the fresh-kill pile and grabbed some prey and headed to the elder's den. 'I should ask them about the clan's situation, and also hear some stories!' she thought. As she faced herself upon the elder's den, she could hear harsh words from the inside. Wondering about what issue would make them so fiery, she padded inside the den. "Come in dear. Why shall you be here?" Breezefall greeted her gently. Ashpelt was beside her, grooming his mate's fur with licks of his tongue. Speckleleaf was still muttering about something that Willowpaw couldn't catch. "I came here to give you some prey, and I also was curious about the things going on right now." Willowpaw said in a cheery mood. Speckleleaf then turned to face Willowpaw. "Thanks for the mouse, and come on here and listen to me." Willowpaw did as she was told, and stretched her ears out eagerly.

"There will be a gathering tonight, and it is indeed a very juicy one too. The leaders will be announcing the tributes for the battle, so you will be going there as a face of our clan too." Willowpaw was excited and worried simultaneously. "A face of our clan!" she thought. Speckleleaf continued through bites of the mouse she gave him. "But all of our attention should be to WaterfallClan, because they didn't come to the last gathering, and we aren't even sure that they have any young cats to participate!" Willowpaw wondered what would happen to a clan that didn't have any apprentices to participate in the battle. She asked," What would happen if a clan doesn't have a tribute? Would a warrior participate?" Speckleleaf replied with a sigh. "It is a rare thing to happen, but if there isn't any tribute capable, the other clan leaders have to choose a cat from the clan in question." Before Willowpaw could meow a thing, Breezefall opened her mouth. "I have lived a nice long life until an elder now, but I have never heard nor saw an event like that." Ashpelt stopped licking her fur and looked towards Willowpaw. "But it might happen this night, and that should be the reason everyone is in such a chatty mood!" Willowpaw gasped, shocked. She froze like a stone near the stream, and watched the walls of the elder's den silently. Breezefall was eyeing her with a gaze full of worry. She murmured softly, "I still don't understand Sorrelstar, Ashpelt…" Ashpelt nodded slightly, and cleaned the bones of his mouse. Willowpaw heard it clearly, but she wasn't sure if Breezefall noticed. "Speckleleaf, that might mean that I could have a stronger enemy in the battle, right?" she asked, her gaze still focused on the calm walls of the den. Speckletail didn't reply, but instead hurried her out of the den. "Willowpaw, I don't think worrying would do any help. Try going out, the leader looks like she has something to announce." Willowpaw dipped her head to the elders and slowly padded out of the den.

"Willowpaw!" Her mother appeared in her sight. She licked her head vigorously. Willowpaw didn't have any spirit to lick her back. Instead she meowed a thank you and hurried up to Old branch in order to wait for words announcing the gathering. As she expected, her leader showed up on top of the branch with a lithe leap. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Old branch for a Clan meeting!" Willowpaw looked around, to only see the cats all gathered in groups already, gazing at their leader. "Before the news you all expect to hear, I proudly announce that Berryfern will be moving to the nursery with Grayclaw's kits!" The cats around Willowpaw cheered for Berryfern, as if they put their guard down for a moment. Berryfern looked rather embarrassed, then she turned to face Grayclaw with a tender gaze.

Sorrelstar then continued in a loud, ringing voice. "As most of you already know, there will be a gathering tonight, and it is a rather important one. I want Heathershade, Tawnyfur, Cloverfrost, Shimmerbreeze, Blossomfoot, Jaggedwhisker, Ashpelt, Speckleleaf to come with me, and also the apprentices and mentors too." Willowpaw glanced at her brothers, who were excited to go to their first gathering. 'I should feel like that too..' she thought. But Sorrelstar interrupted her thoughts. "Meanwhile, I would like the remaining cats keeping alert of the clan. And for those that would be following me to the gathering, I wish you would be at your best behavior, and be more careful. Try not to get into deep conversations with other clan cats." Then she leaped off the branch, dismissing the cats to their positions and also signaling Willowpaw with her paw.