''Thornstar, the gathering is tonight. If it pleases you, Boulderclaw and Darkstorm would like to bring their apprentices, Goldenpaw and Thunderpaw, for their first time.''
''I haven't got bees in my brain yet, Ripplefur; of course I remember the gathering is tonight. I want all the mentors and apprentices to be at this gathering. It may be my last one.''
The russian blue deputy's eyes widened.
''Do you feel ill? Shall I fetch Rubygaze-''
''No,'' The elderly ginger cat raised her voice, cutting off Ripplefur's sentence. ''Don't be a fool, Ripplefur, I am only trying to think realistically. And don't you start spreading rumors, either, understand?''
Ripplefur dipped her head in embarrassment.
''I understand, Thornstar.''
''This is an important gathering for us. The forest has been too peaceful for too long, and that is bad news for us-especially after this hard leaf-bare. We need to prepare for a fight. How old are Ferrettail's kits?''
''Almost five moons.''
''That's close enough to six moons. We can have their apprentice ceremonies soon. You will need to let Ferrettail know, of course.''
''Isn't that a bit rash, Thornstar? They won't be ready-and it's strictly against the warrior code.''
Thornstar sank down into her moss bed, her green eyes shifting thoughtfully.
''...You are right, Ripplefur. That would be a wrong thing to do...may the Clan of Stars help me, I don't know what I would do without you.''
Ripplefur gave Thornstar's ear an encouraging lick, her blue eyes warm with amusement.
''Moonclan needs you to be strong, Thornstar. That's all a strong clan needs. You've lead us through the hardest times, and no cat could ever do again what you've done. Why don't you get some rest? I'll gather the cats for the gathering before tonight.''
Thornstar let her head drop wearily to her paws, sighing in response. Ripplefur dipped her head respectfully, even though Thornstar was already half asleep, before exiting the leader's den.
/*/*/*
Night approached fast. As Eaglestar was always careful to be on time to gatherings, Sunclan had left as soon as the sun began to set. They moved through the dry forest at an easy pace so Rustkit could keep up, though she sometimes needed to be picked up by Marigoldheart over tough areas. Now they stood across from the island. Eaglestar padded into Swift River until the water lapped at his chin, to test if it was safe. He then turned with a yowl, and the Warriors and apprentices sprang forward into the frothing river. Rustkit was carried over last, flanked by Troutbelly and Toadhop and trailed by Gingertip. Then they were stepping into the camp. Rustkit squirmed in protest of Marigoldheart's protective grip.
''Please let me walk by myself, Marigoldheart!'' She pleaded, embarrassed to be carried. Eaglestar flicked Marigoldheart's shoulder with his tail.
''Its alright. She can walk by herself. Remember what I told you.''
He looked pointedly at Troutbelly, Toadhop, and Gingertip before padding to greet the newly arrived Moonclan, while Mountainclan was crossing the river at the opposite side of the island.
''Welcome to your first gathering. Who knew it would be so soon?'' Gingertip purred in amusement. Rustkit peered about her curiously, her blue eyes wide with wonder.
''There's so many new smells here…''
''Yes,'' Troutbelly mewed, sitting down beside her. ''How many can you smell?''
Rustkit raised her head, parting her small jaws to taste the air.
''Well...there's one that's mild and..earthy?''
''That would be Moonclan,'' Gingertip murmured, flicking her tail in the direction of a small group of fierce-looking cats. They watched as Eaglestar engaged in pleasant conversation with an elderly ginger. The she-cat was closely shadowed by a young bluish-grey cat, who nodded every few moments as she listened to Eaglestar.
''That's Thornstar, and Ripplefur. Ripplefur is Moonclan's deputy."
It looks like Thornstar's starting to lose her wits.
"Thornstar is old enough to be my mother's mother."
A low grumble from behind her caught her attention. Rustkit turned to look at the cat who had spoken. A tabby with yellow eyes was scanning through the clearing, his piercing gaze giving Rustkit an inward chill.
''Yes, Thornstar has survived many seasons. She was leader even before Sunclan's previous leader was,'' Marigoldheart replied coolly. Rustkit figured that the tabby cat must be Toadhop, her other guard.
''A perfect time to attack, in my opinion.''
''Eaglestar has no need to attack Moonclan, Toadhop. Besides, Moonclan really know how to hold a grudge,'' Troutbelly scoffed, looking annoyed. Gingertip shushed both of them with a low hiss.
''Pineclan has just arrived. The meeting is about to start.''
The four leaders leapt up on a tall boulder that stood at the Eastern end of the island. They looked equally fierce; Eaglestar's tortoiseshell fur, Froststar's white fur, Thornstar's ginger fur, and Jaggedstar's dark striped fur. Jaggedstar stepped forward, his eyes sweeping through the tangle of cats.
"Pineclan has much to be grateful for. We have a new warrior this moon; Oddspot."
Mews of approval rose from the gathering of cats as the the young warrior stepped forward. Rustkit's eyes widened in surprise as she saw his long, lanky body and unusual markings.
"Who is that?" she gasped, perplexed.
"Oddspot may look unusual, but he's always been one of the best cats in Pineclan," Gingertip mewed, her whiskers twitching in pleasure as she watched the young cat humbly take his place with his clanmates again.
"He's everything a warrior should be; selfless, skilled, kind, understanding, and focused. I'd love to introduce you to him sometime."
Rustkit watched Gingertip's admiring expression, before it faded as the meeting resumed.
"Prey has been plentiful and the river runs strong through our territory. Pineclan has nothing to want."
Jaggedstar finished with a fiery glare into the tangle as he stepped back, as if daring one of the cats below to challenge his words. Rustkit surpressed a shiver; she certainly wouldn't want to meet him in battle any time soon. Eaglestar stepped forward, and Rustkit felt that some of the tension had lightened. But then she remembered what Eaglestar was going to say.
"Greetings, cats of all clans." His mew was polite and even. "Sunclan have been managing the summer drought quite well, as we always do. While Swift River flows strong through all territories, let it symbolize the strength of Sunclan."
A few mews of agreement rose around Rustkit.
"We named two new warriors this moon. Runningcreek and Whitefeather?"
Two she-cats from Sunclan stood, and the gathering of cats joined in calling their names. Eaglestar hesitated before continuing.
"I also have something of urgency to discuss here tonight. Three nights ago, a kit was found abandoned in Sunclan territory."
Silence met his words.
"We have brought the kit to the gathering tonight to see if any cat might be able to identify her. Rustkit, please come forward."
Rustkit felt heat rush to her ears as she made her way to the front. The cats around her were whispering, muttering to each other, and in moments, every cat was talking. Her head hurt from the noise.
"Enough!" Froststar yowled, standing up on the boulder. "This is ridiculous. This kit is obviously some stray. She should be run out of the territories!"
A few yowls of agreement met her words, though none from Sunclan or Pineclan.
"What good will it do you to give away a future warrior? What good will it do anyone to have dirty half-blood cats in their clans?!"
Her rant was lost in an outcry from the gathering of clans. She stepped back, fuming. Thornstar's eyes were dark with hunger, and Rustkit realized that she was staring right at her. Disturbed by the intensity of her gaze, Rustkit tore her eyes away from her. She found herself staring at a spotted brown warrior. His piercing yellow gaze was resting on her. Is every cat here going to stare at me like I'm a juicy piece of fresh-kill? She realized he was one of the deputies, and suddenly began to tremble with fear. Gingertip nudged her.
"Let's leave, now. They don't look like they are getting any friendlier."
Eaglestar's gaze was dark and unreadable as he watched the four cats slip away into the night. He looked up as thunder rumbled from the sky. Dark storm clouds had gathered over the moon, blocking out its light.
"Sunclan! This gathering has come to an end!"
He jumped off the boulder and waited impatiently for his clan to gather around him, before dashing away into the night. Raindrops began to fall from the sky, making the ground wet and slippery. Rustkit ducked her head against the rain as she followed the white tip of Gingtip's tail.
How could everything have gone so wrong?