A/N: So here's chapter 5. Anyways, thanks Emberheart0 and CRAZYREADER96 for reviewing, I really appreciate it. But now I've got over 250 hits, and most of those peeps did not review. Please, PLEASE at least leave a simple note on how you thought it was. Just one click and you'll make me the happiest person in the world! By the way, I've been meaning to let you guys know. There's a poll on my profile and I need your votes, because I'm planning on changing this story's name so it will sound more interesting. Please vote!
~Chapter 5~
The grass swayed beneath Hollypaw's belly as she crouched down near the island where the Gathering was held every full moon. Beside her, Lynxpaw, Kernpaw and Leafpaw were also crouched. Mosspaw, Cragpaw and Muskedpaw could not come because there were already five apprentices that were chosen. Rainpaw was also with them, but he was sitting next to Jayfeather, who sat next to Lionblaze. Bramblestar was grooming himself, preparing for the long awaited night. Though Hollypaw's fur was bristling with excitement, she also felt nervous.
She didn't know what to do yet at the Gathering, since this was her first time. She would feel like a lost kit, wandering around forver, wondering where she was. But a tail gently pressed on her fur, and Hollypaw turned to see that Leafpaw was staring at her intently. "Don't worry, it's not as bad as you would think," she mewed. "Just don't give away anything that make make us look weak, and don't talk to the older warriors unless you have their permission. Some are friendly, but others..." she shrugged before she finished. Hollypaw already knew what she would have said anyways; the elder warriors would claw her ears off if she tried speaking to them.
Suddenly Bramblestar let out a yowl, making Hollypaw jump to her paws. The rest of the patrol also rose to their paws as he led the way towards the island. Hollypaw watched as Bramblestar crossed the log first. He stepped on it carefully, then began to pad across. When he landed on the other side, Squirrelflight, was second to cross. Then after a few heartbeats, it was Hollypaw's turn.
She put one paw on it, then another. But as she crossed it, the log creaked, and Hollypaw let out a yowl of alarm. But she soon felt teeth clutch her scruff, and the black she-cat looked up to see that Lionblaze had helped her.
"I made the same mistake when I was an apprentice," he purred. "Don't worry, you'll soon get the hang of it." He licked his daughters' ear and then joined Cinderheart.
Lynxpaw was bouncing around like a tiny kit out on its' first trek. "Hey Hollypaw, what are you going to do tonight?" He asked as he bounced over to her.
"I was thinking of speaking with those RiverClan apprentices," she replied. It looked like there were only three apprentices here tonight. She thought it might be a good idea to make friends with them, or at least try to.
Her brother shrugged and muttered, "RiverClan cats are boring. I'd rather talk to a ShadowClan warrior." Before Hollypaw could yowl the same warning Leafpaw gave her, he was off.
Shrugging to herself, Hollypaw padded over to a pretty blue-gray she-cat who had white paws and a white underbelly. She looked to be about two moons older then Hollypaw, and had the looks of a fine warrior. Beside her was a smoky black tom, and Hollypaw guessed from the way he looked that he was the blue-gray cat's brother.
"Hi there, who might you be?" The she-cat asked in a gentle voice. Her blue eyes gleamed as she stared at Hollypaw.
"My name's Hollypaw," she replied in a nervous tone. "I'm sort of new here," she added, hoping she sounded convincing.
"It's nice to meet you," the she-cat commented. "My name's Shellpaw, and this is my brother Coalpaw." She pointed her white-tipped tail to the smoky black tom. He only grunted and stalked away to join a group of older looking RiverClan warriors. "Don't mind him, he's just aways grumpy," Shellpaw added.
Suddenly a question flashed in Hollypaw's mind. She wanted to know what it was like to be a cat in a different Clan. It seemed like RiverClan was always well fed, and they had a good place to camp. "What's it like in RiverClan?" She asked.
Shellpaw didn't look surprised. In fact, she almost looked pleased. "It's great!" She mewed. "We can catch as many fish as we want, and even though Twolegs sometimes come during greenleaf and newleaf, life is good." Her eyes widened as a black tom approached her.
His pelt was sleek and seemed to glow under the moonlight. Hollypaw was about to ask who he was when he growled, "Shellpaw, you shouldn't be giving away any information!" Though his voice was gruff, he sounded amused.
The blue-gray she-cat's eyes widened even more into a look of dismay, and Hollypaw purred. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone," she whispered as he padded away.
Shellpaw looked at her gratefully, but before she could say more, a yowl sounded from the tallest tree on the island. On its' branches were four cats, one of them being Bramblestar. The other three cats were she-cats. One was a gray she-cats, while the other was a dark ginger she-cat. The last one was blue-gray, with icy blue eyes that sent shivers through Hollypaw's fur. She gazed at them and saw that Bramblestar was beginning to speak. "Welcome cats of all Clans to the Gathering. Mistystar, would you like to begin?" He looked at the blue-gray she-cat, who looked so much like Shellpaw.
Mistystar dipped her head and stood up. "All is well in RiverClan. Blackclaw has decided it is time to move to the elders' den, and Copperstripe has had her kits, Brightkit and Bouncekit."
Yowls of congratulations filled the clearing, and then Mistystar sat down. The dark ginger she-cat spoke next; her name was Russetstar. ShadowClan had the same sort of news, only this time Russetstar told the Clans that Olivebranch was expecting kits now. Then the gray she-cat spoke next; her name was Ashstar.
"All is well in WindClan. The dogs are becoming more active, but we've shown them not to trouble us," she meowed. Her amber eyes glinted as if to challenge the rest of the Clans. Then she continued. "Tornear, our deputy, has also decided to move to the elders' den. I have made Whitetail WindClan's new deputy."
More yowls filled the clearing, and Hollypaw had to crane her neck to spot the small white cat. Whitetail must be popular, she mewed to herself as she gazed at her. Now it was ThunderClan's turn.
"ThunderClan is well. We have two new apprentices, Lynxpaw and Hollypaw. They are here tonight." The clearing fell silent as Hollypaw felt stares burning her pelt. Her fur prickled as murmurs spread through the Clans. Unease was also seeping through, and Hollypaw suddenly wanted to run. But she felt Cinderheart rest her muzzle on her shoulder, blue eyes gleaming with worry.
"Don't worry about them," the gray tabby whispered as she licked Hollypaw's ear.
Soon the Gathering was drawling to a close. Hollypaw padded over to join the ThunderClan patrol, just when she saw Russetstar stalking towards Bramblestar. The dark ginger she-cat's amber eyes were narrowed as she stared at him. "Bramblestar, she had better not be like the last one," she growled. With that, she bounded over to join her own ShadowClan patrol. Hollypaw was well aware of the mutunous glares they gave her, and she did her best to ignore them.
She followed the ThunderClan patrol back to camp. Her tail was drooping with exhaustion, and all she wanted to do right now was sleep in her warm nest. They reached camp, and Hollypaw headed straight for her nest. What she really wanted more then anything was to prove to the Clans that she wasn't whoever the cat they were thinking of. She wanted to feel accepted, not some cat who was just thrown out.
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A paw prodded Hollypaw's side as she slept. She groaned and turned around. The paw prodded her side again, this time stronger. She hissed and opened her eyes. Leafpaw was standing over her, amusement gleaming in her amber eyes. "Come on you lazy furball, it's time to get up," she murmured into her ear.
Hollypaw gasped and jumped to her paws. She had to blink a couple of times to get the sleep out of her eyes. She bounded out of the den only to run into Brackenfur. He was staring at her, though he didn't look too angry. He sighed and meowed, "Bramblestar is holding a warrior ceremony today. So after that you will hunt for your Clan."
The black she-cat suddenly looked at Cragpaw and Mosspaw, and saw that the two toms were looking truelly excited. Their eyes were gleaming with pride as she padded towards them. Leafpaw was sitting at the back of the apprentices' den, looking downcast. She spotted Bramblestar leap onto the Highledge. The dark brown tabby looked down at her, then the rest of the Clan. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!" He yowled.
Most cats had come out of their den, but a few were just returning from patrols. Hollypaw watched as they gathered beneath the Highledge, giving Bramblestar expectant looks. He began the ceremony with the ancient words that had been spoken for many seasons to come. "These apprentices are ready to receive their warrior names. Mosspaw, Cragpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and defend your Clan, even with your lives?"
When Cragpaw spoke, his voice was calm and level. "I do," he replied. "I do," Mosspaw meowed in a high-pitched voice.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Mosspaw, from this moment forward you will be known as Mossfoot. StarClan honors you for your bravery and hunting skills." Bramblestar pressed his muzzle on Mossoot's shoulder, while the gray tabby licked his shoulder in response. "Cragpaw, from this moment forward, you will be known as Cragfrost. StarClan honors you for your courage and selflessness."
When he was finished, the Clan chanted their new names. "Mossfoot! Cragfrost! Mossfoot! Cragfrost!" Hollypaw cheered along with the Clan, knowing and hoping that she too could join those who had earned their warrior names.
