Alright here it is … Next segment! ;)

Chapter 5: Archenemies

Lynxpaw could see Leafstar still sitting upon the branch below the she-cat who was speaking, along with two tabby toms that she did not recognize.

"They are Twigstar and Timberstar", Rustypaw explained, "The leaders of BeechClan and AshClan."

"My medicine cat has had a dream, a message from StarClan!" the she-cat was saying, "Something is coming, something dangerous. Oaktail, will you tell the clans what you have seen." A small she-cat with enormous eyes leaped up to sit beside her leader.

"Cats of all clans, hear me," she said, "An enemy is coming, one that will shake the very forest to its roots. 'Night shall come, two together and one of four lest it consume the forest', I was told. I believe it means that there will arise two cats, perhaps among us tonight; two cats whose fate it is to save the clans from disaster."

Lynxpaw froze. This was exactly the same thing that the voice in her dream had told her. Did that mean she was one of the two who must defeat the night? If it did, who was the other cat to which this referred? Lynxpaw wasn't sure what to think.

Suddenly, an elderly black tom with crooked paws spoke up, "I have seen this too", he meowed, Lynxpaw then noticed the younger tom by his side.

"Beechclaw, the BeechClan medicine cat, and his apprentice Graypaw," Windpaw told the three MapleClan apprentices.

"Is this so, BeechClaw?" asked the little she-cat who was still sitting beside her leader in the tree, "And what of AshClan and MapleClan, have they been sent a message of this as well?"

When Ashheart and Maplestream, the remaining two medicine cats, answered in the affirmative, it seemed to create shockwaves through out the clearing.

Every clan seemed to be buzzing with talk about the strange prophecy. "t must be important", someone said, "For it to have been revealed to all four clans at once." Who, what, when and why... all the cats wanted to know.

"Silence," yowled Acornstar. The entire clearing went quiet.

"How will we know who the two chosen cats are?" a BeechClan she-cat wanted to know.

"I…, have to admit that I am not sure," the OakClan medicine cat declared, "The dream never revealed that to me. We can only hope that they will be revealed in time."

"And what about the identity of this 'enemy', yowled Thunderstorm, a powerful MapleClan warrior, "How can we fight something we can't even recognize?"

"Once again, I am sorry but what I have said is the extent of my knowledge," she declared. "I am sure that we will recognize it when the time comes for us to face it, whatever it may be."

"My warning is simply to be ready when it does come", she finished.

"Thank you, Oaktail," said the OakClan leader. The medicine cat returned to her place where she had been sitting next to Maplestream, the MapleClan medicine cat. The clearing continued to buzz with the chatter of cats. Oaktail's news had evidently caused quite a stir.

"I wish to speak next," spoke up the brown tabby tom who had been listening to the proceedings with evident impatience. "I have an issue I would like to discuss with Leafstar of MapleClan.".

"I have been informed by my warriors, "He continued that some of your cats were sighted along the border between our two clans."

"I have been informed of the incident," returned the tortie leader, her voice just a few degrees below a hiss, "And now that you bring up the topic, Timberstar, I might just ask what your warriors were doing so close to the border that night; a very unusual time of day for a patrol. I might also bring up the fact that several times in the last moon my patrols have found AshClan scent on our lands."

The entire gathering seemed to just stop at this. The tension in the air was palpable, and all the cats were silent. All the clans knew that AshClan and MapleClan had a rivalry that had spanned for generations; other clans might have their disputes about prey, boundaries and so on, but none of them hated each other as did AshClan and MapleClan. Though they had to keep truce at gatherings, this did not mean that the two leaders would not take the opportunity to make difficulties for each other wherever possible.

All the clans knew this but surely the two leaders would not risk the anger of StarClan by breaking the ancient rule of truce and openly fighting at the gathering. Unease descended like a fog upon the gathering.

Finally, Leafstar broke the silence, "However, if you must know our clan had the honor of admitting three new apprentices, Lynxpaw, Frostpaw and Nightpaw. They are with us tonight. The warriors you saw were merely the new apprentices being shown the boundaries by their mentors" Lynxpaw heard all the MapleClan cats cheering her and her two friends.

"As to the rest, I am sure it is enough to mention the fact; and that there will be no further issues, Timberstar", with this the MapleClan leader cast a sharp glance in the direction of the AshClan leader.

"I speak this as a warning," she said, "It will mean battle if your warriors are found on our lands again, or StarClan alone would know the reason why. I also warn you plainly that they will not honor such trespassing."

"Understood", he said, "Keep your warriors off of our lands and we will keep ours off of yours." Though he said this politely enough the expression on his face made it clear that he had been caught and he knew it. The cats watched to see if there would be any further debate between the two clans, but fortunately there was not, and the tension faded.

There was more discussion long into the night and though Lynxpaw thoroughly enjoyed her first gathering, she was beginning to feel quite tired.

Finally Twigstar, the BeechClan leader called out, "It is nearly sunup, let cats of all clans return to their territories." And with that the gathering was adjourned. As the MapleClan cats began to group themselves for the trip back to camp, a tawny she-cat stalked over to them, and came right over to Lynxpaw.

"Hear me well, MapleClan foxdung", she spat, " Woodclaw may have prevented me from dealing with you when we met before; but there will come a day when we will meet and neither the rule of truce nor my mentor will interfere with my dealing with you as I like."

"Tough words, Cougarpaw," retorted Lynxpaw, "But words don't catch any prey, my mother always told me. We will see." Lynxpaw realized that she had said these words with a bit more of an edge that had been intended.

"That we will," said the tawny she-cat replied smoothly, her brown eyes gleaming fiercely. With that she padded off to join the rest of her clan as they headed off into the forest.

Strange prophecies which it seemed she was a part of, and an arch enemy in the form of Cougarpaw; it seemed that Lynxpaw would have much to think about on her trip back to camp.

Hey, I am trying to think of good warrior names for my three apprentices. I am thinking Lynxpelt, Nightstrike and Frostmoon. Though I almost would likes something a little cooler than 'pelt' for Lynx, also would like a good warrior name for Cougar. I am open to suggestions if anyone has one. Just put 'em in a review on my story and I will consider them. As always, be ready for the next installment and enjoy!