Chapter Eight

The day slipped by quickly and Burnheart was almost exploding with excitement for the upcoming gathering. He had never been to one so it would be a great surprise. Oakstar summoned the cats who were going and the huge party set off for the island. The moon was enormous in the sky and Burnheart was sure it would be a long gathering.

"I'm scared right out of my pelt!" Floodstream confided. "I'd much rather be facing ThunderClan warriors."

"Don't worry. The other clans'll treat you okay," Swiftstep put in. "Just go find a group of nice looking cats and go sit with them and talk. It's as lovely as gossiping elders."

"Be careful what you say though," Sootwhisker added. "Don't give away too much. But I'm sure you two will want to do a bit of bragging about the ThunderClan raid."

"We're here!" Floodstream breathed. It was their first view of the island. Remembering suddenly that it was Stonepaw's first time, he quickly repeated everything Swiftstep and Sootwhisker had told him to the three littermates and then boldy followed Oakstar across the worn log.

"That's the RiverClan leader, Wolfstar," Swiftstep said immediately, pointing towards an enormous gray tom. "And Galestar. I'm going to go chat with those cats. Want to come?"

"Sure; and thanks for letting me tag along," Burnheart said as they approached a little semi-circle of four cats. Two smelled of WindClan the other two smelled of RiverClan.

"Hello," Swiftstep greeted. "This is Owltalon-" and pointed to a dark brown tabby tom, then he pointed to a pretty white she-cat, "That is Dovefeather. They're both in WindClan. These two-" he pointed at a pretty tortoisheshell she-cat and a pale gray tom, "Are Dappledflower and Stoneclaw."

"And who's this handsome young tom?" the tortoiseshell she-cat asked, Dappledflower.

"I'm Burnheart," he said.

"Hhmh…I don't remember him from previous gatherings," Owltalon remarked.

"I was never announced," Burnheart admitted shyly. "I only trained for two months then assisted a successful ThunderClan raid and was made a warrior."

"Hhmh. Must have been quite the battle. Crowstar and Scarfoot and their band of warriors are quite the opponent," Stoneclaw remarked, obviously impressed. "I'd hate to battle with Sunpelt or Gingerfrost."

"I fought with both," he said, suddenly remembering the skill of the ginger she-cat. "Gingerfrost is quite the fighter though."

"What about me?" the ginger she-cat padded up behind him.

"Burnheart was just saying how skilled your were," Swiftstep said as the four leaders began the gathering.

"Who would like to start?" Wolfstar announced. When he was met with silence, he began, "We have a new warrior, Forestwind. We have no troubles. It looks like it'll be a mild winter and the fish will continue to be available."

Many cats cheered for the she-cat and then Crowstar flicked his tail for it to stop. "I shall begin by saying that the next ShadowClan warrior to be seen on ThunderClan territory shall return without any fur."

"Just because you're warriors aren't skilled enough to kill us!" Moonpelt growled at the ThunderClan leader.

The brown tom sent a menacing glare to the silver tom which silenced him. "This raid was unacceptable. There was no provocation Oakstar. You are a fair-minded cat and I would not have expected such an unreasonable attack upon my clan!"

"Your warriors have been on our territory!" Oakstar accused. A burst of protests flew through the air.

Crowstar looked unworried but did not answer his question. "We have two new apprentices, Mintpaw and Firstpaw, and our prey is plentiful so we have no reason to tread on other clan's territories."

Oakstar pretended he hadn't heard, then said, "We have two new warriors, Burnheart and Floodstream, and three new apprentices, Amberpaw, Stonepaw and Ashpaw. Our prey is fine despite the incoming winter and our warriors are strong."

"Good it hear it," Galestar murmured. "WindClan too is doing well. A new litter of kits has recently been born to one of our queens. Prey is running fine and my clan is doing fine."

"Are we done? Is there nothing more to say?" Wolfstar growled.

"ShadowClan is leaving," Oakstar announced and beckoned to his warriors to leave.

"Nice to meet you all," Burnheart said and followed Swiftstep towards Oakstar. They ran silently through RiverClan territory and came back to a silent and peaceful camp. They all went to their dens without a word and sleep came easily.


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Thanks again,
Marionettes