I don't own Warriors.

To Silverstorm, Rainstorm, Mapleshade Returns, and Stromthatwhirlsthroughheart, my remaining four birds and I say, thank you. They, and I, appreciate it.

After my escape from the place I wasn't even supposed to be in, RiverClan territory, I managed to find a shrew dangerously close to Fourtrees, luckily I didn't get attacked again, and the remains of a rabbit; it had probably been eaten by a buzzard, but there was enough meat left on it to feed a kit or two.

Or maybe I would be the one that would feed the kits. I got that thought when I was tackled by two of them as I was coming back inside camp. They were Daisykit and her brother, Velvetkit. Velvetkit sniffed the rabbit remains as I regained my paws. "You brought home crow-food."

"Can't be picky." I mumbled through the catch, shame burning under my pelt as I remembered the fat rabbit I had eaten. I dragged the food to the empty fresh-kill pile and padded to the apprentices' den for a nap before the Gathering. I licked my fur again to make sure again that there was no trace of rabbit or RiverClan left. I circled my nest and wrapped my plumy tail over my nose, eyes closed.

But I couldn't sleep. I tossed and turned, trying to get comfortable, but it was like there was a stone lodged in my nest. Irritated, I clambered out and poked my muzzle into it. I dug around, grabbed something hard between my teeth, and pulled it out. It was just the stiff wing of a crow. I tossed it away and settled back down when I realized something. We haven't had bird around here for a while. Not even lapwing and especially not crow. So why was there one in my nest. I shivered as I realized it must be a sign. But of what?

As I finally drifted off, I saw a silver pelt. Blue eyes flashed and Silvermoon mewed, "Hello, Fangpaw. Welcome to StarClan."

"StarClan? Am I dead?" Horror went through me and I looked at my paws. No stars yet.

"No, my dear." Silvermoon pressed her muzzle between my ears. "I have called you here for a different reason." She flicked her tail and another silver cat came forward, very small. "You must remember Eelkit, right?"

I stared at him. "But, but Swiftstar said you escaped and disappeared into the Twolegplace!"

"Amberstar did kill me because I wouldn't join her, but don't let revenge poison your heart." Eelkit no longer looked playful like he did in life. His eyes glowed with intelligence I could only dream of.

"Why did Swiftstar lie?"

Silvermoon answered, "You and Honeypaw were not in a good state of mind to hear the truth at the time. Don't tell her. Just remember to keep an eye out for gold. The beautiful roses have hidden thorns. Such is the way of gold."

I ran behind Mistclaw on the way to the Gathering, fur prickling in anxiety. I had a strange feeling in my belly. Probably just the rabbit.

Honeypaw fell in step beside me, her pelt brushing mine. "Ready for our first Gathering?"

"No! I don't trust ThunderClan, especially that brute of some leader Amberstar." I glanced at her from the corner of my eye, wary of how much to tell her.

"Surely they wouldn't attack at a Gathering, right?"

"Amberstar attacked our camp without provocation, remember?"

"Yeah, but -"

"And they killed Silvermoon." And Eelkit!

Honeypaw sighed. "Fair point. Not every cat there must be evil, though."

Although I didn't really agree with her, I decided to humor her on this. "I'm sure that's true. Too bad the cats in charge are evil." Suddenly there was a tiny squeak of pain from Honeypaw and she stumbled. I stopped and turned to see her balancing on three legs, licking vigorously at her paw. "What's wrong?"

"I stepped on a sharp rock." Honeypaw gingerly set her paw on the ground, wincing. "It hurts."

"Maybe you should go back to the camp." I suggested.

Honeypaw frowned. "But I want to go to the Gathering."

I sighed. "Well then come on. We don't have all night." I walked briskly, following the scent trail left by my Clan. My paws crunched the pointy grass beneath my pads. I could hear Honeypaw behind my, muttering, but I was too excited and anxious to notice.

WindClan had already gone into the hollow. I could smell ThunderClan and ShadowClan were there already. I took a deep breath and raced down the slope, my long tail streaming out behind me. Scents washed over me on the stifling breeze. Mouse, vole, bird, fish, and I think that must be the frog Snake-eyes told me ShadowClan eats. Though none of the prey-scents smelled tasty like rabbit, anyone in WindClan currently would eat any of them.

I didn't notice ThunderClan had come into the fray until my eyes were drawn to a familiar gray apprentice. The tom from the skirmish. He was in a knot of apprentices that had RiverClan, ShadowClan, and Honeypaw in them. Honeypaw!

I didn't want to make a scene at my first Gathering, but I didn't want my sister's mind to be poisoned by ThunderClan scum. I stalked over to it, entering it between Honeypaw and a RiverClan apprentice. Honeypaw meowed, "Everyone, this is my sister, Fangpaw. Fangpaw, these are Splashpaw, Ivypaw, Stonepaw, Sorrelpaw, and Wingpaw." Wingpaw. The wing.

I didn't even glance over at Wingpaw as I dipped my head to the other apprentices. "Do any of you know a cat called Lilacpaw? My friend was asking about her."

"Lilacpaw was killed by a monster this past moon." It was Wingpaw who spoke, to my chagrin. So Owlpelt was asking about a ThunderClan cat. Great.

I didn't have to say anything as a bright ginger she-cat, I thought she was Sunstar, called the start of the meeting. As I sat down, Wingpaw padded past me and whispered in my ear, "Meet me by the holly bush on the RiverClan side after the news."

What? Why should I do anything for you? I had to bite my tongue to keep the words from spilling out. I blinked slowly and focused on the leaders.

"RiverClan has new apprentices. We welcome Blackpaw, Mudpaw, and Ivypaw." I had to stand on my hind legs to see the three apprentices, their darker fur almost blending in with one another. Sunstar continued, "Despite the drought, RiverClan is finding plenty of food to eat. We will not share that with anyone else." I shrank back, fur hot with embarrassment.

Sunstar stepped back and Barkstar of ShadowClan announced his news. There really wasn't anything except for Poollily going to the nursery as she was expecting kits. Amberstar announced the death of Lilacpaw.

Then Swiftstar came up. "WindClan also welcomes new blood. We have two new apprentices and one new warrior. Fangpaw and Honeypaw are here, though we wish Eelkit was among them," I could notice the fierce glare he cast at Amberstar, who looked indifferent and even bored, "but Owlpelt was injured in a clash with ThunderClan. StarClan has also sent Stormgaze a sign." He dipped his head to his medicine cat.

Stormgaze cleared her throat. "The dream began with water, and much of it. There was more than enough water for every Clan to share. Then a cat who's fur was streaked with blood and her eyes were red roared for ThunderClan to attack. Many cats died and once the last drop of blood was in the water, it all just dried up. Cats of the Clans, the cat was none other than Amberstar, and it's her fault we're in a drought!"

There were many shouts, some agreeing with Stormgaze, others dismissing her. I saw Wingpaw by the holly bush, waving at me with his tail. At this point, I wanted to get away from the conflict, so I followed him. It was cramped in the bush, but quiet. "So what is this about?" I hissed.

His green eyes were pleading as he explained, "I know how you must think of my Clan as monsters, but I want to show you that isn't the case. Would you please meet me here in two night's time?"

"Yes." Everything inside me screamed at me to reject his offer, but there was a tiny piece, the piece in control of my tongue, that told me to accept it. Wingpaw smiled and dashed away while I stood there, horrified at what I just said.

I finally got out of my paralyzed state and crept back to where Honeypaw was spitting at the tom who killed Silvermoon. He raised a paw to strike her, but then Rainstorm of RiverClan crashed into him, snarling, "Sparrowwing, I would've thought that ThunderClan's noble deputy would have the courage to face a cat his size." She sneered on the word noble.

"You're not my size."

"Yet I still beat you."

Sunstar yowled, "RiverClan, we're going home! Now!"

"WindClan, the same!"

Honeypaw and I dove into the center of the group, trembling from the shock. At least Honeypaw was. I was trembling from what I was going to do. StarClan, help me.

I apologize for the shortness and/or rushedness. I'm doing a really big project forschool.

Question: So, how do you think the Gathering went?