Pigeonpaw padded closely behind Bramblepaw, quivering from excitement. She'd been waiting for this moment since she was a kit, almost as much as she'd been waiting to be an apprentice. Her first gathering! And she didn't have to worry about Moonpaw or Lightningtooth ruining it! Lightningtooth hadn't been chosen to go, and Moonpaw had twisted her paw on a branch while exploring, and couldn't walk easily. She felt a pang of regret at the thought Raggedtail was staying behind, too. She'd hoped he'd be by her side- but he'd told her that she'd be fine, she made friends easier than any other cat.

Bramblepaw slowed, walking by her side. "Are you excited?"

"Of course! I've been waiting so long for this!" She lifted her tail, twitching her whiskers happily. "And it's finally happening!" The two apprentices fell silent when a hiss from ahead came, shooshing them. Pigeonpaw couldn't tell who it came from, but she fell silent anyways. The clan approached the meeting place- a stone hollow in the ground, large enough to hold all three clans. The other two clans are already there, and the air was somber and quiet. Pigeonpaw frowned, looking around. She thought it was supposed to be lively! She glanced at Bramblepaw, who was also frowning, and looked around. The cats mostly weren't mingling, and hostility crackled in the air. She looked up at the leaders- Swiftstar looked so small compared to the other two- who must be Brownstar and Crowstar. She turned her eyes to the deputies- and felt a pang of horror when she saw not Smokewing, but Smalltail, sitting with Dappleface and Specklenose. Was he dead? She glanced around- her horror faded, and her confusion grew, as she saw the smoky tom sitting at the edge of the clearing, glaring at anyone who approached him. She stood up straight, and padded over to him, ignoring his icy glare and the stares of everyone else, sitting down right next to him.

"What are you doing all on your own?"

"Go back to your clan, Pigeonpaw, you shouldn't sit with me." He looked down, and she felt her chest tighten when she saw the tired, confused kit sitting against his belly. Something was definitely wrong.

"Nobody should be alone at the Gathering." He opened his mouth to argue, but Brownstar's yowl drowned him out, signifying the Gathering was beginning. He glared at her, and his glare intensified when Shimmerpaw and another apprentice- a dark grey tom- snuck back and sat next to Pigeonpaw. Pigeonpaw waved her tail in greeting, and Shimmerpaw nodded at her, then spoke to her in a soft, gentle whisper. "We don't agree with what's happening."

Pigeonpaw wanted to ask what she meant, but Brownstar had stepped up, speaking first. "Prey is running well in Sunclan. We have two new apprentices, Leafpaw and Bearpaw," he paused and the clans started chanting their names, hesitantly. The grey tom by their side stiffened, puffing out his chest, and Pigeonpaw and Shimmerpaw joined in. Once the chanting died away, he dipped his head. "And Hopleg has moved to the elder den." He stepped back, and Swiftstar stepped back forwards to take his place. "Prey is plentiful in Stormclan, as well, and we have two new apprentices as well- my own daughters, Pigeonpaw and Moonpaw. Moonpaw couldn't come tonight," he fixed his warm gaze on his daughter, who puffed up and beamed back, "but Pigeonpaw is here." Pigeonpaw felt her heart soar. They were cheering her name! The moment dragged on forever and was done far too soon at the same time. Swiftstar stepped back, and Crowstar stepped forwards, eyes darkened, looking around the clearing. Everything fell silent, and she let out a loud hiss, lashing her tail. "As you all know, a large group of rogues have been harassing the clans for several moons." The other two leaders nodded, but neither spoke, just exchanged glances as Crowstar carried on. "Frostclan has decided to combat this threat starting from the inside. We are cleansing ourselves of the rogues that walk among us!" Her voice had risen, and she turned her gaze to the other two leaders, staring at them fiercely. "Will either of you take in these rogues?" Swiftstar stepped up to meet her, meeting her eyes calmly.

"Crowstar, Smokewing has served as your loyal deputy for a long time, and I'm sure he hasn't done anything to earn exile, apart from being born a rogue!" Pigeonpaw turned her gaze to Smokewing in shock. He had his head down, eyes full of shame and anger, ears pressed back. Without even thinking she pushed her pelt against his, hoping to comfort him. She stayed there, turning her eyes back to Crowstar as the black leader carried on.

"Times have changed, Swiftstar, and I will not risk my clan. Will you take these unwanted cats?" Yowls from the Stormclan cats immediately came from below- "You fox-heart!" "Of course we will!" "These cats do not deserve persecution!" Swiftstar raised his tail, silencing his cats, narrowing his eyes.

"Stormclan will never turn away a cat in need. We will take them." Pigeonpaw felt a thrill of triumph. Smokewing was joining them! She smiled at the tom, who gave her a small, awkward smile back. She twitched her whiskers at Swiftstar's announcement that the Gathering was over. She glanced at the white and grey tom making his way towards them, and blinked and tensed when Shimmerpaw suddenly leaned in close, breathing into her ear. "Meet me here in three days, at moonrise. Only bring those you would trust with your life." With that, she rose, going to meet with her clanmates, right as Swiftstar reached them. He dipped his head to Smokewing, who awkwardly did the same.

"I can't thank you enough, Swiftstar." Swiftstar just nodded, giving him a gentle smile.

"Pigeonpaw, will you guide Smokewing back to camp?" She nodded, perking, and stood, brushing her tail against the tom. He stood as well, going to pick up the little kit, but Specklenose nudged him gently, purring.

"I'll do that, don't worry. What's her name?"

Smokewing turned his gaze back to the kit, who was now sleeping, her soft flanks rising and falling as she dozed. There was something in his eyes that she couldn't recognize, mixed in with the grief and confusion.

"Lostkit."

AN: Jeez, sorry this took forever!