Chapter 8
"Flowerpaw, Bramblestar wants you to go to the gathering tonight." Birchfall had told her that morning.
A quarter moon had passed since Hazelpaw's accident, and she was recovering well. Flowerpaw wanted to have her first gathering with her sister, but she could trust Jayfeather to stay with her and look after her. The full moon shone on the island where the gathering was soon to be held. Birchfall guided her through the tree trunk until she landed on solid ground.
"Let the gathering begin!" Mistystar's yowl echoed from the big tree the leaders were standing on.
"ThunderClan will go first."
"Wait."
The heads of all the cats at the gathering turned towards a dark brown tom, who looked strikingly similar to Bramblestar.
"What is it, Tigerheart?" Rowanstar said, somewhat annoyed.
"This will come as a shock to everyone, but I would like to move to ThunderClan." Gasps of shock came from every single cat.
Except Dovewing.
"I am Dovewing's mate, and she is expecting my kits. If Bramblestar will accept me, I will leave ShadowClan and raise my kits with Dovewing like they should be raised."Turning to Rowanstar, Tigerheart continued. "I'm sorry I have to do this to you. I hope you will still be proud of me, no matter what Clan I'm in."
After what seemed like a hundred heartbeats of silence, Bramblestar spoke up. "We would be happy to accept Tigerheart but only if Rowanstar agrees."
Every cat looked at Rowanstar, waiting for a response.
"I agree. No matter how hard it is to lose another son, he is in love, and nothing or no one can stop him from being in love."
"Alright, now that that is settled, let me begin. ThunderClan has suffered a terrible loss this last moon. Our medicine cat Leafpool, has died." Bramblestar paused, looking at all the Clan cats. "As well as our loss, we have also named two new apprentices." He said, looking at Flowerpaw. "Flowerpaw and Hazelpaw. Hazelpaw can't be here today due to injury, but she is almost back to normal."
"Flowerpaw! Hazelpaw!" The yowls came from all the Clans.
Once they arrived back at camp, Flowerpaw ran straight to the medicine den. She told Hazelpaw about everything. About Tigerheart joining the Clan, the tree trunk bridge to the island and about Bramblestar welcoming them to the other Clans. The whole time, Hazelpaw didn't seem to be listening. Flowerpaw, tired from the gathering, went to her den to sleep.