Chapter 9

Lightningstrike padded across the WindClan shore, his paws sinking into the wet slush of water and snow. The full moon glistened above him sending its light down on the ThunderClan patrol making their way to the Gathering Island. Moonstar lead in front with her deputy, Stonefang, right behind her. Tornfur and his apprentice Hollypaw came behind both of them with a group of warriors and elders behind.

Lightningstrike remembered that this was to be his last gathering before he, Stormpaw, Speckleheart and Hollypaw would set off on their journey to find the Teller of the Pointed Stones.

It is for the good of the clan, Lightningstrike told himself. So that Hollypaw can be properly trained.

The golden tom had already told Stormpaw and Hollypaw about the journey. Hollypaw seemed not at all surprised for some reason and Stormpaw seemed excited at the prospect of adventure.

At least they were all willing to come, Lightningstrike thought. I don't know what I would have done without all of them.

"Come warriors we are late!" yowled Moonstar from in front.

Lightningstrike looked towards the island that was sitting like a boulder in the clear lake. It was roundish like a berry and had a pebbly shore that snaked around it. In the middle of it was a great oak whose branches spanned out over the grassy ground of the isle. Connecting the island to the lakeshore was a fallen tree which had lain there for many seasons. Lightningstrike could make out cats on the shores as well as three more sitting on the branches of the Great Oak.

"Wow we are the last ones to arrive," noted Speckleheart. "The three other leaders are already on the Great Oak."

As the patrol neared the tree-bridge Stormpaw suddenly piped up.

"Lightningstrike what are gatherings like?" the dark-gray apprentice asked.

"Well," Lightningstrike began. "Every full moon all four of the clans gather under a truce at the island. There cats from different clans who couldn't normally see each other could share news and talk," the golden warrior meowed. "But remember Stormpaw," he began more sternly. "You must not give away any information of our clan that should be kept secret, like our journey," he finished dropping his voice.

"Don't worry I won't tell anyone," promised Stormpaw.

"Good," meowed Lightningstrike. "Now come with me I will show you how to cross the tree-bridge."

Lightningstrike nimbly leapt up onto the tree-trunk, careful not to stumble motioning for Stormpaw to do the same. Lightningstrike watched as his apprentice looked up at him. Stormpaw's eyes seemed to be focused on the tip of the trunk. Lightningstrike stepped back to give Stormpaw some space to land.

Stormpaw sprang up and landed with his forepaws on the tip of the trunk but his hind paws landed on nothing but air. The lower part of his body swung down leaving the terrified apprentice dangling from the edge of the tree-bridge.

With a mrrow of amusement Lightningstrike bent down and fastened his jaws in Stormpaw's scruff. With a heave he lifted the dark-gray apprentice onto the tree trunk.

"Try bunching up your hind-legs under your haunches next time," advised Lightningstrike. "It would give you some extra spring."

"Okay," mumbled Stormpaw embarrassedly. The apprentice's eyes shifted downwards towards the churning waters below. The fur along his back suddenly stood up in fear, "L-Lightningstrike how are we supposed to get across?" Stormpaw stammered.

"The trick is not to look down," meowed Lightningstrike raising Stormpaw's muzzle with his tail. "Just keep your eyes on me."

Stormpaw nodded his amber eyes still large with terror. Lightningstrike thought back to the time he first crossed the bridge. Water is scary, thought Lightningstrike remembering how he nearly fell into the lake. Only RiverClan cats knew how to swim but any other cat could drown of they fell off the tree-bridge. Lightningstrike was sure Stormpaw knew this too.

The pair made their way carefully. Once on solid ground Stormpaw exhaled in respite.

"Don't worry I wasn't scared," meowed Stormpaw. "I did not look down just like you said."

"Good," meowed Lightningstrike motioning Stormpaw to sit.

"Are all of these other cats from different clans?" asked Stormpaw gazing around the grassy clearing of the island.

"Yes they are," meowed Lightningstrike. "The thin, sleek ones are from WindClan, they chase rabbits for prey," explained the golden tom. "They live in the open moorland we just crossed."

"What? How do they survive without any trees for shelter?" asked Stormpaw bewilderedly.

"I don't know," meowed Lightningstrike. "Maybe they wonder how we survive being enclosed in so many trees."

Stormpaw gave a mrrow of amusement. "Wait then who are they?" he asked flicking his tail towards a group of plump-looking cats.

"They are from RiverClan," answered Lightningstrike. "The reason that they look so well-fed in the middle of leaf-bare is that they fish from the river that flows into the lake, they also live near it."

"Well that's unfair," meowed Stormpaw. "They get more fresh-kill than we do."

"I wouldn't say that," responded Lightningstrike. "I scented fish once and it smelled nasty!"

"Oh," meowed Stormpaw. "At least we get better prey then!"

"I would say so too," meowed Lightningstrike. "But be silent the gathering is about to begin."

Moonstar leapt onto the lowest branch for the higher ones were taken up by the three other clan leaders. The silver leader looked up but then froze.

"Leafpelt what is the meaning of this?" Moonstar asked. "Why are you taking Littlestar's place what happened to her?"

"Lightningstrike, who is Littlestar and Leafpelt?" asked Stormpaw.

"Littlestar is the leader of ShadowClan and Leafpelt is her deputy," responded Lightningstrike.

A dappled, mottled gray tabby she-cat looked down at Moonstar from a higher branch. "She is just not here but Littlestar is still alive and I am still her deputy," responded the gray tabby.

"Then what happened to her, Leafpelt?" asked Moonstar narrowing her eyes at the gray-tabby she-cat, "She has been absent for the past two moons."

"Yes I think you should explain yourself," growled Stormstar, the leader of WindClan. "Explain your leader's absence."

"I don't need to explain anything," responded Leafpelt.

"Actually all the clans have a right to know," meowed Midnightstar, the leader of RiverClan. "Unless there is something you are keeping from us!"

"ShadowClan has the rights to its own secrets!" hissed Leafpelt. "It is not up to you to be snooping around!"

A sudden darkness befallen the clearing, yowls of panic suddenly aroused.

"Look StarClan sent clouds to cover the moon!" yowled Leafpelt. "They now declare this gathering officially over!"

"Is every gathering like this?" yowled Stormpaw over the clamor of other cats and leaders yowling orders.

"Tensions aren't usually this high!" answered Lightningstrike.

The golden tom suddenly spotted Tornfur pushing his way through the crowd towards them.

"Lightningstrike go!" commanded Tornfur. "Leave now!"

"What! Now?" asked Lightningstrike.

"Yes! Leave while everyone is distracted, just go!" answered Tornfur. "The future of ThunderClan lies in your paws now!"

Speckleheart brushed up against Lightningstrike. "Don't worry I have Hollypaw!" she meowed.

Stormpaw, Hollypaw, Speckleheart and Lightningstrike leapt onto the tree-bridge. They dashed across to the lakeshore.

Follow the river up towards the mountains, Jayfeather's voice suddenly whispered in Lightningstrike's ear. It flows from the Cave of the Rushing Water but remember this one fact Lightningstrike:

Tinyroot is innocent, he never murdered Flowerpaw, he will be at the mountains, bring him back to the clan he belongs in.

"Great change is coming, after the guilty becomes innocent the warriors of thunder shall go on a quest to find him, but beware for death shall be lurking around every corner and the innocent shall become the guilty once more."