A/N: Hey kids, this is going to be my last update for about two weeks and I'm sorry it's a short one, but we are drawing near the end. The chapter after this one will be the last. But again, there will be a sequel Call of the Sky: Flower Fall so never fear! Thanks to my reviewers: Inushuik and EeveeCelebi749! =)

Disclaimer: No. I still don't own warriors.

Chapter Ten: Gathering

It was several days later when Dawnstar called the Clan again, but this time to announce who would be going to the next gathering. Despite her anger at him, Adderclaw would be going. The other Clans would wonder what was going on if the deputy didn't show up. Hawkpelt, Silverpaw, Scarheart, Foxclaw, Sparrowsong, Mudfoot, Redleaf and Mossflower would also be going. As a precaution, Dawnstar was leaving the more experienced warriors back at camp, in case anyone tried to attack.

At nightfall, the ten cats left for the island. They could smell ThunderClan behind them and picked up speed. Hawkpelt could here Dawnstar and Adderclaw whispering, but couldn't make out what they were saying. She assumed that they were speaking about what Dawnstar would say to the other three Clans. A lot had happened.

Suddenly she realized that this was her Foxclaw's first gathering as warriors. It was also Silverpaw's first gathering as an apprentice. And it would have been Bluepaw's. And it would have been Mudfoot's first as a mentor. My apprentice isn't even here. All these thoughts kept running through her head as they grew closer and closer to the tree bridge. Dawnstar stopped them before they got too close.

"Remember, do not reveal too much to the others. I will be telling them about Lizardpaw and Littlepaw, but not Bluepaw. Do not mention him. Do not mention our troubles and make us seem strong."

"We are strong!" Foxclaw said. Dawnstar looked at him, her eyes sad.

"Let's go," Dawnstar said, not responding to Foxclaw. She and Adderclaw began to walk to the tree bridge. Hawkpelt walked close to Mudfoot. Ever since Bluepaw left, he had been more closed off and distant. There were times when even Hawkpelt couldn't reach him. Finally, they reached the tree bridge. Hawkpelt followed Mudfoot across the slippery wood, watching her footing. Behind her she heard Silverpaw almost slip just as she herself jumped off the tree. She walked forward with Mudfoot at her side and through the underbrush, and into the mass of cats that had already arrived. RiverClan and ShadowClan were there already and mingling.

She looked around and was about to head towards some RiverClan warriors she recognized, a voice reached her ears. "Hawkpaw!" She turned to see Wolfpaw running towards her, Coalpaw following somewhat reluctantly.

"Wolfpaw!" She said, smiling. "I'm actually not Hawkpaw anymore. I'm Hawkpelt." She stood straighter, proud to be a warrior.

"Well I'm not Wolfpaw either. I'm Wolfcall and this is Coalfang. We're both warriors too!" He smiled.

"That's great! Congratulations! How about Birchpaw and Lilypaw?" she asked.

"Birchpaw is Birchpelt now," Coalfang said. "And Lilypaw is dead."

The words hit Hawkpelt like a punch to the gut. "Dead? How?" she asked, hearing Mudfoot come up beside her.

"She died of greencough," Wolfcall explained. "Poppyfur couldn't do anything."

"I'm sorry," Hawkpelt said, nosing Wolfcall. Lilypaw had been his sister.

"The gathering's about to start," Coalfang said, turning to face the four leaders.

"I shall begin," Oakstar said. "ThunderClan are doing well. We have made three new warriors, Wolfcall, Coalfang and Birchpelt." The cats all cheered for the new warriors. "But we are also met by sadness. Lilypaw has died of greencough. She runs with StarClan now." The cats all bowed their heads now, mourning the loss of one so close to becoming a warrior. "Our prey is running well." Oakstar looked over at Ravenstar and nodded.

"RiverClan are also doing well," he began. "However, two of our warriors, Rowanheart and Darkclaw, have been driven out for their part in the attack against WindClan. However, one of our apprentices, Lizardpaw, has also left for unknown reasons. On a happier note, Kestrelheart has given birth to two kits, Daykit and Nightkit. All are doing well." He now looked at Dawnstar.

"WindClan are prosperous. We also have new warriors, Hawkpelt and Foxclaw. We have several apprentices as well. Silverpaw as well as two others." Hawkpelt watched her leader. "Lizardpaw of RiverClan and Littlepaw of ShadowClan came to us in time of need. Littlepaw was severely injured and so Lizardpaw helped him and brought him to us. They are not able to return to their own Clans and so we have accepted them into ours. Lizardpaw is now the apprentice to Hawkpelt and Littlepaw is the apprentice of Patchfur." She stopped, not saying anything about Bluepaw. "Our prey is running well." She turned to Yewstar.

"ShadowClan are in a time of need, I will not deny it," Yewstar said. Hawkpelt looked at the ginger tom, surprised. ShadowClan must be doing terrible for their own leader to admit it in front of the whole gathering. "Frostpelt, Stormpaw, Shadowfang, Bearheart, and Thornshadow have all been driven out for their attack against WindClan. Our Clan is small. There is little prey. However, we have made five new apprentices. Rainpaw, Leafpaw, Pouncepaw and Bouncepaw are all apprentices now. However, several days ago, another apprentice came to us. Bluepaw of WindClan came to our Clan and is now the apprentice of Heronfur."

"This is not natural!" Oakstar called. "This exchanging of apprentices. Now we will have cats with double loyalties. What will happen in battles?"

"My apprentice is loyal to WindClan!" Hawkpelt called, stepping up to defend Lizardpaw.

"And mine is loyal to ShadowClan!" Heronfur called.

"And Littlepaw is loyal to WindClan as well," Dawnstar said. "I understand this is not the usual way, but there are times when the warrior code must be—"

"Must be put aside? No! I understand helping others in their time of need, but this is taking it much farther than that!" Oakstar said. He looked at the others. "ThunderClan was once known for taking in any cat that came to them, but not now. ThunderClan will not take part in this apprentice exchange! We will remain loyal to the warrior code and StarClan!" With that, Oakstar jumped down and led his cats away.

"I guess it's over," Mudfoot said. He sighed. "Lizardpaw would have appreciated you sticking up for him."

"I know. And at least we know Bluepaw is safe," Hawkpelt offered, looking at him. He blinked.

"Yes." Mudfoot turned and followed after Dawnstar and the others. Hawkpelt looked at the ShadowClan cats, then turned and followed WindClan back home.

xxx

When they arrived back at camp, the sun was just rising. There was no sound of battle; no scent was blood; no screams of injured cats.

Everything is okay, Mossflower thought, walking into her and Redleaf's den. She curled up in a ball, thinking about everything that had happened. She drifted to sleep, wondering about what would happen to WindClan.

"We wait for you, Moss of Flowers."

Mossflower looked up at the ginger tom with whom she had become accustomed to visit in her dreams. "Who are you?" she asked.

"He is one who is lost and confused."

Mossflower turned to see Larkpaw standing beside her. "What?"

"He and his Clan need you, Mossflower. They are lost. They do not know StarClan, or any ancestors."

"What?"

"They need you Mossflower."

"We wait for you, Moss of Flowers."

xxx

"Tallstar! Tallstar!" Hawkpelt called, looking around in the mist that filled around her. She never felt lost like this in any dream. She turned, whirling around until suddenly the slender black and white tom came into view. She stopped, waiting for him to approach.

"Sorry to leave you waiting," he said. Hawkpelt nodded.

"Let me guess, the same old 'remember the flowers' bit, right?" she asked, sitting down, even though she wasn't entirely sure what she was sitting on. Tallstar smiled.

"Even though it may get old, it is absolutely vital that you remember this!" another voice said as Firestar walked forward. Hawkpelt glanced at him.

"So are you going to tell me any time soon why this is so important?" she asked. Tallstar shook his head.

"We don't even know, Hawkpelt. Just remember the flowers."