A/n: Here comes another Gathering!
A few quarter moons after the confrontation with Nightcloud, a Gathering was approaching fast.
"Jaypaw," the Thunderclan Medicine cat said, approaching her apprentice in the dusky clearing of the ThunderClan camp. Although sightless, the dark, young cat looked straight at Leafpool. "I've talked to Firestar and he says that you can come to the Gathering tonight."
"Finally!" Jaypaw said in an exasperated tone.
"It's an honor to go to the gather Jaypaw not a right!" Leafpool sighed.
"I know. Are Lionpaw and Hollypaw going too?" He asked.
"Yes they are. Can you tell them? The might already-"Jaypaw bounded off to the apprentices' den before she could finish. Leafpool padded back to her own den. Before she could even reach the pile of herbs she had collected the day before, Squirrelflight rushed through the bramble screen.
"I've got it! I've got! Leafpool! I-I've got an idea of how to keep-" Leafpool silenced her sister by flicking her tail over Squirrelflight's mouth.
"Do you want the whole clan to know I'm having kits!?" She hissed angrily. Squirrelflight shrugged her shoulders.
"Sorry, but incase you didn't hear me, I've got an idea of how to keep your kits in the clan!"
"Are you sure it'll work?"
"Yes! I mentioned it before, but I've gone over it so many times! There's no flaw in it at all! You'll probably think it's too simple but it's really a good idea!" Leafpool looked uncertain.
"Okay, what is it?"
"Well, when you have your kits, you-" Squirrelflight's voice was lost in the sound of Firestar's loud yowl. "He must be calling the cats that are going to the Gathering. Are you going?" the ginger warrior asked.
"Yes. Aren't you?"
"Not this time."
"Don't worry Squirrelflight, I'll tell you all about it."
Squirrelflight yawned. "You're going to have to wake me up then. I'm tired. See you later Leafpool." Squirrelflight exited the den and padded across the clearing to the warriors den.
The moon started to rise as Leafpool stepped out into the clearing. She hadn't seen Crowfeather since the day of Nightcloud's threat. Every time she tried to catch his scent by the border, it would be the same stale scent. She hoped to see him at the Gathering.
"Is everybody here?" Firestar called from atop Highledge. Jaypaw and his siblings were among the cats waiting to go to the Gathering. The three of them were talking excitedly. Even Jaypaw seemed less grumpy than usual.
Firestar led the way through the thorn barrier of ThunderClan's camp.
The moonlight shone brilliantly through the forest trees. It illuminated every blade of grass, tree, and shrub.
"Leafpool!" an almost inaudible hiss came from a bush. Quickly glancing around to make sure no one followed, Leafpool carefully padded towards the place where the voice came from. When she peered around a bush, she spotted the dark gray pelt she longed to see.
"Crowfeather!" Leafpool whispered. "What are you doing here?"
"I had to see you some how!"
Leafpool's jaw dropped. "You're not going to the Gathering? You always go!"
Crowfeather sighed. "Yes, well, Nightcloud made sure I wouldn't be able to go. You know she doesn't want me to see you."
"So she thinks you won't find a way to do what you are not supposed to. I guess she doesn't remember you running away from you're clan twice. Once for StarClan and once for, well, me."
Crowfeather laughed. "I guess not." He looked towards the stream the marked the border between their Clans. "What she doesn't know is that I'm setting a bad example for my apprentice."
"What do you mean?"
"Uh, I'm not the only one in Windclan breaking the warrior code." Crowfeather said sheepishly.
"Heatherpaw's been seeing a cat from ThunderClan, too? You didn't even think about telling Onestar!?"
"Yes I thought about it but I didn't because then I'd just be a hypocrite, wouldn't I?"
"Yes, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound so rude."
"It's alright. But at least she's doing better than I was. She can keep her mind on hunting. I couldn't even remember how to catch a rabbit."
Leafpool looked around.
"Crowfeather I should get going now. Someone might miss me at the Gathering." Leafpool touched her nose to his. "I'll see you soon."
"Bye"
As she walked to the Tree Bridge, Leafpool looked back. Crowfeather stood in the same spot in deep thought. After a few heartbeats, he headed towards the border. Leafpool turned back and sprinted to the gathering. She couldn't wait until it was over so she could here Squirrelflight's plan.
A/n: I am SO sorry this took long. I REALLY hate middle school. And now I play for TWO volleyball teams. I STILL have history homework to due that's due tomorrow!
