I followed my clan away from camp. However excited I was to go to the Gathering, my mind was focused on one cat. I still remember his earthy scent from the night before when we met. The beautiful golden brown fur and his gentle pools of fire for eyes. He was so kind and loving, I felt as though I could trust Bramblepaw with my life.

"Tonight..It's so close!" I whispered to myself

"What was that Willowpaw?"

I looked up and saw Flintpaw next to me. The gray tom looked curious as we padded down the small hill toward the Lake.

"Uh..." I began, "I'm just ex..excited for the Gathering!"

Flintpaw squinted his eyes, but said nothing more. He bounded toward the front of the group, leaving me alone. My tail flicked in agitation. Why did he care? As the Lake came into view, I ran up to the front of the group. I couldn't wait to go see Bramblepaw! I would be able to tell him who my new mentor was. I glanced behind me and saw the blue/gray she-cat. Her clear blue eyes stared ahead, looking at nothing yet everything. Something shoved me and I turned to face them.

"Hurry up will ya?" Lizardheart growled

I climbed on to the bridge and began walking. I hated listening to Lizardheart. She was rude to many cats, but we lived with it. I leapt off the bridge and my heart sank. Thunderclan wasn't here yet. Even worse, we were the first.

"Great.." I mumbled

A tail hit my leg and I saw Ravenpaw next to me. His green gaze was focused on me as he bounded ahead. I chased after him. Might as well keep myself occupied. My paws hit the ground as I chased after the pure black tom. I passed the tree where Rosestar was sitting, the small hill where Treeclaw and Brindlecloud were talking. The wind flattened my fur as my heart thumped in my chest. I had forgotten how fun it was to just run! Ravenpaw looked back, still smiling.

"Come on! You've gotta be faster then that!" He shouted

I suddenly stopped as we approached the tree bridge. A group of cats were sitting by there and although it was another clan, it wasn't Thunderclan. Instead, it was Riverclan. A blue/gray tom leapt onto the bridge as Ravenpaw walked next to me.

"At least another clan came." He mewed

"Yeah." I replied

"I wonder of Smallpaw gonna be here. He's been my friend since my first Gathering!" The black tom said

"Lucky you. I haven't really made many friends in the other clans." I replied

"Why not? Every clan is here. Why not see Riverclan or Windclan. They're actually pretty interesting.'

As a white tom leapt down, Ravenpaw padded away. I assumed that must have been Smallpaw and walked away. Something hit my leg and I turned around and noticed a little gray tom with a bright amber gaze. My heart ached. They looked a lot like Bramblepaw's.

"Hi!" He squeaked, "Is this your first Gathering too?"

"Of course not! This is my second!"

"Wow..What's it like?" He asked

"Interesting. Your first?"

"Yup! I just got my apprentice name a half-moon ago. No more Reedkit, but Reedpaw!"

I smiled and walked away. I only wanted to see Bramblepaw right now. After that, I'd be fine. I pictured him again and purred. His soothing voice and the touch of his tail on mine. I would wait for him, just to experience the happiness I had felt for that short time...

...

Soon, Windclan arrived and no Thunderclan. My heart began to beat faster in my chest. Was something wrong? It couldn't be...He was fine just last night! I had been sitting in the same spot, watching cats pass by me and murmur to the other. I missed Bramblepaw so much..I didn't care if it had been a mere day ago, I still missed him. He was the only friend I had outside of Shadowclan, my only friend. I looked down as my vision blurred. He'd been so kind to me and treated me as though I was his clanmate. I laid down and rested my head on my paws, watching the other cats. They all looked so happy right now.

"Oh Bramblepaw.." I said to myself, "Where are you?"

"Looking for me?"

I turned around and there he was. The golden/brown tom was smiling at me.

"Bramblepaw!" I exclaimed

I jumped up as he began padding away.

"Wher..Where are you going?"

"Follow me." He mewed

I followed him toward the lake, away from the noise and rustling of the clans. It felt odd, me sneaking away from my clan. No one came up to me, so they might not notice I was gone.

"Come on." Bramblepaw said, "We're almost there."

We approached the water and he turned. We were heading for Thunderclan again. I didn't mind. I knew I would be safe with him over there. We climbed onto the tree-bridge. I turned my head to the Gathering. It was quiet aside from Fernstar's voice. As soon as we crossed, he burst into a run.

"Hey!" I shouted

I began running and my paws hit the ground with a thud. The wind flattened my fur as I chased the golden/brown tom. He glanced back at me and smiled. I smiled back as I jumped. I landed on top of him and we rolled along the ground. I laughed as we stopped. Bramblepaw joined in as well as he sat up.

"Nice jump." He said

"Thanks! You're pretty fast."

"I try."

I gave a quick shove as the scent of mouse drifted toward me. Bramblepaw was already stalking it. I sat there and began grooming my fur. A few pieces of leaves stuck to my pelt along with dirt. I wouldn't look like a mess in front of him. He was one of my best friends...Wasn't he? As he came back, my belly fluttered. He placed the mouse at my paws and I smiled. I took the first bite and looked into his eyes. We were just friends, right?