After he was done getting the moss for Floralwhisker, Daisysong had sent him on a hunting patrol with Hushpool and Sootpaw, who's patrol had returned early. The three of them had managed to catch a decent amount, but Sootpaw had fallen out of a higher branch and sprained his paw. While he wasn't seriously hurt, it would certainly prohibit him from going to the Gathering that night.

Tangleblaze had asked Mousepaw to go instead, as she had managed to catch the largest bird Heronpaw had ever seen. It must have been a pheasant, but the bird itself was big enough to feed nearly the whole Clan at once. Of course, this caused a rift between Finchpaw and Mousepaw, as Finchpaw had wanted to go really badly, but he hadn't been invited.

Heronpaw sat among the other apprentices outside the apprentice's den, sharing tongues and enjoying the sensation of a full belly. The sun was just beginning to set, and Daisysong was calling together the patrol headed to Fourtrees tonight. As the cats going to the Gathering cumulated outside Brackenstar's den, Finchpaw pointedly turned his back on his littermate as she stalked past.

Heronpaw thought this was a bit unfair of him. After all, it wasn't Mousepaw's fault that he hadn't been invited, and she had made a truly spectacular catch. Her ears turned down as she padded morosely over to join her mentor.

"Have fun Mousepaw!" he called after her. She whipped around at his call and stared at him with wide eyes. Finally she waved her tail in assention, and turned back to the crowd ready to go.

"Thanks Heronpaw," Bearpaw snorted as she trotted past. "Now there's gonna be no dealing with her."

That took Heronpaw by surprise. "What?" he asked, perplexed.

Bearpaw tilted her head the side and cracked her neck. "I'm surprised you haven't noticed."

Heronpaw felt a string of heat tingle through his fur while Sootpaw mrrowed with laughter beside him. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Sure you don't," Bearpaw yawned. "Only she's had her eye on you for some time, if you know what I mean." Without waiting for a response, the gray apprentice took off to join the crowd as they thundered out of camp.

Heronpaw turned to stare incredulously at Sootpaw, but for some reason, his fellow apprentice wouldn't look at him. Sighing, he put his head on his paws. Finchpaw had retreated into the apprentices' den. Across the camp, Stonetooth was gossiping with Dapplepetal. Dayflower and Timberwolf had guided Deadear out to sit in the bright moonlight. Heronpaw knew that Firestone was on guard duty at the camp entrance.

His thoughts drifted to Mousepaw. This was her very first Gathering, and she was bound to be the youngest cat there. What was she doing? Who was she talking to? He tried vainly to imagine her speaking to a ShadowClan warrior twice her size, a privilege Heronpaw had never had.

And suddenly it occurred to him that he was going to be made a warrior soon. SkyClan was going to take him in. He'd be able to go the Gatherings and meet other warriors alongside Mousepaw, and Willowsong, Bearpaw and Sootpaw. He would carry SkyClan scent on his pelt, hold his head proud as the Clans called his new name- whatever it was –and honored him as a warrior. This wasn't his birth Clan, but this was his Clan, and very soon, he'd get to hold his head high and attend his own first Gathering.

He'd see his family again.

He knew they would be proud of him. Sure, they'd be sad that he couldn't be there in RiverClan with them, but that woudn't stop them from chanting his new name proudly to the sky. Maybe even Otterfoot would join in.

And what would Creekripple say when he looked down from the Great Rock and saw Heronpaw there, now a fierce warrior? Would he congratulate Heronpaw, as most leaders did? Or would he regret chasing Heronpaw away from his home Clan?

The image burst into Heronpaw's mind so vividly, he could almost taste Clan scents on the air. He could see Creekripple's green eyes boring into him. He could hear RiverClan defiantly chanting his name alongside the other Clans. The crowd parted and there was the silver she-cat with the strange eyes again…

"Heronpaw!" Something prodded him sharply in the side. "Wake up!"