Mosspelt watched the ThunderClan cats run down into Fourtrees. She was surprised when she saw Graystripe. Bluestar must trust him to let him come to the Gathering so soon after rejoining the Clan. She made her way through the cats toward him.
"Mosspelt, how are you?" Graystripe meowed politely. "How are Featherkit and Stormkit?"
"Featherpaw and Stormpaw now," Mosspelt corrected him. "They've just been made apprentices."
"That's great!" Graystripe said, turning to Fireheart. "Did you hear what Mosspelt said? My kits are apprentices now. They're not here, are they?"
"They're too newly apprenticed for that," Mosspelt answered. "Maybe next time. I'll tell them you were asking after them, Graystripe."
"Thanks," Graystripe meowed. "What did they think when I didn't come back from the battle?"
"Once they knew you weren't dead, they coped well," Mosspelt meowed. "Come on, Graystripe; it wasn't much of a shock. Every cat in RiverClan knew you would go back eventually."
"Really?" Graystripe asked.
"Really," Mosspelt assured him. "All the time you used to spend mooning around on the border or looking across the river. All the stories you told those kits about what you and Fireheart used to get up to when you were apprentices…It wasn't hard to see that you heart had never left ThunderClan."
"I'm sorry, Mosspelt," Graystripe meowed.
"Nothing to be sorry for," Mosspelt meowed. "And you can be sure that your kits will be well cared for. I'll keep an eye on them, and Mistyfoot and Stonefur are mentoring them."
"They are?" Graystripe asked. "That's great! You'll tell them how proud I am, won't you? And remind them to do what their mentors tell them?"
"Of course I will," Mosspelt purred. "And I know Mistyfoot will help you keep in touch with them. Leopardstar might not like it, but…well, what she doesn't know won't hurt her."
"Thanks, Mosspelt," Graystripe meowed. "I won't forget all you've done."
Mosspelt heard one of the leaders' yowl, and looked around for Heavystep. When she spotted him, she made her way over to him. By the time she got there, Tallstar had finished speaking.
Tigerstar stepped forward. "ShadowClan's training program is progressing. A new litter of kits have been born, and three apprentices have been made into warriors. ShadowClan grows strong again. We are ready to take a full part in the life of the forest. I have a request to make. Many of you know that when I left ThunderClan, two kits of mine were in the nursery. They were too young to travel, and I am grateful to ThunderClan for the care they have given them. But now it's time for them to join me in the Clan where they rightfully belong. Bluestar, I ask you to give me Bramblepaw and Tawnypaw."
Yowls of protest rose from the ThunderClan warriors.
"Certainly not," Bluestar mewed. "These are ThunderClan kits. They are apprenticed now, and they will stay where they belong."
"In ThunderClan?" Tigerstar asked. "I think not, Bluestar. The kits belong with me, and my warriors will take care of their apprentice training."
"Your concern is natural, Tigerstar," Bluestar meowed. "But you can be sure that the kits will receive the best possible training in ThunderClan."
"The ThunderClan leader tells me how well my kits will be trained under her guidance—but ThunderClan have a poor record in looking after their young cats. One kit carried off by a hawk. One apprentice savaged to death and another permanently crippled when they were sent out alone without a warrior. Does any cat wonder that I'm concerned about the safety of my kits?" Tigerstar asked.
"I will not give you those kits," Bluestar meowed firmly.
"I don't see what's so difficult," Tigerstar mewed. "After all, it won't be the first time that ThunderClan has handed over kits to other Clans. Will it, Bluestar?"
"The past is the past," Bluestar answered. "We must judge each situation on its own merits. I will think carefully about what you say, Tigerstar, and give you my answer at the next Gathering."
"Very well," Tigerstar meowed. "One more moon—but no longer."
Mosspelt followed her Clan mates back to the camp. This had been a tense Gathering for ThunderClan and ShadowClan. She was glad that Featherpaw and Stormpaw had grown up in RiverClan, if the things Tigerstar said about ThunderClan were true.