A silver shape outlined the gorge in the darkness; the moon had risen. The Clan was assembled at the gorge's bottom, talking amongst themselves. Fireheart could hear Doepaw talking to Cloudtail about her first catch, while Brightpaw enthused to Thornpaw about how she had managed to trip Dustpelt with the latest move. Featherkit and Stormkit were of course getting under every warrior's paws, but Sorrelkit, Rainkit and Sootkit were curled up by Silverstream's paws, ignorant of the cheerful chaos surrounding them. Whitestorm bent down to lick the kits' heads as Fernpaw quietly stood guard.

The shape of a cat appearing in the moonlight made them all look up.

"Come on, we won't bite!"

"Well, I certainly hope you won't." Mouse chuckled, a kit in her jaws. She was soon followed by Speckle.

"You have kits?" Fireheart asked, once the she-cats had made it down the slope.

"Oh, not me. These are Speckle's kits."

"So that was who you were talking about!" Sandstorm said, smiling. "Well, your kits are safe with us. Silverstream's over there – she's the mother of these rambunctious scamps. Featherkit, Stormkit, come back here!"

The pair, who were attempting a moonlit swim, sheepishly pulled back.

"Who are you?" They squeaked.

"I'm Speckle. This is Mistle and Snow."

"May I play? Please!" Mistle asked.

"Of course, dear. Just mind your brother."

"I will!"

"There's a good girl." She set Mistle down as Mouse put Snow down. Immediately, the young kit started to motion to her brother, gesturing towards Featherkit and Stormkit.

"He's deaf." Speckle explained. "And I won't tolerate any lesser treatment because of that."

"You have my word that I won't." Brightpaw, curious, padded over to the playing kits, Cinderpaw close behind her.

"You're..."

"Yeah." Brightpaw answered Speckle. "Mangy mutt. But now I'm training with my mate and my mentor to work on some stuff that should work with one eye."

"And I'm discovering how to heal my Clanmates as a medicine cat."

Paws thrummed against the ground as a pair of shapes dashed into the gorge.

"How are you so fast?"

"Practice, my dear. Practice."

Mouse's jaw dropped.

"Speedy?"

"In the flesh."

"But you were taken!"

"Only to the Twolegplace."

Mouse laughed, brushing her brother with her tail.

"And everyone knows I'll be ignored."

"Lavender, why didn't you tell me?"

"I only met up with him as we were going to the gorge, just now. Before then I had no idea that he was here."

"Alright."

A dark shape demurely padded down the trail; Fireheart was surprised to recognise Peter. Behind him came a brown-speckled tom, who hissed at Lionheart.

"Alright," He started. "Now that we're all here, I wish to tell you about ThunderClan. It is your choice whether you wish to join or leave. I only ask that you hear me out."

"What's he doing here?" The speckled tom hissed.

"Lionheart is a member of this Clan. He is respected and welcomed here, no matter what his father did."

"That cat is bad luck. I bet your 'Clan' will be disbanded within the moon."

"Believe what you wish, but we will not kick out a Clanmate solely based on what cats think of them."

The tom spat at him, angrily stalking around to the exit, and leaving.

"As I was saying, I only ask you hear me out. In a Clan, every cat is cared for, from birth to death. Kits and queens are fed first. Warriors patrol borders and hunt prey for their Clan, while apprentices are trained by a mentor, a warrior assigned to help them in their own journey."

So far, he had mentioned only the practicalities of Clan life, and he could see the prospective members nodding amongst themselves. Would these cats respect the less-logical parts as well?

"Elders, those who have retired from duties, are fed with the queens, kits and sick cats. They have given their lives in the service of their Clan, so they are cared for. Those who are so inclined become medicine cats. They heal their compatriots and speak with ancestors."

"Ancestors?" Mouse asked.

"In the sky, there are many stars. Many of us believe that there are warrior ancestors inhabiting them, the spirits of warriors who have died. I am not asking any of you to believe in them. "

"Oh, star-warriors!" Peter yowled mockingly. "Give me a new collar and a bowlful of tuna!"

A small cloud drifted across the moon; one of the stars began to flare. Fireheart guessed that was Yellowfang, bristling with indignation at Peter.

"But anyway, the Clans care for their members. We share prey so even on a cat's unluckiest day they have food. We live to protect our members."

"I'll join." Speckle mewed. "My kits need safety, and this seems the best place to find it. Besides, it'll be nice to have some camaraderie."

"So will we." Mouse and Speedy mewed as one.

"I'm joining too. I don't want my friends running off without me!" Lavender flicked her tail.

"And you, Peter?"

"I only came down to see what harebrained ideas you'd come up with! Crazy, the lot of you. Well, I'm going to get myself a decent meal." He padded up the slope.

"We wouldn't want you anyway!" Lavender yowled.

"Have you eaten?" Fireheart asked.

"Goodness, no." Speckle said. "It's been such a long day..."

"We have some leftover prey there. The pile's usually bigger this season, but everyone's taken their fill."

"Thank you." Speedy and Mouse padded over too, but Bluestorm stopped them with a paw.

"Wait." When Speckle had chosen her meal, she dropped her paw. "Elders, queens and kits first, remember?"

"Oh yeah." Mouse said. "Sorry."

"You're still learning." Bluestorm reassured her.

"May I get something?" Lavender asked.

"Of course." Fireheart mewed, prompting them all to rush over. Bluestorm stopped Lavender as well.

"What's the matter? The queens and elders have all eaten, right?"

"Sorry." Bluestorm said, looking at her closely. "You just bear such a resemblance to my father."

"Who is your father?"

"Storm."

"You're joking, right? He's my father!"

Thunderflower padded up. "Yes, I recognize Storm in you. But also, a bit of Dapple." Her eyes grew far away for a moment before Lavender spoke.

"Does that make us half-sisters?"

"I guess so." Snowfur padded up.

"Alright, now that we've sorted the family ties, you can eat. Stonepaw, please go with Thornpaw and Brightpaw to fetch some moss."

"Okay." Stonepaw nodded and let the siblings take the lead to the Shining Cave.

Lavender took the last piece of prey, a crow with a broken wing, and settled near Bluestorm and Snowfur, trading stories with them.

"We shall hold ceremonies tomorrow." He announced over the crowd.

ThunderClan had grown; it was now time to train the recruits.