Foxpaw sighed as he saw a big gray tom lead Spotpaw away.

Even she would be good company.

Watching the cats from the other Clans interact with each other made Foxpaw angry. Why can't Slatestar let us talk to them, too?

Slatestar gracefully jumped up on the Great Oak, and called, "WindClan's arriving."

Sure enough, Duskstar made his entrance into Gathering Clearing, followed by his warriors. They, too, immediately went to their other Clan friends.

Foxpaw scowled.

Robinstar stepped forward. "I'll go first."

Her head drooped, and Foxpaw noticed for the first time that she looked miserable.

"Hazelspirit passed away when she caught greencough. She was my mentor, and a great one at that. She will be missed by SkyClan."

There was some quiet murmuring, and then a she-cat in the crowd stepped forward. "Not just by SkyClan! Everyone will grieve because in StarClan, there are no borders."

Foxpaw stiffened.

Spotpaw.

She didn't get permission to speak, that daft furball.

But Robinstar didn't seem annoyed. Indeed, she seemed grateful. "You speak well, Spotpaw. Flashstar told me his daughter was compassionate."

The tortoiseshell and white she-cat blinked, looking embarrassed.

Foxpaw's mind whirled. She's Flashstar's daughter? Alarm sparked within him. I hope she didn't tell him I called her a flea-brain! I better watch my back from now on. He shivered as he imagined Flashstar attacking him for being mean to his daughter.

Slatestar's voice sounded across the clearing. "We will all grieve."

Her voice didn't match the words. She sounded… bored. "Emberbreeze is now in the nursery with Cedarstorm's kits. New kits will be welcomed."

She stepped back.

Duskstar took her place. "WindClan will also grieve for Hazelspirit. She was always very kind to me when we were younger."

Robinstar nodded gratefully.

"We also have three new apprentices, Shimmerpaw, Patchpaw, and Graypaw."

Their names rang through the clearing. Foxpaw saw three small apprentices huddled in a corner, looking very overwhelmed.

He sighed. I'd rather everyone yowling my name than Slatestar ignore me.

Silverstar told her report next. "We have two new apprentices, Fernpaw and Lightpaw. Their mentors are Cyrpesspelt and Blackclaw." "Fernpaw! Lightpaw!"

Foxpaw sighed again.

After Silverstar complained - again! - about WindClan overstepping boundaries, it was Flashstar's turn.

The black and white leader also acknowledged SkyClan's loss, then mentioned a new queen. "Mothleaf is in the nursery with Redstripe's kits."

Foxpaw looked around for the red tabby, and much to his surprise, saw Redstripe sitting next to Creamflower. He didn't look proud or excited at all.

Flashstar didn't seem to notice, and continued, "Because the river has melted, we're able to provide for the whole Clan."

Indeed, the RiverClan warriors looked well-fed compared to the last Gathering, where they barely had enough fur to cover up their ribs.

Slatestar stepped forward. "The Gathering is over!" The ShadowClan leader turned to Robinstar. "And may SkyClan cope with their loss." Her tone was mocking.

Robinstar bristled, but with obvious effort calmed herself. "SkyClan, let's go!"

She hissed at Slatestar once before leaving. RiverClan followed close behind.

As ShadowClan made to leave, Foxpaw heard a familiar voice meow, "Great StarClan, Slatestar is rude. I mean, some cat just died. And she's mocking Robinstar for caring!"

A pause.

Then, "ShadowClan cats must all be horrible and cruel with her as a leader."

Foxpaw didn't need to look over the heads of the many cats to picture Spotpaw's tortoiseshell and white pelt, or how angry she looked when she made the - unfair! - accusation that all ShadowClan cats were horrible.

I think Slatestar is a bad leader, too! I just can't say it as clearly as you do. It doesn't mean I'm a bad cat just because I'm the same Clan as her!

Spotpaw's voice spoke again. "On my first day as an apprentice, when I was exploring the territory with Stormclaw, we met a ShadowClan patrol. One of the apprentices called me a flea-brain."

She hissed.

Then the sound of Cinderpaw's concerned calling blocked out Spotpaw's flow of hate on ShadowClan. As Foxpaw padded to follow his denmate, he couldn't help it.

I feel bad for insulting her. And regarding Slatestar… I agree with her.