FOURTREES

Foxstar –the ShadowClan leader– yowled out loudly, grabbing the attention of every-cat at the gathering. "We will now begin the gathering." Foxstar looked toward the other leaders, "I will go first."

Bravepaw sat quietly between Steel and Grayleaf. He couldn't help but think about how different this gathering was from the last one. It had been a full week since RiverClan had attacked and none of the Clans were mingling together to talk and visit as they had before, with the exception of ShadowClan and Windclan who had exchanged brief greetings with each other, but even they went back to their own Clan as they sensed the tension between the RiverClan and ThunderClan warriors as they growled and looked suspiciously at one another.

Bravepaw sighted the RiverClan apprentice that he had met at the previous gathering when he had saved her from the coyote. But it was as if all that had never happened. She sat beside one of her own clanmates and turned her head sharply in the opposite direction when she noticed Bravepaw approaching.

How could things have changed so much in only a moon? I guess that's why the elders always say Clan boundaries were thicker than friendships.

"Prey as usual has been running well in ShadowClan," Foxstar continued, "and I have the honor to present to you tonight a new warrior. Creep-paw shall now be known as Creepdawn, Warrior of ShadowClan."

There was a broken chorus of cheers from among Windclan as all of the ShawdowClan warriors congratulated Creepdawn.

Foxstar then sat down and it was Bladestar's turn to address the Clans.

"We had been seeking shelter at Sunning-Rocks since our camp had been devastated by a very strong wind." Bladestar then looked at Crimsonstar, the RiverClan leader, "We were just starting to rebuild when we were suddenly attacked by RiverClan," he spat the last words out as a look of rage flashed in his eyes.

"You no-good cowards," Bravepaw couldn't help yelling at the Riverclan cats when he saw the smug looks on their faces.

Grayleaf quickly slapped her tail across Bravepaw's mouth. "Not now, let Bladestar handle this."

"Sunning-Rocks has always belonged to Riverclan," Crimsonstar growled as she looked defiantly at Bladestar. Her words were met with loud meows of approvals from her warriors. "Thunderclan has always been used to taking things that have never belonged to them. It was insulting enough that you hunted in Sunning-Rocks, but then making it your camp?! And you expect us to just stand by and let you take it? If you think that, then you're even more mouse-brained than I thought."

Bladestar was outraged. "You still think Sunning-Rocks yours!? ThunderClan owns that land fair and square! You not only invaded us with no reason, but you also put our elders and kits in danger. You are fox-hearted to make a move like that! You aren't even worthy to call yourself a leader!"

"Yeah!"

"You tell her Bladestar!"

"RiverClan has always been fish-brained!"

A few Thunderclan warriors yelled out, as Riverclan protested hotly at Bladestar's words.

"I'm with you, Bladestar!" Steel yowled out loudly.

Bravepaw glanced at Grayleaf, noting the cringe plastered on her face when she heard Steel's words.

For seemingly the first time, Crimsonstar caught sight of Steel, "And who is this?" She pointed with her paw at Steel a look of disgust on her face.

"Steel is now a member of ThunderClan. He is training to be a Warrior." Bladestar hissed as he added, "Though what we do is no business of yours anyway."

Crimsonstar scoffed as she turned her head away from Bladestar. "Thunderclan is so weak that they must be accepting rogues into their Clan, or is this one a kitty-pet? Thunderclan is famous for their love of kitty-pets, probably because they're the only cats they can beat," She jeered, "What must StarClan think, a cat in ThunderClan who probably doesn't even believe in them!"

"But I do believe in StarClan," Steel objected, "I don't know very much about them, but Elmfur has taught me a lot in the few days that I've been in ThunderClan. Though I'm sure that there is a lot I still have much to learn!"

Crimsonstar lifted her head proudly, "At least you know that much."

"You better be glad that there is a truce at Gatherings, Crimsonstar," Bladestar meowed, trying to control his anger, "Unlike RiverClan, ThunderClan actually respects the Warrior Code and will not stick around waiting for Starclan to make a storm rain on us because of our argument ." Hopping down from the rock, he turned toward the ThunderClan warriors and walked through them as they all followed single file behind him as they left the gathering.

Bravepaw could hear Hedgestar from WindClan meow loudly, "The gathering is over."

Looking up into the night sky, Bravepaw saw all the many stars twinkling brightly overhead and heard a lonely cricket chirping among the tall grass as they noiselessly made their way back from the gathering.

Bravepaw's thoughts about the Gathering were interrupted when Steel remarked beside him, "I hope I didn't make matters any worse back there," Steel glanced at Bravepaw, "I just wanted to show how I'm trying to be loyal ThunderClan Warrior, but now I'm afraid that I made things only worse and that Bladestar wishes I wasn't there."

Bravepaw noticed how crestfallen Steel looked. He wished he could say something to make him feel better, but he wasn't sure that what Steel had said wasn't true. "Bladestar is a very fair leader," he assured him, "I think he will see that you only wanted to help."

"I hope so. I really want to become a warrior." Steel sighed.

Bravepaw meowed, a wistful look in his eyes, "Yeah, me too."

"I take it the Clans aren't always that hostile at gatherings?" Steel asked curiously.

"This has only been my second one, but no, they're usual not that hostile."

Steel stepped around a small hole in the ground. "Interesting. So RiverClan actually believes they were in the right?"

Bravepaw bristled inwardly, "There's always been some debate about who has ownership over Sunning-Rocks between our clans. I just can't believe that RiverClan could be mouse-brained enough to think that it's actually theirs!"

Velvetfoot was walking just ahead of them, when she suddenly slowed her pace until Bravepaw and Steel caught up to her. "I'm sorry that your first gathering had to be like that, Steel, I hope you know they're usually that aggressive."

"So Bravepaw was informing me," Steel smiled.

There was a slight pause as Bravepaw and Velvetfoot looked into each other eyes, then Velvet quickly dropped her gaze, aware that Bravepaw was watching and asked briskly "What were your thoughts of the other Clans, Steel?"

"That there are a lot more cats in Clans than I figured there would be," Steel meowed. "Also, RiverClan doesn't seem like they want to give up Sunning-Rocks anytime soon, they could be very dangerous neighbors."

Up above, the dark branches blocked the moon's light, casting thick dark shadows across the walking cats' path.

Bravepaw looked behind and saw that Willowpaw was walking by herself not far behind him.

"Ouch! I think I stepped on something sharp." Bravepaw lied, listing his front paw.

Steel stared at Bravepaw's paw as the young apprentice licked it soothingly,

"Does it hurt bad?"

"I think if I just lick it for a while it will feel better." Bravepaw mumbled as he continued to rub his tongue on his pad. "You two should go ahead. I'll catch up later."

Velvetfoot and Steel didn't need any more coaxing. "Alright, we'll keep going." Velvetfoot meowed.

Bravepaw continued licking until they had padding away then he stopped and waited for Willowpaw to catch up.

"Did something happen to your paw?" Willowpaw asked, her eyes suspicious.

Bravepaw grinned. "Nope. I just wanted Steel and Velvetfoot to think that." Changing the subject, he asked, "That was some gathering huh?"

"Yeah," Willowpaw agreed. "RiverClan wasn't even the least bit sympathetic after what they did!"

"Well, did you think they would be?" Bravepaw tilted his head.

"I suppose not. But being as we had kits and elders there, you think they would have not been so smug at taking Sunning-Rocks, especially right to our faces!"

"RiverClan would never admit to doing anything un-noble, even if they know they were dead wrong." Bravepaw flicked his tail in frustration.

Willowpaw stared ahead at the other cats. "Steel certainly didn't make things any better,"

"I don't think he meant any harm…" Bravepaw commented. "After all, he's never been to a gathering before."

Willowpaw looked surprised at Bravepaw's response. "So you and Steel are coming quite acquainted I see?"

Bravepaw couldn't see what she was trying to get at. "I talked to him a little, he seems like he's just trying to fit in."

"Did you forget that he and Velvetfoot were breaking the Warrior Code?!" She asked.

"Of course not," Bravepaw replied indignantly, "But if he's going to become a warrior, none of that will matter right?"

Willowpaw shook her head in confusion, "I don't know. What I do know is that the Warrior code is there for a reason, and that the sooner Steel and Velvetfoot learn that, the better."

Author note/ Another gathering! Hope u liked the chapter!