The sky was dark and overcast with thick grey clouds, a light drizzle of icy cold rain falling to the moorland below and soaking through Breezepaw's tabby pelt. There were no ferns and trees to shield her from the elements here, and as much as she wished she could curl up in a warm nest back at camp, the Clan still had to be fed.
Her green eyes were staring intently at a hole beneath a clump of bracken just over a tail length ahead, body low to the ground and muscles taught and ready. There were countless similar holes dotting WindClan territory, housing the rabbits that were their main prey, and normally she wouldn't pay them much mind, but this time she had heard a scuffling sound come from inside just as she had gone to pass. She was sure that if she could wait long enough, the creature within would emerge and make itself an easy catch.
But as she crouched there, unmoving, her paws began to numb from the cold, and she had to push back the urge to shake the chilling rain from her freezing pelt. It was so tempting to give up and move on to find easier prey that she could actually chase, but this seemed too good an opportunity to pass up.
There! Finally, thank StarClan, a tawny muzzle poked itself from the hole to sniff cautiously around for danger. Thankfully, Breezepaw had positioned herself just right downwind that it didn't seem to realize she was there until it was too late, and a heartbeat after the rabbit emerged from it's den, the apprentice sprang, unbalancing it with her forelegs and fastening her teeth strongly into it's throat.
The rabbit gave a squeal of surprise and fear, struggling for a moment beneath her but as Breezepaw strengthened her grip, warm blood spilling into her mouth, it weakened and with one final jolt, died.
Purring, the apprentice released her catch and straightened, tail curling in pleasure as she sent a silent thank you to StarClan.
"Nice catch!" The sudden meow caused her to jump in surprise, but she relaxed again when she spotted Flamepaw slip into the open and trot over to her. "I was wondering what you were doing there."
"Thank you," Breezepaw purred back, touching her nose to the other she-cat's in greeting. "I was starting to doubt it was ever going to come out."
A half moon had passed since she and Snowpaw had been made apprentices, and life had been an endless cycle of training, patrols and other apprentice duties ever since. Some days Breezepaw felt her paws were going to fall off when she returned to camp, muscles aching in protest as she worked herself like never before, but even in such a short time she could already feel her body growing stronger and getting accustomed to the routine of Clan life. She'd settled in well, and couldn't imagine ever leaving WindClan now to go back to the old life she and Snowpaw had before. This was where she really felt at home.
"It's a good thing it did," Flamepaw meowed approvingly at the rabbit, amber eyes warm. "That would feed all the elders, I bet." The dark ginger she-cat and her brother Sunnypaw had become her closest friends in the Clan so far. They were much closer to her in age than Darkpaw and Shadepaw, who were nearing the end of the training, and the friendly, easy going nature they shared made it easy to get along with them. The fact that they were Foxflower's kits had surprised Breezepaw when she'd found out, but the resemblance they both had to the ginger warrior was obvious to any cat who saw them together.
Behind them, the tall grasses rustled and two more cats appeared; Flamepaw's mentor Kestrelwing, who was clutching a rabbit in her jaws, and a young warrior named Brackenfrost trailing behind her.
"You managed to find prey is this StarClan cursed weather too I see," Kestrelwing meowed, setting down her catch, her soaked brown tabby pelt fluffed out against the chilly breeze. "Good, the Clan needs all the good hunting it can get before leaf-bare really settles in."
"Not that I blame all the prey for hiding on a day like this," Brackenfrost added with a roll of his amber eyes. "I'd give my tail to be warm and dry in my nest right now."
Breezepaw purred in amusement, silently agreeing with the tom. She and Snowpaw had been born right at the start of green-leaf, when the weather was warm and prey was plentiful, but according to the warriors things would only get even harder for the Clans in the coming moons, and every cat was expected to pull their weight despite how miserable it would get.
"Regardless," Kestrelwing meowed, sending the other warrior an annoyed glance. "It's probably best we just go ahead and head back to camp. At this rate, I don't see us getting lucky enough to find any more than this."
"Thank StarClan," Brackenfrost meowed loudly, causing the she-cat's eyes to narrow sharply. "I thought I would be stuck out here forever."
Glancing at Flamepaw, Breezepaw met her gaze and the pair stifled twin mrrows of laughter. Kestrelwing was one of the senior-most warriors in WindClan and was known for her serious attitude and the strict standards she held her clan-mates to. Brackenfrost was her exact opposite in many ways, and the younger tom seemed to enjoy rubbing her fur the wrong way.
"No, not quite forever," the brown she-cat grunted. "Now how about you carry this rabbit back to camp and bring it straight to the queens."
Breezepaw suspected she just wanted him to keep quiet on the trek back to camp, but if he realized that himself, Brackenfrost didn't argue.
"I would be honored," the golden tom meowed happily, picking it up and padding in the direction of camp with his tail high.
Exchanging one last amused look with Flamepaw, the black tabby grabbed her own rabbit and hurried after him, also not wishing to be out any longer than she had to.
Mercifully, the rain eased and then stopped completely by the time the patrol made it back to camp. As she exited the gorse tunnel, Breezepaw gazed around the clearing and spotted Foxflower deep in conversation with Larkstar beneath the Tallrock.
The ginger she-cat looked up when the patrol appeared, meowing one more thing to the leader before crossing over to meet them as Breezepaw deposited her rabbit onto the dwindling fresh-kill pile. "Good catch," her mentor nodded approvingly. "It's rare to find prey so fat this late in the season."
"I just wish I could have found something too," Flamepaw sighed.
Foxflower touched her tail to her daughter's shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry about it too much. Even the most skilled hunters can struggle to find prey in leaf-bare. It becomes more about luck than skill."
Breezepaw didn't doubt it; if she hadn't heard the rabbit in it's den when she passed, there was a good chance she would have had to come back empty pawed as well.
"Anyway," Foxflower turned her gaze back to Breezepaw. "I suggest you go get some rest. You'll need it since you're going to the Gathering tonight."
The tabby's eyes widened, excitement welling up inside her. "Really?" She knew the Gathering was that night of course, but not every cat was allowed to go. With how new they still were in the clan, she hadn't been sure if Larkstar would choose them. "Snowpaw too?"
Her mentor nodded with a purr. "Snowpaw too. She just got back not too long ago, and she went to the apprentice den to get some sleep."
"What about me and Sunnypaw?" Flamepaw asked, tail drooping when the she-cat unfortunately shook her head. "Ah well, we went to the last one. Maybe next time!" She flicked Breezepaw's shoulder with her tail. "You'll have to tell us all about what happens."
"I will!" The tabby promised, meowing a goodbye before bounding across camp to the apprentice den and slipping inside. Unlike some of the larger dens, this one was little more than an old rabbit burrow that had been dug out and enlarged so there was enough space for several cats to sleep comfortably. In the dim light she could make out her sister's pale pelt curled up in her nest towards the back.
Unfortunately Shadepaw was in there as well, lounging in her own nest while she groomed herself. She paused as Breezepaw came in, before shifting so her back was towards her and continued her washing without a word.
Well, so long as she wasn't growling at her about something, Breezepaw wasn't about to complain. The she-cat had been a near constant thorn in her side since she'd arrived in WindClan, seeming to harbor some kind of grudge against her and Snowpaw that she wouldn't let go no matter how nice Breezepaw had tried to be in the beginning. It was frustrating, but now she was happy enough to ignore her and cross over to her own nest, curling up beside Snowpaw and resting her chin on her paws.
She hadn't even realized she'd fallen asleep until she was woken a short while later to Snowpaw's voice hissing in her ear and a paw jabbing her flank. "Wake up, Breezepaw, we have to leave!"
The tabby's head shot up and met her sister's gaze. "Sorry!" She rose, shaking out her pelt. "I'm awake!"
"About time, you lazy slug," Snowpaw rolled her eyes, flicking her ear with her tail as she turned to leave the den. "Now come on, Larkstar's getting everyone together."
Following her out Breezepaw saw that night had fallen; the storm clouds from earlier had disappeared to reveal the full moon already shining strongly in the darkening sky. A group of cats was gathered in the center of camp, and spotting Foxflower among them chatting with a few of the other warriors, she quickly padded over.
"Excited?" Her mentor turned as she approached, and Breezepaw nodded.
The encounter with the ThunderClan patrol on her first day of training had been her only time meeting cats from another clan so far. Even when she had joined border patrols, they'd been uneventful and she hadn't seen so much as a glimpse of another cat on the opposite side of the border. Snowpaw had reported meeting a few RiverClan warriors once, and said they'd been much nicer than Leopardfang and his cats. She was honestly a bit nervous to see them again, but Gatherings were supposed to be a time of peace and no warrior wanted to upset StarClan, right?
Darkpaw met her gaze from where he was sitting a few tail-lengths away, and he gave her a friendly nod. His sister was beside him, but thankfully Shadepaw barely spared a glance in their direction before turning back to Petalstep and continuing to meow something to her. Breezepaw had been at first excited to meet Moonwing's former apprentice, but the young warrior had been shockingly cold and dismissive towards her and Snowpaw. It was frustrating because much like Shadepaw, she didn't think she had given Petalstep a reason to hate her, but she decided that for now it wasn't worth the trouble and just tried to avoid the tortoiseshell when possible.
"Apprentices' first Gatherings are always exciting," Weaselfur meowed, an amused gleam in his amber eyes. "Though I seem to recall a certain ginger apprentice of mine who was terrified at the thought of having to go. I thought I would have to drag her all the way to Fourtrees."
Foxflower sent her mate a frosty glare, and the brown tom blinked innocently back. "Yes, thank you for never letting me forget about that."
Breezepaw gave an amused purr. It was hard to imagine even a younger version of her mentor being afraid of anything.
"Ah, there you are." She looked up as Bluetail wove through the crowd to face Snowpaw. "Just remember what I told you; speaking with other cats is expected, but just be careful what you say."
Foxflower nodded in agreement. "Most cats are friendlier at Gatherings than they would be normally, so always remember that they could very well be your enemies on the battlefield in a moon."
"Of course," Snowpaw's blue eyes narrowed a fraction. "It's not like I want friends in other clans."
Breezepaw's whiskers twitched at her sister's sharp tone, and she jabbed her in the shoulder with a paw. "Lighten up," she teased. "I don't either, but I still want to see what they're like."
The silver tabby just huffed in response, but the attention of every cat was then drawn to Larkstar as she raised her voice to address the clan. "Alright I think this is everyone. Let's go, WindClan."
The assembled cats began filing out of the gorse tunnel behind the leader, and glancing back around the clearing, Breezepaw spotted Sunnypaw and Flamepaw crouched together with a few of the warriors who were also staying behind.
"Have fun!" The tortoiseshell tom called out, meeting her gaze, and she waved her tail in farewell before turning to hurry after the others.
The moon had risen high in the sky by the time the WindClan cats made it to Fourtrees. Larkstar glanced back at them one last time before pushing her way through the undergrowth and into the clearing with her tail held high and her warriors fanning out behind her.
Following quickly, Breezepaw's gaze darted around the space, surprised by how few cats were there. However as she opened her mouth to taste the air, she realized she could only pick up ThunderClan scent. They must have only been the second clan to arrive, and of course the first was the one she was most nervous of meeting.
"Come on," Darkpaw's meowed, coming up beside her. "I'll introduce you to some of the other apprentices."
Foxflower nodded as she glanced back at her. "Go on, I'll be nearby if you need anything."
Reassured, she and Snowpaw followed the black tom as he padded confidently across the clearing. "I remember how nervous I was at my first Gathering," he meowed more quietly to them. "I was certain that I would get clawed for looking at some cat the wrong way."
"That's because you're a hare-brain," Shadepaw grumbled with a roll of her blue eyes from where she trailed behind them, though she fell silent as they came up on a group of three young ThunderClan cats.
"Hi Darkpaw!" A brown and white tabby meowed with surprising warmth, touching her nose to his in greeting. Her amber gaze flickered to them, curious. "Who are your friends?"
"Breezepaw and Snowpaw," Darkpaw explained. "They just started their training a half moon ago."
"Nice to meet you," the other brown thunderclan tabby dipped his head to them. "I'm Leafpaw and this is my sister Mothpaw. Our other littermate Hazelpaw's back at camp, grumbling about Stonestar not picking him to come, no doubt." He rolled his green eyes, seeming amused, but Breezepaw remembered meeting the tom on patrol and couldn't help but feel relieved about his absence.
"I'm Cherrynose," the third cat, a pale ginger she-cat, meowed with a nod. "How's your training going so far?"
"It's going well," Breezepaw replied with a soft purr, deciding it couldn't hurt to be friendly with these cats for now. "Foxflower's a great mentor, but there's still so much to learn."
"I know how you feel," the older she-cat meowed sympathetically. "This is only my second Gathering as a warrior, but I remember thinking the same thing even just a few moons ago. It will get easier."
Snowpaw grunted at her words,and glancing at her Breezepaw saw her glaring icily at the ThunderClan cats. Touching her tail to her pale sister's shoulder, Breezepaw looked up as the ferns at the edge of the clearing rustled and another clan appeared.
The previously relaxed atmosphere disappeared as all the ThunderClan cats seemed to stiffen at their arrival. It was RiverClan, and Breezepaw remembered her mentor saying the two Clans had been at odds for a while. Most remained silent as the RiverClan cats began to settle down, seeming to prefer to sit among their own clan-mates than risk having to socialize with ThunderClan.
She watched as a brown tabby broke away from the other newcomers and made his way straight for the Great Rock in the center of the clearing, leaping up to join an older grey tom. Oakstar and Stonestar, she guessed, and judging by the frosty look they gave each other, they were on about as good terms with each other as the rest of their warriors. Larkstar was there a moment later, settling herself between the toms and meowing a polite greeting. A black tom had trailed behind Oakstar as well, stopping instead at the base of the Great Rock to sit beside Swiftfoot.
"That's Hawkclaw," Darkpaw meowed, following her gaze. "RiverClan's deputy. I wouldn't want to face him in a fight, he's huge. Even bigger than Swiftfoot."
Cherrynose gave a low growl at that, lashing her tail. "He's not that tough."
"Really?" Shadepaw leered back. "Because I heard he was the one who injured Duskfoot. Tore into his leg so badly that he could barely use it and had to retire like an elder."
The three ThunderClan cats bristled at that, and Darkpaw shot his sister a stern look. Before any of them could retort, a furious yowl sounded a few fox-lengths away.
"I dare you to say that again, fish-breath!"
Turning towards it, Breezepaw recognized Leopardfang as he stood over a white she-cat, her blue eyes glaring coldly back as warriors from each of their clans began to bristle around them.
"I said," she growled back, her words easily heard over the hush that had fallen over the clearing as every cat stopped what they'd been doing to watch as well. "That the ThunderClan cats really seem to have recovered well after we shredded them a few days ago."
"Brightfur," Darkpaw murmured to her. "She's never been shy about raising her voice at Gatherings. One of RiverClan's fiercest warriors, from what I hear."
"Fierce for RiverClan isn't saying much," Mothpaw muttered in response, flattening her ears as she sent Brightfur the same glare as the rest of her clan-mates.
"Says one of the cats they just beat, from the sound of things," Snowpaw shot back with a roll of her eyes, and the ThunderClan apprentice spun back towards her with a hiss.
Leopardfang's lips had drawn back in a snarl, his tail lashing at Brightfur's condescending tone, and Breezepaw recognized Foxtail's dappled pelt among the warriors beside him. Before he could reply however, a new voice called out.
"Oh my, we always miss out on all the fun."
Turning, Breezepaw saw that ShadowClan had arrived as well. At their head was grey tabby she-cat, dark amusement in her amber eyes as she watched the ThunderClan deputy. Snorting as he met her gaze with a glare, she continued towards the Great Rock and leaped gracefully up to settle beside the other leaders. Cinderstar.
A black and white tom that must have been her deputy Badgerface followed closely behind her to join Swiftfoot and Hawkclaw, and after a pause the still fuming Leopardfang stalked over to them as well.
"Oakstar, Stonestar, I trust you'll be able to control your warriors for this Gathering." Cinderstar meowed, causing both toms to stiffen.
"Of course," Oakstar grunted with an unreadable look in his green eyes as he glanced down towards Brightfur. Stonestar simply nodded, tail tip twitching.
"What happened?" A young ShadowClan she-cat hurried over to Shadepaw's side, and to Breezepaw's surprise, she greeted the grey tabby with a purr and the pair began meowing quietly with each other, too softly for her to hear.
"I'm glad." Cinderstar wrapped her tail neatly around her paws. "Now if you don't mind, I would like to speak for ShadowClan first."
None of the other leader's objected, and the gathered cats seemed to settle down to listen to the announcements, previous hostility forgotten for now.
"Despite leaf-bare fast approaching, hunting has so far remained good for ShadowClan," the grey tabby meowed proudly after a short pause. "Our fresh-kill pile stays well stocked and our bellies are always full."
Breezepaw wondered how true that was, thinking to the poor hunting the WindClan cats have had recently, but for all she knew there really was more prey to be found in ShadowClan's marshes. They were a bit more removed from the other clans, separated from them by the thunderpath and the monsters that raced along it, so maybe it really was different there.
"I'm also proud to announce that Sweetwillow has reached the end of her training and has now joined Cricketsong as a full medicine of ShadowClan."
"Sweetwillow! Sweetwillow! Sweetwillow!"
Many of the assembled cats began cheering the she-cat's new name, just as her clan had done when she and Snowpaw were made apprentices, and Breezepaw raised her own voice to join them.
Dawnlight was sitting with a small cluster of cats not far from the deputies, and leaned in to meow something to a young white and ginger spotted she-cat who was hunched over and looking quite embarrassed. That must be Sweetwillow.
As the yowls died down, Cinderstar turned to meet Oakstar's gaze and nodded for him to go next.
"All had been well in RiverClan this moon," the tom announced, before briefly glancing towards Stonestar. "Despite some cats not seeming to know how to respect border markers; but it's nothing my warriors can't handle." Several of his cats yowled their agreement and the ThunderClan warriors grumbled among themselves, though they all fell silent as he continued. "Cloudheart has also given birth to a healthy litter of four kits." His meow had softened, losing the sharp tone from before, and that as well as the way his tail flicked happily made Breezepaw wonder if he was possibly the father. "All of RiverClan looks forward to seeing them grow into strong warriors." Apparently finished, he turned his green gaze to Larkstar beside him and gestured for her to speak next.
"Hunting has stayed good for WindClan as well," the tortoiseshell meowed, and Breezepaw's ears flicked at how confidently she lied. But that was her job, she supposed, making sure WindClan didn't look weak. "There are plenty of rabbits still on the moor, and we hope for StarClan's blessing to keep them there during these coming moons." Her eyes sought out Breezepaw's in the crowd, and there was warmth in her meow as she continued. "We also had two new young cats move into our apprentice den. Breezepaw and Snowpaw have started their training and are already shaping up to be fine warriors."
"Breezepaw! Snowpaw! Breezepaw! Snowpaw!"
The tabby pelt her pelt prickle uneasily as it seemed like every cat turned to look at them, but she held her head high and kept her gaze locked on Larkstar, who nodded back encouragingly before she turned to Stonestar and dipped her head.
"I'm so glad to hear your clans are doing so well," the tom growled after a moment. He was by far the oldest among them, just as Larkstar was clearly the youngest. His pelt was flecked with white, and he lacked the strong muscle and sleek pelt of the other leaders. He looked more like a frail elder than a clan leader, but his voice was still strong and his eyes shone furiously as he fixed his gaze upon Cinderstar. Breezepaw could only imagine how powerful a warrior he must have been in his prime. "Is your fresh-kill pile always so full because you're sending your cats to hunt on ThunderClan land?"
The grey she-cat stiffened at the accusation. "What?"
"A patrol discovered ShadowClan scent inside our border," Stonestar sniffed, flicking an ear as several ShadowClan cats yowled in protest. "And with it, they found prey blood. It seems some of your warriors are desperate enough to find prey that they trespass on ThunderClan territory to hunt."
"Well, this isn't good," Darkpaw muttered, shifting uneasily as cats from both clans leaped to their paws and let it be known just what they thought of that.
"Easy for you to say," Leafpaw growled. "You're not the ones getting prey stolen from them. For now, anyways."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Snowpaw hissed back. "If ThunderClan can't defend their borders, that's your problem. I'd like to see you try and set just one paw on our moor."
Shadepaw turned towards the tabby tom and fixed him with a hard glare. "She's right, try it."
Mothpaw flattened her ears, growl rising in her own throat, and Cherrynose's tail lashed, but Cinderstar's low snarl drew their eyes back to the Great Rock.
"How dare you!" She spat, rising rigidly to her paws to glare down at the tom. "My warriors have no need to cross borders to find prey."
"Oh really?" Stonestar grunted, glancing down to meet his deputy's gaze and nodding.
Leopardfang sat up, holding his chin high. "I discovered ShadowClan scent in the same location as squirrel blood when patrolling along the thunderpath just a few days ago." Angry cries of protest followed the statement, but he appeared unaffected as his green eyes scanned the crowd, coming to rest on one cat in particular. "Weedwhisker; I knew I recognized the scent. What, did you spot a squirrel across the thunderpath and think no one would notice if you took it?"
The brown ShadowClan tabby gave a start as every cat turned to stare at him, his eyes widening in alarm. "Me? No!" He looked to his leader and his meow was desperate. "Really Cinderstar, I swear it wasn't me! I haven't even hunted anywhere near the thunderpath in almost a quarter moon!"
"That's true," Badgerface spoke up then, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "All hunting patrols I've assigned him to have gone to the other end of the territory. And I'm sure a border patrol would have noticed if he snuck away for long enough to cross the thunderpath."
"I've been on several with him and I've seen no such thing," a grey and white tom called out.
"Me too!" A ginger she-cat agreed and others echoed the sentiment.
Weedwhisker seemed to relax as his clan-mates stood up for him, though his tail still twitched anxiously.
"What sort of warrior only hunts when sent on patrol?" That was Foxtail, and several ThunderClan cats meowed in agreement.
"I wouldn't put it past ShadowClan to lie to protect their mouse-brained clan-mate anyway," Cherrynose muttered, and the grey apprentice at Shadepaw's side spun towards her with a hiss.
"They're not lying!" She spat, eyes flashing. "Weedwhisker wouldn't do that!"
"So you say, Newtpaw," Leafpaw rolled his eyes. "Every cat knows you can never take ShadowClan at their word."
Breezepaw exchanged a worried look with Darkpaw as cats all around them bristled, seeming like they were only a heartbeat away from lashing out at each other. "I thought Gatherings were supposed to be peaceful?" She mewed hesitantly.
"They usually are," the black tom murmured back.
"Stonestar, did you investigate the scents after they were reported?" Larkstar spoke up then.
The tom shook his head, narrowing his eyes at the tortoiseshell. "No, why would I?"
"So you just took your deputy's word for it," Oakstar snorted. "Were there any others with him?"
"Are you trying to imply that I lied?" Leopardfang's growl was low and dangerous as he glared at the RiverClan leader.
"That's exactly what I'm saying!" The brown tom shot back. "You antagonize my cats at the border every chance you get, so it only seems natural that you would test your luck against other clans as well."
"That's enough!" Stonestar rose before the spotted tom could reply. "I advise you all to gain better control over your own cats before you criticize mine. This Gathering is over, but let it be known that ThunderClan will be increasing patrols on all it's borders." The tom grey dropped down from the Great Rock and stalked to the edge of the clearing, disappearing into the undergrowth without another word, and after a moment the rest of the ThunderClan cats got to their paws and quickly followed after him.
Time seemed to stand still for a moment once they were gone, no cat knowing what to do after that, but thankfully Larkstar leaped down next to leave. "WindClan, with me!"
Breezepaw didn't need to be told twice, and she padded over to meet up with the rest of her clan mates, the other apprentices close behind.
"Well that was exciting!" Snowpaw meowed brightly.
The dark tabby sighed. "Yes, very exciting," she replied wryly. At least WindClan hadn't been accused of anything, but she couldn't help but remember the way Leopardfang's patrol had sneered and threatened them only half a moon ago.
Were they next?
Well that's a spicy one, huh?
Apologies for the rather abrupt end to this chapter, I wasn't really sure how else to wrap it up. It was nearly broken into two separate chapters, but there wasn't really a place where it made sense to have to do that, so I just made it one long one instead; you're welcome :P
But what could possibly happen next? Next chapter is a fun one too, but for different reasons. Guess away at where things could go from here, at least until I update in a few days and you can find out ;)
Thank you for reading!