Chapter III -

"Hey, is Barknose mad at you or something?" A voice asked from somewhere behind him, making Crowpaw startle and turn around quickly on his paws. Who -? Oh. It was just Nightpaw. The young she-cat gave an apologetic look, gesturing again to the medicine cat, who was looking busy enough with sorting herbs outside of his den.

But the black-gray tom didn't miss how often he was stopping to blatantly watch him. The half-grown cat wrinkled his nose. "I don't know, but he won't quit staring. It's starting to get on my nerves…" Crowpaw hissed slightly in growing exasperation. If he had something to say to him, he needed to hurry up and spit it out already!

They haven't hardly ever exchanged two words with eachother, so honestly, Crowpaw had no idea why he was suddenly the center of his attention.

Unless…

Oh, no! "W-Wait, do you think Moleclaw said something?!" His mentor was the new deputy, another senior warrior chosen after Deadfoot died in the battle of Lionclan versus Bloodclan. And shortly after, Ashfoot was surprised to find that she was left with one last parting gift from her brave, foolish, loving mate.

Ashfoot still told her son stories of a father he'd never meet, and of the kits they had lost from their first litter.

Crowpaw knew how the clan looked at him. What was almost certainly destined of him coming from such a legendary warrior's blood. He could only hope that someday he could rise up to meet their expectations.

"Hm. I don't think so. I mean, we've all been keeping up with caring for the elders, and you haven't had your assessment yet, so." Nightpaw shrugged slightly. "I'm sure it's nothing. He's just been worried over Magpiestar, I bet."

"Hm…" Again, Crowpaw's brows knit in thought. That was another thing. He was the oldest apprentice by several moons - He should've had his final assessment by now. He should be a warrior by now!

But things were tense here on the moor. The stifling heat of greenleaf had been unforgiving, and their usual water sources were beginning to suffer. Before long, the prey would too, and well...They could only hope that there would be a break in the weather soon. Magpiestar wasn't getting any younger, and he seemed to be getting the worst of it recently.

The hot breeze over their territory brought little comfort, but the thin, sleek pelts of the Windclan cats offered some small relief. The season couldn't last forever, and at least things would never get as bad now as it always did in leafbare.

"Crowpaw! If you're done chatting with your denmate here," Speaking of, Moleclaw came stalking up to the pair of apprentices, coming their way from Magpiestar's den. Crowpaw didn't even flinch, used to the deputy's harsh tone when training and speaking with him. But Nightpaw winced, crouching slightly in submission when he approached.

"Get ready, both of you. Magpiestar, Barknose and I talked it over, and the two of you and Harepaw are going to the Gathering tonight." For once, there was a small glimmer of pride and amusement in his sharp eyes. "We'll leave at sundown, so I'd get some rest if I were you."

Crowpaw blinked, eyes wide in surprise at the news. Sure, he'd been to a Gathering, but only once before. But Nighpaw? Not at all, if he remembered right. Moleclaw must be in a fair mood after all if he put in a good word with the leader.

"R-Really? Wow, that's great! Th-Thanks, Moleclaw!" Nightpaw piped up, standing to turn and go tell the news to the third of their little trio, but caught herself at the last moment, stopping to turn back around and duck her head respectfully before dashing off.

Moleclaw only grunted, back to his usual, stoic self, fixing his gaze on his apprentice. "You too, Crowpaw. Go on, I don't want you lagging behind tonight." He ordered, walking away to join Barkface on the other side of camp.

Perhaps Nighpaw was right. Maybe he was being paranoid about the whole thing. After all, when your mentor is the deputy and his brother is the medicine cat, it might be expected that you would attract a bit more attention than usual.

But Crowpaw could still feel their eyes following him all the way to the apprentices den.

After sharing a small mouse of a snack with Nightpaw, and meeting up with Harepaw to give him the good news, the trio of apprentices made their way back to their nests, clawing them back together nice and neatly from their sleeping the night before. With Crowpaw being the only survivor of his litter, and Nightpaw and Harepaw being littermates, the three of them liked to have something like a large moss nest to share between the three of them for the cool nights underground on the moor.

It wasn't unusual to find them in a tangle of black fur, tails and limbs when someone came to wake them. It was apparent that they would all three make a great team of warriors when they finally earned their names.

Ashfoot was the one to find them and rouse them awake a few hours later, nosing their cheeks and pushing her nose into their flanks. "It's time, young ones. Magpiestar just called a meeting to name the cats that are going to the Gathering."

Crowpaw cracked open a sleepy blue eye, turning all the way over to face his mother, sitting up with a huge, wide-splitting yawn. "Alright, alright...We're coming." It took some time to finally wake up Harepaw, but eventually the four of them made their way to the clearing in the center of camp.

Magpiestar, an aged black and white tom with a few old battlescars littering his pelt, sat on a large, fallen tree stump. Probably one of the last from moons, even years past before the rolling pastures of their territory became what they are today. Moleclaw was at his side, and Barknose sat just below them, to the left.

"The moon is nearly high. It's time to name the cats that will be going to the gathering tonight." To no one's surprise, Moleclaw was the one to address them yet again.

Crowpaw squinted, taking in the slightly hunched form of their elderly leader. His voice just wasn't strong enough to project like it used to, apparently…

"Myself, Barknose, Whitetail. Ferretwhisker and Tornear. Emberfoot, Morningflower." He paused, letting the names ring out and hang in the air. There was a nervous excitement, though the three of them already knew what was coming. "Crowpaw, Nightpaw, and Harepaw. That is all. Everyone else is expected to stay behind and protect the camp, as usual."

Crowpaw's brows raised, turning to face Ashfoot, who was sitting somewhere behind them. "You're not going tonight?" He asked his mother.

She smiled, giving a gentle shrug and a shake of the head. "I suppose not, my little panther. But that's alright, I'm probably needed here more anyway." She had to agree with Moleclaw's choices. "Those fuddy-duddy gatherings are usually all the same bickering anyhow." The she-cat laughed lightly.

Duskfur, so far the only queen in the nursery, poked her head out. She wasn't due any time soon, but she was still far enough along that it just wouldn't be in her best interest to leave the camp. "Safe travels, everyone! Let us know how things are going across the border." She smiled, and Moleclaw nodded shortly.

Magpiestar took a deep breath, finally standing and taking a single pawstep forward. "Remember, though this is a night of peace, the other clan cats are still our rivals. Mind your tongues, and keep your ears pricked. Just because we hold our secrets close to our claws doesn't mean that their own warriors will."

He met Crowpaw's gaze, a glimmer of amusement, and wisdom that only comes with his age, and the young black tom felt a slight rush down his spine. What - What did that mean?

Left feeling lost by such a cryptic sort of look from Windclan's leader, Crowpaw didn't have much time to dwell on it, and they were on the move, following behind the deputy. It was odd to think, seeing Magpiestar just behind Moleclaw and beside Barknose instead of the other way around, but it was no secret. His time was coming sooner or later, and he was beginning to leave the trust of the clan, and the lives of his cats, in Moleclaw's paws.

Time seemed to slow down, and yet move as fast as the clouds at the same time, the small group of cats making their way down from their home on the moor and into the unfamiliar territory of the trees. Thunderclan and Shadowclan scent immediately invaded their nostrils. This was their home. Did Riverclan feel out of place like this, too?

Heads and ears down, the three apprentices were almost in a perfect row behind one another, taking in the small comfort of eachother's scents. "We're almost there, I think." Nightpaw piped up from behind him.

He nodded, but didn't otherwise answer, crouching in the bushes while the warriors took up the front, waiting for the signal.

Moleclaw and Magpiestar stood together, ears pricked and slightly outlined in the moonlight.

He couldn't really see beyond them from his position, but by the soft chatter and meows in the distance, some cats were already there. He couldn't get a good sniff on the wind, either. Too many scents were mingled together overtime. Maybe Riverclan and Thunderclan? He tried to picture it in his minds eye - The other apprentices, the elders sitting and sharing stories. Firestar, Blackstar and Leopardstar. Who else would be there tonight? There was only one way to find out.

Wait for it...

And finally, the deputy and leader shared a single look, and flicked their tails in near perfect unison. That was the signal.

The Windclan cats descended together, a single front of unity, and Crowpaw's heart thrummed with excitement. He would never get used to the complete rush, the feeling of belonging, and the strength that came from his clan.

Sure, they've had their hardships in the past, but Windclan never backed down. They always came back stronger than before, no matter what the other clans thought. 'Windclan's the best!' He thought to himself with pride, half wondering to himself which star was his father, and if he was watching him tonight.

Breaking through the underbrush, he had to swallow a nervous lump to compose himself. It's no different than any other full moon, and yet, already, there was a sort of tension in the air. An oppressive heat, like a storm was finally about to break, though at the moment there were no clouds in the sky.

Moleclaw almost immediately broke away from the group, heading for his spot at the base of the great rock. He was a fairly popular, and obviously respected warrior, but at the same time he didn't go out of his way to speak to others.

Magpiestar went the other way as well, sharing a few passing words with...Crowpaw squinted to get a better look. Mistfoot and her son, Reedwhisker from Riverclan. That didn't come as much of a surprise. He never did get to meet Crookedstar, one of Magpiestar's fellow leaders, but Mistfoot was one of his best warriors, and he remembered that after her brother Stonefur died, she took his place as deputy.

Barknose tapped his flank with his tail. "You heard what Magpiestar said. Go, mingle. I don't think Thunderclan is here yet, so we won't start without them." That was kind of a surprise, normally Firestar was pretty punctual, but it didn't matter to him.

Crowpaw shrugged, brows raised, half-expecting him to say more, but Barknose just gave him a pointed look and turned away, going to join Mudfur and his apprentice Mothwing, under their usual tree.

WHY was everyone being so weird tonight?!

He rolled his eyes with a snort, looking around to find Harepaw and Nightpaw. They already found some of Shadowclan and Riverclan's apprentices, Dapplepaw, Minnowpaw, Ratpaw and Snowpaw. His nose crinkled slightly. Blackstar's kits. Just as his father had a reputation, so did theirs. Hopefully his legacy could be broken and changed with these two.

Exhaling sharply to reign in his attitude, he finally wandered over to join them, Dapplepaw and Minnowpaw in the middle of a story about some patrol with their mentors, while Snowpaw and Nightpaw were laughing loudly.

"No no, and then, and then -!" Minnowpaw gasped for breath inbewteen her giggles.

"Are you serious? No way!" Snowpaw goaded them on, her pristine, fluffy fur shining. For living in the swamps, she sure kept herself nice and clean.

He cleared his throat to be noticed, and Nightpaw turned to him with a grin. "Hey, Crowpaw! C'mere, you gotta hear this." She waved him over, tapping the ground beside her with her tail.

Suddenly feeling uncomfortable all over again, but at the same time not wanting to be left out, he sat and let himself partially tune them out, staring vaguely down at all of their paws. Moments later, an ear twisted around when someone finally yowled over the noise, "Thunderclan is here!"

All heads turned, and sure enough, the great ginger tom, the hero of Lionclan, with his deputy Graystripe, his mate Sandstorm, and their medicine cat Ashfur broke through the treeline, a few apprentices and other warriors alike behind them.

"It's about time…" He muttered under his breath, nudging Nightpaw to move them back closer to their own clan. Every cat did the same, breaking apart, and preparing for the gathering to start.

Firestar immediately rushed forward, powerful hindlegs bunched in a crouch, leaping up effortlessly alongside his other leaders. Blackstar, the largest of them, nodded slightly, while Magpiestar offered a small smile and Leopardstar remained silent. Graystripe too joined Moleclaw, and then came Mistfoot and Russetfur, making themselves comfortable.

Ashfur found his fellow medicine cats, and Leopardstar threw back her head with a screech. "It is time to begin the Gathering!" She announced to the throng of cats.

Blackstar nodded, standing on his large, many-toed paws. "Shadowclan will begin." Leopardstar nodded and returned to her place. "The prey has been running well. Our nursery is filling with healthy kits, and tonight we welcome a newly named warrior, Rowanclaw." He started, chest swelled with pride.

Rowan...Claw? Crowpaw stood up taller on his toes to see over the crowd, noticing a dark, young cat being pushed around and congratulated by his fellow clanmates.

"Rowanclaw, Rowanclaw!" The whole clearing of cats cheered and echoed the name, as did Crowpaw a few times.

He continued on about the rat problem at Carrionplace, as usual. The problem was being maintained and monitored, but there didn't seem to be anything of more importance to be announced.

Firestar nodded, and was the next to speak. "Thunderclan is doing well to say the least. We also have a new warrior joining our ranks - Despite her injury a few moons ago, Sorrelpaw has completed her training and will from now on be known as Sorreltail."

He recognized that name. One of her legs had been badly injured some time back in some kind of freak hunting accident, but he couldn't remember the details exactly. Her brothers, Sootfur and Rainwhisker, had earned their names, but she had to be held back until she was fully healed.

Again, he thought back to his own warrior ceremony. Why was Magpiestar putting it off? Did he not think he was ready?

"Sorreltail, Sorreltail!" His thoughts were drowned out by the cheers, but he did not join in this time.

"And, and -" Firestar had to speak up to get the crowd to settle down this time, his normally peaceful demeanor shifting. "I'm sure you all remember the report of Frostfur being killed by a badger, as well." The atmosphere shifted, Leopardstar, Magpiestar, and Blackstar all three turning to look at him.

"What? Don't tell me another cats been killed?" Leopardstar spoke, already bristling slightly.

"No, not this time, thank Starclan." He reported, shaking his head. "But my patrol did find another, at our shared border, Leopardstar." Firestar explained.

"Yes, Feathertail told me and Mistfoot that her patrol smelled blood there, but didn't find hide or hair of the badger, or any of your cats." She trailed off, clearly wanting him to explain.

Yet again immediately distracted with putting a face to a name, Crowpaw watched Graystripe puff out his chest, looking off to the side at a pair of large, well-build Riverclan cats. His eyes followed along to see a dark, slate gray tom, and a...Silver...Tabby….

She must be Feathertail.

Nightpaw hissed slightly, grunting loudly, and elbowing him sharply in the side. "Hey, pick your muzzle up off the floor! Sheesh!" She rolled her eyes, shaking her head. Crowpaw couldn't even muster up a witty reply, shuffling back and forth on his paws.

"My cats managed to fend it off with just some bumps and bruises, but. We're not sure where it went. Obviously it didn't venture into any of the other territories otherwise we'd be having...Issues." Firestar finished.

"Mm…" Leopardstar's golden eyes narrowed, her spotted pelt rippling in the slight breeze. "We'll be sure to keep an eye out for it."

Blackstar grunted, "As will Shadowclan."

Magpiestar finally spoke. "Is that all, Firestar?" He asked first, and the ginger tom gave a nod, bowing his head and stepping back. It was clear he had a heavy respect for the old Windclan leader, and compared to the others, that made Firestar alright in Crowpaw's head.

Everyone else as well immediately quieted down, despite being ruffled by the news of yet another rogue badger so soon after the last attack. Hopefully it was just gone by this point, but only time would tell.

"Windclan is...Already feeling the effects of a harsh Greenleaf." Magpiestar began, voice somewhat quiet compared to the others, but firm. "The prey is becoming harder and harder to find each day, and with kits on the way, food is a precious resource that we can't afford to lose."

Moleclaw's tail visibly twitched, eyes closed.

"The stream that runs through Windclan territory is starting to dry up. Ashfoot reported it five sunrises ago." There it was, yet another collective gasp of surprise and quiet chatter. Magpiestar turned to Leopardstar.

"I ask that you allow Windclan to cross into your territory to drink from the river."