Chapter 4

A pair of golden eyes watched Feralclaw slinking into the forest from across the river.

"What's Timberstar's deputy doing this close to our territory?" growled a large ginger tom, sniffing the air in disgust.

"Did you miss the other scents, Rubytail?" Glitterheart withdrew from the bushes to glare at her companion. "They have new apprentices to train. Stop being paranoid."

"But now they outnumber us!" he protested, stalking after her through the trees.

Glitterheart sighed exasperatedly. "By one! And that one happens to be a newborn kit! Drop it, Rubytail. We have to get back to camp and ready ourselves for the Gathering."

At the Shineclan camp, Glitterheart and Rubytail arrived just in time for Gathering assignments. Brightstar was perched on a low branch at the edge of the forest, her tail twitching.

"News of Wildclan can wait," she said. "Now, those of you who are going to the Gathering at ThreeRivers: Bronzeheart, Twilightfoot, Gemstripe, Glowpelt, Lightpaw and Crystalpaw. Tonight's meeting is simply an inventory. Who has kits, any news of prey decline or increase, new apprentices, and the like. The rest of you: I expect a larger pile of fresh-kill and a neater camp upon our return. Alright?"

The clan mewed agreement and Brightstar dismissed them.

Her deputy, Stoneclaw, trotted over to a white she-cat.

"Diamondfoot, I want you to take out the first patrol," he instructed. "Take Glitterheart and Flashpaw along."

Diamondfoot nodded and made her way to the sandy warrior's den.

On the opposite bank of the western river, another clan's leader steadily climbed a rocky mound. A small, dark brown tom raced after her.

"Bloomstar, you can't go! StarClan reached me last night, they strongly advise against your plans!"

The leader turned on him, spitting angrily. "Cattail, I'm not ill, and a leader is not ill then it is their obligation to attend a Gathering! StarClan wills it."

"But—"

She lashed out at him before ducking into her roomy den.

"Excellency," a soft, oily voice permeated the darkness, "perhaps Cattail is right. It is unwise to defy StarClan like this."

Bloomstar sighed in angry exasperation. "Enter, Smokeclaw."

Her deputy did so, his golden eyes the only betrayal of his presence.

"Why do you think I should not attend the Gathering?" Bloomstar asked lazily.

Smokeclaw bowed his head. "Since it is a message from StarClan, I fear for your safety, Excellency."

Bloomstar stretched out on her side, watching him.

"In that case, who are you planning on taking with you?"

"I had Heatherfur and Pinefoot in mind, and of course their apprentices, and Morningtail."

Bloomstar's whiskers twitched. "Good. Leaving Logfur and Burnheart to protect the camp was a wise move."

Smokeclaw's tail flicked uncertainly. "Do you believe someone will try to attack—?"

But Bloomstar had burst out laughing. "Of course not! They will all be at the Gathering, mousebrain! Now go."

Smokeclaw rolled his eyes as he emerged from the den. He asked StarClan every day why their previous leader had chosen Bloomstar as his successor. She was an immature, mousebrained kitten who had never grown up. Smokeclaw shook his fur and went to organize a crew.

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A/N: sorry if you got lost there… I'll try to patch things up as best I can if you have questions. R&R!

Phantomfreak07