Superrr sorry about all of the corrections ive had to make to this page well I hope I fixed them all and now maybe the story will make more sense? Idk. Oh! P.S according to me and in all of my stories kits walk and open their eyes and talk and stuff a day after they are born! I know in like real life its like 2 weeks after they are born or something…but I cant wait that long! Plus this is warriors, so I honestly don't care. Please enjoy!(:
I woke up, and saw that for once my nest wasn't a total mess like it normally was when Nightstar walked in my dreams. It seemed as though I hadn't woken Thrushpaw in the night either.
I slowly stretched and yawned, clawing at the moss at the edge of my nest. Sunlight dappled against the nests, as it poked through the cracks in the den. I stepped outside and gasped. There was no snow. Just muddy and soggy ground. I headed over to the nursery to go and see the new kits, and possibly my future apprentice.
Cloudstorm was in Rosefur's empty nest licking Dawnstripe's forehead.
"Oh hello Lightningpaw. Come to see the kits?" Dawnstripe welcomed me.
I nodded and looked down at the tiny kits. Jetkit certainly was the tiniest of the litter, while Rubblekit was easily the biggest. Peachkit, with her long creamy fur was right in the middle. Jetkit had the same black coat as me, except his was sleek rather then fluffy. Rubblekit had very short pale ginger fur, and he mewled and pawed at his siblings while they squeaked in protest.
"They're beautiful," I congratulated them.
"Rubblekit sure seems like the little warrior doesn't he?" Adderfang said from beside me.
I jumped, startled by his presence. I didn't know he had been standing right next to me. Even with my alert senses.
"Maybe you'll get to mentor one Adderfang. I know how much you want to be deputy," Dawnstripe said.
"That would be an honor," Adderfang meowed.
"I would love to mentor Jetkit," I said.
"Oh you'll be a warrior too when they are apprenticed! I forgot about that! I will certainly recommend you to Goosestar to mentor him. You are a mentor I approve of. And Adderfang, I will recommend you for Rubblekit," Dawnstripe promised.
"Come on Dawnstripe, these kits haven't even opened their eyes yet and you're already planning who their mentors will be," Cloudstorm teased.
"You're right. I should be worrying about this 5 moons from now," Dawnstripe blushed.
I congratulated them both again and Adderfang and I left the den.
"Can you believe all the snow is gone?"Adderfang asked.
"No I can't. Do you think newleaf is upon us?" I asked.
"No. We still have 2 moons left of leaf-bare," Adderfang sighed.
Suddenly I heard a terrible hacking sound coming from the warriors den and I saw Sweetflower sprint across the clearing to the warriors den.
"Oh no!" Sweetflower wailed.
Birdsong dashed across camp after her.
"I'm fine…cough!….Seriously!" Breezefur coughed.
"No you're not! You have whitecough!" Sweetflower said as Breezefur leaned against her.
"Good thing we stocked up on tons of catmint," Birdsong said as she followed her apprentice back to the den.
"Uh-oh, that doesn't seem good. Whitecough spreads as fast as a hare can run across the moor," Adderfang said.
"Really?" I asked.
"Yup. They say that a long time ago whitecough and greencough wiped out almost all of Shadowclan. Only a few cats survived it," Adderfang said.
"That won't happen to us, right?" I asked.
"It better not," Adderfang snarled.
"Adderfang, do you want to join Lightningpaw, Sparrowtail, and I on the dawn patrol?" Brackenclaw asked.
"Sure," Adderfang shrugged.
"Then come on," Brackenclaw beckoned him with a flick of his tail.
Sparrowtail was already at the gorse bush, shaking mud off his paws.
"This is so disgusting," Sparrowtail muttered.
"Oh your acting like Quailfeather when she gets her paws wet," Brackenclaw teased.
The entire clan knew that Quailfeather was absolutely terrified of water, she wouldn't even get her paws wet.
We exited camp and headed towards the Thunderclan border.
"I hope I see Tawnywhisker..I haven't seen her since the last Gathering. She'd be so proud of Snowkit and Hawkkit…" Sparrowtail sighed.
"Well you can see her as long as she stays on her own side of the border," Brackenclaw hissed.
"Why are you being all defensive?" Adderfang asked.
"Because yesterday Darkpelt and I caught Thunderclan's scent on our side of the border. They stopped after a few fox-lengths and turned back. And there was no scent of prey or blood. I just assumed some young warriors or some apprentices dared each other to cross the border. But we still need to keep our eyes peeled," Brackenclaw explained.
"Shouldn't you have told Goosestar?" I asked.
"I figured it was no biggie. But if we find fresh scent on our side of the border I think we'll need to send a patrol over to their camp to warn them," Brackenclaw growled.
"Let's quicken our pace to see if we can meet up with the dawn patrol," Sparrowtail ordered.
We walked a little faster and soon reached the stream. I leaped across it, along with the others.
"I remember when you nearly drowned in this stream when you were a kit Adderfang! And Birdsong had to jump in and save you!" Sparrowtail laughed.
I let out a mrrow of laughter as Adderfang glared angrily at Sparrowtail. I assumed he remembered that.
"Hold on, is that squirrel blood over here?" Brackenclaw asked.
I peered into the trees, and spotted two very scared looking apprentices. I looked away, pretending that I hadn't seen them hiding in the bushes.
"It is squirrel blood! And it has fresh Thunderclan scent on it!" Brackenclaw yowled.
"I saw two Thunderclan apprentices in the bushes!" I hissed.
I dashed over to where they were and I hauled them both out. One of them even had squirrel fur stuck on his nose. They were both toms, maybe 5 or 6 moons into their apprenticeship. One was a dark gray tom while the other was a reddish brown tabby tom with amber eyes.
"Who are you?" Sparrowtail hisse.d
"I'm Stormpaw and this is Redpaw. We were out on an assessment when the squirrel I was chasing ran across the border. It was technically Thunderclan prey so I caught it only a fox-length or two across the border. I'm sorry," Stormpaw meowed, his head down.
"You should be sorry! Now who are your mentors?" Adderfang snarled.
"Cloudberry and Chictalon are our mentors," Redpaw said.
"Where are they?" I asked.
"I dunno. We are on our assesment so we're not supposed to know where they are mouse-brain!" Redpaw hissed.
I tackled him and pinned him down.
"You're not in the position to be calling us mouse-brains are you?" I growled.
Redpaw bared his teeth at me but said nothing.
I slashed my claws across his muzzle and then let the snobby tom up.
"That's enough Lightningpaw. Now call your mentors," Brackenclaw ordered.
"Cloudberry!" Redpaw yowled.
"Chictalon!" Stormpaw yowled.
A white she-cat with one black paw and pale blue eyes came after a few moments and stood by Redpaw's side. I assumed she was Redpaw's mentor. A few more moments passed, and a light brown tabby tom appeared from the trees and stood next to Stormpaw.
"Redpaw, what are you doing on Windclan territory?" Cloudberry asked.
I suddenly realized that Cloudberry and Tawnywhisker were sisters. They had the same face, ears, and graceful voice. I hoped my eyes weren't turning amber.
"Stormpaw was chasing a squirrel and he chased it onto Windclan territory and killed it and that cat clawed me!" Redpaw mewled like a kit.
"He has a right to claw you once or twice! You should have never set paw on Windclan territory!" Chictalon growled.
"We'd like our squirrel back now," Sparrowtail hissed.
"I'll get it," Stormnpaw moped as he disappeared into the trees.
He returned a moment later with a fat and plump squirrel in his jaws. I saw Adderfang licking his jaws. This would be the best prey we'd gotten in moons.
"Thank you," Brackenclaw snapped as he snatched it from Stormpaw.
"Now I hope you will be keeping your apprentices off our territory," Adderfang hissed.
"Of course. And we will make sure they are punished," Cloudberry replied.
"Good. Now get off our territory before we claw your ears off!" Sparrowtail snapped.
Chictalon nodded in acknowledgement and the four cats headed back to their territory.
"Come on, let's mark the border real good," Brackenclaw growled.
We marked every tree on the border line and then walked over to the Riverclan border. Luckily everything was fine over there. For once those fish-faces hadn't crossed our territory for a while. But I was kind of sad. I hadn't been allowed to go to the past two Gatherings, so I hadn't seen Robinpaw and Bramblepaw in moons. Well, they probably had warrior names now though. I knew Archpaw would shove it in my face that he had a warrior name if I saw him at the Gathering tonight. Hopefully Goosestar would let me come this time.
"Sparrowtail, will I be able to go to the Gathering tonight? I haven't gone in forever," I asked.
"Sure. I'll make sure Goosestar invites you," Sparrowtail nodded.
I let out a sigh of relief. Thrushpaw had gone to the last two Gatherings, which angered me when I wasn't invited to come.
"And can you ask him to invited Littlepaw too? I'm sure she'd enjoy it," I added.
Sparrowtail nodded as we entered camp. I saw him walk off to the leader's den right away. At least now he wouldn't forget. Sparrowtail and Goosestar talked for a moment, Sparrowtail dipped his head and then padded away. Goosestar came walking up to me. I gulped.
"Of course you can come to the Gathering tonight Lightningpaw. I never wanted you not to come, you always deserved it. I just wanted all of the clans to calm down about the whole Timberstar incident first," Goosestar rumbled, in his low yet calm and soothing voice.
"Oh okay. Thank you for explaining to me," I replied as I padded over to the fresh-kill pile.
"This is so fun!" I head Hawkkit squeal from outside the nursery.
Hawkkit, Snowkit, Blossomkit, and Turtlekit were all jumping up and down in a big puddle of mud. The mud stained Blossomkit's, Turtlekit's, and Snowkit's white legs and paws, while Hawkit reddish brown coat seemed to sort of blend in with the mud instead.
"Would you both quit it! I'm going to have to lick all that mud out of your pelts later you know!" Rosefur snapped from inside the nursery.
I assumed the queen had been watching them through the brambles.
"Oh let kits be kits Rosefur," Dawnstripe meowed.
"At least you don't have to deal with them yet. And I only signed up for two. Sparrowtail didn't need to bring me two more kits and tell me to take care of them! It's like saying, 'Oh, here's three more apprentices for you to train'!" Rosefur snapped.
"Now don't be rude. Blossomkit and Turtlekit will be apprentices soon and then you'll have only two kits to care of again," Dawnstripe reminded her.
"Yes but they are not my kits and it'll be about time I returned to my warrior duties," Rosefur protested.
I decided to leave the arguing queens to themselves. Having no idea what to do, I grabbed a mouse from the fresh-kill pile and began to slowly eat it. For once, I didn't have to thaw out the prey in my mouth. Once I had finished eating I decided to go and hunt. I had nothing better to do, and some of the prey might come out since the snow was temporarily gone.
I walked out of camp, knowing no cat would question me. I was already being treated like a warrior, so no cat questioned me if I left camp or anything anymore. I headed straight towards the Riverclan border, hoping to see Robinpaw before the Gathering.
I searched around, and quickly caught a mouse and buried it, then continued closer to the Riverclan border until I was the borderline. I made sure not to step paw over it, as I sniffed around. Then suddenly I heard a voice yowling from the ferns a few fox-lengths away.
"Stop sniffing for prey on our territory you mangy weasel!" A familiar voice hissed.
Then suddenly a much bigger and stronger looking Robinpaw leaped out of the ferns, snarling.
"Robinpaw?" I asked.
"Lightningpaw?" she muttered, her body relaxing and her gaze calming.
"Yes it's me," I said.
"Wow! You've gotten so big! And strong! I barely remember you as the little kit you were!" Robinpaw meowed.
"Well you've gotten big too Robinpaw!" I exclaimed.
"Robinpaw? Who's she? I'm Robinflight now!" Robinflight teased.
"Really? That's great! Congratulations!" I purred.
"Yes, Bramblepaw is Brambleberry now. And Archpaw is Archclaw now," Robinflight explained.
"That's awesome. Are you going to the Gathering tonight?" I asked.
"Of course! Tonight is the night where Moonstar will announce our warrior names to the rest of the clan," Robinflight said, her amber eyes shining with pride.
"Good, because Goosestar is finally allowing me to go to the Gathering again. He claimed he wanted the whole Timberstar thing to pass first," I said.
"What a lame excuse!" Robinflight remarked.
I nodded.
"Just a question, but why are your eyes changing color?" she asked.
"It happens all the time. No one really knows what it means," I shrugged.
Robinflight nodded, and then I heard yowling from deeper in the territory.
"Robinflight why did you stray from the hunting patrol!" I heard a familiar voice yowl from deeper in the territory.
But before Robinflight could dash away, Jaggedtooth was upon us.
"You again?" he snarled," Quit bothering our warriors!" "He's not bothering me! I saw him near our border and I was trying to scare him off but he wouldn't budge!" Robinflight meowed harshly.
I knew she was just trying to defend herself and stay out of trouble with Jaggedtooth.
"Well he thinks he's so brave that no one can defeat him!" I heard Archclaw snap from behind Jaggedtooth.
"What are we all yapping about?" the Riverclan deputy, Sageflower, asked.
"This apprentice is on our border," Jaggedtooth growled.
"Well we can not punish him for he is not on our territory or threatening to move the scent markers. But he should get out of here before he accidentally does," Sageflower warned me.
"Sorry for the mishap, it won't happen again," I apologized as I backed away slowly.
"It better not!" Archclaw snarled.
I then padded away, further into Windclan territory. I saw the sun above us, and I went to go and collect my mouse when I saw a starling, nibbling at some bugs by a reed. I leaped forward quickly, and killed it with a small bite to the neck. I dragged the mouse and starling back to camp, and deposited them on the fresh-kill pile. Sparrowtail nodded his approval. The prey was creeping out of their burrows today. The fresh-kill pile looked more stocked then it was usually. Including the fat and juicy squirrel those Thunderclan apprentices had caught on our territory. Hopefully that would fill Dawnpool and Acorntail's hungry bellies.
"Oh no!" I heard Sweetflower's wail from the elders den.
I turned to see a very shaky, frail, and sickly looking Dawnpool leaning against Sweetflower as they walked over to the medicine cat den. I stretched my hearing to figure out what was happening.
"Not Dawnpool too! If greencough is spreading this fast we'll all die!" Sweetflower wailed.
I turned and saw Birdsong entering camp with a big mouthful of catmint.
"Luckily the snow hasn't destroyed all the catmint yet. The rock overhang has protected at least half of it from most of the snow, so it is still good. I'd like to get the apprentices and collect as much as we can," Birdsong said.
"But we have no more room to store it!" Sweetflower protested.
"You can store it in my den," Goosestar suggested.
"You would let us?" Sweetflower asked.
"Of course! I'm only in there at night most of the time and there is plenty of space. I won't mind a couple mouthfuls of catmint in there," Goosestar said.
"And you're okay with the scent?" Birdsong asked.
"The scent is mouthwatering but then I'll think of the sick cats or cats who are going to be sick in this clan and will need it. Then I won't set paw on it," Goosestar assured them.
"Very well," Birdsong said," I'll put this in your den and take out the apprentices to collect as much as we can."
Goosestar nodded in approval and walked over to share tongues with Lilyfoot. Thrushpaw and Littlepaw were basking on the sun rocks. Lazy cats. It was just past sunhigh and I'd already gone on the dawn patrol, shoved two apprentices off our territory, hunted, and nearly gotten in a border skirmish with Riverclan. And all Littlepaw and Thrushpaw had done is soak up warmth. I shook my ruffled pelt to make it seem like my fur wasn't bristling.
"Thrushpaw! Littlepaw! Come with me, we are going to collect catmint!" Birdsong ordered," You too Lightningpaw."
I followed Birdsong out of camp, with Littlepaw and Thrushpaw at my heels. We followed her down to a little waterfall, that was surrounded by all kinds of herbs I guessed. Birdsong led us to this rock overhang, and underneath it were some delicious smelling herbs.
"Now grab as big of a mouthful as you can, and don't eat any of it! It is very precious and will give you a bellyache as well," Birdsong advised.
I grabbed a huge mouthful of the leaves and stalks and I led the way back to camp. It was harder to walk as the mouthwatering herb filled my senses. I longed to eat a leaf or two, but I knew those one or two leaves could mean life or death for a cat.
"Just put them in the back of Goosestar's den. Littlepaw, come with me to collect the last few mouthfuls," Birdsong said, her voice muffled by the catmint.
I nodded and headed into Goosestar's den with the others.I spat out the catmint at the back of the den, and was surprised at how big the pile was. Hopefully, this would last us through the rest of leaf-bare, if not more.
"Thank you," Birdsong dipped her head in thanks to Thrushpaw and I as she and Littlepaw padded off.
I sighed and looked up at the sky. Evening was slowly approaching. I slipped into the apprentices' den to try and catch some shut eye before the Gathering.
"Come on you guys! Lemme show you around camp!" I heard Hawkkit meow.
"I'm helping too!" Snowkit meowed.
I sighed. Rubblekit, Peachkit, and Jetkit must have finally opened their eyes.
"Don't stray too far, ok?" Dawnstripe's distressed meow called from the nursery.
"We won't!" Snowkit and Hawkkit replied in unison.
I crawled outside the apprentices' den, just to watch the new kits.
Rubblekit was a very big kit, while Jetkit could barely reach his shoulder. Peachkit was long and slender, with glossy yet thick fur. Hawkkit and Snowkit looked giant compared to them.
"That den over there is the elders den. Be careful though, the elders can get really grouchy," Hawkkit warned.
"Why are they so grouchy?" Peachkit mewed curiously.
"No one really knows. Maybe because since they are older they ache more," Snowkit suggested.
I gasped. Peachkit's tiny mew sounded like Tawnywhisker's and Cloudberry's voice. Graceful yet polite that was slightly high-pitched and sounded like music to my ears.
"Okay. Now this is the medicine cat den. Our two medicine cats, Birdsong and Sweetflower, cure cats here. But don't go in there right now, because some cats are terribly ill, and we don't want you guys getting sick," Snowkit explained.
I saw Peachkit's eyes open wide with fright, and Rubblekit shrank back scared. Jetkit eyes opened wide, in mostly curiousty, but also fright. That was a good thing. It was good to be scared, but not terrified out of your pelt.
"Now this is Goosestar's den," Hawkkit said.
"Who's Goosestar?" Jetkit asked, his green eyes gleaming with curiously.
"Goosestar is Windclan's leader," Snowkit replied.
"But his den is private. So don't go in there unless you are told to," Hawkkit warned him.
Jetkit nodded. That was good too. He obeyed orders. Well at least he pretended to.
"Now this is the warriors den. Someday you three will be sleeping in here along with us, and Blossomkit and Turtlekit!" Snowkit meowed proudly.
"I'm going to be the best warrior Windclan has ever seen!" Jetkit squeaked proudly.
"Me too!" Rubblekit said, as he puffed out his chest.
I let out a purr. How cute. When Rubblekit had his chest puffed out, he was huge for a day old kit.
"No I will! I'm the fastest! That means I'll catch the most rabbits!" Peachkit meowed proudly.
"But I'm the strongest!" Rubblekit protested.
"Well I'm the smartest!" Jetkit said, seeming quite unsured.
That was excellent. Even though he could not match his siblings in either direction of being a warrior, he took a new direction. Intelligence. He was a smart one, eager to learn.
"Oh this is Lightningpaw. He's an apprentice," Hawkkit said.
"He looks as big as Cloudstorm!" Peachkit said, sounding impressed.
"But I thought Cloudstorm was a warrior!" Rubblekit whined.
"He is. Lightningpaw is just big for a cat. His sister seems tiny compared to him," Snowkit said.
"Come on now, let's go back to the nursery before Dawnstripe gets too worried," Hawkkit said as she led Rubblekit and Peachkit back to the nursery,
"I wanna be an apprentice!" Jetkit said.
"You will soon little one," I said as I stroked his head with my tail tip.
"But will I have to grow as big as you? Because I'm so tiny compared to Peachkit and Rubblekit," he moaned.
"Don't worry Jetkit. I was as small as you when I was little. But look at me now. It just takes some time. Be patient. You won't be a kit forever," I replied.
"But 6 moons seems like forever!" he whined.
"It was for me too. But don't worry, it'll come soon enough. Besides, you still have a lot to learn about the clan when you are a kit," I informed him.
"What's your name again?" he asked.
"Lightningpaw," I answered him.
"What a cool name. I hope when you become a warrior, you'll get to be my mentor!" he mewed as he stumbled back to the nursery.
Yes, I hope so too. I thought as I smiled.
Figuring I still had a few minutes to sleep, I curled up in my nest and closed my eyes.
But I couldn't fall asleep, and only seconds later I heard cats being roused to go to the Gathering. As we gathered by the gorse bush I groomed my fur and Adderfang joined me.
"Dawnstripe's kits are so cute. They'll make brilliant warriors," Adderfang remarked.
"Hey, I'm training one too remember?" I snorted, cuffing him over the ear.
I could acutally cuff him over the ear now without having to jump or stand on my toes. I was nearly as big as him now.
"Oh right. Well I call Rubblekit!" Adderfang announced.
"I don't want Rubblekit. I don't need to train an apprentice that will grow bigger than me in 2 moons. I want Jetkit," I replied.
"But he's the tiniest! Peachkit is bigger than him!" Adderfang remarked.
"Where are all the warriors going?" Jetkit mewed.
I turned and saw him sitting outside the nursery.
"They're going to the Gathering," Dawnstripe replied.
"What's that?" he asked.
"The Gathering is when all 4 clans meet in peace at the full moon," Dawnstripe explained.
Jetkit nodded in understanding
"Is Lightningpaw going?" he asked.
"I think so. Goosestar hasn't let him go for 2 moons," Dawnstripe replied.
"Why?" Jetkit asked.
"Because he nearly killed the former Shadowclan leader, Timberstar. Goosestar wanted that whole deal to calm down first. And why do you know Lightningpaw?" Dawnstripe answered.
"Because we were talking! And he's really cool! I want him to be my mentor!" Jetkit squeaked.
"You're too young to be worrying about who's going to be your mentor. Now come on inside," Dawnstripe ordered as she dragged him back in the nursery by his scruff.
"See? He even wants me to be his mentor," I retorted as we began to exit camp.
"Well I'm sure when Rubblekit meets me he'll want me to be his mentor!" Adderfang snapped to his defense.
"Uh-huh…" I rolled my eyes.
Adderfang let out a growl, but in playfulnes. We continued walking to the Gathering Island in silence. The Riverclan ground was much more marshy then usual. Soon every cat had brown paws, that were covered in mud. We clambered across the Tree Bridge, and I saw Riverclan and Shadowclan had already arrived. A very weak looking Moonstar sat on the lowest branch, while Larkstar sat a few branches higher. Moonstar's fur didn't have it's usual silky appearance. It seemed dull and ragged, and looked limp around her body. Her eyes had a glazed, dull look. Larkstar's thick black fur on the other hand shimmered in the moonlight, and her pale green eyes dazzled with excitement. It seemed as though she had something important to announce.
I searched around to find Robinflight, and I found her close to the trunk of the tree, where we had met last time I had gone to the Gathering. I raced over and we nuzzled. Brambleberry's eyes were filled with surprise and joy. We nuzzled too. Archclaw glared at me with a sinister glare. Besides his death glare at me, he made no notice of my presence.
Goosestar climbed up the tree and settled himself beside Larkstar. They dipped their heads to each other in greeting, and then began to talk in hushed voices. Moonstar sat, crouched on her branch, muttering under her breath.
"Moonstar doesn't seem the same anymore..." I said.
"She isn't," Robinflight shook her head.
"She's gone mad now. On her last life, she makes rash decisions that don't make sense. It's going to eventually hurt all of the clan," Archclaw hissed.
"Don't talk like that about Moonstar! She's just become a little cranky and impatient," Brambleberry muttered.
"Jaggedtooth should be the new leader of Riverclan. Sageflower is too soft and doesn't like a battle. Jaggedtooth realizes that we need more territory to survive, and we must fight for it," Archclaw said.
"Jaggedtooth is too ambitious and blood-thirsty! He'll tear the all of the forests to shreds with blood!" I snapped.
Archclaw snarled and I saw his claws unsheathe and dig into the ground.
"Jaggedtooth was the best mentor any cat could ever have! He taught me to be strong, win in battles, and never quit fighting until the enemy is dead!" Archclaw snarled.
"It is against the warrior code to kill unreasonably Archclaw! Of all cats you should know that!" Robinflight retorted, trying to break up the fight.
"I don't need the warrior code! I need to survive and lead my clan, so I can make sure we all survive. Together, Riverclan can rule all of the territory around the lake! Then all the clans will realize Riverclan are not the fools. We are not the weak ones," Archclaw hissed.
Then suddenly I blinked, and saw his coat was drenched in blood. I blinked again, startled, and it was gone. It was a vision from Starclan. This cat could never lead his clan, or all the clans were doomed. That meant he must be killed. Maybe not tonight, maybe not tomorrow. But someday, I would have to kill him.
"Here comes Thunderclan!" some cat yelled from the crowd.
I saw Swiftstar and Snowstorm at the head of their clan, with some warriors and apprentices behind them. They scrambled over the tree bridge and the warrior and apprentices stopped to pant at the back of the crowd while Snowstorm and Swiftstar slipped through the crowd.
"Sorry we are late. A couple mouse-brained warriors got stuck in some mud while leaving our territory," Swiftstar said dryly.
He leaped up onto the tree, and Moonstar lifted up her head finally.
"Cats! The Gathering has begun! Shadowclan will share first!" Larkstar yowled as she stepped forward.
Swiftstar joined Goosestar and Larkstar on the largest branch of the tree.
"Prey has been running well since the snow thaw. Frogs enjoy the mud, and we are all now well fed. We have a new warrior, Petalnose!" Larkstar announced.
Yowls let out around the clearing in congratulations. A ginger warrior sat up straight and her golden eyes shone with pride. I assumed she was Petalnose. Archclaw glared at her in pure hatred. Maybe they had fought as apprentices or something. But then again, Archclaw hated everybody except Jaggedtooth.
"We also have a new litter of kits. My kits. Mossykit and Cottonkit are half a moon old now," Larkstar announced.
Yowls and snarls of protest followed after she finished her last sentence.
"Leaders can't be queens!" Archclaw yowled at the top of his lungs.
Larkstar sent him a sharp glare, and Archclaw met it with his own murderous stare. She then turned away as Goosestar and Swiftstar calmed down the yowling cats. Moonstar made no sign that she knew what was going on. She made no effort to calm down the Riverclan cats, so Goosestar and Swiftstar had to do it for her.
"Please let me explain! Yes, they are my kits. Blood to blood, I am their Mother. But for when they are kits my sister Dapplestream is taking care of them. But they do know I am their true mother," Larkstar said.
"But what about when they need milk? You have to care for them then," Archclaw yowled.
"Well my sister just gave birth to her daughter, Hollykit, about a quarter moon ago. So she still has milk and will be feeding them as well," Larkstar hissed.
"This may be something that hasn't happened in more seasons than any cat here can remember, but it seems as though Larkstar has complete control," Goosestar said.
"So what do your kits look like?" some tom yowled from the crowd.
"Well they are both she-cats. Mossykit is brown and white with pale green eyes and Cottonkit is fluffy white with green eyes," Larkstar replied.
"Enough of this talk," Swiftstar snapped," Thunderclan will share next. We have three new apprentices: Fawnpaw, Sugarpaw, and Lilacpaw."
The clan let out murmurs and meows of recognition and congratulations.
"The prey has been running well despite all the snow. Prey has been forced out of their burrows because the snow gets so high. We also have two new warriors. Stormtail and Redears," Swiftstar announced.
The clans let out much louder yowls for Redears and Stormtail.
Swiftstar dipped his head in finishing, and Goosestar stood up.
"We have a new litter of kits. Rubblekit, Peachkit, and Jetkit were born just the other night. Our apprentice Littlepaw has finally resumed her training after being unreasonably mauled in a fight with Riverclan," Goosestar said, glaring at Hawkfeather in the crowd with a piercing gaze.
"Prey is running well," he finished.
I could tell all of the clans were lying to make themselves not seem weak. Thunderclan looked so skinny their pelts hung on their bones, and Shadowclan huddled in small groups, shivering. It wasn't even too cold out tonight.
For the first time tonight Moonstar looked up.
"Windclan is a bunch of fox-hearted thieves!" she yowled.
Goosestar immediately jerked up to his paws and stared down at the mad leader.
"There has been plenty of Windclan scent along the borders. Prey has been rare, and I have personally smelled prey blood along the border," Moonstar announced.
"Windclan would do no such thing! We have enough prey in our territory to sustain ourselves thank you very much," Goosestar snorted.
"But every cat wants prey in leaf-bare! And you think Riverclan is weak enough to steal from? Well never! It was probably one of your snobby new warriors who wants a full belly when they go to sleep. Or maybe an apprentice who is a show off with battle and wants to be a show off with hunting too!" Moonstar snapped as she glared at me.
"I would never catch any of your prey! I am loyal to the warrior code and have better things to do than catch your fishy prey," I retorted.
I hoped I hadn't offended Robinflight.
"ENOUGH!" Swiftstar yowled.
"Quit fighting! Can't we have a Gathering without any fighting? Haven't you seen the clouds covering up the full moon? This is a night of truce, and Moonstar, you are breaking this truce. This Gathering is over!" Larkstar yowled.
I turned to Robinflight.
"I didn't mean to offend you. I was just defending myself," I whispered.
"It's fine Lightningpaw. I understand that you would never steal our prey. You are too loyal to the warrior code," she murmured.
"Moonstar didn't announce our warrior names…" Brambleberry muttered as her head drooped.
"Oh. I'm so sorry," I whispered.
"Why do you guys care? It is what is inside of us that matters. We are true warriors now. I don't need recognition from the other clans. And besides, the crabbier Moonstar gets the more likely she is going to die sooner or later," Archclaw said.
"You are so stuck-up! All you care about is leading your clan into a pool of blood and death!" I hissed.
"You're just jealous that I am a warrior and you're not!" Archclaw snarled.
"I have the skills of any warrior and that's what counts," I snapped.
"Lightningpaw! Let's go!" I heard Adderfang yowl.
I nuzzled Robinflight and Brambleberry goodbye, and gave one last growl and glare at Archclaw, before turning away to follow Adderfang. I leaped after him and we raced across the tree bridge with the rest of our clan. We walked at a quick pace back to camp. Once we arrived Goosestar immediately leaped onto Highrock and called a clan meeting.
"If you weren't at the Gathering, I will fill you in. Riverclan has accused us of prey stealing!" he yowled.
Yowls of protest followed.
"By the hostility of Moonstar's words, I assume we will have a battle. And we need more warriors. With Breezefur and Dawnpool ill with whitecough, we may lose some cats to this disease if it spreads any further," Goosestar said.
"Actually Goosestar, Dawnpool is on the verge of death. She had greencough, not whitecough. Her breathing is already slowing. There is nothing left I can do for her," Birdsong dipped her head in failure and humiliation.
"What about Breezefur?" Ravenclaw yowled.
"Breezefur is fine right now. He is asleep, and he has eaten as much catmint as his body take. I think he will be fine, he just needs some recovery time. He is strong for a senior warrior, and will live, I am positive," Sweetflower announced.
"Very well then. We must prepare for a battle with Riverclan! My first act of doing so, is to announce a new warrior," Goosestar said as his gaze swept over me.
I gulped.
"Lightningpaw, get up here," he meowed proudly.
I leaped up onto Highrock with him.
"Sparrowtail, have you passed on all of your knowledge onto Lightningpaw?" Goosestar asked.
"Of course. I couldn't have asked for a smarter apprentice," Sparrowtail nodded.
"Very well then. Lightningpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Lightningblaze. Starclan thanks you for your courage and bravery in battle," Goosestar meowed as he rested his chin on my head, and I licked my shoulder.
"Lightningblaze! Lightningblaze! Lightningblaze!" the clan yowled.
I held my head up proudly for a few moments, and then leaped off of Highrock. Lilyfoot and Birdsong ran up to me and nuzzled me.
"I'm so proud of my little boy!" Lilyfoot squealed as she licked my forehead.
"Mom…" I muttered, embarrassed.
"Congratulations," Thrushpaw muttered as she walked up to me.
"Can't you be a little bit happier for your brother? I mean, I'm older than him by a few moons and I'm not disappointed that he has become a warrior before me," Littlepaw said as she cuffed Thrushpaw over the ear.
"But now we can't train together or sleep in the same den or anything!" Thrushpaw moaned.
"Thrushpaw, you will be an amazing warrior when your time comes. But I was just naturally born to become the world's youngest warrior. And you will become a fantastic warrior once you have learned enough," I encouraged her.
Thrushpaw nodded and we nuzzled.
"Now we all should go to sleep and leave Lightningblaze to his vigil," Goosestar ordered.
All of the cats slowly retreated to their dens and I sat at the gorse bush. After a few minutes, Nightstar appeared (ghost form again) next to me and his tail rested on my shoulder.
"Congratulations little one. Well I guess I can't call you little one anymore," he smiled.
"Unless you want your ears clawed off, then no," I growled playfully.
"You do realize you are probably the youngest warrior Starclan has ever known?" he asked.
"Yes I do. It is a great yet terrible honor," I muttered as I gazed up at Silverpelt.
"That is true. At least you are wise enough to see both sides of the situation," Nightstar nodded.
It was silent between us for a long time.
"Nightstar…did you ever have kits?" I asked.
"No I did not. I never found love. But my apprentice, Scorchfire, was like a son to me. He never met his Father. His Father had died before any cat even knew his Mother was pregnant. So when I became his mentor, I became more of a Father to him than any other tom had. And he was the best son I could have ever dreamt of having. But sadly, he was killed in battle only a season or two after his warrior ceremony," Nightstar sighed.
"I'm sorry," I murmured sympathetically.
"I was killed only a moon or two later, so my pain did not last for long. And once I died I joined him up in the sky," Nightstar sighed.
"You mean Starclan?" I corrected him.
"Er yes. Starclan..." he muttered, startled.
"Get away from him!" a she-cat hissed from what seemed like nowhere.
I jerked to my feet and took a quick glance around camp. I then leaped outside and stared hard around the moor. But no cats were in sight and there was no scent lingering besides the ones of my clan. I carefully stepped back inside camp.
I saw a starry light brown tabby she-cat standing a couple tail-lengths in front of Nightstar. Her tail stuck straight out, her fur was bristled, and her claws were unsheathed.
Ooooh cliff-hanger! You'll just have to find out what happens in the next chapter…. :O plushie this time will be…umm…Larkstar? *holds out plushie hopefully* please review!(: