A/N- I know the past two chapters have been short, but they get longer after this, promise! Also, R&R!

Disclaimer- no matter how much i close my eyes and wish, i still do not own warriors, okay?

Chapter 3

Silverpelt's whiskers were quivering with excitement. This was not his first Gathering, but he loved going to them. He enjoyed meeting cats from other clans, and not having to claw their fur off. He enjoyed hearing news from other clans. But most of all, he loved the friendly atmosphere. He looked across at Greystripe. He was also excited, his tail twitching. Whitestar flicked his tail and the clan streamed across the small river and into the clearing. Windclan was already there, and they turned to look at the approaching clan. Swiftstar, the Windclan leader, nodded at Whitestar and the Thunderclan leader walked over to her. Blackclaw and Whitestorm strolled over to Spottedmask and Runningnose, the Windclan elders, who then sat down and the group began to exchange stories. He looked around at the groups of cats who sat in the clearing.

Silverpelt remembered what Whitestar had said before they had left.

He had turned to the group and said,

"Do NOT mention Tigerpelt or his treachery before I announce it during the meeting. And do not show any hostility to Shadowclan, remember, it was only three cats who were with Tigerpelt, they may not all be traitors."

Silverpelt looked around again. Greystripe had gone over to a group of Windclan cats. Among them were Mousestorm and Ferneyes. He noticed that Swiftpaw was sat a little further off, staring at Ferneyes. This worried Silverpelt. Cats from different clans were not allowed to choose each other as mates, you could only take a mate from your own clan. If Swiftpaw loved Ferneyes, there was bound to be trouble.

Ferneyes saw Swiftpaw staring and walked over to him. She sat down infront of him and the pair began to talk. Silverpelt crept a little closer and eavesdropped on the pair. He heard Swiftpaw say,

"You look nice tonight."

"Thank you." replied Ferneyes, looking at him closely.

"I'll be a warrior soon." he boasted.

"I'm sure you will." she replied, "You look big and strong enough to be one."

"Thanks." Swiftpaw pawed the ground nervously. He looked as if he was about to say something when a yowl rose from the other side of the clearing and Riverclan bounded across the stream that marked their private border. Silverpelt spun around. He hoped he would spot Frostfeather, a Riverclan cat. He desperately wanted to see her again.

Silverpelt was a half clan cat. Although his family was originally from Thunderclan, it had spent many of the past generations in Riverclan. Frostfeather was his sister. They were both grey with white paws, although he was more silvery grey. She stopped and looked around, then she spotted him and ran over.

"Did you hear?" she asked.

"Hear what?" he answered.

"Mousestar's dead!"

"What!?"

"She died about five days ago in a battle with Shadowclan for Mouserocks."

"Who won?"

"Shadowclan." She looked glum. "Without a leader, we lost all hope and fled."

"So Frostfur is the new leader?"

"Yes, Froststar's the leader now."

"How's Spottedfur?"

"Father's fine, but he hasn't come. His joints are aching badly again."

"Oh."

"Any message's from mother?"

Frostfeather was the only one who believed about his dreams. Silverfire, their mother, had died three moons ago.

"Nothing. I had one message but it wasn't from her. I think it was a clan memory."

"Why?"

"Well, it seemed to be Frostear, your old medicine cat's, death."

"Yes. Without her special healing talents, Mousestar had no hope of recovering. Tatteredfur did all he could, but she died."

"It must have been awful for him to lose his leader."

"He found it truly dreadful."

"I'm so sorry." He rubbed up against her and she purred. He enjoyed their company. The Gathering was the only place they could safely meet. If they met at any other time, they would have to attack each other, or risk punishment.

"I also…" he began but she cut him off.

"Hush. The meeting's about to start."

While they had been talking, Shadowclan had arrived and now the meeting was about to start. Icestar, the Shadowclan leader, leapt up onto one of the four huge rocks in the centre of the clearing. The other three leaders were already stood on their boulders and now prepared to speak. Swiftstar stepped forwards.

"Cats of all clans, Windclan would like to announce a discovery we have made. A patrol scented, earlier today, the scent of Shadowclan on the border between Thunderclan and Windclan. The trail ended at some rabbit bones. Windclan believes that Shadowclan cats in Thunderclan territory chased a rabbit across the border and ate it. Whitestar, have you scented these cats?"

"Yes." he announced, "We caught the cats. They were conspiring with Tigerpelt, Thunderclan's most senior warrior. They attempted to kill Tawnypelt. Tigerpelt has now been banished."

"Icestar?" asked Swiftstar, her ears pricking up, "Do you have anything to say about this?"

"Yes. I do. Shadowclan is pleased to announce that we have a new clan member," and now he raised his head proudly, "Tigerpelt." Jeers rose up from Thunderclan and Windclan. The Riverclan cats remained silent. Shadowclan cheered.

"Silence!" screeched Swiftstar, "Windclan has more news. We are pleased to announce that Snowclaw has had her kits. They are Brightkit, Mosskit and Brackenkit." All the cats cheered at this.

"Froststar? Do you have any news?" asked Whitestar.

"Yes." she said, taking a graceful step forward, "As you may have realised, by my presence here, that Mousestar had died. She was killed in a fight with Shadowclan for Mouserocks. I am now clan leader and I have appointed Lionheart as my deputy." Many cats praised this decision. They all thought that Lionheart deserved to be deputy.

"We have also had the unfortunate task of banishing Mudclaw. He attempted to feed Goldenfur's kits deathberries." The cats hissed at this, knowing how serious and horrible this offence was. "Frostfeather is also expecting kits soon."

"Congratulations." said Swiftstar, stepping forwards again, "Mossstorm is also now expecting kits. Windclan also has two new apprentices. Rainpaw and Thornpaw. We also have a new warrior, Wildnose." All the cats cheered loudly and congratulated Wildnose. Silverpelt looked over and saw the praise was directed at a dark ginger tom over by the Windclan stream. The cat looked over at him for a second and Silverpelt nodded his approval. Then Whitestar stepped forward.

"I am pleased to announce that Thunderclan also has a new apprentice, Brokenpaw." The cats cheered once more. "Any news from Shadowclan, Icestar?"

"Shadowclan has a new apprentice, Bloodpaw, and a new warrior, Spiderfoot." Many cats praised Spiderfoot, but the cheering for Bloodpaw was forced. Cats were not traditionally given names that were so nasty. Especially Bloodpaw, as cats were still reminded of Bloodclan, the rogue gang of cats who had threatened to take the forest a long time ago.

At that, the meeting was ended and the leaders jumped off the rocks. They signalled to their clans. Silverpelt said goodbye to Frostfeather and said that he wished her the best of luck for her kitting. Then he turned and followed his clan across the river.

A/N- Now, for Silverpelt's sake, please go and review!