All right, now I really mean it. Review, or NO NEW CHAPTERS!!! Of course, I will probably forget, but still... be nice! If you review, I'll give you a metaphorical cookie. Okay?

Whatever. PLEASE review! I enjoy comments!

Thanks much!

Glitterpool

Blackspots sat by the Great Rock, speaking to Appleleaf in a hushed tone. The RiverClan deputy had a stone grim expression on her scarlet-colored face. "No," she said, answering his question. "Fishstar told me just before the Gathering that he would be keeping quiet about the fight. He doesn't want to start something- but if Smallstar so much as mentions the battle, then he will defend his reasoning."

Blackspots nodded solomnly. Of course. Now he would have to fight Goldentail's Clan! Speaking of which, he caught scent and sight of the beautiful white she cat's fur as she padded toward him. ThunderClan must have arrived while he was distracted! She was coming closer- what in StarClan would he say?

She beat him to it. "Hi!" she mewed cheerfully. Trailing behind her were two other cats- a solid brown tom he knew as Twigtail, the ThunderClan medicine cat, and a tortoiseshell she-cat he didn't know. Both seemed uncomfortable being around RiverClan cats. They threw wary glances at him and Appleleaf with peircing amber eyes, much like Goldentail's- but somehow still not as beautiful.

It took all of his strength to answer her greeting. "Hello, Goldentail. Who are they?" he asked, gesturing with his tail.

"Oh, this is my brother Twigtail," she purred, laying a paw on the tom, "and this is my sister Littleleaf. We're all very close."

Blackspots dipped his head respectfully and gave them each a small smile. A sibling of Goldentail was his friend for sure! "I don't have any brothers or sisters," he said, "but my friend Riverstone might as well be my brother. He's so weird though, and anyways, he's not here." He dismissed it with a flick of his tail.

Goldentail didn't seem to have anything to say anymore. Finally she grinned and asked, "So how's the prey running?"

Both cats laughed.

"Oh!" Blackspots exclaimed, remembering something. "I forgot to tell you, as of tomarrow, I am a mentor!"

The she-cat's eyes widened. "Wow! Congratulations! What lucky kit gets to be your apprentice?"

"Remember that little tabby you saved on the riverbank?" he purred. "Her name is Sniffkit- soon to be Sniffpaw!"

"Oh, wow!" Goldentail seemed truly amazed. "Hey, we'll see you later. It looks like Runningstar is just about ready to call the cats together for the-" a yowl interupted her as the pale yellow tabby leaned forward and let out a shrill call. "Bye," she whispered before disapearing into the crowd, her two siblings at her tail.

"May the Gathering of the four Clans commence!" Runningstar, the WindClan leader rang out. "Swampstar, would you like to start?"

The ShadowClan leader shifted forward on her large paws. "Thank you, Runningstar. The prey is running well in ShadowClan- in fact, our loyal warrior Thornface even caught a badger with no injuries!" The proud black tabby paused as her Clan belowed and cheered. She continued, "Our newest warrior is here with us today. Russetclaw has earned her new name tenfold. Our only nursury queen has given us three more little warriors- a handful, they are, poor Ivyflower."

She stepped back with a grin. She was above all, probably the least ruthless of all ShadowClan leaders. Maybe it was her youth, but Blackspots knew it had more to do with her character than that. The black tabby she-cat gave Smallstar a look, like it was his turn, but the older cat shook his head. "I would like to go last, if that's okay with you." He narrowed his eyes, seeming to stare right through her to Fishstar.

She dipped her head. "Alright, Smallstar, if that is your wish. Runningstar, would you like to take the next turn?"

The lithe WindClan leader slipped forward, his paws taking him there in an instant. If he didn't know better, Blackspots would say he was showing off! "Today," the cat dipped his head sorrowfully, "is a sad day for WindClan. One of our elders- Owlpelt- fell down the gorge. We found his body on the riverbank." There was a cold silence as the crowd mourned the much-loved elder. Owlpelt had many friends among the other Clans. "However," the WindClan leader continued, "there is good news. My son Darkwing was made a warrior recently. He sat vigil about a quarter moon ago, and is here with us now!" WindClan cheered as all the forest cats turned to see Darkwing. Blackspots had never heard of him before, but he seemed to be a good warrior. He had long, black fur and piercing blue eyes. He glanced around proudly, obviously soaking in the attention.

As Runningstar receded, Fishstar stepped forth. "Not much has happened in the past moon," the silver tabby started. He was interrupted by a sarcastic snort from Smallstar, but the ThunderClan leader remained silent. Fishstar shot him an angry glare before he went on, "We will soon have a new apprentice, Sniffpaw." The ussually proud RiverClan leader shifted uncomfortably. What could be bothering him? Blackspots wondered silently. "Sniffpaw will be mentored by Blackspots." A few cats muttered there congratulations. "And Longwhisker joined the elders recently. The prey is really swimming- RiverClan is doing well." He stepped back and tensed up, as if he was bracing himself for something.

Smallstar took his place. "Well, Fishstar, what a clever little lie." he sneered, turning his bright amber gaze out to the cats.