Hi guys! I am so excited about this chapter, because this time I made it really(in my terms) long! I hope you enjoy!
Diamondpaw finished her fresh-kill, and then padded over to where her sister, Willowpaw, was sitting. The sun was going to be setting soon, and she could hear the owls already making noises in the trees. There was a slight breeze that carried through the forest and made the trees rustle overhead.
"Do you think we'll get to go to the Gathering today?" Diamondpaw asked Willowpaw. There was a slight pause before the she-cat responded.
"I wouldn't get too excited. My guess is that Moonstar is still mad at you. He seemed pretty furious the other night."
"Yeah, but you know him, he changes his mind a lot. You even said so yourself."
"I guess," Willowpaw said, with a bored tone.
"Have you noticed anything weird about Moonstar lately? I mean, it seems like he has acted quite oddly around all the clan. I walked by him the other day and he gave me a dirty look. And I didn't even do anything! I was just going out to hunt!"
"No, I haven't noticed anything "weird" about him. I'm sure he's fine. He probably isn't really happy now. I can't blame him, it's almost leaf-bare."
"Ok, so you're sure that nothing is suspicious about him? And what about his friend, Oaktail. I heard he has also been acting weird lately. Soon everyone in the clan is going to be acting weirdly, and I'll be the only normal cat."
"Diamondpaw, that's enough. Do you know how crazy you sound rambling on like that? Maybe you're the cat who's acting weird."
Diamondpaw just sighed and turned away and ran off to the apprentice's den.
My sister just doesn't understand.
Willowpaw shook Diamondpaw awake.
"Diamondpaw! It's time to go to the Gathering. You just fell asleep here without telling me. I was looking everywhere for you."
Diamondpaw rolled over and stretched out her legs. She was still hurting from her fox-brained kit accident.
"Diamondpaw, we have to go now!" Willowpaw ordered.
The stubborn cat finally jumped out of bed and ran off into the clearing, where Moonstar was waiting with the other cats going to the Gathering. Moonstar was sorting through all the cats, making sure everyone was there. The leader padded over to Diamondpaw and Willowpaw.
"Oh Willowpaw. I thought I already told you; you have to stay in camp and clean out all the dens," Moonstar said.
"But Moonstar, you said I could go with Diamondpaw so we could spend our first Gathering together!" Willowpaw protested.
"And I changed my mind. Go clean the dens! NOW!" Moonstar snapped at her. Diamondpaw just watched in shock as the two cats shot each other furious looks.
"Moonstar," Diamondpaw said, "was that really necessary? My sister was really excited about going, and now she can't."
"Shut your mouth, Diamondpaw, or you aren't going to the Gathering either. Or the next one, and the one after that, and all you could ever dream of," Moonstar growled.
Diamondpaw muttered an insult under her breath, and then she followed her clanmates through a twisted path that led to the large, flat rocks where Gatherings were held. The clans called this place the Rocklands.
Once the clan had climbed over a massive dead tree, she could start to smell other cats. They were nothing like she'd ever scented before, but Diamondpaw thought it was really fascinating.
Soon Diamondpaw could see the Rocklands. It was beautiful; the sun was setting, and the light reflected on the rocks, making them look pink and grey.
The leaders of all four clans stood on tall rocks a few fox-lengths away. Moonstar began the Gathering, "I am glad you all are here tonight, welcome. RockClan is pleased to welcome two new apprentices, Willowpaw and Diamondpaw, although Willowpaw couldn't come tonight." Cheers of joy and congratulations spread across the sea of cats.
Moonstar nodded to Drizzlestar, a que for her to begin.
"We have no news to report. The food has been plentiful, thank StarClan," said the soft voice of the GraniteClan leader.
Littlestar stepped forward and began, "Tonight FireClan is pleased to announce that we have a new warrior, Thornheart!" The cheers from the cats broke out again, but this time they ended much quicker, and Diamondpaw knew why. An angry-looking Froststar spoke, "LakeClan is not doing well. We don't have a lot of fish on our side of the stream because they only go to GraniteClan's side. We are nearly starving ourselves. We want all the land with the other side of the stream. It runs through your little pathetic mountains!"
"Froststar, that is nearly half out land! My clan and I know that you have plenty of fish, for we always see your clan catch them. They catch three, eat two, and only bring one or none back to your clan. If you were to ask me, it sounds like you're having your own clan problems, or maybe you are just trying to trick us. You may not have the land that has the other half of the stream," Drizzlestar replied.
Froststar growled and got ready to attack the GraniteClan leader.
"No fighting! Look at the sky above you. The moon is covered, and now StarClan is disappointed. The Gathering is over!" Littlestar yowled.
I was hoping to go and meet some of the other apprentices, but things took a bad turn.