Chapter 21- Troutleap

The full moon shined through the thick trees. After the huge battle Troutleap made a trip to each one of the leaders and told them of the apprentice's actions. He made a point of telling them just how special each of them was and how lucky they were to have them in their Clan. He didn't tell them of Mosspaw and Snakepaw's temporary deaths or the forbidden relationship each of them had developed but that was beside the point.

Troutleap walked beside Dawnstream. Her eyes were filled with pride for her mate. He had told her everything. Ripplesong was back at camp watching Minnowkit, Rushkit, Beetlekit, Willowkit, Aspenkit and Wildkit. They were all about three moons old and getting into trouble. Dawnstream had graciously taken Aspenkit and Wildkit into her litter and raised them as her own. Another thing that happened back at camp was Hailpaw, Dustypaw's sister, was given her warrior name, Hailstream.

The Gathering started soon after RiverClan got there. Troutleap could see Dustypaw rush over to Mosspaw, Snakepaw and Fernpaw. The four sat chatting excitedly. Still, none of them knew what was coming to them. Thrushstar was the first to speak. "We have lost one of our apprentices Treadpaw but since she was so close to her warrior ceremony we honor her with the warrior name Treadpath. We also have a new warrior, Grayheart." The clearing filled with cheers for the new warrior, Grayheart. "ThunderClan thanks Mosspaw, Dustypaw, Snakepaw, Fernpaw and Troutleap for helping the Clans in this time of peril."

Thrushstar sat down and Clawstar stood up. The white on his pelt shined silver in the moonlight. "We have two new warriors, Gingerberry and Ferretclaw." He paused as the cheering died down. "We had little trouble since fighting off the Dark Forest. We have had a new cat join our Clan, Leapshadow." The Clans looked nervously at Cast who was sitting proudly next to Dawnfire. His silver pelt was shining in the pale moonlight." ShadowClan would also like to thank Snakepaw, Dustypaw, Fernpaw, Mosspaw and Troutleap for helping the Clans. You shall forever be remembered in ShadowClan."

Troutleap could hear more cheering for them. He saw Mosspaw and Fernpaw whisper to each other and Snakepaw and Dustypaw bat one another playfully. Clawstar sat back down while Heatherstar stood up. "Nothing eventful has happened to WindClan since the attack. We thank Fernpaw, Dustypaw, Mosspaw, Snakepaw and Troutleap for everything they have done," she paused as she stifled a good natured purr "even though you have broken the warrior code." Troutleap took a glance at the apprentices who were not acting as mates. Good, they shouldn't see that they are mates, yet, if forbidden relationships would be accepted though it would be for these four cats.

Finally Rainstar stood up. She looked at her son with pride. "RiverClan lost an elder, Moonshine recently during the Dark Forest attack but we have also had a new litter of kits. Shortly after the Dark Forest attack Smalllily gave birth to two she-kits, Moonkit and Mistykit and a tom, Marshkit. We also have a new warrior, Hailstream." When the cheering for Hailstream died down Rainstar continued. "I say we add a new code to the Warrior Code. No cat shall ever be judged by the color of their pelt or eyes." The other three leaders nodded solemnly. "We have one more thing to do this Gathering. For the first time, apprentices will be made warriors at a Gathering. Dustypaw, Snakepaw, Mosspaw and Fernpaw, please step here."

Troutleap watched the shock, excitement and happiness ripple over the apprentices faces. Heatherstar went down to Fernpaw. "Fernpaw, do you promise to not only serve your Clan to the best of your abilities but do you promise to serve all Clans, even if you must break the warrior code in the process?"

"I do." Her ears were pricked and she seemed hyper aware of everyone in the clearing.

"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name, Fernsplash!" The clearing echoed with the cheering.

Thurshstar padded up to Mosspaw. "Mosspaw, do you promise to keep ThunderClan safe as well as all the Clans?"

Mosspaw eagerly nodded, her voice was high pitched and excited. "I do."

Thrushstar purred. "By the powers of StarClan I give you the name Mossdrop." Mossdrop padded over to Fernsplash and the two sat by each other excitedly.

Clawstar padded over to Snakepaw who suddenly looked very small. "Snakepaw, do you promise to keep the lake safe no matter how many secrets you must keep?"

Snakepaw's eyes were wide and full of uncharacteristic excitement. "I do."

Clawstar placed his tail on Snakepaw's and said with a loud voice, "Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you the name Snakefrost!"

Troutleap took a glance at Dustypaw while the Clans cheered for Snakefrost. Rainstar padded up to her son in all her silver pelted beauty. "Dustypaw, do you promise to help all the Clans no matter what truths you may encounter?"

Dustypaw looked at Rainstar with his bright yellow eyes. "I do," he lowered his voice and added a single word, "mother."

Rainstar was purring loudly as she prepared to give Dustypaw his name. "Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name, Dustyshadow."

Troutleap could feel this was the beginning of the biggest time of peace the Clans had ever seen.

Okay, no exclusives, yet but if I get 100 reviews in this chapter I will reveal exclusive content in the epilogue, which is the next chapter by the way.