Disclaimer: I based the Clan structure on the Warriors books by Erin Hunter.

Now here is the next chapter.

Enjoy and please review.

Chapter 2

According to the warrior code that was passed on from generation to generation of warriors, at each full moon the three Clans would meet for a Gathering in a sacred truce. Falconstar led her warriors along a row of small hazel bushes and brambles close to their border with HedgeClan. It was faster to reach the Chestnut Hollow than following the outskirts of the forest where ForestClan lived.

After a while the cats reached a slope that led into an open space. A huge chestnut tree stood in the center and a boulder large enough for the three Clan leaders to stand on lay before it. Falconstar tasted the air before signaling her Clanmates to enter the clearing. HedgeClan was already there, but she could not sense any ForestClan cats. Falconstar flicked her tail and the cats ran down the slope. Small brambles were growing here and there and even a small oak tree was growing at the edge. Blacktail and Foxstep went to meet Stoneleap and Flowertail, some of HegdeClan's elders. Falconstar thought that the elders were the only cats who truly enjoyed these Gatherings. As an apprentice, Falconstar was nervous to meet so many cats from different Clans and she only went to the Chestnut Hollow once as a warrior. Since then she carried the responsibility of being deputy and now that of a Clan leader.

Falconstar and Hawkfeather walked to the boulder to take up their places. The black-and-ginger she-cat saw Grasswhisker chat with Twigbreak, HedgeClan's ancient medicine cat, and her apprentice Leafpaw. It was custom that the medicine cats sat close the Clan leaders during the Gathering. Rabbitstar approached Falconstar.

"Hello Falconheart, I don't see Duskstar anywhere. Did he not come?"

"Duskstar is dead. I am Clan leader." Falconstar mewed. She tried to sound confident.

"I am sorry to hear this. All the Clans will miss him; he was a great warrior and a wise leader." He sounded genuinely sorry.

"Thank you, Rabbitstar."

The sound of numerous paw steps made Falconstar turn her head. ForestClan was coming with Hawkstar in the lead. The brown-and-black leader went straight to the boulder in front of the chestnut tree and halted beside Falconstar and Rabbitstar.

"I am sorry we are late. If everyone is here, the Gathering can begin."

The three Clan leaders jumped on the boulder and called to the assembled cats. Two toms joined Hawkfeather beside the boulder.

"The prey is running well in HedgeClan." Rabbitstar began. He was a big gray tabby tom. White fur around his muzzle showed his age. "I am happy to announce that Swiftleap had three healthy kits. We also have a new warrior here today. Hareleap, congratulations."

A small ginger-and-white tom held his head high as the other Clan's cheered for him and called him by his new name.

Rabbitstar sat down again and Hawkstar rose to her paws.

"The prey is running well and ForestClan is thriving. I have sad news to share with you. Hazelclaw has been killed." Murmurs erupted from the cats in the clearing: Hazelclaw was Hawkstar's deputy. "I have appointed Talonwing as new deputy."

A young black tom with one white paw pushed out his chest. Hawkfeather sat next to him and shot him a disgusted look. What an arrogant furball, she thought.

Now it was Falconstar's turn. She was nervous to speak in front of so many cats.

"MeadowClan is thriving as well and the prey is running well, too. A few days ago, Duskstar lost his last life and I am now Clan leader. I have appointed Hawkfeather as my deputy."

Surprised murmurs rose again. Falconstar saw several warriors from HedgeClan and ForestClan whispering to each other. They seemed to disagree with her choice. Beside Hawkfeather and Talonwing, a pale gray tom stood up.

"Falconstar, don't you think it would have been better – wiser – to appoint one of your senior warriors? The deputy is supposed to strengthen a Clan, especially when its leader is an inexperienced young cat."

Falconstar's fur bristled and Hawkfeather rose to her paws about to protest.

"Thank you for sharing your opinion with us, Leafstorm, but it's MeadowClan's business who they appoint as deputy." Rabbitstar mewed to silence his own deputy.

Leafstorm dipped his head to his Clan leader and sat down.

"Being made Clan leader at such a young age is a huge responsibility but also a great opportunity, Falconstar. I hope you will lead your Clan well, and I congratulate you on your deputy." The elderly leader continued.

"The same wishes come from me, Falconstar. I wish you and your Clan well." Hawkstar mewed.

"Thank you. StarClan have decided that I shall become Clan leader as a young warrior and I vow to do the best I can to fulfill the high hopes our ancestors have in me."

The leaders jumped off the boulder and thus signaling that the Gathering was over. Hawkfeather rose to her paws and was about to follow her sister when she felt a pelt brush her. She turned around to see Talonwing with a smock expression on his face.

"So, your sister made you deputy. Convenient isn't it; that makes the rise to power so much easier." The black whispered into her ear.

Hawkfeather burned with rage. How dare he suggest that Falconstar made her deputy because they were sisters? It was StarClan who wanted her to be deputy.

"Brave of you to say that, Talonwing. Last time I checked, your Clan leader was your mother. Are you sure she didn't appoint you because you two are kin? Especially after your father died." she answered sleekly.

Talonwing flinched at her words. Hazelclaw was the tom's father.

"You are hardly any older than Falconstar and me. There is no need to behave superior."

"Hawkfeather, are you coming? We are leaving." Her sister called her. Hawkfeather shot another angry look at Talonwing and turned around. He is such an arrogant furball.

All the way back to their camp, Hawkfeather cursed under her breath. Talonwing had been an apprentice the same time as she and Falconstar. He was only a few moons older than them and still trained his first apprentice. How dared he talk to her in such a manner? They were both young warriors and newly named deputies; they were equals.

Falconstar had noticed that something seemed to have happened to her sister and was now walking beside the black she-cat, concern showing in her eyes.

"What's the matter, Hawkfeather? Did someone step on your tail?"

"I am annoyed by something Talonwing said to me after the Gathering."

"Ignore him. Talonwing is so full of himself. Remember when we were apprentices? He would run around and tell every cat that his mother was Clan leader and his father was deputy. He is an arrogant furball. StarClan know why Hawkstar made him deputy."

Hawkfeather purred at her sisters words. She was right. It doesn't matter what Talonwing said to her. She was chosen by StarClan.

Continues soon...