Chapter Fourteen
Preparations
CloudClan Camp Clearing
Five Days Later
It is the night of the Gathering and the six Clans are getting to meet again.
In CloudClan, Nightstar is standing in the camp clearing surrounded by her Warriors. "Our Medicine Cat, four Warriors, and four Apprentices will go to the Gathering along with Pollenfur."
"So Pollenfur, Tigerheart, Nightstar, Tornclaw, Diamondclaw, Nightwing, Moonpool, Rowanpaw, Shadowpaw, Darkpaw, Runningpaw, and I will go to the Gathering. Cinderpelt, you will organize the patrols for the night," said Lightwing.
"Yes, I will do my best." The named cats head for the small island at the center of the lake.
WaterfallClan Camp Clearing
"Brackenfur, Cloverheart, Dustfur, Heartclaw, Wingpaw, Kinkpaw, and Bluepaw will go with me to the Gathering," said Shadowstar.
"Awww, I wanted to go to my first Gathering as an Apprentice," complained Heatherpaw.
"Heatherpaw, don't worry; you will have your turn," said Morningflower. The named cats leave the camp and head for the small island at the center of the lake.
SkyClan Camp Clearing
"Littlewind, Stormwind, Rareclaw, Clearwind, Scorchpaw, Smokepaw, and Bouncepaw will go with me to the Gathering tonight," said the Leader.
"I will order the patrols for the night," said Leaftail.
"That will be most helpful," thanked the Deputy.
"Can we go too!" shouted Monkeykit. Whitekit sweeps her half-blind gaze around the camp.
"We want to go too. We're tired of having to stay in the camp all the time until we are apprenticed!"
"Right!" replied Harekit and Dovekit simultaneously.
"There is a reason why Kits don't make the Journey to Gathering Island until they are Apprentices," stated Weepingfur.
"Why?" asked Snowkit and Streamkit curiously.
"Because they don't have the muscle to make the Journey until they have started their Warrior training," answered Mouseear.
"Finally, I understand! I can't wait until I'm apprenticed!" cheered Cedarkit.
"Good work, Mouseear and thank you," said Rainstar.
"Now that the Kits are calming down you guys should get to the Gathering," said Whitefur. The Gathering patrol leaves the camp in silence.
SunClan Camp Clearing
"Whiplash, grab Milkkit and Sunkit and stand by my side," said Rollingstar. Whiplash does as he is told.
"Who else is going to the Gathering?" asked the Deputy.
"You are of course, Featherwind along with Runningclaw, Wolffang, Whitetail, Volepaw, Phoenixpaw, and Lilypaw."
"Whiplash, when you stole those Kits, what were you hoping to accomplish?" asked Shadowstone.
"As you know, Birchpaw is my only surviving daughter; even her mother died giving birth. Therefore, I was hoping to replace my dead Kits."
"Milkkit and Sunkit cannot replace Mudkit and Snakekit!" shouted Birchpaw.
"Why not?" snarled her father.
"Because they are not from SunClan by birth!" retorted Dovefeather.
"I want to go home!" Sunkit complained.
"So do I!" mewed Milkkit. Milkkit and Sunkit start mewling calling Pollenfur's name. Antleg gently licks the tiny Kits good-bye.
"You guys should get going; the Kits will be hungry soon." Whiplash picks up Milkkit by her scruff. Wolffang picks up Sunkit by his scruff. The Gathering patrol leaves the camp at a slow and careful pace.
LightClan Camp Clearing
"Snaketail, Mousetrap, Snowdrift, Ravenfeather, Beechtail, Mothpaw, Mosspaw, and Ripplepaw will attend this moon's Gathering," said Whiskerstar.
"I will make the patrols for the night," said Thistletail.
"And I will help," said Gorsepaw happily.
"They are so helpful!" said Ferncloud.
"Well come on then and let's go!" the Leader said impatiently. The named cats charge from the camp at a high speed.
"I can't wait until I'm old enough to go to my first Gathering!" said Robinkit slowly.
LeafClan Camp Clearing
"Sunflower, Sorrelclaw, Flowertail, Breezeclaw, Pineneedle, Harpypaw, Rainpaw, and Heartpaw will go to the Gathering with me," Redstar said slowly.
"Maybe we can prevent this fight from happening," said Coppertail.
"Maybe we are already too late to stop it," said Applecore quietly.
"Let's hope not," Turtlepaw said quickly. The Gathering patrol leaves the camp quietly.