"Cats of Thunderclan. It is now time to leave for the gathering." Bramblestar announced from the highledge. The Thunderclan leader leaped down, and began to lead Thunderclan to the island. The full moon was shining brightly.. Leafpool followed her clan, padding along slowly. Within moments, the tree-bridge came into view. With a sudden burst of energy, Leafpool streaked across the moor, passing her clan mates. She felt the smooth, barkless trunk of the fallen tree as she made her way across the lake. The island looked particularly beautiful tonight, the moon's rays casting a pale glow across the clearing. Windclan and Riverclan had already arrived, and Leafpool spied a pretty golden tabby she cat sitting beside Sedgewhisker of Windclan. Mothwing.
"Mothwing! Long time no see!" she called. Mothwing bid Sedgewhisker farewell, and padded to Leafpool.
"Leafpool! It's been a while, why weren't you at the last Gathering?" Mothwing purred, dipping her head in greeting.
"Greencough... Fire- I mean, Bramblestar wouldn't let me go." she replied, happily surprised that Mothwing had noticed her absence.
"That's awful! Are you alright?! I have some spare herbs in Riverclan!" Mothwing exclaimed. Leafpool's ears twitched in surprise; her friend was getting pretty worked up over a small bout of greencough!
"Oh, I'm fine now! Nothing to worry about." Leafpool told the Riverclan medicine cat.
"S-sorry... It's just... I... never mind." Mothwing ducked, embarrassed. Leafpool opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off by Squirrelflight.
"Leafpool! Mothwing! The Gathering is starting, be quiet!" Thunderclan's deputy hissed.
"I'm really sorry..." Mothwing flattened her ears, then hurried off to join her clan, hot with embarrassment.
"...is running well in Shadowclan. We are strong despite the bitter cold, and will defend our boundaries with tooth and claw." Blackstar finished. His mew was frail, the leader's age was really starting to show.
"Thank you, Blackstar. Things are fine in Windclan. The only thing I have to report is... a rather odd scandal." Onestar mewed. A hush came over the clans, and a yowl could be heard.
"Please! Onestar, no!" came a pleading voice. Onestar let out a hiss.
"Quiet, Sunstrike. You and Gorsetail know what you did." he spat."Two of our female warriors, Sunstrike and Gorsetail decided to become mates." Ripples of shock went through the crowd. Onestar flattened his ears "You heard me right. They're both she cats. Who decided to become ma-"
"And what's wrong with it? They're not hurting anyone. Let them be. It's just love. Since when was that a crime? It's not against the warrior code, is it?"
Silence.
The four clans scrambled to see who this challenger was, to see what cat would say such a prosperous thing. Eventually, all eyes were turned to a certain Riverclan she cat.