Chapter 11

Jaypaw padded around the island, watching her clanmates greet the cats of different Clans. Rosestripe gave Littlecloud of ShadowClan's ear a friendly lick and Toadflower brushed his muzzle against Barkface of WindClan's cheek. Briarcloud, Bumblethroat, and Blossomwhisker were sitting beside Mothwing of RiverClan, Oakfur of ShadowClan, and Tornear of WindClan. Jaypaw looked at her three friends who had earned their warrior names two dawns ago for chasing off a couple rogues who thought they could make their home in ThunderClan territory. Jaypaw sunk her claws into the ground wishing that she could have been apart of the patrol that chased the rogue cats off. Maybe then she would have earned her warrior name.

"Hey Jaypaw!" The golden brown she-cat turned and spotted her two friends: Kestrelpaw and Willowshine. There was a ginger tom with them who Jaypaw recognized as Flamepaw, the ShadowClan medicine cat apprentice. Sitting near them were Leafpool and Applepaw, who were discussing something with Rowanclaw of ShadowClan. Jaypaw noticed Rowanclaw's scar above his eye and felt her fur prickle as she remembered she gave that to him. Jaypaw watched him for another second and then saw Crowfeather of WindClan make his way over to the ThunderClan and ShadowClan cats.

"Jaypaw, are you waiting for the sun to rise? Come over here!" Willowshine meowed and Jaypaw padded over to her friends, dipping her head in greeting although keeping one eye on the group of cats nearby. Leafpool suddenly stalked away looking as though an adder bit her, leaving Applepaw alone with the two warriors. Applepaw looked lost and Jaypaw flicked her tail, gesturing for the brown tabby to join her. A flash of relief crossed Applepaw's face as he padded over to join the other cats.

"Guys, this is-" Jaypaw began, but Willowshine cut her off, mewing, "We already know Applepaw. We've met him already at the Moonpool a couple times." Jaypaw's fur prickled with embarrassment as she realized that Willowshine was right. When Jaypaw had trained briefly as a medicine cat apprentice, she had never gotten a chance to visit the sacred Moonpool. It had never bothered Jaypaw then, but now she realized all the medicine cats had something in common that she didn't have.

"I'm going to find Stripepaw," Jaypaw meowed coolly, getting to her paws, "I'll try and find you guys after the Gathering." Willowshine and Applepaw opened their jaws to protest, but Jaypaw added, "I'm fine. Really I am. I'll catch up with you guys later." Jaypaw padded away, looking for Stripepaw. Jaypaw spotted Stripepaw talking with a group of ShadowClan apprentices: Olivepaw, Shrewpaw, and Scorchpaw. "Hey Stripepaw!"

Stripepaw turned and mewed, "Jaypaw!" Stripepaw bounded forward to touch her nose with Jaypaw's and then lead her sister to meet her friends. "Everyone, this is my sister Jaypaw. Jaypaw, this is er everyone." The three ShadowClan cats gave a chorus of hellos and Jaypaw scrutinized them, with curious hazel eyes. All three cats were well muscled, but they were also very thin. Granted it was leaf-bare, but the weather was warming and the cats should have had more prey by now. Jaypaw wondered if there was a shortage of prey because of the fire. Jaypaw was about to ask, but Blackstar's commanding yowl began the Gathering. Jaypaw looked at the tree and spotted the muscular white tom, his massive head framed by the moonlight. Jaypaw noticed that Blackstar looked as thin as his Clan and she wondered why that concerned her so much.

"As many of you know," Blackstar began, his yellow eyes flashing to Firestar, "A terrible fire swept through ShadowClan territory. We lost a courageous apprentice, Flowerpaw. She died an apprentice, but StarClan will receive her as a warrior." Jaypaw searched for Toadflower and spotted the black-and-white tom sitting with his head bowed. Toadflower had loved Flowerpaw more than anything and when he earned his warrior name, he chose it for her. "Furthermore," Blackstar continued, "I'd like to thank ThunderClan who without their help, many more cats would have joined the ranks of StarClan."

"What's he doing, thanking another Clan? It makes us seem weak!" Olivepaw snarled, but was quieted instantly by Shrewpaw's low hiss. Blackstar bowed his head and Onestar began, "WindClan has a new warrior. Sunpaw has become Sunface." Many cats cheered for Sunface and Jaypaw joined in, having met the WindClan apprentice once or twice. Seeing that Onestar was done, Leopardstar began talking, "RiverClan has two new warriors! Minnowpaw has become Minnowfur and Pebblepaw has become Pebblefoot!" There was a lot of cheering for the two new warriors and Jaypaw noticed her clanmate- Mousewhisker- join in loudly. Hollyleaf, who was sitting beside him, flicked her tail quietly.

Firestar then began his turn, "ThunderClan was glad to help ShadowClan and I hope you are recovering quickly." Blackstar dipped his head, "ThunderClan has five new warriors! Briarcloud, Bumblethroat, and Blossomwhisker successfully chased over a couple of rogues." Firestar then turned to Onestar, "They crossed into your territory."

"We know," Onestar meowed, "Sunface chased them off." Firestar nodded and continued, "Three ThunderClan apprentices went into ShadowClan territory to help with the fire. Jaypaw is too young to earn her warrior name, but I would like to acknowledge her for her assistance." Jaypaw felt Stripepaw press against her while several cats meowed her name, coming from all the Clans. "Rosepaw and Toadpaw were old enough to earn their warrior names so they are now Rosestripe and Toadflower!"

There was a quiet mewing amongst ShadowClan cats and Jaypaw knew they were remembering Flowerpaw. Jaypaw too couldn't help remembering the courageous reddish brown she-cat whose burning orange eyes helped inspire her friends with strength. Toadflower was looking down at his paws and suddenly Jaypaw smelled Applepaw pad up beside her and Stripepaw. Applepaw was looking and Toadflower too and whispered, "He's been grieving for so long. I wish I could help him, but there's no herb for a broken heart." Jaypaw pressed her muzzle against Applepaw's shoulder.