Chapter 46

Jaysong padded beside Firestar, her fur quivering with excitement as she heard the rest of the Clan follow them. It was her first Gathering as deputy of ThunderClan and Jaysong was excited for the other Clans to know of her new rank, but nervous too. Blackclaw, Tornear, and whoever was the new ShadowClan deputy were all senior warriors while Jaysong had only been given her warriors name a couple seasons ago. Jaysong heard Rushleaf and Brackenspot pad after her, knowing that it wasn't a special night only for her. This was Rushleaf and Brackenspot's first Gathering as warriors.

"Do you think Firestar will tell the other Clans that we have been made warriors?" Rushleaf whispered to Brackenspot and Jaysong could hear her daughter's tail twitching against the ferns that surrounded them excitedly. Brackenspot too was excited for her first Gathering as a warrior- Jaysong could tell by the way Brackenspot kept stumbling over her paws- but Jaysong's former apprentice was much more hidden about her joy for this evening to come. With a jolt, Jaysong remembered that she would see two kits' warrior names be announced to the Clans. Both Rushleaf and Rabbitclaw had earned their warrior names only a couple days ago. Twisting her head around so that she was looking at the younger warriors, Jaysong answered, "Of course he will."

"I'll also give an announcement about you, Jaysong, but absolutely no cat," Firestar's voice raised, addressing all the members of his Clans. "Is to mention the fox attack. We don't want the other Clans to think we are weak because of it. You can tell them that Brambleclaw and Dustpelt died protecting on Clan. That's as much of the truth as any cat needs to know." Ferncloud- Dustpelt's former mate- dipped her head in regard to Firestar's words. Brambleclaw's mate- Squirrelflight- wasn't with the cats this evening since she was in the nursery, expecting the former ThunderClan deputy's kits.

Seeing that his Clan was ready, Firestar leapt onto the tree bride, Jaysong following him instantly. Behind Jaysong came the rest of the cats chosen to attend tonights Gathering: Leafpool, Applefrost, Rushleaf, Brackenspot, Ferncloud, Bumblethroat, Thornclaw, and Bramblepaw. Once all the cats landed on the other side of the tree bridge, the Clan dispersed to go find their friends. Jaysong longed to go share tongues with Flamecloud, Kestrelear, and Willowshine, but new her spot was with the deputies now.

"Jaysong!" A voice called and Jaysong turned to see Rowanclaw sitting with Tornear and Blackclaw. Jaysong padded over to the other Clan deputies and sat down in between Rowanclaw and Blackclaw. "So I hear you're the new ThunderClan deputy? A worthy choice. Oakstar appointed me his as soon as he received his nine lives from StarClan." Jaysong blinked in surprise. Jaysong's first night as an apprentice had resulted in a border battle against ShadowClan and the golden brown deputy had injured Rowanclaw in that fight. Jaysong was not expecting such kindness from the cat she considered to be an enemy.

"Another new deputy?" Tornear meowed, glancing at Jaysong and Rowanclaw and back again. Blackclaw- who had been examining the clearing with narrowed black eyes- turned to Jaysong, mewing, "Brambleclaw's dead? What happened to him?" Blackclaw paused before adding, "I understand if you can't disclose this information, but I'm sure all the cats here will be asking about his death." Blackclaw paused and added once more, "And why such a young cat took his place?" Jaysong's fur heated in embarrassment, but she knew Blackclaw's words were true. She was many season younger than the other deputies.

"Brambleclaw died fighting for his Clan just like you or any other Clan warrior would have done. The details I can't share with you, Blackclaw." Jaysong meowed and then another cat padded up to them. Jaysong turned and recognized Applefrost's brown pelt. Applefrost was flanked by all of Jaysong's old friends: Flamecloud, Kestrelear, and Willowshine. Turning to Blackclaw, Applefrost mewed cooly, "Blackclaw, a cat's age does not matter what type of warrior they will be. Jaysong could be a better deputy then you." Applefrost paused before adding, "Also Firestar was younger than Tigerstar and he is a ten times better warrior then he ever was."

Blackclaw growled and stalked towards a group of RiverClan warriors. Casting an apolegetic glance to Jaysong and the other cats, Rowanclaw padded towards Blackclaw, Tornear following him. Turning to Applefrost and the others, Jaysong meowed, "Flamecloud, Rowanclaw told me that Oakstar has received his nine lives. How is everything going in ShadowClan?" Flamecloud shrugged and then Jaysong remembered something. "Great StarClan, I forgot Rowanclaw was your father. You and your littermates must be proud of him." Jaysong blinked until she realized that the other cats were staring at her. "What?"

"You're Clan deputy!" Kestrelear mewed, his yellow eyes shining. "That's huge! You're the youngest deputy that has ever lived by the lakeside! Probably the youngest deputy in the history of the Clans!" Jaysong purred and gave Kestrelear's head a gentle lick. Jaysong's gray eyes then slid over to Willowshine. The silver medicine cat was awfully plump for leafbare. Jaysong turned away from Willowshine, not wanting to think of what she already knew. Not wanting to see Willowshine look at her swollen belly with happy blue eyes tinged with nerves. Not wanting to see Applefrost's green eyes staring at Willowshine with pride shining in their depths.

"Let the Gathering begin!" Onestar called, his voice ringing as he glanced around at the cats gathered below him. Turning to Applefrost, Flamecloud, Kestrelear, and Willowshine, Jaysong meowed sadly, "I have to go sit with the other deputies. Come and find me before the Gathering is over, okay?" Flamecloud dipped his head and Jaysong walked away from her friends, flicking her tail as she went. Padding over to where Rowanclaw, Tornear, and Blackclaw had decided to sit, Jaysong avoided the RiverClan deputy. Settling down next to Rowanclaw, Jaysong stared at the tree where the leaders gathered, with excited gray eyes.

Oakstar stepped forward and Jaysong remembered that it was the small brown tabby's first Gathering as leader of ShadowClan, "Greetings cats from every Clan! Blackstar went to hunt with StarClan a couple dawns ago and his Clan mourns for him." Jaysong dipped her head in grief, knowing that it wasn't only ShadowClan who missed Blackstar. "I received my name and lives soon after so now I take my place as leader of ShadowClan! Rowanclaw is my deputy. We are ready to participate in life in the forest!" Oakstar paused and continued, "Before his death Blackstar also made a new warrior. Rabbitpaw has become Rabbitclaw."

"Rabbitclaw! Rabbitclaw!" Jaysong called with many other cats. Bramblepaw and Ferncloud- who had been in the nursery with Rabbitclaw- and Brackenspot- who had trained beside the black-and-white warrior. Dawnclaw- who had become Rabbitclaw's mentor after Cloudtail- was amongst the loudest, her eyes glimmering with pride as she glanced at her former apprentice who was sitting beside Rushleaf, his head ducked in embarrassment. Jaysong then noticed that Dawnclaw was plumper than normal and the golden brown deputy wondered whose kits she was bearing. Jaysong wanted to ask Rowanclaw, but thought better of it.

"RiverClan has scented fox on our territory. Voletooth and Reedwhisker traced it as far as the ShadowClan border," Leopardstar turned to Oakstar, "It may have crossed over on your territory." Oakstar dipped his head in understanding. Jaysong felt her pelt shiver as she remembered the fight with the fox just outside of RiverClan territory? Had that been the same one? Jaysong wondered if she should have mentioned something to Firestar, but it was too late to do anything now. Jaysong gave her chest a couple brisk licks, hoping that her former mate's Clan would be able to handle the threat of the fox.

"WindClan two new warriors. Swallowpaw is now Swallowfeather and her littermate, Sedgepaw is now Sedgewhisker. Both cats scented a couple of rogues and while tracking them came across a stray dog on our territory." As everyone greeted the new warriors, Jaysong wondered if the dog crossed onto ThunderClan territory. Jaysong's tail twitched uncomfortably as she thought of Brightheart's injuries or her own experience with the deadly creatures.

"Brambleclaw and Dustpelt have gone to hunt with StarClan. They died as they lived, fighting to save their Clan. Jaysong is now deputy of ThunderClan." Jaysong could feel so many cats glance at her that her fur hurt. Jaysong looked down at her paws and after a seconds surprised pause, her name rippled through the Clans like a wave. "We also have two new warriors. Rushpaw is now Rushleaf and Brackenpaw is now Brackenspot." Jaysong called her daughter and apprentice's names loudly, proud as the other cats cheered. Rushleaf and Brackenspot were very popular amonsgt the other Clans.

When no cat spoke, Onestar meowed, "Well if there is nothing else more to say then I end this Gathering." Jaysong looked as her clanmates got ready to go. Firestar was saying goodbye to the other leaders while Leafpool was saying goodbye to the other medicine cats. Jaysong could see Crowfeather staring at Leafpool with an unknown emotion in his amber eyes. Applefrost was saying goodbye to Willowshine while Bumblethroat and Thornclaw were saying goodbye to a group of RiverClan warriors. Rushleaf was saying goodbye to Rabbitclaw while Brackenspot and Bramblepaw were walking away from a group of apprentices. Jaysong meowed something to the other deputies before joining her Clan. They were going home.