"The cats going to the gathering tonight are Nightclaw, Froghop, Dusktail, Creamtail, and Pinetail." Applestar announced. Nightclaw sighed with relief. He really hoped Lilystream and Snowfall would be there. He followed the five other cats going to the gathering to Fourtrees, keeping to himself. Last sunrise, Wrenstripe had giver birth to their two kits, Dawnkit and Willowkit. Unfortunately, Wrenstripe was going to have three kits, but something went wrong with the last one and they both died. Nightclaw was still in disbelief that his love was gone, but he had two daughters. He knew he wouldn't be able to face his kits until he got over Wrenstripe because he didn't want to hate them. They would basically be without a father and mother for a while. He smelled the other clans so he perked up a bit. He padded over to the normal meeting spot and surprised to see Snowfall and
Softpaw. The last time he had seen Softpaw was seven moons ago.
"Hello!" He nodded happily, touching noses lovingly with Nightclaw. He stiffened and she backed away slowly. "Sorry." She whispered. "I've just missed you two so much! Anyways," She raised her voice back up to normal level. "Today I was out with Brightleaf, training, and I had to climb the Great Sycamore. I got all the way to the top, but then I fell! I was almost to the ground I finally my claws on a branch! I tore one out, but I'm fine."
Nightclaw's jaw fell open. "You almost died!"
Softpaw shrugged. "I didn't."
The three sat in silence for a few moments when they noticed a Riverclan she-cat staring at them. She blinked and padded over to the siblings. "Hello, I'm Echobreeze . Lilystream wanted me to tell you three that she is fine, and she had her kits."
Nightclaw felt a sharp pang of sorrow as the she-cat walked away. His heart ached at the thought of kits.
"How are your kits?" Snowfall asked.
"Fine." Nightclaw and Softpaw replied at the same time. Softpaw glanced at him with a curious flint in her eyes. She opened her mouth to say something, but the clan leaders called for the gathering to begin.
"Cat's of all clans!" Oakstar yowled.
"Who's that?" Softpaw whispered.
"Oakstar, the new Riverclan leader." Nightclaw whispered back. Several cats turned around and hissed at them, so Softpaw clamped her mouth shut and they started listening to the leaders.
"Also, Riverclan have welcomed two new kits to Lilystream and the prey is running well." Oakstar stepped back and motioned for another leader to make their announcements.
"What happened to Streamstar? Nobody tells me anything." Softpaw complained. More cats turned around to hiss their disapproval, so Nightclaw waited until they turned around to reply. As he started speaking a large Riverclan tom bared his teeth at them and hissed. "Shut up or I'll make you."
"So do it." Nightclaw growled. When the tom turned back to face the Great Rock, Nightclaw continued his explanation. "Streamstar died, but when Blackfur went to the Moonstone he didn't come back. Only Lilystream knows what happened, but she came back and said that Starclan wanted Oakstar to be the leader."
"I think he's dead and Starclan had something to do with it." Snowfall meowed quietly.
"Snowfall!" Harestar yowled angrily. "You and those two others have been meowed constantly since the gathering started. I believe you three should be sent home. To be welcome at the gathering you need to behave like the warriors you are, not apprentices."
Softpaw opened her mouth to give a smart reply, but Nightclaw slapped his tail over it.
"I agree and so does Applestar." Smallstar meowed. "Go home Softpaw. You too, Nightclaw and Snowfall. We will deal with you when we arrive later."
Nightclaw slumped his shoulders and padded out of Fourtrees followed by his brother and sister.
"Bye." He meowed coldly.
"Bye." They replied.