Chapter 4

My dream was still fresh in my mind when I woke up. Dawn was bright and I wondered if the morning had ever been so beautiful before. Or had I just not noticed? I glanced around the den before my eyes landed on Fernpaw. Should I share my dream with her? She would be pleased to know Mosskit was happy. But then again, I reflected, she didn't fear guilty like I had about her death, just sad. By the time she stretched and blink open her eyes, I had decided to keep it to myself.

I walked over to my sister and gave her a lick on the ear. She returned it and said, "How do you feel? Better, I hope." I smiled and said, "Yes. I haven't felt this good in a long time. I had a good night's sleep." Fernpaw returned my smile and together we walked out of the den to find our mentors.

Fishcreek had just finished sending out the patrols. He told me that today we would continue the fishing lessons. "Great!" I meowed. Silently I resolved to do way better than I had yesterday. We said bye to Smallflower and Fernpaw, who were tagging along with the dawn patrol, before we set out for the river.

I was now excited for the river, because for a moment it seemed it no longer could haunt me. I race ahead of Fishcreek. By the time he had caught up, I had already carefully positioned myself by the water. Fishcreek gave me a nod of approval and I beamed at his satisfaction. I swiped out a fish and gave it my best killing bite. My mentor sat beside me and we fished all afternoon. It was quiet mostly, with only Fishcreek's occasional tips to help me improve and the wind through the trees.

On the way back I ran into Shadepaw. I set down my prey to touch noses with her and then I asked, "What herbs are those?" She replied, "Comfrey. It's good for mending broken bones. And Raspberry leaves. They help a queen when her contractions if they are too painful." I blinked in amazement. Wow! Shadepaw had learned so much already; Watersong must be really proud.

"You're so good at this stuff! I can never remember things the way you can. Mosskit would be proud of you." I smiled. She nodded somewhat awkwardly, seeming a little embarrassed by my praise.

We walked back to camp together. The camp seemed busy; cats were heading out for patrols and hunting, and Rainstar was having a discussion with Fishcreek. Shadepaw nodded to me before heading off for the medicine cats' den. I put my prey on the pile before tasting the air, hoping to find traces of Fernpaw. No scent of her. I snuck a look in our den, but only Rosepaw was there. She was sleeping heavily, her chest rising and falling rhythmically. I remembered hearing that she was sent out on the dawn patrol; she must have been tired.

"Clanmates! All those old enough to swim gather for a clan meeting." Rainstar's call echoed around the camp as the cats assembled. Rosepaw shifted but didn't wake. I stepped inside and walked over to her. Prodding her with my paw, I murmured, "Rosepaw, wake up. There's a clan meeting." At last she blinked open her eyes. Together, we headed out into the clearing. The rest of the clan was mostly assembled. The elder were just settling down and then Rainstar spoke. Quickly, we found our denmates and sat beside them. Oakpaw flicked his ears at me. Happy to see me feeling better, I'd guess.

"The cats going to The Gathering tonight are Sandclaw Webpelt, Frostwhisker, Spashspot, Reedpelt, Rockshade, Silverpaw, Rosepaw, Shadepaw and Watersong. We will be leaving shortly." Wow! I could scarcely believe I was going to the Gathering! Epecially since I had only been an apprentice for a few days and had been unimpressive compared to my denmates. I kneaded the ground with my paws impatiently.

Rosepaw and Shadepaw jumped on me with warning. Their eyes gleamed with mischief as I threw them off, and then tensed, ready to defend myself if they launched another play fight. Then out of nowhere, Fernpaw jumped onto Rosepaw and the two she-cats wrestled. A clump of bracken waved wildly, suggesting that that was where Fernpaw appeared from. I threw myself at Shadepaw before she could have the first attack. While we scuffled on the ground, Willowshadow and Rockshade came over. Shadepaw and I stopped, having already came out on top, and pranced over to our parents. They purred and vigorously groomed us.

Rainstar's signal called and we all joined at the mossrock before heading out in the forest. My heart beat faster the closer we got to Fourtrees, until I could not bear the excitement any longer. Rainstar plunged down the slope, flicking his tail in signal for us to follow. I saw Shadepaw following Watersong to a group of cats. I guessed they were medicine cats. Rosepaw nudged me and said, "Want me to introduce you to the other apprentices?" I nodded gratefully. She glanced around, trying to spot them, but a yowl from the Great Rock interrupted her.

"Cats of all clans welcome to another moonlit Gathering. I will begin with Thunderclan's report." A golden she-cat spoke with quiet authority.

Rosepaw whispered to me, "That's Honeystar" I nodded but kept my gaze and attention on the Great Rock.

Honeystar continued, "Redclaw has had a litter of kits." Congratulations broke out for the new mother. I cheered along with the crowd. "So Skyleaf will take over her duties while Redclaw nurses them. We have two new apprentices, Shortpaw and Lillypaw," More congratulatory meows erupted. Maybe I'll get to meet them, I thought. "and Goldpaw has earned her warrior name of Goldfur." The last compliments were dying down as a brown tabby stepped forward.

"Mudstar, Shadowclan's leader." Rosepaw identified the tom.

He said, "Shadowclan chased a fox out of our territory two dawns ago. Mossypelt has taken a place in the elder's den. And Hawkeye died from greencough last night." Meows of sorrow and pity rose from the Shadowclan cats. I got the idea he was pretty popular among his clanmates "However Runningfire has healed all the other cats with the sickness, so Shadowclan is now strong again."

With a nod to Rainstar, he stepped back and I watched my leader take his place. "Riverclan has lost Mosskit to Starclan this moon, but two dawns ago we welcomed her sisters as apprentices, Shadepaw, Fernpaw, and Silverpaw." Mixed meows, sadness and congratulating, filled Fourtrees. I could feel the glances of many cats on me. I twitched an ear uncomfortably, but relaxed again when I felt Rosepaw's tail tip rest on my shoulder, silently encouraging me. "Our prey is plentiful and we are free of sickness. Twolegs have been wondering in our territory yesterday, but they have left now and there hasn't been a sign of them since last night." The problem was so minor I hadn't even been aware of it.

Windclan's leader, a sandy colored she cat, stepped forward. "Windclan chased off two dogs this past moon. We have had sickness too, but all of our cats recovered. Our medicine cat apprentice has taken her full clan name of Leopardshadow." Congratulations were still ringing out as the Windclan leader brought the Gathering to a close.

"And that was Heatherstar." My friend meowed.

I nodded and then asked, "Do we have time to meet the other apprentices?"

Rosepaw nodded, "I think so… oh! There they are!" I turned to see where she was looking.

There was a group of seven apprentices, Shadepaw and Ferpaw among them. I recognized the two new Thunderclan apprentices Shortpaw and Lillypaw. We reached them and Shadepaw introduced everyone to me. Blackpaw and Flowerpaw were Shadowclan and Gorsepaw was Windclan. We compared mentors until our leaders called for us. We said our goodbyes and dashed after our clans.