CHAPTER TWO
Pawsteps and mewing made one of my eyes open. Birchkit, Lionkit, and Slatekit all stood beside the nest I was in, peering inside to see the small white-and-brown bundle of fur I knew as Jinx. The she-kit I risked my life for. Irritation pricked at me pelt at the rudeness of the kits.
"Get out," I hissed quietly, rising to my paws. I wasn't full size yet but I could still look down at them. They squealed and ran away, giggling in amusement.
Jinx's head went up, looking around curiously. "W-where am I?" she whispered, looking at me with her lovely light blue eyes. Her white-and-brown pelt shimmered, even in the darkness.
I smiled gently at her, licking her cheek. "You are in ShadowClan camp, the safest place at the lake. Do not worry," I purred at her and got out of the nest, shaking out my fur and preparing for the cold snow. I could feel a slight pain in the leg the dog had bit me in but other than that I felt normal again. Rowanstar! Alarm struck through me as I padded out of the den at a fast pace. It was colder than I anticipated but it wasn't snowing so I let the small she-kit follow after me.
"Rowanstar!" I called into the leader's den, waiting for his response but all I got was a grunt so I slipped inside. "Rowanstar, are you okay?" I asked, seeing him in his nest with his head on the edge, looking at me. He didn't look well.
As soon as he saw me, though, he smiled widely. "You're okay, thank StarClan! Where's the kit?" Alarm flashed through his eyes.
The small kit sat beside me, her small tail wrapping around her paws as I responded, "Rowanstar, this is the kit we saved. Her name is Jinx." I looked down at the small kit with a happy smile. Something about having her around brightened my mood.
"Come here, little one," Rowanstar mewed in a rough voice. He coughed for a few moments. "It's okay."
She looked at me and I nodded as if to tell her it was okay. She stumbled forward, looking up at the leader in interest. "You are sick because of me," she whispered to him, but just loud enough for me to hear.
Rowanstar shook his head in awe. "How would you like to become apart of ShadowClan, Jinx? You'll live with Beepaw and we can protect you from those dogs and then one day you'll be able to guard yourself from those dogs." He let out another cough as the kit gazed at him in confusion.
I guess his offer suddenly clicked. "Yes! Oh yes, please!" she squeaked and bounced up and down, smiling from ear to ear. "Anything to be with Beepaw!"
Shock went through me. This kit wanted to join our Clan just to be with me. Sure, I did save her, but why the sudden connection?
"Very well." Rowanstar struggled to his paws and exited his den, Jinx excitedly follow and I trailed after. He let out a yowl, "Gather beneath the hazel branch for a meeting!"
Littlecloud and Puddlepaw had just entered camp with herbs in their mouths and when they heard the call they rushed to gather around, Crowfrost sleepily exited the warriors den, taking his place under the hazel branch, our two queens, Grassheart and Pinenose entered the clearing with the three kits following, our two elders sat outside their den with Dawnpelt and Tawnypelt, once again, clearing their ticks, Tigerheart, Sleekpaw, Spikefur, and Yarrowpaw entered the camp with prey in their jaws and quickly ran to join.
Rowanstar began, "A few days ago, as you all know, we ran into two dogs who had trapped a poor kit in some brambles and were attempting to eat her. While Wasptail, Strikepaw, and I distracted the dogs Beepaw freed the kit and she bravely fought the dogs to save this kit. In the end, I ended up distracting the dogs until I was able to climb a tree and make my way home. Beepaw brought this kit back to camp for protection and discovered her name is Jinx. Jinx wishes to join ShadowClan. I know ShadowClan usually doesn't let kittypets join, but, this is a special occasion." He jumped down from the branch, stumbling a little but he managed to remain on his paws.
"Jinx, as StarClan as our witness, I name you Cloudkit! And a full kit of ShadowClan," Rowanstar mewed, licking the kit's ear. "Grassheart, if you don't mind taking care of a kit that'd be swell." He looked to the queen who looked at him in shock.
She stood high as she responded, "I'd be honored to take care of such a brave little kit, Rowanstar."
"Get back to your duti-" He was cut off by a coughing fit and Littlecloud rushed to his side, holding him up and leading him to his den.
Crowfrost chimed in calmly, "Everyone get back to your duties, everything's under control." He didn't seem sure though.
Did Rowanstar have the cough? And if so, is it my fault? I turned to Jinx, now Cloudkit. It fit her well: her legs, stomach, face, and chest were all white while her back was brown. Her light blue eyes no longer held fear, sadness, or worry, instead it held hope and happiness. She bounced over to me.
"I'm Cloudkit, and I rule the forest!" she purred at me. She still seemed scared to talk to others than me but I said nothing. It would be nice to have someone to hang out with that was related to me or rat-brains.
My smile couldn't get wider. I didn't even know the kit but she obviously trusted me over any other cat. "Congratulations! In five and a half-moons you'll become an apprentice and instead of the 'kit' at the end of your name it was change to 'paw' and you'll be able to hunt, fight, and leave camp. You'll even get a mentor," I explained to her, my paws itching. She would be a great apprentice I knew. I just hoped she'd be mine.
"Cloudpaw," she whispered and grinned. "Who's Grassheart?"
I glanced around and spotted the pale brown tabby queen and pointed to her. "She's very nice, you'll like her, I promise." I padded over to her, hearing Cloudkit's little pawsteps crunching in the snow behind me. "Grassheart!" I called.
She was sitting out the nursery and turned around, looking at me curiously. "Oh my, is that the kit I'll be taking care of?" She sounded ecstatic. I didn't even know if she had kits. "Hello, Cloudkit," she purred softly, dropping down to her level and meeting her little blue eyes.
Cloudkit flattened her ears down on her head, the fear returning in her eyes. "B-Beepaw," she whispered in an uneven voice.
"Don't worry," I purred and smiled at Grassheart. "She's just shy." I turned back to the small kit. "Grassheart is your friend. She's going to take care of you," I promised and glanced at Grassheart, hoping she'd catch the drift to chime in.
The queen caught on easily and smiled warmly, being gentle with her voice, "You needn't worry, Cloudkit. I'll keep you warm, safe, well-fed, and happy. Beepaw will visit you every day." Her voice was soothing and her kind, shining emerald eyes calmed Cloudkit.
"Where do you sleep?" she asked, scooting forward a bit with interest. "There are so many dens in this clearing." Her eyes turned on me and her mouth dropped wide. "Are all of these dens yours?!"
Oh StarClan help this kit, I thought with a chuckle and shook my head. "No. These dens are where we sleep during the night. My den is over there." I pointed to the apprentice's den that was across from the nursery, "Your den is right over there." I pointed to the nursery and she squealed, waiting for Grassheart to lead the way. "I'll visit you in the morning," I promised Cloudkit, feeling as pain of sadness as Grassheart led the bouncy kit away.
When they'd safely entered the nursery I looked around. Everything seemed normal except the snow covering the ground. The fresh kill pile had been moved, as expected, to the brambles on the other side of the clearing.
"Beepaw!" Wasptail gasped, running up to me with my father, Stonetooth, at her side. "I'm so glad you're okay! We prayed to StarClan you'd be!" She licked my cheek.
Stonetooth smiled at me. "You risked your life for some kit! I cannot believe you're a ShadowClan cat," he mewed, shaking his head, "Of course, she will be a nice addition for ShadowClan." He gazed over at the nursery in amusement. "I wonder how she survived so long with those dogs trying to eat her?"
I shrugged my shoulder, turning my gaze back to my mother who was looking at Stonetooth with irritation. "Of course, if Cloudkit has a swell mentor than she will be an amazing warrior," Wasptail commented, her eyes flashing at me. She believed that Cloudkit would become my apprentice as well.
Excitement in my paws made me want to jump with joy but I just smiled quietly. "Yes, well, let's hope Cloudkit gets good training." M eyes flashed at Stonetooth who seemed confused. My father was always trying to make his apprentice the strongest, faster, meanest cat. Something inside me felt uncomfortable about it.
Awkward silence filled the air and I cleared my throat. "I should go check on Rowanstar…" I slipped away to his den and stuck my head in. Littlecloud was sitting next to our leader, his eyes full of worry as he spoke just loud enough for me to hear, "Dear StarClan, please spare one of Rowanstar's lives. I know he's lost none but he was just trying to save a poor, innocent kit. Please, I beg of you." He paused to take a deep breath. "If you must have a life take mine instead, not his." He closed his eyes and stayed still for a few more seconds and picked his head up, turning to me. "How can I help you, Beepaw?"
"I just wanted to check on my mentor and leader…" I looked at him and from the little bit of light shining on him I could tell he was ill. He got the cough because of me. And Cloudkit. "Is it just a cold?"
Littlecloud closed his eyes and shook his head. "I'm afraid not…" The gray hairs on Littlecloud's muzzle frightened me. "He has whitecough and it is quickly developing into greencough. I've been feeding him catmint, feverfew, lavender…" His voice trailed off and I could tell this was hard for the little medicine cat.
Suddenly, the sick leader raised his head to look at me. "If this cough takes one of my nine lives, Beepaw, it is not your fault. We saved a kit who will grow to be a beautiful, strong, fierce, brave warrior." He smiled weakly and then broke off into a coughing fit. "You should both leave me be incase you catch the illness. Beepaw, Wasptail gladly agreed to take you hunting and battle training."
Hesitantly, I back out of the den but Littlecloud didn't follow. I wasn't going to say anything, however, Littlecloud had been friends with Rowanstar for ages and even though he had nine lives, just losing one would destroy Littlecloud.
"Beepaw," Puddlepaw mewed, suddenly beside me, "is Littlecloud in there?"
My head shook but my mouth felt dry. I didn't know Rowanstar well but so far, he was the best leader ShadowClan had had.
"Crowfrost!" a yowl rang through the clearing and I recognized Tigerheart and Sleekpaw with a black tom, a light gray tabby tom, and a dark gray-and-brown tom, none of which I'd ever seen before. They smelled of water and fish and have sleek pelts. RiverClan. "We have visitors from RiverClan!"
Our deputy was eating a lizard at the side of the clearing but as soon as the warrior bursted into the clearing he had jumped to his paws and rushed over to challenge the RiverClan cats. He kept a cool, calm tone, "How can I help you, Reedwhisker?" He addressed the black tom. I knew Reedwhisker was the deputy of RiverClan. This must be serious.
Reedwhisker stood tall. He had a fat belly which startled me since it was leafbare. "We have received notification that ShadowClan has taken in a kittypet," he spat and I glanced over to the nursery where Cloudkit was outside playing with a mossball.
Silently and very swiftly, I ran over to the kit and wrapped my tail around her and she mewed in fright but I quickly silenced her. "Those cats are here about you," I whispered to her. "I'll protect you."
Crowfrost's eyes narrowed and claws dug into the snow. "From whom have you received notification from, Reedwhisker? ShadowClan's business is not RiverClans. Don't threaten me in my own camp."
The dark gray-and-brown tom jumped forward, looking right at Cloudkit. "Right there, Reedfeather! That kit reeks of kittypet!" His tail lashed and his bared his teeth at the kit. "I'll end this fight right now, Crowfrost!" The tom jumped forward and I met him in fury, bringing him down to the ground and hissing in his face.
"You will not touch Cloudkit. If you threaten my Clan again I'll have your tail!" I growled in a terrifying voice, his eyes full of hatred. No one was going to touch Cloudkit. I pushed the RiverClan warrior back over to Reedwhisker and looked at the RiverClan deputy with rage. "Cloudkit was being terrorized by dogs. The warrior code states we should save kits, no matter what. You have no reason to be here. Get out, or ShadowClan will teach you a lesson!" I threatened and turned to Crowfrost who was in shock. I waited for his approval.
He quickly agreed with a firm nod. "Beepaw is right. If you don't leave we'll make you." His gaze rested on the dark gray-and-brown tom. "Heronwing, you try to attack any kit again… I'll send you straight to StarClan."
Heronwing awkwardly shifted his paws and nodded. "Yes, Crowfrost." He glanced at Reedfeather in embarrassment.
The light gray tabby tom stepped forward, facing Crowfrost, Cloudkit, and I. "If you don't get rid of the kittypet by the Gathering in three days, we will attack you," he promised and took a step back.
"Thank you for the warning, Mintfur. Noted. But we will not be removing the kit from our camp. She is apart of ShadowClan now," he told her, now calming down. "Now leave before I send my warriors at you."
Reedwhisker dipped his head, eyes narrowed and fur bristling. "Very well, Crowfrost. Be prepared to be slaughtered." He turned away and left the camp, Heronwing and Mintfur trailed after, hissing and growling at us.
Cloudkit rushed to my side, her eyes full of tears. "Did I do something wrong?"
My head shook and anger rushed through me. "No. RiverClan cats are just selfish. They're mad we got the fastest, quickest, strongest, smartest warrior ever!" I told her and felt anger surging through me. There was no way I wasn't going to this Gathering. I would do anything. "Go back to Grassheart now."
She smiled widely. "Thanks, Beepaw!" Then she ran back over to Grassheart who licked the top of her head and smiled at me.
I stomped over to Crowfrost, knowing that he'd be able to see the rage in my eyes and voice. "I'm going to that Gathering and I will be apart of that fight," I told him, already wanting to strike down those fish-brains!
The deputy nodded thoughtfully. "As long as Rowanstar is better by than then yes, I wholeheartedly agree." He turned away and went straight for Rowanstar's den to tell him about the RiverClan cats threats.
Darkness around me made me realize how late it was. Tomorrow I'd have to get my mother to let me practice some battle moves with Strikepaw so I would be ready. I would train day and night if it meant be able to protect Cloudkit.
Left, right, jump, left, tackle! I thought to myself as I trained with Strikepaw. His attacks were simple and easy to dodge except for the one where he yanked down on my tail when I was pouncing on him. He was trained, just not well. All of the apprentices needed a lot more training for this battle. The Gathering was tomorrow night and every ShadowClan cat was exhausted. Dawnpelt and Tawnypelt had been ordered to stay away from all apprentices and kits and instead they train with Crowfrost. Needlepaw, Juniperpaw, Sleekpaw, Yarrowpaw, Strikepaw, and I were trained by Tigerheart and Wasptail. The rest of the warriors trained with Rowanstar, who was much better but he still had a bad cough. Littlecloud and Puddlepaw were gathering whatever herbs they could find and all cats were on the lookout for any herbs.
For whatever reason, I was in charge of the queens, kits, and elders training. I guess Rowanstar knew I was good with kits so of course I could handle some grumpy senior warriors and a few snappy queens. I was actually very excited to work with Cloudkit.
"Stop!" Tigerheart ordered, glancing over at Wasptail who nodded. "Beepaw you may want to work on striking back, so, you and Strikepaw switch positions," he ordered.
Nervousness struck me. I was never in a real battle before. Even though I tackled that RiverClan warrior that's about as close as I came to a fight. I took a deep breath and began my attack with something that Wasptail had told me never to attack with but Strikepaw obviously didn't know how to defend himself.
I went up on my hind paws and lashed out at him, let out a battle cry and instantly went for a death blow, wrapping my jaws around his neck gently and feeling him go limp. Guess that meant I win.
Wasptail nodded in approval and proudness. "Very nice attack. Those who are not aware of their surroundings will never suspect it," she told me, looking at Strikepaw who I had let fall to the ground out of my mouth.
"Alright, now start your hunting. Find some prey and bring it back to camp, one by yourselves and then another as teamwork," she ordered and then sped off, Tigerheart at her heel.
"We should start by hunting together," I told Strikepaw, hoping he wouldn't argue and instead he would just cooperate. He usually agreed to the things he was told, he was more a follower than a leader. I, on the other hand, was both. I took charge when necessary and keep my trap shut when I needed to.
The other apprentice nodded in agreement and scented the air. "I smell a recent trace of lizard," he pointed out and I smelled the air to check. He was right, It must've just passed by. "If we go around the clearing we'll probably find it," he pointed out.
But I was already on it, scenting down the lizard silently, focused on feeding the Clan. The snow impaired my sense of smell but not by too much, soon it would be a blizzard. Oakfur and Kinkfur went on and on about how this leafbare would be a harsh one.
Suddenly, I saw movement near me and I let out a yowl, jumping around and the lizard quickly skirted away, right into Strikepaw who was stealthier than I was. I didn't even notice him there.
"Nice kill!" I purred and glanced around. I knew Tigerheart and Wasptail were watching us. I hope they were impressed. "You hold onto that and we'll go find our own prey now. StarClan give you luck," I purred to him and turned away, feeling my paws grow cold but my excitement kept my pelt warm. I hadn't done anything wrong. There was no way I wasn't going to this Gathering tomorrow!
Without a sound and trekked through the pines, scenting the air. There was nothing. The prey was hiding since the brutal leafbare was coming. But I did scent a bird nearby. I've never had bird before… Quickly, I hunted it down, looking through the pines. I knew I was close to the twoleg nest but I was way more focused on the bird. The Clan needed it, no matter what. And then I smelled blood, fresh blood. And the scent of bird was fading. Someone had killed my bird.
Irritation pricked at my pelt but a voice interrupted my thoughts, "Who're you and why're you here?" The voice came from behind me.
I turned around and faced a pure white tom who blended in well with the snow. He had a woodpecker on the ground in front of him. His muzzle was covered in blood. He licked his lips. "I asked you a question kit," he snapped, his blue eyes flashing. Something seemed wrong with him though.
"That's my bird," I growled at him, bristling. "This is ShadowClan territory, kittypet!" I spat.
His ears pricked and his eyes flickered to my direction, although he wasn't actually looking at me. "I hunt where I please, rat-brain!" he spat back. "Get out of here before the dogs come back."
Dogs? He knew about the dogs? Although the tom was mucher larger than me and obviously a good tracker and hunter, I didn't expect him to be able to take on both the dogs. And besides, if he knew about the dogs did he know about Cloudkit? "I've tangled with them dogs before. I can handle myself."
The tom raised an eyebrow at me. "From the sound of your voice you sound a bit too young to be tussling with dogs," he mewed calmly, his ears pricked as Wasptail jumped down from a tree above us. "Aye, another rat-smelling Clan cat."
I was thoroughly confused. "C-can you not see?" I asked him, intrigued. I'd never met a blind cat before. I knew Jayfeather was born blind but I'd never met him. If this cat was blind, how did he live around here with those dogs? And how did he manage to hunt for himself?
Laughter arose from him. "I am blind, yes." He wasn't actually looking at us, I noticed. He was looking in our general direction. "You want the bird? Take it. I'll find myself another." He scented the air.
Wasptail opened her jaws to objected and then tilted her head. "What's your name so I know to alert the Clan not to attack you?"
His blind blue eyes seemed to look at Wasptail as he rose to his paws. "Hiss." And then he used his strong back legs to jump up to the second branch on the nearest tree and then he disappeared.
There were no words to express. I just snatched up the bird and we silently head back home. Did he ever try to save Cloudkit before we did? Did he ever fight with the dogs? Was he ever a Clan member? So many questions and no answers. I wanted to go back to ask him them but I was more focused on going to the Gathering tomorrow.
The moon was rising as we entered camp. Strikepaw and Tigerheart sat in the clearing, waiting for us.
"What took so long?" Strikepaw asked. "Could Beepaw not catch a single thing?" he joked and then noticed that neither of us seemed in the mood. He was puzzled as well as Tigerheart.
The strong warrior stepped forward. "What happened?"
My mother met his eyes with curiosity. "We met a cat, near the twoleg place where we got Cloudkit. His name is Hiss... He's dealt with the dogs and hunts for himself and-and… He's blind." She couldn't hide the confusion in her voice. She didn't understand how he did it either.
But Tigerheart just shook his head. "Let's just get to our nests and we'll ask Cloudkit about Hiss in the morning, alright?" He nudged the she-cat to the warriors den and helped her there, mumbling things to her.
Strikepaw looked at me with wide eyes, putting a lizard and frog on the pile while I put down a bird. We said nothing as we dragged our tired paws to the apprentices den. Everyone was already sound asleep so I quickly flopped down in my nest and closed my eyes, the blind tom from the pines still on my thoughts.
"As you know, the Gathering is tonight," Rowanstar mewed from the hazel branch. He looked a lot better than he did a few days ago. He looked healthy, strong, and ready to face the other Clans. "Crowfrost, Needlepaw, Littlecloud, Puddlepaw, Beepaw, Tigerheart, Sleekpaw, and Wasptail will be accompanying me to the Gathering. The rest of you will guard camp. When RiverClan announced that we have accepted a kittypet into our ranks there will be much anger." He jumped down and flicked his patrol. "Everyone heading to the Gathering get something to eat!" he ordered and grabbed a frog.
I quickly grabbed the bird I'd caught yesterday and brought it over to Puddlepaw who was smiling like crazy. "Let's share," I purred. I never really got to see my brother other than when I was wounded, which was rarely. I missed hanging out with him when we were kits.
Puddlepaw nodded and took a bite. "Are you nervous?" he asked.
"Of course, aren't you?"
The medicine cat apprentice shrugged. "I just get to talk to the other medicine cats which I've already met. You have to watch who you talk to." He took another bite as I swallowed my bite.
Yarrowpaw raced up to us. "You guys have to tell me all about the Gathering okay? I can't believe you guys get to goto a Gathering before me!" She huffed loudly and Cloudkit slipped up beside her.
The little kit came close to me and mumbled, "I'll stay up and wait for you. I want to hear all about the jealous RiverClan cats!" Her eyes shone in amusement and I could tell she was a lot more comfortable here than she was when she first arrived.
I shivered, it was a cold night but I nodded at her. "Make sure you stay warm though. I don't want you to get a cold," I warned and nudged her towards the nursery, hearing a yowl from Rowanstar. He was getting ready to leave. "I'll see you soon, Cloudkit," I promised and padded over to the group.
"Here we go!" Rowanstar called and then took off, Crowfrost at his side and I struggled to keep up. I was smaller than they were and the snow was making everything slippery. I'd never seen the Island before. I was also excited to see the Great Oak where the leaders sat to address the Clan. I hoped this Gathering would be fast since I was freezing already.
We were by the frozen lake, racing beside it. I knew that the RiverClan cats could say nothing to us if we were going to a Gathering but Rowanstar was playing it safe as we neared the RiverClan border he sped right past it and straight into their raced right over the greenleaf twoleg place and a stream up ahead made my panic rise. Could I cross it without falling in?
Rowanstar and Crowfrost jumped right over and everyone just took a large jump, using their back paws. When it was my turn I took a deep breath and pushed off the edge with my back legs, barely making it to the other side I caught up with Rowanstar who had spotted the RiverClan patrol.
"Greetings Rowanstar," Mistystar greeted with a calm voice. She was trying to keep the peace. Her warriors, however, hissed and growled at us.
Our leader nodded his head. "Go right on across the log, Mistystar," he mewed and watched as the RiverClan cats climbed across the log and onto the island and then Rowanstar jumped on followed by Crowfrost, Littlecloud, Puddlepaw, Wasptail, me, Needlepaw, Sleekpaw, and Tigerheart.
The log was slippery and slimy and gross and I had to dig my claws in it to keep from toppling over into the cold water below. Fear struck me as I felt myself begin to slip but Needlepaw grabbed my tail to steady me. I continued slowly to make my way across and when I finally reached the island I felt relief and jumped down onto the ground, taking a deep breath.
"Are you ready for something beautiful?" Wasptail purred and then walked through the bushes and I followed, my eyes widening as I gazed around in awe. It was beautiful. There were bushes and small trees surrounding the island and cats everywhere, talking and laughing. But the most beautiful things was the Great Okay. It was huge and there were four branches sticking out for the four leaders to sit on. They would have to have a pretty big jump to reach their branches.
I could see them now: Rowanstar, the strong ginger-furred ShadowClan leader, Bramblestar, the largest dark brown tabby-furred ThunderClan leader, Onestar, the small brown tabby-furred WindClan leader, and Mistystar, the sleek-furred gray-furred RiverClan leader. They all had their different qualities and it was easy to tell them apart.
Slowly, still looking around, I walked forward, seeing the medicine cats to the left of the Great Oak while the deputies took their place under the Great Oak. I recognized Reedwhisker instantly and bared my teeth. That fish-pelt!
A tail rested on my shoulder and I looked up to see Tigerheart. He smiled warmly. "The Gathering is a place for peace and happiness. No hostility or fighting. Roam around and meet some other cats from other Clans," he purred to me and then padded away.
I pricked my ears in interest and glanced around for someone to talk to. A muscular dark gray tom sat by himself at the edge of the clearing so I padded over.
"Hello!" I mewed, tilting my head at him. "I'm Beepaw. Who're you?
The tom smiled at me. He seemed happy to have someone talking to him. "I'm Nightpaw. Is this your first Gathering?"
I nodded firmly. Now that I had someone to talk to I felt a little better. "Yeah, it is! It is so beautiful here. I'm so lucky to be here." I glanced around more and spotted Heronwing, the tom who threatened Cloudkit in ShadowClan camp. My fur bristled. "Do you know who that is?"
Nightpaw turned his head to see who I was looking at and he nodded. "Oh yeah, that's my sister's mentor, Heronwing. My sister couldn't come tonight though. She has a little cough…"
My eyes widened. "You're a RiverClan apprentice?" My tail lashed and I crouched down defensively. "I'm a ShadowClan apprentice!"
The apprentice didn't seem phased. "Our Clans do not like each other but we're at a Gathering we cannot be yelled at for talking. This is supposed to be peaceful," he told me and glanced over at the Great Oak. "It looks like the Gathering's about to start. Here's a tip: Don't talk during the Gathering and try not to move." He wrapped his tail neatly around his paws and focused on the leaders.
Nodding to myself, I copied him and watched as Mistystar jumped to the first branch on the left side while Bramblestar climbed to the one above her. Onestar jumped to the top branch on the right side and Rowanstar took the place under him.
"Everyone quiet down, it's time for the Gathering to start!" Onestar yowled and everyone instantly went quiet and turned front.
I was excited and nervous for the Gathering but I sat still and paid attention. I was excited and nervous at the same time.
Suddenly, I saw a cat, a gray tom with stars in his pelt. He looked at me and then turned his attention to two other cats: Stormcloud and Larkwing. And then he disappeared.