Last Gathering as

A full moon crossed the sky behind thin wisps of cloud as Bluestar led her warriors to the Gathering. As usual, Fireheart choose which warriors to go to the gathering. Graystripe padded in step with Fireheart. Swiftfoot padded along with Nightfrost and Mousefur, excited as a warrior. Brackenpaw mewed excitedly with his sister, Cinderpaw.

As they emerged into the hollow, the first thing he saw was Tigerstar and Leopardstar sitting side by side, watching approvingly as a group of their apprentices scuffled playfully with each other.

"You've done a good job there," meowed Leopardstar to her companion. "Those are strong young cats, and they've learned their fighting moves well."

A purr rumbled in Tigerstar's chest. "We've made some progress," he agreed. "But there's a long way to go yet."

A pair of tumbling apprentices rolled right up to their leaders' paws and Leopardstar shifted backwards to give them more room. The young ShadowClan cats were certainly muscular and well fed. His brother shared an uneasy glance with him, of what Tigerstar may be planning with them.

At a word from Tigerstar the apprentices stopped their playful skirmish and sat up, licking their ruffled fur. The two leaders began to make their way toward the Great Rock with Bluestar already waiting at its base, but no sign of the Windclan leader. Nightfrost decided to waited out as Tigerstar is in Shadowclan and Riverclan is hostile to Thunderclan until the gathering starts.

"Windclan's here!" A cat yowled out, as cats from the moor padded into the clearing. Tallstar leaped to join the other leaders as Leopardstar yowled from the top of the Great Rock to signal the start of the meeting.

The Riverclan leader stepped up. "Prey is running well in Riverclan. We have a new apprentice here today. Dawnpaw!"

The cats at the gathering cheered. "Dawnpaw! Dawnpaw!"

Leopardstar stepped back and Bluestar went next. She give out a simple report when the cheering died down. "Thunderclan welcome two apprentices, Tawnypaw and Bramblepaw."

Nightfrost watched the Shadowclan leader, whose eyes shown with pride. Tallstar continued the gathering.

"Windclan is doing well this leaf-fall. Whitetail has joined the nursery."

When Tallstar had finished, Tigerstar stepped forward.

"Shadowclan's training program has been processing well. A new liter of kits have been born and three apprentices were made warriors. ShadowClan grows strong again," he finished. "We are ready to take a full part in the life of the forest."

The ShadowClan leader had paused and was gazing down at the assembled cats as if he had something particularly important to say.

"I have a request to make," he began. "Many of you know that when I left ThunderClan, two kits of mine were in the nursery. They were too young then to travel, and I am grateful to ThunderClan for the care they have given them. But now it's time for them to join me in the Clan where they rightfully belong. Bluestar, I ask that you give me Bramblepaw and Tawnypaw."

Yowls of protest from ThunderClan warriors broke out before Tigerstar had finished speaking. Bluestar drew herself up and waited for the noise to die away before she replied. "Certainly not," she meowed. "These are ThunderClan kits. They are apprenticed now, and they will stay where they belong."

"In ThunderClan?" Tigerstar challenged her. "I think not, Bluestar. The kits belong with me, and my warriors will take care of their apprentice training."

"Your concern is natural, Tigerstar," Bluestar spoke evenly, "But you can be sure that the kits will receive the best possible training in ThunderClan."

Tigerstar paused again, his gaze sweeping around the clearing, and when he spoke again it was not just to Bluestar but to the whole audience of cats. "The ThunderClan leader tells me how well my kits will be trained under her guidance—but one kit was carried off by a hawk. Your clan is still suffering from the remains of the fire with lack of prey and shelter. And it is leaf-fall now, close to the dangers leaf-bare brings. Does any cat wonder that I'm concerned about the safety of my kits?"

"The camp has been well repaired, Tigerstar, if that was what you were so worried about. And won't leafbare be the same in any clan?" Bluestar coldly replied. "You are not Thunderclan anymore, but your kits still are."

"I don't see what's so difficult," he meowed smoothly, though anger flickered in his amber eyes. "After all, it won't be the first time that ThunderClan has handed over kits to other Clans. Will it, Bluestar?"

The Shadowclan leader probably meant Graystripe's kits, but at those words, Bluestar seem shaken. "The past is the past. We must judge each situation on its own merits. I will think carefully about what you say, Tigerstar, and give you my answer at the next Gathering."

Tigerstar dipped his head and stepped back a pace. "Very well," he agreed. "One more moon—but no longer."