Chapter 3

WillowClan/Brightpaw

Evening crawled across the familiar camp with the willow tree, it's drooping branches dangling it's leaves lazily in the gentle breeze. The reeds rattling softly as Brightpaw finished cleaning up her own pelt, smoothing it over with gentle strokes of her tongue. Her bright ginger fur a sign of her parentage, while her heart felt squeezed from the pain of her upbringing. Across the camp was the cat she once called her father: Mothfang. The bright ginger tom keeping to himself as he was almost completely ignored by the others of their Clan.

So many moons had passed and, sadly, Brightpaw still struggled to understand what went wrong between him and Lionriver. She could remember bits and pieces, the waiting for him to return with feathers or fresh-prey; only to be face to face with Hawksight bringing them and her mother some prey to eat. Even back then, she had known something was wrong, something her yellow eyes were missing somehow. Yet, she never found it. To this very evening, she had missed something as a kit and no questions could answer that.

Mothfang never answered her questions, sometimes he acted like she wasn't even there. It was the same with Robinpaw, making it even harder for the two to bond with Mothfang. The bright ginger tom would only find reasons to complain as far as Brightpaw could tell. He would point out how in two moons she would have finally been seen as strong enough to learn everything if things were as he still remembered it. Then again, he wasn't he only cat with reservations like that.

Many of the other older cats had that thought process, uncertainty in their eyes when she and her brother had been apprenticed. Almost as though they couldn't fathom a six month old kit could ever be big enough or strong enough to learn anything. Of course, they were more than big enough as they were nearly full-grown. Yet, some of them still acted like Robinpaw and herself should be in their mother's den for much longer. However, Willowstar, their surprisingly young and mature leader, managed to coax them into opening their minds with the reminder they are welcome to leave if they don't agree.

Even so, the cats had stayed despite their grumping about the so-called changes. She never knew any different, so she found it so odd that it was frowned upon all around her. Nonetheless, Brightpaw knew that soon enough she would meet the newer apprentices for once at the Twoleg Bridge Gathering. A place where WillowClan, once called the River-Fragment moons before her kitting, and BushClan, a Clan that they had been at war with for many seasons past, had a final showdown where the leader and second-in-command had died. Quail and Heather, two cats on the same side taking each other out like opposing forces; leaving Willowstar to gain control and let his cats choose on whether they wanted to stay or go.

The story was something her mothers spoke of, a story of Lionriver's torment and boiling patience to the burning betrayal and suffering that Hawksight endured. While Brightpaw and Robinpaw found it hard to imagine, the blood stained path shaped the two cats into depending on one another so deeply that, somehow, Hawksight became their other mother of sorts. The traces of the past in their actions: Hawksight with forgiving love and guidance; and Lionriver with her distrust of others to the point of challenging them.

Yet, as she stared at Mothfang, the question still remained. What had gone wrong to make her mother turn her back on him? Was it how disappointed they got when it was never him coming to see them as he promised all those moons ago? Was it something deeper than that? With a shake of her head, the young she-cat knew she may never know for certain. Looking away, she saw their esteemed leader, his silver tabby pelt flowing in the gentle breeze from a massive gnarled root. His amber eyes searching the camp with a watchful gaze. Was he searching for something or was he simply observing the cats he had been raised to lead?

Brightpaw blinked slowly, following his gaze to the dark gray she-cat, she was quite large compared to the others. A very pretty cat in her own right. Her head raised in mock-pride as she spoke to her siblings about some tale, putting on a character's actions with a flick of her plumy-like tail. Amber eyes shining in the evening sun with the light of play deep within them. The more she looked, the more Brightpaw found herself admiring how delicate Plumebranch truly was beneath her unusual size for a she-cat. She was strong, but still had the delicate mannerisms just like her mother. A paw raising up like she was about to swipe at a dangling leaf or even unsuspecting prey. Her paws seeming small and dainty compared to her body size.

The bright ginger she-cat found herself mesmerized by the hidden beauty within Plumebranch's unsuspecting form and size. It was something Brightpaw couldn't quite explain, but she had to tear her yellow eyes away from the she-cat and back to Willowstar. He seemed just as enchanted by her as she had been. She supposed even their leader was like any other young cat.

"Clan-watching again?" Her brother asked teasingly, "Or are you playing secret admirer again on Plumebranch?"

She felt her ears burn with embarrassment as she shot Robinpaw a glance. "Excuse me? I'm just seeing if we are going any time soon without bothering anyone." Yet, she could see the look in her brother's pale amber eyes and knew full well that he did not believe her at all.

"Well, whatever you are doing, you should probably stay away from older she-cats. I mean, last gathering you kept staring at Lightspring." He teased warmly.

Brightpaw swiped at him, keeping her claws sheathed. "Hey, Lightspring is a strong she-cat! How can I not admire her? I admire any she-cat as strong as she is!"

"Sure you do." Robinpaw teased, looking away. "Anyway, we won't be going until the sun is gone to give thanks to the moon or something."

"I thought it was just going to be out of respect of the ancestors." She replied back, puzzled. "Do they live on the moon or something?"

"I'm not sure," her brother looked away, ruffling his tawny pelt. "My guess is as good as yours at this rate. Some say it's for the spirits that Hawksight speaks of, others think it's for the moon, and a few think it's just what Willowstar and Morningstar agreed upon. With only that bridge known between our Clans it would keep both sides safe from the other and making it into a proper truce."

Brightpaw blinked, looking back to the sky as the last traces of the sun slowly vanished, leaving the moon to light the night. "Perhaps, it could be everything we think at once. Who knows for certain."

Robinpaw gently brushed by her. "Still, you always watch the she-cats. Not that I mind, it gives us something else to talk about then just training. I just, I don't think I've heard any other cat do that."

"Really? You never heard toms talking about toms and she-cats either?" She asked dryly.

"Not in the way you do, is what I mean." He corrected himself quickly. "It's just, you notice a lot of things about them."

She tried to think on what her brother meant before asking, tentatively, "You mean, how I can see why Willowstar could like Plumebranch?"

"Yeah, like that." His eyes brightened.

"Well, can't you see how he could like her?" She prompted curiously.

"I guess, she is a nice cat to be around and she is skilled and thoughtful." He offered, looking to the dark gray she-cat.

"It's like that, I just notice it a lot in she-cats." Brightpaw pointed out, "I don't know why I do, but I do and it's not doing any harm."

"That's true, but just be careful. You never know when it could be a hindrance for the Clan." He reminded her.

"I'll be fine, I promise." She conceded, flicking her ears towards the highest knot of a gnarled willow root.

Swiftly, like a squirrel, Willowstar leaped up onto the gnarled root. His silvery tabby pelt billowing in the breeze magnificently. Amber eyes flickered across the crowd as his head was held high with an air of importance, his tail slowly raising high to assert himself as their ever-confident leader.

"Cats of WillowClan," He began to announce, his voice strong and still as vibrantly young as ever. "I thank you for staying with us for so long. Once again the moon has become full for tonight's meeting with BushClan. I now will ask for a pawful of you to come with me to meet them while the rest of you protect our home. As is custom of the Star's wishes, Lionriver, Hawksight, and myself will be at the head of this patrol to the Twoleg-bridge."

Lionriver, Brightpaw's and Robinpaw's mother, lifted her head from a lower gnarled root with slight haughtiness as the young leader swept on. "We have agreed to bring Breezepetal, Tornleg, Stonefern, Antstep, Spottedsun, Plumebranch, Robinpaw, and Brightpaw."

Lionriver nodded, "Since BushClan has a lot of apprentices, we figured since ours are doing so well we will bring them along. Soon enough, Rat-tail's kits will be apprentices and will be able to join us to these Clan-gatherings. So, do not worry, we are not playing favorites at all. Even her kits will have a chance to meet them and learn to have some respect for the other Clan."

With a warm blink, Brightpaw felt her heart soar with excitement. Soon, they wouldn't be the only apprentices! However, she was still puzzled. What was the Clan-gatherings even supposed to be about? They rarely spoke to the other side and if they did it was cool and icy. It seemed important to StarClan, but it was so hard to understand how. Even now, as she tried to wrap her mind around it like a concealed den. It was to promote a chance for the leaders to speak and for peace to remain.

"What is even the point of going?" Breezepetal asked aloud, seeming to voice all of their grievances. "We are in peace now, there is no more wars or even skirmishes now that we're all on the same side!"

Willowstar listened to the older she-cat, his amber gaze focused before he closed them in thought. His tail tip flicked this way and that, before he opened his eyes once more and spoke. "It promotes peace between us and BushClan, yes; but it also gives us a chance to ask for help should we need it." Antstep opened her jaws to speak, but was stopped when her brother swept on, "Not just us, mind you. For BushClan as well. They have fought valiantly for many seasons before my birth. We need to learn about them, form an alliance should enemies return to our land. Be it a pack of foxes or the cats who have abandoned us for taking on Clan-like ways. We are stronger together than acting like the heartless cats I grew up watching. Turning on one another so quickly and raising kits before they were even big enough to leave the den safely. I want a sense of unity and to get there, we must go to these Clan-gatherings. If you disagree, you are free to leave."

Antstep bowed her head in acceptance, even the grumpy Breezepetal looked away with a grunt. At last, it seemed like they would finally go without another complaint! Brightpaw was never certain why they had to go, but if it was for them to bond with the other Clan then there was no harm to worry about! With her eyes bright, she looked to her mentor expectantly.

"Does this mean we get to go now?" She asked excitedly.

"When Willowstar is done speaking and says so." Antstep sighed softly, looking at her. "And remember, your older now and you should act like a proper grown up."

"I know, I know." She looked back at the Clan leader. "It's just there will be new apprentices again and I can't wait to meet them too."

The silver tabby pelt of her leader seemed to be lit aflame by the evening sun as his amber eyes glanced over the clearing. "When twilight comes we will begin our walk to the Twoleg-Bridge. I expect our apprentices, their mentors, and our warriors to be on their best behavior." His gaze focused on Hawksight. "Would you like to speak as well?"

Hawksight rose to her paws, her long tail rising along with her. "StarClan often speaks of skirmishes happening during Gatherings, that is what they called their coming together in the past, and it causes them to cover the full moon with a cloud to prevent a terrible fight. I never know how they do this, but I believe them."

"You believe anything." Groaned Haileye, his mew kept soft to not be heard; Brightpaw flicked her ears dismissivly, putting her trust into the she-cat she saw as one of her own parents.

"They have a reason just as the seasons have reasons to exist as well as the hardships that can come," Hawksight spoke on, her voice ringing out through the clearing with such clarity that it was as though she had always been confident and self-assured. "We are in a time of peace, but they warn me that it never lasts forever. On their behalf, I wish for no fighting at the Bridge-gathering. It is a small space, so be mindful of where you place your paws. I know Antstep and Tornleg have been to the first Bridge-gathering as well as I, Willowstar, and Lionriver have. So please, do not be afraid to ask any of us about what you can or cannot do before twilight comes. After that, we must focus on reaching the bridge at nightfall to mingle with BushClan until the moons silver face can be seen clearly in the sky."

"Well said." Willowstar praised warmly, dipping his head to her before looking to Lionriver and asking polietly. "Anything you wish to add on, Lionriver?"

Brightpaw watched her mother carefully. Her ears twitching thoughtfully to the murmurs of the clowder before shaking her head. "Not at all. I feel that we have said everything we needed to."

"Very well," The Clan leader looked back to his Clan, shoulders relaxed and ears perked. "Then this meeting has come to a close. Let the dusk patrol begin their duties and the hunting patrols hunt for their Clanmates. Those coming with us, remember that this is your last chance to eat. Once we head out, we are not stopping to hunt at all. The rest of you, rest well and the camp guards will keep you safe." With that, Willowstar carefully leapt down from his gnarled root along with Lionriver and Hawksight.

.

The sunlight creeped closer and closer to twilight, a time where the sunlight vanished out of view, virtually winking out. Willowstar waited as Breezepetal grumpily joined with Hawksight and Lionriver close behind. Tornleg padded alongside Antstep to join the waiting Bridge-gathering patrol; allowing Robinpaw and Brightpaw to walk side-by-side in confidence. Soon enough Stonefern joined after parting with Rat-tail with a gentle touching of the nose. Quickly following him was Spottedsun and Plumebranch. At last, the patrol was together as the sunlight continued its slow, but quick fade into the darkness of night. The paths between the reeds and weeds arced over their bodies, sheltering them from prying eyes as they padded in pairs with Willowstar at the head of the patrol and Stonefern at the rear.

As darkness enveloped the river bank they walked along, Brightpaw could feel the excitement fizzing through her very pelt. BushClan had such respectful-looking cats! Toms that held an air of honorableness to the she-cats holding a kind disposition. They were welcoming and she looked forward to see how energetic the next batch of apprentices were. Eyes flashing in the starlight as they crossed under the birch trees whose branches stretched across the star-specked sky. There were only a few stars out that Brightpaw could see, but she was certain it would be enough to allow her Clan to find their way on the familiar paths.

Thankfully, it didn't take long for them to find their way through the winding tunnel-like grasses and burst into the open. The small clearing lead towards the odd wooden bridge. It was made of trees, but it held no scent like any tree. It smelled of Twolegs, dogs and other animals other than cats and soaked wood. Brightpaw waited patiently as Willowstar stared to the other side of the riverbank. Almost at once a shadowy feline shape emerged, sleek and staring back with a slow blink. With a raise of his tail, Willowstar bounded onto the Twoleg-bridge, Brightpaw and the rest of the Clan followed suit. The other side of the riverbank exploded the same way, the leader of BushClan racing forward with his own tail raised as he bounded ahead of his Clan, stopping once they met in the middle of the bridge.

It creaked beneath her paws, feeling rough from countless moons of weathering, but smooth from the many kinds of paws that used it. Brightpaw blinked, her eyes finally spotting the familiar pelts of BushClan-cats. Morningstar, the opposing leader, greeted Willowstar respectfully with a slight dip of his head. Her mother, Lionriver, coolly greeted the BushClan's deputy, Twilightsky, who greeted her with mutual respect without taking a step closer for her satisfaction. Hawksight, her other mother of sorts, was swift to greet Icepath, the medicine cat of BushClan, and helping her find the perfect spot where she could hear everything clearly and be safe.

Antstep and Tornleg couldn't help but stick close to Brightpaw and Robinpaw, feeling unnerved as the BushClan-cats gave their respect for personal space as though it was second nature. The oldest of BushClan were a pair of toms who were in a deep fondness of one another. The dark ginger long haired tom stayed near by as his cream and white furred mate greeted the usually grumpy Breezepetal. The older she-cat seemed so young compared to them, the way she nuzzled into the gentle BushClan elder so gently.

"I was worried I would never be able to see you again." Breezepetal breathed softly, a deep emotion that Brightpaw could not name was flowing so freely in the older she-cats mews.

The cream and white elder purred warmly, "My sweet pea, I'll always be here for you. I won't join StarClan without word reaching you of my time coming."

"Must be heartbreaking to have a parent outside of your Clan." Tornleg murmured, glancing at Antstep curiously.

Antstep flicked her ears passively. "Don't look at me, I wouldn't know what that's like."

Brightpaw spared a look at Robinpaw who simply tilted his head to one side. He was just as puzzled as she was about the remarks, but they continued to wait patiently. Soon enough, she could see the familiar fluffy black pelt of Cootpaw breaking away from her mentor. Her fur was shining silver in the growing moonlight, her yellow eyes bright with excitement. Close behind her followed Leafpaw, her distinctive pale tortoiseshell and white splotched pelt following along. Both she-cats looking behind themselves as they padded over to them. That was when Brightpaw felt her heart seem to skip a beat.

The cat was unusually large, nervous, with a fawn-colored and white pelt, amber eyes darting around in wonder. The moonlight lighting up their unusually broad shoulders in silver as their eyes locked. Brightpaw barely could listen as Cootpaw began to speak, pride glowing in her yellow eyes.

"Robinpaw, Brightpaw; you remember Leafpaw, right? Well this is her sister, Fawnpaw. It's her first gathering, so we're showing her around."

"It's nice to meet you." Robinpaw answered, curiosity glittering in his eyes as he followed it quickly with a question, "How has your training been? I know it can be tough."

Fawnpaw hesitated a moment before mewing softly, her voice melodic in its own way. "It has been difficult."

"Not too tough, right?" Brightpaw suddenly blurted out, feeling her ears grow hot from slight embarrassment. "Just asking, since... you know, it's unfair when it is." Her brother gave her a look, narrowing his eyes slightly as she tried to steady her racing heart.

"That's thoughtful of you." She answered, "It's difficult, but not terribly so."

Cootpaw nodded. "Sometimes she has trouble, but she has enough litter-mates and even I to lend a helpful paw when she needs it. She's just shy, but when she focus's there is nothing to worry about."

"Exactly, she just needs to work on her confidence and she will be both shy and a force to be reckoned with." Leafpaw boasted.

Brightpaw blinked warmly, seeing the way Fawnpaw had looked away in embarrassment, making her own burning ears settle down. "I'd say she has promise." She murmured, causing the larger apprentice to glance to her with wide eyes. "Just a gentle one, but even someone gentle could be something to worry about. I'm sure you will do well."

"I suppose we should introduce ourselves properly before moon-high comes." Robinpaw started, stepping to block his sister's view. "I'm Robinpaw, and that is my sister, Brightpaw. Our mother is the deputy of our Clan."

"And our adoptive mother is the healer of our Clan." Brightpaw added in, feeling a twinge of embarrassment.

"Those are very fine names." Fawnpaw murmured, seeming to relax some. "I suppose it's odd to have parents that important at times."

"Not really, we didn't get any special treatment." Robinpaw answered swiftly. "Anyway, we should probably get back to our Clan-mates to be ready to hear the news that Willowstar and Morningstar want to share."

"Robinpaw!" Brightpaw managed to squeak out, only to fall quiet from the look he had. Clearly, he had noticed her odd behavior, not that she could help it! "Alright. Fine. I'll be right behind you."

"You better." He started to walk past her, stopping a moment as he whispered at her softly. "We'll have to have a talk about this."

Brightpaw stayed silent, staring back at her brother as he walked on without seeming to be bothered that she hadn't replied at all. Taking a deep breath, she looked back at her fellow apprentices. "I'm sorry about Robinpaw. He's usually not like this. It's probably a tom thing."

"It's alright, he isn't wrong about it being almost time though." Cootpaw explained, looking towards where the moon hung in the sky higher than it was before.

"Right, I hope to see you three again." She answered more cheerfully as Cootpaw and Leafpaw started to head back to their mentors. Fawnpaw was a bit slower, more reluctant to turn away from her. Warmth spread in her chest. "Especially you."

"Me?" Fawnpaw looked at her for a moment.

Brightpaw nodded. "I'd like to get to know you more is all. I know a place near the edge of the gorge falls that we can get to. It's a bit of a swim, but if we meet here and then walk on our banks we can meet there in the brush."

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt, but when would we ever be able to do that?" She asked curiously, her gaze searching the white and ginger splotched she-cat.

"Ever seen the sky when there is no moon?" She asked, seeing a puzzled look on Fawnpaw's face. "We can meet when the moon is gone from the sky. That would be a quarter-moon after the half-moon I think. Please, think about it, I'll wait for you." She begged before turning to go after her brother before he could come looking for her.

Her heart was racing. She wanted to get to know her more, but it was so hard to think on why exactly. Maybe it was just a crush and she needed help stamping it down. Or, perhaps, she was just interested in what made Fawnpaw lack her confidence? It was a curious feeling in her chest and mind. She needed to know what about her made her act so odd.

She wove her way through and settled beside Robinpaw who didn't spare her a glance. "You took long enough."

"Well, you left so abruptly I had to make sure they wouldn't feel offended." Brightpaw pointed out glumly.

"I don't want you talking to that large she-cat." Robinpaw whispered stiffly.

"Excuse me?"

"It was like you lost all sense, it wasn't like you. I didn't like it. Something about her isn't right either, so keep away from her."

Brightpaw fell silent for a moment, staring at her own brother before she answered softly. "You don't even know her."

"Neither do you."

"These Full-Moon Gatherings are to do that. Cutting it short wouldn't make it happen." She argued back. "She's just shy."

"They all act like they are hiding something about her, though." Robinpaw confessed.

She gently touched her nose to her brother's shoulder as comfortingly as she could. "Something could have happened before they got here and just wanted to put a friendly front up. That's all. It's probably nothing for us to worry about."

"I hope you're right." He conceded, looking up as Willowstar and Morningstar leaped up onto the long flat branch of the Twoleg-bridge.

Author Note:

I won't lie, it took me longer to write this chapter than I wish it did. It will be continued into the next chapter though!
I also took a long time off because holidays and January are a bit hard to handle for me still. I'm trying though even if it doesn't look it. It also takes a lot to hit the 4k mark for a chapter, but at least I'm learning as I go to try and hit it when I can.

Thank you for reading, have a great day, evening, morning and night. - NightSky