Thunderclan's delegation is walking along the shore of the lake, slowly moving towards the island. Cats are talking amongst each other, the excitement for the Gathering running as high as most moons among them. The one time each moon where the clans could meet, any cat could talk with any cat and, most times at least, no hostilities are exchanged. Ashfur does not entirely share the enthusiasm, although he doesn't mind it either. None of the other clans had ever done him any real harm beyond the usual little border scuffles, not since Tigerstar's times anyway. His gaze shifts over to a group of apprentices, excitedly mewling among them about which great warriors they might meet and the other apprentices they'll be able to share stories with. For many of them, tonight is their first Gathering, they don't yet understand how serious they can get. Although, tonight should be calm. As the grey warrior looks on, he sees the island at some distance, it's tall trees stretching towards silverpelt and their ancestors. Unlike several of his clanmates, he does not have any real friends among the other clans, nor kin as far as he knows. Tonight would likely go as it usually does for him, he will join a circle of warriors, share tongues over some menial stories and hunts throughout the passed moon and then Thunderclan would leave. Or so he thought at first. As Thunderclan approaches the bridge, his thoughts wander back to the night half a moon ago, where he discovered the strange scent at the river, where some cat was watching him from across the border. Perhaps he can look for answers tonight, why not after all. He'd just need to be careful not to sound accusatory. No warrior likes being accused of trespassing, especially if he has no prove of anything. All he has to go on are those eyes he saw…

He passes the bridge as one of the last few cats of Thunderclan's delegation. As soon as they push through the bushes into the large clearing of the island, the sound and scent of dozens of cats flood his senses. As he observes the leaders greet each other and the apprentices run around in amazement and curiosity, he strides more calmly into the thick of it. Thinking back at his only clue that can narrow down which cat was watching him, those blue eyes, striking blue eyes, he begins looking around, trying to find out where a bunch of warriors are. Padding over to one larger group currently sharing tongues, be begins thinking: who does he know in the clans with blue eyes? Surely there cannot be that many. As he joins in among the mixed group of warriors, he finds himself easily being permitted into the round. While sharing the exact mundane stories he predicted he would, he glances over the other cats. Blue eyes are not that common and the few he does find are not… it. His eyes rest on Crowfeather for a moment, his eyes are blue and he is a Windclan warrior, it'd fit. As during a brief story from the black cat their eyes meet for a second, Ashfur finds himself disappointedly noting though that they are far too dark and deep in shade.

As time drags on a bit, he listens to the stories of the other warriors, getting to know many an amusing story, most of which he already determines that he will forget within the next week. As cats come and go from one discussion to another on this night, he manages to make away after a while himself, a bit disheartened by his fruitless search. Perhaps he'd not find out. Perhaps he had just imagined it or it just wasn't that important. A chance encounter by the border, even in his own head seems like every bit as forgettable a story as any other he'd heard tonight now that he thinks about it. He would have just stopped and resigned his effort, if on his way to a larger group of Thunderclan cats he didn't see two figures near the tall tree on which the leaders are perched. One he recognises immediately, Brambleclaw, but the other… This cat sitting by him, sharing tongues, has an almost identical stature to the Thunderclan deputy, which borders on impressive already, but they seem to speak as if they are close. This warrior however had piercing blue eyes and the longer Ashfur looks over, he could swear those eyes move off Brambleclaw from time to time to shoot brief glances Ashfur's way.

There is no mistaking it, this is the cat from the river. But how would he be able to get a word in with this cat? He would risk making a scene just barging into the discussion of a deputy during a Gathering, especially so close to the tree, under the gaze of all four leaders and every cat present. Luck however favours the grey tom tonight, just as these questions run through his mind, the howl of the leaders breaks up any and all conversations in the clearing. All cats gaze up to the four leaders in the tree, as they begin their reports on how their clan is faring. Of course, they are all much more eager to report the good than the bad, lest they make their clan look weak and risk having precious border territory getting conquered. Ashfur listens, but without bothering to truly register most that is being said. Windclan is prospering with plenty of prey, Shadowclan heroically fought off two foxes, Riverclan fought off some prey and thrives with plenty of foxes… or something along those line. None of it really captivates the Thunderclan warrior's interest in any way.

As he often does, Firestar speaks last. Hearing his leader's voice somewhat pulls Ashfur instinctively out from his trance.

„Prey runs well in Thunderclan as apprentices grow well and as leafbare approaches we are confident in our ability to care for our own."

The orange tom speaks loud and clearly as every cat on the clearing looks at the Thunderclan leader. Ashfur quietly hums, it is impressive to think that this cat once came to the clan as a kitty-pet. That was long before Ashfur's days of course, but the stories are still being told by the clan's elders. No cat would ever guess such a thing seeing the orange tom up above the assembled cats, speaking with strength and authority.

„Thunderclan has however noticed that the scents on our outer border have multiplied in the last few days, and our patrols regularly report seeing house cats at some distance"

„Call them what they are, Firestar. There are kitty-pets watching at the border"

Blackstar's voice thunders through the clearing, his eyes looking down on the orange leader. Relations between Thunderclan and Shadowclan have always been… fickle, the innate directness these secretive cats sometimes display all too gladly hasn't helped that. A few glares are exchanged between Thunderclan and Shadowclan warriors across the clearing, but Firestar brushes the comment off.

„Call them what you will, Blackstar. Fact remains, there have been more sightings and and a lot of scents close to the border. None seem to have trespassed yet, but our neighbouring clans should be aware that your patrols might encounter some."

The leaders of Wind and Riverclan nod, the latter of the two, Leopardstar giving an answer

„Riverclan has not noticed any such happenings at our border, but to be sure our patrols will be briefed on it. We thank you for the warning, but rest assured, we can defend our territory, be it against warriors or kitty-pets"

Firestar flicks his ear

„I have never doubted that, Leopardstar. This does conclude all I have to report from Thunderclan however. Unless any cat wishes to add something?"

The other leaders shake their heads and remain silent

„In that case we will remain her a bit longer, until the moon is clouded before we leave. May Starclan light all the clans paths"

As the leaders descend the large tree, Ashfur fixes some of his chest fur. First he's heard about the kitty-pets at the border… then again, he has been able to avoid going on patrols for a few days. Nothing too exciting, most kitty-pets barely know how to fight. As he looks up, he notices Brambleclaw speaking with Firestar. Now, where did that warrior disappear to?

„Your leader speaks well, wouldn't you say?"

Ashfur nearly jumps out of his pelt as the voice comes from directly beside him, fur bristled for a moment as he looks at the cat in question. He is greeted by amused blue eyes beholding him, the large Riverclan warrior whiskers twitching.

„Did I catch you in your thoughts? Apologies"

Ashfur's pet slowly smoothes down again. He huffs, shaking his head, with the surprise still coursing through him, his voice a little more hostile than he intends

„I guess it wouldn't be the first time, would it?"

The Riverclan warrior, a tabby with pure white belly, chuckles and flicks his tail, doing nothing to hide his entertainment at the Thunderclan warrior's expense

„Maybe. The rivers belong to Riverclan, or at least no-one else has bothered to claim them, have they? You can't fault me for keeping an eye on a Thunderclan warrior that close to our border then. But why don't we start at the beginning, my name is Hawkfrost"

„Hawkfrost? I think I heard your name before… did you not receive your warrior name with Mothwing, Riverclan's medicine cat?"

The grey warrior sits back down, tail still swaying with some unease

„My litter-mate, yes."

The tabby mewls calmly. Ashfur wraps his tail around his paws to stop it from moving. Should he ask straight up about that night? For a Riverclan warrior, this one seems friendly, even if he is a bit more coy then the Thunderclan warrior appreciates. Before the grey tom gets the chance though, Hawkfrost catches him with a question

„Something seems to be on your mind. Something you want to know?"

There is slight amusement behind his eyes as he watches Ashfur ponder his response for a second, seeming to guess already in which direction this will go

„So it was you who was watching me by the river… I care little what you did on Windclan territory, but did you happen to cross the border into ours before I got there? There was definitely a scent there that wasn't one of ours"

The large tabby chuckles and shakes his head. Leaning his head to the side, Hawkfrost lays bare his neckfluff, his tone not hiding for a moment that this is mostly a game to him

„No. You can take my scent if you like, you'll find it wasn't me."

Ashfur blinks, that is a very direct thing to offer, although it would be the best way to clear his name of Ashfur's accusation. The grey warrior shakes his head though

„Well, I'll just believe you for now. It is strange though, I thought I'd find out who it was when I find out who was watching me. Maybe I was wrong then"

„I'm afraid the answer is a bit more unsettling still"

Hawkfrost hums and rises to his feet, leading the way a bit further from the main swarm of cats, inviting Ashfur with a flick of his tail to follow, the grey warrior bounding after him

„I said it wasn't me, not that I don't know who it was"

„What do you mean, Hawkfrost? Did you see who it was then? Did you not report it?"

„What happens on Thunderclan territory? I care to report that just as little as you care to report what you see on Windclan territory apparently"

The Riverclan cats purrs slyly, leaving the grey warrior to slightly bristle his fur in annoyance

„But I did see who it was. You almost met the cat several times even"

Ashfur's ears perk up attentively as they settle down near the edge of the clearing

„What are you trying to say, Hawkfrost?"

„He seems to wait for you to leave regularly before claiming that riverside spot of yours for himself for a while. It's not a clan cat at all either"

Ashfur's neckfur bristles at this. He's felt a bit uneasy about his spot for a few days after he saw Hawkfrost's eyes, but to know that another cat is there as well, regularly even

„That cat, some rogue… waits for me to leave?"

„Hides in the reeds, close enough to pounce on your fuzzy little head. From Windclan's side of the border it's pretty easy to see. I've seen you there a fair number of times, brooding and thinking on your own. But about twice a moon or so he is there too, doing much of the same. Must be a very thought invoking spot you found there"

„That often…and that close"

The grey cat grows more worried by the minute. There is a trespasser close enough to attack him that often? And with how lost in thought he gets, he would barely have stood a chance if that stranger had ever chosen to attack.

„Indeed. Though, it may not be as severe. This one wears a collar, it is probably a kitty-pet making it's little adventures into the forrest from time to time. Or so I think. Dark grey tom, usually comes when it's still dark and leaves before most in the clans wake up so I don't get much of a look at him"

The tabby's eyes observe Ashfur as his thoughts race with this new knowledge. He sought answers and now he has more of them than he bargained for.

„I see… Thank you for letting me know, Hawkfrost. I'll have to be more attentive then."

„Oh, it's nothing, Ashfur"

The Riverclan warrior purrs calmly. For a moment Ashfur thinks, before turning his head towards Hawkfrost, a hint of suspicion reflecting in his blue eyes

„How do you know my name? I don't remember telling you"

„You are Ashfur, no? One of the cats that defeated the Bloodclan deputy along with my brother and a few other apprentices during the big battle? You're more well known than you're aware, I think"

„Your brother?"

Ashfur tilts his head. Hawkfrost chuckles and points his tail across the clearing to where Firestar and Brambleclaw are talking

„Brambleclaw. Or, half-brother at least. After his banishment from Thunderclan, Tigerstar took another mate."

„You're Brambleclaw's kin?"

The news shakes the grey tom. It does explain how a Riverclan warrior and the Thunderclan deputy could get along so well. At the same time he begins to see the various similarities between the two… and the sinking feeling in his chest that he gets from speaking with Brambleclaw begins to set in.

„So I am."

„I see. I'm sorry, Hawkfrost but everything you told me now…"

„It is a bit much for one evening, I agree"

The tabby hums and looks over to the rest of the Gathering

„Well, I think the clans are just about to return to their camps now anyway. I should probably find my clanmates, lest they leave me to fend for myself here. And you yours, or do you plan to spend the night on the island?"

Hawkfrost chuckles and gets up. Ashfur, thoughts racing and head all but spinning as he tries to deal with all he's learned tonight, takes a moment longer but rises to his paws, but does so as well

„Well, it's been fun. Let's talk again next gathering"

The Riverclan warrior hums amused before he takes off towards his assembling clanmates, leaving Ashfur to his endless thoughts. The grey warrior slowly pads towards his own clan, more out of automation than conscious decision. Just the same he follows them as they make their way back to Thunderclan territory. There is another son of Tigerstar, spying presumably on anything near the lake and it's rivers, and some sneaky kitty-pet is sneaking circles around him on the regular. If he weren't at the very back of Thunderclan's patrol back home, perhaps some cats would have noticed his drooped ears and limply dragging tail. He's been feeling for a long while now like his broken heart was slowly rendering him more and more useless and now, from the warrior of a rival clan no less, he was delivered evidence of it. No amount of hunting or patrolling could make up for this. Just how far could one warrior fall?

His thoughts are interrupted as his clan suddenly speeds up. It takes a moment for him to hear the howling and hissing, not only from the cats of the returning delegation, but at some distance as well, loudly, fiercely. The camp! The noises are coming from the main camp! His thoughts are pushed aside as he speeds up, a snarl forming upon his muzzle, blood pumping strongly through his legs as he breaks out into a sprint, easily catching up with most of the patrol, all equally hurrying back. Are they under attack? Who would dare attack a clan's camp during the night of a Gathering?

As the delegation floods in through the entrance, back into camp, they find cats bristled, posted in front of nursery and elders den, cats in confusion and scared, kits crying and the queens trying their best to calm them. Firestar takes point, stepping into the middle of the camp, looking around, his horror at the fact that his clan was attacked when he wasn't there only trumped by his rage of the same. His flame coloured pelt stands bristled on edge, his voice audible loudly and clearly over the chaos.

„What happened? Who attacked us?"

Brackenfur, whom had stayed in camp this night and has now guarding the nursery, slowly makes his way to Firestar. A for an experienced warrior such as him very uncharachteristic nervousness in his eyes, as he approaches with an utterly puzzled expression

„Firestar… it makes no sense. How can they be here? We drove them away back in the old forrest!"

Firestar approaches the warrior, his voice clear and commanding to pull the warrior from his bewilderment

„Speak, Brackenfur, who? Who attacked us"

The warrior looks upon his leader, his pelt bristled still

„Bloodclan. Firestar, they had the same collars, the same claws! Bloodclan raided our camp…"