Chapter One, Part Five

The ThunderClan patrol reached the fallen tree bridge at practically the same time as the RiverClan patrol. Bramblestar padded over to the RiverClan leader, Reedstar, and dipped his head to the young black tom. “Your first Gathering as leader, I see,” the dark brown tabby said, ducking his head respectfully. “ThunderClan grieves for the loss of Mistystar.”

            Reedstar sighed. “She will indeed be missed.” Then his head bobbed up and down, allowing Bramblestar and ThunderClan to pass first.

            As Lilypaw balanced by the RiverClan cats, she saw faces staring at the ground, mourning for their fallen leader. Lilypaw hardly knew Mistystar- the gray she-cat must have had a terrible disease that made her lose the rest of her many lives. The dark tabby knew that Mistystar still was a newer leader. She also knew that Reedstar, formerly Reedwhisker, was one of Mistystar’s sons.

            Then Lilypaw looked down at the slippery surface her paws were sliding cautiously on. The long-dead tree had killed Mudclaw, the former WindClan deputy such a long time ago. It showed that the current WindClan leader, Onestar, then Onewhisker, was meant to be the true leader of that Clan.

            But enough with the history, Lilypaw thought, grabbing onto Millie’s tail for support after she swiftly accepted the she-cat’s offer of help. Now more of the present.

            ThunderClan and RiverClan, molded into one large group, entered the Gathering area. ShadowClan was already there, and WindClan was yet to come.

            The three Clans settled and chatted in groups of cats from three different Clans, two separate Clans, or just one Clan.

            Lilypaw found herself bustled into a group with Snowpaw. She and him were nose-to-nose with Redpaw from ShadowClan and Streampaw from RiverClan.

            “Hi,” Redpaw greeted them stiffly, his black-patched pelt gleaming in the faint light of the full moon.

            Streampaw stared at her white paws, shuffling them in the marshy grass. “Hello,” she said, voice barely a whisper.

            Lilypaw dipped her head and Snowpaw waved his tail. “Any news in your Clans?” Lilypaw tried, looking from Redpaw to Streampaw.

            Redpaw proudly yet hastily explained how he and his mentor Owlclaw chased a fox out of Clan territory last sunrise, his chest puffed out far. “It was mostly me that made it flee, though,” he concluded with a toothy grin.

            The RiverClan she-cat had nothing much to say. “Just a new kit,” Streampaw muttered.

            Oh, how exciting you are, Lilypaw thought flatly, exchanging a bored glance with Snowpaw.

            She and Snowpaw turned away from the rival Clan cats, watching WindClan creep warily into the Gathering area. Their deputy, Ashfoot, was at the lead. Where’s Onestar? Lilypaw wondered. What a first Gathering for Snowpaw and I!

            The gray WindClan queen leaped up onto the Great Tree, the branch she chose shaking under her weight.

            Bramblestar cleared his throat, the noise filling the silent, dry air. “Well,” the dark brown tabby started, “It looks like everyone is here. Let’s begin. Ashfoot?” he offered, stepping back on the thick limb.

            Ashfoot descended forward, blue gaze raking the Clans. “Onestar is ill,” she announced glumly, and Lilypaw noticed that dark rings had settled beneath the she-cat’s eyes. Is Onestar on his last life?

            “So, I am here to take his place, as he is too sick to attend this Gathering, but he should be able to come next time…” Ashfoot trailed off, her gaze looking beyond the cats gathered below her. “Anyway,” Ashfoot continued, seeming to be rejuvenated by a prod from Rowanstar. “Moorpaw has switched from his warrior training under the mentorship of Harespring to be a medicine cat, under the mentorship of Kestrelflight.”

            Lilypaw contemplated a small, young pale brown tom rise beside Kestrelflight, WindClan’s medicine cat. Harespring rose too, ducking his head in respect. “WindClan wishes luck to their future medicine cat.” Ashfoot finished, sitting back down on her haunches, trembling in the chill breeze.

            Bramblestar still ensconced as he spoke. “ThunderClan is pleased to announce three new apprentices: Amberpaw, Snowpaw, and Dewpaw under the mentorships of Berrynose, Foxleap, and Toadstep, respectively.” Snowpaw and Foxleap stood up, and then hunkered down again. “Also, two new litters of kits are on the way, and ThunderClan is thriving,” Bramblestar concluded.

            Silence engulfed the atmosphere again until Rowanstar of ShadowClan alleged. “Our two respected, helpful, and brave warriors Applefur and Toadfoot have retired to the elders. Please wish them many more moons of restful life.” Some cats were still chanting Amberpaw, Snowpaw, and Dewpaw’s names quietly, but quickly the area was clogged with Applefur and Toadfoot’s names.

            Rowanstar also revealed two new warriors, the death of Littlecloud, and their brand-new medicine cat, Mistcloud, who was named after him.

            Reedstar from RiverClan began his long line of announcements. “Mistystar lost her last few lives from a severe case of greencough just after the previous Gathering,” Reedstar told them. “I am now Reedstar, leader of RiverClan. My deputy is Graymist.” The cats yowled Reedstar and Graymist’s names to the dark sky.

            “Troutstream and Mintfur have one precious new kit, Beetlekit, named after our fallen warrior Beetlewhisker.” With that, Reedstar summed up the Gathering.

            The cats commenced to mingle together and chat, catching up on personal news the leaders didn’t bother to announce. Lilypaw followed Snowpaw around and wondered how Seedpaw was getting along back in camp.