Post by LιθΠΗΣαRτεD on Sept 3, 2015 16:35:21 GMT
"Thrushpaw."
Thrushpaw turned, the fur on his back raised, his face knit into a scowl, ready to snap at whoever was disturbing his practice time. However, his face frowned in surprise as Moonclaw approached. Stonepaw stood in the other end of the Training Clearing, waiting, looking mildly interested.
"Yes?"
"Tonight is the Gathering. Icestar would like for you to go this time," she said, somewhat crisply. That sounds more like an order.
"All right, fine," he muttered, not looking at her.
"Who else is going?" Stonepaw asked.
"Well, he wants all the new apprentices to go, and the ones who haven't yet," Moonclaw replied, implying that he wasn't invited. Stonepaw huffed as she disappeared. "I'll tell Icestar, then. Continue practicing."
"Er..." Thrushpaw flicked his tail. "Shall we continue?"
"Okay." Stonepaw shrugged indifferently and crouched again. "Why're so onto this right now? Got over your sister, did you?"
Thrushpaw scowled again at Stonepaw's lack of sensitivity. "I just want to be a good warrior." It was half true. I just need to catch up to Foxpaw. He's not going to one-up me. No way. Not as long as I'm alive.
Stonepaw smirked. "Right."
"Oh my StarClan, the Gathering's going to be so big!" Featherpaw said, breathing rapidly. Thrushpaw couldn't tell if she was excited or nervous. "It's all so exciting! But what if I screw up?"
"How can you screw up?" snorted Foxpaw.
"I don't know. But what if I do?" said Featherpaw frantically. Thrushpaw rolled his eyes and said nothing. This is getting annoying. Why can't they just talk outside?
"Cats of the Gathering, we're leaving!" Icestar yowled from outside. Thrushpaw's heart leapt for the first time. Admittedly, he was excited, too. What if I see Rosetail? Birchpaw and Foxpaw fell into step beside him, and they joined the stream of cats moving out of the entrance.
The sky was still light, but the walk was long. By the time they had reached the so-called Pond of Truce, the moon had already risen high into the sky, and the stars glittered overhead. Icestar timed it well. I guess it just comes with experience.
Two Clans were already there. Thrushpaw wrinkled his nose; both smelled of water; one Clan stank of the sea, and the other of the river. SunsetClan and StormClan, then. They both swim, don't they?
"Greetings, Icestar." Thrushpaw looked across the pond to see Icestar breaking away from the rest of the warriors, and making his way across the water by using stepping stones. Two leaders already sat on an island: a small and petite dappled she-cat with a slim, angular face like a rodent's. I'll give ten mice to say she's Ratstar of SunsetClan. The other she-warrior looked sturdier, and had a light golden-brown coat.
"Goldenstar!" Icestar replied, touching noses with the she-cat. Dipping his head to the dappled one, he greeted, "Ratstar."
I was right!
"Well, Icestar, budge up there," said a friendly voice as Thrushpaw shouldered his way to the river shore to get a better view. Another white tom, taller than Icestar, approached the leaders.
"Whitestar! That means LeafClan's here," someone said, moving forward and shoving Thrushpaw down.
"Hey," he snapped. "Watch it."
"Need a paw?" asked a new voice politely. Thrushpaw groaned and looked up to see an unfamiliar tabby she-cat grinning down at him. She looked quite young, but her face was already adorned with a few scars. Sitting down, she extended a paw, and Thrushpaw heaved himself up.
"Thanks," he muttered, feeling embarrassed. She had a sea scent on him; obviously SunsetClan.
"Sorry about Branchflight back there," said the she-cat apologetically. "He can be really careless sometimes."
"Tell me about it," Thrushpaw grumped. "We have the same type of cats in WhisperClan."
"I think they're everywhere." The she-cat smiled softly again, which was starting to annoy Thrushpaw. I bet she's a goody two-paws. "What's your name, anyway?"
"Thrushpaw," he replied.
The brown tabby tilted her head in a questioning look, remaining silent.
"...er, what about yours?"
"Vineheart," she said immediately, with an air of pride, her smile stretching. "Is this your first time?"
"To a Gathering, you mean? Yes, yes it is."
An awkward pause. Vineheart blinked and smiled.
Thrushpaw bit back a sigh. "And what about you?"
"Fourth time," she replied. Bet you were just waiting to say that--
"Ouch!" she cried, falling forward. Thrushpaw stumbled back just in time to avoid her falling on him. "Omph!"
He stood there awkwardly for a moment, then smirked. Looks like we've switched places. "Need a paw?" he teased lightly, offering his. Vineheart rolled her eyes but smiled again, and shook her head.
"No, I'm fine," she said, standing and brushing herself off. I could've done that. They both peered past her to see who had knocked her over. A gray she-cat widened her eyes apologetically, her ears flat on her head in embarrassment. Giving her chest a few licks, she exclaimed,
"Oh StarClan, I'm really sorry! I hope you aren't hurt! Oh- oh hey, Vinepaw. How are you?" asked the she-cat, grinning widely. There's so much smiling going on! Is this a she-cat thing, or what?
"Hi Ashpaw!" Vineheart exclaimed joyously, and the two rushed forward to touch noses and brush shoulders. "And it's Vineheart! I got my warrior name just a quarter-moon ago!"
"Wow!" Ashpaw exclaimed. "I got mine, too! Ashstep."
"Congratulations!"
"You too!"
"Can you believe it? We're both warriors now!"
"Our first Gathering as warriors! I'm excited!"
"Same!"
"Great StarClan," Thrushpaw grumbled, turning away from them. I'll just let them keep squealing with excitement. Believe me, that's not going to be me when I get my name. He came face to face with another she-cat, who had also chosen to turn around at the exact second. He looked at her group; Foxpaw was at the center, surrounded by Cinderpaw and her siblings, and a couple of other apprentices from other Clans. He glanced towards the island; five Clans had arrived: Bramblestar of MidnightClan had joined the rest of the leaders.
He looks tough. The she-leaders were dwarfed easily by the tom-leaders, who all seemed to be looming over them. However, they all looked extremely official and radiated with an aura of superiority.
"That'll be me one day," said a voice. Thrushpaw turned his head to see the she-cat he'd saw in the apprentice group, a chocolate-and-white cat, talking to him.
"What Clan are you?" Thrushpaw asked rather rudely. "I'm from WhisperClan." He didn't want another Vineheart waiting for him to ask questions. "Oh yeah. What's your name?"
The she-cat blinked at his awkwardness, then replied slowly, "I'm Willowpaw, from LeafClan. And you forgot to tell me your name," she added, sounding amused.
"Thrushpaw," he answered, feeling a bit stupid. "Er... um, have you uh, been to a Gathering before?"
"Yeah, once."
Jeez. Everyone's gone! Except Foxpaw and those other apprentices. Brownpaw, or whatever.
"This is my first time," he rushed, without waiting for her. Uh-oh. I'm out of questions. He shuffled his paws awkwardly. This was the first time in moons he'd had a conversation with anyone. Suddenly, he wished he had stayed at camp again. Nervously, he glanced around. Is Rosetail here?
"Are you okay?" asked Willowpaw, gazing into his face and sounding genuinely concerned.
"I'm fine," he said, half-snapping. He was tired of them asking. Willowpaw looked slightly hurt, and he realized that she didn't know his problems back home. "Sorry," he said again, looking away. "I'm... uh, problems back home. I'm not used to this talking sort of stuff."
"Oh," she said emptily, implying that she didn't accept his excuse. "Well, I can tell by the disheveled fur, hehe."
Thrushpaw reached a paw into his head and patted his fur, embarrassed to discover he had forgotten to groom after he'd left his nest. "Oh, jeez. I'm sorry," he mumbled, quickly giving himself some licks. Willowpaw, on the other hand, looked perfectly neat and prim.
"It's okay. It's cute on you," she teased, mussing up the fur on his head with a paw. He resisted the urge to scowl, but he suddenly felt he couldn't get mad at her. She was trying to be a friend. Scooching closer, she tilted her head at him. "What do you like to do?"
"Um..." Thrushpaw trailed off, thinking hard. These days of lying and feeling sad had not found him any happiness. What do I like to do? What did I like to do? Well, I can't say that I liked playing moss-ball as a kit. "U-uh, I like to fight, and stuff." Wait! Rubbleclaw said I'm a natural at running. "But," he continued hurriedly, "my favorite thing is running. You know, WhisperClan blood and all that..."
"Oh," Willowpaw said again. "Well, that's interesting! Not many I know like fighting. My mentor says I need more work on that."
"Same," Thrushpaw added, before he could help himself. "With my mentor, I mean."
She nodded. "I like hunting! It's really fun to chase squirrels up trees and catch birds. But I'm a horrible climber, even though I'm from LeafClan."
"Same," he said again. "I hate heights."
Another nod. "I don't like high places either. The only time I don't really care is when I'm hunting. But even then, I climb really low."
"There's no trees in our place, so we can't really climb. I've only climbed a small one in camp."
Pause.
"Uh... you said you liked hunting? We... have only rabbits and mice in the meadow, so we have to run after them instead of climbing trees."
"That sounds hard."
"So does climbing," he threw back.
"Believe me, it is." They shared a laugh. "Do you swim?"
"No, we only have a pond in camp where everyone drinks, so no one's allowed to go in there. What about you?"
"Scared of drowning. We have a Mossy Pool in our territory, and me and my sister Whitefrost tried going for a dip, and we both couldn't do it. Too shallow."
This conversation is going surprisingly well, and flowing nicely, too.
Willowpaw seemed to be on the same thought. "See, you can talk!" she exclaimed happily, touching his shoulder with her tail tip.
"You pulled it out me," he said, smiling shyly. "Thanks, hehe, I guess?"
"Anytime!" she said, grinning broadly. She was now sitting so close to him that he could feel their sides touching. Oookay. Leaning close, she whispered, "say, would you like to meet again--"
"Warriors! The Gathering has begun!" yowled a thundering voice. Thrushpaw's half-amused, half-disappointed feeling was mirrored on Willowpaw's face as they turned to look at Bramblestar, who had stood up. A third she-cat, also quite small, had arrived on the island: Pebblestar of TalonClan. Bramblestar's voice was deep and gruff, and Thrushpaw kept a note in his head not to tick the large tabby off. The MidnightClan's leader's sharp, hawk-like yellow eyes roved lazily over the silent warrior before he opened his mouth. "I will start the Gathering with MidnightClan's news. Leaf-fall has come, but the prey is staying. We are plenty healthy and doing very well. We have a new warrior: Ashstep. However, there has been a white loner spotted on our territory. We don't know who he is, but a patrol described him as thus: 'he is large in size, with short fur and green eyes.' If anyone happens to know him, or see him, make sure to drive him off. Also, informally, I'd like to welcome Yarrowkit, Briarkit, Brightkit, and Nightkit into the Clan. Thank you."
"Ashstep! Ashstep!" Thrushpaw could hear Vineheart's cheerful voice rising with the crowd as they chanted. He mouthed the name silently, but Willowpaw nudged him in the shoulder and he grudgingly chanted along in a flat, emotionless voice.
"Noted," Whitestar said, as he stepped forward to take Bramblestar's place. "LeafClan has also seen this loner, but he walked away before anyone could step forward to talk to him. We have six new warriors, Whitefrost, Beetleheart, Chivetail, Hawkfur, Moonblossom, and Harepounce! We are thriving, and there are plenty of squirrels and birds to go around. Also, we have two new apprentices, Weaselpaw and Snailpaw! Informally, I'd like to welcome Jumpkit, Shadekit, and Creekkit into LeafClan. That's all!"
"Whitefrost! Beetleheart! Weaselpaw!" Thrushpaw made an effort to chant, as it was Willowpaw's Clan, and he didn't want to seem anymore rude. Her eyes shone as she called out her own Clanmates' name with pride.
"So, Willowpaw. Who's this tom you're sitting so comfortably with?" asked a new voice, as Icestar started to give WhisperClan's news.
"WhisperClan has been doing..."
Thrushpaw turned his head to look at the tom who had slunk in between them, rudely shouldering them aside. Thrushpaw was shoved once more and stumbled a bit, feeling a sudden coldness, while Willowpaw looked shocked.
"Weaselpaw! We were just talking."
"Shh!" a warrior glared at them through narrowed eyes, and Willowpaw's ears flattened.
The moment the warrior's head turned away, Weaselpaw bent over to whisper in Willowpaw's ear. Thrushpaw leaned forward eagerly, but only saw Willowpaw's eyes widen. Weaselpaw glanced at him, smirked, and slipped away, leaving Willowpaw to look taken aback.
"What's wrong?" asked Thrushpaw, beginning to feel genuinely concerned.
"...Foxpaw! Featherpaw! Birchpaw! Brownpaw! Thrushpaw! Badgerstrike! Gingerleaf! Skywillow! Newtclaw! Windwing!"
"Congratulations, Thrushpaw!" Willowpaw was sitting close to him again.
"O-oh, thanks." He hadn't even realized that Icestar had announced his name. He flashed a wide, fake smile across the river towards his leader, but the white tom had already turned his back, and Ratstar had stepped forward. She made eye contact and tilted her head, giving him a tight smile and a queer look. Awkward.
The rest of the Gathering seemed to go by in a flash. Thrushpaw's pondering of Willowpaw's short exchange with Weaselpaw was disturbed as he forced himself to yowl Vineheart's name.
"Fish are starting to return to the creek," Goldenstar of StormClan was saying, "so we're doing well with prey. There has been that small dog Icestar talked about a while ago spotted running around on our territory. It doesn't seem too dangerous at the moment, but it very well may pose a threat. We have a new apprentice, Riverpaw, and ten new warriors: Yellowfish, Shrikefeather, Fishleap, Shadedmoss, Stonetail, Echostorm, Chivehawk, Slightclaw, Hootwing, and Sunnycreek. Informally, I'd like to welcome Finchkit, Kestrelkit, and Kitekit into StormClan."
As the warriors chanted the new names, Thrushpaw leaned into Willowpaw and asked, "what's going on with Weaselpaw?"
Willowpaw shrugged forcefully, indicating that she didn't want to answer.
"I understand the irritation of someone breathing down my neck all the time," he added in a whisper. Willowpaw smiled softly, and they both turned away as Pebblestar moved to take Goldenstar's place. "Prey is still abundant, but we have already started to see signs of migration of the birds. We are settling in well, and aside from a minor flood in the cave due to a heavy night of rainfall, everything is doing fine. Informally, I'd like to welcome two new kits into TalonClan, Thistlekit and Thornkit."
There was a short but comfortable pause after Pebblestar retreated, and murmurs arose again. The leaders stood up, prepared to leave.
"WhisperClan, to me!" Icestar yowled, jumping onto the shore and heading right.
"It was nice meeting you, Thrushpaw!"
"'Bye, Thrushpaw." Vineheart and Ashstep both flicked his shoulder in friendly manners with their tails, but they had moved away before he could return the farewell. Willowpaw lingered, waiting for her turn.
"Well, er... good-bye, then," he said stiffly, already missing her. She was the first cat in moons to get him to talk.
"'Bye," she replied. Thrushpaw gave her a grim nod and headed off into the shadows, his shoulders sinking, ready for another regular, miserable day.
Thrushpaw turned, the fur on his back raised, his face knit into a scowl, ready to snap at whoever was disturbing his practice time. However, his face frowned in surprise as Moonclaw approached. Stonepaw stood in the other end of the Training Clearing, waiting, looking mildly interested.
"Yes?"
"Tonight is the Gathering. Icestar would like for you to go this time," she said, somewhat crisply. That sounds more like an order.
"All right, fine," he muttered, not looking at her.
"Who else is going?" Stonepaw asked.
"Well, he wants all the new apprentices to go, and the ones who haven't yet," Moonclaw replied, implying that he wasn't invited. Stonepaw huffed as she disappeared. "I'll tell Icestar, then. Continue practicing."
"Er..." Thrushpaw flicked his tail. "Shall we continue?"
"Okay." Stonepaw shrugged indifferently and crouched again. "Why're so onto this right now? Got over your sister, did you?"
Thrushpaw scowled again at Stonepaw's lack of sensitivity. "I just want to be a good warrior." It was half true. I just need to catch up to Foxpaw. He's not going to one-up me. No way. Not as long as I'm alive.
Stonepaw smirked. "Right."
"Oh my StarClan, the Gathering's going to be so big!" Featherpaw said, breathing rapidly. Thrushpaw couldn't tell if she was excited or nervous. "It's all so exciting! But what if I screw up?"
"How can you screw up?" snorted Foxpaw.
"I don't know. But what if I do?" said Featherpaw frantically. Thrushpaw rolled his eyes and said nothing. This is getting annoying. Why can't they just talk outside?
"Cats of the Gathering, we're leaving!" Icestar yowled from outside. Thrushpaw's heart leapt for the first time. Admittedly, he was excited, too. What if I see Rosetail? Birchpaw and Foxpaw fell into step beside him, and they joined the stream of cats moving out of the entrance.
The sky was still light, but the walk was long. By the time they had reached the so-called Pond of Truce, the moon had already risen high into the sky, and the stars glittered overhead. Icestar timed it well. I guess it just comes with experience.
Two Clans were already there. Thrushpaw wrinkled his nose; both smelled of water; one Clan stank of the sea, and the other of the river. SunsetClan and StormClan, then. They both swim, don't they?
"Greetings, Icestar." Thrushpaw looked across the pond to see Icestar breaking away from the rest of the warriors, and making his way across the water by using stepping stones. Two leaders already sat on an island: a small and petite dappled she-cat with a slim, angular face like a rodent's. I'll give ten mice to say she's Ratstar of SunsetClan. The other she-warrior looked sturdier, and had a light golden-brown coat.
"Goldenstar!" Icestar replied, touching noses with the she-cat. Dipping his head to the dappled one, he greeted, "Ratstar."
I was right!
"Well, Icestar, budge up there," said a friendly voice as Thrushpaw shouldered his way to the river shore to get a better view. Another white tom, taller than Icestar, approached the leaders.
"Whitestar! That means LeafClan's here," someone said, moving forward and shoving Thrushpaw down.
"Hey," he snapped. "Watch it."
"Need a paw?" asked a new voice politely. Thrushpaw groaned and looked up to see an unfamiliar tabby she-cat grinning down at him. She looked quite young, but her face was already adorned with a few scars. Sitting down, she extended a paw, and Thrushpaw heaved himself up.
"Thanks," he muttered, feeling embarrassed. She had a sea scent on him; obviously SunsetClan.
"Sorry about Branchflight back there," said the she-cat apologetically. "He can be really careless sometimes."
"Tell me about it," Thrushpaw grumped. "We have the same type of cats in WhisperClan."
"I think they're everywhere." The she-cat smiled softly again, which was starting to annoy Thrushpaw. I bet she's a goody two-paws. "What's your name, anyway?"
"Thrushpaw," he replied.
The brown tabby tilted her head in a questioning look, remaining silent.
"...er, what about yours?"
"Vineheart," she said immediately, with an air of pride, her smile stretching. "Is this your first time?"
"To a Gathering, you mean? Yes, yes it is."
An awkward pause. Vineheart blinked and smiled.
Thrushpaw bit back a sigh. "And what about you?"
"Fourth time," she replied. Bet you were just waiting to say that--
"Ouch!" she cried, falling forward. Thrushpaw stumbled back just in time to avoid her falling on him. "Omph!"
He stood there awkwardly for a moment, then smirked. Looks like we've switched places. "Need a paw?" he teased lightly, offering his. Vineheart rolled her eyes but smiled again, and shook her head.
"No, I'm fine," she said, standing and brushing herself off. I could've done that. They both peered past her to see who had knocked her over. A gray she-cat widened her eyes apologetically, her ears flat on her head in embarrassment. Giving her chest a few licks, she exclaimed,
"Oh StarClan, I'm really sorry! I hope you aren't hurt! Oh- oh hey, Vinepaw. How are you?" asked the she-cat, grinning widely. There's so much smiling going on! Is this a she-cat thing, or what?
"Hi Ashpaw!" Vineheart exclaimed joyously, and the two rushed forward to touch noses and brush shoulders. "And it's Vineheart! I got my warrior name just a quarter-moon ago!"
"Wow!" Ashpaw exclaimed. "I got mine, too! Ashstep."
"Congratulations!"
"You too!"
"Can you believe it? We're both warriors now!"
"Our first Gathering as warriors! I'm excited!"
"Same!"
"Great StarClan," Thrushpaw grumbled, turning away from them. I'll just let them keep squealing with excitement. Believe me, that's not going to be me when I get my name. He came face to face with another she-cat, who had also chosen to turn around at the exact second. He looked at her group; Foxpaw was at the center, surrounded by Cinderpaw and her siblings, and a couple of other apprentices from other Clans. He glanced towards the island; five Clans had arrived: Bramblestar of MidnightClan had joined the rest of the leaders.
He looks tough. The she-leaders were dwarfed easily by the tom-leaders, who all seemed to be looming over them. However, they all looked extremely official and radiated with an aura of superiority.
"That'll be me one day," said a voice. Thrushpaw turned his head to see the she-cat he'd saw in the apprentice group, a chocolate-and-white cat, talking to him.
"What Clan are you?" Thrushpaw asked rather rudely. "I'm from WhisperClan." He didn't want another Vineheart waiting for him to ask questions. "Oh yeah. What's your name?"
The she-cat blinked at his awkwardness, then replied slowly, "I'm Willowpaw, from LeafClan. And you forgot to tell me your name," she added, sounding amused.
"Thrushpaw," he answered, feeling a bit stupid. "Er... um, have you uh, been to a Gathering before?"
"Yeah, once."
Jeez. Everyone's gone! Except Foxpaw and those other apprentices. Brownpaw, or whatever.
"This is my first time," he rushed, without waiting for her. Uh-oh. I'm out of questions. He shuffled his paws awkwardly. This was the first time in moons he'd had a conversation with anyone. Suddenly, he wished he had stayed at camp again. Nervously, he glanced around. Is Rosetail here?
"Are you okay?" asked Willowpaw, gazing into his face and sounding genuinely concerned.
"I'm fine," he said, half-snapping. He was tired of them asking. Willowpaw looked slightly hurt, and he realized that she didn't know his problems back home. "Sorry," he said again, looking away. "I'm... uh, problems back home. I'm not used to this talking sort of stuff."
"Oh," she said emptily, implying that she didn't accept his excuse. "Well, I can tell by the disheveled fur, hehe."
Thrushpaw reached a paw into his head and patted his fur, embarrassed to discover he had forgotten to groom after he'd left his nest. "Oh, jeez. I'm sorry," he mumbled, quickly giving himself some licks. Willowpaw, on the other hand, looked perfectly neat and prim.
"It's okay. It's cute on you," she teased, mussing up the fur on his head with a paw. He resisted the urge to scowl, but he suddenly felt he couldn't get mad at her. She was trying to be a friend. Scooching closer, she tilted her head at him. "What do you like to do?"
"Um..." Thrushpaw trailed off, thinking hard. These days of lying and feeling sad had not found him any happiness. What do I like to do? What did I like to do? Well, I can't say that I liked playing moss-ball as a kit. "U-uh, I like to fight, and stuff." Wait! Rubbleclaw said I'm a natural at running. "But," he continued hurriedly, "my favorite thing is running. You know, WhisperClan blood and all that..."
"Oh," Willowpaw said again. "Well, that's interesting! Not many I know like fighting. My mentor says I need more work on that."
"Same," Thrushpaw added, before he could help himself. "With my mentor, I mean."
She nodded. "I like hunting! It's really fun to chase squirrels up trees and catch birds. But I'm a horrible climber, even though I'm from LeafClan."
"Same," he said again. "I hate heights."
Another nod. "I don't like high places either. The only time I don't really care is when I'm hunting. But even then, I climb really low."
"There's no trees in our place, so we can't really climb. I've only climbed a small one in camp."
Pause.
"Uh... you said you liked hunting? We... have only rabbits and mice in the meadow, so we have to run after them instead of climbing trees."
"That sounds hard."
"So does climbing," he threw back.
"Believe me, it is." They shared a laugh. "Do you swim?"
"No, we only have a pond in camp where everyone drinks, so no one's allowed to go in there. What about you?"
"Scared of drowning. We have a Mossy Pool in our territory, and me and my sister Whitefrost tried going for a dip, and we both couldn't do it. Too shallow."
This conversation is going surprisingly well, and flowing nicely, too.
Willowpaw seemed to be on the same thought. "See, you can talk!" she exclaimed happily, touching his shoulder with her tail tip.
"You pulled it out me," he said, smiling shyly. "Thanks, hehe, I guess?"
"Anytime!" she said, grinning broadly. She was now sitting so close to him that he could feel their sides touching. Oookay. Leaning close, she whispered, "say, would you like to meet again--"
"Warriors! The Gathering has begun!" yowled a thundering voice. Thrushpaw's half-amused, half-disappointed feeling was mirrored on Willowpaw's face as they turned to look at Bramblestar, who had stood up. A third she-cat, also quite small, had arrived on the island: Pebblestar of TalonClan. Bramblestar's voice was deep and gruff, and Thrushpaw kept a note in his head not to tick the large tabby off. The MidnightClan's leader's sharp, hawk-like yellow eyes roved lazily over the silent warrior before he opened his mouth. "I will start the Gathering with MidnightClan's news. Leaf-fall has come, but the prey is staying. We are plenty healthy and doing very well. We have a new warrior: Ashstep. However, there has been a white loner spotted on our territory. We don't know who he is, but a patrol described him as thus: 'he is large in size, with short fur and green eyes.' If anyone happens to know him, or see him, make sure to drive him off. Also, informally, I'd like to welcome Yarrowkit, Briarkit, Brightkit, and Nightkit into the Clan. Thank you."
"Ashstep! Ashstep!" Thrushpaw could hear Vineheart's cheerful voice rising with the crowd as they chanted. He mouthed the name silently, but Willowpaw nudged him in the shoulder and he grudgingly chanted along in a flat, emotionless voice.
"Noted," Whitestar said, as he stepped forward to take Bramblestar's place. "LeafClan has also seen this loner, but he walked away before anyone could step forward to talk to him. We have six new warriors, Whitefrost, Beetleheart, Chivetail, Hawkfur, Moonblossom, and Harepounce! We are thriving, and there are plenty of squirrels and birds to go around. Also, we have two new apprentices, Weaselpaw and Snailpaw! Informally, I'd like to welcome Jumpkit, Shadekit, and Creekkit into LeafClan. That's all!"
"Whitefrost! Beetleheart! Weaselpaw!" Thrushpaw made an effort to chant, as it was Willowpaw's Clan, and he didn't want to seem anymore rude. Her eyes shone as she called out her own Clanmates' name with pride.
"So, Willowpaw. Who's this tom you're sitting so comfortably with?" asked a new voice, as Icestar started to give WhisperClan's news.
"WhisperClan has been doing..."
Thrushpaw turned his head to look at the tom who had slunk in between them, rudely shouldering them aside. Thrushpaw was shoved once more and stumbled a bit, feeling a sudden coldness, while Willowpaw looked shocked.
"Weaselpaw! We were just talking."
"Shh!" a warrior glared at them through narrowed eyes, and Willowpaw's ears flattened.
The moment the warrior's head turned away, Weaselpaw bent over to whisper in Willowpaw's ear. Thrushpaw leaned forward eagerly, but only saw Willowpaw's eyes widen. Weaselpaw glanced at him, smirked, and slipped away, leaving Willowpaw to look taken aback.
"What's wrong?" asked Thrushpaw, beginning to feel genuinely concerned.
"...Foxpaw! Featherpaw! Birchpaw! Brownpaw! Thrushpaw! Badgerstrike! Gingerleaf! Skywillow! Newtclaw! Windwing!"
"Congratulations, Thrushpaw!" Willowpaw was sitting close to him again.
"O-oh, thanks." He hadn't even realized that Icestar had announced his name. He flashed a wide, fake smile across the river towards his leader, but the white tom had already turned his back, and Ratstar had stepped forward. She made eye contact and tilted her head, giving him a tight smile and a queer look. Awkward.
The rest of the Gathering seemed to go by in a flash. Thrushpaw's pondering of Willowpaw's short exchange with Weaselpaw was disturbed as he forced himself to yowl Vineheart's name.
"Fish are starting to return to the creek," Goldenstar of StormClan was saying, "so we're doing well with prey. There has been that small dog Icestar talked about a while ago spotted running around on our territory. It doesn't seem too dangerous at the moment, but it very well may pose a threat. We have a new apprentice, Riverpaw, and ten new warriors: Yellowfish, Shrikefeather, Fishleap, Shadedmoss, Stonetail, Echostorm, Chivehawk, Slightclaw, Hootwing, and Sunnycreek. Informally, I'd like to welcome Finchkit, Kestrelkit, and Kitekit into StormClan."
As the warriors chanted the new names, Thrushpaw leaned into Willowpaw and asked, "what's going on with Weaselpaw?"
Willowpaw shrugged forcefully, indicating that she didn't want to answer.
"I understand the irritation of someone breathing down my neck all the time," he added in a whisper. Willowpaw smiled softly, and they both turned away as Pebblestar moved to take Goldenstar's place. "Prey is still abundant, but we have already started to see signs of migration of the birds. We are settling in well, and aside from a minor flood in the cave due to a heavy night of rainfall, everything is doing fine. Informally, I'd like to welcome two new kits into TalonClan, Thistlekit and Thornkit."
There was a short but comfortable pause after Pebblestar retreated, and murmurs arose again. The leaders stood up, prepared to leave.
"WhisperClan, to me!" Icestar yowled, jumping onto the shore and heading right.
"It was nice meeting you, Thrushpaw!"
"'Bye, Thrushpaw." Vineheart and Ashstep both flicked his shoulder in friendly manners with their tails, but they had moved away before he could return the farewell. Willowpaw lingered, waiting for her turn.
"Well, er... good-bye, then," he said stiffly, already missing her. She was the first cat in moons to get him to talk.
"'Bye," she replied. Thrushpaw gave her a grim nod and headed off into the shadows, his shoulders sinking, ready for another regular, miserable day.