March Gathering 2024

Leopardstar nodded to Acornstem before the announcements began. "If it's important enough for you to ask, I certainly don't mind staying a few moments longer."

She just hoped it wasn't more awful news. Though, what awful news could ThunderClan have that would affect ShadowClan directly?

Wolfblossom was quick to offer sharp words to the ThunderClan deputy--ThunderClan leader, now--and she winced at the thought. She had no quarrel with any of them, bar Tigerstar's terrible attitude, but she respected Perchstar and Mottlestar; and she had always liked Wolfblossom and Birdstar.

Her eyes caught Lilypaw attempting--something--and she resolved to address it later. Had she forgotten proper conduct at a Gathering in her time away?

Soon, though, the rest had made their announcements while she was lost in thought.

Wolfblossom's swiftly-spoken words, Acornstem's desperate speech, Perchstar's admirable composure, and Tigerstar's matter-of-fact statements.

And that left her, last to speak.

"ShadowClan is thriving, despite the hardship we have endured. We welcome Hedgepaw, Fernpaw, Wolfpaw, Stagpaw, Bluepaw, Crabpaw, Orchidpaw, and Nettlepaw to the apprentices' den; and we honor Snaildance, Hawkmist, and Larkshine as warriors in their own right."

It was refreshing, to have so much to say.

"Additionally, we welcome a long-lost warrior, Roseburn, back to her home--though she has chosen to take a new name, and train once more as Lilypaw."

She held her head high as she spoke.

"Lastly, ShadowClan seeks no quarrel with any other Clan, but nor will we be taken lightly. Trespassers in particular will be met with extreme prejudice; and I advise any medicine cats await a ShadowClan escort for their own safety."

Leopardstar has spoken on behalf of ShadowClan!

"If we did what was easy, then there wouldn't be anything to live for."

Lilypaw groaned as she got to her paws. That definitely could have been a lot worse, but all she got out of that was a sore leg. Probably thanks to the snow cushioning her fall. Because, just as she expected, Vinecrawler did absolutely nothing to help her.

She couldn't stop the glare that fell across her features as she stared at the ThunderClan cat. Gone higher?

"Sorry, I wasn't exactly keen to put my life in your paws, no offense. I think that was plenty high enough for me." She gave a snort, half shrugging off her wings. "Although if you want to give it a try, be my guest."

Although there would be no time for that, it would seem, as the leaders began sharing news of their Clans.

The news ThunderClan had to share was of particular interest to her, not that she would tell any cat, and she did her best to keep her face as neutral as possible as the new leader spoke. She remembered Mottlestar, she had been the one to make the call in taking in her Clan during the flood. And if her face did give anything away, that would be the excuse she would give, just a grief over a well respected cat.

But it went further than that.

Because there was a cat that was not at this gathering, and Lilypaw would be lying if she had said she had not been hoping to see Nightdancer. There was a ThunderClan cat sitting right next to her, and there was no rule about having friends in other Clans. Especially seeing as ShadowClan and ThunderClan were not on bad terms. She could just ask if her friend was okay. Vinecrawler would know, and Lilypaw could soothe her worries.

But looking at the cat now, her mouth felt dry, the words getting stuck on her tongue. Perhaps a part of her was scared. She didn't want to hear the words telling her Nightdancer was dead. So she just closed her jaws, chewing on the inside of her cheek as she forced her gaze back to the leaders.

Just another question racking in her brain, one that may never get an answer. Another hole burning itself in her chest.

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discord: karunamaya | timezone: edt | code (c) kieer | images: 1 2

Honeydew was pleasantly surprised at the welcome she recieved from the silver warrior.

"Thank you, Silverdusk," Honeydew mewed in response with a humble dip of her head. The deputy couldn't help but feel a little shy; this was her first gathering as deputy, and facing her own clan was already strange enough. It's worth having allies in other clans, Honeydew considered.

Honeydew tilted her head. "Hello, Wiggleworm," she greeted Silverdusk's friend. This is one of the cats Silverdusk fought so hard to protect that night, Honeydew pondered. Much like how I fought to protect Shatteredsky, Yewshade, Mallowpaw, Myrtlebloom, and Bubblebeam... Honeydew dipped her head in a polite greeting. "It's nice to meet a friend of Silverdusk's."

Her pale blue eyes sparkled as Silverdusk spoke, warmth enveloping her heart as the Thunderclan warrior spoke of friendship. I hadn't realized that Mottlestar and Perchstar were such close friends, she silently realized. That makes sense. I wonder how many clans would bother to back up SkyClan if we needed help, like how Mottlestar and Perchstar supported one another. Honeydew hoped that perhaps she could help mend SkyClan's relationships with the other clans, little by little, cat by cat. Silverdusk and Wiggleworm were only the beginning.

"I would like that," she mewed a bit shyly, wiping one paw over her cheek. "That means a lot to hear from you. Hopefully the wound in SkyClan's and ThunderClan's relationship will soon be able to heal. I am happy to have an ally in you, and Acornstem seems like a kind-hearted leader." She glanced back over at the tight knot of deputies sitting below the great rock, only to realize that the leaders were standing in preparation to speak.

"Oh! My apologies. I would love to chat some more, but I should probably get back up there!" Honeydew laughed. "Perhaps we will meet again along the border, or at the next gathering," she offered. "Until then... May StarClan light your path, always." With one final nod, she bounded away through the crowd of cats and settled herself beside the other deputies, slightly out of breath, just as the leaders began to speak.

Whew! The young cream-pelted deputy sighed with relief. Imagine if SkyClan's deputy wasn't at her post for her first gathering. Oh, how embarassing! She shook her head slightly, and perked her ears to listen to the news shared by the other clans.

Wolfblossom was the first to address the clans. She spoke confidently and briefly of their new warriors, and a shiver ran through her pelt at the mention of her name and the word deputy. For one moment that felt like it lasted forever, every cat's eyes turned to her, and she blinked back at them without flinching. She raised her chin in acknowlegdement of her new role, and wondered how the clans might think of such a young new deputy. Perhaps they will think us weak, she pondered, but then shook away the thought. No, we will prove to them that we are not. And we will prove it without our claws this time.

Acornstem was next speak. As should have been expected, she delved straight into the gritty, unpleasant truth of the events between ThunderClan, RiverClan and SkyClan. Honeydew held herself poised, determined not to flinch or show a sign of weakness in front of so many cats from their rival clans. She had to do her best to support Wolfblossom, no matter what happened, no matter what was said. Her blood seemed to freeze inside her veins at the revelation that Sunfire... who had caused so much harm during the battle, was also responsible for more pain and suffering for ThunderClan. Sunfire killed an apprentice? Honeydew's eyes rounded and she picked out the golden warrior within the crowd of her clanmates. Anger surged through her, and she had to force her fur from spiking up. How could he? Has he no honor left?

Acornstem was quite plainly distaught and saddened by her news. Honeydew looked up at her as she hung her head and felt a stab of sympathy for the new leader. I did not agree with the battle. I was not sure it was just. Honeydew's ears perked up at the ThunderClan leader's words, mirroring her own thoughts. She stifled a gasp. Enough blood has been spilled.

Honeydew couldn't believe her ears. Her breath caught in her chest, and emotion clawed at her heard. SkyClan hadn't been the only clan to lose so much in the battle. And Acornstem seemed to strive for peace, just like Wolfblossom and herself. Silverdusk was right. Perhaps there is hope for our clans yet.

Honeydew's gaze flickered back to Sageroot beside her. She hoped that the new deputy felt the same as her leader, and that this signaled a new era between their clans. Honeydew had the haunting feeling that Acornstem had been pulled into this conflict not unlike herself - the victim of generational battles, started long before she was even born.

Before she could even finish her thoughts, Perchstar began to share her piece. She didn't go into depth at all - Honeydew assumed that Acornstem had sufficiently covered everything. The brief news was a relief, and Honeydew felt her shoulders relax slightly. She picked out RiverClan's medicine cat, Littlesplash, from the crowd. The poor tom looked so uncomfortable, alert, his eyes fixed on something in the direction of SkyClan... Of course, Honeydew realized. Sunfire. He should not have been allowed to come to this gathering. She made a mental note to mention it to Wolfblossom later. Her tail twitched, the only visible sign of her anxieties, however subtle.

WindClan's leader, Tigerstar spoke next. He too shared brief news of his clan, including the massive amount of cats that had become warriors during the previous moon. WindClan was certainly growing strong since the gathering she'd witnessed at the lake, where the majority of their cats had been ill, and their ranks were small. They are recovering well.

She lifted her head as he spoke of safe passage through WindClan territory for medicine cats. Tigerstar seems like a reasonable leader, Honeydew noted. And Sootstorm seems just as reasonable, and polite. The young deputy could understand why Wolfblossom wanted her to become familiar with him and ShadowClan's deputy, Sablestrike. There was a slightly awkward atmosphere between the two of them that Honeydew could sense. Perhaps something happened between ShadowClan and WindClan recently. Hopefully it is nothing that would harm the peace that seems to be between them for now.

Leopardstar, ShadowClan's leader spoke finally, announcing their new warriors and apprentices. Honeydew nodded as she finished her part, and her eyes flickered between her fellow deputies once more. The gathering was wrapping up, and it would be an entire moon before she saw them again - most likely.

As the leaders finished their speeched and stepped down from the great rock, Honeydew turned briefly towards Sootstorm, Poppyshine, Sageroot, and Sablestrike. "I hope that the proceeding moon is peaceful to you all," she mewed gently. "It was very nice to meet you. And I hope to see you all again at the next gathering. May StarClan light your paths." She cast a sympathetic glance in the direction of Acornstem, and an idea formed. She dipped her head in farewell to the deputies, and padded slowly towards the ThunderClan leader.

"Hello..." she mewed softly upon her approach. "I'm sorry, I hope I'm not holding your clan up, but I just wanted to come say hi," Honeydew explained, casting an uncertain glance back over her shoulder towards Wolfblossom. Am I doing the right thing? she wondered, before continuing. "It's just... I am sorry for the loss that your clan has suffered in recent moons. To lose so many cats... to lose your mate, is immeasurable. I can't fathom the depth of your grief, or how difficult it must have been so speak of it in front of the clans. But..." she shifted her paws. "You are right. Our clans have both lost so much, and enough blood has been shed. I hope that from the ashes, we can rise again, and we will one day be able to build our clans back up again, into something new. Something more than the battles of our predecessors." She blinked slowly, a warm gesture to the leader. In front of so many other cats, Honeydew felt hesitant to extend much more of a comforting gesture, but she couldn't help but feel as though she and Acornstem resonated somewhere in their hearts. She reached out her tail and touched the she-cat's flank briefly before stepping back.

"I wish you and your clan the best through this next moon," she whispered. "Until we meet again." She dipped her head, a respectful and polite gesture, before retreating back to rejoin her own clan as they began preparing to leave.

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