February's Gathering 2016

Oceanpaw looked over at Dreamleaf. She dipped her head back. "How's ThunderClan doing?" she asked.

Webpaw looked up to the moon, past the trees, it looked huge in the clear winter sky. He wrapped his tail around his paws and cast a glance to Viperpaw.

Hawkpaw padded into the clearing, feeling lonely without Deadpaw by his side. Deadpaw was trotting on the other side of Thunderclan. Even when they arrived Deadpaw walked away and sat down peacefully on the edge of the clearing. Hawkpaw let out a long sigh and padded over to some of the other Thunderclan apprentices. Maybe they'll keep me company he thought.

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Viperpaw felt not only Webpaw's glance but others as well. She growled and cursed under her breath. They should keep to their own business! she thought.

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Elkpaw padded into the clearing, stretching as long as his limbs could go. It feels nice to be here again! I'll get to see Cobraeyes again! he thought. But then a memory from the last gathering came to him, the time he left to talk to Cobraeyes and was late for the gathering. I can't let that happen again! he thought sternly. "I'll just avoid her.." he whispered sadly under his breath, as he settled down on the edge of the clearing only a few tail-lengths away from some dark-looking Thunderclan apprentice.

Fishstar led RiverClan into Fourtrees and leapt up to sit on the Great Rock.

Cloverpool padded in after Spottedstar and took a seat down by Mapledrop, her oldest daughter as of right now.

Moonpaw followed after her mother, but when Deadpaw branched off she followed, purring and sat down next to him.

Mapledrop purred a greeting to her mother.

Soulcloud waved a greeting with his tail at Cloverpool who smiled back in response.

Cedarfur gave a lighthearted chuckle. "That's most likely why you weren't chosen." He didn't want to make his son feel bad, but Kestrelstorm needed to stop pouting like a kit. "You shouldn't have the "I'm the only obvious choice" attitude. Because in reality, there were several obvious choices. You, Ashwing, Lightfoot, Icestorm, and maybe even me." He gave a smile and scoffed Kestrelstorm on the head in a fatherly way, showing the tom he meant no harm. "I know you would've been a great leader but when things don't go your way, life must go on."

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Gatherings. Not the most enjoyable things in the world. Troustep padded into the gathering with his clan. About time they got there. He gave a small hiss, glancing around at the cats. Honestly, he didn't know why he came. Same meeting place, same cats, and usually the same news. Nothing he would've missed if he'd stayed at camp. His thoughts drifted to Heronwing, his new mate and wondered if she came. She should be kitting soon and hoped the queen didn't strain herself if she came.

Hawkpaw saw Moonpaw sit down next to Deadpaw with a love struck expression on her face. Hawkpaw felt churning conflict in his gut. Deadpaw was his best friend Moonpaw was his sister. He should feel happy for them! But recently Deadpaw had been acting differently. Hawkpaw shook his head, dismissed his worries, and went back to chatting with some of the apprentices.

Ashwing nodded to the RiverClan deputy. "Crowflight, right?"

Shimmerheart nodded to her daughter. "But, Viperpaw, the code says we have to meet in a truce every full moon. It's symbolic of... she stopped, unsure herself.

Nettletail came in with the test of SkyClan. Were there any other cats like her who had chosen the benefits of the Dark Forest?

Halfmoon followed the rest of RiverClan and sat by her mate Reedfang, as happy as she had ever been.

Ryepaw came in with ThunderClan, looking for Saltpaw, his old friend. Where was she?

"Yes, Leopardfang. A shame about Falconstar. I hope he had a peaceful death and an easy path to StarClan, if it means anything." The spotted tom had never seen the death of any leaders in his lifetime. This transition would surely be an interesting one, if not completely jarring. The she-cat that took Falconstar's place on the Great Rock was pleasant enough as deputy but only time would tell if her demeanor was to last. "I would like to start off on a good note. There has been too much blood recently." It was in ShadowClan's interests to befriend the other clans, but Leopardfang wasn't sure that Thrushstar had it all together this time. He turned to watch Crowflight of SkyClan jump onto the Great Rock, wondering for a moment if Breezestar had passed as well. The rest of the deputies had yet to arrive.

Tigerpaw headbutted Webpaw's shoulder gently in retaliation. The tabby was surprised a little at Dovepaw's approach and hesitated for a second before looking to her brother and then back at the stranger. She hastily dipped her head in greeting and meowed shortly, "Hello. I'm Tigerpaw of ShadowClan. Are you WindClan?"

Thinpaw looked around the clearing she spotted Ryepaw looking around, she trotted towards him with a smile "What are you looking for?" she asked

Swiftpaw followed Fishstar and her clan-mates. She felt nervous that this will turn out like the last gathering.

Frozenflame followed Thunderclan into the clearing and sat down with Cloverpool. It didn't show, but Frozenflame was ninety nine point one percent sure that his mate was carrying kits. All these family connections confused Frozenflame, to the point that he couldn't even remember his own children, and determined to get everyone's relation to him right someday. Someday.

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Emberleaf, one of the Windclan Medicine Cats, greeted each Medicine Cat that entered the gathering at sat down at their usual spot. "Greetings, Dawnflower, Oceanpaw, and Dreamleaf," he purred with a wild smile and shining grey eyes.

Viperpaw saw Shimmerheart's unsure expression, and Viperpaw purred with satisfaction. "It's symbolic of what?" she asked smugly.

Darkflight followed close behind her clan, quickly settling herself below the Great Rock, a cheerful smile on her face as usual. It was a bit strained, though. The deep brown deputy worried for what would happen at this Gathering. Hopefully it wouldn't end like he fiasco for a Gathering last moon. And maybe that would come true; Falconstar wasn't up on the Great Rock as he had been for seasons. There too was a new cat among the deputies, a she-cat. The Thunderclan deputy bowed her head in greeting.

The newly named Fogheart trudged into the Gathering, irritable as usual. Another night full of cats arguing and throwing insults at each other under the full moon. Not that she knew what that meant at all, never having seen the moon once. Or anything, really.

Heronwing padded beside her sister, Fogheart, as they trodded into the gathering. She had a hostile look- these days, she just wanted to keep away from the other clans. They were nothing more than a burden at the second, but she was okay with Skyclan. She sighed and sat next to her sister, watching the Clans, hoping another fiasco wouldn't occur this time.

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Silverfern smiled to Emberleaf, Dreamleaf, Oceanpaw and the others and sat, tail curled. Her face was a mask, however- beneath the smile lay endless tension and worry. She didn't want to be here.

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Pinedusk waited for the Gathering to begin.