February Gathering 2017

The air was chilly but it held none of the fearsome coldness that reigned in Leafbare, in fact one could easily call it warm compared to the season's normally frigid temperatures. Because of this, there was no denying that Newleaf was just around the corner as what little snow remained was quickly melting and life was slowly returning to the territories. A few clouds drifting in the night sky but none blocked the view of the moon that hung fully in the sky silently as the Fourtrees sat in perfect silence as none of the Clans had arrived.

The first to arrive was RiverClan with their deputy, Ivyfall in the lead. The silver tabby walked undaunted by the chilling winds that swirling throughout the clearing, it was hardly cold compared to the snowstorms that had wrecked havoc through camp and territory these past few moons. Newleaf was almost here, and little signs of it kept hope in their hearts for a prey-filled coming moon.

After watching her clanmates filter in, the she-cat leapt onto the Great Rock, carefully avoiding the snowy patches that risked her slipping off. Then the wait began.

-

Frogjaw followed behind his deputy, the tom walking side to side with Otterleap, who looking radiant. The tom was practically beaming from the news that his mate was to have kits, and was excited to be a father once more. It showed, though Frogjaw didn't embarrass him by commenting on it. Rather, the crooked jaw warrior quiet looked amused by himself as he settled with his friend underneath the Great Rock.

-

Acornpaw couldn't help think that this was a little disappointing. It was natural that a great clan like hers would be first, but she'd been hoping to see other clans here. It was her first gathering after all. But she didn't complain, waiting besides some warriors in hopes some apprentices would come, and possibly that ShadowClan warrior that she'd met on the Thunderpath.

Ha! They were first for once. There was a large grin on Amberpelt's face as she - along with her Clan - came strolling into the clearing. Her pelt was well groomed to perfection like normal, not a strain of fur out of place as she moved to her normal spot and sat down. Of course, being first meant they would have to wait the longest...Her smile faded slightly as she curled her tail around her paws. At least it wasn't that cold, she could stand the wait. But it didn't change the fact that she hoped that the other Clans would arrive sooner then later.

Swiftheat padded in and sat down in a nice seat since they were first.

WindClan was second to arrive, Ashstar strolling at the front of her large group of Clanmates. Her fluffy gray pelt gave her some warmth against the biting chill of the leaf-bare breeze. She leapt gracefully onto the great rock, giving Ivyfall a gracious and polite nod. Just because Fishstar had decided to make their Clans enemies didn't excuse either of them from common courtesy.

Quailfeather pranced into the Gathering, her first one as a warrior. She ignored all the RiverClan cats there and instead stayed by her own Clanmates. They were the second Clan in- usually WindClan was first, but this time RiverClan had beat them. Whatever. Where was Fishstar? Not that the WindClan warrior missed the prideful leader, or anything.

Shellwater walked awkwardly into the clearing, staying close to Otterleap. Her protruding, pregnant belly stuck out among the other sleek, slim RiverClan cats. But her complete awkwardness was overshadowed by her ecstatic happiness at the kits she was expecting. Kits from a mate who loved her, not a tom who pretended love for temporary satisfaction. She rubbed against Otterleap happily, letting out a purr as they settled down in Fourtrees.

Ivyfall dipped her head respectfully, acknowledging the WindClan leader as she ascended to the Great Rock. Though she disliked the leader personally, she respected her for her conviction, noting that if she was in a similar situation, she too might've found it hard to condemn her own. However, that didn't change the fact RiverClan would remain hostile to WindClan for sometime. Perhaps the next generation would forge new bonds, but this one was stalwartly against the hare-chasers.

-

Otterleap purred warmly at his mate, tail curling around her as he nuzzled her back. He had loved her and her previous litter too, Blossompaw, Mosspaw, and Turtlepaw. They were his daughters, loved despite their sire's indifference and callousness, but he couldn't deny how overwhelmingly giddy he felt at the thought of a litter that would be formed from love. One that would have a bit of him mixed with his lovely mate.

Some cats might have looked at him oddly, a tom so enthralled by a scarred mate who'd born a litter with another previously, but he didn't care. If any of them said anything negative to him or to Shellwater, he was more than happy to give them a good clawing. Shellwater was his love, and her previous litter were his kits too.

"Looks like the gathering will be more peaceful this time around." He murmured to his mate, nodding in the direction of Ashstar and Ivyfall. "But if anything goes wrong, I'll keep you safe. Don't stress."

Wrenpaw walked into Fourtrees, along with the rest of Windclan. The chilly air piercing her fur, did nothing to improve the slight anxiety in her stomach over what the gathering would be like. But, she did her best to ignore those feelings though, and settled down with a group of other Windclan apprentices.

Tawnystorm and Aspentail padded into Fourtrees, the former only a tail's length behind the deputy and the latter all the way at the back. The elder warrior took her place near the front, sitting down next to Frogjaw. She gave him a small nod and a smile in greeting. She'd been getting to know the tom better...too much better? She never thought she'd love another again, but it seemed as though that warrior with the broken jaw had other plans. She hadn't felt this way in a long time, and she had to wonder if he felt the same.
Aspentail settled down at the back of the Clan, glancing around for Dawnpaw. She had to be here somewhere, right?
Mossfoot padded in with WindClan, alongside Qualfeather. She was beginning to get used to being part of the moor-dwelling clan. ThunderClan would never truly be a stranger, but the more time she spent here, the more alien it became. Less like home, more of a novelty of a place now. Speaking of her old home, the warrior noticed they hadn't arrived yet. Huh. Never the first ones there, haven't changed at all, she thought with a smile.

Willowwhisker padded in with Windclan, happy to be able to come. This would most likely be her last gathering with kits in her belly, and she knew that, so she took pride in being at the gathering again. Hopefully, it will be peaceful! She saw that Ivyfall was completely calm, and she followed up. Willowwhisker sat in front of the great rock, waiting for the other clans eagerly.

Gustpaw ran in behind Windclan, seeing that Riverclan was already there. She wanted to make some friends this go around, so she sat beside a Riverclan cat. (Shellwater) "Hey! What's your name?" She was still excited to be at the gathering nonetheless, so she sat quietly and waited for all of the other cats to arrive.


Silentpaw slowly padded in behind all of Windclan, as per usual. He liked to stay near the back, n telling why. He saw Quailfeather up ahead, so he ran up towards her, eager to see his soon-to-be mate. "Hey, Quailfeather. Do you like being a warrior?" He sat beside her quietly, awaiting her answer.

Fallowstripe padded in with RiverClan, faithfully following Ivyfall, and gave an incandescent smile to Tawnystorm. The warrior sat down, trying to look domineering. Her authority was extinguished by the newfound pride that her daughter's name, Finchpaw, was to be announced. She beamed at the idea that RiverClan were the first ones there—silken-furred and unblenching, they were the best! She gave a scowl when Ashstar arrived, inching closer to the great oak that towered behind her. Fallowstripe licked a rotund forepaw, eyes gleaming. She tensed when Gustpaw approached Shellwater, ready to spring if anything... not unexpected, per say, but hostile... broke out.

------

Bouncepaw waddled into the Gathering. His scopic amber orbs shimmered in the moonlight. Though SkyClan had faulted being first, the medicine cat apprentice's eyes searched for Pansypaw. He, however, retained face, sitting regally beside Cloudstone. Bouncepaw couldn't imagine what he would do if he lost him. He stretched, looking up at his mentor. He grinned sheepishly, the bestir of the Gathering bewildering him. Pansypaw will be here, he thought mutinously. I'll just wait for SkyClan to come. Bouncepaw blinked slowly. Fierce love and fear lanced through him, but he tried to fight it to look normal.

Squirreltuft yawned as she trotted down the slope after her former mentor, ears pricked as she noticed they were the first to arrive. After many moons of Gatherings, she wasn't quite that impressed—but still, it made sure to flick her tail in greeting as Windclan threw themselves, one after the other, down the icy slope. Her thick pelt shielded her from most of the chill, so this day was particularly warm for her. It felt like New-Leaf had come already.

"Hey," the warrior chirped in greeting to Willowwhisker, green eyes startlingly bright as she tipped her head. "I'm Squirreltuft. Ya are?"

It always helped to know cats outside of the clans—by the way they walked or talked, one could roughly determine the moves they would use in battle. And besides, it was too nice of a night to sit alone.

Shellwater nodded at Otterleap, offering a hopeful grin. The last thing the pregnant calico she-cat wanted was fighting. It was nice to know that, maybe, the WindClan leader had come to her senses, even if their Clans were still enemies. However, the scarred queen still drew back a little when an apprentice smelling of WindClan ran eagerly up, wanting to know her name. Trying to make friends, perhaps. The RiverClan she-cat moved a little closer to Otterleap- if it was possible, as he already had her tail wrapped around her, as she had none. "I'm Shellwater," she replied shortly. "This is my mate, Otterleap." Her former apprentice, Squirreltuft, was already chatting up a WindClan queen who Shellwater recognized from the battle not too long ago. But just because the Clans' representatives were courteous to each other didn't mean that the maimed RiverClan she-cat wanted to be friends with any WindClanner.

Quailfeather grinned at Silentpaw as he ran up. "It's just wonderful," she purred. "It is a little lonely, since you're still an apprentice. I can't wait until Ashstar or Smokepelt does your ceremony- I'm sure you're ready, now." She glanced up to where Ivyfall and Ashstar stood on the Great Rock, her father down below in the deputies' spot. "Then we can finally- well, you know." The newly appointed warrior blushed uncharacteristically, licking a tiny out-of-place tuft of gray speckled fur on her shoulder. She gave a friendly nudge to Mossfoot on the other side. "Why'd'you think Fishstar hasn't shown up?" she inquired her former mentor with interest.

Brindlewhisker weaved her way through the ever growing throng of Windclan and Riverclan cats, doing her best to avoid treading on on stray paws and tails. Her eyes fell upon Gustpaw chatting up a scarred calico she-cat and a brown tom, and she found herself padding over to the small group, reaching them just in time to catch the Queen's name- Shellwater. The name was vaguely familiar and after dwelling on that name for a moment, she was quickly struck with the realization that this was the cat that Lionfur had so brutally attacked.  "Well it's reassuring to see that her scars haven't held her back at all." She reflected briefly, oddly relieved. "How far along are you?" She politely questioned, nodding towards Shellwater's belly, eyes curious.


Shallowpaw bounded eagerly after his Clanmates, hurriedly keeping pace with his mentor Tawnystorm, doing his best to scoot in beside her and Frogjaw. "It's weird how friendly every cat is being- the first time I came here every cat was biting each other's heads off!" He mewed, casting a curious glance over towards the warriors seated beside him, ear twitching ruefully as he recalled how rude and cold every cat had been at his first Gathering a moon or so ago. Looking away from Tawnystorm, Shallowpaw began to gaze around curiously.


ooc) mobile sorry for mistakes

Fracturedhawk followed in behind the rest of his clan, his friend, Poplarstripe, beside him. They walked in silence, then once in the clearing he scanned the area for his mate, Fallowstripe. The warrior finally spotted her, sitting alone at the moment, the long furred tom jumped forward and approached her form the side. "Hey, Fallowstripe." He purred, glancing around before speaking again, "did Finchpaw make it?" The tom questioned, he hadn't seen her leave camp but perhaps she had simply blended in with the crowd.

<<>>

Poplarstripe had followed Fracturedhawk most of the way before he broke away to meet up with his mate. Letting out a sigh, the young warrior went off on his own. Glancing around, he quickly noticed the familiar pale tan pelt of Acornpaw. He had seen the apprentice around their camp before, but never really made an effort to speak to her. So with a flick of his tail he changed direction, striding toward the younger she-cat.

"Hello, Acornpaw." He began lightly, since he didn't know her too well, Poplarstripe didn't want to come off as weird or anything. "First gathering?"

<<>>

Furzethroat walked in at a steady pace, his head held high. This was his first gathering as a warrior and he wanted himself to appear mighty. His strides were quick as he went to go sit down, throwing cautious amber eyes toward RiverClanners as he passed by, he didn't have any hate toward them, but a part of the warrior was still jumpy. He would have to get over himself, this was a gathering for StarClan's sake! The night was under the peaceful enchantment of the full moon.

He noticed his younger sister, Gustpaw, conversing with a RiverClan cat. No harm in joining in on the conversation, right? So the warrior approached them, offering a nod in greeting. He knew the RiverClan warrior as Shellwater, he had seen her at the last gathering and overhead some cat mention her name while in conversation.