April's Gathering 2017

Blacktwig limped into the Gathering, hacking as he did. He tried to make himself look stronger by pulling himself up on all legs. He was still dismal, and the gashes that depressed his speckled black fur were barely healing. He turned stiffly to Maplecloud. "Smokepelt... isn't up there," he rasped gratingly. Blacktwig hated to gossip, but it was all that he could do. His voice was softer than the beating of an owl's wings. He sat up squarely and anxiously groomed his chest fur. His mind was puttering and loitering on Swiftheart's death, Markedpaw's death, Mottledwing's disappearance, Mothstrike's death, and... it was too much to take. It would only take so much to burst the seams. And where had Pinewhisker gone? Brother, you coward! Blacktwig thought. Then he realized it wasn't his fault. He gave a rattletrap sigh, and struggled to meet Maplecloud's gaze head-on. Smokepelt couldn't have gotten demoted... or maybe he has. Maybe he's dead. Blacktwig wasn't quite acquainted with the grey-and-white tom, but all he knew was that he had broken Frogjaw's lower jowl.

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Goatpaw staggered into the Gathering. The cats' images all whirled around her like the moths worming inside her stomach. She couldn't reach out for solace or pity; the shy white she-cat just had to stand and breathe. Stand... and breathe. Her folded ivory ears were like unleavened wood, stripped and bare of its bark. She longed to feel the touch of her clanmates, and her clanmates alone, but here were strangers.

Rockthorn trailed in at the back of the Thunderclan patrol, a heavy limp in his step as he stiffly made his way down into the clearing not bothering to search out his friends that may be in the crowd. Separating from the mass of cats he settled himself under a bush close to where the elders usually congregated. Curling up he brushed his tail across his nose and looked at the group of leaders upon the great rock with disinterest.

Lilyheart padded in after her father and Rippedsky, not far behind either of them. Lilyheart separated from them only to stop in her paw steps, suddenly unsure of herself. She didn't really know any cats outside of her clan and the thought made her feel almost sad, shrugging her shoulders she turned back to look for Hawkstrike, maybe he was spending time with Pansyface... they seemed to be hanging out a lot together recently.

Crowstar looked tiredly at the other leaders. He wanted to get this gathering done with and out of the way. Eagleheart, and Snowstorm's death had taken a toll on him as well as Vixenheart's disappearance. This moon had been really tough on him. The black fluffy tom stood, and took a step forward to speak. "Skyclan has suffered some loses this past moon. Our senior warrior Snowstorm died during the fight with the rogue group in the barn, and Eagleheart died in our camp after receiving some very bad wounds. Along with that my deputy Vixenheart disappeared. We mourn their losses." The black leader let out a small sigh. "But with bad news there is also good news. Skyclan has many new kits. I have appointed Rippedsky as my new deputy as well as named many new apprentices and warriors." The black fluffy leader finished speaking and took a step back letting the other leader's speak.

Maplecloud frowned at Blacktwigs appearance, how would other cats take it? Ever since she ended Sleetfang, they had been closer than ever. But she didn't care what he looked like. She had put an end to the one that killed his father. "I wonder what h-happened?" She thought for a while."Maybe he was demoted?" She looked to the toms deep blue eyes, seeing something was wrong."Whats wrong? You know you can always talk to me."

Ashstar listened quietly to Crowstar until his last sentence. Wait- Rippedsky? That coward that abandoned my Clan because he couldn't fight? You made him the deputy?! You idiot!Ashstar stood up next as if to give her spiel, but glared at the SkyClan leader, spring green eyes at yellow ones. "Crowstar," she growled quietly, "I am concerned that you would choose a traitorous WindClan cat who abandoned his Clan because he was incapable of fighting a battle as your deputy. A deputy is supposed to be someone you can trust, and I doubt that this coward will fulfill your requirements. If you insist on continuing forwards with this foolish decision, you will not find a friend in WindClan."

"I do not see this cat you described at all as my deputy. He has been nothing but loyal and courageous. He has saved my clan mates and my clan has saved his. He fought bravely against the rogue group, and has taken initiative in my clan. I have no issue with you Ashstar, but clearly the cat you knew in your clan in the past isn't the cat I know today." The leader said not really in the mood to argue. "Starclan has approved my choice, and who am I to question them?" The black fluffy leader said.

Ospreypaw smiled softly as Finchpaw buried herself in his fur. His amber eyes shone as he looked Dow upon her. " It's not a problem, honestly. I'm still scared by what I saw as well." he purred nudging Finchpaw. His amber eyes lifted from Finchpaw and onto the leaders as they spoke. Ospreypaw felt a pang of sadness as he heard of SkyClan's loss. "StarClan honours them." he mumbled softly.
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Hollypaw's heart dropped as the leader spoke of her father's death. Now none of her family would ever see her become a great warrior or see her kits, if she had any that was. A small tear rolled down her face as she realised how much she missed her father.
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Hazeflight felt a lump catch in her throat. Eagleheart was dead?! Her eyes instinctively flew to Hollypaw. She felt sorry for her. She was all alone in SkyClan, with no one. Just like me. If Hazeflight even had a brain she would of gone over and comforted Hollypaw, but of course something convinced her otherwise. How would her daughter react? She'd probably just scare her, make her worry even more. Hazeflight wouldn't put Hollypaw through that.

Nutpaw looked at Finchpaw and Ospreypaw wondered if there was something more than just friendship going on between them. Then Crowstar started the gathering, and Nutpaw felt even more excited. It was hard to hear about all the losses SkyClan was having, and said a silent payer to SkyClan to look after them.
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Nectarpaw trembled in excitement when Crowstar started, and turned to face the leaders. He wondered why SkyClan was losing so many of their clan mates, and hoped that that wouldn't happen to WindClan. As Ashstar responded to Crowstar's deputy choice, Nectarpaw felt mixed emotions. First of all, he did not want to be enemies with another clan again, he was scared enough by RiverClan. He also thought that it was not totally Ashstar's fault, which no one seemed to understand. His third thought was that maybe Rippedsky had changed, and they wouldn't be at battle if he proved it.

Blacktwig looked at Maplecloud and gave a tiny smile. He owed her so much. His gaze darkened as he said, "I still don't know what to do..." he paused, letting out a whistling sigh. "Without Swiftheart, Markedpaw, Mothstrike, Mottledwing, Pinewhisker... and everyone," said Blacktwig. The names were counted more silently as he went on, and he was holding back tears. He was a senior warrior! He couldn't weep at a Gathering. His tail-tip seized as he turned to Crowstar. He found himself so dependent on others it was saddening now, but his ears sparred the air to turn to him, to face the words rather than his thoughts. It was then that he noticed his pelt was laced with scars... I'm a wreck! What have I become?! thought Blacktwig.

I fought FOR you, Ashstar! Do you not remember? He wanted to yowl at her. Memories of fending off a couple Riverclan apprentices before finally being knocked out himself by Ivyfall. The tom surpressed a shudder. It had been a horrific attack on camp. What made it worse was how it could have been avoided. Riverclan had only wanted justice for an apprentice whose jaw had been rendered useless by Smokepelt. Apparently, Ashstar had finally removed her son from the position. Far too late to prevent the battle that had happened.

That was many, many moons ago. Rippedsky shook his head to clear away the thoughts and memories that had come flooding back. Thankfully, Crowstar was up there to support him. His leader was level-headed and, despite the tough exterior, kind. The Skyclan deputy was proud to serve underneath him. Rippedsky offered up no protest to Ashstar's words, and simply sat up higher. He was proud to be serving his adoptive clan. All he wanted was for the gathering to continue.

Maplecloud didn't know what to say, he had lost so many cats in his life. She didn't know how one dealt with it, she had never experienced anything like it, ever, in her life. Her heart began to melt when he called off the names, and it was crushed when he began to weep. Here was her best friend, unable to stand strong. It hurt her inside, and she had no words. But she put on a brave face, she needed to be there for him."J-just stand strong. You're a str-strong warrior, and you know it. You'll get through this, She leaned forwards, touching her nose to his,I'm here for you, and I always will be."Her words faded into a whisper as she stared into his eyes, tears beginning to form in her own.

Blacktwig felt like burying his muzzle in her fur, but he felt uncertain as it was a Gathering. Her support brought the happiest tears to his eyes—even if she hadn't experienced it, she was by his side and she understood. "Thank you... so much..." he breathed responsively. He pressed close to her, and though he felt his pelt grow hot with embarrassment, watched the Gathering with her. She was so... ambrosial. How come he'd never noticed?

"Rippedsky." Brindlewhisker murmured awkwardly, faux confidence evident in her quiet tone, briefly dipping her head in greeting towards in the former Windclan cat. She had been hoping that Rockpaw would come looking for her, but apparently her friend wasn't here tonight. "All is fine with me. I trust all is well with you?" She continued, left ear twitching slightly as she continued to observe the black and white tom with slightly narrowed eyes- why was Rippedsky sitting here instead of that she-cat Vixenheart? Was he also appointed Deputy as well? 'What a busy time for the Clans', she reflected, watching as the remaining Clans trickled in, noting with interest that it was a Shadowclan tom she didn't recognize that leaped up onto the Great Rock.

Brindlewhisker turned slightly as Crowstar began to speak, a flicker of surprise evident in her face as he confirmed that Rippedsky was indeed the new Deputy of Skyclan. The scarred she-cat merely nodded briefly as Ashstar spoke, wrapping her tail more tightly around her paws as she continued to listen to her Leader. Unlike Ashstar, Brindlewhisker felt nothing more than occasional ambivalent thoughts when it came to Rippedsky- she didn't hate him but she also didn't extensively enjoy his company. Flashing a quick glance at the Skyclan Deputy, the young she-cat's tail twitched as she awaited Ashstar's response.

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Poppypaw eagerly bounded into the hollow with the rest of Thunderclan, her thick, sleek fur showing signs of meticulous grooming, absently straying from her loving mentor Rockthorn. So this was a Gathering! The young calico's green eyes stretched wide as she observed all the mingling cats, slightly entranced by the clashing mixtures of signature Clan scents. "Wow..!" Poppypaw murmured to herself, wriggling around a cluster of chattering apprentices- how could there be so many cats? Feeling slightly out of place and overwhelmed, the young Thunderclan apprentice meekly picked an open place to sit, directed her starry eyes towards the Leaders perched atop the Great Rock.

Lightdrop looked around at the various cat in the gathering. She didn't really care for the dispute happening between the Windclan leader and the Skyclan leader. She noticed an apprentice sitting off to the side by himself. Curious the white she-cat padded over to the tom. "Hello." The she-cat greeted Ryepaw.

Ryepaw, distracted watching all the cats bustling down farther in the clearing, didn't hear the she-cat approach him.  Her sudden greeting startled him a bit, and he turned with narrowed eyes to reciprocate the 'hello'; but suddenly his eyes widened.  Before him stood a beautiful pure white she-cat, with multicolored eyes.  From her scent, and her sleek fur, he guessed she was from RiverClan.  Suddenly quite shy, the pale ginger tabby flashed her a coy smile before purring back; "H..hello!"  Turning away from the crowd, the slightly shorter tom flicked his fluffy tail, fishing his mind for words to say.

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Finchpaw and Laurelpaw looked up as Crowstar started the meeting, gasping at the losses and cheering for the promotion.

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Pansyface and Leopardclaw walked in behind their clans and sat down to listen.