January Gathering 2024

Wolfblossom had been steadfastly ignoring Mintglade's antics with her son until a snarl split the air, and the deputy's head snapped in the direction of the noise. Sunfire, stars help her... And a Thunderclanner. One she didn't know. Whatever had been said, threatening another clan's warrior - much less a Thunderclanner who things were already... tense... with, was not going to happen. Not at a gathering. "Acornstem." Wolfblossom said shortly, uncaring of which of their warriors had started whatever this was, only that it ended.

Wolfblossom pulled away from her place among the deputies, beelining for the brewing fight, stepping between her son and a she-cat who smelled of Thunderclan. "Sunfire." There was a warning in her tone seldom present, "Continue and it will be your last gathering." Her gaze turned toward the Thunderclanner, "And you- There is enough to discuss between our clans without adding to it, I'm sure." She said coolly. She continued, tone quiet enough to not carry far, but stern, steely blue gaze on both squabbling cats. "Enough gatherings have ended early because of foolish kits who couldn't keep their mouths shut or claws sheathed. Don't add to that number. You are grown warriors. Act like it."

Wolfblossom has told Sunfire and Nightdancer to quit.

Dovepaw had taken up his sentry position, keeping a watchful eye on all of the other cats. It took a while, but all of the Clans arrived. The SkyClan leader didn't look too well... He couldn't help but remember Perchstar's ominous warning. Pale-blue eyes were narrowed as they followed the scraggly herd of cats that entered. Most of them looked awful--even worse than RiverClan. If there were truly tensions there, he wasn't all that worried about fighting them. Egretswoop could probably take them all with one paw behind her back. He turned his eyes away from the sorry sight only for a blink of surprise, to see that Willowwisp's snow-pile had been joined by another napping cat. Murkyriver. She looked worn out. Maybe the illness was getting to her, too. She didn't even say anything--just fell asleep immediately. Some part of his mind wanted to go look for moss so that she'd be more comfortable, but he shook it off. He was busy sitting here. Both of them were asleep; it was best if they had someone to look after them in the meantime. Who knew what SkyClan or ThunderClan could do while he wasn't there to guard them?

"Don't make me do anything like that again!"

He froze. That voice...

Slowly, almost not daring to believe his ears, Dovepaw turned his head behind him. Two cats had entered the Gathering late. Covered in matted fur and dirt and the wear-and-tear of travel, smelling not quite like any of the Clans. Looking unfamiliar... for a moment. But then one of them moved from where their face had been buried in the other's chest, and he caught a glimpse of startlingly blue eyes. A pair near-identical to his own. A pair he knew all too well, as he had been there when they opened for the first time.

"...Pigeonpaw?"

The word sounded foreign on his tongue, despite the many late nights he'd stayed awake roaming the edges of where they journeyed, calling it out as loud as he dared. Despite how it echoed in his dreams when he woke up bolting from a nightmare, claws unsheathed, bitterly angry at himself. He almost hadn't dared to think the name, for fear of spiraling down into a river of grief from which he could never resurface. But there she was, just a few fox-lengths away, and he was ignoring the cold and his paws were moving forward slowly because if he went any faster he might trip and wouldn't that be embarrassing, and why in the name of the stars was he worried about being embarrassed in front of his sister? His sister? His sister! "Pigeonpaw! Pidge!" This had better not be a dream. But she was there, getting closer and closer. His clumsy walk grew faster. She was right there, turning way too slowly to face him, and he couldn't stand it. The closer he got, the easier she was to recognize. That fluffy tail, though it was battered and dirty. The maddeningly self-satisfied tilt to her head. Those eyes, though exhausted and shining with who-knew-what-else, those eyes and that face and it was her--

After a few agonizingly slow seconds, Dovepaw stood before his sister. "Pidge..." The name emerged from his maw again, a question and then a statement and then a plea. She had to be real. She had to be. His eyes searched her face, scanning it for any hint of recognition or explanation. Then he decided it didn't matter and pressed close to her, as close as he could, burying his face in her fur. She smelled weird and gross but underneath it all was Pidge. Her fur shielded his face, which was definitely not beginning to grow wet because he never cried. Not even when he was this impossibly happy at the return of a sister that he'd feared lost forever. His shoulders did not shake with relief and loss of tension. Ashamedly, he did not even think of Murkyriver and Willowwisp, sleeping in the snowbank with no one to look after them. His mouth and his mind only repeated one word. "Pidge, Pidge, Pidge." She was back. She was alive. Nothing else mattered.

Dovepaw is reuniting with his sister.

--

The cold evening ruffled everyone's fur, getting beneath it and into the bones. The moon was round, shining like a great big yellow eye in the sky, surveying all who walked beneath. Bubblepaw took in a shaky breath. It was a Gathering... it was just a Gathering. She'd been to so many before. Nothing bad had ever happened to her here. It wasn't like a border, where claws were unsheathed. Even if the scent of ThunderClan made her scar ache, made her wince and close the eye that had nearly been gouged out. They'd be fine here. This was a safe place, wasn't it? And besides--Mintglade was with her. Bubblepaw turned to offer a brave smile to her friend, hoping for some kind of reassurance, or something. She didn't even know what. Why would Bubblepaw of all cats need reassurance? She was always happy and always ready. Ready to make new friends. Even... even if they were ThunderClan. But before she could say anything, Mintglade was smiling that great big smile and saying that she was going to go talk to--someone else? The brilliant smile and cheerful eyes moved away before Bubblepaw could force any words through her stunned maw, and Mintglade was gone. The silver tabby moving over to... Sunfire? Her dad? The apprentice blinked. Sunfire looked horribly angry, glaring up at the ThunderClan leader. Something about the blaze in his eyes made Bubblepaw feel very small. It was the same thing that had happened when... he'd looked the same at the border, when...

Fine. Well, she'd be fine. She could talk to other cats. She didn't need Mintglade, or Sunfire either. But she couldn't really find anyone she knew. She thought for a moment that she saw Pigeonpaw, her good friend from RiverClan, but then the face vanished into several other cats and she realized there was no room for her there, either. Had Sorrelpaw come? Or-- The thought of Ploverpaw sent a physical pang of agony through Bubblepaw and she had to stand still for a moment while it ran through her. She should go talk to someone else. There were several groups of apprentices chatting together, smiling and grinning and enjoying each other's company. She should do that. She should... she should...

Bubblepaw sat alone in the midst of the crowd, realizing that she no longer knew as much about herself as she thought she did.

Bubblepaw is miserable, but open to talk to.

They had all assembled, and Mottlestar had felt the sensation of a burning set of eyes on her pelt. One glance among the crowd found the source, of which she returned nothing more than a heartbeat-length glare. That was not a worry she was going to entertain for the evening. As Birdstar hauled herself behind her, it took all of her energy not to rush to her aid. All it took to remind her of why she sat apart was the feeling of that hateful glare boring into her pelt, which seemed to fizzle away at some point. A petty warrior's vendetta was not going to dismantle the regalia of a leader, especially one who was so experienced sitting in her position of power. That was the mental fortress she was building for herself.

It was practically snapped in two as she heard one of her warrior's voices through the crowd. A glare that read, knock it off, right this instant froze onto her face. She looked down at Acornstem to usher her to take care of it, but with no uncertain terms, it seemed the Skyclan deputy beat her to it. Turning away from Poppyshine to let out a quick sneeze, she leaned forward. "Please, Acornstem. Tonight is not the night." She added, in a gentler tone.

Standing straight, Mottlestar at least knew one thing that could potentially pull Nightdancer away. If not, it would at least draw the attention of all the other cats for the matter to be handled much more quietly. "Let the gathering begin!" Even as her voice cracked in the middle of her loud summon, she had willed enough power into her voice to blanket the clearing in her command.

"Thunderclan finds our new camp comfortable. We still fight the illness that seems to be among all Clans, but Fawnshine and Echosong have made great progress in their work. We hope all cats to be healed soon. We welcome a new warrior, Wiggleworm, and several new apprentices. No matter what faces us, Thunderclan stays strong." She ground emphasis into that last word, before taking a step back to allow the other leaders-or deputies-to come forth and make their announcements.

Mottlestar has begun the gathering!

---

Mintglade had been making some semblance of progress in simmering the tom's blazing emotions when the Thunderclan she-cat approached. Immediately, the glare that had settled on the passerby now settled on her onyx pelt, blazing with a hatred that... honestly, the silver tabby had never quite felt before. It was ire at ruining the progress, but also ire at the pure stupidity that came from antagonizing a cat in such a vulnerable state. What was she trying to do, get herself blasted by lighting? Make herself a target and cause a scene? Did she have no value of the peace that came with the gathering? It was as if the mint tone of her eyes was ready to burn to a crisp, especially as she felt Sunfire tense beside her. The tension was one that spoke of no good fate to come of it.

Pressing herself just a bit closer to Sunfire's side in hopes to at least be a cooling presence to the raging fire that roiled in his eyes, her own tail lashed. It was just as she was about to open her maw that she saw Wolfblossom approach, which had her giving a quick dip of her head. Whatever flame had been in her eyes had been snuffed out in that instant, but it did not fully hold her tongue. "I would expect the righteous cats of Thunderclan to at least know how to respect the sanctity of the Full Moon." The retort slipped with the rest of her ire, a quick flash of apology being offered to her deputy.

Still, she was ready to step between the two if it came to it. Just as much was she ready to pull Sunfire away if it came to that, too. Her head snapped up as Mottlestar's voice rang out over the clearing, though it went right back to the flame-colored tom beside her just a heartbeat later. She didn't care that much about Thunderclan's announcements, not when the tension brewing right beside her was thick enough to rival the prey they'd last had in the Forest. No, for now, she'd just focus on being a beacon of... she didn't know, sanity? for Sunfire.

Gently, she whispered to him. "Come on, Sunfire. We're better than this. Leave it to Thunderclan to be kits to pick battles on nights we are just supposed to grit and get through. At least we can be proper warriors about it." She at least hoped the words would appeal to him.

Mintglade is attempting to keep Sunfire from causing problems.

The trip to their gathering place had given Sablestrike plenty of time to think about his role in all of this. Almost all of his clanmates had fallen ill, including Heatherberry and Leopardstar, yet miraculously he had managed to avoid the sickness despite his close proximity to both of them. That was an impressive feat he had decided, too impressive for a cat to accomplish on their own. He may have been looking too far into things, but could this be Starclan's way of blessing him once more on his journey to becoming leader? The thought put a smile on the tom's face as he approached the hill that all the deputies had begun surrounding. A quick dip of his head was given to his fellow deputies, though something was off. Tigerdance had ended up following the rest of the leaders, and where he should have been was now the very same tom that had helped him search for herbs a moon ago.

Sablestrike blinked in surprise. Only a couple of moons into his deputyship and Tigerdance had already been appointed as leader? No, no that couldn't be, that would mean that Starclan was favoring Tigerdance more than him! The tom's golden gaze narrowed on the new leader. Perhaps this was just Starclan's way of telling him not to lose sight of his goal? Stars he sure hoped so. Giving his head a good shake Sablestrike turned his attention back to Sootstorm. "Congratulations." A simple, respectful nod followed. It wasn't much, but knowing that Windclan's new deputy wasn't like the rest of his clan gave Sablestrike a dash of hope for what their clans could potentially be.

It didn't take long for bickering to start however. For a brief moment the tom had though of intervening himself and setting both of the squabbling kitties straight, but they weren't his clanmates, they weren't his responsibility. One of them did belong to Wolfblossom however. The Shadowclan deputy found himself listening intently to Wolfblossom as she handled the budding situation. The molly had caught his attention as of late, and her skillful handling of the squabble didn't evade the tom's attention.

Sablestrike has joined the gathering

Stoatclaw followed his clan into the gathering. He would have preferred to stay in the relative warmth of Skyclan's temporary land, but his desire to see Lighttail had pushed him from his comfy nest. As he approached however all thoughts of meeting his mate flagged, the pounding in his head becoming his new focus. Nearly collapsing onto his haunches the tom let his head continue to spin, the sounds voices all around him only exacerbating his discomfort.

Stoatclaw is in attendance

Owlcall had followed Riverclan into the gathering, hoping that the clans didn't judge them for having their deputy lead them in. Not that he was ashamed of Poppyshine, he just didn't want the others to take it as weakness and use it against them. The large brown tom scanned the clearing for a place to sit when he noticed Dovepaw moving quickly across the clearing to... no. It couldn't be. It really was. Pigeonpaw was alive.. She was here.. Oh stars.

Owlcall approached his siblings slowly, allowing the two their moment alone before he finally reached them. "I'm so glad you are alright Pidge." The tom stated quietly, trying to not his emotions show too much, but he was genuinely relieved. Blue eyes turned to the other cat that was with her noting it was Scarletpaw. Both of their missing apprentices had returned. They were alright for the most part and in one piece. "I'm glad both of you managed to make it in one piece, I'm sure you two have quite the story to share."

Owlcall is speaking with Dovepaw, Scarletpaw, and Pigeonpaw

---

Tigerdance was a little startled when he heard voices raise above the rest, he was in somewhat of a daze because of his illness but it was quick to leave as soon as he realized cats were already arguing over something.. Green eyes gazed over at the respect cats, happy to see it wasn't any of his clan, but also a little disappointed due to the fact that even in somewhat of a crisis some cats still had to cause trouble, though it seemed the Skyclan deputy had it handled for the most part, and Mottlestar taking action somewhat as well. Ah so it was Thunderclan and Skyclan then. Didn't they have an alliance? What happened to that? Whatever it was it wasn't his issue. He turned back to the center once the others started speaking up. Maybe they could get this over with and go their separate ways.

The tall tom listened intently as Thunderclan and Riverclan spoke, coming to notice that both were somewhat downplaying what was actually going on, at least to him it seemed like. He couldn't be like them and say everything was fine, every one could tell that everything was not fine, considering he was the one sitting with the leaders and someone else was in the deputy spot. The tom silently sighed. Might as well get the news over with.

"As I'm sure you are aware there have been many changes within Windclan. During the trip Smallstar was lost so I have taken up the mantle as Windclan's leader." He wasn't going to specify if he had gotten his lives or not yet, he didn't need to reveal that weakness. "I have appointed Sootstorm as my deputy, and Daisypaw has stepped into the medicine cat role." Stars.. that was a lot of changes, just how bad was this making his clan look?

"Windclan has gotten the same illness that have struck other clans. Daisypaw is doing her best with the situation, and has made good progress herself. If any other medicine cats need herbs or assistance don't be afraid to speak with our medicine cat. Starclan would want us to assist each other." While there was some obvious tension between some of the clans, he wasn't going to keep that trend going, besides if he wanted to improve relations between his clan and others, he needed to be kind. At least during this crisis.

"We have several new warriors, Molehill, Quickfrost, Goldengale, Tallshadow, and more apprentices. Namely, Galepaw, Cloudypaw and Oatpaw. Lastly, I'm sure that some cats have gotten lost on the trip over, I ask that if anyone should spot these missing cats that they be allowed to pass in peace on their way back to their own clan. That is all." With that the striped tom stepped back, hoping that everything he said was okay. He knew it was a decent amount but there was a lot to share, especially with everything that has happened.

Tigerdance has given his annoucements.

The sound of commotion caught Brackenpaw’s attention, his ears perking up, and his head whipping round to see what was happening. He quickly identified the pelts of his uncle and grandmother, and then an unfamiliar black pelt. Seeing Sunfire’s position, the tom poised to attack, made the pelt along Brackenpaw’s spine rise. The  cream apprentice hastily rose to his paws, the tabby markings that were really coming through now contrasting the white of the snow. If there were to be a fight he would end it… But it looked like everything would be fine, or at least he hoped it would be.

Slowly, he sunk back down, his gaze not leaving the altercation taking place. Somewhere he registered Honeypaw’s question and he briefly looked down at his sister. “To a degree.” he meowed curtly not elaborating, his attention elsewhere. His eyes danced over the SkyClan cats gathered now, the tense atmosphere tugging at his desire to protect everyone. He spotted his cousin, Bubblepaw sat alone with Thymepaw, the two looking forlorn. ”We should invite them over…” he muttered to Honeypaw and Shatteredpaw. However, Brackenpaw didn’t wait for their responses before calling out to his cousin and the medicine cat apprentice. “Bubblepaw! Thymepaw! Come join us!” he yowled over the buzz of the gathering, drawing more attention to him and his siblings.

Brackenpaw is keeping a watchful eye on Sunfire and Nightdancer’s spat, and is calling for Bubblepaw and Thymepaw to join him.

Acornstem was nervous as she padded after Mottlestar, her paws itching with every step as they drew closer to what had been assigned as their gathering spot for the full moon. She could see shapes ahead of her - WindClan had arrived first, by the smell of it and she could see other shapes further on the horizon, the rest of the Clans weren't far behind... And that likely included SkyClan. A huff escaped her as she fluffed up her fur against the shiver that ran down her spine - terrified of what would transpire. Only a pawful of ThunderClan knew the truth of what had happened between them and SkyClan... And she had no idea if Mottlestar would reveal it tonight, or give more grace that perhaps SkyClan deserved and contuine to wait to speak in private...

She shook her head as Mottlestar stepped away to join the WindClan leader - Tigerdance. ...Tigerdance? The deputy had to blink a few times before she realized that indeed, Smallstar was nowhere to be seen...And there was a tom sitting where she expected was for deputies which meant that Smallstar was... Her ears slicked back, eyes widening in surprise and sadness -  he had been leader shorter than she had been deputy! What had happened...? She glanced around, trying to see if she could spot Smallstar - Smallbean, if he had truly stepped down - among the WindClan cats but... No. Had he fallen sick so badly he was forced to retire and stay behind in their camp or had something else...?

Acornstem sighed but approached, dipping her head to the tom. "Hello," she meowed, but there was the tinge of sadness for whatever had transpired to the Clan. "I'm Acornstem. If you are here, I assume you are the new WindClan deputy...?" she paused, glancing up at the hill that Tigerdance - Tigerstar? - was on before she took a seat - curling her tail around her paws before she paused, lifting them and putting them to rest on her tail to warm her pads. "I can only hope your Clan is thriving, no matter what hardship you all have faced in the last moon."

Perhaps she would have said more but the rest of the Clans started to arrive. Leopardstar leading ShadowClan, Poppyshine leading RiverClan - which caused a flicker of worry in her as she watched the deputy climb the hill but caught her words to the other leaders, a sigh of relief escaping her. She was sure Poppyshine would be a fine leader when the time came, but knowing how close Mottlestar was to her RiverClan counterpart...

Finally, however, SkyClan arrived. Led by Birdstar, thought the she-cat looked so poor that the deputy was surprised that she had chosen to lead the Clan herself instead of allowing Wolfblossom to do so... Perhaps Birdstar had refused to let her deputy take the flack for their burned alliance, she thought with a slight huff. Her gaze fell to her paws, not even looking up as Wolfblossom took a seat among them - having no words as it was for Mottlestar to sort out.

Her ears perked - slight listening among the converstaions she could make out among the warriors until one caught her ear - a threat, spoken by a tom she didn't recongize. Her gaze shot up as she worked to make out the situation and her heart leapt into her throat as she saw Nightdancer standing off against a tom - a tom she could only assume was Sunfire of SkyClan judging by the circle of scars that adorned his head.

She jumped as her name was spoken - by SkyClan's deputy, but her fur settled as she deputy pulled away to intervine. Her paws itched to follow after - to also put an end to it but she found herself lingering to watch as Wolfblossom stepped between the two and ordered them to behave. But when she heard her name be called by her own leader, the deputy quickly pushed herself to her paws to approach the group. Behind her, the leaders started their announcement but she paid it all no mind as she stepped up to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Wolfblossom, now standing between the deputy and Nightdancer.

"You heard Wolfblossom," she meowed - before pausing with a moment of disdain as she realized she was too small to look over Wolfblossom to send a glare at the SkyClan warrior, but sighed and simply fixed her gaze onto Nightdancer. She didn't regard the warrior with a stern glare, but a soft look of understanding...Mixed with a bit of an annoyance at the situation. She knew that Nightdancer was among the few that knew what had happened between the two Clans but to make a scene out of it was... Not great - she would have to speak to the warrior in private later.

But for now, she cleared her throat and moved on. "Tonight is not the night for this. Enough callous for respect brought us to this point - do not let more ruin whatever chance we have at peace. None of the Clans are in a situation to bare claws - especially on the single night of vowed peace so act like the warriors you are and leave the solution of said matter for the leaders to find out - or behave like kits and be treated as such," she finished. She didn't like being so stern but she wasn't about to risk what could easily truly become a war if tensions rose further before Mottlestar and Birdstar could actually speak about happened between their Clans. Besides - those who did know had been instructed to do nothing to raise tensions until the matter could be discussed - she just wondered if SkyClan had given their warriors the same instruction...

Heatherberry huffed in amusement at the thought of any of the medicine cats beating anyone up. Even battle-trained, StarClan might just cook them from the inside out for even trying. A chill went down her spine. She should not say that out loud, actually. "Don't worry, I'll personally box their ears if they try any funny business. But you've not much to worry about with that." All past transgressions were probably cast aside by the others, or at least they were being civil with ShadowClan. Leading the way, she nodded to her felly medicine cats, motioning to Daisypaw with a flick of her tail.

Just as she was about to say something to the rest of the gathering cats, a fight seemed to be imminent not too far away. Though it was cleared up pretty fast by the cool tone of Wolfblossom. A sigh of relief. Another sigh of relief when Mottlestar started the gathering.

...Another change in WindClan's higher ranks. Her eyes narrowed. They had best not cause any further trouble.

Galepaw

Galepaw's head snapped up as the leaders began to speak. He sat in awe as he listened to each one in turn give their news about their respective clan, studying their faces, their eyes, their body languages, and thir voices. By the end of this gathering, Galepaw thought, I will know each clan's leader and their scent.

The apprentice straightened his posture and raised his head proudly at the mention of his name in front of all these cats. Every cat knows who I am now, he thought proudly. They will soon learn how strong WindClan has become. He glanced at Cloudypaw and Spiderpaw, and Eaglefly and Goldengale beside him. The night of truce has brought some surprises, he thought, looking at Spiderpaw. Galepaw certainly hadn't expected to be approached by another cat, but he was grateful to be given the chance to expand his understanding of clans outside his own. Gatherings are really something else!

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