GATHERING (October)

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Spottedstar was the first Clan leader to enter the clearing, as per usual. As she surveyed the empty Gathering place, the she-cat noticed that she was much more calm than she had been at the last Gathering. Her nerves were beginning to recover from their panic attack. She had told herself that worrying over the number of ShadowClan would not help its growth. Kits and apprentices would come with time, StarClan willing, and would resolve the issue.

But that wasn't important right now. Spottedstar made her way further into the clearing, picking up speed as she neared the Great Rock, and leaped on top of it, turning about, then settling to watch her Clan and the others file in.

~~~~~

Brokenflame came in soon after, his narrowed eyes sweeping the clearing this way and that. The run-in he'd had with the ThunderClan tom at the boarder still made his claws want to sink into the earth. That ignorant cat should know to watch it should he decide to show his face again. Rubbing the whole thing in his face... It was, all together, unforgivable. He was too proud to let it slip by.

~~~~~

Mudstripe padded into the clearing with a blank, uninterested look on his face. Things for him were not going too badly so far. The tabby tom had not forgotten about Crow, of course, still not having left the camp yet. But he knew it was only a matter of time. And when it did, he knew he would have the support of more than one cat should he decide to run him off himself. But the other loner that had shown up at their camp just a couple days ago... She still puzzled him. He didn't know what to think. He had never heard of a loner catching prey for a Clan before. It had at least bought her a ticket to avoiding his rage. He supposed he would figure things out more with time. For now, his mind was on the Gathering.

[Tanglekit]

Taanglestar was the next leader to enter the clearing, picking down the slope quietly. She too was very calm at this gathering more so than the last. Her clan was faring better than most in this troubled time and now with the threat of leaf-bare she was confident they were going to be prosperous even in their worst time. She gave a simple nod to the Shadowclan, feeling better about the standing of their clans. They hadn't fought in moons and the border skirmishes were at a minimum.

Ferncloud walked shyly into the gathering clearing hating it whenever she had to be here on her own, hoping for her own sake that her new found friend Foxflight. Her eyes searched around the clearing hoping for some sign that someone she knew was there to comfort her.

Lavanderpelt walked into the clearin giving Brokenflame a disgusted stare. He was just like her and maybe if they didn't hate each other so much they could be friends and actually get along. But they were both to stubborn and proud to admit that the other was worthy of freindship.

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Brokenflame, feeling as if he were being watched, glanced over his shoulder to where he thought he'd felt the gaze come from. It wasn't hard to tell who it was- Lavenderpelt. The intensity of her gaze was almost intimidating, but of course, not quite. The tortoiseshell tom twitched his whiskers. He just didn't get her. They both had an understanding of their shared dislike well enough, but on the other paw, she had earned respect in his mind. She was bold, brave, proud. A real she-cat. But she still irritated him none the less. Quite a puzzle. For a moment he considered making his way over there, but he had no idea what he would say or do. So he kept where he was.

~~~~~~

Sunflash came after Tanglestar, confusion in every pawstep. He kept waiting for something to happen- something bad, he presumed, but nothing had happened. Clan life had been quiet for the most part. But he still hadn't gotten Scarshadow to lead him to the rouge's nest. Perhaps he should try finding it on his own. But even though the golden tom didn't want to involve other cats, it would be good to have backup. And the ideal backup would be a cat that already knew, so that they wouldn't stir up problems down the road. Scarshadow was the only cat he thought did. So what was he to do?

~~~~~

Flightwhisker padded into the Gathering place with a flick in her tail. Things were going well for the recently-made warrior. No major battles over the boarder, no inner-Clan turmoil. Well, there was that rotten RiverClan apprentice lingering about in the medicine cat's den, and she sure wasn't happy about it, but there was no choice in the matter. Firestar herself had expressed everything she felt about having a non-ThunderClan cat in their camp. With any luck he'd heal up soon. The sooner he was out, the better.

[Deleted]

Foxflight silently padded into the gathering place with his clan. His gaze found Sunflash following Tanglestar. The manner in which the cat walked and reacted to everything made him confused. What was going on?

He looked into the clearing, not seeing Badgerstep, he guessed Windclan wasn't here yet. Glad he had a little time, he padded towards where Sunflash now presided amongst the grass. "Hey, are you okay?," he asked to the tom. "Is something in our territory having you on edge," he joked.

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Sunflash looked towards the sound of the tom's voice with a bit of a start. He had been thinking so hard that being thrust out of his thoughts so suddenly almost spooked him. But the senior warrior was becoming more and more wary lately, even among his own Clanmates. "Oh, Foxflight," he mewed with a tinge of relief. Though he didn't quite know why. This tom hadn't exactly been on his good side since his reaction to Tanglestar's return. But when he played back the tom's question in his head, his paws prickled. "Wait," he murmured quietly, "do you know?" The golden tom's eyes narrowed in confusion. The warrior sounded like he knew about the rouge, but Scarshadow had said that he had only told him... But knowing Scarshadow, the urge to gossip had probably been too strong. Still, if this tom was already in on the secret, then maybe he could help.

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Sunflash's startle made him take a step back. Then when the eyes glowed towards him in the darkness, he realized the tom was only surprised and not about to attack. He heard the tone of relief drip from Sunflash's words. Foxflight felt instantly sorry for startling him so horribly.

His ears pricked to hear the murmur coming out of Sunflash's mouth. Foxflight eyebrows furrowed in an act of confusion. What's he talk-oh! Scarshadow's 'rogue', he thought quickly. Sincerely, he'd only been worried about the tom, not thinking about evil plans or whatnot. There was something about Scarshadow he didn't like, especially the way he had talked of hurting Sunflash with such hunger. Foxflight thought instantly that this would be an excellent way to make sure the black tom didn't kill the veteran.

"Huh? Oh! You mean the rogue Scarshadow saw?," he asked.

[Deleted]

Shadowfang made her way in to the clearing right behind Spottedstar as always. She kept her eye out for Foxflight. The tom she had encountered at the boarder with Mudstripe and Lavenderpelt. She walked up to the great rock and took her place beside it and waited for the others to come.
---
Nightclaw made his way in with the rest of the warriors that had come from Windclan. He looked to find Swiftfire, there last conversation had been a moon ago and he wanted to work things out with her. He had last admitted his feelings for her when they talked and he wanted things to work out,he looked around to try and find her.

[Deleted]

Firestar lead her clan in, her head high and proud. She merely looked at the ThunderClan warriors and turned away. She was still upset at her treatment in the ThunderClan camp. She didn't stop to socialize tonight, she just jumped onto the great rock without a word.

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(( OOC: Swift, you may want to take over for WindClan. I dunno when Zim is going to be back on... :/ ))

BIC:A grim look spread over the warrior's face, his claws sinking into the ground in anxiety. "Exactly," he confirmed in a mutter, working the earth with those claws. So word had gotten around. Hopefully not that far. ThunderClan didn't need to know about the problem if it could be dealt with fast enough. At least, that was what Scarshadow had gotten him to believe. No need to worry Tanglestar. But could this tom be of help? Any warrior was as good as the next, Sunflash supposed. But this particular tom?

"Scarshadow told me about it a while ago. Some rogue that could start giving ThunderClan some problems." The golden tom continued to keep his voice low so that the other gathering cats wouldn't hear. "But I haven't been able to catch him at a right moment to go out after it. He always acts so shady." Sunflash shook his head. "But no matter. Since you already know about the problem, I could use your help in driving him out. I don't want this to become a big matter if I can help it, seeing as its just one troublesome rogue. But I don't want to risk taking him on alone if he proves that aggressive. Do you understand?"

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Stormstrike followed his leader in, not looking pleased either. He had stayed behind when Firestar had gone to check on Icepaw, but from her response when she returned, it had not gone smoothly. He sat down beneath the rock, watching the cats around with thoughtful bright blue eyes. He would have thought Riddlehawk and Thunderclan would be a little more gracious, after all they had been the ones to injure the apprentice in the first place. But of course, conflict always followed the icy tom...not that he blamed him, but he had come to expect it. He dipped his head in respect to the other leader's, mouthing a courteous hello before looking away.

[Deleted]

Riddlehawk followed Tanglestar into the clearing, the big tabby looking over the other cats with a careful eye. Just LET them take a swipe at him tonight. He'd shred their throat.... The normally calm tom had a bit of a bloodthirsty mood on him tonight, the odd saber-like fangs that protruded from his jaws sleek and sharp in the moonlight. He took his place in the clearing, his single gold eye studying each cat individulally.

--

Stargaze padded into the clearing behind his clanmates, the white flecked tom's black pelt smoothly meshing into the black of his clanmates. It was like being consumed by Shadows, his mismatched eyes watching the others carefully. He wasn't one for conversation tonight....no one really was.

--

Dappledleaf padded in behind her mate, the pretty calico she-cat's green eyes carefully studying the other cats. This was her first gathering in many moons, and she expected that many cats probably had assumed her dead from giving birth to the many kits she had. But she was very very alive, and she was glad to hear clan news firsthand after volunteering to stay behind with the kits for these last few moons.

--

Ashstorm's grey pelt slid along among her clanmates. Her black paws picked their way carefully through the leaves and such, and her blue eyes were calm, if not careful. Her tail flicked back and forth as she studied the others. She hadn't been to a gathering in a while, and she was a bit happy to be here.

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((Okay-- this is how it's going to work. I'll start out with my cats, and I'll try to get on as much as I can until this gathering is over. But when I do long on, I'll do it here, for it concerns all the clans, and such. So... yeah. And if there's apart for FoxStar, Swift, you can take over her.))

Scarshadow suddenly appeared behind FoxFlight, and already knew what he was up to.

"Sorry for making you wait-- SunFlash. I have been having troubles with other things. Like-- prey, perhaps? It is almost leaf-bare, you know."

He looked over at FoxFlight, and couldn't help but nudge him with his shoulder. He wrinkled his nose, and looked at SunFlash, "I'll try to show you as fast as I can, because I know he hasn't moved. It would be foolish of him-- moving when it's almost leaf-bare? It sounds stupid, and don't you worry..."

The last part was to FoxFlight, mostly, but it didn't seem like it in the way he put it.

-

FoxStar signaled her clan down to the Gathering, keeping her tail in the air. She was glad MoonSight was back, at least... for a while he was. She hasn't talked to him in a while. This brought her little depression back in, but she would have to push it aside.

She flicked her ear at the chatter/gossip that ScarShadow, FoxFlight, and SunFlash were having, and ignored it. It didn't bother her clan, so it shouldn't matter at all.

She just felt a little glad at the moment, that's all.

She hopped up on the Great Rock, and took her place beside TangleStar and SpottedStar. ((I hope that's right, if not-- then change it with who she's next to))

FoxStar sighed deeply, and waited.

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Kk, here is where I shall RP half of my kitties!

Swanfeather limped into the clearing after Foxstar. Her eyes were clouded with dark circles around them. Her usually shining white spots now dull and her usually sleek black fur was nearly grey. She looked years over her age, all because her beloved mate was gone...

Birdflight came in alone. She felt hollow, unfulfilled, useless. Her paws were weak with exhaustion. She felt she had no purpose in life, like she was living dead. Perhaps the Gathering would cheer her up.

Shadowpelt was deep in thought, which was off. No one could ever had called her a dreamy cat until now. She had imagined what her life would have been like if she had grown up in her birth clan with Goldenfur, but they didn't even remember her, how could the remember the selfish, scared kit that had run from her clan, her dieing parents, her noncontiguous sister... She felt sickened by herself.

Sharpfang was alone, he seemed to be the only tom without a mate. He, like Birdflight, were loners amongst their clans with no purpose, no fulfillment...

Shadowheart entered the clearing, looking around for Dirtfur. She had not seen him in a long time. She didn't know if she hated him or yearned him. Was she still in love, or furious for her broken heart? She believed she would know if she just SAW him.

Heartcloud entered with her mother, she wasn't furious with Dirtfur like she, in fact, he was the least of her thoughts. She wanted to see her father, she had never met her father. She had often had dreams about running into the forest, looking for him. She always approached this well made den just before she woke up...

Goldenfur had glowing eyes tonight, she was content with her mate, Scarshadow. She spotted him across the clearing and started walking over. She was oblivious to all his secrets.

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Sunflash flicked his ears about at the arrival of Scarshadow, and narrowed his eyes as he watched the tom. His excuse didn't satisfy the senior warrior. While it was probably true, as no cat could deny the extra preparations needed for the coming leaf-bare, Sunflash still considered dealing with the rouge threat a higher priority than gathering prey. And then seeing Foxflight and the dark tom share a nudge, as if there was some sort of private joke between them, he began seeing less and less of a reason to not put his entire faith in their guidance.

He then began listening to Scarshadow's plan. It did make sense, the part about sticking around where he was for the cold season. But Sunflash just flicked his tail with impatience. "Yes, yes, that's all good and all, but when? If nothing is done about this soon, then whole Clan will find out about it and cause a fuss."

~~~~~

Pebblepaw came in with the rest of RiverClan, apart from his mentor, seeing as he wasn't quite sure as to where she had gotten off to. Miraclefur had seemed... Kind of distant, lately, he supposed. This partially irritated the young tom, seeing as he wanted them to have a good lesson about the different types of herbs. But he would give her time to sort her own self out. He wouldn't even concern himself with that matter tonight. Instead, the blue apprentice would focus on the Gathering.

This Gathering was to be his first, and so he was rightfully excited, though he wasn't too keen on showing it. Just walking into the Gathering Place, Pebblepaw had almost been overwhelmed with the number of cats that there were. He hadn't known so many other cats had existed outside his own Clan's boarders. So many. As his Clan began to disperse around the area, Pebblepaw began to look around for any sign of the other medicine cats- if he could recognize them, anyway. The only ones he'd met up with before was Twitchpaw and Rainwing from ThunderClan.

~~~~~

Badgerstep came in behind Foxstar, immediately looking around the clearing for Foxflight. Recent happenings had him more concerned than ever about the way the Clans were run. His situation had almost been uncovered quite recently.. And by his own apprentice. If word was actually to get out about the truth, he knew that it would mean banishment for both himself and Moonspirit. But it was the warrior code that was at fault there, not them! Who was to say that medicine cats couldn't take mates? Moonspirit had been more than fine ever since. The rule was stupid and unnecessary. He wanted to find some way to fix it.

Unfortunately, when the black and white tom saw the ThunderClan cat, he realized that he was conversing with his own Clanmates this time. Badgerstep twitched his whiskers irritably. Tonight wouldn't be the best time, he realized. So the warrior followed WindClan over to their usual spot, settling down amids the masses.

~~~~~

Spottedstar dipped her head to the recently arrived leaders, satisfied that they all were here this night. And now, to get the Gathering started up. Spottedstar stepped forward and yowled loud enough for the other Clans to hear. "Cats of all Clans! We are gathered her again under StarClan's treaty of the full moon to discuss the news of our Clans in peace. Tonight I, representing ShadowClan, will go first.

"The last moon has treated ShadowClan well. We have made two good warriors, Phoenixsoul and Lavenderpelt. ShadowClan also has a new medicine cat apprentice, Flypaw, and a new warrior apprentice, Silverpaw." The ginger and white she-cat paused to give the other Clans ample time to welcome the new young cats into their ranks before starting back up again. There was no need to mention the two loners they were hosting here in front of all the Clans. "Now that leaf-fall is here, there is no doubt that the cold will soon come. But we have still plenty of prey in our territory, and our cats sleep well in warm dens." With a final twitch of her whiskers, Spottedstar then stepped back and made a gesture with her tail to invite the next Clan leader to speak up.

[Deleted]

Firestar nodded then took place at the center of the great rock, "RiverClan is well, the fish still swim in our waters without ice to prevent our paws from reaching them. We would like to extend a word of thanks to ThunderClan for nursing our apprentice, Icepaw, in their camp after one of their warriors witnessed his accident." she smiled at her comment. "That is all." she stepped back.