!!August Gathering!!

[Leopardstar]

Leopardstar raced across the windclan plains at the head of the windclan cats attending the gathering, pondering on what to say at the meeting.
As she came to a rather large hill overlooking fourtrees she paused for a moment before swiftly running and jumping over a log on the way down.
When she finally reached the gathering place she took a scent of the air: no other scents of clan cats. Sighing she realised they were the first to arrive so she took her place in the sacred tree.

[cloverleaf]

Leafstar led her clan through the dense undergrowth, which they called home. It was time for the Gathering, and she for the most part only had good news. As they reached Fourtrees, she slowed down and so did the rest of her Clan. She opened her mouth slightly and breathed in. WindClan was the only Clan here.

She padded into the clearing, and she broke away from the group, heading towards her place on High Rock. She easily jumped up and sat down. Looking at the WindClan leader, she greeted with a slight dip of her pretty head, " Greetings, Leopardstar."

[hawktail]

Snowynight raced alongside her leader, the wind flattening her whiskers to her face. Reaching Four Trees, she raced forward and sat at the base of the Great Rock, just below her leader. She nodded to the WindClan deputy and scanned the clearing for any sign of the other two Clans.

Wolfpelt loped along, staying a little ways behind the leader and deputy. She wasn't exactly excited about this gathering, don't ask her why. She would have much rather have preferred to have stayed back at camp. She sighed and shook her head; that wouldn't be happening anytime soon. Reaching Four Trees, she trotted over to the place where the Medicine Cats always sat and hoped Singleflame wouldn't be too far behind her.

[risingdusk]

A low hooting noise disturbed the quiet of another warm evening. Stars glittered overhead and a silvery full moon had been strung up in the sky. There was little breeze to displace the foliage that lay scattered across the grubby patch of land, but someone, or something, was rustling the ferns behind a small ash tree. The hooting noise sounded again, this time higher pitched and to a different rhythm. It was an eerie noise in the near silence and dark, but nothing to fret about. Just a pair of owls calling to one another.

The thing at the base of the ash tree was a slightly bigger threat.

In the dappled moonlight a striped cat emerged from within the mess of greenery. She was a pure white to her belly, her back a mixture of black and brown tabby stripes that stretched from her ears to her tail tip. But it wasn't this that made the fae look so scary. No. It was the intense look of cold venom that was firmly lodged in the calculating orange eyes of the ShadowClan leader. It seemed like only yesterday when she was padding to the last gathering and now it was the full moon again. Did StarClan have nothing better to do than wind up this already grouchy moggy? Risingstar stepped forwards to continue the journey to Fourtrees, the rest of her Clan plodding along behind her. Some of them would probably have liked to run but seeing as she set the pace, they would just have to walk tonight.

How she hated gatherings. Having to stand up and openly divulge all of her Clans news and secrets to those she despised and then being forced to sit and listen to the endless waves of drivvle that poured from the furballs supposedly her equals. She would much rather be back at her camp devising training programs with her Warriors and stocking up the fresh kill. Instead she was wasting her time on StarClan. Pah. She didn't believe in StarClan. Not anymore.. they were for fools who dreamt of a world filled with peace and happiness. The real world was nothing compared to that, and therefore StarClan were useless, powerless, nonsense.

The feline reached the line of spindly trees seperating her from Fourtrees. With a deep sigh she pushed her way through to squint heavily at the scene below, scenting the air. Wind and Thunder were already here.. She sighed again, putting her head and tail up, signalling to her Warriors to descend into the small dip. She herself strutted down the small hill, her fiery eyes not moving from her destination until she reached it, leaping to land elegantly on top of the Great Rock. A minute nod and a flick of the tail were the only acknowledgments offered to the two other cats that sat there, and afterwards she turned her back to them, to sit at an angle facing the nameless mass she could not care less for.

Aah the troubles of being a leader.

[blackrose]

Blackrose followed her Clan, keeping towards the back of the cats. She was exhausted, but gatherings were compulsory for medicine cats unless there was an absolute emergency, so she was stuck. "Greetings Wolfpelt, how are you today?" She purred, sitting beside the other cat.

Thistlepaw bounded after her leader, her eyes glinting at the promise of meeting new cats. It was her firs gathering, and she couldn't wait to see all the other cats and how they reacted with one another. Spotting Blackrose she skidded to a halt beside her friend and waited for the other cat to reply. The scent was one she didn't recognise, but she didn't ask Blackrose for fear of being told to go and sit with some of the apprentices.

[moonstep]

Moonstep chuckled softly as she watched her apprentice trying to eavesdrop on the medicine cats, before returning her attention to the ThunderClan deputy. "Hello Snowynight. No sign of the others yet?" She twitched her ears amiably and glanced anxiously at Leopardstar. She wanted to get back to camp soon, she was tired and wanted to chat with Nightfeather without so many other cats around.

[Ebonstar]

'Greetings Risingstar, Leafstar, Leopardstar' A black cat detached herself from the shadows, revealing the leader of Riverclan. The run to Fourtrees had been exhilarating, but now was the time for seriousness. 'Shall we begin? All of the clans are now present' she meowed. Being last to the clearing always ruffled her fur, but she tried to make up for it by getting the Gathering started. Tension coursed through her as she watched Risingstar carefully, not revealing that she was even looking in the Shadowclan leaders direction. Not knowing what was going to happen always set her on edge.

Running in to the clearing after his leader, Dawnsghost looked around at the gathered cats. He lifted his nose and scented mainly Windclan, but with some Thunderclan. Then Shadowclan arrived, kicking up the ruckus they normally did on arrival. Riverclan was the last to arrive, and as he sat with his clan, he could see tension radiating from the Riverclan leader, towards the 'Evil' Clans leader, Risingstar. 'I wonder whats going on there' he muttered to no one in particular.

Skysong padded towards the clearing, excitement putting a spring in her step. She was going to be announced as a warrior! Sitting next to Frostpaw in the clearing did nothing for her, she really needed to move, so the Maine Coon got up and padded over to Hawktail, the notoriously grumpy warrior. 'Hawktail' she asked hesitantly, 'Why do you think the leaders seem so wary of Risingstar? It is not like she has done anything wrong, has she?'

Nightfeather was edgy as he ran over the lip and in to the clearing. He had seen his leader looking extremely petulant lately, and he thought something was up. All was to be revealed at that gathering, he decided as he sat with the other Windclan warriors. Being the first to arrive was always good, but the wind brought to him the scents of the other Clans approaching, so the feeling did not last. First was Thunderclan, with Leafstar breaking through the bushes ahead of her Clan. Then came Shadowclan, Risingstar looking extremely venomous as she lead her clan in. Last came Riverclan, their leader heading straight up to the high Rock. Her soft voice floated down to him, 'Shall we begin?' Sitting next to Moonstep, Nightfeather meowed quietly, a grin on his black face 'Hey, how is Thistlepaw liking is first meeting as an apprentice? How are you liking your first gathering as his mentor? has he done anything to embarrass you yet?'

[hawktail]

Wolfpelt dipped her head as Blackrose approached. "Hello, Blackrose. I'm fine I suppose," she meowed. Her amber gaze flicked over to a rather small cat, probably just apprenticed. Wolfpelt lowered her shaggy head to be eye level with her. "Hello, little one. I don't believe I've ever seen you before. I'm Wolfpelt, ThunderClan's medicine cat." She smiled slightly and lifted her chin to take in the scents of the arriving Clans.

Snowynight flicked her ears. "I can scent them coming soon," she answered Moonstep. The scents of other Clans were strong, so it was only a matter of time before they showed up.

Hawktail padded at the back of the group of ShadowClan cats that were to go to the Gathering. Once they had reached the clearing, the grumpy tabby had been on her way to the normal place she sat, out of view, when her name being said stopped her. She looked over her shoulder to see Skysong, the newly made Warrior. She listened to her questions,'Why do you think the leaders seem so wary of Risingstar? It is not like she has done anything wrong, has she?', and almost laughed out loud. "Well, Skysong," she began with laughter in her voice. "You shouldn't be asking me about doing things wrong. How do you think I came to the Clans? But it's most likely because she was gone last gathering, and, well," she paused.
"She is from ShadowClan."

Rainbowpaw stayed close to her mother as they made their way to the Gathering. She almost bounced up and down at the thought of her being chosen to go to a Gathering so soon after becoming an apprentice. Reaching Four Trees, the black and white she-cat broke away from her mother and went over to sit with the other apprentices.

[× Frostwing ×]

Owlpaw followed Leopardstar to his first gathering. He trotted excitedly through his territory, his heart pounding. Leopardstar stopped for a second on a hill then ran off to whatever was behind it.

Owlpaw raced up the hill then ran back down the other side. They approached a large clearing with four great oaks. There was no one else there and he figured they were the first to arrive. Not quite knowing what to do, he sat down lazily towards the edge of the clearing and looked around for the other cats. He scented ThunderClan on the wind and guessed they were coming pretty close.

Frostpaw padded eagerly next to Skysong, following Risingstar to the gathering. Finally Risingstar straightened up, flicking her tail up into the air. Frostpaw figured that meant she could run down to the clearing and greet the other cats. Skysong walked off to Hawktail and Frostpaw silently walked over to the group of medicine cats.

"Hello Wolfpelt, Blackrose," she nodded to each in turn. She noticed what must've been an apprentice sitting next to Blackrose, "Hi," she smiled to the younger cat.

Cloverpaw bounced through the trees next to Viperfang. She couldn't wait to get to the gathering. She needed to run but didn't want to test Risingstar, so she just kept walking.

They finally arrived at Fourtrees. Cloverpaw turned to Viperfang and smiled. They were finally there after the long walk! And this was Viperfang's first gathering as a warrior.

Nightstorm ran after Ebonstar and the rest of the RiverClan cats attending the gathering. They arrived there shortly; after all, they had ran the whole way. Nightstorm put all four paws in the spacey clearing, then sat down panting, her black fur blending into the shadows.
Ebonstar went straight to the Great Rock and murmured something to the others that Nightstorm couldn't hear.

[cloverleaf]

The silver spotted tabby tom walked alongside Cloverpaw, his fur bristling with excitement. It was his first Gathering as a warrior. His excitement only grew as they approached Fourtrees, and the fact that he was going to be mentioned brought pride into him.

Finally arriving, he sat near the other warriors of ShadowClan, inviting Cloverpaw to sit with him. Normally the apprentices met with the apprentices from the other clans to try to find out more from the other clans, but he wanted to give her a taste of being a warrior.



Leafstar nodded to the rest of the leaders as they arrived, giving Risingstar a brisk nod, as the tabby looked on the verge of attacking. As always, I suppose. Once Ebonstar arrived and suggested, they start the meeting, she meowed in return, "I agree. Ebonstar, maybe you should start it today?" She tone was regal, but not offensive. Although the words sounded as if they were commanded, it had been a mere suggestion.

[blackrose]

Blackrose bowed her head to the gathering cats, smiling sweetly. She nudged Thistlepaw with her paw fondly. "Don't be shy, say hello!" She giggled. It was unusual for the young cat to be so quiet, Blackrose guessed she was intimidated by the other cats.

Thistlepaw stared at Blackrose for a moment before mumbling, "Hello. It is nice to meet you all." She was uncertain was expected of her, but when she glanced at her mentor she saw Moonstep was engaged in conversation with Nightfeather and a different cat. "Are you a medicine cat apprentice?" She asked, her curiosity overcoming her shyness as she noticed Frostpaw.

[Ebonstar]

'Thats true. But look at them, it's as if she grew a second tail or something!' the young warrior was now angry as well as confused. Why were the other leaders treating Risingstar funny? Her leader was better than them all!

Little did she know. . .

>sorry it is short, effect you know? <

[Leopardstar]

>ok ill start<

Leopardstar too had noticed the restlessness of the cats thanks to Risingstar's arrival. Deciding she should start the gathering she flicked her tail to adknowledge the other leaders and tell them that she would begin.

"Cats of all clans! Welcome to this gathering! Tonight we have a very special announcement. Very soon we will be holding a Sports day for all the clans to participate in." She paused.

"All cats will be allowed to participate in this event and enter in as many events as they want although kits will not fight in an event with warriors and so forth.
We are hoping this will help the clans get along more due to some problems between clans" she mewed, putting stress into the last sentance.

"Would another leader like to add to this?" she asked.

[risingdusk]

[Death And All His Friends]

As Ebonstar and her Clan, late as per usual, pounded down the slope towards the rest of them waiting at Fourtrees, the air of the gathered cats changed. It was a very subtle change, but noticeable all the same. Of course for ThunderClan and WindClan, the feeling had been there for some time, but now that all four leaders were present it seemed to double. There was an intense feeling of hosility and the very night seemed to crackle with prickly electricity. A sudden hush spread across the clearing and many nervous glances were exchanged. Nobody appeared able to look at the ShadowClan cats who were present.

Atop the Great Rock, Leopardstar had begun speaking. Typically, the tabby and white she-cat to the side of her was not listening in the slightest. The WindClanners voice washed over here like the irritating drone of an insects wings in the middle of the night. A nerve was twitching in her shoulders. She too had noticed the feeling of unease in the clearing, and with a jolt of glee she realised just why.

The other leaders were wary of her.

So they'd finally realised what a threat she could be.. Excellent.

She smiled slightly as she caught the end of Leopardstars announcement, but not knowing what the she-cat had said, she made no comment on it. It was perhaps lucky for Leopardstar cause if she had've known, she would most likely have thrown a hissy fit.

[Day And Age]

In the darkness the silver cat had gone unnoticed amongst the many other WindClanners who had poured into the clearing. He hadn't chosen to speak to anyone, nor had anyone spoken to him, so he chose himself a quiet seat at the sidelines and lay down to watch the entries of the other Clans. The normal tension between them was magnified severely by the return of Risingstar, looking particularly murderous this evening as she stalked forwards, barely recognising her fellow leaders.

Fivefoot paid no attention to her. As far as he was concerned she was just a stressy lump of fluff with more mouth than bite. He turned away from her as his leader began speaking, his eyebrows raising with surprise as she mentioned a 'sports day'. It seemed like a good idea to him, but he still said nothing. Afterall, Leopardstar had asked the leaders to speak, not a Warrior like himself.

[× Frostwing ×]

Cloverpaw followed Viperfang through the clearing, heading towards some warriors from their Clan. Cloverpaw's heart thudded as she realized Viperfang was offering her to sit with the warriors. Cloverpaw smiled and accepted the invitation, settling down next to Viperfang.

She looked up to the Great Rock when she heard Leapardstar start speaking.

Frostpaw smiled at the other apprentice, "Yes, I am," she replied, noticing the apprentice loosening up a bit. "What's your name?" Frostpaw was pretty sure she hadn't talked to the apprentice before. Now it was Frostpaw's turn to be curious; she always had to know everyone's name, otherwise it would drive her insane.

[moonstep]

Moonstep looked at the leaders in suprise before turning to look at Nightfeather, confusion registered on her face. "Have I gone nuts, or did she just say sports day?" Spotting Fivefoot she waved him over to join them, glad to see the older tom.

[hawktail]

"Did I catch that right? A sports day?" Hawktail sneered, not really to anyone. A sports day would mean that the tabby warrior would have to participate an activities, and that was a BIG no-no in her book. Hawktail kept to herself, and that didn't mean being in a group of cats. She glared viciously up at the leaders, praying for them to be against such an event.

Wolfpelt widened her eyes in shock at the suggestion of a sports day. She shrugged, it didn't matter to her. She would love to watch some of the younger cats show off, plus, it would give her an opportunity to just sit and chat with the other medicine cats. She thought this day would be nice, and she knew Leafstar was most likely to appeal to the idea.

Rainbowpaw's tail shot up and her ears forward. "Wow! A sports day. That sounds like fun!" She glanced over to her mother, who was crouched down and looking ready to attack. She shrugged it off, she didn't have all of her mother's attitude.

[cloverleaf]

Listening closely, unlike the ShadowClan leader who seemed to be daydreaming, Leafstar thought about what Leopardstar was saying. For the most part, it was good, but would everyone like to participate? She knew for the most part that the kits and apprentices would, but what about the warriors? Some would feel awkward competing in a game against a warrior from another clan. But she supposed that her thoughts were the easily fixed stuff. This time, she voiced her other opinion, "Were would we hold this event and when? I'd also like to know what we are doing just so my Clan is advised."

Viperfang flicked his ears at the thought of a sports day. It was an interesting thought, for it meant he would be able to show off his strength along with his clanmates's strength to the other clans. He shrugged it off to see what Risingstar would say.

[Ebonstar]

'It sounds like a good idea, but can we pull it off?' murmured the black she-cat as she watched her felow leaders question Leopardstar. When Leafstar piped up and asked where such an event would be held. 'Well, we could hold it in this clearing. It is certainly large enough' she meowed, loud enough for the whole group of cats to hear. She glanced around the clearing, noting ideal places for certain events. Ebonstar liked the idea, and with two leaders for the event occuring, there was a very large chance it would go ahead. It was the perfect time to re-unite the Clans, not that Risingstar looked like she would enjoy that outcome.

'No, you heard right' meowed Nightfeather in response. His mind was whirling. A sports day? Was this what his leader had been planing? Or was there something else. . .? Shaking off that thought, he turned his mind back to the news.
'Were would we hold this event and when? I'd also like to know what we are doing just so my Clan is advised.'
That was Leafstar, obviously. She was always looking out for her Clan, protecting them from everything that she could.

What was Leopardstar thinking?

'What!?' Dawnsghost almost yowled, cutting it off just in time, but letting out a strangled croak instead. 'She cannot be serious. Is she serious?' He turned to Snowynight, his deputy, his shock causing him to speak as he did years ago. His eyes widened as he realised that it was a serious statement, and it looked like his leader was going for it.

"Did I catch that right? A sports day?" The words came from Skysongs side, and she instantly knew it was Hawktail who was so against the idea. She herselfwas a little of both. A sports day would be a good way of proving that Shadowclan was still the strongest in the forest, but also that they weren't just blood and killing. On the other hand, it would show the other Clans their fighting technique, something that was hidden deep within the roots of her Clan. The warrior was torn in two, anting to, yet despising the idea. In the end, she decided to just not say anything. She would participate if she had to, but she would NOT be subject to being showed off.

[Leopardstar]

Leopardstar looked at the gathered cats. Some looked interested some looked plain bored tho. Well it's just an idea she thought darkly. If they dont want to participate then they dont have to. She was clever tho and refused to let the emotions play across her face. It could be held here she continued calmly. "What do you think?" she asked partly to the gathered cats and leaders.

[mouseear]

Mousepaw had been sitting quietly through her first gathering so far quite happy to just sit and watch. But her ears pricked up when she heard the phrase 'sports day'. I wonder if chasing rabbits is going to be included in this? Yes, she knew she was hopeless but she couldn't help it! Edging up next to Blackrose she asked "Will medicine cats be allowed to join in?"

[blackrose]

Blackrose glanced at Mousepaw she shrugged. "I don't see why not." The idea of sports day was interesting. Most of the apprentices would probably be up for it, anything that involved games seemed to interest them. Warriors would be more reluctant, and she could already guess how Moonstep was feeling. It was up to the leaders, but Ebonstar and Leopardstar seemed up for it, Leafstar was clearly considering it. Risingstar was a whole other story, and the medicine cat wondered what was going on in the she-cat's head.

[Fortress]

<Ok, you all know why i couldn't post. But i now have a strong connection! For the moment...>

The moon was high and clear, sending a ghastly glow apon all the clans'. Windclan's moors seemed like a silver lake, however it was not reflecting Starclan. Which made other cat's shudder at the thought. In Thunderclan, the light set the trees alight, but from Riverclan it just looked like a outline of a very craggy hill. In shadowclan it remained the same as always, even the moon was trying to avoid casting light on the mysterious group of cats, in case they got angry and vowed their revenge on the floating disc of light. However, Riverclan was quite the opposite. Their whole clan was filled with light, as the moons rays shone on the lakes, which did reflect starclan. The rivers surrounding the clan made the clan's territory glow, a healthy cheery glow. However most of the clan cats were not paying any attention. They were all gathered at one spot. Fourtrees, where the clan cats met up and held a truce under the moon. Here the moon wasn't scared to shine light on the Shadowclanners, as they enjoyed it here. A slender tom slithered through the trees at the edge of the clearing. Emerging from a gorse bush he realised just how long he'd been. He wasn't sur eon where to go exactly, so he pelted across the clearing and took a spot at the bottom of the trees, following where all the other deputies were. He looked at all the other cats who were probably looking at him and adresses them, hoping not to interupt the leaders, "Sorry i am late!" his voice rang out clear and powerful "I had to sort out things in Riverclan" what had actually happened was he was helping Skyfeather with medicine cat things as he felt guilty of wasting the herb-smelling cats time when Earthsplash grazed his paw.

[risingdusk]

[Day And Age]

The silver tom caught movement out of the corner of his eye and turned his head to see Moonstep waving him over to sit with her and Nightfeather. After a moments indecision he scrambled his paws underneath himself and moved to lie with them, flicking his ears in a grateful thanks. He wasn't the most popular cat in the Clan due to his normally grouchy nature, but he did sometimes miss being included by the others. As he flopped down into the dust he looked up at the pair with a questioning glance.

'What d'you think then?' he asked quietly, clearly talking about the proposed event. He was all for being a part of the sports day, but might perhaps sit out of the events. His hips had been causing him trouble in the past few days, and at one time he'd been on the point of going to Blackrose for poppy seeds. Fortunately the pain had eased dramatically through just resting for 24 hours, and so the medicines had not been necessary. He perked up his ears as he waited for a reply, using a back paw to nudge his tail closer towards him.

[Death And All His Friends]

The tabby she-cat was humming a pleasant little tune to herself, her amber eyes fixed across the clearing at a rather stupid mouse that had shown it's face in the presence of so many cats. Her eyes followed it's hasty retreat back into it's burrow and a smile lingered on her face. She had managed to drown out the nonsense of the other leaders by keeping her concentration on other things. For example the shifting of seats by an old WindClanner, well past his time. By the way in which he moved, dragging a deadened tail behind him, it looked as though he wouldn't last another moon. Chances were those goody-two-paws medicine cats would prolong his pitiful existance. She curled her lip and, still humming her tune, turned to examine the way the grass was rippling in the wind..

[cloverleaf]

After hearing the location, and seeing all the commotion in the audience, Leafstar began to question out loud her other thoughts. "We all know that not everyone will want to participate, so what would happen if one clan has less participants than the others?" Not that the idea was that bad, but she wanted to have it completely planned out. She was just like that. Besides, it also proved that ThunderClan was not all optimistic and willing about being with the other clans.

Both the RiverClan and WindClan leaders were all for it, and ThunderClan and ShadowClan were the only indecisive ones, but casting a glance at Risingstar, she noticed that the tabby was completely out of it. She gave an exasperated sigh but said nothing. She shook her head for all to see and then continued speaking. "Perhaps we can just continue with the clan news and that each leader says if their clan is participating or not while its their turn." She turned to Leopardstar, as she had already started, so she could just continue.