Chapter 5: The Gathering

Mothdapple had been a good warrior for the next half moon after Featherflight's revelation. Sure, she was a bit absentminded and somewhat unsure of herself, but she had gained back her confidence as a cat soon after.

She had been chosen to go to the Gathering. Mothdapple was excited for more than one reason. Now she could ask around and see if any other cats had appeared outside of their Clan or knew words that they shouldn't know.

Mothdapple followed Dappleheart as the Clan prepared to cross the tree bridge leading to the Gathering island. She had to force her mind off of her mission as she cross the bridge. She didn't want a soaking, especially on a chilly leaf-fall night.

She scanned the clearing as her Clan spread out, mingling with the other Clans. Smokefang headed for a group of elders. Poppylight had stayed behind; Rainlight was close to having her kits, and the former queen would know what to do with Larchberry attending the Gathering. Stormpelt had also stayed behind. He was nervous for his mate. Nightpaw had come, and he avoided Mothdapple completely as he stalked towards a pale silvery-blue she-cat, obviously RiverClan. Mothdapple forced him out of her mind as she continued to look around.

A jet black ShadowClan tom was conversing with an elder from RiverClan. The tom seemed interested in what the elder, Timberfall, was telling him. Mothdapple kept watching. The tom seemed familiar...but not quite. She had met him before, during a border skirmish, but he had been an apprentice, and she didn't remember his name.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Nightpaw's dark gray form. He was still with that RiverClan apprentice, but he was watching her. Mothdapple heard his tail thrash in the pine needles. Shock coursed through her when she realized why Nightpaw was angry. She was not in love with this ShadowClan tom! But, of course, Nightpaw didn't know that. Feeling guilty for some reason, Mothdapple turned away from the tom. Nightpaw shot her a scorching glare, but Swiftstar's yowl from his branch on the tree stopped Nightpaw from doing anything else.

"We gather under the gaze of Silverpelt," the old WindClan leader rasped, "to meet in peace as our ancestors have instructed us to do at every full moon. I, Swiftstar, will give WindClan's news first. Our Clan is doing well. The rabbits are running, and their meat is tough, but our Clan is managing well."

The very pale brown tom stopped speaking and looked down at a ginger-brown tabby tom on a lower branch. Droughtstar of RiverClan gazed down at the gathered Clans and began to speak.

"RiverClan is doing excellently. While other Clans may have trouble getting enough fresh-kill—"

Despite the tom's glance at Swiftstar, the old leader barely reacted.

"—RiverClan is well-fed. Flowerlight gave birth to her kits. They are named Streamkit, Fishkit, and Spottedkit."

Everyone murmured congratulations. Mothdapple noticed a tortoiseshell-and-white tom sitting on a root of the tree gazing mournfully at nothing. This tom was Spottedheart, the deputy of ShadowClan, and he and Flowerlight had been in love. It hadn't worked out, and Flowerlight had taken a RiverClan mate. Mothdapple pitied Spottedheart. Flowerlight had obviously named one of her kits after him.

After the Clans quieted down, Droughtstar continued. "RiverClan has no other news."

On a higher branch, Dawnstar's eyes glowed in the shadows. "ThunderClan is doing well. We have a new warrior—Mothdapple."

Mothdapple had forgotten that this would be her first Gathering as a warrior! The members of the other Clans called out her name, and Mothdapple ducked her head. Nightpaw was silent, but that didn't bother her very much.

"ThunderClan has no other news."

Lastly, a large, longhaired pale gold tom on a branch adjacent to Dawnstar's spoke. This was Yellowstar. "ShadowClan is faring well," he began. "The lizards and frogs are leaving for leaf-bare, but we can manage on the other prey in the pines. The kittypets in the Twoleg nest are leaving ShadowClan alone as the cold weather comes. ShadowClan has no other news."

"WindClan will be leaving," Swiftstar called. The band of WindClan cats left the clearing as one at his call, with him following close after.

Dawnstar, Droughtstar, and Yellowstar came down from their branches. The remaining Clans gathered into small groups to converse. Mothdapple headed for the jet black ShadowClan tom. He was talking with a ginger and gray tom. His sky gray eyes sparked.

"Those scrawny WindClan cats, scurrying to their nests. Their pelts are so thin, they can't stand to be out for long. Serves them right, living on the moor."

The jet black tom looked somewhat uncomfortable. "Okay, Hawkpelt."

Hawkpelt padded off with a shrug. The tom turned around. Surprise lit in his blue eyes as he saw Mothdapple.

"...Hey, aren't you Mothdapple? The new ThunderClan warrior? Um, great job on becoming a warrior! I'm Ravenshadow."

"Hi, Ravenshadow." This tom was a little odd, but incredibly familiar.

"Hi, Mothdapple. I'm a ShadowClan cat, but you can probably tell from my scent, right? Okay, uh, do you need something?"

Mothdapple blinked. She hadn't anticipated actually talking to this tom. "Do you need something?" she countered.

The tom lashed his tail once. "You came over to me!"

"S-sorry!" Mothdapple's pelt burned. This was so awkward. She felt like there was a bug crawling around in her fur.

"So, uh, how are things in ThunderClan?" Ravenshadow shuffled his paws.

"Good, thanks." She had to get herself together! But there was this terrible itch on her neck. Maybe she had picked up a flea somewhere. This situation was awkward enough already without this itch...!

"That was Hawkpelt. He's a senior warrior. He doesn't have good opinions on the other Clans, and—"

Mothdapple couldn't stand it any longer. She lifted a hind leg and scratched her itchy spot vigorously. The flea flew through the air and landed on Ravenshadow's ear. The tom yowled in surprise and pawed at his ear. He rooted through the fur on his paw and crunched the flea between his teeth.

Mothdapple glanced around wildly. Had anyone else seen? This was horrible!

"I'm...I'm sorry...!" The words seemed to stick in her throat.

Ravenshadow spat out the remains of the flea and flicked his tail. "It's okay, it's okay! Really, it's okay!"

"G-good!" Mothdapple was still checking if anyone else had seen. Glancing behind her, she caught the gaze of Mossdapple of ShadowClan. The she-cat blinked her pale green eyes sympathetically. Two ShadowClan apprentices next to her were giggling, but Mossdapple flicked her tail over their ears. They scurried away.

When Mothdapple turned back around, Ravenshadow was nowhere to be seen. Mossdapple came around and sat on her haunches.

"Hello, Mothdapple," she mewed. "That was my son, Ravenshadow. Don't worry about that. He's not the type to hold grudges—especially against pretty she-cats such as yourself."

Mothdapple stared at her paws. Why did everyone jump to conclusions like that? "Your name is similar to mine," she replied, intentionally changing the subject. "If we were in the same Clan, we might get mixed up."

"True," Mossdapple purred.

"ShadowClan! We're leaving!"

Yellowstar's yowl made Mossdapple turn her head. "I've got to go," Mossdapple meowed. "Congratulations on becoming a warrior!"

Soon after ShadowClan left, Droughtstar and Dawnstar called their Clans to leave. Mothdapple couldn't get Ravenshadow out of her mind as the Clans broke up.

Ravenshadow...who is he? Is he important? Keep on reading and reviewing!