Warriors [ United Shadows ] < book 1 >

Chapter 2

Rainpaw woke up late in the afternoon, today was the gathering. He sat up slowly in his nest, the sun was about at the end of its daily journey across the sky. A small commotion erupted outside of his den, in the camps clearing. He trotted out of his den and through the bramble barrier to find, a strange cat, presumably pregnant, being surrounded by the warriors of the clan. "What are you doing here kittypet?" Brindlestar hissed at the intruder. "I'm sorry! I heard you had a cat that knew their way around medicine, so I was wondering if they could help me deliver my kits." The she-cat mumbled. She was a dark ginger and white cat with hazel eyes. She was very visibly pregnant, her face was contorted into a look of anxiety. "I am that cat!" Rainpaw said as he trotted up to the she-cat. "Will you help me?" She asked, pure worry shown through her eyes. "Yes I will, what's your name?" Rainpaw asked as he began to lead her to the nursery. "It's Tiger, that's what my friends called me." She said, her voice still shaky.

The medicine cat nuzzled his way through the nursery entrance, opening it up so the pregnant cat can walk in. "Who is this?" Dawnstream asked the apprentice, anxiety slipping from her voice. "This is Tiger, she's going to be staying with us until she's kitted and she and her kits are healthy enough for travel." Rainpaw explained to the queens. "Where are you from? You don't smell like any clan cats." Redtree asked the newcomer. "A group that lives not that far from here, they've gathered a group of cats to worship deities." Tiger explained to the queens and apprentice. "That's weird, what cat's would want to go against Starclan?" Dawnstream asked the rogue. "The leaders of the group believe they are chosen by celestial beings." The ginger she-cat explained to the clan cats. "Leaders? As in multiple leaders? Do they both lead the group at the same time?" Rainpaw asked the pregnant she-cat. "Yes they both rule the group, though the younger brother isn't listened to as often." Tiger told the small group. "Siblings leading together? That's the weirdest thing I've ever heard of!" Redtree piped in, pointing out how odd the groups system was. "You're right, that's why I've run off, they have a healer but he only can do injuries, not illnesses or pregnancy." Tiger told everyone in the nursery. "That's sad, I'm sorry but I have to get ready for the gathering, if you need anything Sagefish, our other medicine cat, is staying behind cause he can't make the long journey due to his back issues." Rainpaw explained to the expecting she-cat. She nodded to the apprentice, as he turned around and trotted out of the warm den.

"Let all cats old enough to swim in the rapids gather around the wet stump to hear my words!" Brindlestar announced as he leapt onto an old willow tree stump that sat next to his den, that was presumably the fallen willow tree. The warriors coming in from their hunting patrol dropped of their prey and came to sit infront of the stump. The queens sat outside of the nursery entrance, their kits following behind them. The apprentices stopped their joking around and came and sat next to their mentors. Soon everyone joined in the group near the stump or at least left their dens to listen in. "For the gathering, I will be bringing; Lynxshade, Spruceheather, Poppyshine, Rosetooth, and Fallenwater, along with their respective apprentices, Whisperwhisper and Twilightpuddle, and finally Rainpaw you'll be going as our medicine cat since Sagefish can't make the journey." Brindlestar spoke proudly towards the listening cats. Rainpaw nodded his head. "We'll leave at sundown, clan meeting dismissed!" The amber eyed tom leapt down from the stump and started to make preparations before we left.

Rainpaw quickly jogged over to the medicine den, to tell Sagefish their arrangements. "Sagefish?" Rainpaw called out, Sagefish's condition has bettered but he still couldn't make a long journey. Rainpaw hoped his mentor would be well enough to make the next journey to the moonpool. "Yes Rainpaw?" The old tom answered his apprentice tiredly. "Well, you know about the newcomer, her name is Tiger and she's expecting kits, so since you can't make the journey to the gathering can you look after her?" Rainpaw asked. "Of course I will, does she know I'm looking after her?" Sagefish asked as he sat up slowly and started limping towards the entrance. "Yes she does." Rainpaw bowed his head as his blind mentor walked past and towards to nursery. Rainpaw followed, picking up a trout and taking it to Sagefish and Tiger. "Thank you, but shouldn't you also eat? Since your leaving for that big meeting, what is it called?" Tiger asked the tabby. "The gathering, and yes I should but you need the food aswell so I came and brought you some food." The blue eyed tom told the young queen. "Well alright then, just make sure you eat well." Tiger nodded her head as the grey tabby left the den. He trotted out of the comforting den and made his way to the freak kill pile, he picked up a carp and sat down and started to eat the fat fish in his paws.