Alone #1: The Raven's Flight

Chapter 8

Ravenflight padded with the other WindClan cats towards the Gathering Island. It was the first Gathering since she'd returned, so she was a little nervous. Wolfpaw had proven to be nice, and they had become firm friends. While she disapproved of messiness, Wolfpaw respected her decisions and they incorporated fun into boring tasks, like gathering moss.

"We're here," Crowstar announced. "Let's go." He led the way across the tree bridge, dipping his head to the ThunderClan cats who were arriving after them.

Luckystar, the leader of ThunderClan, was staring straight at Ravenflight. She watched Ravenflight with something curious in her eyes, as well as pride. She then turned to gaze at Ebonypaw and Amberpaw.

I wonder why.

Crowstar, Luckystar, Hailstar and Rowanstar leaped onto the great oak.

"I will start, since all three of you have a Clanmate returning," Luckystar purred. "ThunderClan is doing well. Snowfall has given birth to two kits, Whitekit and Leafkit. We also bring two new apprentices to this gathering, Skyheart and Stormcloud! Other than that, prey is running well, and we are prepared for the leaf-bare coming ahead."

"Skyheart! Stormcloud!" The Clans cheered. Ravenflight noticed a gray tabby ducking his head; that must be Stormcloud, and the light ginger tortoiseshell next to him must be Skyheart.

"I will go next," Hailstar dipped his head to Luckystar. "As you all probably know, Amberclaw has returned to us. She received her warrior name for completing the quest."

Ravenflight spied her friend staring at her paws. She tilted her head. It wasn't like Amberclaw to be shy.

"Fawnkit and Duckkit are now apprentices as well. That is all RiverClan wishes to share," Hailstar nodded to Rowanstar. "Your turn."

The Clans quickly cheered for Amberclaw, Fawnpaw and Duckpaw before Rowanstar spoke. "Ebonypaw has returned to her Clan as a warrior, she is now Ebonywind. Rosedusk has given birth to a single kit; Foxkit."

"Ebonywind!" Ravenflight felt herself yowling.

"My turn," Crowstar purred. "Ravenpaw has returned to become Ravenflight. She has been taking over Wolfpaw's training. Thank you, Willowshine, for beginning his apprenticeship. Lilystream has given birth to Lightkit and Blackkit. Prey is running into our paws, which is surprising for leaf-fall, and all our cats go to their nests with a full stomach every night."

Ravenflight licked her chest fur embarrassedly as every cat cheered her name. She scanned the crowd and noticed Amberclaw wasn't cheering.

Something is definitely wrong.

"I don't see any reason to rush home, so let's stay awhile," Luckystar suggested. She received warm nods from the other leaders.

Ravenflight quickly left the other medicine cats in their circle and found Ebonywind. "Is it just me or is Amberclaw acting weird?" she burst.

"No." Ebonywind said coldly. "But you shouldn't be that excited to see me. We're not Clanmates anymore, after all."

Ravenflight shrank back. Ebonywind was the same as Amberclaw! She hurried back to the medicine cats and pretty much just stared at her paws the whole time until Crowstar gathered the Clan to leave.

Back in camp, Ravenflight lay on her nest, unable to sleep. Amberclaw and Ebonywind had just...drawn away from her. But why? Resolving to ask them about it next time they met, Ravenflight fell into uneasy dreams.

"Ravenflight, you must listen to me," Ravenwing seemed to be talking to her, but his voice faded in and out. "You will learn something, a secret...been kept since...birth...it'll affect...you know...just don't be too angry...I can't be here long, your sleep isn't deep enough for me to talk..." his fuzzed up image disappeared.