Warriors: Into The Shadows

Chapter 11

 The full moon is shining down into a clearing with the four oaks. Nightpaw was kneading the ground as he wait for Brokenstar to give the signal to go down. 

 "Shadowclan is always first to arrive. Should go explore before it gets fill up with the others." Littlepaw mew softly as he glance at Nightpaw. 

 "Wonder if the others know about Windclan?" Gingerpaw is on his other side. 

 "Even so, we don't say a word about it. Let see what the other clans been up to." Archeye said softly behind them as Brokenstar tail raised and lead the way into the clearing. The rest went to find good places as Littlepaw and Gingerpaw showed Nightpaw around. 

 "That rock is where the leaders sit. The Riverclan leader is Crookedstar. Trust me, you will know him when you see him. Bluestar is Thunderclan leader. You probably already know this. Close to rock is where the deputies sit. Leopardfur is Riverclan deputy. I heard she is cold, even for a Riverclan cat. Lionheart is more warmer but Thunderclan is the friendly clan. Or so the elders say."   Littlepaw said as his ears perk up. Nightpaw look to the edge of the clearing to see other cats approaching. 

 The sounds of pawsteps was followed by the scent of fish. Nightpaw eyes widened as he saw a huge tabby with a twisted jaw head towards Brokenstar. Littlepaw wasn't lying when he said you will know him when you see him. He wondered what the story behind that but knew it be too rude to ask. Littlepaw motion him to follow as he went towards a pale grey blue tom with shredded ears. The warrior eyes narrow as he saw them coming towards him. 

 "Hey Shellstream. Volewhisper say hi. How you been?" Littlepaw voice is like he was greeting a clanmate.  Nightpaw look nervous as Shellstream ears twitch. He begin to become self conscious as he noticed how sleek all the Riverclan cats seem to be. Feeling shabby in comparison. 

  "Doing well. And tell Volewhisper that my kits haven't been born yet. Haven't met your friend. There been rumors that Thunderclan and Shadowclan had something in common. Is it true that you let a kittypet into your clan? He looks tough." Shellstream gave a friendly blink as Nightpaw fur begin to bristle. 

 Realizing he was just teasing, he settle down. Besides the rule is no fighting during the gathering. Nightpaw lick his chest in embarrassment as he thought on how to respond. 

 "My name is Nightpaw and yes I was a kittypet. But don't think that means I can't fight. I heard about you Shellstream. Mostly due to Volewhisper. He do like to tell stories." He let out a small mrrow of amusement. 

  "Hey Shellstream, didn't know you like to talk to apprentices. Who your friends?" A voice interrupt what he was going to say as a pale grey and white molly bounce up. Her blue eyes look at them both with such friendliness that Nightpaw wondered if everyone had it wrong about the friendly clan being Thunderclan. 

 "Nightpaw. Littlepaw. Meet my youngest sister Willowstep. Don't be fooled. She is a fierce warrior. " Shellstream said as he move aside so she can sit with them. 

 "Haven't met you before, Nightpaw. How are you liking the gathering?" Willowstep asks as he look around. 

 He notice other warriors in small groups talking and it look so peaceful. He saw all the elders together, probably talking about days gone past. He saw Brokenstar murmuring into Crookedstar ear and he gave a small nod to what he was saying. He even saw Blackfoot smirk as he seem to get under a spotted molly's pelt which he guess is Leopardfur. Why can't the clans just be this? If it wasn't for scents, he would have thought this was a huge gathering of one clan. 

 "This is nice. Didn't know the clans can be at peace like this. I do wonder if you sleep in the river? Still can't wrap my head around cats who like to be in water." He look down at his paws, wondering if he was being rude.