Firetalon's Destiny

Chapter 22

"Can you believe it's already been an entire moon," the fiery apprentice looked down from his perch on the tree stump to stare down at the reddish stripped apprentice lounging casually among the tall grass whose green eyes were narrowed in contentment.

"If only our Clans would get along better," she sighed in return. Sitting up, she shook any strands of grass off her pelt. "Say Firepaw, are you going to the Gathering tonight?"

"Hmm..." he considered the question while nonchalantly reaching out and swatting at his companion's ear. "Tailfur's been in a pretty foul mood lately so he might make it so I can't go..."

"Hmph! You better come," she abruptly pulled out of the FlameClan apprentice's reach before crouching low to the ground. She leapt forward, startling the relaxed Firepaw enough to get him to scramble back and tumble off of the stump. Grinning down at him, Swiftpaw's tail curled in triumph. "The Gathering would be so boring without your snarky commentary about every little thing the leaders say."

"I should probably finish hunting then, if I return with nothing again Tailfur definitely won't let me go," frowning Firepaw stared in annoyance at Swiftpaw who continued to grin victoriously from her perch. The tip of his tail twitched and he silently contemplated over whether he should reclaim the stump or let her be victorious for the day. With a sigh, he began grooming his ruffled pelt in defeat. "Do you know if you have any free time tomorrow?"

"Um, probably," she frowned before shrugging. "I'll ask Timberclaw about what we're doing tomorrow and then I'll tell you if I see you at the Gathering."

Turning away from his CityClan friend, the young apprentice disappeared into the dense foliage around them. He absent mindedly walked about the forest as all his worries resurfaced. "I wish I could be with Swiftpaw longer," he sighed while swatting at a nearby twig. When he was with her, he never thought about Moon. Or about Crimson. Or about how he was a traitor to FlameClan. Or of any the duties he had piled up. When he was with her, he could relax and be carefree again. When he was with her, he could return to being a normal apprentice. "I need to hunt, Tailfur will get annoyed with me again," he frowned, the tip of his tail twitching. Lately he had been slacking off when it came to duties, and Tailfur clearly wasn't pleased with that.

"Let's just get this over with..."

~~~~~~~~~~~

Returning to the camp, he firmly held three freshly killed mice by their tails. Slipping through the bustling camp, it was clear that a few patrols had now returned what with there being more warriors than usual loitering about, he arrived to the fresh kill pile. Tossing the mice onto the pile, he spotted his slim tabby mentor sitting beside the muscular FlameClan leader. Tailfur, who had been watching his apprentice silently, gestured for the young cat to join them.

"We've decided to let you go to the Gathering tonight," his father was the one who spoke. "So you just rest until it's time to go."

"Alright," he nodded before sneaking a quick look at his mentor, who was frowning in disapproval. Wincing, the orange striped apprentice turned and slunk off towards the apprentice den to get some last minute sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Great you made it!" the blue eyed apprentice quickly looked to his left, his ears perking as he laid eyes on his ginger CityClan friend. Eagerly heading her way. he slipped past a couple of chattering warriors and stopped before her.

"Of course I did! It was to be expected," he grinned widely, his earlier doubt having already been forgotten. "So, did you figure out your schedule for tomorrow?"

"What did you say, you FlameClan filth!?" before she could respond, a loud yowl rose above the noise of gathered cats. Silence was quickly followed by the angry bellow, their attention promptly focusing on a dark brown FlameClan cat whose pelt was covered in lighter splotches and a black CityClan cat with smoky gray stripes.

"What is your hearing as bad as your sight?" the dark brown warrior, who Firepaw realized was Nettlerush, spat. "I said..." he didn't hear the rest as his eyes landed on a golden tabby who was slowly slipping away from the fight, a smug grin on his face. Of course, this was Crimson's doing! He lashed his tail and started after the tabby, but a random SilverClan warrior who wanted a better view at the ensuing fight blocked his path.

"This isn't good," Swiftpaw murmured beside him, returning his focus to the argument, Firepaw frowned as Nettlerush lashed out at the striped CityClan cat. His claws raked across the warrior's cheek, leaving behind a trail of blood. Furious, the CityClan cat was quick to retaliate. He tackled into Nettlerush, slamming the younger tom down against the ground. His claws dug deep into the brown cat's shoulders.

"Enough!" the owner of the loud roar stood atop the Shattered Stone, his silver fur gleaming from the moonlight. "We don't hold the Gatherings so that we can squabble over the pettiest of things!"

"Maybe we should just go back to our camps tonight, after all someone's warriors clearly aren't in the mood to be social," the gray tom flanking him sneered while sending a mocking glance towards the ginger striped leader standing on the opposite side of Silverstar.

Narrowing his blue eyes, Firepaw's father let out a furious hiss. He lashed his tail while scrapping his claws against the smooth surface of the broken rock they stood on. "Very well," he growled. "The Gathering is now over."

"This has probably been my most thrilling Gathering yet," Swiftpaw murmured into Firepaw's ear, which prompted a quick flick of his tail.

"You've only been to one other Gathering," he reminded her lightly. "In any case, you were going to inform me of your schedule."

"Oh yes! Since I've been doing great in my duties and in training," she smiled smugly, knowing very well how badly the older apprentice beside her was currently doing, prompting him to light swat her ear teasingly, "I was granted the day off. So I'm free the entire time."

"Then I'll definitely have to find some time to sneak off and meet you," he then promptly turned and hurried to catch up with his clanmates, who were now heading back to FlameClan territory.