Dawnstar's Decision

Chapter 32

The next week went by in a blur, and before Dawnsky knew it, the sun had already set and the full moon shined over the group of cats below. "Grassblade, Stormfeather, Firefur, Dawnsky, Swiftwillow, Pebblefur, Longfang, Talonpaw, Firepaw, and Dragonpaw," Whitestar called, "will come with me to the gathering. Nightpelt, Lakeheart, let's go." She mewed to the medicine cat and deputy.

Dawnsky eagerly followed after the cats, walking with Stormfeather and Firefur, "I'm so excited about the gathering!" She purred, "I can't wait to see everybody." She hadn't been to a gathering since she had ran away, and she bounced along like a new apprentice.

"You sound like this is your first gathering!" Firefur chuckled.

Stormfeather looked up at the sky, "Let's hope Star Clan allows it. There are clouds not too far from the moon and I can hear thunder up ahead."

Dawnsky could feel a slight breeze, and could hear thunder clapping in the distance, I hope everything is okay.... she shivered a little.

"I'm sure everything will be fine. It's just a little bit of wind. Stop trying to scare Dawnsky." He teased, smiling mischievously at her.

"Hey! I'm not scared. I was shivering because of the cold." She insisted.

"Yeah, right. It's barely leaf fall, which means it's warm." He laughed, shoving her playfully.

She fell back onto Stormfeather, who pushed her up. Dawnsky then shoved him back, "What was that for?" She purred.

"Oh stop it, you two!" Stormfeather humorously rolled her eyes, "You're not kits anymore, remember? Now come on, we're almost there."

They picked up the pace to catch up with the rest of the group. Dawnsky heard another low rumble of thunder in the distance, and she shuddered.

"I have a bad feeling about tonight," Stormfeather rasped, "I just know something's bound to go wrong."

I hope not... Dawnsky thought, tonight has gone pretty well so far; Shadowstripe, or anyone for that matter, better not ruin it.

As they neared the lake, Dawnsky could smell the mingled scents of other clan cats that were heading towards the island where the gathering was held. She trodded unsteadily though the shifting sand by the lake shore and tried not to let the cold lake waters touch her paws.

One by one, the cats climbed carefully across the bridge that led to the island, and Dawnsky didn't hesitate to bound across when it was her turn. She could see cats from all the clans gathered together, chatting in small groups. She stuck close to her clan, waiting for Whitestar to give the word.

"Now remember, it's been a pretty hard leaf bare for us, but we mustn't let that show,"Whitestar commanded, "we must look as strong as possible, and for Star Clan's sake don't bring up the border skirmish with Mountain Clan."

Everyone nodded and then parted ways. Whitestar and Nightpelt sat with the other leaders and deputies, while Lakeheart joined the group of medicine cats. Dawnsky, looked around, not sure of where to go. She could see Longfang coming towards her with a small smile on his face, "Hey Dawnsky!" he purred, "Why don't you come with me? I know a pretty good group."

Dawnsky nodded and followed him, grateful that she wasn't sitting alone anymore. They joined a large group of Sea Clan warriors, and she immediately felt uncomfortable sitting by the large, well fed cats. She was tiny already, but she hadn't eaten much in the past few moons, and so she looked even more scrawny and weak. She tried to puff out her fur to make herself look bigger, but she still looked like an apprentice compare to the others.