Under the sinking sun, among the golden-painted plains, a mass of cats made their way through the tall heather and tussocks of long grass. Most of the growth reached over warriors' heads, as their leader led them through. The Clan was on their way to the Gathering; many cats guessed they'd be the first to set out for it, as the bright sun was only just disappearing beneath the pale sky to welcome the cool night, which was a relief from the burning Greenleaf days.
Among the group, an excited young cat padded alongside her mentor, Webfoot. The silver tabby tomcat glanced at his apprentice every few moments, the grasses and heather rustling loudly as the Clan padded along. When she began to run ahead he'd hurry up to meet her, and when she fell behind he pushed her forwards again. Two elders padded behind them, Webfoot glancing back at them as well to make sure they didn't become lost in the quickly darkening landscape.
As the sky scattered into darkness dotted with sparkling pale stars, and the moorland was basked in silver light by the newly rising moon, the mass of cats stepped into a clearing. It was empty, aside from three, tall rocks sitting side-by-side, within speaking distance of one another, at the side facing away from the territories. The hollow was bordered by thorn and bracken brush, and stained by shadows. Robinstar trotted away from them, their medicine cat and deputy following her to the closest rock. Webfoot led his apprentice, called Spiderpaw, to a spot near the middle of the area. Their Clanmates spread out around them, finding spots to sit. The hollow was deathly silent, before rustling came from one side.
Webfoot turned his head, to the CaveClan side. A large tomcat shouldered through the bushes, his Clanmates flanking his sides and soon joining FlowerClan. The leader padded up to his rock, bunching up his hindquarters and crouching, before hopping up to the rock and scrabbling to the top. His pelt was drown in silver moonlight, looking over to Robinstar and muttering something low enough to escape the Clans' ears. Robinstar scowled silently and glared at him, before looking back at the two Clans that populated the dark clearing.
Webfoot glanced at his apprentice as she spoke, "May I go speak with the CaveClan apprentices?" The tom nodded, and his dark-pelted friend scampered away with a smile towards a group of young cats. He watched them for a moment before turning his head again, yawning. A pale tortoiseshell she-cat and a ginger tabby tom padded towards him, sitting down.
"Hello. I hear your Webfoot, best hunter in FlowerClan?" the ginger tabby looked at him. "Yes, that's me. But I'm not the best hunter, that's Foxpounce." Webfoot looked at the tabby and blinked. The tortoiseshell looked over the tom's shoulder and eyed him.
"I'm Speckledpoppy. This is Russetstripe; I apologize for him not greeting you properly." a warm smile spread across her face. Webfoot chuckled softly; these warriors were younger than him, possibly only a moon or two above apprenticeship. He breathed in the cool air and flicked his tail, his ear twitching as the chatting of other cats surrounded them.
"Yeah, I heard of Foxpounce! Are they here tonight?" Russetstripe's excitement shown through his voice, though Webfoot couldn't tell if he meant it or not. Speckledpoppy watched him, she may have been his old mentor. The silver tabby shook his head, and the ginger cat huffed quietly.
"She isn't. But BirchClan should be here soon, they aren't often late. How's the prey running in CaveClan?" he swept his tail across the grass, which was trampled by moons of cats passing over it. "It's good. There was a recent rockfall though, but at least no cat got hurt. It made a way to reach a few hawk nests, Duskstar has been sending out patrols to try and get the chicks and eggs. The adults haven't caught anyone yet but I bet they will soon." a slight worried tone was in Speckledpoppy's voice, though she seemed happy enough.
More rustling came from behind them, and the three turned their heads to spot more cats emerging into the clearing. BirchClan had arrived. Their leader, deputy, and medicine cat hurried through the crowd while their warriors and apprentices spread throughout the hollow, glaring at the other Clans. Webfoot's pelt prickled; as soon as the cats entered, a fearful atmosphere seemed to cling to the air like heather rooted to the moorland.
Suddenly, a yowl split the air, and he was pulled back to stare at the leaders. The BirchClan leader, Poppystar, was glaring at Robinstar with hatred. The moon hung in the sky, just above their heads; the other Clan cats beside them were quieter than mice, and a sickly tang burned Webfoot's pelt, making him worried and fearful for reasons he couldn't place.
"Prey-stealers!" Poppystar declared, Robinstar looking taken aback by the assault. "What are you talking about?" she spat, tail bristling. The tortoiseshell leader of BirchClan snarled, the fur along her neck and spine spiking with rage. A few dim clouds drifted over the moon, making the hollow even darker.
"I found traces of your warriors' scent all over the forest! Don't pretend your cats haven't been stealing our prey!" Poppystar growled loudly, her claws scraping the rock below her. Robinstar hissed, clearly ready to fight. Duskstar remained silent, sitting atop his rock and watching like a blackbird, waiting for his chance to jump it. Webfoot eyed the two leaders in shock and horror; Gatherings rarely turned into fights.
I'LL NEVER FINISH THIS BECAUSE I NEED TO FINISH OTHER THINGS SO IMAGINE WHAT HAPPENS IN YOUR OWN MINDS
