Warriors : Chosen

The Gathering

The full moon was turning the clouds around it silver as Duckpool walked to the gathering. Fireflies flickered in the woods and the thin mist was catching all the moon's rays and casting out a shimmering glow of its own. Scenting the air as the group approached the Gathering, she realised Shadowclan was yet to come. Riverclan flowed down into the hollow to join the rest of the gathering. Duckpool recognised some of the well-known warriors. She strolled over with Pikefin to some Windclan she-cats they had met before.

"Duckpool." The tawny coloured she-cat nodded to her in greeting. "Pikefin." Duckpool purred.

"It's nice to see you again, Pearfoot. And you too, Harebreeze." Harebreeze's stump of a tail flicked over the ground as she gave Duckpool a lick around the ear. Shadowclan then came streaming into the hollow, Tangledstar panting in the lead. Pikefin flicked her tail at Duckpool to get her attention, narrowly missing her muzzle.

"It's starting." She hissed. Duckpool looked to the where the Leaders were perched on the rock like ravens.

" I'll start, shall I?" Glossystar said, eyes glinting in the moonlight. " Windclan is well fed and well prepared for the coming Leafbare. And the rabbits run fast enough that my warriors don't get fat like Riverclan!" She laughed quietly as Stagstar walked to her, hackles raised. "I'm just joking, Stagstar! Your clan are musclebound, I'm sure." She said eyes twinkling. Duckpool looked at her side. She didn't think she was either of those things. Stagstar looked away, still a bit miffed. Tangledstar stepped forward.

" I'll go next. Shadowclan prey has yet to go to ground, and hopefully not for a while yet.Let me welcome Shadowclan's newest apprentice,  Goldenpaw!" Duckpool nodded to the brown gold apprentice. "The newest apprentices know that the rats from the carrionplace are unedible, to say the least." She nodded and stepped back, letting Stagstar take her place. As Stagstar stepped forward, Duckpool saw yellow eyes glint among the cats thronging the High rock. Duckpool stared over heads to see the yellow-eyed cat, but they were gone

"Riverclan has enjoyed a fish-filled Greenleaf, and hopefully, like last Leafbare, the fish will continue swim in great numbers through the river." Stagstar flicked his tail in Elmstar's direction, who then stepped forward.

"Newleaf turns to Greenleaf, to Leaffall to Leafbare. Last Leafbare, the frost and snow came heavily down on Thunderclan's forest. We suffered many casaulties, such as Tufttail and Snowbreeze, may their hunting be good in Starclan." He gazed up at SilverPelt for a few seconds, then glared at each of the other leaders, then his gaze fell upon Stagstar. "We do not plan on that happening this Leafbare."

Whispers filled the hollow as the cats from the other clans wondered at this ominous message. Duckpool frowned. Was that just me, or did that sound almost like a threat? Elmstar was still staring at Stagstar. Stagstar, uncomfortable, shifted around on the rock and gazed at the moon. As Elmstar looked away Tangledstar leaped off the rock.

"The Gathering has ended!"