Warrior Cats Fanfiction- Ripples of Fear

Chapter 13

  Shadedpaw's fur buffeted as a strong, chilly breeze howled through the camp. She shook out her gray and black fur, then glared toward the rapidly darkening sky that glared through gaps about the camp. Great StarClan, it's gonna be a tough leaf-bare! Shadedpaw felt her pelt prickle in excitement at the thought. Leaf-bare was going to be long and exciting! She just knew it! Every fur on her pelt told her so! And it would be an amazing adventure! Smiling to herself, she quickly began grooming her fur, glancing toward her sisters, Silverpaw and Rosepaw. They were blabbering loudly together excitedly about the Gathering they were going to tonight. She noticed Rosepaw lifting her left front paw a bit occasionally. Shadedpaw rolled her eyes. Rosepaw had shown off her sliced paw to Shadedpaw earlier, and it was all Rosepaw could talk about since, except, of course, the Gathering. Shadedpaw finished grooming herself, then stretched luxuriously, her sleek pelt shining in the last weak rays of light filtering through the trees.

"ReedClan, we are leaving for the Gathering now!" Froststar announced, his white pelt looking ruffled. He lumbered over to the group, then gave a little nod to the sleek-pelted cats about him.

Shadedpaw felt her fur prickling again in elation. Her first Gathering! She felt as though she was going to leap out of her pelt. Then Froststar lifted his fluffy, ragged tail feebly and began to lead the cats out of the camp.

  Shadedpaw felt pride seep through her. She was actually a real apprentice! Finally! And she was going to the Gathering! Finally!

  Froststar began to pick up the pace. Shadedpaw glanced about her, eyes shining, at her Clanmates. She noticed Goldenlight, who was chatting with Tornshadow, perked her ears as Froststar stumbled a little. She ran lightly over to him and began to lick his ears vigorously, ignoring him as he tried to pull away like a mother grooming her kit. Tornshadow looked relatively concerned, but also confused.

Shadedpaw shook her head dismissively. She sensed something was wrong, but Froststar was a perfectly able leader, despite his age. And ReedClan was perfectly fine. No, it was better than that. ReedClan was thriving! I'm so happy I belong to the best Clan ever! Shadedpaw thought contentedly.

Puffing out her chest in pride, Shadedpaw pranced up until she caught up to Rosepaw. Her brown, black, and gray sister was gazing at Silverpaw and Foxpaw, who were chatting loudly.

"Hey! Are you excited about your first Gathering?" Shadedpaw meowed, flicking her sister's ear with her ringed tail.

Rosepaw looked startled to see her gray and black sister, but she seemed as confident as ever as she replied. "Definitely!" Rosepaw answered, a play-growl of determination in her voice. "It's gonna be so great!"

"I've already been to two!" Both Rosepaw and Shadedpaw whirled around to see Breezepaw, twitching her tail proudly. "And there were so many cats! On my first Gathering, you were only squealing kits in the nursery!"

"Great." Rosepaw breathed in exasperation. She glared one last time at Breezepaw, then scampered off.

Shadedpaw rolled her eyes. "Rosepaw is such a mouse-heart. I can't wait 'till we..." she trailed off as the scent of FireClan reached her.

"We get to cross the borders to get to the Gathering place!" Breezepaw whispered, her eyes gleaming.

Shadedpaw was excited. She had never been here before! She was allowed to go on another Clan's territory! Eyes dancing in delight, Shadedpaw scampered forward until she was right behind Froststar and Goldenlight, Breezepaw right at her side.