Warrior Cats: Shademist's Destiny

Chapter 14

You peeps ready for the Gathering? :) It's gonna be a fun one. Er mah gurd I have been busy lately. :(

And.......

Thanks you for the advice, bro! You are helping me so much! :)

We head out of the den quietly.

"Follow me."

He pads along silently behind me as we head out of camp. Where to take him first...... How about the old twoleg den?

"Where are we going?" He mews with obvious interest.

"You'll see."

I smile. I show him around the den but avoid Jayfeather's herb garden in case he decides not to stay with us. Can't have him telling our secrets, can we?

The tour of the forest lasts until sunup and we're both tired but happy. He seems really nice and funny. Emberpaw trots over.

"Who's this, Shadepaw?" He asks.

"This is Sootpaw from ShadowClan. He's going to join us."

I give him a look that says, 'We'll talk later.' He nods and smiles at the new apprentice.

"Did Shadepaw show you around already?"

The smoky tom nods, giving a huge yawn. He smiles, a bit embarrassed.

"Sorry, I'm exhausted."

I laugh a little.

"It's alright. It's a big territory."

Lightningpaw and Silverpaw pad over after a while. Emberpaw seems to like the new arrival as well.

"Who's this?"

Lightningpaw questions, stopping next to me. I explain again how I found Sootpaw, and we spend the rest of the day talking and laughing quietly.

Sootpaw is a bit shy, but funny. He has a lot of stories. But not as many as we do.

"Woah, wait. You fought a hawk when you were a kit?"

I smile. "Sure did. Lightningpaw helped."

The pale gray tom dips his head.

"It was your idea. I was just following you." His voice, though, is filled with pride.

"Alright, apprentices. Ready for your first Gathering?"

Bramblestar calls, leaping down from his ledge.

"Definitely." I mew.

Sootpaw looks a bit uncomfortable.

"It'll be alright. We won't let ShadowClan say anything." I whisper to him.

He nods absentmindedly, still looking unsure.

"Is every cat ready to head off?"

Our leader asks the surrounding clan. Nods and mews of excitement greet him. And then we're off through the forest. My friends and I stay close to Sootpaw, making sure he knows where he's going. And then we see it.

The island where we'll meet the cats of the other clans.

"You ready for this?" Lightningpaw mutters to me.

"Yes!" I reply with excitement. We reach the fallen tree and my pelt bristles with anticipation. I'm going to meet cats from every clan tonight.

Who wouldn't be excited? I leap onto the bridge and pad carefully across it, my friends right behind me.