The Kill Of Dawn- Book 2

Chapter 21

(unedited)

Greystar climbed over the rise of the ravine as he led his clan to the gathering. Yesterday, after the meeting with Onestar and Mistystar, Greystar'd had a long discussion with Littlecloud about his debt to ThunderClan but he still refuses to hear a word of it. The cheek of that tom! Greystar thought bitterly, If ShadowClan had saved my clan from sickness and saved me from being a rouge then I would at least have the decency to stay in their clan as a repayment! Greystar then rethought about it. Would he? 

That didn't matter now. 
What mattered was that his clan reached this gathering safely and that it would go okay. 
By the time the moon had risen above the trees Greystar was skidding down the slope, followed by his clanmates. The mixed scents of RiverClan and WindClan filled his nose. 
"ShadowClan isn't here yet, what a surprise," Brackenfur rolled his eyes. 
"This will be Daggers first Gathering, give him a chance," Greystar smiled. 
"You made it," Mistystar acknowledged as Greystar reached the base of the Great Rock. 
"How do you reckon this meeting will go down?" Greystar asked after returning the RiverClan leaders welcome with a friendly nod. 
"I'm not all too sure. Probably a lot more regularly than everyone seems to be thinking," she replied. She had a point. Everyone seemed slightly on end tonight and there were a few clouds hovering threateningly above the moon. 
Then a rustle was heard as ShadowClan finally arrived, Dagger leading proudly. 
Onestar had already made his way up the Great Rock and tapped his tail against the ground impatiently. Greystar scrambled up the side, hooking his claws into the few notches in the smooth, moonlit rock. Mistystar followed more gracefully after him. 
It felt strange to be where he stood. He may have been leader for a good few moons now but this was the first Gathering he had ever attended. 
"So what exactly do I do?" Dagger whispered to Onestar. 
"Just listen to us and you'll learn," the WindClan leader muttered in return. 
"Welcome to The Gathering! I will begin," Greystar started. He paused for a moment as the mingling cats silenced themselves before continuing ,"ThunderClan is thriving, we have a sustainable food stock, our camp is almost completely rebuilt and everyone is healthy." 
"Good for you Greystar," Mistystar stood forward ,"RiverClan is doing well, there are still plenty fish in the river and our camp is strong."
"WindClan is doing well also, the moor is crawling with rabbits and our camp is now fully built and reinforced," Onestar announced, targeting his gaze at the other clan cats, emphasising the words 'fully built' and 'reinforced'. Now it was Daggers turn. 
"ShadowClan is.. er.. Good. We have prey but-" Dagger cut himself off ,"We're good." Greystar almost chuffed in amusement at Daggers lack of experience and unprofessionalism.
Greystar was just about to conclude the meeting when an unfamiliar smell came his way. 
"Do you smell that?" Greystar murmured to Onestar. 
"I was just about to ask," he muttered in reply. 
"I smell rouge cats!" Tornear yowled from below. The crowd started to panic, cats grouping together quickly, gazes turned to the rustling brambles at the edge of the clearing. A sandy brown tom with tabby stripes and reflective amber eyes emerged from amongst the bracken. He was closely followed by several other unfamiliar cats. 
"What is this?" Mistystar narrowed her eyes. 
"Probably more rouges ShadowClan wants to bring in!" a cat snarled from amongst the rabble. 
"Let them speak!" Greystar hissed as he leaped down from the rock and padded over to the group of newcomers. He shot a quick glance at the moon. No clouds. 
"I'm sorry if we have disturbed something important, but if I am correct, you are the four clans?" the brown tom asked. 
"You are correct. I am Greystar, leader of ThunderClan," Greystar introduced. 
"Ah! ThunderClan! That strange old tom wasn't full of nonsense after all!" a small tortoiseshell rejoiced. 
"What do you seek?" Mistystar questioned, her eyes curious rather than hostile. 
"You see, we have heard much about your clans. Me and my sister heard from some rouges that you were short on cats. We were wondering if you would allow us to join?" a grey-blue tom explained. 
"That's quite a request," Onestar commented ,"Do you think you have what it takes to become a warrior? To put others before yourself?" 
"I most certainly am!" a white she-cat called. 
"There sure are a lot of you," Dagger observed. 
"Can I talk to you all?" Mistystar asked the leaders. The four cats huddled in a tight circle. 
"Are you all willing to take in rouges?" Onestar asked. 
"I'd be happy to accept more members into my clan. We are pretty short on warriors," Mistystar told them. 
"Agreed," Onestar nodded. 
"I'd be happy to gain more clanmates too," Dagger agreed ,"Greystar?" 
"I think my clan is doing fine. I'm happy to let you take them in but don't think I'll be accepting," Greystar confirmed.
"Fair enough. It's ThunderClans loss," Mistystar shrugged. 
"ThunderClan," Onestar rolled his eyes ,"Always so proud." Greystar shook his head, ignoring the WindClan leaders comment. 
Greystar looked back at the rouges as they stood patiently awaiting an answer. 
"WindClan, RiverClan and ShadowClan will be accepting rouges. You can join either of them," Greystar announced to them. 
"WindClan is on the moor. If you can't handle a bit of wind then I suggest choosing another clan. We are all about fast running, it's important if you want to catch rabbits," Onestar told them. A few rouges looked thoughtful. 
"There is also RiverClan," Mistystar began ,"We live by the river on an island. If you aren't prepared to get your fur soggy then WindClan is probably your place. We can teach you proper swimming but it would be helpful if you know the basics," Mistystar watched as a couple of the cats exchanged some indecisive glances. 
"If neither of those sound appealing then I suggest choosing ShadowClan. We are all about stealth and skill. We live in by the marsh but our territory also covers a pine wood," Dagge's gaze drifted over the new cats. 
"Take your pick," Greystar invited. The rouges lined up hastily after a few moments to make up their minds. First to decide was a white tom with black markings along his back. His pale green eyes were fixed on Onestar. 
"I wish to join WindClan," he requested. 
"Why is that?" Onestar questioned ,"Introduce yourself." 
"My name is Spruce. I may not be the fastest runner but swimming sounds like a living nightmare and my white pelt would stick out like a beetle on a leaf if I were to join ShadowClan. WindClan seems the best fit," he explained. 
"In that case, we welcome you into our clan," Onestar dipped his head. 
The next cat stepped forward, a tortoiseshell she-cat with a very visible scar across her right eye. Behind her was a small black kit with spiked fur and round amber eyes. 
"My name is Honey and this is my kit Fluffy. We wish to join ShadowClan," her voice was soft yet there was a hint of nervousness hidden behind her calm tone. 
"Then welcome to ShadowClan," Dagger didn't seem to care about explanations, just that he had more cats in his clan now. 
The next rouge had brown fur and some bizarre markings to go along with it. He stated to the leaders that his name was Branch and that he had decided ShadowClan was the place for him.
Then the blue-grey tom from earlier stepped forward, followed by the young tortoiseshell who he told was his sister. They requested WindClan.
Then was the brown tom who had announced the band of rouges at the very beginning. He seemed very sure WindClan was where he ought to be. He introduced himself as Warren. 
After Warren was a white she-cat with blue eyes. She was the first to ask to be in RiverClan and stated her name as Snow. 
Then was a silver she-cat named Hayden. She asked to be in RiverClan also. 
Finally a brown tom stood forward, his pelt dotted with white. He told the clans his name was Shade and that he wished to join WindClan. 
And with that the moon had dipped below the trees, swirls of clouds drifting in its direction. 
It wasn't the gathering Greystar had planned in his mind but at least nothing bad had happened.. Yet. 

Credit for all OCs used in this chapter in the comments!