Warriors: A Dawn Rising

Chapter Two

Leafpaw was preparing herbs in the medicine cat den, Stormpaw's cough was not getting any better. She made a quick note in her mind to go out later and get some catmint. "Leafpaw," Doefrost murmured quietly, the brown she-cat turned to meet the warm, gray she-cat's gaze. "it's time to go to the Gathering."

She nodded in understanding, placing the herbs away before following the long-legged warrior back outside. Mossybriar was confined to camp due to his condition, so Doefrost would stand in for him. "Make sure you speak to the other medicine cats about Stormpaw." The black-and-white tom reminded, Leafpaw flicked her tail to show she had heard. The Clan was already gathering, and Leafpaw caught Dawnpaw's gaze, who was talking quietly to Rosepaw. She looked away, knowing her sister was upset about not going to the Gathering.

Robinstar dipped his head to the Clan. "Are we all ready?" He asked, Leafpaw felt nervous about going to her first Gathering, and thoughts about the other Clans came to mind. What was DropClan like? She had so many questions brewing inside of her as the FernClan leader began leading the Clan through the forest. Keeping her pawsteps light, she kept note of any herbs she found on their way.

The breeze that came through the thick forest was chilling, the sky beginning to grow a dark blue. Leafpaw longed for a big, fluffy coat like Lionpaw. They neared a place that was closed off by weird-looking trees. The Clan began clawing their way up with ease, and Leafpaw unsheathed her claws. She dug them into the smooth bark, trying to find another pawhold. She nearly slipped off as panic struck through her, but Doefrost kept her from falling. "Come on, you can do it." The warrior's soft encouraging made Leafpaw feel a little less embarrassed, she finally pulled up onto the top of the tree, losing her balance and falling over the other side while Doefrost landed gracefully beside her. "You see now why Mossybriar can't come."

"Yeah." Leafpaw murmured, quickly getting to her paws and licking her chest fur in embarrassment. She hated being so small, and every cat knew it. The land beyond the trees was slightly rocky, with four large stones sprouting from the grass. The other Clan that was there was DropClan, they smelled like lakewater and fish. The small brown tabby tried hard not to focus on their scent, and instead followed Doefrost to where a pale ginger she-cat was grooming her fur.

"Hello Birchflower." The FernClan she-cat greeted, sitting down beside the medicine cat. "This is Leafpaw," Doefrost motioned towards the brown tabby, who dipped her head in return. "she's Mossybriar's apprentice."

"Hello there, young one. You look awfully small to be an apprentice." She asked curiously, Leafpaw shifted uneasily. She was afraid to be told that. "I haven't seen Mossybriar in a long time, is he alright?"

"He's doing better, sometimes I think his past gets to him but he's pretty accepting of his new life." Doefrost shrugged, Leafpaw gazed across the clearing, there were more cats than she imagined. All interacting like old Clanmates, then she remembered the truce. "Leafpaw, why don't you go and meet some of the other apprentices?" She suggested, the thought of meeting anyone new without Dawnpaw made her stiffen.

"Actually, I was wondering if you could give me some advice. Stormpaw's cough hasn't gotten any better and we're losing supplies fast." Leafpaw meowed to Birchflower, hoping to distract her as ThornClan entered the clearing.

"He might not be sick, Leafpaw. Has he done any physical activity?" She asked.

"He'll be fine sometimes but then he'll get really tired again after hunting." The apprentice explained as a silver-furred tom neared.

"Who are we talking about?" He asked, dipping his head to Leafpaw. She glanced up at the leaders, Robinstar was speaking to a gray she-cat when a golden tom with specks joined them.