Spirits Above

Chapter 6: The Gathering

"No, no, no!" Yelled Haretail for the umpteenth time. "You don't tuck your tail in when performing the Forepaw Slash! Only Fireclan cats do that! I have gone over this a hundred times! We Breezeclan cats have honour. So. Don't. Tuck. Your. Tail. In!"

The last line was nearly growled, emphasising the rare occurrence of Haretail being angry. In fact, this was the angriest Spiritpaw seen Haretail be.

"You simply aren't getting the move right," meowed Haretail, already leaving the Training Hollow, "so we are heading back to camp. Let's go."

Spiritpaw rolled her eyes, he was being really annoying today. She sighed and run to catch up to Haretail's already retreating figure.

...

When they got back to camp Haretail announced that Spiritpaw was going to the gathering. Spiritpaw, of course, was excited and she eagerly followed his instructions to rest and eat. She headed to the fresh-kill pile, snatching a small rabbit. She brought it to the edge of camp and sat down to eat. It was surprisingly small, at that moment Spiritpaw realised that leaf-fall was upon them. She never really thought about seasons for that matter. Hopefully, leaf-bare won't be hard for us. She thought.

Spiritpaw finished the rabbit and headed to the apprentice's den. Although it wasn't the place where she wanted to sleep, it was easier for Haretail to wake her up, so she endured it. Her sister and Hazelpaw still teased her. In the moon that she was an apprentice Ryekit, Hazelkit and Rabbitkit became apprentices. Ryepaw was assigned to Swiftfeather, a kind yet skilled she-cat. Hazelpaw was assigned to Whitefang, an older tom who was experienced, he was the one that mentored Gustsong before, so he was held in high regard. Rabbitpaw was apprenticed to Shorttail, a young tom who was an excellent warrior. Spiritpaw didn't want to think of them, they were nothing to her. So, climbed into the nest and tried to drift off to sleep. Maybe she would see Nighfrost.

...

Spiritpaw found herself to be in the misty forest she grew to be accustomed too. She sat down and waited for her friend to join her. Spiritpaw and Nighfrost grew closer during the last moon. They were proper friends now, this was easier since Nighfrost was around her still trained her just as hard, they bantered more and were more friendly towards each other. Nightfrost taught her many moves that past moon. He taught her the Leap and Hold, Scruff Shake, Teeth Grip, Half Turn Belly Rake and the Duck and Twist. She also started learning the more advanced move, the Badger Defense. Spiritpaw loved their training sessions, they were always fun and she felt like they gave her a purpose. Spiritpaw was getting a bit impatient. Where was Nightfrost?

"Sorry I'm late!" A jet black tom greeted her, emerging from the bushes. "Actually nevermind, you are early."

"The gathering is today so my mentor just told me to rest," Spiritpaw nodded her head in greeting, "what are we doing today?"

"I planned on introducing you to the other cats, suppose it's time." Spiritpaw nodded her head at his words, feeling excited for the prospect of meeting other skilled warriors, even though they were evil. "Remember, most of them aren't as nice as me so you have to watch your posture and words. You know all of that, so that's fine"

"Let's go." Spiritpaw meowed, feeling a wide grin spread across her face, it wasn't a nice one. This grin was dark. Nighfrost looked back at her and smiled, his grin just the same.

They padded through bushes, following unseen paths for what seemed like hours or minutes. They shared a comfortable silence between them, both thinking of the outcome of this meeting. They reached a large hollow. On the sides were dark trees and then there was a small cliff. Two cats sat on it, observing those milling below. There weren't many cats, per say, about 20. Nightforst and Spiritpaw padded towards them, straight for the cliff. The cats parted to let them pass, Spiritpaw felt their gazes on her but she paid no mind to them. Nighfrost and her stopped by the foot of the cliff.