☪ Warriors~Irisflower's hope~α ℓιfє fα¢ιиg ∂єαтн~☪

Chapter three~ The flames of the night.

"All cats that were asked to join me and come to the gathering, Please step up!" 

A crowd of cats padded out of their dens and made their way over to Talonstar. Irispaw noticed Slashpaw among them. 

I thought Grayfoot told him to rest! Irispaw thought. 

She and Rainpaw hadn't been too injured. But Stripepaw, Happypaw, and Slashpaw all had some pretty bad scratches and bruises. They were all informed to rest in camp. 

Before Irispaw had the chance to talk to Slashpaw, Talonstar nodded and yowled, "We're off!" 

The group of cats padded after him, out of camp and began their walk to The Fallen Branches. It was a long walk and a bit hard for a young apprentice. The clan's camp was the farthest from the gathering area, and Irispaw felt her legs getting tired immediately. 

Maybe Rainpaw will cheer me up. Irispaw looked around for her sister among the cats, but she was racing ahead of the group, laughing, and running with Slashpaw. 

With a sigh, Irispaw's shoulder's slouched. She gasped as she felt herself being lifted up. 

Falconclaw twisted his body around and sat her down on his back. "Need some help?" he grinned.

Irispaw smiled and sat up. 

She then looked ahead. Slashpaw was watching them with slanted eyes. He whispered something in Rainpaw's ear and they both laughed and raced further, clearly trying to ditch Irispaw. 

Falconclaw must have noticed too, for he smiled and flexed his paws. "Hold on tight." Irispaw blinked and sunk her claws into his back fur, careful not to prick his skin.

Falconclaw raced ahead and Irispaw crouched down, holding on for dear life.Wow, he can run fast! 

  Falconclaw whisked past the two apprentices, the force causing Slashpaw to fall over. Irispaw couldn't hold back a giggle.

Rainpaw was watching too. She had a clouded look in her amber eyes. Before Irispaw knew it, Falconclaw stopped. He crouched down, allowing Irispaw to climb off. 

Talonstar once again took the lead of his patrol, brushing through a large clump of ferns. The rest of the warriors walked in after him.

Slashpaw, Rainpaw, and Irispaw all carefully watched the ferns, afraid to step near it. It was Rainpaw who padded through first. A mew of suprise sounded in after her. 

Slashpaw and Irispaw climbed in after her. Irispaw couldn't help but gasp at what she saw.

Four huge tree branches hung from the holly bushes, Each one a different type. They hung in the shape of many sun rays, almost. Each one splayed out at the cats. There were dozens of cats, more than Irispaw had ever seen. All kinds of pelt colors moved from the crowd. from tabbies to calico's, simple pelts to complex.

The glade was large, with lush grass. The full moon could be seen from under the leaves of the oak trees in the glade. 

Falconclaw padded up beside her. "Take a seat nearby the other apprentices. Perhaps you'll make some friends." Irispaw nodded, padding up to a large group of young cats. 

Many eyes turned towards her. All of the apprentices were sitting on a large boulder. She shifted her paws, facing the cats. "I'm Irispaw," she mewed. 

The apprentices still stared, not speaking at all. Slashpaw and Rainpaw broke from the group. "It's fine, everyone," Rainpaw mewed. "She's my sister." 

The apprentices' attitudes seemed to change. "Hello, Irispaw!" most of them mewed warmly.

I don’t know how Rainpaw became so popular so fast… Irispaw thought. … But I think I like it.