The Forgotten Tribe {Warriors Fanfiction}

Chapter 6

A half moon passed.

Littlenose decided that yes, Narrowblaze will be the next leader. Moonpaw didn't agree, but what Littlenose said must've been correct. She knew more about StarClan's wishes than anyone in the clan right now. The gathering was today, and cats of all ages were bouncing in excitement.

Moonpaw checked on Poppypaw. She was recovering slowly, and she was told to stay at the camp during the gathering, just in case. Moonpaw had spent the entire morning showing Poppypaw the different herbs and what to do if she got worse while they were gone. In the time she'd spent in the medicine cat den, she had learned a lot about the herbs. 

Moonpaw sat at his den entrance, eating a squirrel. His thoughts raced and his tail swished. Today would be his first gathering! He looked at the other older apprentices, Mottledpaw and Robinpaw. Mottledpaw was the one who showed Nightpaw the apprentice den when he was a kit. Moonpaw sighed, realizing he wouldn't hang out with the other apprentices tonight. He probably would be all anxious about the moon and signs from StarClan. He sighed as Poppypaw trotted toward the den.

"Moonpaw? You okay?" Poppypaw asked as she sat down next to him. "You seem nervous."

"Oh, yes, I'm okay. I'm just nervous about the gathering tonight." Moonpaw reassured her. He curled his tail around his paws.

"Ah, you'll do great." Poppypaw nodded with a smile. "I remember my first gathering. It was so cool. There are cats from all the clans, all in one spot! It looks like everyone in the forest is there!"

Moonpaw listened to her description, nudging his squirrel towards her. "I'm not hungry, you can have it. Plus, you need it to build up your strength."

Poppypaw nodded and touched the remains with her paw. "Thank you." She purred.

Moonpaw smiled slightly and stood up, looking around at the clanmates. It was sunhigh, meaning he and Littlenose were going to go out and restock on herbs. He trotted to the leader's den, where Littlenose was speaking to Narrowblaze. He leaned in to hear what they were saying.

"StarClan wishes for you to be the next leader. Narrowblaze, don't you understand the reason for your visions?" Littlenose muttered.

"If StarClan wants me, of all cats, to be leader, they would've told us sooner. Don't you think?" Narrowblaze hissed. Moonpaw sensed tension between the two.

"Please listen to me. It's for the good of the clan. You've been having visions for a half moon, don't you think that's a sign? I have dreamed with StarClan and I know for a fact that you are destined to lead us. It's for the good of ThunderClan!"

A sigh was audible from where Moonpaw stood. He guessed it was Narrowblaze.

"Very well. At the gathering at moonhigh I will announce I will travel to the moonstone to receive my nine lives." Narrowblaze sat down-Moonpaw could hear his sigh and the thud of his body plopping onto the ground."

Moonpaw straightened himself and he entered the den. "Littlenose?" He called before coming in.

Littlenose purred happily. "Moonpaw, that's right, we were supposed to train today. I'm so sorry, I'll be busy attending to Troutfang."

"Troutfang? Has he gotten worse overnight?" Moonpaw asked, concerned. 

"He has, I'm afraid. Could you bring him some tansy and coltsfoot while I help Nightpaw? He woke up sick this morning with bellyache." Littlenose stood up. Moonpaw could see that she already had a pile of chervil, which is used to cure bellyache, beside her. 

"Yes, Littlenose. I'll be back soon. If you need, I can stay from the gathering to attend to the sick cats?" Moonpaw offered, his tail flicking.

"No, I trust them to be on their own after being dosed before we leave." Littlenose reassured before leaving the den. Moonpaw parted and trotted toward the medicine cat den.