The Choice

Chapter 12

Hawkpaw had been to a gathering before, when he'd first become and apprentice, but he still wasn't used to so many cat scents. Also, even though he lived with many clanmates, it was very odd for this many cats to be together. There were four clans, after all.

The hollow was large, a shallow pool of water taking up a good amount of space. In a corner of the pool was a red, drowned monster where the clan leaders would speak. A weeping willow hung over the monster, giving the leaders privacy if they wanted. 

"This is the best!" Orangepaw purred, giving her friend a grin. 

When Hawkpaw was about to respond a furry body crashed into him, sweeping him off of his paws. He made a hard landing, head hitting the ground and the wind rushing out of him.

"Whoa, I'm super sorry Hawkpaw! I wasn't paying attention!" A familiar voice gasped. 

Hawkpaw sat up, rubbing his head with his paw. He looked up to see a she-cat, an apprentice named Sparkpaw, looking guilty. 

"Oh, don't worry about it. I grew up with Orangepaw," He chuckled in response, rising to his paws.

His ginger friend gave a scowl, "Rude much? Whatever, I'm going to talk to the Sorrelclan apprentices!" She turned and stalked off.

Sparkpaw apologized again before running off to a tom from her clan, a golden apprentice Hawkpaw forgot the name of.

The brown tabby looked around, pelt spiking up just a bit. He felt a lot less confident when he was alone, so when he spotted another lone apprentice he slipped over to speak with them.

It was a creamy colored she-cat with the scent of Briarclan on her fur, and when she noticed Hawkpaw approach she offered up a smile. 

"I'm Hawkpaw from Sageclan. I've been a apprentice for, uh, about two moons?"

"Nice to meet you, Hawkpaw. I'm Sweetpaw. a Briarclan apprentice. I suppose if you want to know, this is my fourth moon as an apprentice."

"And I'M Lavapaw! I'm the best Briarclan apprentice ever, and I've been an apprentice for FIVE moons!" A new, dark red she-cat spoke up. 

Hawkpaw hadn't even noticed her sitting nearby, and was a bit taken aback by her confident and snooty personality. Sweetpaw also seemed annoyed, as if this was something she dealt with often.

"Cats of all clans, settle down!" Sharpstar called out, standing with the other three leaders on top of the drowned monster.

Lavapaw and Sweetpaw stayed close together, the comfort of being clanmates allowing them to sit in a calm silence. Hawkpaw, however, couldn't neglect how uncomfortable he was and very quietly slipped away from the two.

'I didn't even say goodbye.. hope they don't think less of me,' He thought, 'I wish Orangepaw hadn't left me.'

Hawkpaw found a spot next to Berryfang and his mentor, almost immediately relaxing when he was near two cats he knew well. Streamwhisker scooted closer to the brown tabby, giving him a somewhat nervous smile. 

"I will begin," The Fernclan leader continued after the clearing had settled into silence, "Dapplepaw and Strikepaw have become apprentices."

The clearing erupted in cheers until Sharpstar waved for silence. 

"In addition to that, Lightningstrike has moved to the elders' den. We wish him a great rest."

More cheering and another wave for silence.

"The last big news to announce is that my mate Lightspring has given birth to two healthy kits, Branchkit and Duskkit. Other than that, prey is running well and the clan is thriving."

"Why don't I go next?" Rainstar spoke up, the ginger and white she-cat, "Graystar, one of your clanmates was scented across the border. Explain yourself."

"Why of course," He said in a smooth tone, "It was a young apprentice. He didn't mean to, but he and his brother started fooling around and accidentally tumbled across the line."

"Okay then. I will continue." 

Hawkpaw zoned out, not hearing what any clan leader said next. The Sorrelclan leader had only been leading for two moons after her father had retired. She'd announced it at Hawkpaw's first gathering, which was much more exciting compared to this.

"All right, take some time to speak with other clans before we head home." Koistar called out. 

Who was Hawkpaw supposed to talk too?