The Brothers

Chapter 3

~Strongpaw's POV~

Something's fishy about that other apprentice Pantherpaw. Either that, or that Waterclan apprentice Silverpaw has been standing to close to me.

All the Clans have finally arrived, Treeclan came just a few moments before. Squirrelstar leaps up into the boulder we call Tall Boulder and keys out a yowl loud enough to wake up a horde of badgers.

"Greetings Russetstar, Otterstar, and Redstar, it's now time for the Gathering to commence" she says and steps back beckoning for Otterstar to go first.

"The river has been full of fish this newleaf, a few two legs by the bridge, and Swanfeather has had two kits." The Clans let out yowls of encouragement and praise.

Otterstar steps back and lets Russetstar step foward. "The prey has been plenty in Gorseclan, and we have 3 new apprentices Pantherpaw, Applepaw, and Oakpaw. The dogs by the barn have been a bit restless lately but out border patrol has taken care of them."

I can spot Pantherpaw out of the corner of my eye. He came back from wherever he went and is sitting next to the other apprentice Applepaw. They both sit up straight and there eyes are shining from there announcement.

"I believe that is all, Squirrelstar go ahead" Russetstar steps back letting Squirrelstar step foward.

"Twolegs have been near the Path lately bringing dogs that come into our territory. The Twolegs have started coming into our land, and if this continues we might be discovered. If this happens we ask the other Clans if we may have each a piece of there land."

Yowls of protest instantly start coming up after she says this. Cats turning on cats and the tension is in the air. Clan mates head towards where theirClan mates are and we all are hissing at one another. "Enough'' Redstar yowls "Haven't you noticed the clouds covering the moon?"

We all look up and indeed Redstar speaks the truth. The clouds have covered the moon so it's casts shadows over the ground. "Squirrelstar, you can not just ask Clans for pieces of land, it's preposterous. If Twolegs take over your land then you must figure it out on your own.''

She lets out a snarl "There are Four Oaks here for a reason as if there is Four Seasons, Four Clans keeps the balance."

"We could do with out leafbare, there is no prey and it brings trouble and sickness for all to the Clans" someone yowls from down below.

"I think this enough, we should all leave" Otterstar says her eyes flashing with anger. "Starclan hasn't been pleased with us tonight and it's been showing clearly, some are just to foolish to notice it."

"Are you questioning my authority as a leader" Squirrelstar growls and her Clan unsheathes there claws prepared to fight. "Of course not, I just spoke out of turn" she replies back cooly.

Otterstar bounds off the rock and her Clan follows her into the shadows. "Until next time" she yowls back her voice muffled by the branches and foliage. Gorseclan heads towards the edge of where I can see mile and mile on field.

Pantherpaw looks back and our eyes lock. Surpise fills me as a memory flashes through my mind. My Father is there but there is this unfamiliar she cat.

Horror flows through me as I realize I recognize who is in her jaws. It's me but a younger version, a kit version to be precise.

I recognize her as Brindleflower, deputy of Gorseclan. She's sets me down by my father, the sadness easily showing in her eyes. She gives me a nurturing lick and runs off towards the border of Gorseclan.

Pantherpaw looks at me one more time and bounds away with the rest of his Clan. Redstar beckons for us to follow him and we make our way through the foliage, towards our home.