August Gathering

[Mapleleaf]

((Nin asked me to play Lightningstar since she could not make it to the Gathering.))

Lightningstar padded swiftly through the trees of ThunderClan territory. Her measured paces led the select cats behind her. She sensed their excitement at another Gathering, most coming from some of the new warriors and apprentices. The proud leader held her gold head high, breathing in the scents of ThunderClan. Her clan. She was as excited as the young cats inside to be leader of this wonderful clan, but she kept herself composed.

The clan padded along the lake, heading for the fallen tree they saw ahead. Lightningstar picked up the pace a little, eager to see what clans were on the island. She breathed in, scenting stale scents of the other clans, and strong RiverClan scent of course. But the island looked uninhabited at the moment. Lightningstar smiled as they reached the tree; she always felt some pride at being the first leader to reach a Gathering.

With a leap, the golden feline gracefully positioned herself on the trunk. She scented the air again, to be sure they were the first clan. Her tail twitched as she confirmed this. Lightningstar nodded to her deputy and surged forward, a golden force that couldn't be stopped. The ThunderClan leader nimbly wove through the branches and leapt onto the island, standing to the side as her clan came across, a river that flowed around her.

Lightningstar waited for every cat to have four paws on the island (or none, in some of the hyper, jumpy apprentice cases) before pushing her way into the clearing. Her nose hand't let her down; the clearing was empty. The ThunderClan leader jumped into the tree without hesitation, clawing up the trunk until she found a suitable branch. She licked her shoulder fur that had acquired some brambles on the journey. Dislodging them sufficiently, Lightningstar waited patiently for the other leaders.

((Bleh...))

[Icebreath]

Trailing close behind Lightningstar and a group of other ThunderClanners, Silvertalon entered the scene, sleek and calm. She took a breath of the sparkling Island air, filled with fish and water from the Lake. Staring down at the massive body of water, the senior warrior could spot Silverpelt reflecting down on the Gathering cats. A lot of the stars seemed to be blocked by thick, dark clouds. Odd, Silvertalon pondered. Clouds. And the rising Lake. Normally this wouldn't bother her, but the medicine cats had started to worry, and the gray she-cat had felt their tension hanging in the air. Has Spottedleaf sensed something? she thought concernedly.

Close behind the fretting Silvertalon was her brother, Twilightfur, his matted dark fur invisible in the dark. He had no worries on his mind, always a cat that didn't mind the rain, even if he wasn't always that fond of the rivers and Lake. He was much more excited about the Gathering; Twilightfur was a cat magnet, always making new friends. Who cared if the Lake was rising? As long as he didn't fall in it, he didn't.

[Lightningstrike]

I have returned! And I would have thought more people would have started. ^^;;

---

One figure daringly crossed the treebridge, charging across. Rapidstrike, a relatively new warrior, with speed that might challenge a WindClanner's. The Gathering! The lithe she-cat's heart skipped a beat, seeing the clearing empty. Oh. First ones to the Gathering.

Seeing the clearing empty and only one leader in the tree made Rapidstrike feel disappointed. She had been hoping that they would have somebody to talk to. At least, she wanted to talk to the other Clans. She was starting to get a little sick of her lovesick brother and the rest of her Clan. The dark gray tabby she-cat wanted some excitement and news!

Rapidstrike sighed, stalking over to a patch of grass, her rear falling onto the ground, into a sit. The somewhat-new ThunderClan warrior bit her lip, hoping that they wouldn't be alone. Of course that won't happen!

---

Fangshadow was a bit stunned when his sister raced across the tree trunk, unafraid of slipping into the water. Of course, Rapidstrike would be both brave enough and stupid enough to run to a Gathering like that. The tom cat let out a snort, turning his head back to look for Amberfoot. Surely she had been walking alongside him a few moments ago?

An (unnamed) elder snarled at him. "You going to cross the bridge or not?!" he spat into the black cat's face. Annoyance crossed Fangshadow's face, but he didn't dare to utter the curse words such as fox dung or mouse dung, instead, turning and padding across the bridge, wondering if it was just him, or had the water gone up?

Surely just my imagination. he thought, taking notice of his sister's location. Now.....where was Amberfoot?

[Amberfoot]

ENTER, AMBERFOOT!
Three cinnamon colored paws, along with one slick golden one, raced across the large wooden log. The whizzed by several other cats as they met the ground on the other side, and Amberfoot lunged right past Fangshadow, screaming,

"YIIIIIIPEEEEE!"

((Oh, StarClan! xDD Only she would do that.))

ENTER, MOSSSONG!
"Only she would do that." Mosssong noted to her brother, hoping off the log daintily. Owlsight followed, nodding in agreement. All three of the them were hyper, but Amberfoot was especially energetic, playful, and perhaps even quite brainless. It was very hilarious to watch her run around, screaming at everyone she crossed one pawstep with, attempting to be their friend... she usually just scared them off.

Mosssong winced. She hated when they neglected her sister because of her jumpy and loud attitude. That didn't mean she was bad, and she was very fun, anyways. And she could never get the disgusting image of anguish on Amberfoot's face when they just walked away, scoffing and scolding her like a little pup to shut-up.

[silverstar]

Here Comes Galestar.



Galestar trotted proudly through the ferns and plants on the island; WindClan Warriors and Apprentices trailing behind him eagerly. Telling by the scent, He knew the ThunderClan was there. And then the clan burst through the plants. Galestar leapt, Taking his place on the old trunk. Aparently WindClan was the second Clan to the Gathering. Somewhere along, the scent of another Clan reached his nose.

[Icebreath]

Silvertalon watched contentedly at the growing number of cats at the Island, although a horrible thought struck her. What if it floods? she thought suddenly. And we're all stuck on the Island! She shivered, her fur bristling.

Meanwhile, a sleek cat trailed behind Galestar - Larksong. The deputy stared admiringly at the cats gathering around her, not a trace of doubt that Silvertalon had. All was well... right?

*shot*

[Mapleleaf]

Gingerleaf trotted across the tree trunk behind Larksong, sleepless nights making her pawsteps wobbly. A branch caught in her fur, and she hissed in uncharacteristic annoyance, barging forward and leaving the tuft of fur on the branch instead of teasing it loose. She had no time for that; she had to find the other Medicine Cats.

Without even looking over her shoulder to spot Autumnpaw, Gingerlead leapt onto the island. She hurried through the brambles into the clearing, merely slowing slightly as ThunderClan scent hit her like an attacking cat. Gritting her teeth, the troubled cat looked about for Spottedleaf.

[Lightningstrike]

The golden leader of ThunderClan gazed at the newcoming Clan. "Hello, Galestar. How is WindClan?" Lightningstar politely asked. She felt concerned for all the Clans, after all, a vicious killer was still on the loose. Nightstorm was to be feared. The she-cat let out a deep sigh, thinking of the crimes he had committed. He had killed three queens, one queen from each of the three other Clans, besides ThunderClan. He had attacked a poor kit of WindClan. Lightningstar gazed at WindClan, spotting a little black apprentice, rapidly chatting to three others. That must be her. Looks like she was apprenticed. thought the ThunderClan leader.


Indeed, Lightningstar was right: Spitepaw and her three brothers had been apprenticed. The black apprentice looked like she was going to jump out of her skin, she was so excited. I'm free! Free of her father! The thought was so sweet and pure and wonderful! Ever since she had been attacked by Nightstorm, her father, Nettleclaw, acted rather protective of his only daughter. Free!

Well, there was Amberfoot, being hyper as ever. Fangshadow smiled, a bit amused to see her running around, like a kit. Hopefully, as a warrior, she could put that energy to good use, such as fighting for ThunderClan. The black tom-cat smirked, waiting for her to calm down.

[Icebreath]

Silvertalon relaxed as she saw the number of care-free warriors, not worried at all about the Lake. Perhaps she was overreacting. Still... just in case. She turned to her brother, Twilightfur, a look of unease in her eyes. "Twilightfur?" she whispered.

The fluffy tom turned to his sister. "Hmm?" he replied questioningly. He stared into Silvertalon's dark orange eyes and found a flicker of doubt in them. "What's wrong? Is it about Nightstorm?"

Silvertalon looked surprised. "No... actually, I really wasn't thinking about Nightstorm at all. But come." She flicked her tail to Twilightfur and walked to the edge of the Island.

Twilightfur followed, confused. "This isn't a trick, is it? You know how much I hate water..."

Meanwhile, a surprised Larksong watched Gingerleaf dart pass her, teeth gritted and pawsteps unsteady. The deputy noted the urgency on Gingerleaf's face. She swished her tail nervously. Did the medicine cats forsee something? For a while, the four Clans had lived in peace without any bloodshed, except maybe Nightstorm. Was a war dawning on them.

She glanced around and noticed a fawn-colored she-cat leading a fluffy black-and-white tom to the edge. The tom looked confused, whereas the she-cat had the same look of urgency on her face as Gingerleaf did. ThunderClan scent clung to them, although there was no other Clan here yet to mix them up with. Her ears pricked up as she tried to listen to their conversation.

"Look at the water," Silvertalon said, or, as Larksong thought of her, the fawn she-cat. The cat dipped a paw into the water. "It's too high. You can wade in this stuff for a lot longer than normal."

"So?" the splotched tom (Twilightfur) answered, not worried. "The Lake's risen before. It always does, Silvertalon."

The she-cat's name is Silvertalon, Larksong thought. She decided she had heard enought and slunk slowly away, hoping she wouldn't get caught. But she heard something again.

"It's not normal, Twilightfur," Silvertalon said loudly, meaningfully. "It's been raining. It's been windy. I think the Lake is going to flood." The she-cat's eyes gazed around, finally falling in the general direction of Larksong. There was no anger or secrecy in the eyes, but doubt.

Larksong froze. Did I get caught? Prickles of guilt made her fur bristle. She wandered quietly away from the two, doubts clawing her mind. Is it true? she wondered. Is the Lake going to flood?

"We all walk on shaky ground," Silvertalon said solemnly.

Twilightfur's eyes grew wide, but in disbelief. "I think you're crazy, Silvertalon."

But what if she's right?

[Mapleleaf]

Gingerleaf had heard the conversation too. She had been searching urgently for Spottedleaf, but she had to admit to herself that she had probably looked over the ThunderClan Medicine Cat in her nervousness. The best thing to do now was to ask a ThunderClan cat, so she bounded over to Silvertalon.

"You think the lake is going to flood?" She asked, breathless with fear. It was just like in her dreams, always drowning in the lakewater that covered the whole horizon, bodies floating by her, scents gone. It had to mean that the whole forest would have to come together as the lake waters rose, but would they all die like the cats in her dream? Gingerleaf sent a silent prayer up to StarClan, hoping she'd stay sane long enough for that. Her sleepless nights were really taking a toll on the fretful Medicine Cat.

[Icebreath]

Silvertalon turned to Gingerleaf and Larksong. "Yes," she said, although there was a bit of desperation in her voice, seeking the guide of a medicine cat. Please tell me it's not! the she-cat pleaded inwardly.

Twilightfur shook his head. "You're all crazy," he muttered, although his attention was grabbed by Gingerleaf's and Larksong's sudden appearence. Did the medicine cats know something he didn't?

Larksong turned to watch Silvertalon's desperate face, Twilightfur's face of innocent interest, and the fear on Gingerleaf's. Her face was blank, thoughtful. "Well, now that you think of it," she murmured, "the water is higher, and it seems to be raining often." She turned to Gingerleaf. [i]Have StarClan sent something?" she asked. Her spine tingled with anticipation. Would this provide all the answers?

[Mapleleaf]

Gingerleaf looked around the group, eyes first on Larksong, then Twilightfur, until they rested finally on Silvertalon. The senior ThunderClan warrior was looking worked up over the WindClan medicine cat's interest in the lake waters. There was no use in worrying them all when she herself didn't know for sure what was going to happen.

"I think we may have some minor floods," Gingerleaf began shakily. "Plenty of prey will flee the waters, but there should still be enough. I'm really not sure of what will happen until the Moonpool." Oh StarClan, let the Moonpool remain unflooded! she prayed quietly, hoping her eyes didn't give away the fear she held close to her heart.

[Icebreath]

Twilightfur blinked. "Well, that's okay, then," he purred unconcernedly. He let out a yawn. "Well, I'm not worrying. You should relax a bit, Silvertalon." He nudged his sister. "Don't get worked up over something that might not happen. Wait for StarClan's verdict." He trotted away from the river's edge to look for a good place to sit, his tail held high and twitching, telling Silvertalon to follow. "Come on!" he said. not turning around.

With an uncertain glance at Larksong and Gingerleaf, Silvertalon ran up to her sibling, murmuring to herself. She knew that her brother's words had some sense in them; as playful as Twilightfur could be, he could always speak logical, wise words, always speaking with cold reason in situations like these.

"Hmm," Larksong murmured to Gingerleaf. "May StarClan spare us." She tore her eyes away from the ThunderClanners and turned to Gingerleaf. "Have you told Galestar your suspicions?" she asked.

[Mapleleaf]

Gingerleaf looked at Larksong in surprise. She had forgotten to consult their leader for fear of reading the prophecy wrong and getting the clan worked up over nothing. Her weary eyes looked over at WindClan's confident young leader, wondering how to break the news. I hope he doesn't overreact, she thought.

"No, I haven't told him yet. I'm not even sure my suspicions have any validity to them at all. I really can't be sure until the Moonpool. I also need to talk to the other medicine cats," she added. Gingerleaf's eyes widened, and she moaned.

"I forgot to ask the ThunderClan warriors if they had seen Spottedleaf! I can't find her," Gingerleaf groaned, waiting to see if Larksong had anything else to say before loping off after Silvertalon and Twilightfur.