it's all uncharted >> gathering

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[atrb=background,http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab333/Kessaku-Hakai/Warriors%20Saga%20RPG%20Sigs/mid2.png] Fadedstorm glanced back at the camp before he trotted after Emberflare. After the group took off from camp the nerves set in deep inside Faded’s gut. It was his first gathering as med cat. First ever time doing this stuff, and truthfully it terrified him. The group padded through the trees as conversation about the newleaf and the prey drifted through the cats. Fadedstorm stayed quiet and walked beside the deputy. It was a great night, the smells of the forest just made Faded want to run...like he used to for patrols and such. Faded sighed just slightly and glanced back towards the camp, wishing that Dawnstar could come...but with the cold she had caught at the very end of the season she was still more or less bed ridden. But alright enough for faded to come to the gathering. Seems like we’re the first to arrive. Well then, on my signal. Faded had stopped behind the deputy and waited for the flick of his tail before he started to trot down with his clan mates to the clearing. Faded stopped kind of close to the trees where the leaders and deputies where, but far enough away to be polite since he didn’t really know where the med cats stood. Hello, friend. Fadedstorm’s ears turned towards the voice before he turned and smiled, noticing it was a familiar face. Now that another medicine cat was there he didn’t feel like a sore thumb, expecially since so few knew that he had replaced reedmist. Fadedstorm met Cinderdust’s smile with one of his know. How are you tonight? He shrugged his shoulders a bit and sat down beside the she-cat, I’m alright, just nervous. Last time I was here I was a warrior and not a medicine cat. He said truthfully and glanced around at the cats, they all seemed to be either alright, or completely and utterly agitated. Not that I don’t like the honor of being a medicine cat. It’s just different. He meowed quickly his green gaze still roaming slightly. That moment another cat decided at that time to stroll up, this was someone he didn’t recognize well, he had the irritating smell of a shadowclan cat though. He greeted Cinderdust just like another cat might someone in their own clan, he must be the medicine cat from shadowclain. Fadedstorm though sourly to himself, the whole getting along part was going to take some getting used to that was for sure. Finally the tom turned and placed a look at Fadedstorm that was obviously staring. The tom kept his green gaze on that of the other cat, wondering what had gotten up in his head for him to be looking at him so odd. For starclan’s sake. What do I have? A rose growing on my head? He thought, letting his nerves get him a bit more snappy in his thoughts than normal. Where’s Reedmist? He busy back at camp, no? The tom’s voice had an odd tone to it that once again struck one of Fadedstorms cords. Sighing, Faded shook his head just slightly letting his thoughts go to when Emberstar had gotten so sick, taking both the medicine cat and his apprentice with him. When his gaze finally turned back to the overly curious tom, Faded’s gaze was a bit more watery than it had been before. No, I’m sorry. But Reedmist is with Starclan now. I’m the new medicine cat from Thunderclan. I’m Fadedstorm. He said, his voice it’s normal laid back sound. Not letting any of the emotion that Faded was feeling show. Fadedstorm glanced around at the gathering as an unfirmilar cat jumped onto the place for the Riverclan leader. The tom took a curios gaze towards the other two medicine cats, wondering if either of them had heard anything that had transpired at the other clan. But...since I’m new I believe I only know Cinderdust...though by your scent you’re the Shadowclan medicine cat. No matter the difference in our clans...it’s a pleasure to meet you. He said, and smiled slightly glancing over at Cinderdust, hoping he was at least doing this part right.

[tuna]

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[atrb=background,http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab333/Kessaku-Hakai/Warriors%20Saga%20RPG%20Sigs/mid-1.png] Lilysong smiled off towards the warriors den before she too ran out of camp after the cats that were chosen for the gathering. She guessed that she had been chosen as one of the ones to go due to being a brand new warrior, but she didn’t totally know. Though she had wished that Pinetail had been able to come. She trotted through the group, more or less staying near the cats she was closer too, though truthfully she wished her mentor was here for the evening. But Dawnstar couldn’t come and that’s that. Though I hope the hostilities aren’t to bad at the gathering... She thought with a sigh, following Emberflair and the rest of the thunderclan cats. Once the deputy gave the signal Lilysong trotted down with the rest, and nudged Jasperpaw with a smile on her face. It’s your first gathering, you nervous? Just don’t get in trouble your mom would skin me Lilysong said smiling at the tom, who she thought of more as a brother anyway since she was so close to the kits...or well apprentices now. Though as the other clans started to show up, Lilysong walked around. Saying hi to someone here or there that she recognized, it was truthfully easy to feel at home at a gathering, though even she felt the charge that went through the air between certain clains. This doesn’t feel like it’s going to end well. She thought to herself, though she wanted to spot a firmiliar face she could sit by if anything. Not Emberpaw... That was in agreement throught all of her, she couldn’t do that to her clan any longer...and she found a tom in her clan that loved her all the same. That’s when her green eyes landed on a tom she knew somewhat well. Smiling, Lilysong trotted over to Wrenshadow and nodded to the spot beside him, Would it be alright if I joined you? There’s so much going on tonight I’d rather sit by a firmiliar face than someone I don’t trust. She meowed and let her gaze wonder around again. Though that’s when it landed on Emberpaw, quickly she tore her gaze away and turned back to Wrenshadow, hoping he’d agree. Around the many colored pelts around her, she knew her’s probably stood out. There weren’t many cats in the clans that had such light colored fur that had a pink twinge too it. I wish I wasn’t so noticeable... She thought with a sigh, her green gaze turning towards Wrenshadow again. OOC;;I lost muse for this one...and didn’t know what really to do but here is lilysong!

[griffinkit]

pepperpaw !!
“Oh, uhm… I’m Coalfur of ThunderClan, and this" Pepperpaw nodded rather vigorously when the much older and respectable warrior introduced herself. She wanted to make a good first impression. No, she was not here to pick fights or 'know thy enemy' sort of deal. The little cat never got it through her head that she was a ShadowClan warrior-in-training. Pacifists were not ideal in ShadowClan. Not good in any Clan specifically, but ShadowClan were fierce and brave and tough and loyal! They were the best Clan. Little bias considered she was born to it, and every apprentice said that about their Clan, but she knew it was true about ShadowClan. They were the very best. “is my apprentice, Foxpaw.” the black warrior added, making Pepperpaw immediately turn her attention to said Foxpaw. While she gave another encouraging grin, Coalfur slipped away. Apparently chatting the whole night with apprentices did not sit well with her. Was she put out when the ThunderClan warrior strode away? Nope! Well... Yes. A little. Just a smudge.
"Ohhh" the black she-cat hunched over, making herself even more petite in the eyes of the other apprentices. "did I do something wrong? ...Anyway!" straightening up, the apprentice got over this denial of conversation quick. "Is this your first Gathering? It's mine. My mentor couldn't be here, nor my friend... But-but, it's going great so far!" This was all said very fast. So her first Gathering was to be harassing ThunderClan apprentices. Unknowingly. But how fun was that? Nobody would blame them if they walked away, never to speak to this unbalanced she-cat again only to look for her on the battlefield.

* * * * * * * *

griffinflight !!
"Oh. Oh good" the tabby responded, giving a quavering smile to the other warrior. None of the Clans looked particularly poor off. WindClan still bore a few scars from their battle with RiverClan but at least everybody had full bellies and herbs grew in good stock around this season. Nobody would be without help. This was good. "My name is Griffinflight. Nice to meet you, Fireblaze" he gave a curt nod to the bracken warrior "Whiteheart" the WindClan tom nodded to the white she-cat. She didn't seem particularly thrilled to be here. Perhaps it was the tension brought by RiverClan? He sensed it quick as lightening when they arrived. thingyy. Proud. Swishstar had never been like that. He didn't know the cat at the head of the patrol, taking a place with the other leaders. He tilted his head, a wave of sickness washing over his body. Swishstar gone? Was she dead or just ill? He hadn't known the RiverClan leader. His mother had been deputy under her, before that Swishstar was known for a kind just leader. Phoenixstorm always talked of a RiverClan under her rule. If he wasn't loyal to WindClan, he would have lived with Silvercreek. It seemed a shame if Swishstar died. This new cat wore his scars proudly. Anger flared in an otherwise pacifist warrior. How dare he?

"Er, well..." flustered, Griffinflight tried to stall on what to say. Nobody knew the issues between Wind and River, at least what he knew. Otherwise ShadowClan and ThunderClan would have bustled to crowd the two other Clans upon arrival. "could be better, could be worse? I haven't really paid attention. Busy hunting by myself." This was true. No cat could call him out on this.

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OOC: gawd, I have nooo muse today! so I shall rant.
GRIFFY TAGGED: sprucefeather, fireblaze, whiteheart
PEPPER TAGGED: foxpaw and anybody else
MUSE: still low.
SETTING: fourtrees of course!

[poisonpaw]

poisonfang of riverclan

I remember condescending talk of who I ought to be,
So I pretended up a person who was fittin’ in

[atrb=border,0,true] The full moon danced in the night sky, shining with the stars and dodging clouds drifting too close. Some might have believed that it was a good omen from StarClan, but the black tomcat at the end of the group didn't care about it at all. In fact, he had no idea why he was chosen to attend this stupid meeting anyway. He would have much rather be curled up asleep in a nice soft nest, dreaming strange dreams. Instead, he was dragged out here and forced to interact with other cats. Once RiverClan entered the clearing, anger and hostility was thick in the air, and Poisonfang's bright yellow eyes returned the open hostility. He wanted to go and hide, being around any cat made him uncomfortable, but this was just way too much. Sure this was his first Gathering as a warrior, but that title meant nothing to him, just as the Clans did. Sighing, he walked over to the edge of the hallow, pressing himself close to the wall, trying to get as far away from the others as possible. He would have run away, but he would have attracted more attention than he wanted by doing that, and then he would be teased and taunted for the rest of his life, forever to be known as the cat who ran away from an invisible fight. His thorn sharp talons punctured the earth, and he wondered if any one would be brave enough to approach him. Getting tired of siting, he nestled himself down on the soft patch of grass, resting his head on his paws and gazing up at the leaders assembled together, talking. Come on! Hurry up and let me go home! From a distance, the only thing that would give away the fact that another feline was resting here was the vivid yellow eyes.

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THIS TEMPLATE WAS MADE BY WILMETTA OF CAUTION.

[Wrenshadow]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,395,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][bg=46455b] Truthfully, he hadn't expected for anybody to approach him. So when he heard the familiar mew of Lilysong, one of his clanmates, there was no denying the fact that had been shocked. "Would it be alright if I joined you? There’s so much going on tonight I’d rather sit by a familiar face than someone I don’t trust." The young tom turned to look at her, whiskers twitching. "Of course. Go ahead." The two of them were both new warriors, and he remembered when they used to train together with their mentors. They had always been denmates, so he felt rather close to the pretty she-cat. Wrenshadow glanced towards the tree as the other leaders began scrambling up to perch themselves on a branch and then averted his gaze to Lilysong. "What do you think will happen tonight? Everybody is so tense - I wonder what's going on.

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His gaze flitted towards Emberflare and briefly wondered if the deputy would mention anything about the new warriors of ThunderClan. Wrenshadow shifted uncomfortably and then relaxed, his shoulders losing their tense hold. The air seemed to be alive with tension - it was all around him, especially among the WindClan and RiverClan cats. He returned his gaze to Lilysong. "I think the gathering is about to start,[/color]" He meowed, eyes lit with excitement.


ooc/ blegh this is bad
"this is speaking."


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[fireblaze]

[bg=3F0002] Could be better, could be worse? I haven't really paid attention. Busy hunting by myself." was Griffenflight's reply as the WindClan's warrior voice drifted into Fireblaze's ears. The ThudnerClan tom had gotten distracted as the leaders, frowning slightly. "A lot of leader's changed over the past few moons,"the orange and brown tabby comented. Anything intresting in WindClan lately?" he asked, wondering if he could get any news out of Griffenflight, his green eyes glowing in the full moon, flicking his ears towards Great Rock. "I think we're about to start,"[/color ]he meowed, nodding in farewell. "I guess will meet again at another gathering," the ThunderClan warrior meowed, getting to his paws and headed over to his clan. text color to represent ashes "speech"

[Hawkstar]

Hawkstar observed the clearing with a steady gaze, taking in the ebb and flow of the cats before him as if they were three separate streams of water. He was pleased to see that his own Clanmates dispersed to join the ranks of others, not staying clumped tightly together with their own. He exhaled slowly for a moment, continuing to just watch, before Emberflare’s own greeting wafted into his ears like a scent on the breeze. “Hawkstar,” the other tom mewed, his statement as simple as his own had been. The ShadowClan leader turned to acknowledge it, just as another scent silently entered the darkened hollow.

RiverClan had arrived.

It was as if an electrical storm had suddenly erupted above Fourtrees. The air was immediately bathed in tension, the mere presence of it heavy and suffocating. The ShadowClan leader blinked, sharp blue eyes roving over the crowd again and again. There was no doubt: WindClan was angry. The bengal tom then angled his head just enough to spy on Stripestar from the corner of his vision, and his expression confirmed his thoughts. Something had happened between WindClan and RiverClan, that much was clear.

And to make it all the more confusing, the arriving group was not headed by Swishstar. Or even Silvercreek. Hawkstar narrowed his eyes, taking in the dark gray shape that weaved its way through the now silent crowd before leaping up onto the GreatRock. It was only then that the ShadowClan leader found himself face to face with Smokeheart; the tom inclined his head towards him and Emberflare before giving WindClan’s leader a kind of halting nod. His expression was a guarded one. Hawkstar returned the gesture, but his eyes were on Stripestar, not Smokeheart, burning with even more questions than before.

Missing leaders. Absent deputies. Open hostility. Great StarClan, what is going on in this forest?

It was Emberflare that broke the silence, his golden eyes cool and questioning. “Since all four Clans are here,” he mewed calmly despite the tension that snapped all around them. “Should we get started?”

Hawkstar immediately stood, tail raised and flicking. The tension between WindClan and RiverClan was palpable; if he didn’t speak now, he might never get the chance. “I will go first,” he announced before letting loose a deafening caterwaul. His call was an order to silence for the chatter below, ringing throughout the hollow alongside the wind. He paused for a moment afterward, collecting and organizing his thoughts for what he wanted to say. For a moment he singled out Nightfrost and Brittlebreeze, his deputy and his medicine cat. Hawkstar gave them both a brief glance, gathering assurance from their presence, before turning his gaze toward the rest of the assembled cats. Dozens of pairs of eyes looked back at him.

“Greenleaf has arrived, and with it plenty of prey in the marshes,” he began, continuing to flick his tail back and forth rhythmically behind him. “ShadowClan has also been blessed with new beginnings. Howlingheart gave birth to three healthy kits, and three young cats have since become warriors. Whisperpaw is now Whisperwing; Eclipsepaw is now Eclipsewind, and Spiderpaw is now Spiderleaf.” A pause. “The training of our apprentices has been progressing smoothly, and each one has thus far demonstrated great skill and potential.” He shot proud glances at Emberpaw and Pepperpaw below, and the face of Glenpaw, his own apprentice who was not present at the Gathering, momentarily swam to the surface of his thoughts. Hawkstar then resumed.

“Our medicine cat, Brittlebreeze, has also taken on an apprentice. Young Aspenpaw is now training in the healing arts, and shows great promise as the future medicine cat of our Clan.” The thought of Aspenpaw one day taking the place of Brittlebreeze both saddened and elated him, though the mentor and apprentice pair were certainly a force to be reckoned with.

“Our borders are secure and well protected in the event of any unwelcome visitors,” Hawkstar added, forcing his eyes to stay away from a knot of ThunderClan cats below. There was no need to stir up trouble at a Gathering, especially now that several weeks had passed since the last incident along the border. Only time would tell. “ShadowClan is as strong as ever,” he concluded with a quick nod at no one in particular. “And we look forward to the coming moons of Greenleaf.” He then turned to the other leaders seated around him. “ShadowClan has nothing else to report,” he finished shortly, allowing his gaze to rest on each of them in turn.

With that he sat back down into the slight dip in the rock and waited for the next speaker to step forward.

[swamp]

the night seemed like any other night, expect for it being the full moon and swamppaw's first gathering as medicine cat apprentice. boy, did he feel excited about attending it. he was interested in seeing all the different faces of the different cats from the four clans. though he was unsure of what to think of the other clans that rivreclan may have been hostile to. would they still accept him for what he was and what he took upon himself to do in helping his clan? he only wondered if stormpelt had ever missed a gathering. would they think stormpelt was abandoned her post as medicine cat because she couldn't make the gathering and he was going in her place?

standing some tail lengths behind smokestar he could hear the other cats from the three other clans. so riverclan was the last clan to make it to the gathering. he wasn't quite sure what to do when he go into the gathering of cats. he felt a little lost about not knowing who the other medicine cats were. he would just go in there blindly and open he found the right group of cats. he had been searching the crowd to find out where his clanmates had gone off to that he bumped into an orange and white cat with blue eyes. "sorry, i'm swamppaw of riverclan, stormpelt's apprentice. who are you?' he asked with eagerness to know who all of these cats were. he was a bit frighten considering his mentor was not here to show him who everyone was. he was like a fish out of water only without his mentor there to guide him to the other medicine cats. his fur was on edge, but he was only unsure of what would happen if he had done something wrong by bumping into another cat by mistake.

he seemed to have such perfect timing for being near the high ledge where the leaders were standing upon. he saw the bengal cat speak first, and talk of shadowclan, so this oddly enough must have been hawkstar of shadowclan. he could only wonder what the other clan leaders had to say about their clan tha thad happened during the last moon. his thoughts were on trying to become a good medicine cat for riverclan and being there for stormpelt when she got better.

Lyrics: Gone Too Soon by Simple Plan
Location; fourtrees
Starring; all clans
Words; 395
Notes; none

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[whisper!wing]

[bg=19103b][atrb=width,400,true][atrb=border,0,true] The ShadowClan cats lumbered towards Fourtrees, Hawkstar at the lead. A silvered little she-cat hung at the back of the group, neither joining in with the conversation buzzing about nor caring about it. Whisperwing had always been a bit of an odd one really, preferring to spend time alone. After all, no one quite understood her. She'd learned to keep quiet about chasing after creatures like the snijits and leafmice at an early age - even as a kit, her denmates teased her for her belief in imaginary creatures. However, the newly-appointed warrior still believed wholeheartedly that one day, she would find many of the elusive creatures she'd been hunting down over the past moons. Tonight she was searching for flashdragons. They could be seen often enough on most clear nights, but Whisperwing still loved to watch them every time. They looked like her glittery ancestors in the sky, except they moved across the night sky. Sometimes there would be different colored ones, like red and blue, and they would flicker joyously as they made their pilgrimage. Other times the she-cat could hear them roaring, their calls echoing through the forest. She was so focused in scanning the sapphire heavens that she nearly crashed into the rump of a cat. "S-sorry," the she-cat stammered, lowering her head to avoid the cat's gaze. Whisperwing blinked her azure eyes and realized that she was still at the edges of the hollow. Hawkstar and the others must have made their entrance... and I probably toddled in after looking rather out of it... oh, well. The pale warrior often made a fool of herself at social gatherings, but didn't really care much about it. The young she-cat padded a ways off and sat down, her tail wrapped comfortably around her paws. A quick whiff told her that ThunderClan and WindClan were present, in addition to ShadowClan. Whisperwing noticed the air had a tense quality to it, and the WindClan cats seemed braced against something that was to come. RiverClan? mused the she-cat, eyeing a couple of the skinny moor cats. We haven't had a quarrel with those rabbit-chasers for a while, and if it were ThunderClan causing problems, we'd be hearing it now - ThunderClan cats aren't known for being quiet about a problem. Her theory was confirmed as fish-scented pelts poured into the clearing, their pelts glossy in the moonlight. WindClan cats everywhere suddenly stiffened; some even had their hackles raised. Whisperwing glanced for the first time at the great rock and was slightly surprised by the presence of a male cat representing ThunderClan. Did something happen to Dawnstar? wondered the little she-cat. After all, it was only recently that Dawnstar was appointed as leader of ThunderClan. Surely her lives couldn't have been taken that quickly? The ShadowClan cat's eyes widened further as she saw that Smokeheart of RiverClan was making his way towards the boulder, followed by the silver-striped form of Feathertail as his deputy. What's going on? Where are Swishstar and Silverstream? The warrior could hear the murmurs arising around her as well; such a drastic change in leadership would never go unnoticed. Additionally, the WindClan deputy was missing. Could this have something to do with the hostility between the two Clans? Whisperwing actually felt curious about the other Clans for the first time. Something drastic had happened in the forest... the flashdragons could wait. A loud yowl from the leader's rock silenced the chattering. The tabby form of Hawkstar stood forward. He began with a brief summary of the prey, then moved on to naming the new warriors. The silvery she-cat couldn't help but to fluff her pelt out a bit with pride as her name was mentioned, and mentally congratulated her fellow new warriors again as Hawkstar recited their new names. He moved on to announcing the appointment of Aspenpaw, and a report on the borders of ShadowClan. Then he was finished, and the hollow seemed to hold its breath collectively as everyone wondered who would be the next to speak - specifically, if it would be Stripestar or Smokeheart.

[0nightfrost0]

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[bg=2f2f2f] So many ThunderClan cats.. Although Nightfrost was close to Brittlebreeze, as well as close to the front, she didn't appreciate the little snippets of conversation she overheard. Sometimes, she knew she ought to be more patient and lenient - but how could some felines of the clashing Clans not know what was going on? Then again, how could anyone be clueless? The Clans were never completely peaceful. The tension ought to be expected. She almost scoffed. No matter how far away the other Clan cats were, she could feel their atmosphere and hear their voices. Her lobes twitched in dissatisfaction. At least most of the cats present could recognize the conflicts; the tension was clear. It almost made her fur stand on end with the severity of it. It didn't take long for her to notice a silhouette slink through the crowd, closer to her. A RiverClan warrior. In all honesty, the gray feline never expected anyone to speak with her at the Gathering. She preferred it that way, unless of course, it was her Clanmates. But she was never social, nonetheless. As the she-cat neared, she gave a slight nod of her cranium as greeting. Almost immediately after, however, a caterwaul silenced conversation, the faintest echo of it reaching her eardrums before it faded away. Blinking her deep amber gaze, her sights ascended up the Great Rock, and her tail lashed. The leaders were far from her, but she could still make out their expressions. They weren't communicating as if all was well. There was even some confusing aspects of them present, RiverClan's leading cat for one. But no need to worry about them now. Her leader was speaking; her lobes perked. She spotted the glance that Hawkstar stole over her and Brittlebreeze, and her cold exterior cracked the faintest bit as a light smile betrayed her. She was proud to be his deputy, to assist that confident spark that seemed to flicker with him. Her tensed muscles relaxed now, and she tilted her apex proudly as he announced ShadowClan's well being. That's right, ThunderClan. You may have damaged us, but you will never rid of us, she thought to herself, her smile growing the faintest bit in intensity, One battle won't help you treat us like dung without having it backfire in your face. They were goody-goodies of the forest. And goody-goodies never win with conceit and arrogance.

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» STATUS: finished!
» TAGS: everyone at the Gathering!
» COUNT: 409 words!
» NOTES: a little better, =3!
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[Coldfire]

Coldfire had luckily been chosen to go to this Gathering. He hadn't been in a while, and besides, camp was boring him. Coldfire didn't talk to anyone when he arrived, just settled down amongst his clan. Ever since he had the encounter with the loner, Lefty, he had felt depressed. He had finally began feeling again, and now, he hadn't seen her in days. She was probably done with him, just another clan cat. Shifting his shoulders irritably, Coldfire shook her from his mind. He didn't need anyone anyways. He was one of the best, one of the strongest cats in ShadowClan and a loner wouldn't tarnish his reputation. As he looked around, he felt a strange feeling in the air, anger. WindClan was aggravated, something was definitely wrong with them. He saw two WindClan cats glaring at the RiverClan group, and knew there had been trouble. But what? Surely the leaders would address it in a moment. For now, his leader was speaking. Hawkstar spoke of the new kits, one of which Coldfire hoped he could mentor, and the new medicine cat apprentice. He also made sure to let all of the clans know that ShadowClan was doing very well at the moment. Coldfire shot a smug look towards the ThunderClan group. He means we can take you all on.

With Hawkstar's conclusion of “ShadowClan is as strong as ever," Coldfire nodded his agreement. He knew his clan was the best, there was no doubt about it. Besides, they weren't involved in a squirmish with another clan, unlike RiverClan and WindClan.

[¿ emberflare ?]

[bg=458178][atrb=width,400,true][atrb=border,0,true] No sooner had Emberflare spoken than Hawkstar stood up, tail lashing. “I will go first,” he meowed. He let loose a loud yowl, silencing the chattering below. “Greenleaf has arrived, and with it plenty of prey in the marshes. ShadowClan has also been blessed with new beginnings. Howlingheart gave birth to three healthy kits, and three young cats have since become warriors. Whisperpaw is now Whisperwing; Eclipsepaw is now Eclipsewind, and Spiderpaw is now Spiderleaf.” The eldest leader then continued on with more news of his Clan, mentioning a new medicine cat apprentice. As he finished, Emberflare noted that nothing seemed to be particularly amiss in ShadowClan, and Hawkstar showed no hard feelings about the skirmish that had taken place some moons before. There was a slight pause as Hawkstar sat down, and the ThunderClan deputy rose quickly to take his place. Whatever problems WindClan and RiverClan brought with them could wait until later. Emberflare cleared his throat, and opened his maw. "Due to unforseen circumstances, Dawnstar is unable to attend the Gathering tonight. Rest assured, however, that she and ThunderClan are prospering." There, that should take care of that, thought the deputy. He continued, transitioning smoothly into ThunderClan's reports. "We also have a new addition to our warrior den; Wrenshadow has completed his apprentice training." The flame-colored tom glanced down, trying to catch the eye of the newest addition to the warrior rank. "The prey is fully up and about after their long sleep during leafbare," the deputy continued. "As are our warriors - ThunderClan's borders are strong and secure." The ginger tabby paused, and thought quickly about his words. He'd gone through all the generic reports, and ThunderClan hadn't had anything of significance happen in the past moon - well, nothing that the other Clans would care about. Therefore, his speech was over. "That is all that ThunderClan has to report," finished the tom, flicking his ginger tipped tail. Then he sat down, and braced himself for the drama that was to follow.

[stripebird]

The pale tabby tom's thoughts had quieted to dull whispers; but they were racing. He recalled Elmfrost's and his conversation just days ago, in the private sanctuary of the leader's den, their words rough with anger; all the talk of revenge, it boiled down to this very night. I will not walk away feeling like this, and do nothing about it. I refuse, Elmfrost, do you hear me? His mind echoed backwards to the memories of how he felt, both then and on the battle field... I refuse... when he pictured it, the world had seemed so foggy, lost among a thick murk, a dark abyss, was it even real? Doubt found its way into him, but was fresh, and he knew that. The feelings, they were crisp as dried leaves. The familiar craving in his chest, both dampened and fueled by his grief, returned, replacing the uncertainty. Stripestar could practically smell Bluestar's meaningful presence on his tongue, and the musty odor of the shaded corner where he mourned alone- it became evident, that despite the obscurity, Greencloud and Grayfur had been murdered, no dream involved.

He shifted in place, the tip of his tail twitching back and forth. The brush around the clearing quivered, and ShadowClan, like a wave, streamed in all at once, their sleek, shiny pelts mingling before a single, solitary second had passed. The only Clan that had not arrived yet was RiverClan – their punctuality, or lack there of, gave Stripestar reason to be smug. Had they had alike complications after the border fight? His expression remained indecipherable, but some colder section of his being was content, if not only for the moment... Stripestar, a voice addressed him; flicking an ear, his gaze drifted to the Bengal tom, “Evening,” It was a low mumble, but he dipped his head to make up for the lack of conversation. He wasn't so concerned with ThunderClan or ShadowClan's business, it was out of respect his patience for their reports. As for RiverClan's...

They will come, he told himself, a confidently inaudible rustle, they will come... Lost in the expectations, his eyes floated casually towards the trees; they would be here any moment... and just as he figured, movement from beyond the open spans immediately seized his attentions; his ears perked, swiveling forwards out of interest.

A baleful glint entered his orbs then, the green deepened like emeralds.

RiverClan had made it.

Just as it seemed, it was not Swishstar who lead the small patrol, either, it was... suspicion engulfed the WindClan tom, Smokeheart? Where was Silvercreek? When the gray warrior drew closer, leaping up next to Hawkstar, the wound above his moonstones was a message, another reminder of the dispute. Amusement had his mouth curling at the sides; curiosity, too, for Feathertail planted herself beside Nightfrost; the new deputy of RiverClan perhaps? He wondered briefly how the cat had managed that, sunrises ago he was a warrior – now he was leader, having not been deputy, where was his experience with leading? Coward. That's what he was, a coward. He nodded to himself, confirming the notion, his head bobbing; there was a light scoff under his breath as well.

He didn't nod back to the slate warrior either, in fact, he ignored that weak dip he'd been given in the first place. It was just more proof, and he wanted to laugh – out of entertainment, and disgust. Smokeheart wasn't illustrious, sitting up there with the other leaders didn't make him so, he didn't deserve a single ounce of recognition; and if he did, the only sort he would be given would be notorious. Housing murders? Filthy.

Since all four Clans are here, should we get started? Emberflare meowed to them; But before Stripestar could reply, Hawkstar replied, I will go first, and with a deafening cry, silenced the throng below. Calmly, he watched the ShadowClan leader; when he had finished, Emberflare started next, explaining that Dawnstar was in fine condition, despite having not been able to attend the Gathering. That assured Stripestar, in the least; he silently sent the she-cat the best of wishes.

But then... who would go next? No, he didn't want to. He didn't know what he would say of the scrap yet, but there was no swaying to his decision, it would be mentioned, somehow; leaning headfirst, the beige leader glanced straight at Smokeheart, a compelling spark in his rays; it was still, placid, but in some form, con brio - “RiverClan can go,” the sound was low, abrasive for the pitch, but held a omnipotent sense of dominance.

In a sick, twisted way, it could have even been seen as an invitation. He hung his gaze over the RiverClanner for a prolonged duration, as though he were deliberating, determining something considerably critical; his eyes went through him ostensibly. Of composed mockery, “though they came last.” he added dryly, only loud enough for those on the rock to hear; then he turned away, head raised high.

[smokey]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 440px; height: 600px; background-image: url(http://i53.tinypic.com/ih2w78.jpg); -moz-border-radius: 250px; border-radius:100px 100px 100px 100px; border: 3px solid #202020;] Smokestar of RiverClan He knew very well that every set of eyes were staring at him. Him of all cats. He knew this would have been an ungrateful trip here tonight. He should have stayed back at camp to sit around and mope. No, that would have shown weakness and RiverClan cats were not weak, proud maybe, but not weak. Smokestar kept his mind clear and ready for anything to come at him. Keeping his mind clear he focused much better, and had better concentration on the issue at hand. He glad that he wasn't forced to go first, as it was he was unsure of what exactly to say when it was his turn to present the news of RiverClan. How was anyone going to believe that Swishstar had lost her last life and was in StarClan now and that Silvercreek had stepped down from her position as deputy to tell him that he would take her place, not as deputy, but as leader of RiverClan? No one would believe it, but that was the truth. Stripestar would never believe it, he could sense the hostility that Stripestar was letting out. It wasn't meant for anyone else besides RiverClan, more in importantly, even though Stripestar didn't know it, he was giving the right cat the hostility that he was letting off. "Since all four Clan are here, should we get started?" mewed the ThunderClan deputy. Smokestar was glad the gathering was getting on it's way, but he prayed for StarClan to make it end before it was he turn to even begin with. There was bad blood boiling here tonight and everyone should have expected it, hopefully his Clan did. "I will go first." the Bengal leader of ShadowClan announced. Well at least they were doing just fine, with three new kits added to their numbers as three new warriors joined their fighting ranks. It had seem as if everything was going smoothly across the thunderpath. It also seemed that ThunderClan was going smoothly as well. Nothing too serious to discuss with the rest of the Clans besides Dawnstar not up to being here to present the news of her Clan. She must have had the right idea to not come tonight. He should have listened to his gut before they even left camp. Tonight was going to be brutal. Now it was down to Smokestar and Stripestar, and Smokestar wasn't willingly to go next, he would have preferred to go last, the same way he felt about being the last clan to arrive at Fourtrees. Out of no where he heard Stripestar say, "RiverClan can go." Obviously he didn't want tell the whole forest of what happened first, he wanted to sit their minds while Smokestar told it, that was if the gray tom was going to say anything about it. "Though they came last." Of course, mockery. Only the tan tom would say something like. He could tell that Stripestar was holding himself back from wanting to attack Smokestar or any RiverClanner for that matter. He didn't really notice it until now, but he could tell his blood was boiling over the border fight only some sunrises before. But Smokestar remained calm and clear minded. "Fine." whispering for only the ones on the rock to hear. He stepped forward only a little bit so everyone would know it was his turn to present news from RiverClan. It was hard enough for him to stand there steadily with a still badly injured shoulder, so taking the pressure off he sat and wrapped his tail around his front paws. "RiverClan has gone through change in these past few sunrises. Swishstar has passed and is now among our ancestors." he mewed as he closed his eyes. He wished so badly that she was there by his side to support him. Silvercreek had stayed back at camp and didn't wish to be here as she had stepped down. Hopefully next time she would. "Silvercreek..." pausing as if trying to find the right words to come out, "stepped down from her position as deputy, and did not want to become leader." There is was out and in the open for everyone to know. Now it was time to actually finish what he had started. His green eyes looked towards the WindClan leader, as if he was going act and tell everyone what happened before the death of Swishstar. But still his those pretty green eyes gave nothing away of what his coming actions were going to be. "Silvercreek, entrusted me, Smokeheart to take her place as leader of RiverClan. Knowing very well I have not been made deputy. With that said, I have received my nine lives and now I'm RiverClan's new leader, Smokestar. And Feathertail is RiverClan's new deputy." smirking. They would never understand how hectic his world turned when that decision was made. It turned it upside down, from being a warrior to going straight to leader. There was no in between for him. It would be like a kit going straight from being a kit to being deputy without actually knowing what to do and nothing having any experienced at all. "With that, RiverClan has a new warrior among it's ranks, Poisonfang has accomplished his training and it among RiverClan's finest. Also leading to that of Stormpelt taking an on apprentice and in her place tonight is Swamppaw. With Cougarpaw and Spottedpaw joining in with their apprenticeships." How much more did he have to say before it was finally over. He would keep the border fight out of the conversation tonight, but that didn't mean Stripestar was going to do the same considering the fight claimed to of his warriors, including his deputy and friend. "RiverClan has nothing else to report. Stripestar..." Smokestar mewed as if he wanted to leave the canvas blank until blood was smeared all over it as it was actual paint. "Now it's your turn to go last," smirking and only whispering to him as he moved back to his original spot. there can be only one mikey! of caution 2.0

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[stripebird]

Fine, Smokeheart muttered shortly, the sight of him pitiful as he stepped forward. Was he daft or a risk taker – coming to the Gathering looking like a monster had run him over? It made him and his Clan look weak; smuts the beige tabby mused complacently, though, they didn’t need a dumpy leader for him to already know that.

RiverClan has gone through change in these past few sunrises. Swishstar has passed and is now among our ancestors. Silvercreek… Stripestar’s lime gaze flickered to meet a certain sapphire stare, Elmfrost sat just below; maybe they hadn’t gotten to know each other all that well yet, but it was easy to read sparks – forewarning, they had already discussed what tonight’s events would compose of. Stepped down from her position as deputy, and did not want to become leader. So she chose you? That’s laughable. He snickered silently, careful not to interrupt the gray tom with his dictums of amusement.

Silvercreek, entrusted me, Smokeheart to take her place as leader of RiverClan. Knowing very well I have not been made deputy. With that said, I have received my nine lives and now I'm RiverClan's new leader, Smokestar. And Feathertail is RiverClan's new deputy. At the mention of the she-cat, Stripestar glanced at her from the corner of his eye; she was the one who had pitied him and his Clan for their loss at the border fight, was she not? But they didn’t need sympathy. They weren’t the ones who would learn, and feel again the pain of losing someone close. Stripestar’s rays drifted casually to Smokestar once more; the consequences of their actions would come, and this sovereignty they believed they had over WindClan?

It would all come crashing down.

He then went on to announce a new warrior and some new apprentices; RiverClan has nothing else to report. Stripestar... Finished at length, Smokestar turned towards him abruptly, Now it's your turn to go last, He never missed the flare, the challenge, it was evident in his voice and his face; sure enough, Stripestar was more than confident that he would be in favor at long last. Not only was Smokestar cheeky to his superiors, he was stuck in the mindset that him having not been made deputy at all was positive; egocentric over his new position, perhaps?

He had better remember who was here first. The pale tabby smirked back, charmed. “In this time of year, the moorland runs ample with rabbits, enough to fill the bellies of every cat in WindClan,” he nodded approvingly, mostly to himself – present oppositions aside, knowing his Clanmates were nourished brought fortuitous warmth to him, “Daisyfield, one of our senior queens, died giving birth to three healthy kits – while that is joyous and sad news at the same time, we also welcome two new apprentices, Shypaw and Sorrelpaw, both of which are present. Furthermore, WindClan’s Medicine cat Cinderdust has decided to take on an apprentice, hello Raggedpaw,” he singled them out with a targeted dip of his head.

Having already pressed a pace forward, Stripestar shifted his shoulders; this was it. A pause, “Several sunrises ago, a WindClan patrol woke up at dawn, ate, and left to check our borders” his voice was rigid, there was a coldness in his ogles as he surveyed the clearing, “They slipped over the hillside, showing a new apprentice where to mark, and how to mark – similarly chattering like Clanmates do; it was when they came to the border with RiverClan, that they were ambushed unexpectedly by an enemy patrol twice their size. Grayfur an old well-known warrior, was among our patrol and he was killed. The new apprentice,” he pictured Raggedpaw’s wounded and bloodied body, “barely made it back to camp alive.” Now he was staring at RiverClan cats, the indifference melted away by the potency of his anger, remembering Grayfur’s limp body – he pictured another, and this one nearly made him sick. “After backup had arrived, WindClan made sure that we delivered tenfold, quite literally,” he spat out each word raw, “and in the fray, Greencloud was murdered. The new deputy of WindClan is Elmfrost” What he hadn’t mentioned was that the fur caught in Greenclouds claws had been gray. It was either evidence of his death and a clue to his butcher or a simple indication of the fight in general.

“Well Smokestar,” he snickered menacingly, “congratulations, you now inherit Swishstars life-long campaign, and this rivalry has now been promoted. Your Clan takes the precious, and acquitted lives of others, then hides like weaklings,” he mocked the gray leader, slinking down low and pretending to cover himself, afraid of kismet, he laughed then, raising his head again, “and if you don’t honor the code, you’re a rogue wearing mud, you’re a pretender.” Tail waving, he prepared to draw his turn to an end, “Due to this, WindClan’s borders are checked frequently, and any cat who dares cross them, will be attacked without question. WindClan has nothing else to report.”

He shot Smokestar a dangerous glare, before bunching his muscles to jump down, “Without further ado, this Gathering appears to be over.” Glancing at Hawkstar, he recalled their surprise meeting at Fourtrees - no leader who loved his Clan would let such an injustice as this go, and so lightly. The memory flashed through his gaze.