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Lionblaze nodded, dropping the squirell he held in front of her. "It's why I'm here. Eat up, we still have alittle while but we need to get moving. The rabbit incident today has Bramblestar wanting us to double check the border before moonrise."

He laid down, paws tucked neatly under his chest and watched the camp, cats milling about and saw the apprentices.

****

Scorchpaws ears perked and nodded eagerly. "I have a feeling I have alot to make up on due to my paws..." She admitted. Licking her chest in embarrassment, she looked up and around and spotted Winterpaw across the clearing. "Winterpaw keeps looking at you..." she noted, motioning subtly with her whiskers in his direction.

she turned and also saw Brightheart going into the elders den. "I'll go take Brightheart some fresh kill," She offered. "You go ahead and turn in." Getting to her paws, she shook out her fur to go to the she-cat.

"-Cough Lump of fur!" Tigerpaw hacked, glaring at the two. He never thought, out of all the cats here, that his SISTER would warm up to the kittypet. Hmph... weak.

He glanced around and trotted over to Rainpaw and Winterpaw. "Who do you think is going to the Gathering? I bet you're going with Sorreltail. I bet I'm going with you with Stormfang! My first Gathering as an apprentice!" Even though Tigerpaw remembered everything from his past life, he truely did enjoy living again... and his apprentice feelings had his pelt fluffed in excitement.

Winterpaw barely stiffled a mrrow of amusement. Clearly Tigerpaw forgot that punishment meant banning from the Gatherings too. Poor young cat was in for a LONG night with the she-cats. He lifted his shoulders in a feign of curiosity. "I dont know. I'm not Bramblestar, I dont make those decisions."

Sunspots quickly scarffed the squirrel. "Umm, thanks for the meal," she mumbled between bites, then realized that she might want to save some for the depudy. "Do you want any?" she asked, guiltily slowing her bites.

***
Featherpaw glanced in the direction Scorchpaw indicated; the tips of her wiskers grew warm. She quickly licked her shoulder for reassurance. "Umm, alright. Are you sure?" she inquired, feeling guilty that her friend did more work than she did. She found her paws wandering away from beside Scorchpaw and the direction of Brightheart to where Winterpaw was standing outside of the apprentices' den.

"Hi guys," she mewed shyly. "What are you discussing?"

"The Gathering tonight," Rainpaw briefly answered. "Tigerpaw thinks he's going," he added in a much lower tone.

Featherpaw struggled to suppress a purr of amusement, resulting in a dry coughing spasm.

Rainpaw raised an eyebrow. "You alright?"

"Err, yeah. Uh, let me know how the Gathering goes," she mewed. She stole one last quizzical glance at Winterpaw before finally slinking inside the den. She tried not to feel to dissapointed; at least Tigerpaw wouldn't be able to rub in her face how he was allowed to go to the Gathering and she was not. This helped slightly, allowing her to drift to sleep, eyes tracking Winterpaw before drooping.

Lionblaze purred goodnaturedly. "No, I've already eaten, thanks though. I just wanted to forewarn you that you're also comming to the Gathering tonight. Make your rounds from the top of the WindClan border and we'll meet at the lake."

Bramblestar slipped out of his den, stretching and flicked his tail at Lionblaze. "Sunspots, Sorreltail, Rainpaw, Sandstorm, Stormfang, Cloudtail, Clawfoot, Whitepaw, and you are all comming to teh Gathering. I want to make sure that everything's set before we leave though. The WindClan incident yesterday is leaving pricks in my fur."

Lionblaze nodded. "And Jayfeather and Sunpaw?"

"Jayfeather is leaving Sunpaw behind this time. He claims he wants to keep an eye on Brightheart and Scorchpaw." The Clan leader flicked his tail in thought.

"I'll go tell them. Sunspots!" he trotted back to her. "We might as well get moving now," he meowed, an appologetic look in his eyes.

************

(Sunset)

Bramblestar stood at the fallen tree, helping Sandstorm up and counting to make sure all his warriors were accounted for.

Mistystar of RiverClan padded up with her group, close behind. "Greetings Bramblestar. Prey is running well?"

"Prey is pleantiful Mistystar," he replied cooly, getting up and following his clan in.

Clawfoot stopped his leader and whispered, "Onestar is already here, as is Russetstar."

Bramblestar nodded, "Good."

"There's something else, Bramblestar... the WindClan cats are looking very thin. Thinner than normal."

Bramblestars ears shot up, something WAS wrong in WindClan. Question is... what was the problem?

Winterpaw nodded, following his denmate and sat close to the front as the leaders took positions at the Leader Tree. His paws itched slightly in excitement. Gatherings were always a privilage to any cat chosen to go. He looked around and saw more cats gathering around, exchanging quiet greetings and news. He looked and saw the leaders beginning to jump intothe tree, their deputies taking their places among the roots.

"Cats of the Clans, welcome to the Gathering. Russetstar, would you like to start first?"

The ShadowClan leader stepped forward proudly, tail flicking for silence. "ShadowClan grows this newleaf. We welcome a new warrior, Foxstep, who sits vigil in camp tonight. Prey runs well, and our borders remain guarded." She turned and looked at the RiverClan leader. "At all times."

Mistystar met the ShadowClan leaders gaze evenly. "RiverClan also welcomes warriors. Snowfang joins us today and his sister Leopardheart sits vigil in camp also. We also are sorry to say that our eldest elder Mothwing has gone and joined StarClan two days ago. Her clan greives for her and her name will forever be honored."

Lionblaze blinked at the two leaders. Obviously there was an issue between the two clans and his paws itched and flexed his claws. He looked at his apprentice and sheathed them again, trying to set a good example.

Bramblestar noted the hostility and turned to Onestar, having hostility of his own. "Two WindClan cats were found hunting on ThunderClan territory two sunrises ago. I want an explanation on why your cats are stealing prey Onestar."

Cats around the island shifted, mostly the WindClan and RiverClan cats.

Stormfang frowned. There was something up...

Onestar met Bramblestars eyes definatly. "WindClan rabbits are disappearing, Bramblestar. And do you know why? Twolegs! Twolegs who set traps and kill our rabbits and take their pelts, leaving them to rot afterwards." He bared his fangs, "But NEVER has WindClan stolen prey from any clan. Ever. And we're not about to start now. WindClan is still strong! The twolegs will not be a problem for long."

Bramblestar glared hostily at the WindClan cat. He turned pointedly back to the Clans. "ThunderClan also welcomes a new warrior. Sunspots!"

Sunspots wrinkled her forehead in concentration. "I don't know," she told the apprentice honestly. "But I don't think that Thunderclan is the only clan dealing with border trouble."

******
Featherpaw's eyes snapped open; the cats that had gone to the Gathering were back! "Scorchpaw! Scorchpaw, wake up! The Gathering cats are back!" she hissed through the still air, careful not to disturb Tigerpaw while she shaked her friend awake. Satisfied that she had done enough, she carefully crept over her brother's sleeping body. Winterpaw was gazing in her direction again.

"What? Something on my face?" she joked.

Scorchpaw jerked awake, hitting her head on the roof of the den. "OW!" She shook her head and poked her head out. Seeing the cats returning, she tilted her head and looked at Featherpaw. "I have a feeling it's bad news..."

Winterpaw's white ears turned pink at the tips. "No... nothing. Just an interesting Gathering tonight. Bramblestar'll probably--"

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Highledge for a Clan meeting!" Bramblestar yowled.

"--Call a clan meeting..." he finished. He lifted his shoulders and flicked his tail for her to join him.

Cats of all ages began piling out from their dens, shaking off sleep and yawned loudly.

Clawfoot sat near Stormfang, pelt bristling agitatedly. Talonclaw sat beside him, her belly swollen with kits.

Scorchpaw sat near Featherpaw, Tigerpaw sitting beside her and glaring the whole time. But when he looked at Bramblestar, he had a look of mild pride on his face.... why that was, she couldnt understand.

"Cats of ThunderClan. There is trouble brewing among all clans. Our main concern is WindClan. THey claim that Twolegs are stealing rabbits pelts and leaving the bodies to rot. I have no idea if this is true or not, but I want double border patrols as of dawn tomorrow. Do I have any volunteers?"

"I will," Clawfoot called out.

Bramblestar nodded. "Good. Take two cats with you tomorrow. Cloudtail, you take two cats also and check the ShadowClan border. Renew the scent markers even if they're still fresh." He narrowed his eyes. "I want NO other clan cat on ThunderClan territory. Regular hunting patrols will be schedualed after dawn patrols report back." He looked at the group of apprentices.

"Apprentices will not leave camp without their mentors or another warrior. At All. Until we know what's going on, this will remain a regular routine. Lionblaze, I'll see you in my den before you turn in tonight. Return to your dens, all of you."

Scorchpaw stared at her mentor... confused and oddly afraid. What happened at the Gathering that he wasnt telling?

"I agree," Sunspots stated. "The sooner the better, though I sugest we start around Sunhigh. That will give the cats going on patrol to rejuvinate before hand."

Stormfang scanned the other faces. "Anyone else have sugestions?"

"No later than Sunhigh, though I'd prefer earlier myself," Sorreltail sniffed.

*****
Featherpaw crawled back into her nest, grateful that the den was now filled with warm bodies. Scorchpaw returned momentarily.

Tigerpaw stuck out an unsheathed claw, letting it catch on the webbing of Scorchpaw's bandages.

Rainpaw unsheathed one claw and casually proceeded to jab Tigerpaw in the rump, hard enough to make him yelp, but light enough as to not cause even the slightest injury.

"Now get to bed!" he snapped.

Tigerpaw reluctantly untangled his claws from Scorchpaw's bandage, snagging it further than neccessary, but complying all the same.

Featherpaw snuggled deeper into her moss nest, uttering a sleepy sigh; she had missed the entire skirmish.

******
Sunspots was one of the last cats to turn in. She picked over the sleeping forms of the warriors carefully before curling up in her nest at the very back of the den. The closest cat to her, Oakfur, was nearly a tails-length away.

The following morning...

Lionblaze returned with Clawfoot and Dawnfeather from the WindClan patrol, prey in their jaws. Cloudtail's patrol not far behind. He looked around at the milling cats. Putting down his prey, he called over, "Is Sunspots up yet?"

Stormfang looked at the den and called back, "She's just getting up. I'm taking her and Featherpaw on hunting patrol after we eat."

Lionblaze's ears flicked disappointedly but nodded in agreement. He went over to talk with Cloudtail about their findings, their heads bent in conversation. He glanced over at Scorchpaw that just came out and called over. "Scorchpaw, go out with Featherpaw and Sunspots for some hunting training. Six peices of prey wont feed the clan!"

Scorchpaw's ears perked suddenly, having been taking fresh kill to Brightheart and stopped, setting it down. "What about Brightheart?"

"Tigerpaw will watch her while you're gone. You've got to be camped out by now. Go ahead and go. Rainpaw, go wake Sorreltail and go with them. Stay away from the borders."

Scorchpaw purred in satisfaction. She looked at her bandages and peeled them carefully away. Granted, they were still burned, but nowhere as bad as when they first were. Well, only one way to toughen paws up. Pulling off the bandages, she winced as the sand stung slightly on her paws. Ignoring the pain, she took the fresh kill to Brightheart. Jayfeather had deemed her good eye simply burned, she wouldnt lose this one. Her tail lifted high at the news and set down the fresh kill.

"How are you Brightheart?"

The ginger-patched she-cat squinted to see the apprentice and scented a meal. "Better than yesterday," she quipped and took the prey. "But I'll be alright. I hear you're on hunting patrol today. Be careful alright? There is no room for soft paws in ThunderClan."

Scorchpaw purred, glad to see some of the amusement flicker in her eyes and trotted out to go see Featherpaw. "Guess what? We're on hunting patrol today!"

Winterpaw stepped out just in time to hear Lionblaze's instructions and his tail curled up in amusement. Tigerpaw isnt going to like switching duties... not one bit. He lifted his shoulders and stretched with a yawn, glancing over at Featherpaw. He saw how her eyes sparkled and he purred lightly, his mood put in a good place.

"Well well, what's got you in a good mood," Dawnfeather teased lightly at the white and spotted apprentice, taking a peice of fresh kill to take to Talonclaw.

"Oh, nothing in particular," Winterpaw responded, taking a small shrew to eat. Glancing over to Featherpaw, he purred again, turning back to his meal.