[oh.the.excitement] -- {the.gathering}

[Battooth]

Maplestar nodded to Northstar. His ears had perked when he had heard about a warrior named Onespot and an apprentice named Owlpaw. Who were they, and why did Onespot have to get over Owlpaw? Maplestar flicked his tail to the she-cat, beckoning her towards the huge rock called the Great Rock as he sauntered towards it himself. He leaped up and looked down at the two Clans, waiting for Northstar. The obvious reason to get over someone was they had died. Maybe Owlpaw had died? Where was Onespot then? Maplestar scanned the clearing and spotted Battooth with his sister and a ginger and white she-cat as well as a seemingly all white tom. Maplestar stared for a moment until the warrior turned his head, obviously feeling Maplestar's eyes on him, and the tabby leader caught sight of a single spot covering the crown of the warrior's head. That must be Onespot, Maplestar thought sarcastically. It was an obvious name for a warrior. The large leader let out a loud caterwaul, calling over the sounds of the other cats. "It's time for the Gathering to begin!" he yowled loudly. He watched as Onespot flicked his ears at his three companions, saying something to get the three to stop talking, and in Mistheart's case, to stop swating at her brother's ears.

Battooth laughed and pushed his sister gently away from him, then looked up at Maplestar as Mistheart sat beside him, pressing herself close to her brother. Flamefoot sat on the gray she-cat's other side, and Onespot on Flamefoot's other side. From end to end, they went from darkest to lightest or vice versa ((and I didn't realize that until I typed it XD)).

[/size]

[Agii♫]

It had appeared to her that Maplestar was quizzical about Owlpaw and Onespot along with the words she had just spoken. Pushing aside the thought, she followed the larger leader up to the ridge of Great Rock. Her lean paws hit the cool stone of the Great Rock, long silken tail undulating gracefully in the gentle, whispering, dull breeze. The breeze whispered to her sharp ears the songs of the dead and passed on, an especially sweet song murmuring lullabies and songs of love into her adept, furred ears.

Northstar released a sigh, her sweet breath carrying onto the winds' voices. Coming to a gentle halt, the sleek and slim leader glanced over the two Clans dazedly, her brilliant dirty-emerald eyes glazing over the clan cats curiously. Breaking her mind from the distant loss, the silver she-cat waited for Maplestar to begin with any news he had prepared to say, waiting patiently and politely for him to take the lead.

[[:; [h] e a r t ::♥]]

((Okay, pretend I didn't post in the Meadow board))
Bic::
Lilypaw sighed with defeat and looked at Azalealeaf, her coat almost matching hers, although Lilypaw's coat was about the same shade as Ivorywings.

she looked up at Azalealeaf, her unusual and pretty eyes filled with despair. "No, I'm not. Inkpaw hates me and loves Dreampaw more than ever, and its all my fault. And...And... He just wont see or care that I'm hurting as much as him!" Lilypaw cried. "How will I ever get him to like me?" She inquired more quietly, not even the gentle waves soothing her.

[>>BLACKiE! ]}]

"He's hurt too," Azalealeaf told the she-cat apprentice, understanding sparking through her warm gaze. Her tail flicked back and forth as she heard Maplestar's yowl telling that the Gathering was about to commence. "Tomcats are like that. Believe me, Cloudpuff's my brother, remember?" she meowed, glancing up at the two leaders. "And I'll let you in on a secret. Cloudpuff's in love with Dreampaw as well."

With that, Azalealeaf slipped forward and settled down. She glanced back at Lilypaw to see if the apprentice cat was going to sit beside her or if she was going to go by herself or find the company of a different cat. She didn't have any problems with that at all.

[/size]

[[:; [h] e a r t ::♥]]

Lilypaw sighed, then sat down next to Azalealeaf. She wished it was that easy, but with Inkpaw it was different. He was different than most apprentices, he /loved/ Dreampaw, but most toms just /liked/ she cats.

"Well, I don't know if that helps; I mean the part about Dreampaw and Cloudpuff. And, I don't think its that smple, I mean Inkpaw loves [/font] Dreampaw, not just /likes/ her. And I know hes hurting, but he has a chance of Dreampaw liking him, because she doesn't love anyone." Lilypaws head slightly tipped down.

[>>BLACKiE! ]}]

"Cloudpuff has a lot on his mind. He's not one for simply liking and admiring other she-cats. He truly loves her - he's obsessed with her, although in a quieter way than Inkpaw is," Azalealeaf murmured quietly, turning her glance every so often up to look at the leaders to see if they were going to start their announcements anytime soon. Although she was a patient cat, she didn't like to be kept waiting for too long.

A melodic purr issued in her throat as she mentioned her brother again. Indeed, he had spent many long hours speaking to her about how much he loved Dreampaw and how her silver tabby coat gleamed in the sun and how her pawsteps seemed as if she were dancing elegantly and gracefully all the time... Azalealeaf shook her head. Even though he was shy around the one special she-cat he liked, he could be quite foolish when around her, since after all, she was his kin.

[/size]

[[:; [h] e a r t ::♥]]

"Well, I...I never realized that, but if Cloudpuff gets Dreampaw to like him, Inkpaw won't even notice me. And why does everyone have to love Dreampaw!" Lilypaw suddenly got angry, but tried to keep it down, her anger still burning in her sapphire eyes. "I'm sorry, I just get so mad! I love Inkpaw so much and he doesn't even notice! He only cares about Dreampaw. Alwasy Dreampaw, Dreampaw Dreampaw! Oh, Dreampaw, your so lovely and graceful and I love /everything / about her!" Mimicked Lilypaw.

[>>BLACKiE! ]}]

"Why can't he love Dreampaw? And how do you think you would feel if Dreampaw liked Inkpaw and Inkpaw favored you and Dreampaw spoke words about you like that? Dreampaw means well and it's not her fault that Inkpaw likes her. It's not Dreampaw's fault that she was born into the world. It's not her fault that she was born the way she was. In fact, she's helping you by rejecting Inkpaw. She doesn't control the way Inkpaw thinks and feels; only Inkpaw does. Getting mad at both of them won't help your situation anymore than it already has," Azalealeaf explained, still stealing glances upwards towards the two leaders, wondering when they were going to start sharing news - in their polite manner, of course.

-x-

Crystalrose's ears perked up as the sound of Maplestar's voice reached her black almost felt ears. She gazed up, her chocolate brown eyes filled with warmth and affection for the tomcat. The moon reflected off of her creamy colored pelt, making it appear burnished and glossy. Her tail was curled around her refined frame, laying on top of her dainty paws.

[/size]

[[:; [h] e a r t ::♥]]

Lilypaw sighed in agitation. She hated when cats proved her wrong. "I guess so, but its not that way, is it? Dreampaw wouldn't care anywhay, and she would never like Inkpaw, so its not like that. Ink[aw likes Dreampaw, and so doeas Cloudfuff, and I love Inkpaw, and apparently everyone is so keen on defending me, and I guess no one cares that I love Inkpaw. Oh, and yes, the moon wasn't covered when Inkpaw and I fought, so it means Inkpaw and I arent meant to be, right? Well, too bad, Inkpaw will like me no matter what it takes!" Lilypaw snapped, her agitation growing at the fact that everyone seemed oblivious to the fact that she /LOVED/ Inkpaw.

[>>BLACKiE! ]}]

"Well think about this! The Clan doesn't revolve around just you! Ivorywing and I tried to offer you advice and someone to speak to to get your feelings out, but apparantely you don't truly care that other cats are trying to be kind to you! You just shrug us off and you say that we don't understand! Well, in case you didn't know, we're just trying to give you some /help/! I can see why Inkpaw got so frustrated with you! You're not helping the situation anymore by making even more hurt feelings amongst the other Clan and your fellow Clanmates! Inkpaw doesn't have to care only about /you/! He acknowledges other cats and he's friends with them - like he's friends with me! He has a life and it doesn't revolve around you!" Azalealeaf spat, finally losing her patience. With her head and tail perked up in the air, she stalked away from Lilypaw.

Why couldn't the she-cat apprentice understand? All she and Ivorywing had been trying to do was comfort the apprentice, but /no/, Lilypaw just had to make life harder on everyone just because Inkpaw didn't absolutely adore her. Padding away, she landed in a few graceful bounds besides Ivorywing and Hailwind.

[/size]

[Battooth]

Maplestar looked out over the cats, sending a look at two cats from SkyClan, and apprentice and warrior. He glanced at Northstar for a moment as if to silently say, 'Control your cats!' but looked back over the group again. He couldn't say anything himself, because Battooth was swatting at Mistheart again, acting as joyful and as energetic as a kit. He looked for a cat who seemed calm and spotted Crystalrose watching him. He blinked greatfully at the she-cat then started. "Cats of both Clans," he meowed loudly, "Welcome to the Gathering. My Clan is doing very well. I am happy to say that our warriors are strong and our apprentices are learning quickly. I have taken an apprentice myself. Twistedpaw is my apprentice, and it is my hope that I will be a good mentor to him. We also have a newcomer, Eagledance. He is a good strong warrior, and I am sure he will be a great addition to our Clan." He stepped back to let Northstar forward. He had left out the bit about the Clan's problems, and with good reason. A fox had settled down in EarthClan territory, and with leaf-bare approaching, prey was getting scarce.

[Agii♫]

His head snapped up, bright sapphire eyes widening in pure and complete awe to his leader, long tail twitching back and forth excitedly. Of course, he had learned this before, however had not expected Maplestar to announce it to both Clans. Wide jaws parted slightly, overly-large ears pricking forth as his chest heaved out a few swift breaths of anticipation. Head lifted in conceived pride, Twistedpaw beamed up to the strong leader, holding his awkward paw up to relieve pressure. This was simply marvelous!

--x--

She listened intently, taking a step backwards respectfully to allow full attention to be set upon the large tom. Surveying his strong haunches and back muscles, rippling as he stepped backwards to let her step forth, Northstar glanced up swiftly to the clouds upon instinct. Blinking, she locked her thick mossy eyes to the moon and felt her sleek silky silver fur prickle with longing and anxiousness, an eerie ghastliness coming over her. A single, lone cloud crawled across the sky, gently brushing the tips of the rounded surface of the moon with a soft gray edge.

Northstar regained her composure.

"As Maplestar already addressed; welcome to the Gathering. I am pleased to hear that EarthClan is doing well, Maplestar," she said, giving a sweet nod to the large tom leader. "SkyClan as well, is doing fine. Our Clan has been rather rambunctious lately, however, and I will take full blame for that. Most of you, I'm sure, have heard about the famous Inkpaw and Dreampaw. I am deceived and proud, to say that both of them will have mentors by tomorrow's moonhigh. I will be taking Inkpaw as my own apprentice." With those words left from her elegant jaws, Northstar stepped back, her long silken tail brushing against her strong heels as she stood beside Maplestar, waiting, if he chose to say anymore.

[Battooth]

Maplestar nodded, although he had seen the cloud drifting towards the moon as well and couldn't help but wince as the two pieces of sky seemed to brush the other. When Northstar had finished, he nodded deeply to the she-cat in respect. For Northstar's ears only, he meowed, "The best of luck with your apprentice. They can be a pawful." He himself had only had one apprentice before Twistedpaw, and that had been Battooth. That had certainly been an eye-opener for the tabby leader. Looking at the obsidian warrior today, no one (he hoped) would know that he had ever taught the skinny warrior. Battooth was far too cheery. Raising his voice he yowled, "If that is all there is to say, then I declare this Gathering over." He leaped down from the Great Rock, waiting at the bottom for Northstar to join him.

[>>BLACKiE! ]}]

Crystalrose saw Maplestar's brief glance of appreciation. She let a purr rumble lightly in her chest as she listened to the leader's announcements. Her ears pricked up slightly when she heard the news of Northstar taking the rather conceited Inkpaw as an apprentice. Interesting choice. she thought to herself after she had finished swelling with pride at Maplestar's decision to make Twistedpaw his apprentice.

She watched as Maplestar's muscles bunched together and leaped down from the Great Rock. Without waiting, Crystalrose eagerly made her way to him, not bothering if anyone saw. "Maplestar!" she called out quietly, her pawsteps falling lightly on the ground as she found herself at his side. "Good job," she murmured softly.

x--

Ivorywing watched as Crystalrose quickly made her way to the EarthClan leader. Amusement gleaming lightly in her emerald eyes, she looked around for Hailwind. The tomcat was seated at the base of the Great Rock - the place that a deputy always sat for Gatherings. He was probably quite proud of himself, although she knew that he wouldn't get too over confident. When an apprentice, he had attempted to fight and win against a fox, only succeeding in getting badly torn up. Now that he was a warrior, he would obviously know better.

x--

Azalealeaf, being the hot-headed she-cat she was, currently still remained rather angry. Her anger had subsided a bit for now, but every so often, it flared up again - the normal thing that happened whenever the she-cat warrior was frustrated. She turned to look at Ivorywing for a moment. "How's EarthClan?" she asked the medicine cat.

"Didn't you just listen?" Ivorywing teased the warrior. "It's been fine. How's Cloudpuff?" she asked, referring to Azalealeaf's brother.

"As avid to get Dreampaw as ever," Azalealeaf responded rather dryly and wistfully to Ivorywing. "I'll see you hopefully at the next Gathering," she told the medicine cat before padding off to join Northstar on the way home.

[/size]

[Battooth]

Maplestar's ears flicked as he heard Crystalrose and he turned to face the she-cat. "Thank you," he meowed, a bit surprised. He had been leader for a while and had spoken at Gatherings before, so he supposed he should've done a good job... He suddenly beamed at the she-cat. "It's always nice to hear that someone appreciates a job well done," he joked. "Hopefully practice makes perfect and I'll be dazzling next time." He touched the she-cat's cheek with his nose.