GATHERING ,

[Darkiez =D]

FORECAST→ warm w/ light breeze, partly cloudy
CALENDAR→ July 7
CLOCK→ around moonhigh
LOCATION→ the Fourtrees area
INFO→ for all Clanners who are accepted before or during the event, as well as Blizzardheart [random futurely-played warriors are left on guard] (the apprentices and mentors have all come, but un-played/un-accepted ones should not be played); Medicine Cats' Meeting is not over, but MCs, please post who you told in an OOC section of your reply, and if only leaders/deputies were told, then leaders/deputies, please post if you told anyone else in an OOC section of your reply
SCENE→ gathering C:

ALSO: Vineleaf died on June 31. He was attacked by Thorn's Rogue Band, and his body was discovered by a hunting patrol comprising Cloudspots, Berrypaw, Ashwind, and Mistypaw. So Fernspirit is now TC's full meddie, and Hazel has lost a character. =D

ALSO #2: You ain't here 'til your Clan leader is. If the leader doesn't come by Saturday morning, the deputy comes in place of the leader (who is ill).

ooc: er...this the tc apprentices' first gathering, yush? assuming they went to the first gathering they could go to...

( finchstar )

Finchstar slipped into the clearing, waving his tail for the rest of his Clan to follow. He'd left some trusted warriors in charge of camp, and was glad of it. Tensions were running high in the air, and ever since Vineleaf's death he'd been more worried than ever. So far a cat from each Clan had been killed; he had liked it better when ThunderClan cats had been spared.

But was it all one group's doing? Or one individual? Or was it many different ones? Was it rogues allied with another Clan, or a warrior -- the fiend from within that would conquer -- that wanted to get rid of just one or two of its Clanmates and completely obliterate the other Clans'...what? Random cats seemed to be getting killed, first Eaglestar, then Ravenstar, then Vineleaf. No real pattern there...you'd think someone would want to eliminate the leaders first, but now they had to go and kill a medicine cat.

But a medicine cat still had power. So the Clans each had lost a cat of power...

...and Ambershine had been killed by a fox moons ago, and Reedblaze was Basilstar's first deputy, and Mountainfrost had been medicine cat for a while.

The answer came to Finchstar like a flash. The ginger tabby leader sank his claws into the ground, pausing momentarily in his slow trot over to the Highrock. RiverClan. RiverClan had lost only that warrior. Perhaps she had been the mother of that annoying apprentice of Mountainfrost's, Swallowpaw or whatever her name was, but she didn't really have much power as far as he could tell. The cat who'd killed her could've held a grudge against her.

He'd keep this theory to himself -- until the Clan got back home. No reason for bloodshed during a treaty, based on a theory (though he felt it was more fact than theory, and to blazes with the treaty, and bloodshed was fine -- but he knew others would probably disagree and outcast his Clan, blah, blah, blah).

The lithe tabby-and-white tom paused underneath the Highrock. His Clan was first, as usual. He was obviously the most punctual leader. Wrapping his tail gently around his paws, he settled down to wait as his cats weaved amongst each other.

( cloudspots )

Cloudspots's sky-blue eyes glared at Finchstar's tail, having nothing else ahead of him to glare at (he'd glared at the Highrock last time). He felt downcast; Vineleaf had been killed by--by--by Heart's rogue friends, probably. If he could trust her; he still found it all a bit fishy.

He came to a halt when Finchstar did, and promptly plunged into the line of cats following the ThunderClan leader and deputy, looking for Berrypaw.

( hawkpaw )

Hawkpaw oozed into the clearing lazily. It was such a pretty, warm night; he wished he could be lounging in his nest. On the other hand, here he could make all the mischief he wanted to; it was practically a trouble buffet.

As soon as Finchstar stopped making the line march into the clearing, Hawkpaw inched away from his sister, over to whom Cloudspots was bounding. He'd go off and conduct some scheme with a random ShadowClan apprentice, maybe, when that Clan arrived, or Volepaw or Mistypaw if the ShadowClan apprentices bored him/weren't there.

[hazel :D]

lionstar *

Lionstar loped into the clearing, his head and tail held high. He was the second leader to arrive; Finchstar was already here. Dipping his head in a short nod of respect, the ginger-gray tom padded slowly over to where Finchstar sat beneath the tall trees that towered over the other cats. "Finchstar," he meowed shortly. He wasn't mad at the other leader or anything, he just wasn't being particularly nice. Lionstar didn't really trust the ThunderClanner; in his opinion, Finchstar was much too rude and conceited for his liking. "Things in ThunderClan are going well, I trust?" Lionstar didn't really want to talk, but what was the point of just sitting there and saying nothing? He looked out at the small group of ShadowClan cats, waving his tail proudly as he looked them over.

[Darkiez =D]

ooc: snowfall only told lionstar & ripplesplash. ripplesplash told no one. don't know who lionstar told, if anyone.

( ripplesplash )

Ripplesplash curled his lip as soon as she spotted Finchstar. He didn't trust a hair on the ThunderClanner's neck. As he joined his Clanmates and the ThunderClan warriors, he glimpsed Cloudspots and instantly swerved to avoid him. The only good thing about Finchstar was that as long as he was alive there wasn't a Cloudstar.

As the silver tabby gazed at the group of cats, the prophecy Snowfall had recited to him ran through his head like a river. Darkness rises, many fall... And still that icy claw clenched him, the one that told him that "darkness" meant ShadowClan. It would make lots of sense -- if they were to rise, many would have to fall. And they were certainly ignored, though not exactly betrayed.

As for the fiend within...no. He couldn't start to suspect his own Clanmates of anything, even rising and making many fall. He was much better off suspecting ThunderClan.

( snowfall )

Snowfall trotted behind Ripplesplash, blue stare dark. He began milling about like a few other cats, but noticed that Vineleaf was not present. Arching the whiskers above his eyes, therefore widening his eyes, he pondered sidling over to Fernspirit to see if Vineleaf was all right, but decided against it. He may be a fellow medicine cat, but he's from ThunderClan, and anyway it'd be really strange if he were dead so soon after we received that prophecy -- and he was looking healthy at the meeting, so I doubt he's terribly ill. Just a minor cough, probably.

( finchstar )

Finchstar wrinkled his pink nose as Lionstar's patrol arrived, giving a small, haughty sniff as they approached. He'd never liked the swampy scent of ShadowClan cats. As the tawny-gray tom approached him, he nodded curtly and twitched his tail slightly. "Lionstar." There was no more that needed to be said in greeting; a "Finchstar" deserved a "Lionstar." At the ShadowClan cat's next question, he took a deep breath, his chest swelling and his cream underbelly fur puffing out slightly. Are you suggesting they could possibly not be going well? he thought rebelliously, orange eyes narrowing, but he simply replied, "Fine."

Things weren't going well. But what sane leader would admit that a single cat's death had set him so off-balance? Lionstar hadn't asked if every single cat was doing well, and even then, Finchstar was sure that Vineleaf was fine in StarClan.

[``B E A N Z]

...that's.why.I.have.to.be...
Basilstar’s thin legs carried him carefully through the slightly wet grass. Even in the warmest part of the year, dew still collected on the grass at night. That night was no different. Clouds occasionally drifted near the moon, however none of them crossed in front of it, as if it were sacred. In fact, at the time, it was. The moon was full, it’s silver light spilling out over the dark world. With the coming of the night, began the Gathering, and Basilstar, along with his accompanying clan, was late to show up. He moved with urgency, knowing that it would be unacceptable for his clan to be a no-show.

...honest.with.you.now...
The Four Trees loomed just ahead, easing Basilstar’s anxiety slightly. He wondered if the other clans had begun without him. What if they thought I was an irresponsible leader? What if they though I was sick and my clan weakened? Useless and worrisome thoughts rambled through his head. His pace quickened to a lope as he checked behind him to ensure that his cats were keeping up. As he neared the clearing he slowed, brushing through a thicket of bushes and entering the site of the Four Trees.

...i'm.not.your.saint...
Basilstar sighed in relief when he saw that the other leaders were exchanging words, still. He walked up to his fellow felines, only to catch the tail end of the conversation, Finchstar’s unpleasant, “Fine.” Basilstar narrowed his mint-colored eyes at the two leader’s, wondering what was with the haughtiness between them.

...i'm.not.your.savior...
“I would hope that all is well with your clans, Finchstar? Lionstar?” Basilstar meowed calmly, hoping a tranquil conversation could ease their seemingly aggravated nerves. He looked away shortly, once again, to see if his cats had followed him, flicking his tail to tell those that hadn’t that it was time to do so. Returning his gaze to the two cats before him, he plopped to his haunches awaiting an answer.

[dukeduke]

ASHWIND~~

The grey tabby tom followed his leader into the gathering. ThunderClan was the first clan here, but was quickly followed by the other Clans. He sat down and wrapped his tail around his white paws. He glanced around, wary. The medicine cat, Vineleaf, had died, making his sister medicine cat. She had warned him to be careful when he was out on patrols and to make sure the apprentices stayed in sight. She hadn't told him why, but he listened to her. His apprentice, Mistypaw, was pretty irritated by his attempts to keep her in sight. He had warned the other warriors to watch their apprentices carefully, too. He glanced over at his sister now, sitting with the other medicine cats. He wanted to go talk to her, this was her first gathering as a true medicine cat without Vineleaf, and she seemed upset. He couldn't go sit with her though, and he looked up at the leaders, waiting for the gathering to start.

FERNSPIRIT~~

The black she-cat silently entered the gathering behind her Clan. Her tail drooped and her eyes were filled with remorse. She tried not to show any worry, but it was difficult. Shortly after recieving the chilling prophecy, Vineleaf had been killed. This was her first gathering without him, and it felt wrong. With a sigh, she weaved through the cats to a secluded place. Her green eyes looked up to the leaders. She noticed Lionstar join Finchstar and she glanced around for Snowfall. Perhaps the company of another medicine cat would do her good. She saw him, just as he saw her, and she flicked her ears, wishing he would come over. He turned though, and didn't come. He didn't see Vineleaf, that was probably why. It would take time for the others to see her as true medicine cat of ThunderClan, she guessed. With a sigh she looked over at her brother. She had warned him, along with Finchstar and Cloudspots about the prophecy. She hadn't told him as much as she had told the leader and deputy. She had only warned him to watch the apprentices and to be careful when he was out in the woods. He had warned the other warriors, she was sure, and that meant the whole Clan was being careful. Only the leader and deputy knew the real extent of the danger though.

ooc: Fernspirit told Finchstar and Cloudspots the whole prophecy. She warned her brother to be careful and he warned the other warriors and their apprentices.

[hazel :D]

lionstar (sc lead):

Lionstar narrowed his eyes as Finchstar replied with a single word: "Fine." His tail twitched uncomfortably; he didn't trust Finchstar, and didn't really see a point in talking any more if the ThunderClanner didn't want to talk. As if on cue, Basilstar padded towards them. Nodding to the third leader to arrive, Lionstar channeled Finchstar and answered Basilstar with only one word: "Yes." A hint of movement in the corner of his eye alerted Lionstar, and he glanced up to see Dovestar prance into the clearing. Turning towards Finchstar and Basilstar, he said quickly, "We're all here now, so let's start." The ShadowClanner jumped onto the mighty boulder where the leaders would speak.
As he stood there, he went over the things he would say in his head. He would, of course, say nothing about the prophecy that the medicine cats had recieved at the last meeting; he doubted the other leaders would say anything as well, and he really hoped they wouldn't. The warriors would panic, and nothing could ever calm them down if they knew the horrible things that would befall the forest. A shiver rippled down his muscled body.

dovestar (wc lead npc):

Dovestar stepped into the clearing with her head and tail raised high. Pausing and glancing around with a smirk plastered on her cream-colored face, she saw that the other three Clans were already there. Silently, she cursed herself; I'd better hurry next time, she thought. Not a good impression to be the last Clan to arrive. Flicking her tail as a signal, she plunged down towards the other cats, hurrying towards the other leaders. She could see that Lionstar had already jumped onto the giant boulder, and wanted to get there before Basilstar and Finchstar did; it would be good to get there second seeing as she had been the last leader to get to Fourtrees.
Reaching the stone, she bunched her muscles and leaped onto it. "Greetings," she said to the others, slightly breathless form her sprint across the clearing.

mountainfrost (rc med):

Mountainfrost followed Basilstar into Fourtrees. Seeing Fernspirit among the cats down below, she padded towards the other medicine cat. "Hello, Fernspirit," she said calmly. "I heard about Vineleaf's death." Running her tail over Fernspirit's back slowly, she hoped to calm the younger cat down. "I'm sorry; he was a wonderful medicine cat and all the Clans feel his loss." This was true. She and Vineleaf hadn't been the best of friends, but they had gotten along. Seeing as RiverClan and ThunderClan weren't really rivals right now, there was no reason for them not to have been friends.
Looking up, she saw that Lionstar and Dovestar had jumped onto the Highrock. "The Gathering is staring!" she mewed to Fernspirit excitedly. Sitting, Mountainfrost curled her tial around her paws and pricked her ears, ready to hear the state of all the Clans.

ooc: Mountainfrost told Basilstar, Reeblaze, and Sparrowpaw about the prophecy.

reedblaze (rc dep npc):

Reeblaze padded into the clearing behind Basilstar and Mountainfrost. He followed the gray leader towards Finchstar and Lionstar, listening to them exchange brief greetings. Tensions were low between the Clans right now -- thank StarClan, Reeblaze thought -- but none of the leaders were really the chatty type; they were all kinda doubtful and not trusting. Well, who wouldn't be at times like this? Mountainfrost had told him about the doom-foretelling prophecy, and it scared him, of course, but what could he do about it? Sighing, Reeblaze noticed Dovestar walk into the clearing. As Lionstar jumped up on the Highrock, Reedblaze gave his black-and-white fur a few licks, making sure he looked presentable, and took a step closer to the boulder. He sat down, waiting for the Gathering to begin.

mistypaw (tc app):

Mistypaw padded into the clearing, pressing close to Ashwind. This was her first Gathering, and she was really excited. She had been looking forward to this for as long as she could remember (which wasn't that long, but hey) and now her first Gathering was finally here! "Hey, Hawkpaw," she said gleefully, her eyes wide with excitement. "When the other Clans get here, I'm gonna go talk to some other apprentices! I really wanna meet some other apprentices..." She trailed off, a wistful gleam in her green-blue eyes. Unfortunately, they were the first Clan to arrive, and Mistypaw didn't really have anything to do now.
Bouncing forwards, she wandered over to the Highrock. "Whoah..." she whispered, awed by the sight of the giant rock. But that soon got boring -- it was just a big rock, after all -- and the silver-black she-cat spun around, looking for something else to do. Padding to the back of the clearing, Mistypaw settled down to wait for the other Clans.
ShadowClan, RiverClan and WindClan trickled in slowly. Being just a young apprentice, Mistypaw was awed by the sight of the large group of cats that wove throughout the clearing. Just look at all of them! Wide-eyed, Mistypaw noticed that all the leaders seemed agitated for some reason, but she brushed that off with a tiny flick of her tail. They're leaders; they're always worrying about something.

[Darkiez =D]

ooc: hazel. xD you called Reedblaze "Reeblaze" about five times in your post.

...i just realized i got the great rock and highrock confused earlier. xP silly me.

aaand i have way too many characters.

( finchstar )

Finchstar jumped up onto the Highrock beside Dovestar and Lionstar. As he looked over the Clans, he noticed Mountainfrost and Fernspirit sitting near each other, and his eyes narrowed. Maybe they were fellow medicine cats, but what if Fernspirit (who looked rather nervous to him) accidentally gave some secret away? He didn't know what it would be, but still.

Not really noticing or caring the current location of Basilstar (he could jump on the rock quickly if he hadn't already), the ginger tabby called out, "Cats of all Clans! The Gathering has begun!"

He glanced at the other leaders. He probably had the most exciting news, but you had to show some courtesy.

( cloudspots )

Cloudspots's fur bristled as he watched Ripplesplash, Reedblaze, and Birchstorm enter the clearing behind their leaders. He'd never liked the other deputies. But as soon as Finchstar leapt up onto the Great Rock, he was forced to join them below it.

( hawkpaw )

"Me too," Hawkpaw whispered to Mistypaw. "I bet I'll find better ones to talk to, though." His eyes gleamed mischievously and he set off, running through the arriving groups of cats. His amber eyes flashed, growing wider, as soon as he noticed that a light gray tabby was coming toward the ThunderClan group, which was currently breaking up. The gray tabby had light green eyes and more brownish areas of fur, and looked young but sleek.

A RiverClan warrior, probably newly made, or maybe a senior apprentice, he thought, but decided not to bother him. He didn't want to be cuffed over the head for bugging a warrior or even an older apprentice. So instead he just nodded at the tabby quickly as he went by, dashing over to Mistypaw; he heard the gray cat say something about being Rapidpaw, but the older tom probably thought him rude now.

The Gathering was beginning, but he managed to whisper to the Somali she-cat, "Look! It's a RiverClan apprentice, only he must be ten or eleven moons! Coming to meet some ThunderClan cats! He must like ThunderClan." He didn't know where Berrypaw and Volepaw were, but started to look for them; this cat could be really fun to bother.

( ripplesplash )

Ripplesplash watched the other Clans file in, and with interest began picking up by ear a nearby conversation between Mountainfrost and Fernspirit. Vineleaf's death...he hadn't noticed Vineleaf's absence (he couldn't care less about that cat), but it was still interesting. He stuck out a white paw and stopped Snowfall from wandering further away, whispering, "Hear that? Vineleaf's dead."

Snowfall drew back, as did the ShadowClan deputy. Ripplesplash bounded over to the boulder and pressed himself closer to the Great Rock when Lionstar jumped up. First, he noted proudly.

( snowfall )

Snowfall had been vaguely close to Fernspirit and Mountainfrost when Ripplesplash scared him for life, but hadn't been paying attention to the conversation. He gave a little yelp, recoiling, as Ripplesplash urgently hissed his message. What? Vineleaf's dead? He's missing, but--no. "Liar," he growled softly at the silver tabby's retreating figure. "Where's your evidence? Other than the obvious, I mean..." But soon he was whispering to no one.

He slinked over to Mountainfrost and Fernspirit, pointedly saying nothing but dipping his head slightly.

( sparrowpaw )

Sparrowpaw followed her mentor into the clearing, gold-green eyes staring at her paws. The prophecy haunted her; she was glad she hadn't been the one to get it (though the dream didn't sound so scary), for then she was sure she'd go mad. She'd told her brother to keep a close eye on the other Clans, but he always did, so it wasn't any help.

She trailed after her mentor, feeling downcast. As she walked a voice shouted "Ello Sparrowpaw!" Her head shot up, and she received a cuff on the ears. Instantly she glared at her mentor, then realized it hadn't been Mountainfrost. Okay, so who was crazy enough to do that? She gazed around the gathered cats, spotting four new cats among them. New apprentices. Hmmf. She glanced up at Fernspirit and Snowfall, blinking twice slowly, then looked down again. Finchstar's voice rang in her ears, and she jerked her head up to look at him.

( rapidpaw )

Rapidpaw bounded away from his Clanmates as soon as he could. Be wary of the other Clans... What his sister had told him echoed in his mind, making him worry. It had been all right to let those rogues into camp, right? Because they weren't enemy Clanners, just enemy non-Clanners.

He noticed four previously unseen apprentice-sized cats in the ThunderClan group who were quickly separating. Probably newbies, he thought scornfully, but decided to venture over to them. On his way, the silver-black one had departed from the group and the brown tabby was passing by him. Rapidpaw sized up the younger tabby--"Hey, you new? I'm Rapidpaw,"--but the stocky tom left. He snorted. ThunderClan apprentices these days!

( birchstorm )

Birchstorm followed Dovestar into the clearing. The breeze whipped his striped cream fur, and moonlight reflected in his green eyes as he glared at everyone else -- not out of mistrust or anger, but out of fear and tension. If worry fed the Clans, tonight everyone would grow a whole lot fatter.

[[teh I N S A N I T Y ;;]

occ; no banner for volepaw yet.

Volepaw

yeah
a used,
pink bathrobe
a rare,
mint snowglobe
a smurf,
TV tray
i bought on eBay

my house,
is filled with this crap,
shows up,
in bubble wrap,
most every day,
what i bought on eBay

tell me why (i need another pet rock),
tell me why (i got that Alf alarm clock),
tell me why (i bid on Shatner's old toupee),
they had it on eBay

[/i]

---

The young tom flickered his tail as he jumped on the tall oaks of the Fourtrees, his amber eyes shining in the starlight. He looked up to the sky and saw a round ball of silver, shining with little twinkles along its side. A glow of wonder and happiness warmed his heart as he talked in his mind, StarClan is watching us. He was the first to arrive to the Fourtrees. Well, his leader. Okay, his deputy. Oh fine, his medicine cat. But he was the first apprentice to arrive in the protection of the trees. And now, his paws were on a tree, unseen and unheard by his Clanmates. They were the first ones here, and they couldn't identify his scent since there was a lot of ThunderClanners here. But he wondered about other Clans. Would they notice him in the trees, looking at the leaders and trying to spy on some cats? Would they...?

Volepaw licked his paw, drew it over his head, and put it back down. He leaned against the thick brown bark of the oak tree he was sitting on, looking at the cats he came with. His eyes wandered off to the face of Finchstar, his leader. The serious ginger-and-white tabby face didn't make Volepaw's spine shiver; just made him more curious. He spotted a hint of worry on his leader's face and wondered why. Then it hit him; the prophecy. The prophecy consisted of an evil message that all Clan medicine cats received while they were contacting with StarClan at Mothermouth. He was told by Ashwind, Fernspirit's brother and his cousin Berrypaw's mentor, and started to think of plans to protect their Clan against the 'fiend'. But so far, his plans a bit crazy, or so considered by Honeywhisker.

Volepaw's ears twitched a bit as he spotted Cloudspots' black-and-white pelt and Ashwind's gray tabby pelt in the scene, just at different positions. Then he spotted his other cousin's - also Berrypaw's brother - pelt, Hawkpaw's pelt. Hawkpaw was apprentice to Volepaw's mother Honeywhisker. The brown tabby pelt blended in with the trees, the darker brown tabby stripes glowing in the moonlight. He caught sight of the white paws Hawkpaw walks on, which looks like he has snow for paws. Volepaw was about to slide down the tree and do a sneak attack on Hawkpaw when he caught a silver-black blur coming to Hawkpaw, who also carried the scent of ThunderClan.

It was Mistypaw, Volepaw's best friend. His ginger pelt bristled in excitement as he watched Mistypaw and Hawkpaw talk, then Mistypaw jumped on the Highrock. Perfect time for a sneak attack! His legs jumped on nearby branches to get closer to the silver-black she-cat, his ginger pelt almost unseen in the shadows of the trees. He jumped and jumped from branch to branch, his small paws sending off a few green leaves falling to the ground or on cats' heads. He stopped when he felt Mistypaw's scent even stronger and nearby. The tom's head went a bit forward and looked down at the tail of Mistypaw, who was a couple of fox-tails down. A gleam came in his eyes and then, with an unexpected roar, attacked the she-cat on her back.

'Ha!' He collapsed on her back, taking in deep breathes. He then got off her back, chuckling to himself. He then caught some sniffs of other Clans coming in and then quickly got off the Highrock. As the other cats from other Clans passed him, his eyes widened at each cat. Wow! There's a whole bunch of them, and that means more furballs to prank on! he thought, wondering if he could find out about their secrets. A smirk showed on his muzzle and then felt Mistypaw's pelt brushing his as he watched the other Clans pass him. He saw the Clan leaders talking and narrowing eyes at each other, feeling a pulse of arrogance from them. He wondered why, but then he saw Fernspirit and Mountainfrost talking to each other, with Mountainfrost comforting her.

Vineleaf.

A sigh escaped from him and he stretched his paws up to the sky. Vineleaf, the former medicine cat, was found dead by a ThunderClan patrol. No one knew what happened to him, but it seemed like there was blood and scars on the light gray tabby tom. 'Poor Fern. She lost her mentor in an unexpected time of life,' he meowed as a brown tabby shape past him. The smell of water and fish came from the brown tabby and Volepaw wrinkled his nose. He then realized it was the RiverClan medicine cat apprentice and shrieked to her, 'Ello Sparrowpaw!'

The ginger tabby raced up to her and cuffed her playfully around the ear and then vanished quickly, not even realizing there was a tree in front of him.

'Ello tr-- Oof!' The apprentice fell to the floor, his legs and paws out of place and his tail twitching. A laugh escaped from his mouth, and then began laughing loudly.[/blockquote]

throw your dollar bills,
and leave,
your thrills all here,
with me
and speak,
but don't pretend,
i won't defend you anymore,
you see,
it aches,
in every bone,
i'll die alone,
but not for you
my eyes,
don't need to see,
that ugly thing,
i know,
it's me,
you fear
if you want me,
hold me back

frail,
the skin is dry,
and pale,
the pain,
will never fail,
and so,
we go back,
to the remedy,
clip the wings,
that get you high,
just leave them,
where they lie,
and tell yourself,
"you'll be the death of me"

---

The white WindClanner followed his leader and deputy behind, his paw steps making no sound. Scents of other cats breezed in the tom's soft pink nostrils, letting it fill his mind and soul. ThunderClan, RiverClan, and ShadowClan. That means WindClan is the last Clan to arrive to the Gathering. He watched his leader, Dovestar, sprint across the clearing as the other Clan leaders climbed the tree, about a pawstep away from sitting. His white neck fur bristled in anger, his ears going sharply down with his mouth turning into a nasty snarl. 'Late! Why couldn't Dovestar be a bit quicker like a real WindClanner!' he spat, his head lowered and his back hunched. He shook his head and thought, If I was a Clan leader, I would always be first to arrive to a Gathering. He didn't like being late, because that showed WindClan had something to do that was urgent and that made them look like they're weak. Blizzardheart's snake-like white tail flickered silently, knowing he couldn't do anything about it now, for it is too late. The tom turned his feet away from his Clanmates and silently walked to the other medicine cats, his frosty blue eyes glaring into his destination.

As he walked, he saw a sleek, well-groomed gray tabby tom walk through a bunch of ThunderClanners, breaking the ThunderClanners apart. A fishy scent came from him, which told the medicine cat that the gray tabby was from RiverClan. He studied the gray tabby more closely. He looked sleek and contempt, also a bit older and elegant. A senior apprentice, he decided, blinking his frosty blue eyes. Then, a brown tabby shape zoomed past him and went to the RiverClan apprentice. Blizzardheart let out a low growl and unsheathed his claws, itching the urge to attack that fool of a cat and teach him a lesson. But he had other things to do than fight. Fighting right now isn't the time for him. It just isn't.

He then saw the medicine cats all together, looking shocked and worried. He tilted his head and shrugged. Probably wondering what to do if their herb supply ran out, ha! he snorted as he quietly thought to himself. He made sure nothing got rid of his herbs, and that he wouldn't think just about herbs. Sure he was a medicine cat, but he had to become one. He didn't wanted to become a medicine cat, but he got stuck with it. Blizzardheart clawed the ground and said to himself, 'Well, at least I got power in my Clan. That's a useful thing to have.' Speaking of power, the prophecy hit his mind. When he got back from the Moonstone to tell Dovestar, Birchstorm, and the most trusted senior warriors. Snowfall was right about not telling the whole Clan, but Blizzardheart won't let the kittypet-hearted ShadowClan medicine cat win again. His Clan now was organizing more patrols and were getting stronger each day. He knew they were gonna beat the 'fiend' from the prophecy and after that, become the more fearful, powerful Clan in the forest! Everyone will depend on us only after we defeated the fiend. But we won't help them after what they did to us. A smirk appeared on his frosty face and he reached Snowfall and the ShadowClan deputy, hearing something the ShadowClan deputy said;

'Hear that? Vineleaf's dead.'

Blizzardheart said nothing. He didn't really care much about the black cat that used to be the medicine cat of ThunderClan, but it was quite a surprise. He saw Snowfall's disgusted and shocked reaction and passed Snowfall to Mountainfrost and Fernspirit. Mountainfrost was comforting Fernspirit, who looked distressed. Blizzardheart sat down and curled his tail around his small white paws and watched the RiverClan medicine cat put her tail on the younger she-cat's back. When the Clan leaders got on the Highrock and roared for all the Clans to hear their news, the white medicine cat didn't turn around like Mountainfrost did, for he didn't care what the Clans had to stay.

occ; blizzardheart told dovestar, birchstorm, and the most trusted senior warriors.

[hazel :D]

ooc: uh, whose turn is it now? Mine? Beanz's? Darkie's? 'Cause it got all confusing... It was like Darkiez, me, Darkiez, Beanz, Duke, me, Darkiez, Mystic. I can't figure out the order. -headdesk-

[[teh I N S A N I T Y ;;]

occ; um.. well, basil doesn't come on often.. duke.. hm.. well, let darkiez decide.

[Darkiez =D]

ooc: a leader, i guess. you [hazel] or beanz.

[``B E A N Z]

...when.i.can.finally.seize.the.day...
Basilstar felt slightly taken aback as the other leaders neglected to consider his question in the least. He was attempting to ease into conversation until Dovestar arrived, but clearly everyone was on edge. However, as soon as Dovestar’s cream pelt burst into the clearing, the other leaders leapt to their positions on the large boulder before him. Following Finchstar, Basilstar bounded to his position, extended claws skittering across the granulated surface of the enormous rock.

...take.yourself...
Barely waiting for Basilstar to steady himself, Finchstar’s loud voice emanated over the crowd of cats, announcing the beginning of the Gathering. Once again feeling dejected, Basilstar threw a glare at Finchstar, but, as the ginger tom was facing away, it would go unnoticed. A growl began to crawl up his throat, vibrated deep in his chest. However, his restraint won over his anger, as he shoved away the rude treatment he’d received from Finchstar. He was a leader as well, and deserved to be treated so.

...and.disappear...
A flood of rational thoughts invaded his brain, allowing him to brush the ignorance aside. Finchstar may not be my biggest fan, Basilstar thought to himself, but even on bad days he wouldn’t treat me like that. Nor would Lionstar. The silver tom came to the conclusion that something must’ve happened within their clan, just like what had happened with Honeylark. The forest was, perhaps, placing pressure on everyone.

...you.are.still.no.longer...
Though Finchstar seemed eager to throw his news out in the open, Basilstar took his glance at the other leaders as an opportunity to jump in and spread his own news. He was never a fan of following others. The same went for Gatherings. Basilstar found that the longer he had to ponder on what he would say, the more his nerves would jump in his head, the more anxiety would overcome him. In order to avoid unwanted embarrassment to him and his clan, he jumped into Riverclan’s news update.

...welcome.here...
“Most everything is well in Riverclan. Or perhaps I should revise that... Normally, I wouldn’t go out of my way to share something that is... as distressing as the death of a warrior, however... in this instance, it seems proper. I have been alerted to the fact that something... or perhaps someone, is intending to do harm to the four clans. This... warning of sorts came about with the death of a young she-cat by the name of Honeylark.”

...fear.drives.you.to.act.this.way...
Basilstar paused, trying to compose himself. Honeylark’s death had been the worst occurrence since his coming of leadership. He still had issues talking about it, especially in front of others. It was difficult enough to think of her limp body, former scars ripped open into new wounds, blood caressing her soft fur in a menacing manner. There had been a look of pure terror upon her face. Or maybe he had been projecting his internal feelings upon her. That was how it seemed to him.

...the.sum.of.all.you’ve.done...
After taking a second deep breath, he continued, “Deaths are common in our societies. Along with the joys of life come the tragedies of death. Veterans die of old age, kits fall to illness, queens die in labor. These are all facts of life. Natural facts of life.” He shuddered at what he was about to say. “However, Honeylark’s death was all but natural. Honeylark was killed in cold blood. She was murdered on her own territory and by cats not belonging to any clan.”

...will.be.the.debt.that.you.pay...
Basilstar began to consider the possible downsides of speaking without thinking first. What he’d said could cause bad things to occur. Very bad things. However, if the other clans didn’t know about the threat they could face, then they knew now. He couldn’t let more cats, unaware to the possible danger, be killed by the cats that were wandering the forest, showing no alliance to the clans. Perhaps he should have kept Honeylark’s death to himself. Perhaps he’d done something stupid. Perhaps his actions would cause strife in his own clan. The downsides were overwhelming. Then again, if he could save just one cat, even if it was a cat of another clan, he could find some solace. Without waiting for response, he murmured, quieter than he’d spoken before, “That is all.” He prepared himself for the consequences of his speech, his head bowed in anticipation.

``B E A N Z

[/blockquote]

[Darkiez =D]

Sparrowpaw
i'd love to pull the wires from the wall

[/size][/center]

Honeylark?

Sparrowpaw froze, mouth agape slightly, as Basilstar rattled on about her mother's death. It hadn't been that recent, had it? The young brown tabby tried to crouch lower to the ground, hoping that Rapidpaw wouldn't weave the crowd and try to start blaming her under his breath for Honeylark's death. Why had Basilstar mentioned it? Was it really that important? Honeylark hadn't been well-known (at least, Sparrowpaw didn't think so); why would the other Clans care?

Rapidpaw
let's tread what's supposed to be hallowed

[/size][/center]

Rapidpaw curled his lip as Basilstar began to speak about Honeylark. Now the other Clans will think us weak. But he was more angry at Sparrowpaw; he could see her cowering from his green glare. Why didn't she understand that she had to take the blame? She'd been the one to argue with Honeylark and drive her into the forest, not him or anyone else.

Finchstar
the key to success is to make others fail

[/size][/center]

Finchstar bristled as Basilstar described Honeylark's death, but relaxed when he realized he recognized the name. A moon or two ago some chatty RiverClan apprentice -- Finchstar swore he could see the same cat now, amongst the other gathered cats -- had revealed to Cloudspots that his and Sparrowpaw's mother, named Honeylark, had been killed. Why Basilstar chose to announce it now, he didn't know; maybe the prophecy urged him to report the death.

As soon as Basilstar finished, Finchstar stepped forward, not waiting for the gathered cats' reaction to Basilstar's news. "Recently, we, too, have suffered a death...Vineleaf, our Clan's medicine cat, was discovered by a patrol soon after the medicine cats' meeting. His body was mangled and bloodied; no Clan cats killed him, or if they did, they disguised their scent, and were particularly ruthless warriors." He paused, orange eyes glaring at every one of the non-ThunderClan cats in the clearing to make it clear that this was intolerable. "Accordingly, Fernspirit has become full medicine cat of our Clan."

"ThunderClan has good news as well," he continued. "Four of our kits recently became apprentices -- Mistypaw to Ashwind, Volepaw to Darkspots, Berrypaw to Cloudspots, and Hawkpaw to Honeywhisker." Finchstar lifted his head proudly, gazing at the four new apprentices and flicking his tail in their general direction. None of you can flaunt any new apprentices, can you! he thought at the other leaders. Stepping back, he meowed loudly, "That's all."

[hazel :D]

mistypaw (tc app):

"Shut up, Volepaw, it's starting!" Mistypaw hissed to her friend, who had collapsed next to a tree. Flicking her tail in a mix of amusement and irritation, Mistypaw settled down and looked up at Basilstar, who was the first leader to speak. Rolling her eyes as Basilstar rattled on and on about how deaths were natural things -- really, Basilstar, we get it, she thought to the RiverClanner -- Mistypaw bounced up and down on her silver paws, impatiently waiting for Finchstar's announcement.
Mistypaw bowed her head as the ThunderClan leader spoke of Vineleaf's death. She had liked the former medicine cat. He may not have been the nicest cat around, but he sure was interesting. But Mistypaw perked up again as Finchstar began speaking about the four new apprentices. Raising her head proudly, Mistypaw looked around, wanting to see how many cats were looking at them.

mountainfrost (rc med):

Mountainfrost listened politely as Finchstar spoke. Ah, new apprentices! New apprentices were always a good thing for a Clan; who wasn't glad to see the progression of the cats who had started out as tiny bundles of fur but were now ready to start their warrior training? Smiling, Mountainfrost remembered when Sparrowpaw had become her apprentice. Mountainfrost had been so excited! One of the things she had always wanted, even as just an apprentice, was her own apprentice, a cat whom she could teach and be a mentor to. She looked to Sparrowpaw and her eyes gleamed with cheer.

reedblaze (rc dep npc):

Reedblaze winced as Basilstar spoke of Honeylark's death. He believed that it was never good to dwell upon deaths; it just saddened the cats and alerted them to a weakness in RiverClan.But it was Basilstar's choice; he must have a reason for it. Turning to Finchstar, Reedblaze listened to the ThunderClan leader's mini-speech.

dovestar (wc lead npc):

Dovestar pushed her way into position besides Finchstar. "WindClan is doing fine. We have had no recent deaths, thank StarClan. Prey is running well and we are as healthy and battle-ready as ever." Glancing around the clearing, Dovestar sent out a faint glare that just dared the other Clans to hurt WindClan. Oh, you'd better not, Dovestar hissed inside her head. "That is all." Taking a step back, she made way for Lionstar.

lionstar (sc lead):

Lionstar stepped forwards, looking around proudly. His Clan might be small, but they sure were strong and fit. "Like WindClan, ShadowClan has no bad news. The prey runs well and the weather has been fine." This was one of Lionstar's first Gatherings -- he was a rather young, new leader -- and he didn't really knew what to say. Uh... what now?! he thought nervously. Turning to Finchstar quickly, he flicked his ears slowly. "I am sorry for your loss, Finchstar. Vineleaf was a fine medicine cat, thought I suppose Fernspirit will do just as well." Turning back to the crowd, he acknowledged Fernspirit by dipping his head to her.

ooc: seriously, nothing's gone on in WC and SC. what do they have to say?

[[teh I N S A N I T Y ;;]

occ; duke's turn and then mine.. maybe foxes attack them and kill one of their warriors?