Flamepaw looked around the camp for the two leaders. They were no where to be found.

I don't think that was my imagination, I think it was a vision!

"Come on Flamepaw! You don't want to be left behind!"

Goldenpaw's smooth voice distracted Flamepaw from her thoughts.

"Oh, uh yeah! I'm coming!" Flamepaw distractedly called.

Flamepaw took one last look at the camp, then bounded after her clanmates.

…~…~…~…~…

"Whoa! There's so many cats!" Badgerpaw meowed, obviously amazed at the other clans.

Thunderclan had just arrived at the island, and Badgerpaw had immediately begun to explore.

Though every apprentice acted this way at their first Gathering, Flamepaw felt annoyed. He's acting like a kit!

Flamepaw shook her head. She was just getting agitated from the loss of Jaggedfang.

Tonight is my first Gathering with out him.

Flamepaw straightened up, remembering what Firestar and Bluestar had said. She couldn't rely on her past anymore.

"Hey, Flamepaw, let's go talk to the other apprentices!" Goldenpaw flicked Flamepaw's ear with her tail.

Flamepaw was now excited. Maybe she could learn all little about the other clans. And, maybe learn why Shadowclan had attacked!

"Ok Goldenpaw!" Flamepaw replied happily.

She followed the golden apprentice to where a large group of apprentices were talking.

Flamepaw felt nervous on the inside, but she hid it well.

I must seem fierce and strong.

"Hi everyone! This is Flamepaw." Goldenpaw announced to the apprentices.

A few dipped their head in greeting, but the Shadowclan apprentices simply flicked their tails with annoyance.

Flamepaw spotted a small she-cat. She immediately recognized that this was the cat she took down in the battle. She was very easy to defeat.

Probably a newly made apprentice.

A dark brown tabby stepped forward, "Hey, I'm Falconpaw."

Flamepaw dipped her head in greeting. The tom was scrawny, but she could see his bulging muscles underneath his skin.

Wonder how well he fights? I hope I don't have to find out.

The other apprentices were all talking about an old elders tale. But, something seemed wrong.

Flamepaw noticed that Windclan wasn't speaking to Riverclan, and Shadowclan wasn't speaking to Thunderclan.

That's odd. Surely there's nothing going on.

"Let the Gathering begin!"

Flamepaw easily recognized the voice of Adderstar, the Windclan leader.

Flamepaw let her gaze drift to the base of the tree. She scanned all of the deputies. Snowstorm was with them. He was sitting next to Moonbreeze, the Windclan deputy.

Flamepaw noticed that the Shadowclan deputy, Darkshadow, and the Riverclan deputy, Otterclaw, were casting angry glances at the other deputies.

Something is wrong.

Adderstar began to speak, "Windclan is doing well. Many kits have been born, and many apprentices made. Mistpaw and Frostpaw are here tonight as new apprentices."

"Frostpaw! Mistpaw!"

No Riverclan cat called the new apprentices names. Only a few Shadowclan did as well.

Wolfstar looked surprised. Every clan was supposed to honor the path of becoming a warrior.

The two Windclan apprentices seemed crestfallen.

I would be to if hardly anyone called my name too.

The Windclan leader stepped back. He beckoned for Wofstar to go next.

"Thunderclan is thriving. There has been much prey and there has been no sign of twolegs." Wolfstar announced to the crowd.

Wolfstar seemed like she was hiding something. And so did Adderstar.

Wolfstar continued, "Also, I am heartbroken to say, that Jaggedfang went to join Starclan today."

A few gasps came from the crowd. Jaggedfang was a popular cat, and a senior warrior. Many cats had admired him.

"The new deputy of Thunderclan is Snowstorm." Wolfstar meowed loudly.

Snowstorm dipped his large, white head as a few cats called his name.

Flamepaw looked up at the brightly shining stars. She knew that Jaggedfang was watching her, always.

The Shadowclan leader came forth. Flamepaw sunk her claws into the ground. She despised Snakestar.

Oh, how I wish Wolfstar had mentioned how we beat them in battle! I'd love to see the look on her face!

Snakestar began to speak, "Silverstar and I wish to speak together."

Wolfstar and Adderstar looked a bit surprised. Usually, leaders only did this when something was wrong.

"Go ahead then." Adderstar meowed.

Silverstar stepped forward and let out a hiss, "Both of your clans have been trespassing on both of our territories!"

Outraged yowls erupted from the crowd of cats.

Flamepaw let out a growl. How dare they accuse Thunderclan of trespassing? They had no proof! And besides, Thunderclan had everything they needed inside their boundaries; why would anyone want to go to another clan's territory?

Flamepaw could feel Falconpaw tense beside her. She stared around the island. All around, cats were separating into their own clans.

Falconpaw nudged Flamepaw on the side, "Come on."

Flamepaw noticed that Thunderclan and Windclan were together on one side of the island, while Shadowclan and Riverclan were on the opposite.

The leaders still stood on the roots of the tree.

Wolfstar darted forward, "What do you mean Silverstar? No Thunderclan cat has stepped over the boundary lines, whatsoever!"

Snakestar lashed her tail, "Oh! So Thunderclan are trespassers and liars!"

Adderstar let out a hiss, "No Windclan cat has trespassed  either!"

Silverstar pulled her lips back in a snarl, "Oh really? Then why is half of our territory smeared with your scent?"

Adderstar jumped back in surprise.

Flamepaw looked up at the moon. Surely Starclan would put an end to this! They had to!

Wolfstar whipped around to face Snakestar, "Is this why you attacked us this moon?"

Snakestar hissed, "That was just a battle for territory, this is a completely different thing! Your clan has been trespassing!"

Wolfstar growled, "No we haven't!"

Snakestar glanced at Silverstar, then lashed her tail.

All of a sudden, screeches filled Flamepaw's ears. Flamepaw stared wide eyed as Snakestar launched herself on to Wolfstar. Silverstar leaped on top of an unprepared Adderstar, bowling him over.

All around Flamepaw cats were fighting. Each clan against each other.

This can't be happening!

Suddenly, a large tabby tom that stunk of Shadowclan, leapt on top of Flamepaw.

"What are you doing? The truce!" Flamepaw howled.

The tom laughed, then dug his claws into Flamepaw's shoulder, "Are you kidding? Starclan approves of this battle! Why do you think the moon is still shining?"

Without responding, Flamepaw slithered from the tom's grasp, and raked her claws down his face. Blood spattered to the ground.

Put a stop to this, Starclan!

The tom charged her again. Flamepaw side stepped, and jumped on top of the tom. Flamepaw recognized this tom as Shredclaw, of Shadowclan.

Flamepaw struggled to dig her claws into his shoulders. He dropped to the ground, and rolled, bringing Flamepaw crashing to the ground.

Flamepaw was weakening. She couldn't keep this up for long.

She looked up at the sky.

Starclan, why are you doing this?

Despite Flamepaw's silent pleas, the moon still shined brightly in the darkening sky as the cries of battle faded into the night.