The next night was the Gathering. Dandelionpaw, Dotfur, Underforge, Garlicwhisker, Frostbitewhisper, Nightfur, Thorntail, Breezeshine, Voltleaf and Frostedrose
were chosen to go.
"Are you sure Lightstar won't let you come if you ask?"Dandelionpaw begged.
Starflame purred,"Oh, Dandelionpaw. I'm needed to defend the camp,"
"I know,"she sighed.
"Come on, Dandelionpaw,"Dotfur meowed.
"I'm coming!" With a glance over her shoulder at Starflame.
☆☆☆

It wasn't long before they reached Fourtrees. As much as she wanted to mix with the other apprentices and new warriors, Dandelionpaw knew she had to stay with Thorntail to meet the other medicine cats. She knew their names, but she'd never talked with them.
"SkyClan's medicine cats are Meadowecho and Stripedwhisker. WindClan's is Peoginsight. Their recent one died of greencough. Here are RiverClan's medicine cats Loudtail and Grassclaw. These are ShadowClan's, Shadecloud, Rhinoface and Frondfern,"Thorntail introduced.
"Hey,"Loudtail meowed.
"Hi,"Peoginsight greeted.
Dandelionpaw opened her mouth to reply when Lightstar growled,"Give over some of our territories? Are you insane?"
Every cat in the clearing turned to look.
The SkyClan, ThunderClan and WindClan leaders were staring at the ShadowClan and RiverClan leaders.
Jewelstar, the ShadowClan leader, explained,"The twolegs fish and yowl and have fires. We need more space; they've scared off all the prey,"
Starstar lunged forward to attack her, but Grassstar wrapped her tail around her neck, reminding her urgently about the truce.
The five Clans sat in amused silence, though Dandelionpaw noticed the ShadowClan and RiverClan warriors shifting away.
"Jewelstar, Violetstar, you are fools to think we'll give you land without a fight,"Grassstar hissed.
Violetstar sighed. Exchanging a glance with Jewelstar, he meowed, "Fine, looks like we'll have to do it the hard way,"
Without hesitation, the two leaders lept at the other three, outnumbered but prepared.
No cat moved to their leader's side, too horror-striken to move. Only Dandelionpaw could. She glanced up at the moon; the sky was clouding up and rain was beginning to pour down.
"Stop!"she screeched as no cat made any moves,"This can't be the will of StarClan!"
"Ha! StarClan,"a voice spat in her ear.
Whipping around, she saw the four evil cats beside her. Ashwing had spat. That's when Dandelionpaw noticed that the other cats were frozen in time.
"Why would you provoke a fight?"she hissed.
"Isn't it obvi? Weaker cats, unquestioning loyalty, fear of what your wawior answestors will do to wou,"Ashwing had a growl rumbling in her throat, her version of a purr.
It clicked.
"You're the one who gave me this chest wound!"Dandelionpaw exclaimed. It was feeling cold and hot and wet and dry; it was painful.
"That's right,"One-eye meowed. At his signal, the other three showed her their chest wounds, only they were longer and deeper. Hickorypelt's was only a small bit bigger than Dandelionpaw's.
"Why?"
"Now that, my great grandaughter, you will never know,"with that, they wisped away.
Great Grandaughter? Ashwing is my kin?
Things turned tense again.
Stop! She begged silently, Please!
Within moments, Dandelionpaw was soaked; cold crept through her veins. The five leaders were still yowling and hissing, apparently taking no notice of StarClan's expected rage.
A few moments passed.
"Stop!"Shadecloud recovered.
"StarClan is angry!"pleaded Frondfern.
Cats from four Clans of cats began to beg, though most of ShadowClan stayed silent along with Dotfur and Underforge of ThunderClan, Spottedslide of WindClan, Fishfaith and Digslide of SkyClan and Fliptalon of RiverClan.
Evantually, they broke apart.
Jewelstar was bleeding from one ear and shoulder, Grassstar had a long mark across her flank, Lightstar had both ears torn, Violetstar had a black eye and Starstar had no visible injuries.
"Starstar, I really think-"Starstar's deputy, Stonethroat, began.
"Silence, Stonethroat!"Starstar hissed.
"Jewelstar, Violetstar, you attacked us at a Gathering!"Lightstar exclaimed hoarsely.
"What's the big deal?"Violetstar shrugged.
Lightstar stared at him as if he were a fox. He spoke swiftly,"Frostedrose and Breezeshine have become warriors and their sister Dandelionpaw is training as a medicine cat. Rashpelt has fallen to the RiverCllan warrior Hawkpelt. Prey is plentiful. Goodnight," He signalled with his tail for ThunderClan to leave, as the other four Clans stared after them.