Lightpaw hesitated a second before stepping into the gathering clearing, fear and anxiety clamoring for attention in his mind. For a tiny moment, he even considered turning tail and running back to camp, where he wouldn't have to face the press of bodies and the feeling of eyes on his pelt. But Lightpaw didn't have much respect from the other cats earlier; after trying to tell Plainfoot and Pebblestar of Whisperstone's intentions, they had all thought him to be a troublemaking liar- and running away from the Gathering would only make things worse. At least Dewkit had believed him. 

  With a sigh, Lightpaw stepped into the clearing and faced the tumult of pelts, and felt eyes on his pelt. He looked up to see Whisperstone staring at him, his cold eyes watching his apprentice closely. But the warrior dropped his gaze, not seeing the look of fear in Lightpaw's eyes. I wonder if he knows about me telling Pebblestar and Plainfoot?

With a flick of his head, Lightpaw dismissed the notion, though the feeling of panic at the possibility of being found out remained at the edges of his mind. He trudged deeper into the clearing, looking for an open spot to sit.

"Hey!" Lightpaw jerked his head up, looking around for the cat that had spoken. A fire-colored she-cat was looking in her direction, her warm green eyes finding his own gaze. "There's an open spot here."   

 While he didn't like the idea of sitting with an cat from another Clan, it was better than standing in one spot the whole time. He trotted towards the she-cat, seeing her size. She's too small to be a warrior- another apprentice maybe?

 "Hello!" she greeted him happily. "I'm Sunpaw. You are?" She cocked her head, looking at him curiously.

"I'm Lightpaw," he looked at his paws as if they were the most interesting thing in the world, suddenly wishing he could hide. But then a loud voice saved them from further conversation.

"Cats of both Clans, shut up!" The yowl came from a pale gray tabby she-cat Lightpaw recognized as Quietstar from a time when the leader had visited their camp. Quietstar gave her fur a shake and continued on. "There isn't very much news for today- prey is running well in our clan. However, we did scent GlowClan on our side of the border." She glared angrily down at the crowd, and Lightpaw felt as if her eyes were staring straight at him. He could hear murmurs breaking out among the two Clans, and he could see two warriors facing each other angrily- Creamfoot and a black-splotched white tom he didn't recognize. 

  Pebblestar cast an annoyed glance at Quietstar. "It's an issue we can solve, thanks," he hissed between his teeth, his tail lashing. Lightpaw understood his annoyance; Quietstar had nearly started a fight within the clearing. He glanced up at the sky and saw the full moon almost covered by a dark cloud, but the cloud itself drifted away. 

He heard Pebblestar saying something about prey, then- "We have a new apprentice, Lightpaw. He's being mentored by Whisperstone, and we hope with such a powerful cat to teach him that he will grow up to be a fine warrior." 

Lightpaw saw Pebblestar gazing directly at him, and the eyes of everyone else soon followed. He felt his pelt prickle with irritation and embarrassment as cats started cheering their name. He noticed Whisperstone didn't say anything, oddly enough.

Pebblestar jumped down from the rock easily, his golden eyes staring over the crowd. "We need to leave before this tension gets any worse," he hissed to Plainfoot, who nodded. Shooting another glare at the pale gray tabby she-cat, he yowled into the air, "Time to go, GlowClan!" 

With a sigh of relief, Lightpaw followed his Clanmates out of the clearing.

Day 206:

The cats all gathered beneath the full moon in a clearing again. It seems like they were discussing something. Two cats stood on top of a rock to address the cats- the ones who seemed to lead their groups earlier. 

   ~Catty