Almost a moon had passed since they had become apprentices. Foxpaw woke, as usual, by Snowpaw. "Guess what!?" He asked eyes shining. For the first time in ages he looked like his normal self. "What?" Foxpaw asked interested in what had made Snowpaw so happy. "We're going to the gathering today!" He announced.
"What? Really?" Foxpaw gasped.
"I know! Awesome right?"
"Yeah!" Foxpaw jumped up and down in pure delight. "Lets tell Nightpaw!" Both cats darted out from their den."I think she went on a patrol." Snowpaw mewed. Foxpaw sighed "Well I guess we have to wait." They didn't have to wait long, for Nightpaw returned shortly. She was just as delighted as they where, bouncing around. "And we get to meet cats from all clans!" Foxpaw mewed eyes bright.

The evening seemed to take ages to come. Foxpaw was happy to find out that Greayear was also going. The evening finally arrived and Stripestar leaped up onto the pointed rock to call the cats together. They trekked out towards The Three Stones where the gathering where held. The smell of many cats and different clans mixed together confused Foxpaw's senses. He sneezed.
Nightpaw and Snowpaw where at his sides as they ran down the steep slope and into the fortress. The stones towered on every side. Two of the leaders, Duskstar and Poppystar where already siting on the ledge. Stripestar leaped effortlessly up onto the rock and settled between the two leaders. Birdstar heaved and his frail body shook as he struggled to get up. Poppystar leaned forward to help him up. Birdstar was easily the oldest amongst the leaders. Foxpaw glanced around and joined Greyear who was sitting next to some young warriors from other clans. She was proudly telling them about her warrior ceremony. She flashed a quick smile at Foxpaw when he joined them before continuing. Suddenly Duskstar yowled to the cats and they fell silent. "Stripestar would you like to start?" Stripestar nodded and stepped forward.
"I don't have much to announce, the prey is running fine, one of our queens Leafpetal gave birth to three healthy kits." He stepped back. Poppystar went to step forward but was thrown back by Duskstar. "I will go first." He said eyes gleaming creepily. "A couple of days ago we found rabbit remains on our territory," he started, "since then we have found rabbit bones several times all reeking of Mapleclan!" Mapleclan burst out in protests. Poppystar silenced them with a swish of her tail. "Duskstar what proof do you have? We have no reason to steal from you, its peak of greenleaf! You must be mistaken."
"I know what I smelled Poppystar. We will take this up at the next gathering."
Birdstar raised his wavery voice to address the clans. "We are pleased to announce a new litter of kits and two new apprentices." He announced. Poppystar went to step forward again but Duskstar called "This gathering is adjourned!" He waved his tail to signal his cats as he leaped down from the rock and started to leave the clearing. Mapleclan burst out in yells and mews of protest. Poppystar waved her tail to silence them also leaping down from the stone. "She shouldn't be so easy to push around!" Dawnflower hissed tail lashing from side to side. " I don't know why they made her leader!"
"I wonder why Duskstar so desperately didn't want Poppystar to talk?" Sandfur murmured "Strange,"

When Foxpaw entered the camp he could instantly tell something was wrong. The camp was tense. Fluffytail ran over to them when she saw them. "Whats wrong?" Stripestar asked eyes round with worry.
"Silverpool is dead, and Beetlekit has gone missing."