Snow smothered the forest, but the sheltered camp held the promise of newleaf from the green tinging the grass. Hawkpaw was grooming herself when Applekit raced over. "Hey, Applekit," she purred. "How have you been doing?"

"Great!" he squeaked. "I only have one more moon until I become an apprentice like you!"

"I can't believe it. I'll be looking forward to you moving in with us." She smiled and looked up as Fallengaze padded towards her. "Hi," she greeted him.

"I was wondering if you wanted to hunt with me, just the two of us." She shrugged.

"Why not? I haven't actually caught anything yet though."

His tail rippled, "that's fine. I can help."

"Okay. Bye, Applekit." She strolled through the forest with her father, tasting the air every few steps.

"So, do you like being an apprentice so far?"

"Yeah, it's great! I can't wait to become a warrior though."

"I would think," he purred. "Have you learned anything yet?"

"I know how to do the half-turn belly rake," she smirked.

"Ah, I remember you telling me about that." Fallengaze paused and sniffed the sky, his nose twitching. "Do you smell that?" he mewed. Hawkpaw sniffed and smelled rabbit on the breeze.

"Yeah, near the WindClan border."

Fallengaze nodded, "very good. Let's go." They found a large rabbit grazing on shoots of grass. Fallengaze whispered to her, "we'll stalk it from both sides, I'll go right and chase it towards you when you're ready." His gaze never left the prey. "Make sure to stay downwind though, we need to move in without alarming it."

Hawkpaw flicked her ear in agreement and headed left, moving quietly. She squared herself with the unaware rabbit, keeping low and stilling her tail. She saw her father crouch, wiggling his haunches while waiting for her command. She waved her tail and he leaped towards the rabbit, startling it and chasing it right towards her. She caught the rabbit with her claws and gave it a quick bite to the neck, finishing it off. She quickly thanked StarClan for its life and looked up, her father was gazing warmly at her.

"Great job!" he meowed. "You caught your first fresh-kill." Hawkpaw licked the blood off her lips and felt pleasure from the warm tang.

"Thanks, but you assisted. It wasn't just me."

"Well, you did all the work, I just drove it to you. You could have caught it on your own." Hawkpaw purred from her father's praise. "Why don't you bring it back to camp and give it the elders? I'm sure they would enjoy a juicy rabbit."

"Okay," she bent down and picked it up, it's legs dragging as she trotted away. At ThunderClan's bivouac, her Clanmates greeted her right away, admiration in their mews. She puffed out her chest proudly and carried it towards to the elder's den. Cedarbelly, Hightail and Robinpelt peeked up from their nests and gaped. Hawkpaw dropped the rabbit at their paws and lifted her chin.

Hightail was the first to speak, "Wow! What a catch during leaf-bare!"

"Amazing, thank you youngster." Cedarbelly commended her and took a hungry bite.

"A reasonable kill for an apprentice," rasped Robinpelt as he bent down to eat with his denmates. Hawkpaw scowled to herself and left the elders to their meal, sauntering outside. She saw Cloudchaser lying next to Daisypelt as he groomed her, his tail twined with her's. She guessed that by newleaf Daisypelt would move to the nursery expecting his kits. Although they haven't officially announced they were mates, it was pretty obvious from their behavior. Hawkpaw saw Morningstar murmuring something to his mate, his eyes watching his daughter.

Hawkpaw stretched and decided to share-tongues with Rabbitpaw who was napping on the Halfrock. She sneaked up on him, leaping out from behind a bush and tackled him. "Ah!" he yelled as she playfully nipped his tail. He sprang up and swiped her ears. Laughing they rolled on the ground, flurries of snow exploding around them. They finally stopped as Hawkpaw shoved him down and placed her paw on him, winning the mock battle.

Rabbitpaw cracked up as she shook her thick, tabby pelt out, spraying him with snow. She hopped back as he stood up. "What was that for?"

"Just practicing my battle moves," she meowed. "Wanna share-tongues? It's already sunhigh."

"Sure," he sat next to her and they groomed each other. She relaxed and yawned, sleepiness sweeping over her. I hope I can skip training tonight, I'm really tired. I'm sure Thistleclaw wouldn't mind. "Are you ready for tonight?"

"Tonight?" she repeated lost in her thoughts.

"The Gathering silly. Remember?"

"The Gathering! I completely forgot tonight's a full moon." She began quivering with anticipation, this would be her first visit to the Island, her first meeting with the other Clans. She wondered what it would be like, would she be introduced to everyone? Energy surged through her and her paws fizzed with delight. She couldn't wait!

"I'm worried about ShadowClan." Hawkpaw pricked her ears. Was something wrong with their neighbor?

Morningstar and Flareheart were gossiping softly, but close enough for Hawkpaw to hear. "Their scent keeps drifting over our border, but only a few rabbitlengths, not enough to call it a threat."

Morningstar meowed, "We'll have to keep an eye on them. I want you to watch them tonight, see if you can catch snippets of their conversation that could tell us anything." Flareheart dipped her head as he continued, "I'd hate to think they're planning an attack tonight when we leave for the Gathering, but leave behind some extra cats just in case."

Flareheart got up and fixed her stare at Hawkpaw who quickly ducked her head and shifted her paws uncomfortably, afraid she was caught eavesdropping. The deputy climbed up the Highledge and called out, "I want the following cats to come to the Gathering. The rest will remain at camp. Cloudchaser, Daisypelt, Lightningmask and Gentleleaf. Cedarbelly, Robinpelt, Hawkpaw, Rabbitpaw and Snakepaw. Tallwhisker will be in charge until we return." Tallwhisker awaited her as she made her way to him. She whispered something in his ear and he gave a solemn nod, his eyes narrowed. The full moon turned the pelts of the cats waiting to leave for the Gathering silver. Snakepaw plucked the grass while Rabbitpaw turned nervous circles. Gentleleaf was gazing wistfully at the stars next to Daisypelt and Cloudchaser.

Morningstar padded towards the camp entrance, "let's go." With a flick of his tail the cats headed out. Hawkpaw saw Applekit poke his head out of the nursery, and quickly disappeared back inside. Duckfeather and Flareheart plodded next to Morningstar, their paces evenly matched. They got to the lake and walked along its edge three taillengths away.

Lightningmask galloped behind her and matched his pace with her's. "Hey," he mewed. "Are you excited?"

"Of course! I can't believe I'm actually going." Lightningmask chuckled and pointed his tail at a fallen tree that laid across the lake from the mainland to the island. "We use that as a bridge to reach the island for Gatherings," he told her. "It comes in handy so we don't have to swim."

Hawkpaw shuddered at the thought of paddling in the icy water. How could RiverClan actually want to swim? Morningstar halted by the roots of the fallen tree and let Flareheart cross first, followed by Duckfeather. Everyone crossed until it was only Lightningmask and Hawkpaw standing next to Morningstar. The leader nudged Hawkpaw forward. She clambered up and grasped it tightly with her claws to keep from slipping on the wet bark. She edged forward and felt Lightningmask's breath on her flank. "Keep going, you're almost there," he encouraged her. She felt more sure with every pawstep and was more than halfway when all of a sudden, her foot slid sideways and she tumbled over into the freezing water below. She plunged headfirst into the water and the sudden impact knocked the wind from her lungs, the current tugged on her thick fur, dragging her down. She desperately churned her paws, trying to swim up but the stream tugged her down again. Her lungs were screaming for air furiously now, but she was to weakened to do anything anymore. The faint sound of a splash echoed yet her vision was too blurred for her to distinguish the shape coming towards her. StarClan? Is that you?

Teeth grabbed her scruff and the mysterious cat swam against the tide, breaking the surface. They hauled her onto shore and laid her down gently. "Hawkpaw? Hawkpaw?" Anxious mews surrounded her and she vomited water, her stomach convulsing. She was still coughing as she opened her eyes slowly to see a drenched Lightningmask hovering above her, worry flashing in his blue eyes.

"You look like a drowned rat," she teased. Relief flooded in the young warrior and he licked her ear.

"I was so scared that you got hurt," he murmured. "Don't ever do that again." Hawkpaw got up on shaky legs and realized she was on the island. The shore was rocky with some thorns rooted in them, stones of different shades of gray decorating it. She saw that it changed into a miniature forest further up made of dense, bare bushes and trees around the edge.

Duckfeather shouldered his way through the crowed and peered down at her, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine now. Thanks for rescuing me, Lightningmask."

The black tom licked his chest in embarrassment, "no problem." Morningstar led the way into the center of the island, where an open patch of grass with a giant oak greeted them.

"We're the first ones here!" exclaimed Daisypelt. She circled Cloudchaser who was purring loudly with amusement.

Flareheart meowed while pointing her tail at the large tree, "the leaders address the Clans on the low-growing branches of that oak tree."

"Cool," Hawkpaw stiffened as she felt the ground tremble. "What's going on?"

"Relax, another Clan is coming." A bunch of cats streamed into the clearing, their thin coats of wiry hair telling her it was WindClan. In the lead an old, dark gray tom with golden eyes dipped his head politely at Morningstar.

"Is that Yellowstar?" she asked.

"Yes. He has been leading WindClan for many moons and is on his second life. Then that white tom with brown patches over there is Patchear, the deputy." Hawkpaw nodded, soaking in the new information. She would be sure to remember as much as possible about her enemies. Or are they friends since I'll lead them some day?

"Skunkstripe! Halfpelt! Good to see you." Cedarbelly's meow interrupted her thoughts. She looked over to see a black she-cat and gray tom pad over to the elder. She trembled, feeling queasy at the sight of the tom. Half of his body was missing fur and completely covered in scars and wrinkled, pink skin.

Flareheart noticed her expression and soothed her, "it's alright, don't be afraid."

"What happened to him?" The cat was rubbing his face with Cedarbelly.

"Halfpelt was once trapped in a fire that burned him severely. Ever since the incident, only half of his pelt remained. He's a really nice cat though, just make sure you don't look so disgusted around him because he get's easily offended."

"That goes for every WindClan cat," scoffed Lightningmask. Flareheart stifled a laugh. Just then, the sound of thrumming pawsteps drew Hawkpaw's attention. Thick pelts swarmed around the edge and dove into the clearing.

"RiverClan is here on time for once."

A pale tabby, young she-cat with a white tail greeted the two leaders. Hawkpaw reckoned she was Willowstar.

"That there is Willowstar, leader of RiverClan. She just received her nine lives ten moons ago," Flareheart meowed confirming her guess. "The deputy is Tideclaw," she nodded towards a bulky, dark brown tom with black stripes. His tabby pelt glistened in the moonlight and she could see his muscles rippling underneath. "He's rather short-tempered and a great fighter." Tideclaw saw them staring and glared.

Hawkpaw quickly looked away, "I hope I don't have to face him in battle." She saw Duckfeather stalk towards a silver tabby she-cat who was chatting with a gray she-cat with a white overcoat. They looked up at him and smiled.

"Hello, Duckfeather!" the silver tabby chirped.

Duckfeather dipped his head, "Larkmist. How's WindClan doing?"

"Fine, fine. Cherrywind got scratched by a dog a quarter-moon ago, but it healed quickly."

"Good to hear. And how is your Clan, Wavecrash?"

"Good, even with leaf-bare I have a swelling stock of herbs."

"Where's your apprentice?" Duckfeather asked when a tiny white she-cat darted over. "Oh, nevermind. Greetings, Swanpaw." Hawkpaw swallowed back a twinge of jealousy at the gorgeous she-cat. Swanpaw had silky fur that shone beautifully in the light, her thick coat seeming downy like a swan's feathers.

"Someone's coming!" called a voice behind her.

Lightningmask tasted the air. "It's ShadowClan." There was an edge is his mew.

As he spoke, dark shapes slunk between the trees and slithered down like snakes, silent as shadows. The undergrowth barely made a sound as they weaved through it. Hawkpaw's pelt prickled. These cats hardly rippled a snowflake let alone the shrubs.

A white she-cat marched towards the group of medicine cats, her amber eyes glinting while a ginger tom followed suit, his eyes darting back and forth nervously.

"Hey, Duckfeather! Have you killed anyone recently, you old herb-muddler?" she joked. Duckfeather purred in response. How can he act so calm knowing ShadowClan is probably up to no good? she wondered.

Meanwhile, an inky black tom with dark eyes acknowledged Morningstar, and she noticed he had an E-shaped scar on the side of his neck. "Greetings, Morningstar."

"It's good to see you again, Inkstar." Morningstar responded politely yet Hawkpaw could detect some irritation in his voice.

"Since everyone's here, let's start." Willowstar leapt onto the lower branches of the oak tree followed by the other leaders and yowled above the chatter, "Let the Gathering begin!" The cats quieted down and Hawkpaw found herself squished between Lightningmask and a ShadowClan warrior. She pressed closer to Lightningmask, and she felt his fur ripple in surprise.

"Sorry," she whispered.

"It's fine." The jumble of scents were confusing her and she tried not to breathe too deeply, her ears flattened. "You'll get used to it," he promised and wrapped his tail around her comfortingly. She nodded and watched as Willowstar stepped forward.

"Leaf-bare has frozen our rivers, but the lake is still plentiful in fish. Twolegs have been staying away, giving us peace and quiet for once." Murmurs of merriment rose from the crowd of cats.

"Do Twolegs live with RiverClan?" asked Hawkpaw.

'Not exactly. There is a Greenleaf Twolegplace they visit during greenleaf so they can swim there."

Gentleleaf turned around, "Shh!"

"We have a new apprentice, Pebblepaw!" The Clan cats started cheering, and she saw a silver tomcat straighten up.

Morningstar moved forward next, "ThunderClan is well, leaf-bare hasn't affected us too much. Owlpelt has had a kit and we have three new apprentices." His gaze searched the crowd until he spotted Hawkpaw and her littermates. "Hawkpaw, Snakepaw and Rabbitpaw!"

"Hawkpaw! Snakepaw! Rabbitpaw!" the Clans chanted and she raised her head, glowing with pride. Lightningmask was screaming in her ear and she stifled a purr. After the calling died down, Morningstar stepped back, letting Yellowstar speak.

"WindClan is also doing well. We have a new warrior, Dappleflight!" A pretty tortoiseshell ducked her head in embarrassment as cats chanted her name. Yellowstar continued, his gaze dark, "some stray dogs have been stirring up trouble on the moor, but our warriors have chased them off." Triumphant yowls rang throughout the clearing from WindClan.

Lightningmask leaned closer to Hawkpaw, "I would have shredded those dogs into mousedust."

"Yeah, when hedgehogs fly."

"Hush," Gentleleaf hissed. Lightningmask sniffed and turned his gaze back to the great oak.

Inkstar was the last to address the cats. "ShadowClan is fine. We have two new warriors - Berrypelt and Longtooth!" A tomcat with mangy reddish fur puffed out his chest and his fellow Clanmate stood still, an unusually long tooth jutting out of the side of his mouth as he glared evenly at the cats around him.

"That tabby seems like a fun guy, especially with that fang he's got. I wonder how he manages to groom himself without being stabbed." Hawkpaw giggled but was silenced again by Gentleleaf. Inkstar hopped down and the cats stood up and began moving around, breaking up into separate groups. Her whiskers were brushing pelts as cats weaved past.

"You two need to learn manners, you shouldn't be blathering on when the leaders are talking. I would think that at least you would understand that, Lightningmask. Maybe you should be sent back to the apprentice's den," Gentleleaf growled.

"Sorry, sorry," he muttered and rolled his eyes at Hawkpaw when she strode away. "Great Starclan she's in a huffy mood! Anyways, let me show you to some apprentices so you can get to know them."

Hawkpaw followed him to a cluster of young cats. "Hey guys!" he meowed. Hawkpaw recognized Pebblepaw, the new RiverClan apprentice, among the cats. A gray she-cat greeted them, her unusual green eyes sparkling.

"Hello, Lightningpaw."

"It's Lightningmask now, I'm a warrior!" he boasted.

"Congratulations," she purred. "I'm supposing mask refers to your face?" The tom was nearly all black, apart from the white spot covering face.

"Yeah. Thank you, Ashpaw. Let me introduce my friend Hawkpaw, she just became an apprentice a moon ago." He nudged her towards Ashpaw who was studying her. She sniffed disdainfully, her tail twitching in irritation.

"Hi," she meowed coldly. Hawkpaw was taken aback, the gray cat had a whole different tone now.

"Well, I'm going to go now, have fun!" Lightningmask called over his shoulder.

"Bye!" Ashpaw stared after the warrior, her eyes misty and wistful. Don't tell me she's got a crush on Lightningmask! Isn't that forbidden? Wait, does she think we're together and that's why she acts cold to me?

A small black-and-white tom popped out just then and began chatting happily, "Hi, I'm Runningpaw from WindClan, it's nice to meet you! You have such cool eyes, their a pretty green. What's ThunderClan like? How can you live under trees all day without space to run? Don't you feel cramped, cause I sure would. How old are you? Do you have siblings? Ashpaw is my sister and..."

Hawkpaw didn't know how to respond to all the questions flowing out of his mouth, but thankfully Ashpaw slapped Runningpaw and growled, "Shut up. Sorry about him, he's the fastest runner in WindClan and the fastest talker. He never stops." Hawkpaw held back a laugh.

"It's okay. Nice to meet you too." Runningpaw beamed but was quickly shoved aside by another she-cat. She was a dark tortoiseshell with a very distinctive dappled coat.

"I'm Maplepaw, greatest cat in ShadowClan," she bragged.

"Er, hello. I'm..."

"Hawkpaw, I know. I know all my enemies." She narrowed her eyes to slits and Hawkpaw gulped.

Pebblepaw stepped up then, "calm down, Maplepaw."

"Silence. You're also new so don't bother trying to boss me around," she snarled.

"Maplepaw, don't stir up trouble at the Gathering. You know the truce," a she-cat warned.

"Forgive me, Brindlespots." Maplepaw dipped her head down low, not looking up.

Brindlespot's gaze darkened but she meowed, "we're leaving now, come on." She slunk away with Maplepaw at her heels.

"Ignore her, she always thinks she's better than everyone and was born with a burr in her pelt," Pebblepaw mewed and Hawkpaw purred.

"ThunderClan, let's go back home! It's getting late." Morningstar's yowl snapped her attention back.

"Oh, I got to go. It was nice to meet you all!" Hawkpaw scampered over toward her leader.

Flareheart spotted her apprentice and asked, "how did you think of the Gathering? Did you get to meet other apprentices?"

"The Gathering was awesome! A bit crowded for my taste though, and Lightningmask introduced me to some apprentices."

"Glad to hear. Who did you meet?"

"Pebblepaw, Ashpaw, Runningpaw and Maplepaw." She wrinkled her nose at the thought of the ShadowClan apprentice. "Although, Maplepaw came across arrogant, but the others were pretty nice."

"Make sure you learn as many names as possible and get a sense of your enemies. It comes in handy during battle. It's okay if you make friends in other Clans too, but don't get too attached, understand?" Hawkpaw nodded doubtfully. How would it come in handy if I know a cat is stuck-up or not? Or better yet, how am I going to learn the names of all the cats? These thoughts kept crossing her mind as she trudged back home.

As they neared the camp, she stiffened as a familiar scent wafted up her nose, ShadowClan! A shriek pierced the crisp air, "We're under attack!"