"This will be the last gathering for you as an apprentice," Frostleaf mewed to Silverpaw, who neatly tore feathers from her sparrow.

Her eyes shined with excitement. "I hope I will do well in my assessment."

Her mentor smiled and said, "Your hunting skill is great and your fighting skills too. I'm sure you will pass it."

The cats chosen to go to the Gathering were standing near the camp entrance eagerly. Grassheart is going this time, much to Frostleaf's surprise.

"I want to go to the Gathering!" Rockkit protested as Grassheart padded towards the assembled cats.

Honeykit snorted. "Kits can't go to the Gathering." "Mousebrain," Sunkit added softly for her littermate.

Frostleaf padded towards Goldenfeather and asked, "I wonder why Grassheart decided to go to the Gathering this time."

"I convinced him of course," she replied laughingly.

Frostleaf touched noses with her before following the leaving cats.

~~~~

When all of the clans have settled, Rabbitstar gave a yowl to signify the start of the Gathering.

Greenstar padded forward to start first. "Prey have been running well in RiverClan, despite the hotter weather. We also grief for Yellowbird, who went peacefully to StarClan a few sunrises ago."

Duskstar was next. He looked at the crowd for a moment before speaking. "With great sadness, Whitestripe has retired to the elder's den. But ShadowClan remains strong. Our new deputy is Owlheart."

"Owlheart! Owlheart!" the clans called out.

"And we have two new apprentices: Brightpaw and Shimmerpaw. Shimmerpaw is training as a medicine cat apprentice," he finished.

"Brightpaw! Shimmerpaw!" they called out again. Frostleaf noticed Moonshine looking very proud.

Brownstar stepped forward. "Our deputy, Grayclaw, died bravely protecting the clan from a badger. The new deputy of ThunderClan is Frostleaf."

As the clans called out her name, she realised that Brownstar didn't mention Longdrop's betrayal.

Rabbitstar came next. "WindClan has been doing well, and the moorland brings more rabbits for WindClan. Sparrowpaw has received her full medicine cat name, which is Sparrowpelt."

"Sparrowpelt! Sparrowpelt!" came their call.

After giving a yowl to end the Gathering, Brownstar led the clan back to camp. Frostleaf backed up to look for Foxpaw.

"Is Foxpaw here?" she asked Breezestorm, who looked at her coldly.

"No, she has to look after Lilypool," he replied politely, but the look that he gave her didn't change.

Frostleaf dipped her head in acknowledgement and followed her clanmates.

~~~~

After settling the daily patrols, Brownstar waved his tail to call Frostleaf over. "Yes, Brownstar?" she asked respectfully when she was in Brownstar's den.

"The dawn patrol has reported that WindClan has been trespassing in ThunderClan territory," he explained. "They gave the patrol a warning, but they ignored it and even reseted the scent markings."

"So, you want to attack WindClan?" she asked.

Brownstar nodded. "We need to teach them a lesson. You will lead the patrol to attack one of WindClan's one. Come back when you are sure that they have learnt their lesson."

"But is attacking WindClan necessary?" she questioned.

"Yes, it is. Quailwing has told me that WindClan has been trespassing on their land as well. RiverClan may go slightly easy on them, but not ThunderClan," he replied.

"I will choose the cats for the skirmish," she mewed, dipping her head as she left the den.

~~~~

Even though Brownstar and most of the stronger warriors stayed behind in camp, Frostleaf felt that the warriors in the patrol looked ready.

Silverpaw and Specklebreeze padded beside her, Grassheart, Webfoot, Dewpaw and Patchheart hard on her paws.

When they crossed the scent markings, she felt tension rising in her throat. We shouldn't be here, she thought.

Suddenly, a WindClan patrol brust out of the bushes, consisting of Rabbitstar, Whitetuft, Heatherstorm and Rainfall.

"Trespassers!" Whitetuft hissed. "Get out of WindClan territory!" "Not if you stay out of our territory," Frostleaf retorted.

Rabbitstar looked outraged but he kept calm and growled, "We get the point, we will stay out of ThunderClan territory."

"I doubt you get the point at all," Frostleaf snarled. "ThunderClan, attack!"

Rabbitstar came crashing down on her immediately, while Webfoot aimed for Whitetuft.

Frostleaf dodged quickly and leaped, clawing a surprised Rabbitstar. The WindClan leader growled and swiftly swiped at her.

She kicked at him but he sidestepped easily. "Too slow, forest cat," he taunted. "You are too distracted," she growled, landing a hard blow onto his head.

Rainfall pounced onto her, pulling her off Rabbitstar. They locked themselves in a furious battle, swiping faster than birds. But they didn't realise that the gorge is just right behind them.

Suddenly, Rainfall tripped. With a terrified screech, she fell into the gorge. "No!" Frostleaf cried out, jumping in after the younger WindClan warrior.

Cold water surrounded her fur when she landed. She grabbed Rainfall by the scruff and tried to swim.

Keep moving, Specklebreeze's lesson came into her mind. But the water was fast, the water was also pulling her down with Rainfall.

Luckily, a familiar silver cat landed in the water beside her. "Silverpaw!" she yowled. "Help Rainfall!"

Her apprentice nodded and grabbed the WindClan warrior. Together, they managed to reach the bank.

Rainfall was unconscious as Silverpaw pressed at her belly. After a few tense moments, Rainfall coughed out a lot of water.

"Tha-nks," she stammered. Frostleaf and Silverpaw helped her back up the gorge, where the WindClan and ThunderClan warriors waited anxiously.

"Rainfall!" Heatherstorm yowled in relief. Rabbitstar stared at the ThunderClan patrol warily. "Fine, we promise that we will respect the borders from now on."

"ThunderClan, let's get back to camp," Frostleaf mewed with one last glance at Rainfall, who rested on Heatherstorm's shoulder.

As they returned to their own territory, she asked Silverpaw, "Who do you know to do that?"

Silverpaw smiled and replied with a grin, "Well, since you are so busy with duties these days, I asked Specklebreeze to teach me more. She said that I'm a natural."

Frostleaf looked at her apprentice's paws and realised it was webbed like Webfoot, and water had shed from her pelt easily.

"I think you are ready to become a warrior. I will talk to Brownstar about it," she mewed with pride.