The First Gathering...

[~flameh~]

You could say I'm insane
I would deny
But you know I'm lying
And you will die

Wolfstar felt the wind rush through his pelt, his fur ruffling every which way. This wasn't natural wind; it was caused by darkness, for the god of darkness's presence was apon them. He could feel the chill grow stronger the closer the clearing came. Yet, no matter how cold it got, the moon was out and they were required to have a gathering. A thin layer of snow remain on the ground from the minor snowstorm a few days ago. It masked the sound of pawsteps since it wasn't hard, crunchy snow, instead soft and light. Wolfstar didn't like it either way.

The clearing arose before them, the hills surrounding it. At least the hills would block most of the wind. Yet, he had his doubts that the cold air would ever leave; at least while darkness was present. Insanity was mingled with darkness and insanity led to the state of complete madness. MoonClan arising was just the begining of insanity; the madness was yet to come. But, insanity wasn't new to Wolfstar, for he felt a bit had been left in camp since the chaotic attack. So many had died; it was incredibly tradgic.

Wolfstar finally led his cats into the clearing. He was surprised to find that MoonClan had yet to arrive. He hoped that maybe StarClan hadn't told them about the meeting, that they wouldn't show up. It would be better for his cats to stay away from the blood thirsty demons. It was highly annoying that the leader couldn't even restrain his clan mates from killing; he didn't want to stop them fom turning into savages. SunClan and MoonClan couldn't me more opposite.

But, the wind suddenly changed directions and picked up a bit. The scent washed over every cat and every cat fell silent. They all turned their attention to the south entrance to the clearing. The shadows of the hills hid the cats asthey raced in. The gathering had begun.

Insanity

[Raccoonstar]

Jetstar stood a few fox lengths from the entrance, his tail and head held high. The wind ruffled his fur, whispering long forgotten secrets to him. Cherryblossom stood on his right and Lightclaw on his left with Ebonyfang close behind. He turned to his clan mates, his yellow eyes flashing like lightning. '' We are cats of StarClan now and we must respect the truce that the full moon brings with it. There will be no blood shed tonight. Now come, lets not keep SunClan waiting. Don't be afraid to mingle, we're all cats of StarClan now. '' He meowed and then dashed into the clearing, his cats close behind him like one huge shadow.

Jetstar made his way into the clearing, the hills protecting him from the wind. He scanned the clearing and found Greenlily sitting next to a large tom that could only be Wolfstar's son from his broad shoulders and big paws. He knew that she was Wolfstar's mate from all the stories he had heard, and this tom must be her son too. He padded up to her and dipped his head to the she-cat, '' Greetings, you must be Greenlily. This is your son, I presume? '' He asked nodding to them tom at her side. '' I am Jetstar, leader of MoonClan. '' Without waiting for a response, Jetstar turned and headed to the left side of the clearing where his perch awaited him.

He bunched up his muscles and then leaped to the top of the small cliff in one graceful leap, the muscles in his back legs rippling beneath his pelt. He waited for Wolfstar to jump onto the cliff that faced him from the other side of the clearing and then began speaking, '' Leaf-bare is treating us fairly well, prey isn't as scarce as we originally planned. The pine trees were a perfect place for MoonClan to settle. We have explored most of our territory and had to chase a troublesome kit from the abandoned two-leg place but all went well. '' The lanky tom scanned the clearing for the kit, knowing that he ran into SunClan territory and that the soft hearted cats probably took him in ad made him an apprentice.

'' Herbs are a bit scarce but Lightclaw has found a nice grove full of them and they should get us through leaf-bare. '' Jetstar went on casually, '' We are proud to now be under the guidance of StarClan instead of a bunch of lawless rogues and we look forward to the next half moon and for Lightclaw and Sagepool to visit StarClan together. '' Jetstar then sat down, looking t Wolfstar with blazing yellow eyes not bothering to hide the contempt in them. '' Wolfstar, I believe it is your turn to share, hopefully you bring good news... '' He meowed, a sneer hidden under his words.

[Frostclaw]

Icegaze would have glared at Jetstar, if she could but instead, she took her place near Wolfstar as his deputy, not on the hill but nearby incase she was needed. She sat down and groomed her chest fur as she waited for her leader to answer, wondering what he would talk about. She sighed and closed her eyes, listening to what MoonClan cats were talking about.

[~flameh~]

Wolfstar looked over at Jetstar, his dark blue eyes lit with a blinding white fire. Jetstar was determine to piss Wolfstar off and he knew it. He didn't like the sneer poorly hidden on the MoonClan leader's face. It disgusted him. But he reminded himself that he still had to report. He looked back out at the clearing and surveyed all of the cats, whose eyes were glued on him.

"SunClan are prepared for the tough leaf-bare ahead. We know better than the ignorant MoonClan leader. This leaf-bare we face will be a difficult one. The snow will get worse. But, so far, SunClan is farring well. We have a few new apprentices and kits on the way. We also welcomed a newcomer into our clan," Wolfstar paused to glare at Jetstar who made a face. "Herbs aren't short and SunClan is prepared for the cold, harsh moons ahead." he finished, letting his gaze wander across the clearing filled cats. "Does anyone have anything else to say?"

[leafy]

Sagepool smiled when she looked over at Lightclaw's pure white body sitting next to her. "I'm really looking forward to meeting you again at Half Moon." The silver-grey she-cat meowed quietly to the MoonClan Medicine Cat. Seeing as the gathering was now over she walked up to Jetstar. "May StarClan light your path and stay warm in this weather." She meowed politely then returned back to where the rest of her Clan was waiting.

Starlingsong looked around the gathering at the many faces of cats from both clans. Where is she? He though looking for any trace of Cherryblossom. He hadn't seen her in a few moons and really missed her company. He smiled when he though of their day at the river.

[Cherryblossom//Cloudpaw]

Cherryblossom stood dutifully to the right of her leader, Jetstar, and gazed down at the clearing below. She pretended to listen to what he was telling the MoonClan cats, but in truth her focus was on scouring the SunClan cats below, searching for the silver pelt of the tom she'd met by the river almost a moon ago.

Starlingsong, she thought nostalgically, a smile quirking her lips. He was a sweet tom, easy to talk to and none too hard on the eyes. She'd spied him once or twice while she was out on hunting patrols, but he'd never been alone when she had, and so she hadn't approached him since that one night at the river. She'd been looking forward to this Gathering since then, wanting to talk with him again.

Her heart leapt when she spied him, and she kneaded the ground impatiently, waiting for the signal from Jetstar saying that they could enter the clearing. She was so impatient as she waited for it that she almost missed it, and then she sprang down the slope hastily, her paws slipping occassionally. Reaching the bottom, she glanced around, hoping for a chance to talk with Starlingsong before the Gathering started.

Sadly, Jetstar paused for only a moment to greet Wolfstar's family and then he jumped lithely ontop of the cliff where the leader's were going to address the Clan. Cherry scanned the cats around her, trying to pinpoint Starlingsong again so that she could at least say hello before the Gathering was over. She spotted him not far off, and, making sure no one was paying her much attention, skirted the cliff and padded over to him.

"Tis good to see you again, Starlingsong," she purred, settling down beside him. "How have you been?"

[leafy]

Starlingsong swore his heart skipped a beat when Cherryblossom come over to him. She is so beautiful. He mutter to himself. He looked around, no one was really watching them talk. "Its good to see you again too, Cherryblossom. I've been good. How about you?" He asked politely. If his heart would have told him any better, he swore he was in love with her at that very minute.

[Cherryblossom//Cloudpaw]

Cherryblossom was momentarily rendered breathless as she looked at Starlingsong. His silver pelt shone in the moonlight, and his eyes were bright as he looked at her. Her paws tingled as an unfamiliar warmth spread through her stomach, and she realized with slight horror that it was love. She, the deputy of MoonClan, was falling for a SunClan warrior.

This could only spell trouble.

And yet, oddly enough, the giddy feeling didn't dissipate. She was falling in love with Starlingsong. She could admit it to herself. Heck, she could admit it out loud if she was so inclined. Their different fealties meant little to her heart as it thundered away merrily in her chest, singing her emotions.

It took her a moment to register that he'd returned her question. "I've been... fairing, I suppose," she mewed evenly, smiling at him. She then glanced around to make sure no one was listening to them and she purred in an undertone, "To be honest, I've been thinking about our meeting by the river. We should really do that again some time."

And it was true. She wanted to spend more time with him. However, that would mean sneaking around behind their Clans' backs. The thought was surprisingly exhilarating.

[leafy]

Starlingsong longed to walk beside her for the rest of his days on earth. He didn't even care anymore about the warrior code. What has come over me? He though to himself, then looked into Cherryblossom's eyes. I love you. He added to his though without thinking, but the scary thing was it was true.

"Yes, that would be great. I enjoyed our meeting swimming cause it was nice to get away from everyone..." The long-haired tom meowed, then added in a whisper. "Will you meet me by the river tonight?" His voice calm and gentle, but his eyes showed true passion. It showed he wasn't lying and that he meant every word.

[Cherryblossom//Cloudpaw]

Cherryblossom's ears pricked and her eyes sparkled at Starlingsong's proposal. Meet me by the river tonight. He wanted to see her again--later tonight, even. A purr began rising in her chest, but she quickly pushed it back, glancing over her shoulder to make sure Jetstar wasn't looking for her yet. She then turned back to Starlingsong, smiling excitedly.

"I would love to," she mewed. She glanced around nervously, adding, "But I have to be getting back to my Clan now, or they might miss me."

Cherry had only padded a step or two away when she whirled around and bounded back. "So... at moonhigh, then?" Then, on a daring (and admittedly slightly moronic, considering all the other cats around) impulse, she leaned forward and swiped her tongue over his cheek once. Blushing slightly as she stood up, she offered him another quick smile. "Now I really must be going. See you tonight!"

And with that she traipsed away, flicking Starlingsong's nose with her tail once as she went. Her heart was light and her paws buoyant. She felt like she could do anything so long as Starlingsong were by her side. If only that didn't mean she'd have to break the warrior code to be with him.