cold.

[Shadewing]

[[Since there are TWO full moons in december, we will have TWO gatherings! this is before ShadowClan even thought of attacking ThunderClan, so no bringing that up.]]

Shadestar went across ThunderClan territory, leading a group of cats, which included FireClan again. He felt strong around the other Clans with them about, but he was also nervous. They were out of control, and Shadestar could barely even keep them from fighting with other cats.

the black cat trotted along, the bright moonlight lighting all of the cat's paths. Few stars shined tonight. Has StarClan turned their backs on every cat now? Crowstorm never gets any signs from them, I never get any signs from them, and none of my cats get any signs from them. StarClan can be a mouse-brain sometimes. If they seriously have a problem with me, why don't they tell me what it is and how to fix it?

Shadestar didn't answer his own mental question, and bit down on his teeth, losing his powerful feeling and making himself feel powerless again.

He saw that the lake was completely frozen over. Shadestar looked up at the log, and saw it completely covered in ice. He looked on the ice, and then turned back to his Clan. "The log is too slippery today. We'll have to walk on the ice." Cats stared at Shadestar, as he started to take some careful steps. "I'll go first. I have nine lives to lose, though I'm pretty sure the ice is good enough to walk on. Wait for me on the shore."

He couldn't pick up any cracks, so he walked slowly onto the island, and turned to his Clan. "Tread carefully. If you hear even a slight crack, back up, and go another way. " Shadestar advised, watching as his Clan crossed. When they had all made it across, he led them to the island, where ShadowClan went near its tree. Cherishpaw and Sablepaw were with him today. "Feel free to socialize, though stick together, and be careful of who you talk to. Avoid RiverClan, they're slippery, cunning, otters." Shadestar meowed to his kits, and then waited under his branch. He could hear other Clans approaching. He hoped that this would be a quick meeting, since it was a tad too cold for some of his cats.

[[Redeyes, Claws, Animal, other FC cats who want to attend, Sablepaw, Cherishpaw, Fireclaw, Dreambreaker, Smokepaw, Poppyclaw, Solartail.]]

[Twilight]

Poppyclaw's ginger pelt padded behind her son, Fireclaw, her ginger pelt turned into a lighter tone by the rime that was gathering on her coat because of the cold. You could count at least half of her ribs through her lean frame. Her green eyes watched every cat, flicking back and forth, ready to jump in and help some cat. When it was her time to cross the ice, she stepped lightly and let the folds of her skin catch on the ice below. She padded across without to much incident, but there were a couple of times where she had lost her purchase and wobbled a little, wuickly regaining her footing. She sat on the bank, watching Dreambreaker follow. Dreambreaker looked a little pooching, like she was pregnant.

Dreambreaker had so far kept her secret. Dolphinfeet, who had never raped a she-cat, had ended up raping ehr because her mate was out hunting. She had only about a moon left before birth, but she had a feeling she wouldn't make it to that time. She felt, in her bones, as if she would die before giving brth as her granddam had, in the litter after her mother's litter. She went across the ice, carefully, but not avoiding a few spills as her ill body and her ribs, in which you could count every single one, reverberated hard off of the ice. she winced and groaned in pain as she urged herself back up, her ill body finally making it across.



Nightstar's thinning frame could be seen coming over a rise with her warriors behind her, including Dustpaw. She had managed to bring back four rabbits, though rather scrawny, so Nightstar had agreed toi Orangesky's terms and would wait awhile before making her a warrior.Nightstar's black pe;t found her ay to the log and ShadowClan, mixed with those inbred FireClan bastards. he crossed in much the same way that ShadowClan had, not murmuring a word to her warrior, knowing she had already spoken to Dustpaw of how she was to act.

[[ WC cats- Nightstar, Winterwind, Snowpatch, Hollythorn, Gladefeet, Leafsong, Dustpaw, Orangesky, and Dainty.]]

[Shadewing]

"Hello Nightstar. Good to see you're here, it'd be simply rosy if we could get this damned thing over with quickly," Shadestar said, with a tinge of hate in his voice, somewhat towards Nightstar, somewhat in general. He stoof near the dog, watching to see if ThunderClan was coming. After waiting for a few minutes, he trod through the snow to the other half of the island, to look for RiverClan. He twitched his pelt, which quickly covering in snow, despite the gentle snow drift.



Claws lay down in the snow, and as he lay down, he was almost as big as Animal. "It's just as cold down here as it is all the way up there, Animal." Claws taunted his size, and then rose up to his paws. The golden tabby's face was screwed up with confusion, and then he realized how Claws had insulted him.

"I could kill you any day, Claws! You think that you're so tough, but.. but! you're as stupid and weak as a kit!" Animal hisse,d back arched. Claws rolled his eyes.

there was a moment of silence between the two, and then Claws slowly lowered his head. "You want to bet there?" the brown tabby growled, narrowed his eyes into Animal's, and then snapping his head away, padding off away from the little golden cat, who seemed pretty frightened.

Damn, those cats push me around like it's nobody's business! I'm going to kill Claws one day, right when he doesn't expect it! Just because I was a kitty-pet for a couple of moons!

[Silky]

"Hold your tongue Claws." Redeyes hissed at him. "If you show your loyalty, I may consider promoting you." He meowed. Claws was an idiot sometimes. One just needed to say the right words to twist his loyalty. "And you, Animal. Do not provoke others unless they are enemies of FireClan, and not in a Gathering. We do not believe in StarClan, but they will destroy the prey in ShadowClan territory, resulting in us starving. So be silent." He meowed again, yawning. His thick white fur kept himself warm.


Dustpaw sighed. She hung her head low, avoiding eye contact with her brother and mother. She didn't need them anyway, she thought, lifting her pround head up. She had brought back the four rabbits, as promised, but they had been thin and scrawny. But Nightstar had said Dustpaw would be made a warrior soon. She couldn't wait, but then, her heart sunk as she thought of Drydusk. She wanted to know how he was. She swallowed her pride, and padded over to Poppyclaw. "Hello mother. How is ShadowClan? And Drydusk? And Ravenpaw?" She asked. Ravenpaw had been her more favoured sister. She had brains, Firepaw just had the temper of a monster.

Milkystar shivered. It was freezing. His clan huddled close together. None of them bore thick coats; they would only slow them if they swam. "Stick close. Talk to anyone you wish, but avoid ShadowClan. I do not wish for anything to be let slip through the light conversation you may have." He mewled to his clan.

[RC Cats: Milkystar, Destinycall, Blossomfire, Tigerpaw, any others who wish to come]

[Shadewing]

A little black kit bounced over to Dustpaw, looked at her. "Wow, are you Dustpaw?!" she said loudly, with shock in her voice, her mouth open. "All of the cats say that you were a lazy coward. Well, not all of them, but you get it." She paused for a moment, and licked her lips, like she was going to say more. She turned to Cherishpaw.

"That's the first cat from another Clan that we've met! Well, not really, because she's ob-obviously ShadowClan. But, yeah!" Sablepaw bounced off, excited at all of the cats at the gathering. Most of the cats looked weak, but that was true for a lot of cats in ShadowClan as well. She went over to her father, and stared up at him with her blue eyes.

"Dad, Milkystar's on the island. Now we just need to find ThunderClan!" She said excited, and bounded off, Cherishpaw behind her. She looked through the dead bushes at thunderClan territory, and got down. Her tail was too high in the air, but she was excited. "Let's spy on ThunderClan territory and see if we can see them coming!"

[Quick Fox]

the Cat* Twinestar
the Noted* Blah
the Number* 239

Twinestar looked across to the island, where the other three clans stood. He took his time getting there, making sure that his clan was caught up, and hoping to delay the metting slightly. The other clans would be there, and he wouldn't be as cold. A win-win for him. His fur was already fairly white, now that there were no tree leaves to protect him.

He noted soft paw-steps in the snow, light and already starting to be covered over. The other clans had made the right decision in not going over the log, it was frozen over, and any cat that got on it would surely fall. Flicking his tail, he motioned for the rest of his cats to go before him. One at a time, each made it across, slowely but surely. Finally it was his turn.

When he finally got up to the tree, he achnolaged all three leaders. His cats mixed in groups - he had given no order to stay away from Shadowclan or Fireclan, but he figured most of his cats would do that anyways. "Nightstar, Milkystar, Shadestar," he mewked, nodding in respect to each of the leader, his eyes narrowing just a slight bit when he looked at Shadestar.

Now that all four clans were there, the meeting should begin soon. "Okay, all four clans are here now. Let's get this bloody thing over with," he murmured, almost inaudibly.

[[TC: Badgerpaw, Jaypaw, Sunpaw, Ruffledpelt, Swirlfur, Darkcry, Troubleseeker, whoever else wants to come, as long as there aren't too many]]

[Shadewing]

Shadestar held Twinestar's gaze until he continued to walk forward, not letting himself being intimidated by the newest leader. "Nobody's scared of you, Twinestar," Shadestar growled, flexing his hidden claws in the snow.

He jumped up on is branch, which was very cold, with a few icicles coming off of it. Shadestar began sharing his news.

"ShadowClan's been faring okay, with the prey shortage. We've had two new cats made warriors: Ravenpaw to Ravensong, and Flamepaw to Flameshade." Some cats from other Clans remained silent, but ShadowClan's cries were loud and proud, as they showed off each strengthing addition to their ranks. "Ravensong has had a healthy litter of kits. Her sister Flameshade is expecting," He wrapped up the two cat's news quickly, not wanting anyone's mind to wander, and wonder why a new warrior had already had kits.

He shivered, and snow came off of his fur, floating downwards. "Sablekit and Cherishpaw have become apprentices." he added, and there were smaller cheers from other cats. Shadestar noticed he was slouching, and repositioned himself better, so he looked more confident. Memories in the old forest of him watching his brother filled his mind.. he shook out the thoughts, as he knew that they would only make him angry.

"Okay prey, strong warriors, new additions. Great. Next Clan."

[Twilight]

Nightstar took her turn next, nodding at TWinestar as she went. She jumped up the branch, her black pel making ehr look like a sibling of Shadestar's but her striking eyes would convince any other cat otherwise. Her voice rung out over the gathering, strong, despite her frail looking body. "WindClan is faring well! Dustpaw completed a challenge set down by the clan, and she succeeded. She has proved herself worthy of a warrior name, and so will receive it within the next few days, and hopefully, the wather might be slightly warm, StarClan's will." she luaghed at that, doubtful that it would be nice on the day she planned to promote Dustpaw. She continued on. "As usual at this time of year, prey is very scarce. We are hardly managing anough to feed ourselves. I worry for the younger apprentices and some of the younger elders, but all has been well. We would also like to inquire as to Cloudrunner's progress in training Owlpaw. Cloudrunner will surely be needed in these coming moons as the weather worsens. We may seem bad off, but we are used to this kind of shortage, and are strong enough to fend off any attack another clan might make to bide for our submission or for our territory." With that, she concluded, letting either Milkystar or Twinestar go next.

Poppyclaw watched her daughter thoughtfully. When she heard the news of her duaghter's ceremony, she couldn't help but let out a purr. "Finally, my dear!" She gave her a lick on the head, as if she were still a kit in the nursery. "I know your name will be grand! I cannot wait till the next gathering to hear what it is!"

[Silky]

Dustpaw looked at Sablepaw. "Listen, if you'd been kidnapped by Fireclan, raped so many times you hurt, and then nearly murdered, you'd be a bit of a lazy coward too." She sniffed. So, her slutty sisters were pregnant. She shook her head. They were too young to become pregnant. They could die (and really, she wanted Flamesahde to die for being such a prickly whore). Dustpaw shrank back a little at Poppyclaw's lick . "Moth-er!" She meowed, giggling a little. "Yeah... I just wish you and Dad and Fireclaw and Drydusk could be there to see it... Oh, I miss Drydusk so much!" She mewled. "I was such an idiot for leaving... If Flameshade had held her tongue and not insult me... She didn't know what I went through... Maybe we should have traded shoes." Dustpaw sighed. "Oh, trading shoes is another way to say trading lives. Dusky told me all about twolegs and there wierd ways. They're so... different."


Milkystar nodded to Nightstar. "Within two moons Owlpaw sshould be ready to receive his new name. Cloudrunner is fine, if a little complacent about the food." He let out a hearty purr. "We are recovering from our recent scuffle with some other cats. Litters are on the way, but we fear they may come to early or the mothers may miscarry due to the cold. Prey is abundant in the river, and it has not frozen over yet. However, twolegs are staring onto our territory, and threaten the lives of my clan. We have been dealing with it, though." Milkystar said, nodding over to Twinestar.

[Shadewing]

Sablepaw could hear the apprentice quietly, but she couldn't make out any owrds, so she just decided to bound right on. When she watched ThunderClan come in, she looked at them too. They looked hungry also. The only Clan that didn't look like they were hungry were RiverClan, who still had some weight. I think that that Clan fishes, and that's why.. Sablepaw thought, as she looked up at Milkystar. He was scarred and missing an eye. Sablepaw wondered why this was.

Fireclaw ran over to his sister, and purred as soon as he saw her. He rubbed his head against the side of hers. "You called my name, Dustpaw?" he said, happy to see his sister. "It's been so lonely around here, and... It's so nice to see you again. It's a shame that we're enemies now, though," Fireclaw said, with a quieting voice. "But just be good so we can meet eachother at that gatherings all the time,"

"Oh, and I heard you talk to Sablepaw, the black apprentice. She's not ignoring you, she has hearing issues. You might not remember her, as she was a kit when you left. And your speech probably wouldn't make sense. Kidnapped, raped, and murdered I'm sure aren't in her vocabulary. Shadestar's daughter. Otherwise I'm sure.. yeah.." He stopped talking, even in a low voice. He wasn't afraid of Sablepaw hearing, but he was more afraid of Cherishpaw or another ShadowClan or FireClan cat hearing what he had to say next. "Once we can find out what we can do with FireClan, Dustpaw, would you come back?" Fireclaw asked quietly, not wanting any ears to hear them but themselves, and his mother.

[Silky]

"I dunno... I still don't like Shadestar leading the clan... To be honest, I think father picking him was a bit of a mistake... and I'm not saying that because I like Drydusk either." She mewled, looking at the black tom-cat. "He's just... too amitious to see he's hurting other cats... I know he's putting the clan first an' all... But just for his personal gain... We've already lost some of our own..." She sighed. "I heard about his mate too." Dustpaw said. "It's sad, but maybe StarClan had another path for her. Only they know what the hell guided their desicions.." Dustpaw closed her emeralds, and hung her head. "I don't know if I can come back. Y'see, there's this tom called Orangesky. He thinks I don't belong in WindClan, that I'm a burden to them, and if I leave it'll seem like he'll get his own way... Plus Nightstar might be a bit upset too. She's been so kind to me over this past moon or so..."

[Quick Fox]

the Cat* Twinestar
the Noted* Ooh. Ahhh
the Number* 226

Twinestar looked at the ground and wrinkled his nose when he heard Shadestar talking about Ravensong. He said that she had just become a warrior, but... she already had kits. Sure, Silktail, his mate, had been preganant early, but... this was not the same. She would have had to have been pregnant as an apprentice. The only excuse for that was getting raped by a Fireclan tom, which could have happened.

He sat still, letting the other leaders go first. After Milkystar was done speaking, he stepped forward. "Thunderclan is not fairing too badly, though we are having trouble with food, now that the prey has mostly left. Our cats are... okay though, and sickness has not yet reached us.." he said, his voice ringing. As he did so, he saw his cats nodding below.

"Besides that, we have a few apprentices who will be recieving their warrior names in not too long. They are training hard in the mean time though, and we're trying to get in as much practice as possible. Nothing else, I suppose. Is there anything else that you wish to say? Or shall we leave now and go home?" he asked, looking at the other leaders. Everybody in his clan was tired, hungry and cold, and he could sense that with every clan. He, for one, was ready to go.

[Shadewing]

"We should leave. ShadowClan, say your farewells. We will meet at the next gathering." Shadestar meowed loudly. Fireclaw touched noses with Dustpaw, and then walked to join ShadowCl;an. Sablepaw bounded, Cherishpaw in tow. ShadowClan was gathered within minutes, and they started walking towards the ice. Shadestar went first again, stepping carefully. He hoped the ice would continued to stand..

He made it across, and then beckoned his cats with his tail, and watched them slowly come across. He saw Fireclaw stare back at Dustpaw for a moment, before padding away, across the ice. all of his cats made it across safe. Good, Shadester thought, as he started padding along to shoreline, back to ShadowClan.