under the moon {1st gathering-ALL MEMBERS INVITED}

[Miststar]

Gathering

Stick to the Shadows~~   Stepping up to the front of the Great Rock, Miststar cast a glance back at the other leaders with iridescent eyes manifesting themselves as a brilliant amber color before projecting her voice out to all the four clans, until the heavens themselves would heed her words. "Stormstar, our wise and noble leader, gave his last life to prevent Kinkflower, his sister, from taking over the clan. She has been exiled, and lost her memory, so is no longer a threat. We have three new apprentices, Stormpaw, Veilpaw, and Veinpaw. We have more unfortunate news, including our choice of deputy..." She pauses for a moment to hear the cheers. Stormstar had been sensible, well respected, and a noble leader- nearly Miststar's opposite.  "It started with one cat, carrying the scents of rosemary and forests, deep within our territory. Our patrols scented her- always the same warrior, in the same general area." Miststar began. "Our patrols tried to track her down, but we figured she was of no threat, and were busy dealing with kits. Half a moon ago, I received news from the medicine cat that I was expecting kits. I was resting in my nest when the alarm was raised. ThunderClan cascaded through our camp boundaries, crushing warriors in our wake. Leopardstar was at their head. Of course, I raced out of my den to meet this threat, ready to fend them off with all my nine lives. I raced the leader directly, after fighting her out of the nursery, leaving a dead queen, Vixenwhisper and her new litter. "She aimed for my throat, but I dodged. While I was avoiding her, in a movement scarcely thought possible, she charged towards me, clawing at my belly. I flipped over, throwing her off. We battled, but I spotted my new deputy, Raventalon, battling two seniors warriors and an apprentice. I ran over, and helped him, but in a single, quick movement, Raventalon's throat was torn out, and in the move, the ThunderClan warrior who had mortally wounded my deputy snapped the neck of his apprentice, killing him instantly. ThunderClan had killed one of their own in their bloodthirsty quest to dominate us. "Just then, the patrols came back, and helped us win the battle, but we had many losses. Vixenwhisper and her kits were dead, and Raventalon was ready to join StarClan, which he did shortly before we left for the gathering. A-a-and..." At this moment, Miststar turned away, looking into space, eyes gleaming with sadness as she looked back at the clans. "And my unborn kits, the future futures of the clan, had died inside of me from the move of none other then ThunderClan's bloodthirsty leader, her eyes unforgiving and filled with malice, more horrible then her namesake on a murderous rampage." Miststar turned around, revealing fresh scars on her flank, and one close to her right eye. She had given them to herself to make the not-so-obvious lie, which seemed so real and emotional, even more realistic. She raised her voice higher, speaking proudly and strongly, tail held aloft. "But through this hard time, ShadowClan will remain strong! We can survive and thrive through this time, no matter what ThunderClan throws at us!" [bg=000000] [atrb=border,O,true]

[Batwing]

Crowfur gave a moment of silence for Willowstar who died trying to save a kit, who also unfortunately died, from a fox. Batwing was also silent, but it wasn't out of respect, she was just focused on listening to the news. Then after Leopardstar said that her deputy wasn't able to attend the Gathering and that prey was running well in Thunderclan, she mentioned the new medicine cat apprentice, Lightpaw. "Lightpaw! Lightpaw! Lightpaw!" the Windclan deputy chanted. Miststar was the last leader to give her news; she said the last Stormstar died preventing his evil sister Kinkflower from taking over the clan and exiled her from Shadowclan before she lost her memory. Miststar also named the three kits who became apprentices. Crowfur and this time, Batwing, chanted their names, "Stormpaw!" "Veilpaw!" "Veinpaw!" Then Miststar started to tell her story about how her warriors scented the Thunderclan scent on her border, the medicine cat telling her that she was expecting kits, Thunderclan invading their camp, the death of the Shadowclan queen & her kits, Miststar fighting Leopardstar, Raventalon getting killed in fight, the patrol coming back to turn the tide of the battle, Shadowclan's victory, and the death of her unborn kits. As evidence for all that has happened, Miststar showed her scars to the cats. Crowfur had been shocked at Thunderclan's maliciousness towards Shadowclan. He had thought the good Leopardstar was a decent and noble leader, but now he has seen her dark side. "No!" he gasped. Then Miststar said that Shadowclan will remain strong, no matter what Thunderclan does to them. Batwing yowled out loud to show her support, strength, and loyalty to Shadowclan.

[Moonstar]

Moonstar turned her attention towards Miststar's story, left shocked at what she had to say. She threw a glance at Leopardstar. Well, now, it was her turn to report. Standing as tall as she could manage, looking down at the cats, she began.

"Gravelstar, our strong, noble leader, gave his ninth life in the process of fighting off a vicious dog loose on our territory. Warriors were still harmed but nothing too serious," Moonstar gave a small pause, looking skyward to Silverpelt, in honor of Gravelstar. Afterwards, she continued. "We also have a new medicine cat apprentice, Cloverpaw."

( Sorry that's it's so short, I didn't have the time to type up a long paragraph. )

[Leopardstar]

___________________________ Leopardstar stood like a frozen statue on the rock. It felt like her world was spinning. She couldn't tell up from down, and her pelt was as frizzy as Bluefire's on humid days. What's happening to me? She stood like this even through Moonstar's short report. Miststar, why did you have to make things worse between us and all the clans? Nothing happened, you mange-ridden fool of a leader! Her eyes turned to ice, still a brilliant gold, but they locked on the silver ShadowClan leader. To her, she was the bloodthirsty leader. Not the ThunderClan leader! What Miststar had said was lies. All lies. She wondered if Miststar was expecting though. She wasn't as skinny when they first met under Fourtrees. But something like that usually doesn't happen that fast. Staying sitting, she leaned over the rock to get a better look at Miststar. Trying not to let the other cats here she gave in a low growl, "You know ThunderClan would never be so foolish. And you know that isn't true, Miststar." She shook her dappled head, and turned to the clans, standing up as tall as she could. The ThunderClan leader would need every bit of courage she had. But the clearing didn't look the same now. The night seemed to make it dark and mysterious, rather than a bright, moon lit and happy place for the cats of the clans to all meet up. It didn't help that it was spinning again, and she felt like hurling. Something's not right inside of me. What will I do if I'm like this? I can't stand up for my clan with all my strength if I'm sick! She gathered her thoughts as her vision stopped confusing her, the colors going back where they were supposed to. Cats where no longer blue and purple, but the soft natural colors. This made her calm down a little, so she cleared her throat and started to speak to the clans in a lound defensive tone. "ThunderClan did not attack ShadowClan, by any means. What Miststar is saying, is that she doesn't have a fondness for my clan. We are creatures of the forest, not bloodthirsty, wild, killers of the dark." She let her gaze glare at the ShadowClan warriors. Only one had guilt in her eyes. Shadowstalker. Suddently, she couldn't focus again. Blending colors mixed in her eyes, and she almost slipped off the rock. Or that's what it felt like to her. Leopardstar closed her eyes, thinking of the basics. Ok. I am Leopardstar, leader of ThunderClan. I did not attack ShadowClan, and most of them know it. I need to defend my clan now, or we will be hated amoung the clans forever. Nothing will stop me. Not even this... She opened her eyes, oppening them as far as they would go, but not looking like a bug-eyed cat. Fire ripped through her eyes, but didn't cause the colors to go all crazy again. "I don't know why ShadowClan would put themselves out there, without knowing we would come back strong. None of my cats are injured either. We would have been wounded badly if we had gone into battle. But we didn't. Look around at my warriors. They don't have the stench of ShadowClan on them, and they have no battle-ending injuries. Niether do I!" She turned around slowly, being cautious of what she did. She sat back down, proving her point. Murmers erupted from the clans, not even knowing if the gathering was over. Leopardstar looked up and the moon, now realizing why the clearing seemed darker. Before she had even started, the moon was covered in clouds. No light was visible, and the gathering was over. " This gathering is over. StarClan has determind that for us." She stayed on the rock, wanting to speak alone with Moonstar. Looking at the silver tabby leader, she spoke in a hushed voice made so only the WindClan leader could hear. "Moonstar, may I talk to you before you leave, please?" If she didn't convince Moonstar completely that she didn't raid ShadowClan, ThunderClan would stand alone. ___________________________ Leopardstar sees; hears; thinks; "speaks" word count: 711 (Whoooohoooo! That was fun! ^^) tags: Everyone. comments: If you havn't realized, Leopardstar is expecting too. I had to have this happen because in me and Brightstorm's story, our kits are born at the same time. She is pregnant right now, so I knew Leopardstar had to be as well. I hope you don't mind, but she doesn't realize until she gets back from the gathering. [bg=000000][atrb=border,0,true]

[Miststar]

Stick to the Shadows~~   Swathed in light, the ShadowClan leader waited for Leopardstar to finish her first speech, before stepping forth once more. "Leopardstar, our cats Raventalon, Vixenwhisper, and the kits are dead. These scars on my pelt are scars from cat claws, in the moves of a senior warrior, such as a leader, so they are certainly not from a rogue or Kittypet. What proof do you have of not going into combat with us?" Miststar paused, waiting for the next things Leopardstar said. "Leopardstar, were you not listening? We were settling down to share tongues, hunting patrols were out, and you ambushed us. You totally annihilated us, because of our small number in camp. Only when the patrols came back did you flee. You were planning this all along! Cats of WindClan, RiverClan, don't believe ThunderClan's lies!" Miststar paused, looking down at her warriors, flicking her tail back and forth. She looked to the sky. "The moon darkens to ThunderClan's lies!" The silver tabby yowled, glancing back at Bliss'star, a pleading look in her eyes. She flicked her tail in a gesture asking the one-eyed cat to come forward, and jumped off the Great Rock. [bg=000000] [atrb=border,O,true]

[Leopardstar]

___________________________ Leopardstar glared at Miststar. Her eyes bore into the ones of the ShadowClan leader's. "Miststar, this is over. I don't know how those other cats died, but my warriors did not do it." She spoke in a calm voice, her haclkes lying down on her back. She shook her head. "Those claw marks arn't mine either. Maybe there was never a Vixenwhisper. I've never met her." The great leader cleaned out her pelt, and lept down the rock. She swished her tail to Moonstar, hoping she would follow her down. Sitting behind the cold Great Rock, she felt alone already, and she hadn't even asked Moonstar for the allience. What if she doesn't accept? What will I do with my clan? We will stay strong, and stay away fro ShdaowClan, but not letting down our gaurd. The long shadow of the rock sent her mood into a gray color. Depressed, and not moving. ___________________________ Leopardstar sees; hears; thinks; "speaks" word count: 159 (Sorry for the horrible legth, I was really stumped on what to say...) tags: Everyone, Miststar. comments: Well, we have to come up with another plot about this, Miststar. [bg=000000][atrb=border,0,true]

[Oakpelt]

Oakpelt raised his head as WindClan scent drifted on the breeze. A wave of relief washed over the light brown tabby—thank StarClan that they were all right! It was unusual for a Clan to be so late, after all… He pricked his ears and listened carefully to Moonstar, his green eyes narrowing slightly. Rogues? On the day of the full moon? WindClan’s luck was terrible… But though battle-weary, the group from WindClan didn’t look to be in too bad shape. Not from what he could tell, at least.

Then, his attention turned to Bliss’star as the new RiverClan leader gave her report. He had to admit, it was strange to not see Barrenstar up there… But it couldn’t be helped. Sometimes, StarClan called a cat away when it wasn’t expected. But despite that sorrow, it was still good to know that RiverClan was doing well enough. His own heart belonged in the forests, but Oakpelt had never taken delight in the suffering of other cats.

“Lightningstripe! Aquapaw!” He yowled, his own voice joining with the others’ in the traditional greeting. He didn’t know either cat, but a new deputy and apprentice was still something to honor.
And then Leopardstar spoke. Once again, the familiar rush of pride filled his heart—his friend had achieved the greatest honor possible in a Clan—mixed with thorn-sharp grief clawing at his heart. Willowstar had truly been a good leader, and ThunderClan would mourn her loss. She had given her last life in defense of a kit, after all… Even then, she gave her all for ThunderClan. Even now, he remembered the vigil. It had been…difficult, to see her lying there as if she was asleep. Harder still to prepare her—Oakpelt was surprised that the scent of lavender didn’t still linger in his nose. He couldn’t even imagine how difficult it must have been for Leopardstar… But, as she mentioned, this moon had not been all bad. While sharing the medicine den was strange, it was good to have Lightpaw as an apprentice. No cat could doubt her. Green eyes shining, he joined in the cheers, his heart so full of pride that he thought he might burst.

As Miststar spoke, Oakpelt’s tabby fur began to fluff up, a clue to the mixture of anger and outrage that slashed at his heart far worse than any claws could. Why would the ShadowClan she-cat say such things? What reason did she have to claim that ThunderClan was no more than a pack of bloodthirsty rogues, led by a fox-hearted murderer? He sank his claws into the earth and took a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself. This was a night of peace… Getting angry wouldn’t help—it would only make things worse. He knew that. But how could any cat of ThunderClan—even the mildest-tempered—not feel so?

“That’s a lie,” he hissed, not really caring who heard him at the moment.
Leopardstar’s voice snapped the medicine cat out of his thoughts. She conducted herself well, he thought, her points solid. He glanced up, though it was difficult to see the leopard-pelted leader. The moon had been covered… Even StarClan could not abide such slander. That was clear enough. Of course, every medicine cat knew that clouds were not always from StarClan… But with such timing, how could these not be?

"This gathering is over. StarClan has determind that for us."
The tabby tom clambered to his paws and stuck to his Clanmates. After all of that, he really didn’t want to deal with other Clans… Especially not if they believed Miststar! In all truth, he just wanted to leave. But Leopardstar hadn’t yet come among them, so he would just have to wait.

[Crowfur]

After Moonstar's news about Cloverpaw being the new medicine cat apprentice, Crowfur chanted along with the other warriors, "Cloverpaw! Cloverpaw!" Then Leopardstar went to deny that Thunderclan had anything to do with the attack on Shadowclan territory, but Miststar still insisted that Thunderclan did it. Leopardstar went on to say that the scars on Miststar weren't hers and that there was never a Vixenwhisper. Oakpelt went to shout that Miststar was lying. Crowfur, looking at both sides of the argument, started to think, 'Come to think of it, I've never heard of Vixenwhisper eitheer. Could Miststar be making up a lie or did she mistake those rogues that attacked Windclan for Thunderclan?'

[Miststar]

Stick to the Shadows~~   Comments: In case anyone was wondering, Miststar wasn't lying about Vixenwhisper and the kits. What actually happened was that Vixenwhisper's kits ran off, and Raventalon, who had been appointed deputy, went off with the queen to find them. They found the kits fighting a full-grown male fox, and it killed the kits and Vixenwhisper before mortally wounding Raventalon, who indeed died shortly before the gathering. Just in case anyone was curious. --- At Leopardstar's statement about Vixenwhisper, Miststar's fur stood up, and her eyes blazed, furious. "How dare you," Miststar growled, jumping on the rock. "Vixenwhisper was my kin! Deny your attack all you want, you will not disrespect my clanmate!" Vixenwhisper had been a very shy- and certainly real- cat. The first time she went to a gathering, she was spooked and his under the roots of an oak. She rarely went afterwards. "Of course you won't know all the ShadowClan warriors, you frog-brain!" In a split second, Miststar dropped on the ground, quickly rolled under Leopardstar, who she had moved close to, and aimed to kick at the leader's belly with her hind legs while her forepaws aimed to scratch her flank. [bg=000000] [atrb=border,O,true]

[Leopardstar]

___________________________ Leopardstar continued to wait, and heard more of Miststar's rants and raves. She simply didn't know Vixenwhisper! She couldn't be blamed for that, and of all means, she had never ment to disrespect her. Just shut up, Miststar, whould ya? She shook her head and blinked a few times to get the swirling out of her eyes. Miststar had gotten a little closer to the ThunderClan leader as she spoke. What's she going to do now? Within a blink of her golden eyes, she found Miststar underneath her. She winced at the pain her her flank from Miststar's claws. But she didnt fight back. With claws anyway... Her jaws went for the silver cat's scruff, attemting to drag her out where all of the clans could see the smaller cat trying to budge the much bigger and sturdier Leopardstar. ___________________________ Leopardstar sees; hears; thinks; "speaks" word count: 143 tags: Miststar, everyone. comments: Hehe, nice Miststar... [bg=000000][atrb=border,0,true]

[Miststar]

Stick to the Shadows~~   Comments: She-cat fight! xD --- With a quick, nimble twist of her body, Miststar broke free, feeling a slipped tooth slightly pierce her neck through her thick fur. Nothing serious- it was barely there. With a hiss, the she-cat broke away from her opponent, taunting, "Are you a Kittypet, or an apprentice? Fight like a leader, you fox-hearted coward!" With those words, Miststar charged at Leopardstar, jumping at the last moment and positioning her legs to hit the leader at full force, aiming to knock her off the rock. It was a move that had an equal chance of hitting and not hitting. Even though Leopardstar was a large, muscular cat, Miststar wasn't all that smaller, and as a leader, she still had a fair amount of muscle backing her blow, so there was a good chance for both she-cats. But then again, if the attack missed, Miststar would have to land on all four paws, as she'd certainly not land on the Great Rock. [bg=000000] [atrb=border,O,true]

[Lionfrost]

Lionfrost listened to Leopardstar and Miststar banter back and forth and scowled her eyes narrowing. 'She didn't like any clan besides her own, and wasn't bad enough that Bliss'star forgot to name her as a new warrior without them fighting at a gathering, even though she had trained longer than any apprentice didn't mean that Bliss'star had to forget about her, but I don't care,' she thought scowling. She gazed at the sky, then gazed back at the high rock where Leopardstar and Miststar were now fighting.

[Bliss'star]

Bliss'star backed off, standing at the edge of the highrock. Her eyes were wide in horror as the she-cats unseathed their claws, the sky darkening with every step they took. Their words were thrown like knives back and forth before any action took place. The silver leader couldn't believe this--these two warriors were head-to-head in battle, and at a gathering! StarClan is not pleased, she thought, gazing at the stars that glinted with hopelessness and worry, the moon shading in dispair. Her eyes began to adjust to the light as claws and fangs were thrown around. Maybe we all became leaders a little to soon, she thought, her ears flattening on her head as she raised her tail defensively, her fur fluffing up in embaressment for these two cats. How dare they fight at a time like this? Even if ThunderClan did raid ShadowClan a gathering was not a time for battle. They could've at least saved this for tomorrow. "Stop this! This is supposed to be our only peaceful meeting of this moon!" she scolded the she-cats. They didn't have to listen, but she at least wanted her opinion among the other cats. Bliss'star wanted to jump down, retreat her clan, but she couldn't miss this. Miststar had gotten herself into this situation, and she was curious on how she'd get out of it. If any of the warriors turned on her clan, they'd move out, not as a retreat, but because they have better things to do than break the code on a peaceful moon. Her violet eyes narrowed sharply at the two cats, her tail flicking with anger. Honestly, if it wasn't peaceful, she might've joined in, just because she was angry. ____________________________ bliss'star acts ; "bliss'star speaks" ; bliss'star thinks/dreams/hears word count: 285 tags: --- comments: ahh, this gathering is intense. <3 [bg=31102b][atrb=border,0,true]

[Leopardstar]

___________________________ Leopardstar lashed her tail at the ShadowClan leader's comment, but she still didn't unsheath her claws. "No, Miststar. I'm not fighting like a kittypet. I don't even want to fight, and I'm not trying to break the warrior code!" She soon found Miststar hurtling towards her, but intercepted the she-cat, attempting to pin her on the rock with her weight and make a point. How dare she start a fight! I didn't want this! She's the fox-heart here, starting a fight at a gathering. She knew the sky was getting darker, and she hoped StarClan wouldn't hate her for doing this, but she was only trying to get Miststar to stop this nonscense! Anger surged through her eyes, but not her body. She was calm and controled, not wanting her temper to get the best of her like it could at times. But this was infront of all four clans, not just hers. ___________________________ Leopardstar sees; hears; thinks; "speaks" word count: 159 tags: Miststar, mainly. comments: Oooooh, Leopardstar doesn't like this! ^^ [bg=000000][atrb=border,0,true]

[Miststar]

Stick to the Shadows~~   As Leopardstar pinned her down, Miststar felt blood ooze slightly from her shoulder- she had scraped them earlier. The impact of being suddenly intercepted had Miststar hurting from the recoil for a moment, and in a second, she had twisted and swiftly landed up on her paws. "Leopardstar, as I'm assuming you don't want to be a coward," Miststar began, "I will give you a choice. Either we continue this fight, or tomorrow, as the sun reaches its peak, all the leaders bring their clans to Fourtrees once more. We, just the two of us, will battle once more, in the full sight of the clans and StarClan, fight atop the Great Rock, a battle sure to be heard of for ages, free from the bindings of a truce. Choose wisely, Leopardstar." Miststar's eyes bore into Leopardstar's, and she cast quick glances with curiosity rather than threats back at the other leaders. --- Comments: I'm loving this conflict, but Miststar's frustrated with Leopardstar's 'cowardice'. [bg=000000] [atrb=border,O,true]