(Thank you for posting, Rose! Don't give away too much. We want to keep them guessing. ;D Ugh, I haven't posted in so long. No one else has except for good ol' Willow. You always post when no one else will. ^^ Sigh. Most of you are here but waiting for someone else to say something, Fairy's busy with stuff, I don't know the specifics, and I feel like my life is crashing down before my very eyes. It's insane. Anyway, I'll see if I can't whip something up here. EDIT: I changed the story on the front page! You guys like it?)
Gathering
Marshpelt and the RockClan cats thundered into camp, their footsteps resounding like those of wild beasts. The mottled tortoiseshell tom craned his neck, searching for his mate. As reluctant as he was to speak with her, he knew something had to be done. Maybe Silverleaf would understand? He shook his head, realizing the unlikeliness of it. As he padded toward the grey she-cat, he stared at the ground, trying to think of what to say to her. "Hey!" her pretty voice called out, happy to see him. She wouldn't be happy to see him very soon. "Hey," he meowed half-heartedly in response. "What's wrong?" she asked when he stopped in front of her. Her light green eyes held worlds of concern; she had already caught on. And she would not relenquish the question until she had the answer. But there had to be some way to stall. Maybe if he just started talking he could find an opening. Let her down slowly instead of all at once. "Oh, nothing. Have you heard about the DarkClan battle?" he said hurriedly, trying to change the subject. Silverleaf looked suspicious, but answered the question anyway. "A little bit. All I know is that DarkClan attacked SunClan and left." Well, it would take some time to explain, so he could think while he relayed the battle story. Hopefully his mate would enjoy the tale. "Well, it happened like this..."
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Nightfall smiled at his siblings, wishing he could spend more time with them than he was alloted at gatherings. Everything felt more natural when he was with them. He was no longer the outsider, he was just Nightfall, the older brother. He watched Nightfire's eyes light up as she poked fun at their little brother. The orange-eyed beauty was the clever one of the three. Nightfeather shuffled his paws in embarrassment and ducked his head shyly. The youngest was also the most sensitive. Where did that leave him? Nightfall didn't find any special qualities in himself that set him apart from his brother and sister. At that moment, Nightfire turned to him, still laughing as she spoke. "What? No words of retribution from the wise one?" She said it teasingly, but her words made him realize that next to her, he was wise. Next to his brother, he was mature. He took care of them, as he had from a very young age. "Not this time. I'll keep my wisdom to myself, thank you." He smiled, and his younger brother held himself triumphantly. Nightfire simply rolled her firey eyes and looked up at the Highbranch. "I wonder when this is going to start."
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As Heathersong and her apprentice neared the top of the tree trunk, she became increasingly nervous. What would she say? Would she say anything at all? What if one of the leaders questioned her presence? What if her they reprimanded her, told her to go back where she belonged? All of the solutions she had worked out in her head vanished as she broke through the leaves. The seven cats turned their heads curiously, and the medicine cat could see questions in all of their eyes. It looked as if Bloodstar the FireClan leader would protest, but Rainstar quickly put out a paw, stopping the white tom's words. The sister's exchanged a brief look of understanding before the blue she-cat turned back around. She trusted that Heathersong was there for an important reason. The other leaders soon followed her example, although Dawnstar's questioning eyes lingered for a moment longer than the others. Heathersong sat down in relief, her fluffy brown tail wrapping around her paws. As she looked down at it, she realized her tabby fur was ruffled from anxiousness. She hastily tried to smooth it down, fearing the moment when she would have to stand in front of dozens of cats.
StarClan help me.~~~~~~~~~~
Earthpaw looked at his friend in concern. "I'm always here if you need me. Well, not here, but you know what I mean." He looked down at his paws, reprimanding himself. He sounded so stupid! Brightpaw chuckled. "I know what you mean. And I'm very grateful for it. It isn't often a girl finds a friend like you." She looked at the tabby apprentice with loving eyes. "Really?" The EarthClan tom found himself drawn to her eyes. They were so blue, bluer than the sky on a clear day. Bluer than the lake in WaterClan territory, although he'd never seen it. And then he was thrown way off balance by her single movement. The pale-furred apprentice licked him on the cheek! "Now go find a seat. The gathering is starting soon." Earthpaw nodded and padded away, almost in a daze.
DarkClan
Icestar lay on a rock high above her minions' sleeping bodies. She stared up at the stars, ignoring the fact that they were the spirits of cats who all wanted to kill her. Things were not going well. She had lost a minion, and although she had gained another one, she didn't know if Flamefoot could match the prowess of Nightscar in battle. The black tom had surely been one to fear. That was exactly why she had chosen him, sneaking into his camp in the middle of the night, whispering in his ear as he slept. She delved into his mind that very night, and it was a wonder she had been able to keep silent from the pleasure. He was already rebellious, hatred filling most of his mind. He had been easy to capture, and useful, too. Hopefully this new SunClan tom would prove his worth. Hopefully. She rolled over onto her stomach and tried to sleep, but her actions of two nights before haunted her closed eyelids. After the battle, she had stalked away, leaving her minions under Shadowfang's care. Something had to be done, and she had finally discovered what was needed to ensure the long-lasting of DarkClan. Unfortunately, she could not live forever. She had gone that night to her half-brother and... She could not bear to think of it. It had been too wonderful and too horiffic at the same time. She focused on the good parts. The warmth of his icy pelt beside hers. The firey resistance in his eyes that gave way to sinful bliss. The knowledge that he loved her still, no matter what he would admit to himself.
(*blink* I think I just gave away more than you did, Rose. Oh, well. Never mind that then. Also, I just wanted to tell you guys that you have a lot of great ideas. You should tell me them. *wink wink* Drop me a PM and I'll see if I can't work any ideas you have into the plot.)