Gathering List

[Yoko]

Speckstar gave a slight nod to show Mousefoot that she'd heard, but she made sure that they were in her den before she spoke. The speckled leader went far into her den, until her pelt practically brushed its back wall. She motioned with her long tail for Mousefoot to come away from the entrance.

As much as it pained her to admit, the Thunderclan patrol was making her uncomfortable. It was not that she thought they would attack or be rude, but rather, that they were just watching. Not only herself, but her entire Clan. Judging them based on a small glimpse of their everyday life. She wondered if her warriors felt the same way.

Shaking her head of it, Specklestar sat with her tail wrapped around her forepaws. She sighed, "They claim they were hunting. They did bring back a fair catch, I admit. But with the prey running as well as it is, I find it odd that they didn't bring more."

"Let's discuss who's going to the Gathering tonight. I'm sorry to say this Mousefoot, but I'd really rather you stay here."

[chaos]

Mousefoot followed the leader into the den. Hrmmm.. Why doesn't she want anyone to hear..? The she-cat pushed the thought out of her head and sat back on her haunches, letting her tail curl instinctively around her forepaws.

" Hunting, hm? Well, I suppose that you're right about that.." She trailed off before continuing. " It's fine. I have no problem with staying here." Her head twisted around to take a quick glimpse at the patrol of ThunderClan cats, then to Twistedclaw and his brothers, and finally back to Specklestar. " With Brindlepelt in her shape, and in need of Lightfeather's aide, I think that they should stay in camp as well." Mousefoot meowed and flicked her tail. " Oakstorm and Shrewfang, however, have been quite obedient and caring this past few days. I think that they should go.." She paused, giving Specklestar a chance to interrupt if she wanted.

[Yoko]

Specklestar relaxed a little. She wouldn't have to explain why Mousefoot couldn't come. In honesty, she'd rather not leave Thunderclan cats in camp while she and the Deputy were away. Again, not because she thought them dishonorable, but more so to prevent temptation for them to take the camp.

"Yes, yes, I'm very pleased with their efforts these past few days. As for Lightfeather, well, judging from earlier, I understand your reasoning that she might not want to attend. I've already informed Twistedclaw and Snaketail that they are going as well. I don't want them to cause any trouble here alone, so best not to give them opurtunity. Any others you'd suggest? We have four so far and we'll need a few more."

[chaos]

Mousefoot gave a slight nod, understanding Specklestar's decision. Drifting back towards the Gathering, she began to think of her former apprentice, Brackenheart. He'd not been to a gathering but once as an apprentice, and Mousefoot thought that it would be good for him to get out and meet new cats. " Perhaps.. Brackenheart? He hadn't gotten out much lately.. It would be good for him.." The she-cat paused, and gave a quick lick to her chest.

" Also, possibly a couple of the apprentices would like to go..? They've been doing very well with their training. I think it would be a good reward." She mewed, looking back at Specklestar with cautious amber eyes.

[Yoko]

Specklestar nodded. Brackenheart would be fine going, and there were too many apprentices left in camp. "Alright well, Thornpaw was just apprenticed yesterday and this will be his first gathering, so I'm sure he'll want to go meet the other apprentices. Hmmm, Eclipsepaw and Sablepaw have been doing well in their training, so they should be fine going too. That gives us five warriors, three apprentices and myself. I think that's enough, don't you?"

[chaos]

Mousefoot nodded. Nine cats to a gathering is much better than little to none or an entire Clan. Besides, they would come back and boast about the gathering anyway; let it be good or bad. The she-cat arose from her haunches, preparing to leave, but something seemed to stop herself.

" Specklestar," She meowed, " What of Twistedclaw and his actions? He's been so.. strange.. lately.." Mousefoot felt an icy claw down her spine and made the she-cat shiver.

[Yoko]

Specklestar gave a light purr of amusement. "He seems no stranger to me than usual. After seeing him in battle, I'm not surprised by what he did to that fox. I'm slightly amazed that Snaketail let Brindlepelt get involved in the battle, knowing that Twistedclaw could handle it. But, in all, there's simply no crime I can charge him with. If he breaks any orders, you have my permission to reprimand him, but I doubt he will. Lizardeye and Snaketail keep him in check."

Specklestar was slightly disturbed by how well she knew the three tabbies. She supposed it was because of how much trouble they'd caused since she became leader. She was learning their habits now and being careful of how to deal with them, and she hoped Mousefoot would do the same., because Specklestar knew, those three, if given the chance, could rip this Clan inside out.

"You can announce who's going. I'll be out in a moment."

From the den entrance, she could tell that the sun had sunk low and the moon was just rising.

[☆ Y e l l o w ☆]

Earthfoot slipped out of the medicine den quietly, hoping not to attract that much attention. But with Brindlepelt's condition so fragile, he doubted that would be possible. He hoped to report to Specklestar and then speak with Shadowstorm without there being a huge crowd of cats asking what the situation was like. He easily found her den, having seen it when he first entered camp.

He approached the big oak tree, unknowingly keeping close to the ground as if uneasy. Perhaps he still wasn't used to being among the ShadowClan cats. In their camp's clearing, he was able to see just about how many cats this Clan had. Certainly more than ThunderClan. This fact made him worried about ThunderClan's population, and how strong it could be with so few cats. He stopped outside the den and peeked a look inside, hoping not to seem rude. "Specklestar? May I come in?" He called inside.

[chaos]

Mousefoot was just about to leave yet, once again, but stopped when she heard the familiar voice of Earthfoot come from just outside of the den. She stayed in her tracks, allowing room for Earthfoot to enter, knowing that Specklestar wouldn't mind. Her haunches met the ground, and she sat. Her tail slowly flickering side to side in the dark of the den.

[Yoko]

Just as the speckled leader was prepared to groom herself for the Gathering, a voice sounded outside the den. Earthfoot? Was he finished? Was Brindlepelt alright? The leader buried the flicker of anxiety in her gaze. She was worried for her warrior, but she would not show weakness to any cat, even a medicine cat.

Noticing Mousefoot leaning on the denwall, Specklestar gave a slight nod, informing her deputy that she could stay. "Come in Earthfoot," she mewed calmly.

[☆ Y e l l o w ☆]

Earthfoot stepped into Specklestar's den after hearing the leader's permission to come in. He saw Mousefoot, the deputy, was also in the den and assumed they must have been discussing something. "I hope I'm not interrupting," He said as he glanced from Mousefoot to Specklestar. "I've come with a report. Brindlepelt was treated for her injuries, but I'm still not sure if she'll survive. I probably don't need to say that she's at risk from a severe loss of blood." His voice grew quieter, reluctant to tell such sad news. "I've done all that I can. She either has to be strong enough to pull through, or StarClan must be kind and allow her to return." Earthfoot stopped, and waited for Specklestar to speak if she wanted to.

[Yoko]

Specklestar managed to keep a calm expression. She was still laying on her side. The sun had fallen and there was no light really falling on her, so that the most any cat could see of her was a faint outline of her golden pelt and her deep green gaze. She nodded in the darkness. Blood loss was the least she could have expected from what she'd seen of Brindlepelt's wounds.

"I understand, Earthfoot. I take it, that since you've stated there's nothing more you can do, you intend to leave tonight? That is fine. Mousefoot, would you mind informing the Clan, and patrol? Also, please send a small patrol to lead Thunderclan safely to the border."

[☆ Y e l l o w ☆]

"Er, wait," Earthfoot said somewhat awkwardly, after Mousefoot left the den. "Brindlepelt is still in a risky situation. I'd like to stay a little while longer, to watch her, if that's all right. The others can go back to ThunderClan without me." There was no use in them staying with nothing to do. Sagepaw could go back as well, if he wanted to. Earthfoot was able to determine by now that the ShadowClan cats were concerned for their Clan mate and he didn't need any protection from the warriors. "If that's okay," He added, unsure of how the leader would feel about him speaking up against her, especially if they weren't from the same Clan.

[Yoko]

Specklestar remained silent for a moment. Staring carefully through the darkness at Earthfoot's outlined form. She focused particularily on where the medicine cat's eyes should be. She could see he had no ill-intentions. Yet this would be an unnecesary complication. Deep down, she knew this was desire to see his patient through the situation no matter the outcome. She would not deny him that.

At last she mewed, "If your Deputy agrees to it."

She rose and stretched. "We should go out and explain, I'm sure Mousefoot has announced your departure already.