A Time of Peace

[Yoko]

The moonlight patterns riddled Specklestar's fur as she padded along the cool grass. She was silent, enjoying the simple pleasure of being out in the open beneath the full moon. She gazed up at the orb as if it were an old firend. It's been a while. As of late, her Clan had been very busy. Specklestar worked and worried all day and slept as if rest would never come again all night.

At last they had reached the crest of the hill. A line of trees shadowing their presence from potential onlookers. Yet the clearing itself was empty. The Shadowclan Leader looked surprised. They had never arrived so early before. Or perhaps the other clans were late, since the moon was so clearly in the sky.

Specklestar twitched he long goldenr tail in order to beckon Mousefoot forward, but then she realized that she'd come without her. I'll never do that again, Specklestar thought in annoyance. If it hadn't been for Thunderclan's Patrol leaving late, she would never have requested her Deputy, and trusted friend to remain at camp.

Specklestar sighed to herself than mewed loudly to her following warriors. "Let's go."

Twitching her tail for them to follow, she plunged down the hill. Slowing only when she reached High Rock. She would be the first leader up there tonight. A small pleasure from Starclan perhaps? A reward for the long day she'd had? Well, she may as well enjoy it.

Leaping up, she turned and watched the Clearing with her bright green gaze. The others would arrive soon.

[:c a i:]

"Hey, we must be early!" Oakstorm remarked to Shrewfang, looking about the clearing in surprise. Aside from them, it was completely empty. The other Clans had yet to arrive, which was unusual. There was normally another Clan already present by the time they arrived. Oakstorm glanced up, as if to check the moon was actually up above and they hadn't managed to get the wrong night. No, it was definitely the night of the Gathering, for the moon was gleaming brilliantly overhead, turning everything to silver and creating a mysterious sort of calm. He watched as Specklestar took her place on the High Rock, then turned and resettled his gaze upon Shrewfang. He intended to spend the night with her - Gatherings were excellent for letting cats know you wanted to get closer to them, he thought with a rather smug grin.

[Amber]

Shrewfang couldn't believe that she was finally going to a gathering once again. Every pawstep she made was full of bounce, something so unlike her. Although it had been a bittersweet day, with all the drama, maybe being optimistic about everything would be the best bet.

"Either we are early or the other clans are late." she murmered in response to Oakstorm. She glanced around the clearing, watching Specklestar for a few moments before turning back to the tom. "I guess that means we get to pick the spot we want tonight, rather than just settle for whatever is left." she added. This idea she liked. It meant rather than having a bunch of other Clan cats in her way she could sit wherever.

"So what shall we do first? We need something to do to pass by time, being bored really isn't my forte." she purred jokingly.

Thornpaw had been surprise that he was able to keep up the entire way. Who knew that he had so much stamina? Wishing that his best friend would be here was on his top list of things to do first. He padded across the clearing a huge smile on his face. This was better than he could have ever expected. His entire body was quivering with excitement. He was glad that the other clans weren't here just yet, this would give him time to get somewhat acquainted with his surroundings.

[:c a i:]

"Whatever you like." Oakstorm replied, shooting Shrewfang his most charming smile. He wondered, now that he had accepted the fact that he wanted to do it, what the best way to win Shrewfang's heart would be. She wouldn't be taken in by cheap, empty words, that was a given. No, he would have to make sure he was on his absolute best behavior when he was around her. And a few, well-timed and wonderfully funny jokes wouldn't do any harm in his mission either. He smiled to himself. Oh yes, he would make Shrewfang fall for him, one way or another. "Specklestar's a bit keen!" He joked, waving his tail up at the leader. "She's practically started, and the other Clans haven't even arrived." He kept his voice low, for he didn't imagine that Specklestar would take very well to his jesting.

[peregrine]

Foxfur had been so into Snaketail's story that he didn't realize how much progress they had made. Looking at fourtrees and seeing that no other clans made his heart drop a slight bit. He headed down the hill with the rest of his Clan when Specklestar gave the order.

He sat down not to far from the high rocks and not to far from his Clan whom were trying to ease the boredom until the other clans came. He wrapped his fluffy tail around his feet. If Snaketail wanted to continue their conversation then he could come over to Foxfur himself. As he sat his eyes occasionally drifted towards the direction from which WindClan would arrive.
(OOC:// Fail)

[Amber]

Shrewfang's face lit up at the sound of that. She liked doing what she liked to do, so it was a given that she was gonna do it, reguardless of if she had his permission or not. She was always open to suggestions, but now she would have to come up with something it seemed. Seeing his smile she tried hard to not burst out in laughter. What exactly was he trying to do?
And hearing the joke about Specklestar was the last straw. The brown tabby could no longer keep it in and she was laughing probably the hardest she had in quite some time.

"Well if she go ahead and starts I don't think any of us will be paying attention, it's not like we don't know everything that has been going on in our own Clan." she mused.

The warrior couldn't believe how long of a day it had been. Had she really traveled all the way into ThunderClan territory and not have a complete meltdown? Maybe she was still surpressing these feelings and would break down later. No, she would not show weakness in front of anyone that was for sure. However, she did feel a little tired, and let a yawn escape from her mouth.
"Looks like we probably even have time for a nap. I can just see the faces on the other clans when they walk into the clearing and see our Clan asleep, sprawled out all across the clearing." she chuckled at the thought.

[:c a i:]

Oakstorm laughed, imagining the whole of ShadowClan snoozing away when all the other cats arrived. "Well if we did that, they'd think they'd made us wait so long we'd all gone to join StarClan." He snorted. "Honestly, it's not like the other Clans to be late for a Gathering. Especially not those ThunderClan cats!" Suddenly, seeing Shrewfang yawn, Oakstorm too yawned widely and arched his back in a languid stretch. It had been a very, very long day. How could it only be moonhigh? It felt like moons ago that they had all been in ThunderClan, worried about Brindlepelt.

"I don't think I'm going to be able to stay awake all night..." He yawned, rolling onto his back like a kit. He stared up at the stars, trying to count them until his eyes blurred. Twisting his head, he glanced at Shrewfang. "You know, this is really comfy." He grinned, wriggling slightly. What a sight it must be, he thought, to see a big old tom like him lounging on his back with his legs in the air. Oh well, it wasn't like there were any other cats who would see him, apart from his own Clan who already knew him as a something of a jester.

[Amber]

"Well it would serve them right for making us wait so long. My paws are itching to hear something other than our Clan news. I'm not one to like gossip, but I'd like to hear a few things that might be somewhat interesting." She mewed, looking up to Specklestar for a few moments. Shrewfang jerked a little at the sound of Oakstorm mentioning ThunderClan. She had almost completely forgotten.... Even though she was loyal to ShadowClan, she hated when others mentioned ThunderClan like that. It ruffled her fur the wrong way. Her eyes narrowed at Oakstorm for a while, then she settled back down.

"I don't think I will be able to stay awake for more than a few more seconds. My eyes are getting too heavy." she admitted, finally sitting down. Once again the she-cat was reduced to laughing hard, this time falling onto her side. Oakstorm looked so ridiculous, well even more so than usual. She layed down putting her head on her paws and watched him, a smile still on her face. "Oakstorm, there is something wrong with you." she joked.

[:c a i:]

Oakstorm gave Shrewfang an amused glare. "Maybe, but you love me anyway." He meowed, not really noticing what he was saying. He licked a paw and dangled it in front of his face, feeling really quite relaxed. He then decided it probably wouldn't be the best idea to be at the Gathering fast asleep, so he rolled back over and lay on his belly, mimicking Shrewfang's position. Once again he found his gaze fixing on the starry night above, thinking back over the past.

"Have you ever been in love?" He suddenly said, not knowing quite why he was asking. It wa something about the stars which were making him think back to the very worst night of his life - When his brother and Dapplestream became mates. On a starry night just like this one.



((Thought I'd bring up Oakstorm's tragic history again. ^_^))

[. s p o r e l e t t ♪]

The night was still young when Ravenstar led his Clan to the crest of the hill that overlooked Fourtrees, but already the scent of cats emanated from the clearing below. The murmurs of relaxed cats accompanied the scent, which was now identifiable as ShadowClan. Looks like we're the second ones here, the small tom thought, failing to detect any other Clans besides his own. Walking up the hill, he stopped at the peak and looked down into the clearing, his Clan gathering around him. Below him, ShadowClan cats sat or lay in small groups, awaiting the arrival of other cats. He saw with amusement that Specklestar was already seated on the High Rock, despite the fact that none of the other Clans were there.

Well, we're here now, Ravenstar thought, and raised his tail for his warriors to follow him. Streaking down the hillside with his long tail flying behind him, the thin tom was soon in the midst of the clearing, and then he was at the High Rock. Tilting his angular head speculatively upward, he regarded Specklestar for a moment before calling up to her. "A little overeager to be started, are we? I'd think you might at least wait until the other Clans get here before starting the meeting." Wrapping his thin tail around his paws, Ravenstar settled himself at the base of the stone and flicked an ear at the ShadowClan leader. "Why don't you come down here so we can converse properly without me having to crane my neck? I'm sure the other cats would appreciate the chance to talk a bit before the leaders start speaking in any case."

[Amber]

Shrewfang rolled her eyes at Oakstorm. He sure was full of himself tonight. "Yeah, what would we all do without Oakstorm, joker of ShadowClan." she mewed sarcastically. She obviously didn't take it the way Oakstorm had meant, then again some things weren't completely obvious to the she-cat. The she-cat would never admit actually enjoying spending time with Oakstorm, no that would be personal, she didn't do personal too well.

"Me ever been in love? No, I've always been fighting to be accepted in the Clan, I've never thought about love before." she replied slowly. This question was completely unexpected, she didn't know exactly how to answer it, but it did make the she-cat feel a little uncomfortable, especially talking to Oakstorm about it. "Why do you ask?" she questioned.

[chaos]

Brackenheart sniffed the unfamiliar area, curious what to expect. He'd been to a gathering a few times while he was an apprentice, but this time was different. This time, he was a proud warrior. He could feel himself collecting the courage to announce it himself, but refrained from doing so. Instead, he simply gave a swift flick of his tail, and padded aimlessly around. The tom narrowed his eyes and turned in the direction of the approaching WindClan cats. Their scent mingled with his own Clans before finally settling together.

Brackenheart looked around. Come on, at the least he could talk to somebody.. Maybe an apprentice or two from the other Clans may remember him. Of course, his appearance was definitely older, but he didn't see how that could affect anything. Maybe Silverpaw will come..? The tom went back to the previous gatherings that he and Silverpaw spoke. They had eventually become good friend. 'I wonder if he's a warrior yet..?' He plopped on the grass, studying every cat that appeared in the Clearing.

Young Briarpaw had tailed Ravenstar the entire trip to Fourtrees, trying to keep from getting nervous. He wasn't sure why, but it would have only been his.. possibly second?.. time. He couldn't remember had he gont to a Gathering previously, but payed no mind to it now. All that the tom could see was his chance to make friends. With a cheery smile on his face, his light paws carried him down the ravine and into the clearing

[Yoko]

Specklestar slowly turned her head in the direction of Windclan as they came into the clearing. Now that wasn't too long a wait, she thought. She waited patiently for the Windclan leader to jump up as well.

Specklestar looked down at the raven-furred cat. Even the moonnlight was absorbed in that pelt of his. She smiled honestly at him. "Start the Clan Meeting?" her whiskers twitched. "Without the Swift Windclan, or the Refined Riverclan, or the Courageous Thunderclan? It would be no meeting at all!"

She leapt down lightly, her paws barely making a sound. She realized suddenly that she liked the high ground better. That was why she'd jumped onto High Rock in the first place.

"How's the prey running for your Clan?"

[:c a i:]

Oakstorm didn't reply for a moment, then have a casual flick of his tail. "No reason." He replied, not looking at Shrewfang. "Maybe you're lucky." He meowed dryly, glancing past the she-cat and spotting the approaching cats of WindClan. He got to his paws quickly, drawing their conversation to a hasty close. He didn't quite know what had got into him, talking about love with Shrewfang, of all things. He really must be tired. Either that, or he ate some bad sparrow. Oh well, she'd forget all about it soon. Hopefully.

"Ah, looks like WindClan have finally turned up." He watched as the small, yet domineering Ravenstar led his Clan into the clearing and approached the Great Rock. Oakstorm caught the words exchanged with Specklestar and couldn't help but smile at the WindClan leader's teasing of her. He was surprised she didn't get irritated at his comment, but decided she probably wanted to keep the peace tonight. "About time. Now where've RiverClan and ThunderClan got to?" He wondered, glancing back in the direction from which WindClan had just arrived, as if the other Clans were following just behind.

Streamfur glanced left and right, occasionally dipping his head in greeting to a ShadowClan warrior whom he recognised. The other Clans weren't here yet. They would have a while to converse amongst themselves before they would start the Gathering. Streamfur paced alongside Ravenstar through the gathered cats, slowing as the leader approached the Great Rock and watching as the black cat called Specklestar down from where she had rather over-eagerly already climbed. He wondered where Mousefoot was, for he could not see the ShadowClan deputy anywhere. Oh well, no matter. Though, was ShadowClan so defensive that they left their deputy in camp? Strange.

[nightstorm]

Russetfang stopped at the top of the hill for a moment, then joined his Clan amongst the clearing at Fourtrees. He began weaving through cats, occasionally greeting one or two. He paused in front of a ShadowClan warrior. Foxfur. He'd recognize that pelt anywhere, especially after Rivermist and he...

"Hello, Foxfur," he meowed smoothly. "Nice night for a Gathering. How is the prey running?" His voice was friendly, but reserved. Sitting down, Russetfang's green gaze met Foxfur's. "Is Littlebird here, by any chance?"

ooc: xP Epic Fail.