#1: Like the seasons and leaves.

[Wildheart]

"Dreamguard." Nodded Wolverineclaw with all his usual outgoing nature at full-tilt. He turned to check on the leaders, waiting wordlessly for them to begin the proceedings. He turned his full attention to the pine tree at Copperstar's yowl.

Streamfur let his tail flick once. "Not so very different. Snakepaw works as hard as any apprentice." He defended the younger tom with the faintest of gleams in his blue eyes. He didn't really get agitated - this was about as worked up as Streamfur got publicly. He sighed and watched Snakepaw head off on his own and sit as far as he could get from the others. He was still young, he told himself. There would be time for him to develop a tougher hide with the passing moons. He too turned to the leaders, nodding to Stormfur as she sat nearby.

Opaleye settled down not far from Icestorm, whom she knew to be a distant relative of hers, a kit of her father's brother. There was some semi-unresolved secret about the two brothers, her father Snowstorm and her uncle, who had wound up in Hillclan, but she still hadn't discovered the full story. She half-wished she'd spoken to the other she-cat - they could have been twins, they were so alike. But now the meeting had truly begun she focused all her attention on the clan leaders, resolving to exchange a few words with Icestorm before the gathering came to an end, if possible.

[Kitsune]

Fluffy tail once more draping over her friend and mentor's shoulders, Foxtail followed Dragonmoon with more measured paw steps. Her tail had flicked gently across Mousetail's side before starting off, giving the tom a comforting purr - the others had all used words in attempts to give him confidence, and she knew her chattery ways would keep them from hearing the leaders.



Zephyrfoot nodded to Dreamguard - and soon shook his head at Dawnbreak. This conversation happened far too often. Shuffling his paws, he opened his mouth for once to respond - but was cut off by Copperstar's yowl. It just wasn't meant to be.



Snakepaw probably should have just counted himself lucky - the rambunctious Whisperpaw had been just about to try and get a branch under Snakepaw's paws as he went to settle himself, but a call from a cat - Tunnelclan's leader, if she remembered correctly - startled her enough to drop the branch. A little disappointed, she took a few steps closer to the tree, staring up intently at the branches.



"Never enough time for socializing before business," Pebblespot said, in the same good-natured grumble, to the nearest warriors - despite being apart from any other Rootclan cats. When it came to gatherings, Pebblespot was always sorely disappointed that they came so late - he enjoyed swapping tales with others, chatting away the way the elders did.



Shimmerpelt snorted at the soft-sounded complaint from a nearby Rootclan cat, flicking her tail in agitation. Now was the time to listen to the leaders, assess how the other clans were doing, and prove their strength, not mumble about the schedule.

[Shell (PrairieWolf)]

Copperstar waited until the chatter died down and most cats gathered around the pine tree. Taking a breath she started. "Cats of all Clans, welcome. I will begin this Gathering…" She glanced back to make sure no Leader objected before continuing.
"Tunnelclan have been blessed by Starclan with two new litters this past few moons. Six kits in all, all healthy and growing strong. They will be well fed this Newleaf for prey is flooding the Hardground with many offspring of their own."
Nodding to the Gathering below then to the Leaders behind she balances her way back into the branches of the tree. Settling comfortably upon her haunches upon a thick, high branch.

Goldstar glanced curiously from Silverstar to Bronzestar, both gave a single nod to the large tom. Shrugging his wide shoulders he then leapt onto a low branch and faced the Clancats. "Prey flourishes within Rootclan’s forest, growing fat on the new greens and insects."

"As Rootclan grow fat on them," joked a small brown tom amongst the crowd below the tree. All clans knew Rootclan tend to produce large warriors.

Goldstar sneezed with amusement good humouredly. "Quite." Clearing his throat the orange ands white continued. "Though we may not have any new litters, as of yet, we do have several promising apprentices that have come of age. In no time we shall have many young warriors blossom from these promising young cats."
Giving a nod to the Gathering then the other Leaders he made his way onto a branch near Copperstar’s, settling down to lay his full length across his perch.

Silverstar gave Bronzestar a quick look before gracefully mounting the tree. She approached the Gathering with her head held high. "Crowclan also has a new, healthy litter. As well as an abundance of apprentices working hard for their warrior name. Prey is just as abundant in our home. Crowclan is thriving." Her words were short and to the point, sounding like she was naming things off a list.
Nodding to the Clans below then to the other Leaders she took her place with Goldstar and Copperstar, sitting quietly with her tail curled around her forepaws.

Bronzestar stretched himself, the old tom’s muscle aching beneath his color faded pelt. He took his time to leap from the lowest branch to the next before landing on the one the other Leaders addressed the Clans. He Paused to look over the Clans before speaking. "Prey have swarmed into the rubbish hills and keep Hillclan well fed. We have a new litter born to our warrior Clawswipe, which many of you know and I‘m sure still bear scars."

"You an’t kiddin’," meowed the Crowclan deputy, Crowfoot, a cat known for his countless scars from countless battles. There was obvious amusement in his tone. "Can’t imagine that fierce she-cat with kits."

Bronzestar gave a dip of his head towards Crowfoot in acknowledgement before answering. "I'll be sure to let her know her reputation still holds it’s claws, Crowfoot. Thank you. Now… where was I? Oh yes… We also have a second litter on it’s way," his aged eyes seem to glow with pride. "My daughter, Bronzeleaf, is due before the next Gathering." He gives a nod of thanks to the Leaders behind him as they congratulate him before continuing. "Our new member, Falconwing, is adapting well to Clan life. We expect great things from him."

"What cat in their right mind would accept a Rogue into their clan?" Murmured Rootpelt to Shimmerpelt who happened to be sitting close by. "Bronzestar must have gone mad. You can‘t trust non-Clan cats."

Finishing Bronzestar gave a nod to the Gathered cats then to the other Leaders. However, he did not step away like the others had. "Normally, as the last to speak, I would have the honor of announcing Moonguards’ turn to address the Gathering. Who of which would update us on the Moonecho. However, it seems they are absent."

Dreamguard, one of the Moonguards who would be leaving the Gathering to take the returning Moonguards’ place, shifted his weight uneasily. It is unusual for their own to not be on time to... Well, anything.

"No matter," Bronzestar went on. "Once they return home they can inform the clans individually. Now. I have been informed earlier this evening that the Head Medicine Cats have something important to address. Coldnose, Ghosteye, Sunfeather, Mousetail… If you please."

Bronzestar stepped back to join the other Leaders as the four Head Medicine Cats left the younger Medicine Cats and mounted the pine tree. There was a moment of quiet murmuring between the Medicine Cats before finally Sunfeather, a Rootclan cat, stepped up to address the gathering.

"Starclan," she began, "has visited the four of us the night before. This, my fellow cats, is for all ears."

"Like the seasons and leaves,
change will come to pass.
Faith and courage prevail -
Stormy skies lie ahead."

"What does it mean," asked a curious cat from the back.

"Well," Sunfeather went on. "There will be obvious change. Though, since there is always change that Starclan need not mention it must be a big change."

"And hard times," Mousetail added in a trembling voice. "Dangers."

"Now, we do not know that for sure," Sunfeather meowed, eyeing Mousetail as if warning him not to frighten the Clancats. "But we should be prepared for whatever may come."

((Sorry if I seem like I’m going kinda fast. :-P Trying to get through the Gathering so we get moving along. X-D
And I was originally just going to wing the nameless Moonguards but I have a better plan. *Shiftyeyes*))

[Wildheart]

Opaleye gave her former mentor a light flick with her tail. For a Rootclan cat, the white she-cat was rather open-minded. "If Bronzestar has given his blessing for his own beloved daughter to mate with this rogue tom, we should keep an eye out for this Falconwing." She pointed out. Everyone knew Bronzestar doted upon his daughter.
Her ears flicked and she straightened up at the prophecy. Rarely did Starclan deliver a message to all cats of all clans - this was serious.

Streamfur frowned, his whiskered twitching. "The stormy skies part lie ahead worries me. How literal is that? Could it be a warning of dangerous weather, an actual storm?" Things were fairly simple in Streamfur's world - he'd never make the leader his sister did.

Stormsoul shook her head at once in disagreement with the Crowclan tom. "Not in Greenleaf, the weather patterns have been steady." Meowed the colourpoint warrior firmly. One of her talents was weather prediction, and she was rather accurate.


((OOC| A plan, oh, do tell! I figured we'd let the other moonguards be appointed in-game, much as we would deputies and any Medcat positions left over?))

[Dawny]

Dragonmoon listened as the gathered cats begun discussing the prophecy, her green eyes scanning the cats she could see. Change will come to pass. That was the line that caught her attention, but she supposed that was because it had been so long since things had changed that the line worried her. The last major change had been the shift from forest Clans to city Clans, as far as she knew. So, what could be so major now that StarClan would give them a prophecy about it?

Though, the silver-faced she-cat remained silent, listening to the discussions around her. Stormy skies lie ahead.

~

Dawnbreak glanced at her fellow Moonguards, concern clear in her mismatched eyes. "Think they're okay?" she inquired softly, deciding now was probably a good time to discuss what could have caused the others to be so late. The ginger-banded tortoiseshell rose to her paws, pacing in a quick circle and letting her eyes pass over the other cats. "This is weird." she muttered, loud enough for the others to hear, "Missing Moonguards? Change? Stormy skies?....Think there's some sort of connection?"

~

Snakepaw listened quietly to the Leader's announcements, and shuddered at the prophecy the Medicine Cats delivered. The blind CrowClan apprentice lifted his head slightly, listening as the buzz of many cats talking surrounded him.

~

Icestorm tilted her head, thinking over StarClan's message. If all the Head Medicine Cats knew - which surely meant that the other Medicine Cats knew - then why hadn't they figured out the meaning yet? Looking over at Opaleye, the identical white she-cat asked, "What if stormy skies has nothing to do with the weather, at all?" Rising to her paws, the HillClan warrior stepped closer to her kin, looking up at the Head Medicine Cats. "StarClans messages are never really meant in a literal sense, so what could stormy skies be if not literal?" she continued, sitting beside the other white she-cat.

Icestorm forced herself to keep her hackles down, licking at her chest to hide her blue-and-green eyes. Thanks to the she-cat who had taken her in after her parents were killed, the HillClanner had harbored a dislike towards both RootClan and CrowClan. But the discovery of her apparent cousin had given her reason to try to be more tolerant towards RootClan.

OOC: *waits patiently for plan* OxO

[Wildheart]

Opaleye turned an ear towards her cousin, nodding as she did so. She felt all of a sudden, oddly, as if she had an ally."I agree with Icestorm." She meowed, gazing up at the leaders in the pine tree, suddenly filled with purpose. "We've gone through bad weather before, but why would Starclan bother to warn us if that was it?" She cast Streamfur a quick glance, not wanting to disagree outright with the simple Crowclan tom but unwilling to belie his theory was correct. "If this storm is coming, it's not from the sky."

Wolverineclaw let a rumbling growl build in his broad chest, nodding to Dawnbreak. "I don't like it." He muttered, about the missing Moonguards, sitting still but looking like he wished he was elsewhere. He was a cat of action, in the end, with little regard to lengthy speeches.

[Kitsune]

Shimmerpelt's eyes shone as she nodded to Rootpelt. "Doting or not, there's still no reason to trust a non-Clan cat - especially to an extent like that, so quickly." The Tunnelclan warrior flicked her tail.

But the prophecy intrigued her. She heard a bit of worried muttering - but she tilted her head up, curling her tail about her paws. Like the seasons and leaves, it said - natural. The clans had been too stagnant - it was about time there was some change.


Pebblespot sat up straighter at the prophecy. There was one thing he truly feared, and, like the stereotype that followed Rootclan, that was change. He shook his head, fur fluffed out a little to make him look even bigger than his already impressive size. "What kind of change is like a storm? I don't like those big storms we have to go through... is the change going to be that scary?"


Foxtail watched her mentor quietly, tail-tip twitching. The muttering sprung up immediately and she shook her head. "It may not mean danger," she said softly, glancing about. "It could mean -- it could mean a chance for renewal. Helpful change." Her voice after the pause sounded a little more strained - she caught sight of the darkness once more. Why? It slipped away after just a moment, but for a second, Foxtail was scared that their warrior ancestors had covered the moon.

Her tail a little more fluffed, she looked up, taking solace in seeing the moon still shining bright, no clouds around.


Zephyrfoot went back to pacing immediately after the news. The Moonguards were never late, not for as long as he could remember. Late on the night when all four clans received a prophecy of such magnitude? He glanced to his fellow Moonguards.

"It is not right... They should definitely be here by now. What if they have run into some trouble?"

[Shell (PrairieWolf)]

“Alright, alright, everyone calm down!” Copperstar’s voice rose above the chatter of cats and the she-cat stalked past the Medicine Cats to the fore of the branch. “Whatever this prophecy may mean it could not be immediate. Change takes time. For now we should return to our Camps.”

“Yes,” spoke up Bronzestar as he moved to TunnelClan‘s Leader‘s side, “We shall go home, get some rest, think this through.”

“And,” Copperstar added. “If anything strange or dangerous happens you should report immediately to your Leader or Deputy. There’s nothing we can not over come if we prepare ourselves.” Copperstar’s yellow eyes gleam down at the gathered cats before finally hopping down from her branch perch. She paused near Shimmerpelt’s and Ratfang’s side.
“Gather the Clan and meet me at the slope.” With that she stalked off towards the car park’s ramp.

Goldstar was not far behind her, silently nodding to Rootpelt, he seemed a bit more serious then was normal for him. “Let’s get the others.” Rootpelt nodded in return to him and followed the large tom towards Opaleye.

Silverstar waited silently on her tree branch, bright eyes watching the cats below. She need not say a word for her deputy, Crowfoot, was already stalking towards Streamfur. “I see you have Whisperpaw with you,” Crowfoot meowed. “Where’s Snakepaw?”

Bronzestar sighed wearily and moved to Coldnose’s side, carefully leading the blind old tom from branch to branch until they reached the ground. He headed towards Foxtail, nodding a greeting to the other younger medicine cats before stopping in front of the young red queen. “If you would,” he meowed.
“Pfft, I‘ll be fine, Bronzestar,” Coldnose rumbled teasingly at his friend and Leader. “I’m not so helpless.”
“Of course not, Coldnose. But it is quite a drop. Better safe then sorry. Now where is Rubbishclaw?” The spotted Leader looked around the gathering for his small brown Deputy.

Sunfeather watched as the Leaders left the pine tree before bounding down the branches herself. She moved towards Dragonmoon, her apprentice, with a nod. “Let’s go, Dragonmoon. We’ll wait for the others by the opening.” Nodding a farewell to anyone near she moves towards the fire escape.

Dreamguard shook out his fur and moved closer to his fellow Moonguards. “Well,” he murmured. “Let’s get going… I know how you three feel, so let’s not waste any time.”

“You’d be wise to step lightly when approaching your post…” Came an elder cat’s voice. Ghosteye had moved silently from the pine tree and sat near to the gathered Moonguards. The Crowclan’s Head Medicine Cat’s one good orange eye settled upon the four steadily.

((No plan for you! Shhh… *Shiftyeyes*

And yes, Moonguards will be appointed in-game. I'm think probably apprenticed.))

[Wildheart]

Opaleye turned her mismatched eyes to her leader, worry reflecting in their blue and green depths. "This just doesn't feel right." She told him, shaking her head. She glanced to Icestorm before she fell into place beside her clanmates, flicking her tail and touching the near-identical she-cat with the tip by way of farewell.

Stremafur, who had his paws full just trying to make Whisperpaw sit down and pay attention, hastily turned to scan for his own apprentice. "He's... over there by the wall. Snakepaw, come on. We're heading back to camp."

Angelflight had listened silently to this exchange. He grunted to himself and swished his long, thin tail, then joined the rest of Tunnelclan as they headed out.

Wolverineclaw had paused breifly to touch noses with his old friend Stormsoul. The long-furred she cat purred and nuzzled the gruff tom gently. They probably looked as close as mates to outsiders, but in reality is was merely the strongest, most comfortable of friendships between them. "Be safe." She told him, and he grunted and nudged her cheek in goodbye before turning to his fellow Moonguards. His big amber eyes narrowed and he whipped his head towards Ghosteye. "We'll do just that." He growled, but if the Hillclan tom was grateful for the warning it didn't show in his tone.

[Dawny]

Icestorm rose to her paws as Opaleye left, dipping her head to her cousin before heading for her fellow HillClanners. Casting her mismatched eyes around Silverview, she quickly searched for her adoptive brother, Sootfur, who had long since joined TunnelClan. Sighing as she found no sign of his sleek black pelt, the turned back to her Clanmates.

~

Hearing his mentor call him, Snakepaw got to his paws and carefully moved towards Streamfur and CrowClan's deputy. "Can't wait to get home." he muttered, sightlessly starring up at his mentor. Can't wait to get back to Bluepaw and Squirrelpaw.

~

Dragonmoon nodded, rising to her paws and limping after her mentor. "Eventful Gathering, wasn't it?" she stated, trying to make some sort of conversation with Sunfeather. "Did you hear anything that could be helpful about StarClan's message?" Peering out into the darkness, the cream-and-silver Medicine Cat Apprentice sighed softly, ears flattening out. The one thing she disliked about Gatherings was the long journey to Silverview with her useless, stiff and sore leg.

~

Dawnbreak blinked once, dipping her head to Ghosteye. "Will do." she promised, before turning her gaze towards the gathering TunnelClan cats. "Be right back, guys." she called over her shoulder, running over to Angelflight. Batting at him and butting his shoulder roughly, she grinned, "See ya' next moon, bro'."

[Kitsune]

Shimmerpelt nodded, but didn't move for a few moments as she watched Copperstar stalk off. She then turned - it seemed most of the Tunnelclan cats had already gathered together. She glanced about for any stragglers, but hoped to find none; her mind was racing, considering the possibilities of the prophecy.

Pressing herself side to side with Coldnose, Foxtailed purred, "I couldn't stand not having the company, anyway." She pressed a little closer than usual - she definitely needed the company, and comfort, tonight.


Whisperpaw swatted her tail across Snakepaw's far shoulder, butting her head into his closer shoulder. "Sourpuss," she whispered, barely audible.


Pebblespot padded toward the other Rootclan cats, stretching. "Let's hope it's not at all immediate. I like Greenleaf to be filling and uneventful."


Casting a glance to Ghosteye, Zephyrfoot nodded solemnly. He held quite a bit of respect for the head medicine cat. "We shall. And you will hear news - hopefully good news - soon." He flicked his tail, waiting to set off.

[Wildheart]

Streamfur glanced over Snakepaw and murmured agrement. "Gatherings can get like that sometimes." He flicked his ears, unsure if he should have brought his apprentice along. He wasn't very old yet, after all. Maybe he should have waited longer. He glanced over his shoulder at Whisperpaw, not having heard what she said. "Keep up please, Whisperpaw." He sighed. He couldn't imagine how his surly brother coped having such a high-maintenance apprentice! Snakepaw may have been challenging, but he wasn't that difficult to get along with most of the time.

Angelflight grinned sheepishly at his sister. "Oh, of course, you'll be off now. You will take care, won't you?" He purred, rubbing his chin on her shoulder. "A whole moon really is too long, you know."

((OOC| Guys, shall I create a thread for the Moonguards to be approaching Moonecho?))

[Dawny]

Snakepaw stumbled lightly as he was butted. First one was her...tail, the last was her head...I think. Turning his head towards the other apprentice, he flicked his tail out, brushing her nose. "And you really should work out a way to trick me without giving yourself away." he whispered back, pelt bristling ever-so slightly. Turning his sightless eyes ahead of him again, the young brown tabby padded dutifully at his mentor's side. "Slowpoke." he called back to Whisperpaw, his insult disguised by a playfully teasing, almost friendly tone.

~

Purring along with her brother, Dawnbreak cuffed his ear lightly. "Of course I'll be careful! You should be more worried about the cats that try to mess around at Moonecho!" she purred, before licking his cheek. "I know it's a long time, but we can't be picky about the path StarClan lays out for us, right? Just take care of yourself, eat well and have plenty of stories to tell me when I get back!"

OOC: Sure oxo

[Shell (PrairieWolf)]

Sunfeather slowed her pace so Dragonmoon could more easily keep up. The fluffy she-cat spoke in quiet tones to her apprentice ensuring she wont be over heard. “Yes, eventful… And no… I didn’t hear anything that would help clear things up further . However…” The she-cat paused before finishing. “Dragonmoon. After the initial meeting when we get home I would like to talk to you in private.”

Coldnose responded by leaning into Foxtail’s side. He could feel, by the way her body tensed and kept close to him, that something was bothering his former apprentice. “Foxtail,” he purred quietly to the red she-cat in his normal strained voice. “Are you alright? You seem a bit… uneasy, my friend.” He paused, ears perked before adding. “Come, let’s talk on the way… It seems the Clan is already moving…”

***

The Clans finished organized themselves and each headed down their usual trail towards home.


((Ok, all, going to finish it here and start four new Threads… Each Clan will have a Thread with the returning cats from the Gathering. Everyone, new members as well, are welcome in those Threads. I’ll post links here once I have them set up.
And yes, Chris, feel free to post for the Moonguards arriving at the Moonecho. I’ll add in what they find the next time I can post after you.))

#1: Returning from the Gathering.

Rootclan: citywarriorsrp.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=highroot&thread=356

Crowclan: citywarriorsrp.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=smoothstone&action=display&thread=355

Tunnelclan: citywarriorsrp.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=rustrock&thread=353&page=1

Hillclan: citywarriorsrp.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=hcoutlook&thread=354