By the time the setting sun illuminated the gray stone, punishment still hadn't been delivered for the two brothers. Which everyone thought was odd, considering the fight had happened at sunhigh. It was almost time for Sunset Gathering as Downytuft sat at the mouth of the den, patiently waiting.
His thoughts couldn't help but drift for a moment. Would they blame him and Wrenpaw for starting it, servants didn't have much of a voice during Sentencing. If anything, Snakepaw deserved to be punished for his cruel actions, but it was acceptable for trainees to do that. He sighed, glancing up at the clearing. What would Applepaw do in his situation?
Applepaw! Downytuft straighten up, surprised on how easily he used her name. He hadn't thought about his sister in moons, which made him feel guilty. If she hadn't-
"Downytuft? Are you ok?" The cream tabby blinked at the brown molly, who had suddenly appeared beside him. She looked calmer now and a bit concerned. He purred, leaning over to give her ears a lick.
"I'm fine. You do have the ability to pop up quietly," he purred. She didn't seem to notice the joke however, she flattened her ears to the top of her head. Downytuft frowned at her, "I think I should be asking you what's wrong instead."
"I apologized to Whitetail and Twigpelt already, but I'm sorry for stalking off. I was still angry about what happened." Wrenpaw glanced up at him, amber gaze regretful. He stared at her, amber eyes softening.
"No need to apologize, you were upset, I don't blame you." He gently twinned tails with her as he spoke. The two gazed at each other for moment, before a loud voice caused them to look up.
Russetmoon was standing upon the High Ledge, the setting sun lighting his ginger fur. "Let all cats gather for Sunset Gathering!" Spidermoon leapt down from the ledge, padding into the center of the clearing.
Cats slid out their dens, forming a ragged circle around the black king. Twigpelt and Whitetail sat next to him while Tulipshade's kits bounded out the nursery, stubby tails waving. He caught sight of Wrenpaw glancing at Runningpaw and Snakepaw coming out the Healers den.
  The queens had joined the circle as well. Ryeheart, Mossytail, and Cedarpaw joined in. When everyone had join, Spidermoon called out, "I know you're all wondering about the trainees punishment, it's won't be decided until the morning. On a brighter note, we haven't done a Sunset Gathering in a while, so I personally welcome everybody. Cedarpaw will be saying our blessing to Sky Kingdom." His long tail gestured for the trainee to come forward.
That earned some muttering from the cats, though it was quickly silenced by Russetmoon's sharp glare.
  The brown tom paused for a moment, but after gentle nudge from Ryeheart, he padded over to his king. A quick dip of his head before he began, "We thank you for blessing the claws of our catchers to provide us prey. The Sky has blessed us once more." Cedarpaw finished off.
   "So it is," every cat said in unison. The Catchers began passing out prey to everyone. Lakepaw placed a fish down in front of him, giving him a tiny nod. Downytuft picked up the creature, it's sliver scales brushing against the inside of his mouth. The cream tabby glanced around. Wrenpaw was with Runningpaw, Twigpelt was joking around with Frondleaf, and Whitetail was speaking to the elder Newtstripe.
This was bonding time for the Kingdom, one of the times they came together as one. His amber gaze caught Tulipshade sitting with her kits, splitting a mouse for them. His white paws took him to the caretaker, bushy tail kinked behind his back. Downytuft placed his prey down, "is this spot taken?"
The white molly glanced up at him, just noticing his presence. Hollykit sprang to her small paws, "hello, Downytuft!" Her brother blinked at him, giving him a tiny nod.
  "Of course," the molly gestured to the spot, "I need someone to talk to besides these two complaining." Quailkit flicked his small ears in a cross manner, "we do not!" He tried protesting against her statement.
Tulipshade only purred, "go play, little ones." The black kit nodded, "race you to the elders den!" She darted away, her brother right on her tail. She sighed, watching them leave.
  Downytuft tore into the fish, frowning at her. He glanced around, spotting Berrycreek and Tanglereed speaking with their heads close together. He knew the advisor didn't do it on purpose, the patched tom was a loving father.
"I know he tries," Tulipshade cut through his thoughts, "maybe they don't what Berrycreek to be with his kits." It took him a moment to realize she meant Sky Kingdom. Downytuft reached out with his tail, curling it around her shoulders.
  "We just never know, all we can do is just trust."

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"Hurry up, slow crab!" A molly called out. Downypaw darted after, the muted colors of the forest blurring around him.
"I'm no slow crab, Applepaw!" The cream tabby tom protested, speeding up on her. Before he knew it, he tripped, tumbling into his sister. She yelped, rolling over with him.
The siblings laid there for a moment, before bursting out in purrs. "Sorry about that," Downypaw muttered, removing a leaf from his thick pelt.
  Applepaw shook her head, beaming at him,"no need to." Her green eyes suddenly became more serious as she sat up. He gazed at her, shuffling towards the troubled molly.
  "Can we always stay like this, happy and carefree?" She asked, tipping her head in question. Downypaw licked her ear, nodding to her.
  "Of course, this is the only way I want to be, trout face." The golden molly rolled her eyes, shoving him slightly. They both broke out in purrs once more.

That was a promise he would always keep.

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I need to be stricter with my update schedule. :/Regardless, hope you enjoyed the chapter! If you notice any mistakes, just tell me! I'm open to constructive criticism. The beautiful aesthetic was made by @wishbright !