I crouched down on the ground, focusing my eyes on my prey. I froze as it moved, and then bunched my hind legs, getting ready to jump. My tail twitching will excitement as I leaped, and landed on the leaf.

"Good, Flamepaw. Remember to keep your tail still as you stalk." My mentor, Raineye, and myself were in the training hollow, and he was teaching me how to hunt on the ground. I already knew how to, of course, but Raineye didn't have to know that.

I puffed my chest out in pride, and pricked my ears as Raineye continued on, "Next we'll practice climbing trees. It's essential for a Skyclan cat, as it can be used both in hunting and in fighting. We use the trees while hunting to stalk tree prey such as birds and squirrels, and we use trees while fighting to drop down on enemies and surprise them, giving us an advantage."

I nodded as Raineye continued on about climbing trees. I could see his age showing in his eyes.

I wouldn't be surprised if he retired to the Elders den after training me.

Raineye was the oldest and one of the most respected warriors in the clan. His mate, Jaypool, retired to the Elders den nine moons ago, just before I was born. I could see that he was longing to be with her. It only made me more determined to work hard and get my warrior name early.

"Flamepaw? Is something on your mind?" Raineye must have caught me staring off into space.

"Sorry Raineye, I was just thinking about how much I want my warrior name."

"Oh really? What makes you want it so much?"

"Well, aside from the freedom of being a warrior, it's to help you out as well." Raineye widened his eyes in questioning. "You're pretty old, no offense."

"None taken."

"And your mate is already in the Elders den. So if I get my warrior name quickly, then you can be with your mate!"

Raineye's dull eyes brightened will laughter, and he let out a chuckle. "While I appreciate the thought, I can still spend all the time I want with Jaypool. I even sometimes take apprentice duties just to spend time with her." Seeing my saddened face, he said, "But I suppose if I retire to the Elders den, I can spend even more time with her. And I wouldn't have to do any of your duties."

"Well, when you put it that way, I don't know if I want you to go to the elder's den anymore."

Raineye shook with laughter again. "C'mon, let's go find a tree for you to climb."

'~******~'

"Good work today Flamepaw. Go get something from the fresh-kill pile, and then rest." The glint in Raineye's gaze gave away something, but I couldn't figure out what it was.

Ignoring it, I turned towards the fresh-kill pile, spotting an incredibly large squirrel. I licked my maw, and went over to the pile. I bent down and grabbed the squirrel, mouth-watering smells filling my senses.

I started to head towards a shaded spot beneath a tree, but then someone called, "Flamepaw! Over here!"

I turned to see Yellowpaw relaxing with Ivypaw. I trotted over to them, the squirrel bumping against my legs.

"You actually thought that we would let you eat that entire squirrel by yourself?" Yellowpaw said, her eyes betraying her harsh tone. Ivypaw smiled next to her, and sat up from her laying position.

I dropped the squirrel in front of them. "Well then, dig in." We all tucked into the squirrel, enjoying the savory taste of a fresh-kill.

As I was chewing, I looked around the camp to see if anything was going on. A group was leaving for the Sunhigh patrol, Skystorm was talking to Snowheart by the Warrior's den, and Jaypool was basking in the sun's rays on one of the rocks. Everything was normal.

But then I looked over to the Apprentice's den. I set of Amber eyes were staring into mine, unblinking. The eyes weren't fierce, or determined, but that's what scared me. The eyes were relaxed, cool and collected. And I couldn't look away.

Finally, after a few minutes of staring, the amber eyes broke the gaze. Luckily, Yellowpaw and Ivypaw ceased to notice.

So Sparrow has finally turned. I can't remember what he did. He wasn't big, at least I think.

'~******~'

"... Snowheart, Sparrowpaw, Yellowpaw, and Stonepaw. You all will be attending the gathering."

My face broke into a small smile. Back in my first life, everyone had been in the same group, so there weren't any gatherings. This would be my first official gathering.

Stonecreek's eyes locked with mine, and I remembered that he wanted me to stay by him. I get to see the other's again. This'll be exciting.

Everyone dispersed from the quick meeting. I followed Stonecreek over to the medicine cat's den, where Featherflight was snoozing in the sun. "Stay quiet. We don't want to wake Featherflight." Stonecreek snuck past the silver tabby, deep into the den.

I entered the poorly-lit den, and the overwhelming amount of different aromas made me sneeze. 

"Allergies?" Stonecreek questioned.

"It's the beginning of leafbare, so yeah, I guess."

"I could give you some tansy, although I don't know how effective that would be."

"Don't worry about it."

Stonecreek nodded. "I was able to get in touch with every medicine cat, except for Finchcloud. She's from Riverclan, so we'll just need to find the Riverclan apprentice that was reborn. I can find Finchcloud" I blinked in understanding, "We normally meet pretty close to the deputies, but since this can't be spread, we're going to meet near the edge of the clearing, closer to Shadowclan territory."

"What about Featherflight?" I questioned.

"She'll be staying back here, just in case someone catches a fever. We need to tell all the other medicine cats not to tell her. She's getting old, she doesn't need more to worry about."

"And medicine cats that have apprentices?"

"Already taken care of. They'll send them to talk with other apprentices."

"You seem to be pretty good at this stuff."

I headed out of the den just as Featherflight entered, and started talking to Stonecreek. The sun was nearing the horizon, which meant we would be leaving soon. I turned towards the warriors den, where Tawnyfur was streched out, enjoy the final moments of the sun. When she saw me coming, she sat up and smiled.

"You're first gathering!"

"Yep."

"I'm not going, so make sure to come back with lots of stories, okay? I expect you to have at least met one friendly cat."

That won't be too hard. I've already got four set up.

I gave my mother a quick lick on her cheek, and turned back to where the cats that were going to the gathering were grouping up.

"Skyclan! We're leaving!" Billystar shouted. A few cats were gathered behind us, and waved their tails in farewell. 

As we were nearing the Gathering Island, Stonecreek dropped back to where I was walking. "Try to stay near the back, that way, most cats won't see us." I gave a small nod, and leapt up onto the tree bridge.

Once on the Island, I made my way to the far side, Stonecreek close behind me. We had to stay in the shadows so that cats would have to actually be looking for us to find us. 

After only a few minutes of waiting, Stone Swift showed up, with their respective medicine cats trailing behind them. Stone had two more cats shadowing him.

"Flame!" Swift exclaimed.

I smirked and licked her forehead. Swift was my mother in my first life, and it was nice to see her again.

Stone and I locked eyes, and tapped our foreheads together. "It's good to see you again." I said. Stone nodded in response, staying silent. "Who're they?"

"This is Ice."

"Good to see you again Flame." Ice smiled. I nodded to him.

"And the other?"

"His mate, Poppyfern. Myself and Maple have already told her about everything."

"You've already come in contact with Maple?"

"And Heron. More by chance than anything, but it was nice to see them."

I was quickly introduced to Cloudpool, Stone's medicine cat, and Blackleaf, Swift's medicine cat. I introduced both Swift and Stone to Stonecreek.

"Hey guys!" Maple was trotting towards us with a grin on his face, two cats in tow. "This is my medicine cat, Finchfur, and Night!"

Stone snorted, "You seem excited. And good to see you, Night."

"It's Shadeheart now, but it's good to see you as well."

In my mind I suddenly remembered that I had to retrieve Heron. I looked back at Stonecreek, and I could tell that he had realized the same thing. "We'll be right back, we're gonna go and grab Heron."

After a quick look around, Stonecreek was able to spot Finchcloud, and broke off from my company. Finding Heron would be more difficult. There were a lot of white cats, and I didn't yet know the smell of Riverclan.

I took the wet smell for Riverclan.

River? Wet? Get it?

Practically a genius.

After narrowing that down, I looked for white cats. There were three. one Stonecreek was heading towards, another was obviously female, which only left one more. 

I padded over to the white cat, and called out, "Heron!"

The cat looked in my direction, and his eyes grew. I motioned my head in a "follow me" gesture, and started padding back to where we all where.

We returned to see Finchcloud already with the group, and seemingly acquainted. I quickly introduced Heronpaw to the cats that didn't know him. Maple and Heron bumped heads, and Maple gave Heron's cheek a lick. Then they sat down next to each other.

Stonecreek moved to the center of our sloppy circle. "This isn't going to be long, this is mostly just for introductions and becoming familiar with faces. Most of us know the problem that faces us. For those who don't, these seven," Stonecreek motioned his head towards our small group, "have been reborn. However, more have also been reborn. Night?"

"Right. There are three reborn cats from each clan. The ones that aren't here are all evil. That includes Moonpaw, Lionpaw, Rosefrost, Dahliapaw, Pebblesplash, Duskpaw, Sparrowpaw, and Ivypaw.

"Yes, they do outnumber us. But Starclan has recently told me there are more reborns out there that may help us." 

Next to me, Heronpaw's eyes lit up. "I'll be right back!" With that, he sprinted off into the crowd.

Heronpaw didn't take his time, and soon reappeared with another apprentice.

"Everyone, this is Greypaw. Formerly known as-"

"Greystripe. I was known as Greystripe."

AAAAAANNNDD CHAPTER 11 FINISHED!!!!

Everyone's finally met each other, and to some of your suspicions, Greystripe has also returned!

I'M SORRY SORRY IT'S BEEN SO LONG!!! I LOST INTEREST FOR AWHILE!

I tried to get my brother to write, but he was difficult, soooooo... NO CHAPTER'S FROM HIM!!! I'm tryin'a get a cover for that book, once I do, it'll be out!

No question cuz it's 1:00 and I'm hungry. Sowy :(

I'll try to get the next one out soon. Hopefully next week. We're almost halfway trough!!!

Auf Wiedersehen!!!

-Maple