At the Gathering*

Scarlet gave a small leap of joy when the Great Stones came into view. The Great Stones were the four tall, flat-topped rocks that the leaders of each Clan sat on top of during Gatherings. Geministar, ShadowClan's leader, leapt on top of his respective stone with his typical easy grace. As Scarlet glanced around, she could see Pumpkinstar sitting atop his stone as well, looking around for the other two leaders. Scarletleaf could see Crystalstar and RiverClan padding into the clearing, but Heatherstar had yet to arrive.

As she headed over to sit by Ambereyes, who was talking with Aurorapelt about something or another, she bumped into a slender female warrior.

"Hey, watch it!" the unicorn mare hissed, flicking Scarletleaf on the chin with her tail. "Well, excuuuuse me, princess." Scarlet muttered, turning away and continuing over to Ambereyes.

"What was that, apprentice?" the warrior hissed. Scarletleaf turned to face her. "Oh, nothing that the holy ears of a warrior would care to hear.  Carry on." Scarletleaf started walking again, flicking her tail insolently as she passed.

She sat down next to Ambereyes, who paused in her talking. "Scarletleaf, this is Aurorapelt. She's RiverClan's medicine cat."

"Happy to meet you!" Aurorapelt beamed at Scarletleaf.

"Likewise." Her gaze shifted to the ground.

Ambereyes prodded Scarletleaf. "What's wrong?"

"I met a full-of-herself warrior." Scarletleaf explained. "I bumped into her, and she thinks it's the gravest offense."

Aurorapelt nodded. "What did she look like?"

"Slender, creamy-colored coat, blue eyes."

"Then you just met Willowbend." Aurorapelt remarked matter-of-factly. "She's a smart-flanked overgrown apprentice who thinks she owns the world." She chuckled. "I shouldn't be saying this, she's part of my Clan, so keep it between us, okay?"

"Okay." Scarletleaf cracked a smile for the first time since the Gathering started.

After a few minutes, Heatherstar and WindClan finally arrived, she leapt up onto her stone, and the Gathering began.

The news was dull, a few new warriors, some new litters of kits, not much else. As she got up and headed out, some cat bumped into her.

"I'm really sorry about that, I'm kind of clumsy." The gray apprentice hopped to his hooves. "What's your name?"

Well, isn't he outgoing? Scarletleaf thought. "Scarletleaf."

"I'm Stormyhoof." Stormyhoof dashed off. "Until we meet again!"

Scarletleaf looked in his general direction for a second, and then headed home with her Clan.