═══════════════════════════════════════════Swiftpaw tensed as she began to repeat Aspenshadow's actions. She dipped her paw in the river, flinching and abruptly lifting it out of the water. She shook her paw to dry off her fur. Aspenshadow's expression showed confusion and amusement. "You're a RiverClan cat, not a drypaw, minnow-brain," he teased. Swiftpaw blithely rolled her eyes and lowered her paw into the river again. She wouldn't mess up on her second try at hunting. As she identified a small salmon, she extended her paw underwater. The fish escaped almost immediately after she atteSwiftpaw tensed as she began to repeat Aspenshadow's actions. She dipped her paw in the river, flinching and abruptly lifting it out of the water. She shook her paw to dry off her fur. Aspenshadow's expression showed confusion and amusement. "You're a RiverClan cat, not a drypaw, minnow-brain," he teased. Swiftpaw blithely rolled her eyes and lowered her paw into the river again. She wouldn't mess up on her second try at hunting. As she identified a small salmon, she extended her paw underwater. The fish escaped almost immediately after she attempted to catch it. "Mouse-dung!" she exclaimed. Aspenshadow twitched his whiskers as his apprentice met his gaze. "Sorry, Aspenshadow," she murmured. Her mentor dipped his head. "Sorry fills no stomachs," he meowed. "Try again, Swiftpaw." ═══════════════════════════════════════════ After his apprentice had successfully caught a few small fish, Aspenshadow led Swiftpaw back to the RiverClan camp. He flicked his tail toward the apprentice's den. "Swiftpaw, you should get some rest, since the Gathering is tonight," the gray tabby suggested. "You are excused from apprentice tasks until tomorrow." Swiftpaw flexed her claws in agreement. "Alright," she muttered. The ginger and white cat padded toward the hedge, shifting onto her haunches at the entrance. Swiftpaw yawned as she identified Ivystar ascending the Highrock. She approached the clearing, for she predicted that her leader would hold a Clan meeting. Just as she had inferred, the patch furred cat announced the summoning call. "Let all cats old enough to swim gather to hear my words!" Swiftpaw glanced at the other arriving cats before returning her attention to Ivystar. ═══════════════════════════════════════════ "As you know, tonight is full moon. I have decided which cats will be attending the Gathering," she admitted. Ivystar began reciting names as the chosen cats pricked their ears at the mention of themselves. "Aspenshadow, Doeleap, Gorsewhisker, Willowbreeze, Ashpaw, Minnowfur," The RiverClan leader rested her gaze on the ginger and white apprentice. "Lastly, Swiftpaw," she meowed.The cats who had not been mentioned would guard the camp, for predators such as badgers and foxes were usually around during the night, and they could not afford the threat. ═══════════════════════════════════════════ As the sun began to set a while later, Swiftpaw's Clanmates started approaching the camp entrance, anticipating the Gathering. She padded toward Aspenshadow, noticing him in the large group. "How many cats will be at Fourtrees?" she whispered. Her mentor licked his paw and began to groom his fur. "It's hard to predict. There will be quite a few from each Clan," Aspenshadow answered as he strided to Ashpaw and Doeleap. The crowd of cats began to leave the camp, traveling across the territory. They reached a log that covered the length of the river, perfect for crossing. When the RiverClan cats arrived at Fourtrees prior to proceeding over a large branch, several felines from opposing Clans meowed friendly greetings to them. Ashpaw and his littermate cautiously padded over to a group of additional apprentices. Aspenshadow turned to Doeleap. "Do you think it'll be alright to allow them to mingle with the others?" The pale brown female twitched her whiskers. "Apprentices will be apprentices. Let them enjoy themselves while they can," she purred. ═══════════════════════════════════════════
I'm proud to announce the release of part five! I've been working on this for a while now, and part six of the first book should be available to view on Scratch very soon. Hope you enjoyed reading this :3 ◄ Previous | https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/264750229/ ► Following | https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/270694666/
