Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night
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Nostrils flared as the forest musky scent of ThunderClan came into notice. If they had entered Fourtrees a few moments sooner then Moosestar and his clan might have beaten her. For Palestar it was only customary that ShadowClan was first as they had been for many moons now. Tonight was one of many traditions it seemed. With all the confidence of a seasoned leader, she led her clan with the added bonus of three new apprentices in paw. It was a long time since her first Gathering, but she remembered it clearly.

There’s always something to do.
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

 

She almost had it. If that mousebrained bird hadn’t seen her and called out… There was nothing Smallbird could do but chase after the rabbit as it fled. Rabbits so rarely entered Thunderclan territory and they were a great feast if they were caught. When the gray tabby she-cat had seen the little white tail flicking through the bushes as the rabbit nibbled on a patch of grass, she had been so excited. If she caught this she would be congratulated upon her return. Thanked even! The idea had made Smallbird quiver with excitement, but now she was running after the Starclan forsaken thing with no hope of catching it.

There was a slight hesitation in Smallbird’s gait as she crossed the clan boundary and bounded down into the Fourtrees hollow. It would be alright. It was late afternoon and not even the night of the Gathering. Besides, it was neutral territory. If she could trap the rabbit against the cliffs to Windclan maybe, just maybe it would be hers.

Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night
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It was a pleasant night save for the unsettling news of the murderer still at large. Palestar moved through the undergrowth as she led her clan through the land between Fourtrees and the tunnel under the ThunderPath, paving the way ahead to reveal and hear news of the forest.

Like the certainty of the moon rising over the hills, ShadowClan was first to arrive. It prided her to know that she led them with such tenacity and consistancy. Soft pawfalls brought her further into the clearing, head held high as she surveyed and waited for the other clans to arrive.

Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night
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The wind tore through the undergrowth as Palestar led her Clan beneath the tunnel towards Fourtrees. Overhead the sky was a mottled blanket of gray and dark besides the occassional light of the moon above.

Her stride was tall and sure, pale pelt rippling in the gusts, her mismatched eyes fixed on the sacred hollow ahead. ShadowClan would arrive first, as they so often did, and tonight she allowed herself the smallest measure of pride. In her Clan in her warriors and in herself.

The slope dipped into the clearing. Palestar slowed only enough to keep the procession tight-knit before bounding ahead. For now ShadowClan alone filled Fourtrees. Palestar’s heart was steady. The other Clans would arrive soon enough and what seemed only moments later, she peered across and scent ThunderClan close behind.

Like the sun, I may burn fiercely, but it's my fire that warms those I hold dear.

━✦━✶━✺━☀️━✺━✶━✦━

It had been a couple of moons since Sunbear got a good walk in, it wasn't across the whole territory but it felt like it was pretty close, maybe Sunbear's legs were getting weaker from laying about all day. The ruddy she-cat rolled her eyes and padded forward, her large body casting a shadow in the dawn light, she should really do these walks more often if she wanted to keep herself well enough to live longer than this.

With a sigh, the WindClan elder's legs brought her to the neutral area between the Thunderpath and Fourtrees. Deja vu, would be the word that described what Sunbear felt, she had definitely been here before, Hollyclaw and Heronsong she had met here from what she could recall in her mind, it was no business of hers however, since she wasn't really here to see anyone in particular, just to give her legs a small break.

Sunbear cleaned her ruffled chest fur with several uncalculated rasps of her tongue, she was too old to care about making herself look impressionable, not anymore anyway, she looked fine and healthy, that's all that mattered to her.

Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night
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The night air was crisp, still heavy with a damp chill. Palestar led the procession of ShadowClan cats through the underpass, the scent of wet stone and earth filling her nose as the echoes of their pawsteps bounced off the tunnel walls. The cold clung to her pelt, but she barely noticed it. Her thoughts were fixed ahead - on Fourtrees... on the leaders who would be waiting and on the truth she had no choice but to bring to light.

Whisperingwind’s murder could not be ignored.

She kept her expression composed as she glanced back at her warriors. ShadowClan had been shaken and tonight she would ensure that the other Clans were aware of the incident and protect their own borders. As the trees loomed closer, their bare branches stark against the full moon’s glow, Palestar took a steadying breath. The Gathering had begun. And before the night was through, all of the forest would know that blood had been spilled.

Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night
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The night was cold, the dampness of the earlier sleet clinging to the earth and turning every step into a slick, chilling reminder of leaf bare’s grip. Palestar led the way, her paws light but sure as ShadowClan moved beneath the Thunderpath tunnel, their pelts brushing against the rough stone walls. The air was thick with the scent of wet, cold earth and the lingering bitterness of the road above.

She glanced back at her those who made the dour trip with her. Despite the dreary weather, Palestar was in good spirits - anticipation, perhaps, or simply the quiet thrill of stepping into neutral ground under the full moon’s watchful eye. “Keep your footing careful. The ground is slick, and I don’t want any twisted paws before we even get there."

As the tunnel’s mouth opened to the forest beyond, the glow of the clearing came into view, the great oaks standing silent and strong against the winter moon. It would only be a short trip before the group would put into the silence of the sacred clearing. As Palestar hoped and expected up to this point, ShadowClan had arrived first. It was a matter of pride, and Palestar, tail held high, shook out her pelt as she waited for the other clans.

 

[From SC: Dawnflurry, Flutterdream, Brackenwing, Clovershine, & Echobright)

Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night
✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧

Palestar padded into Fourtrees, the cool breeze of leaf-bare ruffling her pale fur. ShadowClan had arrived first again, something that always filled her with quiet pride despite taking the extra time to guide their elders along with them. She cast a glance over her shoulder, ensuring that her clan were following in neat order behind her.

The familiar clearing opened up before them, the four great oaks standing like sentinels under the silver light of the full moon. Palestar felt the usual swell of satisfaction in her chest as she led her Clan down the slope and toward the heart of the gathering spot. There was a certain dignity in being the first to arrive, a statement of strength without needing to utter a single word.

She slowed her pace as they reached the center, her sharp eyes scanning the surrounding trees for any sign of the other Clans. Nothing yet.

Turning to her Clanmates, Palestar gave a nod of approval. “ShadowClan leads the way once again." A subtle weight of pride purred through her throat. "Hold yourselves high. We are here to represent our strength and unity."