The whole day, Heartstorm dreaded the Gathering. As he went to the border patrol, all he could do was stare out towards where ShadowClan camp would be. When he went to the hunting patrol, all he could do was think about ShadowClan ambushing them. When they were training, all Heartstorm imagined was fighting a ShadowClan warrior. By the end of the day, Heartstorm was tired and wary of thinking. He didn't want ShadowClan on his mind. He wanted to think about other things but no matter how much he tried, he couldn't get the annoying tugging thoughts to go away. Finally, evening came and Heartstorm's dreaded moment had arrived. 

         "Those attending the Gathering tonight will be Blacktail, Heartstorm, Sparkbelly, Eelfrost, Embergaze, Smoketail and Stripedfur," announced Reedstar. There was some murmuring. That was not many cats. "I know that is not a lot of cats. But we have reason to think ShadowClan might attack tonight. I want to make sure they do not. I want Beestripe, Rainfeather, Applenose and Cloudbreeze positioned at the WindClan border when we leave. I have not told ThunderClan about this threat as I do not want them to be alarmed. They will come to the Gathering and if something happens, they will come to our help. But we will not trouble them with this extra caution. I also want Sparkbelly and Moorpelt patrolling around RiverClan and Mudclaw and Rosebriar to stand guard right outside camp. The other warriors, I'd like you to stay in camp and be ready for danger. I want the apprentices, except Bumblepaw, to be in camp tonight and queen's..." Reedstar's gaze landed on Deerflame. "To be in the nursery; protected with the elders. Apprentices..., don't be disappointed, you will be able to help around Clan but hopefully, nothing will happen." Reedstar leapt off the High Rock and was immediately engaged in a conversation with Blacktail. Heartstorm's heart raced. He joined Silverdrop. 

         "You're staying in camp," he said, feeling extremely relieved. "Take care of the kits... Brightpaw looks skeptical." 

         "What do you mean he said?" asked Silverdrop, giving Heartstorm a lick on the cheek. "About Bumblepaw." Heartstorm shrugged and frowned. He trotted over to Reedstar. Blacktail and Reedstar broke their conversation and turned to Heartstorm. 

         "What did you mean about Bumblepaw?" asked Heartstorm. 

         "He's going to the Gatherine," replied Reedstar then turned for the camp entrance. "Let's go!" Heartstorm's jaw dropped and felt dread spread through him. He hurried after Reedstar. 

          "What do you mean?!" he exclaimed. "What do you mean he's coming?" 

          "He's a medicine cat. He has to go," Reedstar said. "Don't worry, nothing will happen." Heartstorm bit his tongue in frustration and trotted over to Brightpaw and Bumblepaw. Brightpaw was looking frustrated and angry. She was ranting to Bumblpeaw, lashing her tail wildly. Bumblepaw looked excited but tried to keep his feelings away from Brightpaw as not to get her hyped. 

           "It's alright, maybe next time," he comforted his sister. 

            "Bumblepaw, I do not want you going to the Gathering," Heartstorm said firmly. Bumblepaw gaped.    

            "I'm a medicine cat," he argued. 

            "Apprentice," corrected Heartstorm.

           "Yes but I'm a medicine cat apprentice I have to go. Plus, nobody is going to hurt me," shrugged Bumblepaw. Frogleap joined them. He gave Heartstorm a hard look. 

            "He's my apprentice, I can take are of him, thank you," Frogleap said firmly. "Don't worry." Heartstorm opened his mouth to protest but Frogleap dragged Bumblepaw away. Bumblepaw mouthed sorry although he looked slightly relieved. 

            "Ugh that's not fair!" exclaimed Brightpaw. "I should go! This is so unfair!" Heartstorm didn't want to argue. He marched to the camp entrance where the small group of cats were gathered. They were leaving soon. If Bumblepaw was going, Heartstorm would keep an eye on him. Reedstar flicked his tail and nodded goodbye to Blacktail. She was staying in camp that night.    

             "Let's go!" Reedstar said loudly. Together, the RiverClan cats ran swiftly towards the WindClan border. Heartstorm felt adrenaline pulse through him. Something rushed through him. He didn't know what it was. Soon, they reached WindClan border. One by one, they slipped into the dark tunnel and emerged on the otherside. The long grasses swayed around them. They kept running forward. Heartstorm's eyes locked onto Bumblepaw. Bumblepaw was running, his face plastered with glee. He looked exhilarated. No WindClan cats appeared. Soon, the Four Trees could be seen in the distance. Heartstorm's heart almost leapt to his throat. He ran with apprehension. They reached the Clearing. They were alone. Reedstar looked around, eyes narrowed. Everybody glanced around warily in turn. Heartstorm felt fear coursing through him. Why was nobody there? He wanted to run back to camp with Bumblepaw and make sure everything was fine there. Suddenly, there was a strong whiff and some pattering of feet. Reedstar swivelled around and ThunderClan burst through. Falconstar greeted Reedstar with a nod. As RiverClan and ThunderClan had trained together for almost a moon, they all socialised. Except Heartstorm. He stood there, watching and waiting. He made sure he saw Bumblepaw at all times. Bumblepaw was talking to the ThunderClan medicine cat with Frogleap. Then he turned to talk to some apprentices. Coldpelt trotted up to Heartstorm. Heartstorm didn't want to talk. Where was ShadowClan? Come on ShadowClan... come on. 

             "Hey, what are you doing?" asked Coldpelt, looking suspicious. 

             "Nothing," Heartstorm muttered, his ears pricked. 

             "The other Clans are just late," Coldpelt shrugged then padded away since Heartstorm was not saying anything. Reedstar broke away from Falconstar and walked up to Heartstorm. 

            "What are you doing?" he asked. "Socialise." 

            "Where is ShadowClan?" Heartstorm just retorted.

            "They will come," Reedstar said surely. 

            "How do you know?" snapped Heartstorm then quickly regretted it. He hadn't meant to be rude. "What if they're attacking our Clan right now?" 

             "They're not," said Reedstar surely. "I'd know." Heartstorm didn't know what he meant by that. 

             "How?" he exclaimed. Waspnose trotted up to them. 

           "Sorry, could I talk to you?" he asked, not looking at Heartstorm and not feeling sorry at all. Reedstar nodded. 

            "Don't get too worked up," Reedstar murmured in Heartstorm's ear. Heartstorm was feeling more scared by the minute. His body buzzed. His mind was filled with ugly images. The longer ShadowClan took to come, the more sure Heartstorm was. ShadowClan was indeed attacking that night. Heartstorm felt his stomach flip. His body twitched. He had never felt like this before. He closed his eyes. He tried to calm himself down. His breathing quickened. His heart beat raced. ShadowClan was not coming. Suddenly, there was a shout. 

           "They're here!" called Darkstorm. Heartstorm's eyes flew open. He heard the sound of footsteps. Many footsteps. He smelt the stinging smell of ShadowClan. Suddenly, Clawstar appeared. His eyes were dark and his muscles rippled underneath his fur. Other cats filtered out of the shadows. ShadowClan had arrived.