Fourtrees #2

Fourtrees is a group of four tall oak trees that the Clan wolves have held their Gatherings at since the early days of the Clans. Fourtrees is described as neutral territory, and is often used when wolves from different Clans want to meet outside a Gathering. There is a large rock in the middle of Fourtrees called the Great Rock.The Clan leaders use it to look down on the Clans and share their news during Gatherings

For this gathering, we will also be visiting an abandoned carnival. The topic will be opened once it is mentioned by Shadestar and everyone travels there.

Magmapup arrived at the fourtrees. Calmly, he waited for the rest of the wolves to arrive.

Tallpup padded into the clearing at fourtrees, sitting down near the base of one of the great oaks. He had been on his way back to Windclan camp, but got sidetracked as he realized it was nearing the time of the gathering and took a shortcut to fourtrees. A faint shiver rippled down Tallpup's spine as he remembered the last ghastly gathering and how it had turned out, but he was glad the whole incident was over with and now saw no danger looming in the undergrowth surrounding the area. Settling down on his haunches, he waited for the others to arrive.

Skypaw slowly creeped into the clearing. She kept getting these strange shivers that ran down her whole body. They started from the tip of her ears and made its way down to her paws and tail tip. She shook it off though as nerves, which was understandable. The last time she had been in this spot she had gone through a tragic experience, all of them had. With another shiver, Sky sat down with her tail wrapped around her paws and her head down.

For a while, Tallpup stood, staring into the trees in silence. He knew it would take a while for everyone to congregate and start the gathering, but the thought of waiting alone did not appeal to Tallpup. The memory of the last gathering was still fresh in his mind, too vivid for comfort, and he couldn't help shooting furtive glances from side to side each time a twig snapped or new wolf arrived. Relieved when he saw Skypaw pad into the clearing, Tallpup got up and went to sit by his friend. The presence of another wolf was calming, assuring. "Creepy, isn't it?" He mumbled, wondering if she shared the same weariness.

Squirrelpup padded to the trees and sat next to Skypaw and Tallpup, thinking. He said," What's gonna happen this time at the trees?"

The she-wolf's head snapped up at the sound of another voice but she relaxed when she saw that it was only Tallpup. She nodded but did not audibly reply to the WindClan pup. It was creepy there at Fourtrees. If she kept her eyes closed long enough she could still see the burnt trees and ashes. She could still feel the unease and worry through all four clans. She shook her head slightly and crouched down, trying to make herself smaller.

Silverpup settled in next to Magmapup and shifted her body to an erect sitting position. Then gazing around the clearing watching as wolves began to fill the clearing. She sighted the pups from the last gathering and sighed.

Apachepaw silently entered the clearing, the towering trees creating a green rook over head. The sound of wind toying with the thousands of leaves above, creating the illusion of a great river. The babbling of the streams that flowed around Four Trees added their own voice to the chatter of nature, combining with that of the wolves gathering in the clearing creating a feel that this area was much more full then it really was.


As his paws stirred up loose dust the apprentice could not help but feel strange as the images of the burnt trees merged with that of the bright and living scenery before him. Tail waving from side with each step the male continued to wander around the clearing taking this opportunity to explore rather then socialize. Tongue lolling limply from his mouth Apache made his way toward the great rocks, taking in their size and imagining the many generations of leaders who stood atop it gazing out over their clan as well as the other three. He could not imagine how it would feel to stand where so many great leader had stood, looking out over the wolves the clans that they had loved and fought to protect with all their heart and soul.

The thought thrilled and terrified him, to even be near it was such an honor, a permanent reminder of the clans and their will to survive and the courageous leaders who did all they could to do what they thought was right for their clan, their family. Moving away from the gray stones the male made his way across the clearing, his ears and eyes never sitting still as he took in everything. Including the wolves that had arrived and were arriving, he observed their reactions, their body language, the way they spoke to one another.

Ever since he was young he had always done this, memorizing faces pelt, colors, scents, as well as the places and the things around him. Hi smother had taught him to always remain alert yet relaxed enough that you don't let every little thing startle or get to you. His father had taught him how to be flexible and adapt to the situation. They both taught him to stand up for what he believed, to express his opinion, and to be quick witted and silver tongued. Things he would come to master as time pasted as he grew into the male his parents had always wanted to be, learning the ways of life gaining his own personal experiences.

Rain, nervously went toward the trees. She had never been here before alone. Shaking her head she walked straight and proud. Although her clanmates were not here she would help represent them. She went and sat down in a corner and looked around at all the others already there.

Shadestar led the rest of ShadowClan down the hill and into the hollow. He quickly trotted towards the great rock where the announcements were made. This time around he did not have much to say. As he was approaching, something caught his eye. A tattered flag high above the trees, whipping in the wind. This was strange- every time, coming the same way every full moon, he had never seen that before. Pushing it away from his mind, he shook his head to rid it of such thoughts and continued approaching the rock, settling down beside it as he waited for the other leaders. None of them had yet arrived, and his golden eyes scanned the crowd- seeing some familiar faces.

Silverpup nudged Magmapup and grinned softly. Whispering "I will see you at the log in camp tomorrow!" Her eyes glimmering as she stared at the full moon beaming in the sky. She sighed and watched as the Shadowclan leader padded into the large hollow with his clan.

Lightningpaw crept, alone, on her way to fourtrees. She had not been in the mood recently for being near anyone. Her pace was quick and with purpose and soon fourtrees came into view. The young apprentice slowed as she paused at the edge of the territory to survey the area and look for that one speck of brown she knew and always enjoyed being around. Soon the female spotted him and she quickly made her way to Apachepaw. Her paw steps were silent until right at that moment when she leapt alongside him, batting his ear gently and rolling away. Then, as if she hadn't done that at all, she padded closer to him and greeted him. "Hello Apachepaw." She said simply, sitting dwn and looking at him with a mix of boredom, mischief, and a dark friendliness.

Magmapup looked at Silverpup and shook his head. "After the last gathering, I doubt we'll be going back anytime soon. Last time we all fell into some strange dream, who knows what will happen this time? I just hope I don't have to jump into a gorge again."

She rolled her eyes half hoping it wouldn't be worse this time. "Hopefully, I still dread the thought…" her voice trailed off then smiled. Then she rested her muzzle on his back bored with thought unsure what to do. It was nice to have a fellow pup to hang with and share thoughts. Not really the outgoing and super chatty type.

Apache had just stopped to observe a strange tattered flag, when Lightningpaw leaped beside him batting his ears, startling him causing him to jump. Grinning his deep brown eyes fixed on his friend who pretended she had done nothing, "Greetings Lightningpaw." He said, sitting next to her.

Rainpup looked around, watching as everyone got together with friends, she sighed and lied down resting he head on her paws, she looked at every inch of the clearing. Observing everyone. She smiled slightly.

Lightningpaw smiled at her... her friend. Yes, he was her friend. At least for now he would be. /I guess I can let him truly be my friend./ she thought as she looked at him. Then a strange object caught her attention. It was something apparantly Apachepaw had been investigating. She looked at it and, not ever seeing something like it before, turned to Apachepaw. "What is it?" She asked him, curiosity evident in her eyes.

Apache looked back at the object when Lightning inquired him about it, he was also uncertain as to what the object was. He too had never seen such a thing before and so he scanned the area for a wolf who might, spotting Shadestar Apache stood and padded over to him. Giving his tail a flick gesturing Lightning to follow him he approached his leader. "Shadestar, " he started, dipping his head in greeting and respect. His voice was calm, respectful, and not at all bothered by the fact he was talking to his leader. Which reflected his feeling inside, he had great respect for the male and what he did for the clan, but he was another wolf and so he did not fear him or feel nervous around him only showing the needed respect, " Do you by chance know what that object flapping above is?"Gesturing toward the tattered flag he sat, waiting to see if his leader would even bother to answer his question.For some reason he got the vibe that he annoyed the male, or would annoy him in due time.

Lightningpaw waited for Apachepaw to answer but instead he simply flicked his tail for her to follow. She did, keeping in time with his paw steps. Until that is, she saw her leader. She slowed a bit more than Apache as she approached. It wasn't because she didn't like her leader or had some reason to be nervous around him or anything like that. She just didn't like those in authority simply for their authoritativeness. /I mean, i do like it when a wolf stands up and does what he or she needs to but leaders... I just don't care for them./ she thought as she listened to Apache's question, wondering, though she didn't know it, the exact same thing as the fellow apprentice. Would he even bother to answer? Lightning had come to a stop next to Apache, and slightly behind him a little, her head in line with his shoulder. While he sat, she remained standing.

Shadestar remained seating at the base of the rock, noticing that although Clan members were milling about, none of them were leaders. His eyes narrowed as he looked up at the sky. The time was exactly right for a gathering- the leaders were late. What would StarClan think of this!? It was absurd! As he pondered these thoughts and got even more angry, two ShadowClan members approached him. Lightningpaw, a moody apprentice who seemed to have a special attachment to Apachepaw- and Apachepaw himself, another apprentice that seemed loyal to the Clan and level-headed (yet Shadestar was not quite sure about it yet, though was happy he ordered the WindClan pup back onto its own land- yet it took a while and wasn't an immediate order. He obviously harbored feelings of friendship with the other Clan member). He watched them suspiciously as they came up to him, the female lagging behind. She was a classic 'go against the authority' wolf, clear from her previous actions. Apachepaw spoke first, regarding the flag he had seem earlier. "A flag." he replied. "Tattered, it has seen better days I am sure."

Apache cocked his head as he looked up at the, flag, that was what Shadestar had called it. It certainly did look worn its tattered body flapping in the wind, but how did it get there? "Thank you, Shadestar." he said dipping his head once more, " Do you think it was placed here by those...creatures?" He was still unsure what to call the two legged animals, he was rather disturbed by the whole thing but preferred not o show it.

Featherpup padded around, looking slightly lost. She finally stumbled upon Rainpup and sat down beside her, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. She gazed up at the full moon, its light a soft silvery-gray glow. She sighed and looked over at Rainpup. "Hey," she whispered quietly as the area started filling with unfamiler faces.