The next Gathering eventually came on a cool newleaf day. That sundown, RiverClan prepared to send their cats. Several warriors collected in the center of the camp around Icestar and Grasspelt. The two stood, slightly awkwardly, discussing who should come.

Icestar shifted on her paws as she spoke. "How about Hollowfern, Troutjump, and Mossylight? I don't believe they were at the last Gathering."

"I don't think so either," Grasspelt agreed. "Of course, we must have Beechleaf. What if we took Pebblefoot and Icewing, too? We need some senior warriors..."

Ashenfang butted in. "Can I come? My leg feels practically normal!"

Icestar hesitated, giving Grasspelt a chance to mew, "I don't see why not. You seem to be walking just about normally!" At Icestar's worried look, he whispered, "She'll be fine. I'll make sure someone watches her when she goes over the log."

Icestar nodded in appreciation. "You can take Petalfur," Icestar suggested, trying to return the kind gesture.

The deputy's face lit up. "Yes, thank you, she'd like that!"

After telling the gathered cats, Icestar and Grasspelt hurried out of camp, followed by Beechleaf, Pebblefoot, Petalfur, Ashenfang, Icewing, Hollowfern, Troutjump and Mossylight. The Clan padded swiftly through their lightly-forested territory and waded through the river. The group soon reached the log bridge to the Gathering Island. Icestar stayed back to make sure everyone else got across safely and noticed that Grasspelt did too. He appeared nervous, like he wanted to say something, but didn't know how or when.

Eventually, all the RiverClan cats made it across, except for her and Grasspelt. At his hesitance, she prepared to jump onto the log. Just as she sprang upwards, he called out, "Wait! Icestar!" Surprised, the leader jerked in midair, trying to stop herself. Scrambling, she slipped back down the side of the log and would've fallen in the lake, had Grasspelt not been there to catch her.

Icestar breathed heavily at the sudden excitement, but soon laughed. "Grasspelt! Stop me before I begin to jump if you want to tell me something, not during!" She shook her head in amusement. "But what is it?"

Grasspelt chuckled, then grew back the nervous expression the had carried earlier. Icestar felt her stomach jump in anticipation. He fumbled with his words. "I- Icestar... what- er, how..." Eventually he sighed before blurting, "How do you see me?"

Icestar gazed at him, somewhat speechless. Suddenly, she remembered her goal of talking to him about what might be coming up now. The other part of that goal, which she was about to fail at if not done very soon, was to do it before tonight's Gathering. For now, the young leader wasn't quite sure what to say. She started carefully. "I... see you as my deputy. A very... helpful and resourceful deputy, and I have no doubt that I made the right choice when choosing you."

Grasspelt's shoulders tensed as he listened to her speak. "But, just as a deputy?"

"Well, of course, not just a deputy," her words ran ahead of her thoughts. "I think your a very loyal and caring cat. You very compassionate and fun and attra-" Icestar cut off, her brain having caught up to what her mouth was saying.

Grasspelt smiled awkwardly. "I- I believe there is something going on here," he mewed, glancing between himself and Icestar.

Icestar sighed, her worries finally off her shoulders, and smiled back sheepishly. "I believe so."

"Would- would you like to try... this... for a little while? See how things go?" Grasspelt asked tentatively, warming up to the situation.

Icestar hesitated for only a moment before replying, "Yes. Yes I would." She gave him a lick on the ear. Grasspelt stiffened on instinct, but quickly relaxed again into her fur, which felt soft against his side. Gazing at each other, the new couple stood silently. They broke the gaze at the same time when the padding of another Clan approached their ears. Icestar glanced at the log and back at Grasspelt questioningly, checking if it was ok to move on. He chuckled before flicking his tail to signal her to continue. The leader jumped up gracefully, her deputy right behind her.

When she reached the clearing, Icestar spotted Ashenfang sitting near the Great Oak and glancing around. She caught her sister's eye, smiled, and nodded. At Ashenfang's confused look, the leader flicked her tail behind her, where Grasspelt emerged from the shrubbery. Immediately catching on, the black cat raced over to the two of them and began talking very excitedly about their lives together. Icestar and Grasspelt only shared an amused look.

Shortly after, all the Clans settled onto the island, and the leaders took their positions on the Great Oak. Whitestar, the leader of ThunderClan, started the Gathering. "Cats of all Clans, welcome! We are entering newleaf, and happy for the change in weather. If no other Clan wishes to object, I can start with sharing the news of ThunderClan." Icestar, Tawnystar, and Emberstar all nodded their approval. "We are healthy and finding a sufficient amount of prey to keep our Clan running smoothly. We do have three new kits- Amberkit, Mistkit, and Maplekit- who are children of Cinderheart and Lionblaze." At this, a golden tabby tom sat up straighter as he was congratulated by fellow ThunderClan members along with a few other cats.

Whitestar stepped back on her branch to let Tawnystar speak next. She reported a healthy Clan and an extra supply of goldenrod that other Clans would be welcome to use if they need. "Please ask us first, as we would appreciate to welcome you as guests, not intruders," she finished.

Emberstar stepped up next to report the apprenticeship of Robinpaw and Greypaw. He looked about ready to burst with pride as he smiled at his kits who sat with their new mentors, Breezepelt and Swallowtail. "Sadly, we did have the death of our elder, Owlwhisker, from old age. May he live peacefully with StarClan." The WindClan leader bowed his head in sorrow while others mourned with him.

Emberstar glanced over at Icestar and nodded slightly to signify that it was her turn. She stepped forward and glanced around the crowd, her eyes settling on Grasspelt's. He grinned at her from the base of the Great Oak, and she smiled back before speaking. "We have experienced many good events in RiverClan! First, we successfully drove away the badger from all Clan territories. It should not return.

"Also, our medicine cat apprentice, Beechpaw, has now become a full medicine cat with her new name- Beechleaf!" Beechleaf blushed and shrank down shyly as RiverClan chanted her name. "Our last piece of good news is the kits of Acornstream and Robinwing being born- Goldenkit and Thawkit!" Icestar met eyes with her father and they shared a smile. The RiverClan leader glanced at Whitestar and nodded to signify that she was done.

"Thank you, Icestar. It sounds like mostly good news from all the Clans! If nothing else needs to be said, the Gathering can be over." When none of the other leaders spoke up, she announced, "Alright, the Gathering is over! May StarClan light your path!" She dropped down from the Great Oak, followed by the other leaders.

As soon as Icestar reached the ground, Grasspelt padded up to her and flicked her tail with his. They started walking towards the wall of bushes around the Gathering clearing, followed by the rest of RiverClan. "Hey! Nice job. You made us sound like a much healthier Clan than last moon."

Icestar laughed. "That's because we are! I was just telling the truth. We've worked hard over this moon, and the Clan is back to a normal, good life because of it."

"A lot of thanks to our wonderful leader." Grasspelt nodded at her with a smile.

"And to the deputy!" Icestar replied. "Come on, you've done so much!"

"All of which couldn't have been done without you," He mewed with a sincere look.

"Ha! You could've managed it."

"But if you weren't the leader, I might have never been made deputy."

Icestar chuckled. "Touché." It felt so good to be able to be relaxed around him, she thought. Their tails intertwined, the deputy and leader slipped between the budding bushes, leading the way back to their RiverClan home.

-------------

Hello, readers! As you know, this was the LAST CHAPTER of Left Flailing! I hope you have enjoyed this story! Many thanks to those who have been when me from beginning to end in my adventure of writing this book. These people have stuck with me through my EXTREMELY slow updates and rough drafts where they catch my mistakes! XD Please comment here if you are one of these people. Adding onto their misery, I actually finished this chapter a couple days ago but never got around to actually publishing it until now XD Sorry!!! :3

Also thanks to my newer readers for keeping me going! This probably wouldn't have been finished as soon as now without you. Thank you to anyone who comes after this is done, too. You guys don't have to wait for me to update. XD

This is also my first full-length Wattpad book to finish, which feels really good! It's also my first full-length book I've finished in my entire life! Yaaaaaayy!!!

Although this is the last chapter, keep a lookout for one more! I've been thinking about while I am editing early chapters, to go back and add something to the very beginning. I believe someone commented that it was a little quick for Minnowstar's death to happen. I'll probably add a chapter so you get to know her a little better before I kill her off. XD

Alright, that's it! Thank you SO MUCH for reading all of this! I'll quit ranting now about this book. Vote, comment, share aaaaand eat cupcakes!! (Though I forgot about that, didn't you? Nope!) Byyyee!!!!

-Carina✨