“We’re NOT going to invade other Clans's territory.” “And why not?” Said Ice, as he padded out of the den that he had slunked into. “We can’t damage relationships with other clans.” “They don’t have to know.” “They’ll smell us.” “Well, you better do something about it or you won’t have anything to eat!” “I’d much rather STARVE than have you to eat.” “Then you better start eating grass.” Ice spat. “GOOD.” Ice folded his ears back as he heard his sister and his deputy fighting. The whole Clan was in anger, distray. “They’re still going?” He mumbled to himself. “Yes.” Said Milky. Ice growled loudly. “Y-you should stop them…” Ice padded over to the she-cats. “WELL EXCUSE ME!” Bearflinch yowled. “What’s going on now?” The big black tom snapped. “SHE’S NOT LISTENING!” Ice rolled his eyes. “AHH EJLEHNOHHWOW-” Ice cuffed his deputy, which he hadn’t had to do since she first joined Rogueclan. “Ow~” She huffed. “That serves you right.” “Sorry...” She mumbled.

“You’re supposed to be my deputy, but you’re acting like a kit.” “I know… I just got so mad.” “Then watch your temper or you’ll mess with mine.” “I know, I know…” She timidly nodded. Nightpelt/claw snickered quietly. Bearflicnh sighed and walked away. Ice growled to himself as he padded back into his den. Twig followed. Ice sat down on his old-moss nest. It was a surprise: Twig spoke. “I-I-Ice.” His voice quivered. Ice looked at him with surprise. Twig usually only spoke when he was being tough, such as when he brought Rubystar into the camp. “May I ask for permission t-to…” He stammered. Ice cocked his head. “May I have kits with Milk? And take Bumblefern out of the picture.” Ice blinked. “Why are you asking me? Why don’t you go ask Milk?” “I’m scared.” He confessed. “Just try anyway.” “What if she says no?” “Then she says no.” Ice was losing his patience. The sun was setting, the cats tense, and the prey low. Twig noticed, “Alright…”

The big black tom tapped his tail on the floor of the cave as he watched the tom walk out. *** Leafclan was alive and awake. Cats were coming in with reports, prey, and herbs. Beedew walked inside Sunsets cave. “I see you’re back again.” Sunset said, sitting up. “Yes,” Beedew looked at them, “How are you?” “Tired and sore, but feeling better.” “Would you like more poppyseeds?” “I probably shouldn’t.” “How about honey?” The orange tom reluctantly nodded. Beedew brought him a stick of honey: a treat. Sunset bent down his head to lap at the honey. Beedew laid next to him. “Do you really believe me?” “Yes. Why wouldn’t I?” “Nobody else does.” “So?” “It might get you in trouble.” “No you can’t.”

Sunset bagan to joke. “They might tickle you to death with feathers.” She chuckled, “I’ll call upon wasps.” “But they might turn on you!” “Nope!” “They might… JUMP OUT AND GET YOU!” He yowled, jumping onto Beedew. Beedew laughed it off, “I’ll claw them off!” “Not if they sting you!” He lightly poked her with his claws. “I can handle stings! I can handle anything!” “Oh really?” “Yes, really!” “What about a bear attack!” He lunged at her again. Beedew battered him away and ran to the side of the cave, “I could run away!” “Not if it chases you!” “But oh!~ I’m faster!” Sunset pushed on, running after the Leafclan medicine cat in circles of his prison-den. Beedew swiftly fell over, skitting in the dirt. She laughed. “Oh no!~ I was caught!” Sunset placed his forepaws on her. “Now I’m going to eat you!” “Ahhh! Oh nooo!” The orange tabby tom backed up and sat down panting. Beedew panted too. “You’re so fun…” “Don’t you have medicine cat duties to attend to?” “I’m all done with the duties.”

Sunset sat down and started to think. “Do you have an apprentice?” “Hm? No. And I doubt I’ll have any soon.” She sighed, “I’m still a young medicine cat. My mentor only died a season ago.” “Who were they?” “Summerdew… I was named after her,” She fidgeted with her paws, “Actually, all she-cat medicine cats of Leafclan names end with dew… And toms end with swirl.... Or something like that. I can’t recall.” She shook her head. “I have bees in my brains.” “I think it sounds… more normal than other things. Do you think I can help you collect herbs?” “Yes, but I doubt there are any herbs… The snow and frost probably killed it all…” “Hmm. What about hunting? They can’t say no to more prey.” “They don’t trust you.” She sighed. “But I’ve done nothing wrong!” “Quiet.” Goursewood snapped. It was her turn to guard the prison den. “Tonight’s the gathering, not to mention we’ve had to push it back a few days due to that wretched storm.” “That has nothing to do with Sunset.” Beedew snapped her tail.

“It means that he’s not allowed to go anywhere, so we don’t have to waste our time finding him.” “I’ll happily find him.” Beedew huffed. “You need to get the traveling herbs ready for the cats that are coming to the gathering.” Her ear flicked. “Not that there’s many of us left.” Goursewood muttered to herself. “I already have them ready.” She hissed lightly, sticking her tongue out. “Good.” “Hmph.” Beedew turned to Sunset. “I hope you’ll have a good time at the gathering.” He said. “I will, I promise…” She nuzzled close to him, “Can I nap with you?” “I guess, but I’m not tired.” “Alright…” *** Willowdusk was walking around the cave that Fadedclan was staying in, grazing her gaze across her Clan to see who could go to the gathering. Specklepaw, the meek she-cat, would be attending for the first time. She was eating her herbs ravenously. “Don’t eat too fast.” “I won’t!” She chippered.

Willowdusk nodded. She padded around some more, going over to Corktail. “Will you be going or staying with Russetfur and her kits?” “Staying…” She nodded. “I heard that they opened their eyes a few days ago. A little later than I thought they would, but who am I to say.” “Oh, they did, and they're starting to wobble around.” “Woodkit, Stripekit, and Cavekit, am I right?” “Yup…” “Good.” She began to stalk over to Jasperwhisker. The white and pink she-cats belly was getting bigger every day. The cat who used to be thin was eating an extra mouse. It was one of her last days as a warrior before she had to retire as a queen. “Your kits will be coming in a few days.” She blinked, “WAHT.” Willowdusk licked a paw. “It’s quite obvious.” “You’re no medicine cat…” She rumbled in a growl. “Well don’t come yowling to me when you’re giving birth.” “Tch…. Shut it, I won’t.” “Hmph.” The not-plump-anymore calico got up and walked over to the fresh-kill pile. Quartzfur followed. “Willowdusk?”

The Fadedclan deputy looked up. “Yes?” “Is Mangledstar ready?” “Yes.” Both of the she-cats turned as Emeraldspeck walked into Fadedclan’s den. “Emebraldspeck.” Quartzfur called out. The gray medicine cat looked up. “Yes?” “Where are you going? And have you found Mossheart?” “I just came to see if we were going. And I went to look for a second time, but with no luck. It stopped snowing, though.” The leader sighed and shook her head. “We should get going.” “Yes…” The moon had risen by the time everyone got settled on the Island. “Looks like Meadowclan won’t show up. Let’s just hope Drake won’t come again.” Willowdusk muttered to Nighttail. “I’ll start.” Mangledstar said. “Crystalclan has been a good host to my Clan. We have three new kits born to Corktail and Russetfur. Woodkit, Stripekit, and Cavekit. However, by tomorrow, my Clan will start rebuilding our old camp.”

“Very well.” Hivestar nodded and spoke, “Leafclan has been doing okay. We have enough food and water for us. Our bees have begun to rest.” She sighed bitterly, “Mushroomeye, Bumblefern and Sleekshine went missing.” “That is grave news.” Mangledstar added. She nodded, “We have a prisoner: Sunset.” Willowdusk froze and she glanced around the crowd and caught Teddypelt’s eye. Teddypelt yipped. “I’ll be back.” She gestured for Willowdusk to follow her to a stream. The she-cat dipped her head to Nighttail and padded swiftly to the stream, away and sheltered from the Clans’ eyes. “No way… Sleekshine is in danger?” “I never thought she would get caught doing anything.” “We need to save her.” “But we don’t even know where she is.” “Let’s search all over.” Willowdusk nodded. “But we can’t just leave in the middle of a gathering.” “At the end.”

“Plan?” “We say that we're going to hunt.” “Where shall we meet up?” “Meadowclan.” “You’ve been exploring, haven’t you?” “Erm…. Yes?” “Ok. I mean, you don’t have to tell anybody you’re going hunting, since you haven’t been in your Clan.” “What?” “Nevermind.” Teddypelt sighed. After the gathering, Willowdusk walked to Nighttail. Nighttail looked at her. “Are you okay?” “Yeah. I just wanted to tell you that I’m going hunting.” “Alright. When do you think you’ll be back?” “Er- Tomorrow.” “Alright… Bring back herbs too.” “I’ll try…” Willowdusk dipped her head and trotted to a hidden spot on the Gathering Island. Teddypelt sluggishly followed. “I don’t have any traveling herbs but Meadowclan shouldn’t be too far.” “But I’m old. Hunt me a mouse quick…” The younger she-cat flicked her ear as she walked off. “You used to hunt better than us. You’re not too old.” She mewed out a hoarse laugh.