The Gathering is here. The WhiskerClan, led by Rocketdogstar, charge down the ravine. They include Rocketdogstar, her deputy Dudleywind, the medicine kat Daisylove, the warriors Bingtail, Clivestripe, Pozzospeck, Shelleyheart, and Petrafang. The 2 apprentices are Izzypaw and Axlepaw, and the elder Youssarianwind.
The StarskyClan only have their leader, Kinkajoustar, her deputy, Carlosclaw, the medicine kat Shadyflight, and 2 warriors, Mozarttail and Delasoultail.
The CommandoezappaClan has their leader Hannibalstar, deputy Punkface, Lolafang, Nikitayelp, and Wilsontooth, in addition to the apprentice Rosepaw.
LazuliClan has Cazannastar their leader, Jdtail her deputy, Lallieleaf the medicine kat, Frannyslash, Arethatail, Landiecraft, Pancakewhisker, and Pennyheart, with the apprentices Bubblepaw, Squeakpaw, and Papillonpaw. Bigsihiss the elder is also there.
As the Gathering starts, Rocketdogstar steps onto the High Rock, flanked by the other leaders. She immediately calls out "We have scented both LazuliClan and CommandoezappaClan hunting on our territory!"
Hannibal snarled, his lips curled up. "We have no reason to hunt on your Clan's pitiful territory." Yowls of agreement rose from the CommandoezappaClan meerkats.
Cazannastar silently nodded and responded "We have allowed WhiskerClan warriors to hunt on LazuliClan grounds when WhiskerClan was suffering from a fire. It is time we have something back for LazuliClan's generosity. I do not want a war between the Clans; I will stop my warriors from hunting on rival territory."
StarskyClan leader Kinkajoustar spoke up "StarskyClan is nearly dead! We need more warriors but all of our kits have died of a mysterious disease!"
Cazannastar spoke gravely "We should have never tried to take the place of poor GattacaClan. It must be StarClan's objective to punish us for our misgivings and not following the proper warrior conduct. StarskyClan must be destined to destruction."
Gasps arose from the audience. Cazannastar was the oldest and wisest of the leaders, so much so that every meerkat respected her and her word. Kinkajoustar's jaw hung down, but she said nothing.
Mozarttail and Delasoultail shared a worried glance, while Carlosclaw remained, his gaze not betraying any emotion to what Cazannastar had said. Shadyflight was nodding slowly, his face pinched with worry.
Rocketdogstar spoke up once again "I notice CommandoezappaClan does not have their medicine kat here today. What has happened?"
Hannibalstar growled and replied, snarling "Ozzyfur is treating Grogpelt's recent injury, so he could not make it today. Grogpelt was hit by a car."
Rocketdogstar opened her mouth to say something, probably to bring up the stolen prey matter again, but Cazannastar interceded, shooting a glance at Rocketdogstar "We honor Grogpelt's honor to his Clan and hope he recovers soon to take part in CommandoezappaClan's activities."
Rocketdogstar once again spoke up "CommandoezappaClan have been scented on our territory. Particularly Grogpelt himself."
Hannibalstar replied, his voice dripping with that rusty tone, "Grogpelt is loyal. CommandoezappaClan honors LazuliClan's respect and good wishes for him. Grogpelt had been hit by a car on CommandoezappaClan territory, his nose was broken up. He could not determine the scent that marks out borders. Ozzyfur says his nose will recover fully."
"The Gathering is over. Let us return to our Clans." Cazannastar said, watching as the full moon began to fade into the other side of the sky.
The WhiskerClan warrior Bingtail said a quick good-bye to his StarskyClan buddy Mozarttail as he turned to leave. He caught up to Daisylove and gave her a quick lick behind the ear. The she-cat gave him a look of affection and surged onward next to Rocketdogstar. Bingtail watched, his thoughts whirling.
Daisylove was the most respected medicine kat out of all the Clans; she was eldest, like Cazannastar, and had the most experience. She herself had given pointers to Lallieleaf and Shadyflight, even Ozzyfur. But she was a medicine kat - she couldn't bear kits. At least Bingtail and Daisylove could still be friends.
As they surged into camp, Bingtail noticed Suggspaw and Busterpaw were missing. He strolled up to Rocketdogstar and said "Busterpaw and Suggspaw are missing..." Rocketdogstar looked at him a moment and then beckoned to Busterpaw's mentor Milleypelt. Dudleywind was Suggspaw's mentor, and he was naturally positioned right next to his leader.
"Have you any idea where Busterpaw or Suggspaw are?" she asked them. Dudleywind and Milleypelt didn't reply, but they both shook their heads. Dudleywind spoke up "I will order patrols to find them."
Rocetdogstar jumped onto Highbush, a tall drie doring shrub with unusually leafy branches that easily held her weight, and called out. "Busterpaw and Suggspaw are missing. Dudleywind was organized a patrol, led by himself and Milleypelt. Bingtail, Colombusclaw, and Pozzospeck will accompany them."