"Badgertail has gotten whitecough!" Ravenclaw yowled across the camp. Emberstar lay in his den in a state of panic. Three warriors had gotten whitecough and leaf-bare moons from over. Junipertail was running out of catmint and there was no more anywhere in the territory. If the sick kept spreading at this rate, there wouldn't be enough to last to new-leaf. Perhaps it was time to ask the other clans for help. Tonight there would be a gathering. Should he risk making his clan look weak if it meant saving them? Starclan show me what to do!

Emberstar padded out from his den and stood on the Highledge and shouted, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Highledge for a clan meeting!"

As the cats began to assemble, Emberstar thought hard about what to say to them. Maybe, he should just get to the point and tell them. It was true that they would be scary out of their fur, but they needed to know it, for they own good. "As you all know Badgertail, Yellowfur and Acornwhisker have gotten greencough, I think that I should mention it at the gathering tonight."

"What for!" protested Windpelt, a light brown tom, "They will think that we are weak!" Emberstar hear murmurs of agreement from a few of the cats while a few others looked uncertain.

"It is true that we might look weak, but if one of the other clans decides to help we might save cats that shall otherwise join Starclan too soon." Emberstar explained. Many cats now started to mew in agreement to his plan, but Emberstar noticed that Windpelt still thought otherwise.

"Emberstar is right." Sootbird, her deputy meowed. "I searched the whole territory at the sunhigh patrol and there wasn't any catmint anywhere." There were several gasps of astonishment from the clan.

"Junipertail have you received a sign from Starclan?" Emberstar asked, hopefully.

"I am sorry Emberstar; Starclan has not spoken to be in many moons." Junipertail mewed from the medicine cat's den.

"Then it is decided." Emberstar declared. The clan, satisfied, went back to what they were doing while Sootbird ordered a hunting patrol and announce the warriors that were going to the gathering. Emberstar however, remained on the Highledge, wondering, if he had made the right choice.