So sorry I haven't updated recently, this is the longest its taken for me to update this story. I have, however, made finnishing Hollyleaf's Redemption, another warriors fanfic of mine, a priority. I'd suggest reading it; I've recieved very good feedback on it.

Chapter 5

The four clans made their way to the gathering, not knowing that another cat was there on the island. Brightwing, a pretty ginger and silver she-cat with beautiful blue eyes, sat in a tree watching them as they milled about, but something was wrong; every RiverClan cat looked anxiously about at the WindClan and ShadowClan cats. They border RiverClan, and thing have been peaceful between all the clans since the war. Why would they look anxious? she wondered from her perch. Something is very wrong.

Brightwing was now very curious. Sh watched intently as the gathering began. As usual, one of the leaders opened and everyone suddenly began to pay attention to them, though RiverClan were careful to avoid WindClan and ShadowClan. Mistystar spoke first, and her words nearly made Brightwing fall from her perch.

"Three cats have vanished from our territory without a trace. We have tried to track them, but the scent trails just end not far from WindClan and ShadowClan. They continue nowhere. There are vague signs of a struggle in two locations where the missing cats disappeared, but no blood, fur, or boddies. If cats from WindClan and ShadowClan know anything about this, please tell us!" the RiverClan leader mewed, her voice high in her obvious worry for her cats.

"Are you implying that we have something to do with this?" Onestar meowed automatically, hair on his back rising.

"I'd be interested in knowing the answer to that as well," Blackstar growled. Brightwing tensed, ready to fling herself out of the tree she was in to the leaders to stop a bbattle at the gathering if necessary.

"It is hardly likely that their own clanmates would kill them," Mistystar mewed. "And the scent trails disappeared near the borders, not directly beside them. It is possible that your cats may have seen them. I never meant that your clans had commited murder or kidnapped them." Brightwing let out a breath she had not realised she was holding in as the other two leaders visibly relaxed somewhat. There would be no bloodshed here tonight. The other leaders made their reports, and Firestar closed the gathering. Brightwing considered everything she'd heard. Disappearances, the strangeness of scent trails to nowhere ending by borders, and mysterious scents on each territory. And the sighting of a strange cat as well, each time the same one, on every territory. Also, every PureClan cat felt the same tugging feeling, telling them it was almost time for their return. Something strange was occurring in the clans. It all added up. The direst need of the clans was coming, and sooner than they had thought. She knew it in her heart. She had to return to PureClan and tell Purestar. She waited for the clans to leave, and even beyond thatm just to be sure she would not be seen - they couldn't know about PureClan yet - before she left.

She raced along the edge of the lake, trying toi keep to the shadows as much as possible. She startled a few WindClan cats who had stopped to admire the stars, but luckily for her, it was dark enough that they did not get a particularly good look at her.

She eventually made it to the hidden PureClan territory and the clan's camp. She raced to Purestar's den the second she burst through the entrance.

"Purestar!" she gasped, on the brink of exhaustion from runnning all the way from the gathering place. "RiverClan... Disappearances... WindClan and ShadowClan... Borders."

Purestar stared at her in disbelief and confusion. "Vinetail!" he yowled.

"Yes Purestar?" the skittery ginger tom who was PureClan's medicine cat mewed, skidding into the leader's den.

"Get some water for Brightwing. She's exhausted and has important information."

"Right awasy Purestar!" he mewed before racing away, only to return moments later with moss. Brightwing lapped up the water from the moss and then began from the beginning, telling Purestar everything she knew about the disappearances, the mysterious unknown cat who kept appearing, and the obviously rising tensions.

Purestar was silent for a moment, before meowing. "I will tell Pureheart to send patrols into each territory looking for evidence. I believe that it may nearly be time for us to return to the clans. The clans' direst need is definitely upon us."