Flamestar, Smokepelt and Leafbreeze sat together under the soft light of the full moon above. The three cats were in the shadow of the massive boulder which sat next to fourtrees. A soft breeze stirred the leaves overhead and the grass under paw. The air was slowly getting colder over the days, promising that leaf-fall would be only a short moon away.

Flamestar lifted his nose to the air, scenting a slightly sour stench approaching from the edge of the clearing. Shadowstar pushed through the undergrowth followed by two other cats Flamestar had yet to meet. The first was a pale-ginger she-cat who seemed tiny next to her large, muscular leader. Another she-cat with white fur and ginger patches was close behind.

Flamestar nodded a welcome to the three Shadowclan cats. "Greetings, Shadowstar. I hope all has been well in the last moon." He turned toward his clan mates. "This is Smokepelt, my deputy and Leafbreeze, Flameclan's medicine cat."

"Thank you Flamestar. It is good to see you are well, and to meet your clan mates." Shadowstar introduced Grassfall, the short sandy colored she-cat as her deputy. The other as her medicine cat, Moonwhisper.

Before Flamestar could talk with Shadowstar, more cats began to pour from the forest. Flamestar could scent Windstar and Riverstar. Each had also brought two extra cats along with them.

Riverstar offered a warm greeting to all the cats, while Windstar kept her distance. From Riverclan, Beetlestripe was the deputy. He was a threatening looking cat with a dark brown tabby coat with thing black stripes over a stocky, muscular build. His face and shoulders were broad, as if he could carry a badger through the forest. Thornwing, a speckled, pale-gray tom was the Riverclan medicine cat, who was instantly mingling with the other medicine cats discussing their practice.

Windstar had introduced her deputy, Darkflower and medicine cat Slatetail. Darkflower had a thick, black pelt and looked as if she would claw any cat who tried to strike up a conversation. Slatetail on the other paw was constantly meowing about herbs he'd found on the moors to any cat who would listen.

"So, how is prey running?" Flamestar addressed the other leaders, curious to see how their clans were doing.

"Most of my warriors have become excellent fishers" Riverstar meowed proudly.

"Shadowclan is still small for now. But food is plenty and we haven't had any issues so far."

"Windclan has many fit warriors, but the rabbits have been hard to catch so far. But we are doing well otherwise." Windstar turned up her nose, indicating that she didn't wish to talk with the other leaders any longer on the matter.

"I wonder what is keeping Thunderstar." Riverstar meowed to Flamestar.

"I don't really care." Windstar lashed her tail. "But if he does not show up soon, I will assume he isn't coming at all."

"Now Windstar, he will be here. Just be patient." Shadowstar twitched her whiskers in annoyance.

Flamestar looked toward the medicine cats who were all eagerly discussing ways to heal and help their clan mates. The deputies were mostly exchanging polite small talk, but the leaders sat in complete silence.

"Sorry to keep you all waiting!" Thunderstar had appeared from the forest, trailed by two other cats with their tails held high. "We had to cross the river. And we aren't the best swimmers, you know."

The Thunderclan deputy was Blazewind, a golden tom who seemed about the same age as Thunderstar. The medicine cat was Swiftbird, a white she-cat with gentle green eyes and long legs. All three Thunderclan cats seemed in good spirits and were excited to be there.

Thunderstar padded up to the other leaders. "So, what's happening? It's great to see you all again."

"Well we were all waiting for you." Windstar rolled her eyes. "But we may as well get started."

"Right." Riverstar stood up and faced the other leaders. "Riverclan is doing well. We have a camp settled and have several warriors so far. Prey is running well, and the rivers are full."

"Thank you for sharing Riverstar." Shadowstar now stood to face the small group of cats. "Shadowclan has control over the swampy marshes across the thunderpath. The prey there is new to us, but frogs are slowly becoming a normal food supply. We have many warriors as well as a queen who is expecting our first clan born kits."

"That's great news Shadowstar." Flamestar now took the leaders' attention. "Flameclan has built a wonderfully protected and cozy camp. Prey is running well and we have had our first kit born to the clan by our queen, Hazelheart." Flamestar paused while the other clan leaders congratulated his clan. "However, a few sunrises ago, I was patrolling along the Riverclan border with one of my warriors, and we stumbled upon two of your warriors, Riverstar."

Riverstar flicked his ears in surprise. "This is the first I have heard of this incident, Flamestar."

"These warriors claimed to be scouting our territory to find the ideal locations for future battle plans."
"I assure you, Riverclan has no reason to have any quarrels with Flameclan." Riverstar bowed his head toward Flamestar. "I'll inform my warriors to stay within our borders."

"I trust you will. I understand the ways of living as a clan are new to every cat, but borders are borders. I expect them to be respected. Not just by your warriors, but by mine as well." Before sitting back down, Flamestar let the tip of his tail lay reassuringly on the Riverclan leader's shoulder.

"Like I said earlier, Windclan is doing well." Windstar didn't even stand for her announcements, and with a flick of her tail signaled for Thunderstar's turn.

"Thunderclan is thriving." Thunderstar stood to face the cats. "We have a small number of warriors currently, but have three apprentices in training and more kits on the way." He sat back down.

The five leaders were silent until Riverstar spoke up once again. "I think meeting like this has been a large step for our clans. I think we shall meet again next full moon."

Shadowstar and Thunderstar nodded in agreement. Windstar didn't say anything against the idea, meaning she was most likely okay with it.

"Maybe next full moon we should bring our deputies, medicine cats, and some of our warriors." Flamestar suggested. "I think that would be a wonderful way of teaching our warriors the ways of the forest. And it could help limit any hostilities in the future."

Riverstar instantly agreed to the idea, followed by the rest of the leaders. With a wave of his tail, Flamestar beckoned his clan mates to him, and each clan made their own separate ways back into the forest of their own territories.