The four clans convened at FourTrees for the first Gathering of Leaf-bare.
Russetstar glanced at the other leaders, gauging them. All of them were lean, with Tallstar looking the most haggard, although his eyes were still bright, while Bluestar seemed the most content. Crookedstar held himself still, showing nothing.
She turned her eyes towards the cats below, who were milling around, murmuring softly to one another, huddling together for warmth. The medicine cats were gathered below the rock where the leaders were perched, heads together, while the apprentices watched the events with wide eyes and quiet whispers.
Bluestar eventually stepped forward, yowling the Gathering to order. Her tail twitched as she gazed out over the cats, before she spoke.
"I know it's cold, so I'll be brief. ThunderClan's been holding its own against this bitter start to the season, and one of ours has been gracious enough to give his share to RiverClan to help feed their kits."
She glanced at Crookedstar, who narrowed his eyes.
"We don't expect anything for this," Bluestar mewed gently. "All the clans need to work together to survive, and if we don't need something, better to give it to those that do."
Crookedstar nodded, dipping his head to the ThunderClan leader.
"RiverClan thanks you for your hospitality in these trying times. Prey is scarce, the cold is everywhere, and while the river is frozen, I must caution cats not to wander over it willy-nilly, even if there's tantalizing prey on the other side."
He stepped back and Tallstar spoke without moving.
"WindClan has been doing well in this harsh weather, although all we find is needed for our own ends, and we apologize if that makes us seem rather short-tempered when meeting at borders." He looked at Russetstar, who flicked her tail.
"It's nothing I hold animosity towards you for," she assured him, before sighing, looking down at her paws. "We… have needed help due to a shortage of prey," she admitted. "But we've been getting food from the loners at the farm. We're hopeful that this gives the prey in our territory a chance to come back."
She looked at the other leaders. "We don't need anything from you. You've done more than we can ever hope to repay you for already." She tried to keep her voice level, but a hint of an edge leaked through regardless.
The other leaders exchanged looks before nodding politely.
"Then if that's everything, this Gathering is over." Bluestar nodded to the others leaders and gathered her cats around her before departing.
Crookedstar looked at Tallstar, who was gazing around at the four oaks. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
Tallstar blinked, dropping his gaze to meet the RiverClan leader's eyes. "Of course," he mewed, before dropping to the clearing, calling his clan to him.
Russetstar watched him go before sighing out a chilly breath of her own. "To think, there's still two moons of this."
Crookedstar purred sympathetically. "And it's your first as leader. I wish I could tell you it gets easier, but it doesn't. But that doesn't matter, as long as your clan remains strong. You'll weather this, and many more to come. Don't lose faith."
Russetstar blinked at him gratefully before yowling for her clan.
Crookedstar jumped down and Leopardfur padded over to him. He glanced at her. "Is everyone ready to leave?"
Leopardfur nodded. "Silverstream's anxious to get back to her kits, and everyone else is ready to get out of the cold."
Crookedstar chuckled, flicking his ears. "I don't blame them. Let's return home."
Tigerclaw stalked along the border with WindClan, mouth open for any hint of prey. His ears twitched towards some rustling grass, but it was only the wind from the moor and he bit back a frustrated hiss.
The scent of rabbit suddenly flooded his mouth and he looked around slowly, eyes darting around for a sign of his quarry. He spotted the creature hopping along, nosing the ground, and he crouched low, licking his lips in anticipation as it got closer.
It stopped and lifted its head, nose twitching, before suddenly leaping away. Tigerclaw lunged after it, claws reaching for its pelt, but before he could connect, something crashed into him, sending him rolling on the ground.
Righting himself, Tigerclaw narrowed his eyes as he saw Mudclaw scrambling to his paws, glaring after the rabbit as it dashed away.
"What fox-brained idio-" he snarled, before spotting Tigerclaw and his jaw snapped shut with an audible click of teeth. Mudclaw took a deep breath, letting his fur lie flat along his spine as his ears came up and his tail lowered.
"That was WindClan prey," he mewed warily.
Tigerclaw sniffed the air, and realized he'd crossed into WindClan territory at some point. He turned and crossed back over, before glancing back to see Mudclaw trailing along on his side of the border.
"My sincerest apologies," Tigerclaw meowed, dipping his head. "I should've realized it was a moor rabbit given its lean build."
Mudclaw snorted. "Forest rabbits are fat and slow, so you'd likely have no problem with them." He hesitated slightly. "But if it had crossed into your territory, I would have let you keep it. If you caught it."
"How generous of you."
The WindClan cat sighed, shaking his head. "The prey's getting scarce, and this will no doubt happen more often as Leaf-bare continues, so we really can't afford to bicker too much about who catches what where, at least at borders."
"If another clan cat is found deep within another clan's territory, it'd raise some very interesting questions, yes," Tigerclaw meowed dryly. "Granted, I know a fair few thick-headed warriors who probably wouldn't realize how far past the scent marker they've traveled until it's too late." He glanced out at the moor. "Like I almost did, just for prey."
"It was an honest mistake," Mudclaw pointed out. "No harm done, to either clan. Aside from going hungry." He stared at Tigerclaw thoughtfully. "I could probably spare a rabbit for your clan if you need it…?"
"We're fine, thank you," Tigerclaw meowed. "Most of the prey's been moving deeper into the forest anyway to get out of the cold at the fringe, so I wasn't expecting much anyway."
"Very well," Mudclaw mewed, dipping his head. "Good hunting."
