"Cats of ShadowClan," Blackstar announced hoarsely from the entrance to his den, "all of you know about the sickness that has ravaged our camp. Tonight is the full moon. Oakfur, you will lead our healthy cats to the island. Littlecloud will remain in camp to care for the ill, even though he has fallen ill himself. Flametail, this will be your first Gathering without him. Remember, you are representing ShadowClan." The leader wheezed. "I wish all of you the best of luck, in both remaining healthy and doing your best to not reveal our weakness."
Iceheart watched her father stagger back into his den, worry pricking her fur. A Gathering without Blackstar? The other Clans would surely attack! Iceheart grew worried. If the other 3 Clans attacked, her father and leader would surely die. The entire Clan was worried, although they were determined to act aloof and indifferent, just as they always did. For where the other Clans saw only a stiff, cold-hearted enemy, ShadowClan saw the real Blackstar: sensitive, caring, fiercely protective. In fact, the other Clans saw ShadowClan in general as evil and merciless. That was ShadowClan's face, not their personality. In reality, they were really a nice bunch of cats. Iceheart was dragged from her thoughts by her best friend, Wingfrost.
"He'll be fine. In the meantime, we'd better practice our proud, offended, and indifferent attitudes. Otherwise, ThunderClan will kill us all."
Iceheart purred, then followed her Clan to the island. They arrived silently, their faces emotionless. ThunderClan was already there. Firestar sat in the tree, his head bowed with exhaustion. The cats he had brought were Leafpool, Lionblaze, Tigerpoppy, Foxleap, Ferntail, and Breezestripe. Obviously ThunderClan had been hit by illness too. Oakfur jumpedonto a branch above Firestar, and the two toms exchanged words briefly. WindClan appeared next, led by Crowfeather. He had brought Sedgewhisker, Petalspots, Sunstrike, Heathertail, Breezepelt, and Ragewater. RiverClan came last, with Mistystar bringing Willowshine, Minnowtail, Petalfur, Lionclaw, Icewing, Reedwhisker, and Juniperpaw. All four Clans looked weak. Iceheart looked around at Wingfrost, Toadfoot, Redwillow, Yarrowtooth, and Starlingpaw before looking up at Oakfur.
She noticed Minnowtail talking to Tigerpoppy, Willowshine talking to Leafpool, Heathertail and Lionblaze eye each other warily, Petalfur hesitantly approaching Toadfoot, and Breezestripe, Foxleap, Ragewater, and Breezepelt eyeing her and Wingfrost. Then the meeting began.
"Cats of all Clans, we are all suffering. Our stores of feverfew have run dry and we are dying." Crowfeather began. Mistystar stepped up.
"In RiverClan, Mothwing couldn't come because she had to tend to the ill. But Willowshine recieved a sign."
Willowshine stood nervously. "I dreamed that a voice said to me 'Darkness, Water, Air, and Storms must travel north to the Hill that Cries, which holds what you need. Along a winding face topped with many eyes, you will find one pool that nourishes that which you seek.' Then I saw four things; a moorland spotted with petals, an iced over pool in the shadows, a roaring lion by a river, and a fern rustling in the breeze while a storm raged." She sat down. Oakfur spoke up.
"It seems clear to me. We must send four cats to find this Hill that Cries. The first part referred to the four Clans. The visions showed which cats to choose. The first vision points to a WindClan cat because it was on a moorland."
A white she-cat with black tabby splotches stepped up. "My name is Petalspots. I believe the sign was pointing to me."
Crowfeather nods. "Petalspots will go, yes. The second vision refferred to a ShadowClan cat since the pool was in the shadows." He suggests.
Iceheart swallows hard and stands up. "I'm Iceheart. I will go." When Oakfur nods, she walks over to Petalspots and stands by the WindClan cat.
"The third vision had a river. That must mean RiverClan." Firestar points out.
Now a golden tabby tom rose to his paws. "I am Lionclaw. Let me join Petalspots and Iceheart." When Mistystar nods, he pads over and stands on Petalspot's other side.
"That leaves the last sign. Storms would mean ThunderClan." Mistystar announces.
A brown tabby she-cat looked at the leaders. "I am Ferntail. I can go." Firestar nods and she walks oer to stand next to Iceheart.
"Wait!" cries a pale tabby tom, jumping to his paws. "I am Breezestripe of ThunderClan. The last sign had a breeze in it. Let me go as well!"
"I have no objections." Crowfeather said.
"Safety in numbers." Oakfur muses.
"And it would be easier in case one got sick. There would be more healthy cats." Mistystar agrees.
"Alright, Breezestripe." Firestar approves. "You may go."
Breezestripe wedges himself between Ferntail and Iceheart.
"StarClan go with you." Mistystar says, jumping from the tree. All the cats rush over to the journeyers to say goodbye. Then the Clans depart, leaving only Iceheart, Ferntail, Petalspots, Lionclaw, and Breezestripe on the shadowy island under the cold light of the full moon.