Adderstar and Flickerstar! Art by me. 

"Let the gathering begin."

Instantly a hush fell over the clearing, tense as the leaders glanced at each other, waiting for each other to make a move. After a moment, Ospreystar cleared her throat. "Is it alright if I start?" The three others nodded, and she began. "RippleClan is thriving as we prepare for the Snowfall season. The fish are slow and sluggish from the recent frost, making them easy prey, and we are strong in numbers. A new litter of kits was born a half-moon ago to Crystalflight, although with the recent loss of her mate, Swiftslip, Lilacwhisp has stepped in as a second parent; the two she-cats are doing a wonderful job rearing the two kits, Frostedkit, and Chirpkit." She paused to let the meows of congratulations die and continued.

"More notably, we have plenty of new apprentices to welcome. Mudpaw, Snakepaw, and Greenpaw, apprentices since a few days after the last gathering, and Clearpaw, a newer trainee. For being deaf and mute, she's doing a fantastic job in her training." Another pause, before, with a solemn expression on her face, she kept speaking. 

"Tragically, we lost an apprentice, Shiverpaw, in a training accident. Her sister, Swanbubble, has continued on to receive her warrior name despite the grief. Other than that, I have nothing more to report." The crowd was mixed with sorrow over the death of Shiverpaw, and happiness for the new life brought to their Clan, and they quickly quieted as Quailstar stepped forward for her turn.

"Like RippleClan, MeadowClan is as strong as ever. After the heat of the summer, the moors have finally cooled, leaving us with a surplus of prey and strong ranks. We too have new kits, a litter of three born to Ambereyes and Bravewhisper; Please welcome Sorrelkit, Sporekit, and Citrinekit." She surveyed the clearing as it erupted in sporadic cheers, and Hopewilt studied the battle-scarred she-cat's face. She had a regal, noble air, and her ice-green eyes gleamed with the experience of a lifetime. Quailstar was a cat to be reckoned with; A bold, strategic, proud feline without an ounce of doubt or shame about her life or leadership. Hopewilt envied her confidence silently. 

"Recently, we chased a small pack of coyotes out of the west corner of our territory, and into unclaimed land. They haven't threatened us since. This moon, we welcome two new warriors- Morningmist and Fallenbird. In addition to new warriors, and new kits, the Elders' den welcomed a new member a few days ago; Burrowfuzz has made the decision to retire. Other than that, we have nothing new to report."

With a final nod, she stepped back, leaving Flickerstar and Adderstar standing at their rocks. Both stood competitively, waiting for the first to make a move, silent. Finally, Adderstar stepped up. "Since Flickerstar appears to be momentarily mute, I'll make my report." Flickerstar narrowed his eyes at the black-and-white tom but kept quiet.

"In the past five moons, plenty has happened with BleakClan. We are happy, healthy, and thriving, and although no new kits have been born yet, we do have two new warriors; Welcome Bluehawk, and Hopewilt." He paused to let the cheers die and continued. "But as you may have noticed, our Medicine cat apprentice isn't up here with us. He passed away in an accident nearly four moons ago- a heavy blow to our hearts." The Medicine cats at the roots of the tree bowed their heads solemnly. Frostedmoss dipped his lowest, clearly still missing Screechpaw.

"But nonetheless, we are still strong. We have worked hard to grow our herb stores and strengthen our Clan in preparation for Snowfall Season, and our borders remain as orderly and guarded as always." Clearly, the last statement was directed at EmberClan and a few murmurs rose from the crowd."

Fallenbird leaned over to Hopewilt, looking confused. "Is there something going on between your Clan and EmberClan...? Because I'm kind of sensing some tension."

"Your sense is correct. They've been crossing our borders n' stuff for a while, and Adderstar's tired of it. He'll probably bring it up after EmberClan shares." Hopewilt answered absentmindedly. 

Flickerstar finally stepped forward tail flicking back and forth.  "I share last, as always," He muttered passive-aggressively, before regaining his composure. "EmberClan is as strong as ever- we have three new warriors, Obsidiansmoke, Flintspark, and Rubyglint, and two new apprentices, Diamondpaw and Scarletpaw." A few cheers rose up, but Hopewilt and most of the rest of BleakClan stayed coldly silent. I refuse to praise the Clan that hurt Screechpaw and are crossing our borders every day. "We had a litter of kits born to Russetstump, but two of the three passed away in a difficult birth. The remaining kit, Burrkit, is doing well." 

Flickerstar paused, leading all to believe he was done. But before anyone could call an end to the gathering, or speak, he continued his speech with a malicious glint in his eye. "But past kits and apprentices, I have something bigger to share; BleakClan has been crossing our borders." 

A gasp rose from all of the gathered cats, but BleakClan was more shocked than anyone. Hopewilt's chest burned with indignance. "Liar!" She called into the clamour, doubting anyone even heard. Adderstar stared at Flickerstar, hackles raised. "Flickerstar, you know that's not true. In fact, you're the one crossing our borders! I was just about to bring it up. Stop trying to twist everything around."

"You're the one twisting everything around, Adderstar," The black-and-ginger tom said smoothly, picking at the mossy rock under his paws. "Your pond-scum Clan has been stealing from us for moons." 

Angry, Hopewilt turned to Fallenbird. "He's lying! EmberClan are the ones crossing our borders and stealing our prey." Fallenbird nodded slowly. "I believe you. EmberClan is sneaky- they've done things like this before. I had no doubt they'd do it again." 

Adderstar's blue eyes sparked with rage, but he tried to keep himself calm. "I don't want a fight. I want to end this peacefully, okay? Can we agree that nobody crosses anyone's borders, and we stay away from each other-" 

Before he could even finish, Flickerstar interrupted. "Well, I do want a fight. My Clan is growing; we need space and prey. We have new warriors, new apprentices, and new kits. What do you have? A dead apprentice, two barely-of-age warriors, and no kits. It's time to settle this like leaders. At dawn, near the birch grove, at the border, we fight. Bring all the warriors you want, but you can't win; You're weak. " Flickerstar snarled.

"Fine- Dawn it is. We'll see who's weak when you're running with your tail between your legs, coward. This means war." Adderstar retorted, past wanting peace. The crowd was in an uproar now, cats turning on each other, yelling and arguing. Quickly, Quailstar and Ospraystar called their Clans to leave. Then, still jeering at BleakClan, EmberClan slowly left the clearing. Adderstar stood in the trampled grass, looking angry, defeated, scared, and ready to fight every cat in EmberClan at the same time. 

After a moment of silence, he called the Clan and began walking back to camp. Worry ate at Hopewilt as they travelled; sure, BleakClan wasn't exactly weak. But they sure as hell didn't have as many cats, or as brutal of fighting tactics. The day would end in Bloodshed, she was sure. 

Yet, as much as she feared the resulting carnage, Hopewilt felt a tingle of excitement in her pads at the thought of experiencing her first fight. 

Fun Fact: Flickerstar is younger than Adderstar by around 15 moons.

Sorry that this chapter was a little bit short!