Five days after Hopelight died, it was time for the gathering. This one is going to be interesting. Cats paced around camp, waiting for Splashstar to choose who to go to the gathering. There had been much talk about finding the murder, possible murderers, and attacking. Splashstar had yet to comment, so nobody knew what he was thinking. Stormlight was no help at hinting what his plans were, if asked, he would just reply "I will not say anything to fuel this gossip."  Frostheart was sharing tongues with Mistfeather when Splashstar finally leaped onto high ledge. "Clan! It is time for me to choose cats to go to the gathering. Mossypelt, Mousetuft, Shadeblossom, Ivyclaw," his gaze swept over ThunderClan. He spotted Frostheart and Mistfeather. "Frostheart, Mistfeather, Coldrose, Larktalon, Cherrynose, and all the apprentices," he said. This evoked a squeal of delight from the apprentices, who were quickly shushed. 

"Willowlight and Pineshadow are welcome to come along as well," Splashstar finished, then leaped down from high ledge. Frostheart got up, and followed Splashstar out of camp, Mistfeather a few steps behind him.

They emerged into the moonlit clearing, cats already milling around. By the scent of it, WindClan and RiverClan were already there. Pelts pricking with excitement, the apprentices raced ahead, all except Silverpaw and Quickpaw. Frostheart felt a flash of regret, but pushed it down. Not my fault Hopelight was their mother. Breezestar and Wavestar dipped there heads to Splashstar, murmuring their apologizes on the death of Cragstar. Pfft. They don't really care. Mistfeather trotted over to a RiverClan she-cat, with sleek silvery fur and amber eyes. Frostheart believed her name was Cindertail. "Mistfeather!" She exclaimed.

"Hey, Cindertail," Mistfeather purred. I was right. She beckoned Frostheart with her tail. "Cindertail, this is Frostheart. Frostheart, this is Cindertail," she said.

"Hi," Cindertail greeted him politely. "Are you two mates?" She asked. Before they could reply, ShadowClan burst into the clearing with a yowl. SkyClan entered right behind them.

"Let the gathering begin!" Marshstar of ShadowClan yowled, as he leaped onto the tree. A hushed silence fell over the cats. Breezestar of WindClan stepped up to report first.

"The rabbits are running well again for WindClan. While this leaf-bare was tough, we only lost two of our elders. I am also happy to announce that Flowerheart has had two healthy kits," she said. Frostheart looked over at a skinny she-cat with white fur and cream patches. She kinked her tail over her back happily. She stepped back, and Barkstar of SkyClan stepped forward.

"Prey is running well for SkyClan, we had a fox on our territory, but my brave warriors chased it out with no problems," he said. By the look of some of the battered SkyClan warriors, he was lying. "We also have a new apprentice, Hawkpaw," he said.

"Hawkpaw! Hawkpaw!" The Clans cheered. The tawny tom held his head high. Marshstar stepped forward.

"Prey is returning to the forest, thank StarClan. We have a new litter of kits thanks to Greenfrog, and we have two new warriors, Flashfoot and Driftfeather," he said.

"Flashfoot! Driftfeather!" The Clans cheered. Frostheart studied the tom and she-cat. Their bones jutted out, and they seemed to tremble with the effort just to keep their heads held high.

"They have new life in their Clans, yes, but it doesn't look as if they're strong enough for it," Cindertail murmured to Mistfeather. Wavestar stepped forward.

"This was a tough leaf-bare, even for RiverClan, but the river is full of fish, and we survived. We have a new apprentice, Beetlepaw," she said.

"Beetlepaw! Beetlepaw!" The Clans cheered. As Frostheart glanced at the black tom, there appeared to be grief behind his eyes.

"Poor Beetlepaw," Cindertail murmured. "His littermates Skipkit and Fogpaw didn't make it." Now Splashstar stepped forward, bristling with fury.

"ThunderClan has two new apprentices, Quickpaw and Silverpaw. My daughters, who are now motherless!" He spat. "My deputy Hopelight was murdered!" He screeched. Cats murmured. "I know one of you did it," he hissed, his icy gaze sweeping over the other Clan leaders.

"Woah woah woah! You have no right to accuse us of murdering your deputy," Barkstar hissed.

"Accuse us? We didn't even know Cragstar died. Are you sure it wasn't one of your warriors?" Marshstar retorted.

"How dare you blame it on one of my warriors!" Splashstar screeched. He sliced Marshstar's nose with his claws. Cats gasped. 

I didn't think he would go that far, Sageweed muttered. Marshstar looked ready to lunge at Splashstar when Wavestar leaped between them.

"We mustn't fight! The truce, remember?" She begged.

"Tell that to Splashstar," Marshstar snarled. Clouds covered the moon, and the gathering was pitched into darkness. Some cats screamed.

"It's a sign, it's a sign! SkyClan, we're leaving!" Barkstar yowled, and was followed by the other leaders. Frostheart lost sight of Mistfeather as all the cats were bundled out of the clearing. 

Well, that was something, Sageweed hissed in his head. Meet me in the Dark Forest tonight- I've figured out how you are going to kill Stormlight.