[ti]Open[/ti]The Last Moment

[Fireflake]

Sometimes, Mantisstar wished that she was still looped in on the clan's gossip. The leader had heard whispers around camp ever since the last ceremonies. She'd told everyone to start pushing the borders, and she'd more than hinted that she would be taking cats back into the Twolegplace to show the rogues who was boss. Truthfully, that last part felt just a little hollow. She didn't think it was worth retaliating for a single underhanded trick, and her judgement about the danger of it all stood firm, and she didn't believe that Strikekit was there anymore.

"Everyone, gather 'round!"

If she had thought there was even a chance that her son was still stuck with those mangy cats, she would have been at their throats in a heartbeat. Now, though, she could be sure. If he was there, he would be an adult now and wouldn't hide. If he was there, his scent would be too. She liked to get lost in the thoughts every now and then. But really, this was taking care of politics. Nobody would be able to say she hadn't done enough anymore. Maybe they'd even make an unlikely ally out of RootClan.

"First of all, for the day-to-day news, IvyClan and MistClan have not responded to our advances on their territory. They also didn't report any new kits or queens at the Gathering, so I think things are just as dry in their camps as in ours. It's possible that, without so many vulnerable cats to take care of this season, they don't mind giving us a little leeway."

Mantisstar rushed through the announcement. The mention of no new kits worried her more than she wanted to admit now. If MothClan didn't have any kits in Newleaf, and they didn't have any kits in Greenleaf, when would she next name a warrior? She'd have kits herself, if she wasn't so busy trying to lead a whole clan.

"Now for the bit you've all been waiting for. Yes, this is about that. It's today, and I know you are all ready."
She could have been far more prepared, but Mantisstar always had liked to reveal her plans in a grandiose show at the last moment. "We're going into the Twolegplace and we're finding the cats that keep launching these petty attacks on us. If this is anything like last time, we'll need to just figure out what to do in the moment. Tickstorm and I will be coordinating. RootClan have agreed to meet us there."

The she-cat's yellow eyes swept over the crowd. She didn't want to take too many cats so deep into Twolegplace, but she needed a show of strength. With no young cats of their own to worry about protecting, it couldn't hurt the clan too badly for a large group to get experience outside of the territory. "Rushleap, Crouchwhisker, Fatcloud, this has hit you all personally. You're free to come along. Tanglespring, Icefur, Vultureswoop, Redpine, and Badgerstrike, I want you with us too. Mottlepool, move any medical supplies you need up to the Thunder Trails, just in case. Slightshrew and Flurryheart, help out. Stay there with her."

She paused to catch her breath. "Did everyone get that?"