Rain is an important part of life, no matter where on earth you go. It cleanses the air, makes the plants grow, and provides water to animals of all shapes and sizes. Sometimes rain can be a nuisance and sometimes it can be a curse that kills those caught unaware. But in the end, we all need it and its arrival marks the start of good times. Especially for a place as hot and dry as the desert.

The residents of the Kalahari are no exception, though their feelings about the water pouring from the sky are mixed. Larger animals are forced to wait it out under whatever cover they can find, but small animals like meerkats, ground squirrels, and hares are able to seek shelter underground.

This is where we find the Isikara today. It is six o'clock in the morning and most of the gang are still asleep. Meerkats hate getting wet as it drains their bodies of precious heat that must be replenished by food, which is driven underground by rain. There is no point in going out now, so Trixie and Rufio are content to snuggle up with each other and their pups. The teenagers are playing a game of hide-and-seek, and most of the others are just sleeping away. When the rain finally does stop, Trixie is the first to survey the scene. Though she cannot see it, Trixie knows that the pickings should be good and there is little time to waste. The Isikara file out of their burrow and set off at once, not even taking much time for burrow work or sunbathing.

Vicky is relieved by this quick action, for she is close to giving birth and needs all the nutrition that she can get. The storm that had passed was the first in months, and it is a sign that winter is over. The Isikara have survived another year under the rule of Trixie and Rufio, and it should be smooth sailing for now. Speaking of Rufio, a change has come over the male head of the family. After filling his belly with a few tasty goodies, Rufio is now keeping close to Trixie. With Carter and Sadie now two months old and the start of summer now upon them, Trixie is ready to mate again. Rufio must do everything in his power to ensure that he will be allowed to sire her next litter. This means switching between endless scent marking and constant grooming, but in the end, the choice is Trixie and if another suitor were to prove himself better, Rufio would be out of luck. Trixie finds his antics annoying, for she has other matters on her mind that love must wait.

As Vicky gets closer to the birth of her pups, she has started to show some alarming behaviors. Stealing food is one thing, but scent marking and overall throwing her weight around is another. This could be a warning sign that she has an aim for the top spot and if Trixie were to be sick or injured, there is a strong chance that she could be overthrown. Trixie must do something to make Vicky remember her place. Trixie decides that now is a good time and charges. As the two sisters clash in a ball of dust and fury, the rest of the group look on. This means that nobody notices the seven figures looming on the horizon. They are meerkat and they are male, their purpose for being here is to find any willing lady kat who might want to mate. The Isikara are a decent size group and there would be enough for each male to have his share...but they must be cautious.

Woodrow, Cody, Owl, Fergus, Farkle, Tucker, and Dom are strangers to the Tswalu Reserve, having come all this way from the nearby Kuruman River Reserve. Having come all this way, it would be a shame to come away with nothing.

Woodrow is the oldest male in the coalition and he is also the leader with prior roving experience, the other boys look to him for guidance. After carefully assessing the situation, Woodrow leads his band in closer. Some of the group notices, namely a few of the girls who seem intrigued by these handsome strangers. But then Rufio spots them and the Isikara changes tact. The Pretenders make a run from it and regroup at a nearby bolt hole. Their first attempt has ended in failure, but Woodrow knows that they will be back.

With the rovers gone, the Isikara can relax now. Trixie has made her point and Vicky is keeping to the edge of the family. Her pups will be born soon, but her place in the group is now uncertain. But as the group heads for home, the horizon is dark with more than just storm clouds.