“Leader, your mate, Tanya, gave birth to your kits just now!” a scruffy-looking tom said as he approached a small, black cat with icy, cold, blue eyes.  “Will you go see them?”
The black cat kept his back on the tom. “Where is she?” he asked, showing no emotion.
“Her refuge is in that alley over there,” he pointed his nose out to an empty alley across the street.
Without a word, the black tom walked off into the street, avoiding all the monsters that rode on them, and into the alley where his mate laid with his kit.
The she-cat had light, gray fur with brown markings and gorgeous, yellow eyes like the sun.  When she noticed the black cat, she smiled and blinked her eyes at him. “Scourge, you’ve came to see our kit?  It looks just like you, I think-“
“Is it a boy or girl?” Scourge demanded, cutting Tanya off.
She hesitated. “It’s a girl…”
Scourge took a step closer and peered down on his kit.  Tanya was right; she did resemble him, except for the orange markings on her forehead, paw, and tail.    
The small kitten mewled and reached her head up towards her father, obviously recognizing his scent.  Scourge pulled away when her tiny, pink nose nearly met his.  
“Not only is she a female, she’s also small…” Scourge hissed, despite the fact that he, too, is small.  “I doubt she will ever be strong enough to take care of BloodClan when her time comes…”
Tanya stared at Scourge with hurt eyes.  “But she’s your firstborn child…if she lives until that day, there’s no choice but for her to be the leader…”
Scourge growled, he knew Tanya was right, this kit is his first and only child, the throne of BloodClan rightfully belongs to her.  
“I’ll give her time…” Scourge said, this time a bit more calm.  “Perhaps she will grow to be more like me by the time she’s an adult…”
  Tanya sighed with relief. “Thank you, Scourge!”
The black tom turned and paced away. “Don’t mention it…that little runt is going to need all the strength she can get…”
Tanya gazed at him until the horizon swallowed his figure up. “Weren’t you the same…?”
***
The ThunderClan cats returned from their journey from the Fourtrees last night to see a surprise waiting for them at the camp.  The warriors who stayed to guard had found a rogue named “Flamepelt”.  Hot Shot was curious to see this cat; others had said that she has flame-colored fur like their leader, Firestar.
Hot Shot stepped over to Sandstorm, who was guarding the medicine cat den, where Red Alert was taking care of Flamepelt’s wounds. “Is it okay if I visit the new cat?” he asked.
Sandstorm blinked at Hot Shot. “Wait your turn, right now Firestar’s speaking with her…”
Hot Shot nodded and walked off, spotting Sideways waiting near the Medicine Cat den as well. “Are you waiting to see Flamepelt, too?”
Sideways met Hot Shot’s gaze and shrugged. “I’m just curious if she’ll get to stay in ThunderClan or not…and where she came from…”
Hot Shot flicked his ears and tilted his head.  “Yeah…I guess so…She doesn’t seem to be like any other rogue we came across before…”
Sideways glanced at Hot Shot. “I was a rogue before, too, remember…?”
Hot Shot blinked and lowered his head. “Right…I forgot…Sorry, buddy…”
Both cats forgot what they were talking about when Sideswipe came padding along, wagging his tiny tail. “Hey, Hot Shot! Are you going to see the new cat? Can I come?”
Hot Shot laughed. “Well, if it’s okay with the others, then alright!” he answered, casting a glance at Sandstorm.
Sandstorm looked up and nodded. “Flamepelt appears to be very calm and friendly…I don’t think she’ll mind seeing a kit…just watch Sideswipe, okay, Hot Shot?”
Hot Shot felt his chest swell with pride as he nodded. Sideswipe was HIS responsibility! He’s a brand new warrior and he already feels like he’s been one for many moons.  Perhaps they’ll one day allow him to mentor Sideswipe.  
Firestar finally stepped out of the den, whispered some words to Sandstorm, and then walked off to speak with Scavenger by the Warriors’ Den.
Hot Shot got to his paws when Sandstorm flicked her tail to him, signaling that they’re allowed in now.
“Hey, Sideways, wanna come with?” Hot Shot said when he noticed Sideways didn’t move a muscle.
The purple and gray cat shook his head. “I just want to stay out here…”
Hot Shot shrugged, Sideways was just telling him how he really wanted to learn more about Flamepelt, and yet when he was asked if he wanted to go see her, he refuses.
Sideswipe had already sprinted into the den, squeaking with joy.  Hot Shot shook himself from his pondering and followed.
Red Alert looked over his shoulder when Hot Shot and Sideswipe came in; he was standing in front of Flamepelt, who was resting in the bed of moss.  
“Is she well enough to see more visitors?” Hot Shot asked the medicine cat, nervously.
Red Alert remained expressionless as always. “Of course…” he answered.
Flamepelt lifted her head when the warrior and the kit approached.  She had sparkling, green eyes and a blazing, orange pelt.  In addition, she had a white underbelly and red stripes, but the most impressive marking would be the white diamond mark on her forehead.  
“Hi there, I’m Hot Shot! And this is Sideswipe, he’s Frostpelt’s kit.”  
Flamepelt smiled, warmly, at the tiny kit before looking up at Hot Shot and laughing, softly. “Nice to meet you, Hot Shot, I’m guessing you already know my name is Flamepelt.”
Hot Shot grinned and nodded. “Yup, of course. So where did you come from?”
Flamepelt’s eyes glittered with hesitation. “I lived in a Clan similar to this one…we had a medicine cat, a leader, and warriors like you…Unlike your Clan, the child of the leader would usually take their place when they’re old enough…I was the firstborn of the leader…but some horrible tragedy happened and I was forced to leave…” she looked away as she finished her last sentence.  
Hot Shot blinked, regretting that he asked her, now he was afraid that he brought horrible memories back to their guest.  “I’m sorry to hear that…”
Flamepelt snapped out of her sadness and smiled. “Don’t worry about it…”
Sideswipe was quiet the entire time; he was just smiling at both cats, not really listening to what was going on at all.  
“Hey, you’re pretty, are you going to stay with us in the Clan or what?” Sideswipe squeaked.
Hot Shot perked his ears in shock. “Sideswipe, watch your manners!” he hissed.
Flamepelt giggled. “I talked with Firestar…He says I can stay if I want…”
“Really? Hey, that’s great!” Hot Shot grinned.
Flamepelt smiled back, but she still had some uncertainty in her eyes.
Hot Shot tilted his head at Flamepelt before Red Alert’s voice interrupted his thoughts.
“Hot Shot, Sideswipe, I think Flamepelt needs more rest, it’s best to go…”
The warrior and the kit obeyed and padded out as Flamepelt lowered her head to rest again, thinking to herself. Moonlight…I finally made it here…and I’ve met friends like the ones I knew before…But will the same horrors that happened last time happen again…?
***
“This is the WindClan camp!  All of our clanmates rest here! Look, you can see the warriors over there, sharing tongues, and there’s the medicine cat den!  Our medicine cat is Ratchet…Be careful of him, he’s a grumpy type…” Bumblebee’s talking seemed to never end.
Sundance didn’t mind though, his wisdom about the Clans helped her comprehend how everything functioned here in the life of a wild cat.  Ember stayed close by her as well, as if Sundance were her kit.  As the patrol of cats walked by, other warriors would stop and observe Sundance, leaning over to their friends and whispering words.  The former kittypet worried if she would be welcomed here.
An old, but gallant cat was watching the cats as they approached him. “What is going on, Optimus?” he rasped.
Sundance leaned over to her friend. “Who’s he?”
“Oh, that’s Ultra Magnus, the leader of WindClan!” Bumblebee answered, cheerfully.
  The older cats didn’t pay attention to Bumblebee and Sundance’s quick conversation.
“We found a kittypet in our territory…” Optimus explained.
“Before you say anything, sir, I’m the one who believed we should have sent her BACK to her Twolegs!” Sentinel cut in.
Ultra Magnus lifted his paw to silence the two cats.  “Why did you bring her here?”
“Well…we discussed it for a bit, and Ember suggested that we should let her join WindClan…” Optimus explained, nervously.
The cats who were watching this yowled in protest.
“Let a kittypet in? Are you mousebrained? Do you want us to become like ThunderClan?” one cat hissed.
“She will only die…” a gray cat said, calmly.
The medicine cat, Ratchet, walked out. “Be quiet, all of you!  Let them explain more!” he yelled louder than the other warriors.
Optimus nodded his head in thanks to Ratchet. “You should give her a chance; I believe she has more than meets the eye…”
Sentinel scoffed at Optimus’s words. “This is stupid, she’s just a kittypet!  She is not strong!  She doesn’t catch her own food!  Why can’t she just go back to her little kittypet friends?  We don’t need her!”
Sundance gave out a little hiss. “I have no place to go back!  Yes, it’s true I had some friends back at my home…”
“Oh, just great!  She’s going to bring her kittypet friends into our Clan!” Sentinel accused her before she could finish.
Bumblebee glared at Sentinel. “You didn’t let her finish!”
“Shut up, apprentice!” Sentinel hissed back.
Bumblebee backed off and hid behind Optimus, quickly holding out his paw and dragging Sundance with him.  Sundance, now angered by Sentinel’s ignorance, stepped right back out.
“Dib and Gaz aren’t interested in joining a Clan, I never asked them, but I’m pretty sure they won’t be…” she explained.
“’Dub and Gaz’? I bet she’s lying…She probably will bring more cats into our Clan that are completely useless just like her!” Sentinel said.
Sundance growled when Sentinel got her own friend’s name wrong. “It’s ‘DIB’, Sentinel!  It’s a pretty simple name, and I JUST said it!  Can’t you get it right?  You never listen, that’s your problem!  I bet everyone else in this Clan agrees!”
Sentinel widened his eyes in shock.  “Did you just YELL at me?”
Bumblebee was still hiding and gaping in horror. “Sun…!”
Optimus remained silent and calm, trying not to grin at Sentinel’s shock.  Sundance stood in front of Sentinel, her eyes shining with a challenge.  She actually wanted him to pounce at her, so she could prove to everyone that she’s strong, also to teach this jerk a lesson.
The larger cat did as she wanted; Sentinel lunged at Sundance with his claws stretched out.  Bumblebee yelped in fear and Optimus gasped in shock.  Sundance was prepared though, she used her speed to dart out of his way, then return to him again, biting onto his shoulder. He screamed in pain as her sharp fangs tore his skin.  Sundance jumped off, licking the blood off her jaws, savoring the delicious taste.  Sentinel turned around and charged at her again, obviously angered that she was winning.  Sundance leapt over him when he got close enough, then bit onto his tail to make him spin around again.  She smirked with triumph and showed her white fangs to threaten him.
The WindClan cats watched in awe and Bumblebee gave out a little cheer for Sundance.  Optimus walked over and stopped right in front of Sentinel.
“That’s enough, Sentinel,” he spoke calmly.
Sentinel flattened his ears.  “Don’t tell me what to do!”
“Umm…but he CAN…he’s the deputy…You’ve made yourself a fool here, it’s best to listen to Optimus…” a new voice spoke.
Sundance glanced over to where the voice originated and saw a small tom with a mask on whose pelt contained the colors of red, green, yellow, and black.  
Optimus bowed his head in gratitude to the small tom.  “Thanks, Robin…”
Robin nodded back.  Sundance turned to Bumblebee, who was now relaxed to see that the fight was over.
“You were a brilliant fighter, Sun!” he whispered.
Ultra Magnus finally spoke up to break the silence.  “The newcomer has proved herself worthy enough to be part of the Clan!” he gazed at Sundance.  “What is your name again?”
Sundance blinked.  “I’m Sundance…”
“Right…” Ultra Magnus addressed his warriors again.  “For now on, Sundance will be an apprentice in WindClan…but she would need a mentor…”
Optimus stepped over to Ultra Magnus and whispered some words in his ear.  Sundance casted a confused glance at Bumblebee, wondering what Optimus is saying.
Bumblebee took a few seconds to realize that she was staring at him. “Oh…The deputies always choose who mentors who in a Clan…He’s telling Ultra Magnus his decision.”
When Optimus backed off, Ultra Magnus continued his speech.  “Robin!  Sundance will be your apprentice, pass your wisdom and skills onto her…”
Robin gazed up with honor and padded over to Sundance.  Sundance looked at Bumblebee again.
“The mentor and his apprentice touch noses…” Optimus murmured to her instead.
When the two cats got close enough, Sundance did as she was told and they both touched noses, and then walked over to sit with Bumblebee and Optimus.
Sentinel was still astounded that the rest of the Clan welcomed Sundance so quickly.  “This isn’t fair…!” he began but was silenced when Ultra Magnus gave him a cold look.  
Sundance smiled over at Bumblebee.  The Clan, who first believed she was going to be just another mouth to feed, were now in awe of her skilled fighting ability, but she knew that there was a dark secret about her past that if she gave it away, the others would believe she was some sort of monster…Perhaps only Bumblebee and Optimus would accept her truth, but their opinions won’t matter to the rest of WindClan.
***
“All cats old and young enough to catch their own prey, gather around for a Clan meeting!” Megatron’s voice was heard around the ShadowClan camp.  
Zim, who was practicing his fighting skills with Blaze, perked up his ears and ran off just when Blaze was about to lunge at him.  Blaze let herself slide on the dusty ground and gave out a hiss of frustration.  
“You idiot, Zim!  You leave when I SAY you can leave!” she growled.
Zim didn’t listen to her words. “Our leader calls for us!” he called, and then hissed at the cats standing before him. “Get out of the way!   Move it!”
Blaze felt her brother’s presence beside her as she heard his voice.  “I pity for you…your apprentice isn’t the best cat I’ve seen…”
“Yeah, I know, Starscream…” she groaned.  “At least he’s not in love with me anymore…Can you imagine that time?  It was even worse than it is today…”
Starscream sighed.  “He’s a fool…Now we’d better go…Megatron will be waiting…” he narrowed his eyes as he said Megatron’s name.  
Blaze clenched her teeth and nodded, following her brother to where the rest of the cats had gathered before Megatron and Thrust.  
Megatron glowered down on his warriors and settled on Starscream and Blaze as they were the last ones to come.  Zim followed his gaze and perked up when he saw his idols and ran over to them to sit by them.  Blaze rolled her eyes while Starscream stared back at Megatron, tensing as he realized Megatron seemed to be glaring at just him.  
“My deputy and I have been plotting an attack on the ThunderClan camp…Prey has been running short on our lands, but it seems that ThunderClan has plenty of prey…Firestar won’t allow us to hunt on his territory though…so it’s time to take their land through force…We will split our warriors into two patrols…Starscream will lead one, Thrust will lead the other…”
The cats murmured among themselves, quietly.
“Which cats will each patrol take?” Zim asked, excitedly.
Megatron didn’t make eye contact with the little ShadowClan apprentice as he answered his question.  “Starscream will be taking Blaze, Zim, Cyclonus, and Mei…And Thrust will be taking Tidal Wave, Blackarachnia, Lugnut, and Tak…The rest will stay behind to guard the camp.  That will be all for now…”
All the cats yowled in triumph before parting away to continue their daily routines.  Blaze and Zim walked off together to return to their fighting practice while Starscream followed more slowly, still sensing Megatron’s menacing eyes watching him.
“Starscream…” Megatron called over to him.
Starscream stopped and glanced over at him, not saying a word, allowing Megatron to continue his words.
“I’ve given you a very high place in this planned ambush…Your patrol will be the ones that sneak attack ThunderClan…If you disappoint me AGAIN, I won’t show any mercy on you…”
***
The cats of RiverClan were celebrating back at their camp when the leader’s son, Weed, was made a brand new warrior.  Jerome, who was Weed’s mentor, was standing beside Weed, feeling very proud for his apprentice.  Weed has proven himself a very strong warrior, even as an apprentice, he was one of the strongest ones.  Lenny’s kit, Mel, was very excited to see his idol being made a warrior at last.  
Not everyone was satisfied though, Weed’s older sister, Kashou, avoided the rest of her clanmates as she paced alongside the river.  Her pelt was blazing with fury and jealousy.  She was much older than her brother, and yet HE became a warrior BEFORE her!  It seems that no matter how hard she tried, she would never be good enough.  She felt hatred churn at her brother, despite the fact that he’s never done anything cruel to her ever; he’s always been a loving brother.  Most of all, Kashou blamed her father, Gin.  He never seemed to notice her; he paid more attention to his son.  None of the other cats cared for her either, except for John, of course.  Also, Kyoushiro seems to show some interest in her, but no one else did.  She scraped her claws against the ground.  She was sick of all of this!  She doesn’t belong here! She will never be good enough in RiverClan!
Where else can she go though?  She’s not suitable to live in places such as ThunderClan or WindClan, and she can’t run to ShadowClan, she was rivals with the medicine cat apprentice, Val.  Even if she did run away, how would John take this?  He cared for her deeply…along with her mother, Sakura…and what about Akame?  He passed on his ninja skills to her.  She knew she couldn’t stay though, her hatred towards everyone else was too much, if she can’t prove to them that she’s strong by fighting FOR the Clan…then maybe she can prove her strength by fighting AGAINST the Clan…