I forgot to mention a few important details, one of which is the fact that the story takes place right between Sunset and The Sight. About the time when Leafpool has her kits. I also forgot to mention that it contains spoilers. I do not own warriors, but if I did I would publish all my fanfics.

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Thornclaw led a border patrol on the far edge of the territory. With him was Whitewing, who had recently became a warrior, and Poppypaw, his young apprentice. They'd followed the stream along the WindClan border almost to the Moonpool. Padding along silently, they remarked the border every few paces. Life was pretty simple these days, with the only concern being to prepare for the cold leaf-bare days ahead. Rainwhisker's death had been an unseen tragedy, and sadness still lingered in the camp. On a lighter note, Squirrelflight just had a healthy litter of kits. But otherwise, little had happened.

Poppypawbounded ahead, batting a leaf out of the air. Any other time, Thornclaw might have scolded her for such kitlike behavior, but they were all relaxing these days. He rubbed his cheek against a large cool stone.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the little tortoiseshell stick her nose in the air. He barely noted the action, already moving ahead, when her expression became confused. He glanced over, rotating his ears.

"Poppypaw, is something wrong?" he yawned.

"Idon't know, I think... Something smells wrong." she mewed worriedly. Whitewing joined her and sniffed the air as well, her pink nose twitching. Her eyes widened.

"Thornclaw…" That's as far as she got. Thornclaw bounded over to her, his fur prickling, and scented. A breeze stirred the air, and on it was the strong scent of cat. It wasn't a ThunderClan cat, or and Clan cat for that matter. The scent was fresh, which meant the trespasser was still somewhere on the territory.

Thornclaw made a quick descision. Judging by the scent, it was only one. There were three of them on the patrol, even though one was barely more than a kit and the other was barely more than an apprentice. Despite that, they were all strong fighters and had the upper hand. He decided to go find the intruder.

"Ismell it now. Good work, Poppypaw. We'll go find this rogue and drive them off." he said determinedly. Whitewing looked slightly nervous about his announcement but didn't object. Lifting his golden furred head, Thornclaw strode off into the brush.

Theymarched west for aways, tracing the scent farther into the territory. Then they hit the trail. The invader had clearly walked here, and not long ago. "Come on." Thornclaw growled. Trotting quicker, they tracked it until Thornclaw froze. The ferns ahead of the patrol rustled slightly. With a snarl, he launched himself into the brambles. The bushes shook wildly in front of him, and Whitewing and Poppypaw soared after behind him. They crashed through the brush, pursuing the fleeing form, when they burst into a tiny clearing.

Avery small she-cat cowered against the base of a tree. She had midnight black fur with snow white paws, chest, belly and tail tip, with a thick white streak down her right side. Her eyes were grass green, with tiny dark moss green flecks. She was also thin, dirty, and tired looking. But besides the lack of food and hygiene, she was exceptionally pretty.

Thornclaw didn't care. He pounced on her, pinning her to the ground. She didn't try to flee or fight, just quivered under his paws, tiny and scared. He felt sorry for the pitiful cat. She obviously hadn't had a good meal or rest in a long time, and clearly wasn't interesting in threatening the Clan.

Whitewingbent her head and sniffed the other she-cat, pressing her nose into the black fur. She looked surprised. "You're not from around here, are you?" she blurted. Thornclaw sniffed at her as well. Whitewing was right. The she-cat smelled of things far away, and underneath that there was something... dark. Thornclaw didn't know exactly what it was, but it was like a mixture of Twolegs and Thunderpaths, shadows and blood.

"N-no." she gave a terrified mew. Then Thornclaw noticed something. She wore a dark purple collar around her neck. How could I have missed that? He thought to himself. I saw the flecks in her eyes, yet I didn't realize she was wearing a collar?! How mouse-brained am I?!... I guess that solves the mystery, though. Probably just a lost kittypet who didn't realize how tough the world was outside their nest.

"Areyou lost? I mean, are you a kittypet?" he asked, letting her up. Some cats would snarl and spit and drive her off like they were supposed to, but Thornclaw knew Firetstar wouldn't throw a scared, hungry cat off the territory just because she was here. If she needed help, he'd probably give her some prey and take her back to the Twolegplace nearby. Some cats thought he was soft that way, but Thornclaw was proud of his leader.

"I'mnot a house pet-" she started to say, but Poppypaw cut her off.

"Are those teeth?!" she asked in a horrified voice, staring at the she-cat's collar. Thornclaw glanced down, and was shocked. Embedded in the collar were several teeth of vaious sizes, some of which appeared to be cat's. They gleamed evilly against the dark dirt-smeared collar. Memories stirred in the back of his mind. It seemed like lifetimes ago, but really was only a few years. The battle with BloodClan.

Hehad been a very young warrior then, but he remembered it clearly. It was one of ThunderClan's gravest seasons. So many cats were lost to the viscious, bloodthirsty cats. He remembered how they fashioned their collars and claws with the teeth of their victims. He could picture their leader, Scourge, ripping open Tigerstar with one blow of death.

Hisfur was on edge again. "I think you need to speak to Firestar." he said. She nodded, frightened.

The three older cats moved in a tightly packed group. Whitewing and Thornclaw walked on either side of the black and white she-cat, while Poppypaw ran ahead to warn the warriors. The intruder slunk low to the ground, her ears pinned back.

Thornclawkept a close eye on her. Her appearance still made pity well up inside him, but he forced himself to look past her fearful demeanor. He was sure she was no ordinary kittypet, if she even was one. If you looked at it another way, her mud splattered fur and scrawny body could easily be from living as a rogue on the streets.

But the collar was bad news no matter how you looked at it. At least she doesn't have those teeth on her claws, He thought.

Theyarrived to find the cats waiting anxiously by the camp entrance. Brightheart watched warily, and Dustpelt bared his teeth at the intruder. Firestar waited atop the Highledge, looking down upon the cats before him. The cats parted to either side as the three strode forward. They came to a stop beneath the Highledge.

"I assume Poppypaw has told you everything?" Thornclaw asked.

"She has." Firestar said.

Thornclaw nodded. He nudged the black and white she-cat forward, then stepped back to sit next to Poppypaw. The camp was silent as they waited for Firestar to speak.