Sparrowfur padded over to the fresh-kill pile, hunger gnawing at her belly. It was in the early morning, and the sun was high in the sky. Two days had passed since she had been deemed a warrior, and today was her first official hunting patrol as a warrior. She carefully studied the fresh-kill pile, and found a vole. She began to eat when she heard noise coming from the fern tunnel that was the entrance to the MoonClan camp. Out of the tunnel came Cloverstar, Skypaw, Whiteheart, Hollytail, Silverclaw, Dead-Eye, and Snowpaw. Each of them had a triumphant look on their faces, but they had scratches and deep wounds in their pelts. All of the clan that was outside looked at the worn-out cats. Murmurs arose until the once-quiet camp was flooded with noise. Cloverstar slowly walked onto the top of the Bigrock, which was where the Clan held their meetings.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey meet at the base of the Bigrock for a clan meeting."

At once, the cats all gathered at the rock, whispering things to each other about what they thought happened to the worn-out group of cats. Silverclaw walked over to the base of the Bigrock just below Cloverstar, where all the deputies were to stand. Berryflower was emerging from her den inside the hollow tree stump. Sparrowfur dropped her vole and padded over to her best friends Bluepaw and Hollytail's side. She tried to ask Hollytail what had happened that night, but she was silenced by Cloverstar's tired voice.

"Now, I know all of you noticed that dogs have been scented in our territory near the Thunderpath."
The cats muttered in agreement, knowing what Cloverstar was most likely going to say next.

"Last night on a late-night patrol, we were met by the dogs. These dogs were not very big, thank StarClan. But they were still a bit stronger than us. They had brown underbellies, and black pelts. The reason why I'm telling you this is because although we had chased most of them off and back to the Twolegplace, they might return." The clan yowled in distress. One of the queens, Rainpelt, protectively wrapped her tail around her 3 kits.

"I know this is a tragedy to our clan. But once all the dogs have been driven off or killed, they'll be gone for good. That is why I am going to set up a group of our fastest cats to chase after the dogs and drive them away from MoonClan. If I call your name, please step up to the base of the Bigrock: Blackthroat, Iceflower, Hawkpaw, Sparrowfur, Hollytail, and Bluepaw." Sparrowfur was not surprised that he had chosen her. She was the quickest apprentice, and now warrior, out of the rest of the clan. She walked over to the base of the Bigrock after hearing Cloverstar say her name. She also heard him mutter "meeting dismissed" as he padded down the Bigrock and faced the chosen cats.

"Congratulations on making the team." He said, as the rest of the clan backed away and returned to their usual duties. "You all have been chosen to drive out the dogs. This is what I want you to do. Blackthroat, I want you to go to the Twolegplace and arouse the dogs. Make sure they all come out to chase you. Hawkpaw, you'll do that with him." Hawkpaw and Blackthroat nodded in agreement. "Now, once all the dogs are chasing you, I want you to run to the edge of the Thunderpath, just on the border of our territory. Jump into one of the nearby bushes. Iceflower, I want you there. After the dogs have come to that point, you are going to have them follow you to the Tumblestones, which are a little ways away from the river. Sparrowfur, Hollytail, Bluepaw, this is where you come in. You'll be waiting at the Tumblestones for Iceflower. When you see her coming, I want you three to jump out and separate the pack into three groups. Each of you will lead 2 or 3 dogs into the river, drowning them."

"But how will we drown them into the river?" Bluepaw asked, cocking her head to her side.

"You are going to have to jump it. It's the only way to drown these dogs." Cloverstar chuckled a little. "Every cat knows that only cats can jump the river. The dogs will only be able to jump a short distance. They will land in the rushing current and soon be swept away. Got it?" Bluepaw nodded. "Anyway, I am going to meet you all here at Sunset. Okay?" All of the cats nodded in agreement and soon walked off, talking with each other about their special assignment.
Sparrowfur walked over to Silverclaw, who was waiting for her at the fern tunnel with the other cats for the hunting patrol.

"Let's get going," Silverclaw said as the patrol padded out the fern tunnel.