AN. Alright, I didn't quite get three reviews last chapter, but I am still getting people to read on so I've decieded to update. But, I'm telling you that you MUST REVIEW! To those who aren't reviewing I'm begging you becuase I don't know if people truely like the story or not if they don't review and that gets me frustrated. So, lesson is, REVIEW.

Chapter Three

Shadowlight came to a quick halt with HopeClan skidding to a stop behind her. Blocking their path was a dark brown tome with splotches of black on his back and white paws. His tail was furless as it swayed back and forth and his dark blue eyes gazed menacingly at them. A group of rouges stood behind him, there eyes shinning with no light.

Cautiously, Shadowlight steeped forward a bit with Sunshaft and Eagleheart at her side and Firfang, Stormtwist and Dovetalon not far back. "What do you want with us Rouges?" Shadowlight demanded.

The dark brown tom grinned, "Now, now. That's no way to introduce yourself. I'm Flame, leader of this band of cats you see before you. Gawk here is my top assassin cat, so I wouldn't be messing around here if I were you."

Sunshaft snorted, "We don't care who you are! We just want to move on!"

Flame glared at Sunshaft, "You are on our lands, you can't pass if we don't even know who you are and what your purpose is."

Shadowlight sighed, "I'm sorry for trespassing. We found no scent markers and we didn't know. My name is Shadowlight, leader of what you see to be HopeClan. This is Sunshaft and Eagleheart. The three behind me are Firefang, Stormtwist and Dovetalon. Behind them are the rest of HopeClan. We need passage to what lies beyond your territory."

Flame smirked, "Really? And why is that?"

"It's a privet reason. But I assure you we mean no harm to your territory and it's prey." Shadowlight assured.

"Shadowlight, we saw you're 'HopeClan' come from the mountain that looms over the forest, the glorious forest. Now, why did you leave? Something wrong? Flame questioned.

Shadowlight shook her head, "There is nothing wrong, we just need to get to the other side of your territory!"

"Why?" hissed Flame, "Tell me why! The exact reason!"

Shadowlight tried not to hesitated with her answer, "We need to deliver and important message. Nothing concerning you."

"Oh? How long will you be over there?"

"Erm, I'm not sure. Could be days could be moons. It really depends."

Flame narrowed his eyes but did not continue to interrogate the newly appointed HopeClan leader.

Flame and Gawk exchanged a look that none of HopeClan understood, then Flame said, "Very well. How far are you heading?"

"To a lake,"

"We will see you to the lake territories. But, on one condition!"

Shadowlight glared suspiciously at Flame, "What condition?"

Flame smirked, "You cannot return here."

HopeClan began to growl angrily in disagreement. Sunshaft's fur bristled, "That is absurd! You can't force us-"

But Shadowlight placed her tail reassuringly on Sunshaft's shoulder.

"We accept that condition Flame. Now will you see us to the other side?"

HopeClan gawked at their new leader in shock, but nobody said anything although Bloodstripe looked ready to burst into protest. Flame too was surprised that Shadowlight would agree so easily. But didn't question it.

"Alright HopeClan, we'll be sure to get you safely to the lake," said Flame.

He swirled around and signaled for HopeClan to follow.

They did.

Sunshaft hissed to Shadowlight, "Shadowlight, why did you agree?! We need to return! Otherwise our mission is a failure!"

"Be quiet Sunshaft!" Shadowlight snapped. "It's the only way for us to have a safe crossing. We'll figure out a way back, you'll see."

Sunshaft still wasn't completely pleased but nodded and fell back to explain it to the rest of HopeClan.

They were walking for what seemed like moons to Shadowlight. Endless walking up and over mountains with the flaming sun glistering down at them in the clear, cloudless sky. Shadowlight licked her lips in thirst. She wanted desperately to have a drink. The sound of the pool that pours in to the lake sounded lovely, yet tormenting to thing about.

At last, Flame tuned back to them, "The lake territories. They're just beyond here. Tread carefully and….be sure not to return or else we will await you!" Flame threatened through gleaming, sharp white teeth.

Shadowlight nodded, "Thank you Flame."

Flame, smirking, nodded. "We'll leave you here, but be warned that we still watch. Don't try crossing!" With that he turned and with a signal to his followers, disappeared in the mountain maze.

AN. Yes, yes I know it's short. But I wanted to cut it there. Anyway, I wanted to tell you that my updates may start to get slow. I've got a lot on my plate right now plus I've taken on a new project in the Harvest Moon fandom. I know it was probably a bad time to take on a new project, but I assure you that this fic WILL still be updated. Unless, I don't get reviews. If I don't get enought reviews this story might be discontinued. I don't want that, and many of you don't want that so review! Please review.

And, I have a role playing forum up if you want to check that out. I was board one day so I created it. I called it, Role Playing: Because I'm Board. Check that out if you're interested in role playing!

So... REVIEW!