This was originally going to be the last chapter, but it ended up getting longer than I expected. So there's one more to go before the first book is over! I'm really excited to continue on with this series - there's a lot more in store for the three!

Breezepaw tasted the air as he padded across the fallen tree that led onto the Gathering Island. He only caught the scent of RiverClan. I guess the other Clans are running behind, he thought. He followed Heatherpaw as she leaped off the log and onto the soft sand. There was a dull thump behind him as Jaypaw hopped off as well.

Heatherpaw's eyes were bright with excitement. "Isn't this great?" she purred. "All the Clans meeting in daylight like this to have fun—it must be a good sign for us all, right?"

Breezepaw nodded, though he wasn't so convinced himself. Who even knows if ShadowClan is going to show up, he thought. Besides… we're all going to go right back to fighting with each other right after this is over.

Jaypaw quickly voiced exactly what he had been thinking. "I doubt it," he grumbled. He brushed past his brother and began to lead the way into the heart of the island. "Give it another quarter moon before ThunderClan tries to have another border argument with us."

Heatherpaw rolled her eyes. "StarClan's sake, are you always so pessimistic?" She flicked Jaypaw with her tail. "Lighten up!"

Jaypaw wrinkled his nose, looking annoyed. Breezepaw pushed his way between them as they walked. He's right, but I don't want to argue with Heatherpaw!

RiverClan cats were spread out on the island, talking among themselves. They had already set up a small fresh-kill pile for sharing, though a few of the older warriors looked annoyed as they watched the younger cats stack fresh fish. Breezepaw twitched his whiskers. Old timers don't want to be sharing with us, huh?

WindClan had brought prey as well. Each warrior carried a small rabbit or fowl in their jaws to place in a pile. Ashfoot's voice called out over the Clan. "Let's put everything near the RiverClan pile. This way, please!"

The warriors broke off from the group and began to follow her to set up their pile. Breezepaw watched them go before he turned back to Heatherpaw and Jaypaw. "What should we do until everyone gets here?"

Heatherpaw looked past him and nodded towards the fallen tree. "ThunderClan just got here."

Breezepaw glanced over his shoulder. Firestar was leading the ThunderClan group, trailed closely by his deputy, Brackenfur. Behind him was the rest of the Clan. Like WindClan, most cats were carrying something to share.

At least ThunderClan brought fresh-kill too, Breezepaw thought. He fluffed out his pelt a little as he sat down. Though I bet they'll all be boasting and saying they brought the most!

Jaypaw's ears turned towards the arriving party, but he remained otherwise still. "I wonder if they brought Lionpaw," he meowed. "After the drama he caused last time."

Breezepaw narrowed his eyes as he tried to scan ThunderClan for any sign of him. One by one, ThunderClan cats jumped down onto the island. There he is. Near the back of the group, with the other apprentices, stood Lionpaw. He was right behind an older ThunderClan apprentice, Berrypaw. Bold move, bringing him here.

"Oh, there he is!" Heatherpaw purred. Breezepaw glanced sharply at her. Why is she so excited to see him? "We should invite him over. I felt pretty bad for him at the last Gathering."

"You felt bad for him?" Jaypaw scoffed. "Didn't you hear about Ivypaw? I couldn't see her scars, but she was terrified of him. He half-blinded her."

Heatherpaw brushed it off. "Accidents happen all the time in battle. ShadowClan shouldn't have tried to steal territory if they didn't want some battle scars."

Breezepaw's eyes narrowed even farther. Why is she defending him so much? He hadn't been at the last Gathering, but he had heard plenty about how ShadowClan had called for Lionpaw to be thrown out. He tasted bitter jealousy as Heatherpaw called out a loud greeting to the ThunderClan apprentice.

Someone else had heard Heatherpaw's call—Hollypaw. The black molly turned around and hurried over towards them. Breezepaw frowned.

"There you are!" Hollypaw meowed. "I lost sight of you when we were crossing onto the island. Kestrelpaw got all caught up talking to Willowpaw, and I wasn't sure where you went."

Breezepaw felt a prick of annoyance. "Well, you're here now, aren't you?" His voice was dry, and Jaypaw snorted quietly. Hollypaw never spent any time around us before the dog attack, and now she's like a tick! Ever since she had returned from ThunderClan, Hollypaw had been clinging to him and Jaypaw relentlessly. Any time they were in camp together, she would sit beside them and gabber about StarClan-knows-what, and when they were out of camp, she would ask Onestar to go with them.

Breezepaw tuned out Hollypaw as she started to say something about how great it was that all the Clans were going to be meeting together. You ignored us for Crowfeather and Onestar for moons. One dog bite, and now we're kin? As if.

Hollypaw seemed to realize he wasn't paying attention, and her voice trailed off uncomfortably. The black molly looked embarrassed for a few moments. "I—I think I see someone I met in ThunderClan," she hurriedly meowed, before she turned around and padded away. Her tail hung low.

Breezepaw rolled his eyes. And now you act hurt? StarClan help me.

A few moments later, Lionpaw padded up to them. "I heard you call my name," he meowed, as he and Berrypaw approached. "Hey, Heatherpaw."

"Lionpaw!" Heatherpaw purred. "How are you?"

Jaypaw curled his lip. "Why did you come over here?" he growled. "We all know what you did."

Lionpaw blinked and took a step back. "Sorry?"

"You should be," Jaypaw hissed. "You traumatized Ivypaw."

The ThunderClan apprentice flinched. Breezepaw glanced curiously at his brother. He had never seen this 'Ivypaw' cat—but if Jaypaw was already this accusatory, whatever Lionpaw had done must have been bad. Breezepaw felt a little relieved. Heatherpaw wouldn't want to be around someone like that… right?

Heatherpaw gave Jaypaw a glare. "Lay off!" she shot back. "ShadowClan should get a taste of their own medicine once in a while. Don't you remember all the stories of what they've done to WindClan?"

Berrypaw nodded at Heatherpaw, his eyes darkening. "Now here's a cat I could get along with," he meowed.

Jaypaw curled his lip. "ShadowClan hasn't touched WindClan since we came to the lake, rabbit-brain. ThunderClan, on the other paw…"

Breezepaw bristled at the insult. "Hey!" he snapped. "Heatherpaw's not a rabbit-brain." Jaypaw glared sharply at him, but he looked more surprised than angry.

Heatherpaw groaned loudly. "Whatever. Lighten up, Jaypaw." She stood up and jerked her chin away. "Come on, Lionpaw. Jaypaw and Breezepaw can come over when they decide to stop being such sticks in the mud."

Breezepaw's ears flattened. But I was defending you! He parted his jaws to argue, but it was too late. Heatherpaw whisked past him, and a moment later, Lionpaw and Berrypaw followed. He curled his lip in frustration. Why can't I do anything right?

Jaypaw turned his head towards Breezepaw as Heatherpaw, Lionpaw, and Berrypaw walked off. He could sense his brother's frustration and jealousy coming off him in strong waves. He sighed softly and leaned back. "Sorry, Breezepaw."

Breezepaw's tail curled around his lean frame. "It's fine," he grumbled. His feelings were clearly a jumbled mess—his adoration of Heatherpaw was matched with a jealousy at the sight of her and Lionpaw together.

Does he even realize how obsessed with her he is? Jaypaw wondered. Maybe I should say something. He nudged Breezepaw. "You have feelings for Heatherpaw." It wasn't a question. He already knew the answer.

Breezepaw's pelt bristled. "No!" he blurted, panic in his voice. The tom jumped up. "What are you talking about?"

Jaypaw rolled his eyes. "Of course you do," he meowed. "Come on, Breezepaw, just admit it."

The gray tom could sense waves of embarrassment rolling off his brother. Breezepaw scuffed his paws. "I guess you're right," he mumbled, before he let out a loud sigh. "Sometimes it feels like I'm always saying the wrong thing around her."

Jaypaw shrugged. "She'll get over it," he meowed. He focused his senses, trying to get an idea of where she had gone. Heatherpaw had only gone a few fox-lengths away, and was sitting between Lionpaw and Berrypaw. He could sense a feeling of warm affection and admiration from the molly, clearly directed at Lionpaw. He flattened his ears. How could any cat like him?

"I think she likes Lionpaw," Breezepaw growled. "But he's from ThunderClan!"

"I don't think she does," Jaypaw lied. It would just upset him if I told him she did. "She just thinks he's interesting."

"Whatever," Breezepaw muttered. His mood had clearly soured quickly. "When is ShadowClan going to get here so this meeting can start?"

Jaypaw angled his ears towards the fallen tree, but he couldn't hear any pawsteps over the conversations between the three Clans. "I don't know," he meowed. "What if they don't come?" He felt a prick of curiosity. How would the other leaders take that? Probably not well. But that would be pretty hare-brained for ShadowClan to just refuse to show up to a truce meeting…

A yowl sounded from the Leaders' Tree. All began to quiet down and turn their attention towards the massive tree.

Jaypaw frowned. They're starting without ShadowClan. Do they think they won't be coming, then?

"Welcome, everyone," Leopardstar meowed. "To the first daylight Gathering."

Onestar sounded uncomfortable. "Where is ShadowClan?" he asked. "Surely we cannot start without them."

A ThunderClan warrior scoffed loudly. "If Blackstar doesn't want to be here, that's his loss!"

Firestar flicked his tail. "Blackstar didn't openly agree to the meeting," he said. "There's no way of knowing whether or not he means to come. We can start now and stay out of ShadowClan territory, if that's how he would rather it be."

Jaypaw heard cats shifting to see something. Blackstar's voice called out from the fallen tree. "I'm here, for StarClan's sake." The ShadowClan leader's paws hit the sand loudly as he jumped down from the log and made his way towards the Leaders' Tree. Silently, ShadowClan warriors weaved their way through the crowd and began to find places to sit.

A familiar scent hit Jaypaw's nose. Ivypaw? He turned his head towards her. "Is that you, Ivypaw?"

The ShadowClan apprentice moved to sit beside him. "Hey," she whispered.

Breezepaw stiffened. "Great StarClan," he breathed. He was clearly shocked by Ivypaw's appearance. "I see what you mean, Jaypaw."

Ivypaw either didn't hear his comment or refused to acknowledge it. Jaypaw turned his attention back towards the tree.

"Greetings, Blackstar," Leopardstar meowed. "We weren't sure you would come."

"Well, I came, didn't I?" he growled. "You seem eager to start without me."

"Like Leopardstar said," Onestar replied. "We didn't think you were coming. But since you are, welcome. May we begin?"

"Haven't you already?" Blackstar shot back. It was clear that he was already irritated. Jaypaw shook his head. What an arrogant furball.

Firestar began to speak, raising his voice for all to hear. "Leopardstar, Onestar, and I were discussing some contests for our apprentices and young warriors. Here at the island, we'll have some sparring matches. And in ThunderClan, Brackenfur will be overseeing tree climbing races."

"Real races will be happening in WindClan territory," Onestar meowed, though his tone sounded almost teasing rather than scathing. "Ashfoot will lead any interested cats."

"Mistyfoot will be leading a fishing contest," Leopardstar added. "We can do that from here as well, or in one of RiverClan's streams."

"We all know who will win that," Ivypaw muttered.

Leopardstar went on, seeming to address Blackstar. "If you would like to have something in ShadowClan as well—"

Blackstar cut her off. "I suppose we can." He paused for a moment. "ShadowClan will host a team game about stalking and battling. Russetfur will tell you more."

A game? Jaypaw was surprised. He doesn't seem like the sort to like games.

Ivypaw must have noticed his surprised look. "What?" she asked. "ShadowClan likes to have fun. You should come to the game. We do it all the time in training. One group has to try and make it from one end of the territory to the other, and the other one—"

"Hush!" hissed a RiverClan elder.

Ivypaw lowered her voice. "Has to stop them."

Jaypaw twitched his whiskers. "Maybe," he whispered back. Part of him wished there was something related to tunneling—but he knew that WindClan preferred to keep their tunneling private. For some reason.

"Thank you, Blackstar," Firestar meowed. "With your permission, we were hoping to have a hunting contest across the territories."

Blackstar hesitated a moment before he sighed. "Fine. But any prey caught should be given to the Clan who's territory it was caught in."

"That seems fair," Leopardstar agreed.

"I agree," replied Firestar. He lifted his voice to address all Clans. "There is prey for all to share and bet on your choice apprentices or warriors. I hope you all enjoy the Gathering!"

A few cats let out cheerful yowls. Leopardstar stood up. "Leaders will remain here," she called. "Please speak to our deputies if you are interested in one of their contests." With that, she leaped down from the tree, and it seemed the formalities were over.

Breezepaw glanced at Jaypaw. "Do you want to come race with me?" he asked. "It's been so long since we have!"

Jaypaw felt a stab of guilt. I'd rather do something else, he thought. The idea of tree climbing made his stomach surge, but Ivypaw's game did sound interesting. "I think I'm going to go do the ShadowClan contest," he meowed, his voice apologetic. "You should ask Heatherpaw to race with you."

Breezepaw's sharp disappointment stung at Jaypaw as the other tom took a step back. "Oh," he meowed. "Okay."

Don't be mad! Jaypaw thought. Before he could say anything else, Breezepaw had turned away and was leaving. Jaypaw lashed his tail in annoyance. Oh, whatever. He'll get over it. Sometimes there was no use trying to fix his brother's bad moods—better to wait it out and apologize later if he was still upset.

Jaypaw turned towards Ivypaw. "So, any idea where this game is happening?"

Ivypaw seemed pleasantly surprised that Jaypaw had decided to come with her. "Russetfur's this way," she meowed. "Come on."

She didn't seem to have any friends last Gathering, Jaypaw thought. She's probably glad to have some company. He could tell her feelings weren't the same sort that Heatherpaw had radiating off her around Lionpaw—if they were, perhaps he would have gone with Breezepaw after all.

Ivypaw led the way through the gathered cats towards Russetfur. Who knows, he thought. Maybe it will be fun.

Going to the ShadowClan game was a mistake.

Jaypaw had no clue where he was going. He stayed by Ivypaw's side as they walked to ShadowClan territory, but the scents, sounds, and the feeling of the earth underpaw was all different. His mental map of his territory was useless here. He tried to pay attention to every path another cat followed, and to every time his whiskers brushed an obstacle, but no one was pointing out landmarks to him now. He was trying so hard to avoid tripping—the only thing that could make this worse was taunting from enemy apprentices on enemy territory.

Besides Ivypaw, there were three other ShadowClan apprentices, Owlpaw, Crowpaw, and Redpaw. The toms walked on ahead, shouldering each other and trying to out-boast one another. None of them spoke to Ivypaw, who made no attempt to talk to them, either. A few paces behind them were Minnowpaw of RiverClan and Mousepaw of ThunderClan, who were chatting away like a pair of old friends. Jaypaw could sense feelings of warmth and affection coming from them, and he curled his lip in disgust.

Typical ThunderClan, he thought. Always going on about the Warrior Code and then turning around and breaking it whenever they can! Jaypaw felt even more annoyed as he realized how much he was starting to sound like Hollypaw. At least no one has said anything about my sight.

Russetfur and a cat named Kinkfur were leading the group, and Harespring was up ahead with her, trying to get conversation out of them. The mollies were dead silent—Jaypaw could tell from his senses that they wanted nothing to do with the young WindClan warrior.

Finally, after they had been walking for ages, a strong stench hit Jaypaw's nose, and he nearly recoiled. That's the ShadowClan border? he thought, trying to contain his repulsion.

"You don't smell too good, either," Ivypaw dryly commented.

Whoops. "Sorry," Jaypaw muttered.

Ivypaw shrugged. She didn't seem angry, so Jaypaw flattened his fur and tried to hold his breath as they crossed the border.

Russetfur stopped them just a few paces over. "This is the ShadowClan border," she meowed. "From here, you will be split into two teams. One is invaders—your task is to make it to our northern border, short of the twoleg den. Do not cross the border, just stop at it. There is a pair of aggressive kittypets that live in that den."

All of the non-ShadowClan cats snickered at that. Jaypaw snorted softly. Aggressive? He went silent as he sensed waves of sadness coming from Russetfur and Kinkfur, and fear coming from the ShadowClan apprentices.

Kinkfur let out a hiss. "This is no laughing matter!" she snapped. "They killed Rowanclaw's first apprentice when we first came to the territories, and they've been threatening any cat at the border since. Listen to Russetfur!"

A memory flashed through Jaypaw's mind—Kinkfur, still small, young, and weak, batting at a massive tabby's face. Her vision turned in time to see another large cat, a collar strapped to her neck, tearing her claws down the belly of an older apprentice. Kinkfur screamed as blood spurred from the apprentice's belly. "Talonpaw!" she wailed.

Kinkfur shook her head, and the memory faded.

Jaypaw frowned. That wasn't the first time he had a memory like that enter his head—but it wasn't often it happened. The time we were walking in the tunnel and Antpaw remembered the flood… and now. Curiously tugged at him. He was able to cast out his senses to tell what other cats were feeling, but with more effort, could he search their thoughts and memories, too?

A voice spoke in his mind. That is dangerous thinking, Jaypaw! A cat's thoughts are meant for them alone.

Jaypaw bristled. He knew that voice—Spottedleaf! Shut up! he thought. I don't need your stupid wisdom! You're listening to my thoughts right now, hypocrite! Thankfully, she seemed to have no more to say to him.

Russetfur had continued on. "The second group will be a ShadowClan patrol trying to drive off intruders. Drive the patrol back to this border, or catch and pin them, and you win. Any questions?"

Owlpaw must have opened his jaws to speak, because Russetfur immediately turned towards him and said, "No, Owlpaw, you may not use claws. Consider this a training exercise same as any."

Russetfur waited a moment longer before she st down. "Very well. Each group will have a patrol leader, who may pick their teammates. You should all work together to strategize, but the leader will be a ShadowClan apprentice for the sake of knowledge of the territory. I will be supervising, not participating." She thought for a moment before she meowed, "Ivypaw will lead the invading patrol, and Owlpaw will lead the defending one. Owlpaw may choose first."

"Kinkfur!" Owlpaw immediately meowed.

Jaypaw rolled his eyes. Of course he'd take the only ShadowClan warrior.

"I'll take Jaypaw," Ivypaw said.

"Crowpaw!" Owlpaw meowed. The other ShadowClan tom moved to stand by him.

"Harespring," Ivypaw decided.

Jaypaw frowned thoughtfully. She's not picking any ShadowClan cats. What's her plan?

"Redpaw!" Jaypaw sensed smugness as Redpaw joined Owlpaw. He's getting all of the cats that know the territory.

"Minnowpaw," Ivypaw meowed.

As Jaypaw listened to Minnowpaw's light pawsteps, realization dawned on him. She's picking cats that are going to be faster! ShadowClan cats aren't built for speed like WindClan is, and ThunderClan have heavier builds for tree climbing. RiverClan are usually pretty stocky, but they're a bit more graceful.

"Then I get Mousepaw," Owlpaw finished.

"But the groups aren't even," Harespring meowed. "Shouldn't we get another cat? They have all ShadowClan cats—we should get Mousepaw, too!"

"Are the odds always even in battle?" Russetfur countered. "Your group are trespassers in enemy land. In a real situation, you would probably have less cats than your enemy."

Jaypaw twitched his whiskers thoughtfully. But it's better that Mousepaw and Minnowpaw are separated—they'd be too distracted by each other!

"We don't need anyone else," Ivypaw meowed. "We're just fine."

"Very good," Russetfur replied. "I'll lead Owlpaw's group towards their starting spot. You may discuss your plan, and when you hear my yowl, begin. You need to get at least two cats to the border to win." With that, she turned and began to head deeper into the territory.

Ivypaw waited until Owlpaw's group had disappeared. She then sat down and turned to her group. "Let's start."

"Start?" Minnowpaw meowed. "But she just said—"

"ShadowClan is about being crafty and cunning," Ivypaw said. "Russetfur wouldn't expect us to actually wait around—and if I know Owlpaw, he's going to try and outsmart us. So the sooner we get going, the better."

"How are we supposed to win?" Harespring asked. "They're all ShadowClan cats, and you're the only one that knows the territory. If we split up, we'll get lost!"

"That's why we aren't going to split up," Ivypaw replied. She had clearly already been thinking this through—she must have played a similar game many times. "I've done this before, remember? The invading group always splits up, and that's how they get caught. The defensive group always has more cats, and they split up from the start and fan out so they can catch each cat. Owlpaw is going to be planning on us splitting up. So we're going to stay together and make a charge for the border. When we get found, they won't have the strength to take us all down, and it'll take time for them to get everyone together. By that point, we'll have won."

Jaypaw admired her thinking. I would've wanted to split up, he thought. But if that's how they always lose, we should do something so obvious they wouldn't expect it. Besides, it's exactly what a real invasion would do—splitting up would weaken the force and increase the chances of getting caught. He flicked his tail. Is this how ShadowClan trains? Strategy games? We should do that more in WindClan.

"Now, can we go, or are we going to keep wasting time?" Ivypaw asked.

Minnowpaw stood up. "If you think this will work, let's do it."

"I know this will work," Ivypaw replied. "Let's do it, then." With that, she stood and flicked her tail for the others to follow.

Lionpaw bounded through the long grass, panting heavily. He had gone to WindClan to race with Heatherpaw, and while he was doing pretty terribly, he was having fun. Since Blackstar had decided to allow the Clans to use ShadowClan territory, Ashfoot had opted to have them run the outer edge of all territories, to challenge them to test their speed and endurance.

Breezepaw had taken off at the head of the pack ages ago, but now Lionpaw could see him slowly walking ahead. Clearly, he had disregarded Ashfoot's point about endurance—the apprentice was remarkably fast, but he now had to rest.

Lionpaw slowed himself, trying to not alert the WindClan apprentice. He was slow, but he still had some energy left in him. I'll catch up and put on a burst of speed to pass him! His tail twitched in excitement. He had been worried about coming to the Gathering at all—but Brightheart had encouraged him to, at least to be sure he didn't want to be a warrior anymore.

Lionpaw almost stopped to sniff something that could have been an herb. His decision hadn't yet wavered. He had steered clear of fighting and hunting challenges, and he would've had bees in his brain if he thought the ShadowClan game was a good idea. He felt a nervous twinge in his stomach. The racers had nearly made it to the ShadowClan border. Hopefully Ivypaw won't be around the border… or Rowanclaw.

He pushed the feeling away. After today, he wouldn't have to worry about hurting cats anymore. Maybe cats will forgive me if they see I've taken a different path.

Lionpaw shook himself. Focus! He had nearly caught up to Breezepaw—and the border. He could already smell ShadowClan scent. Lionpaw steeled himself before he leaped forward and began to run again.

Breezepaw's head whipped back to see Lionpaw just as the golden tom raced by him. The WindClan apprentice bristled indignantly. "Oh, no you don't!" he yowled, as he took off after Lionpaw.

Breezepaw managed to catch up to Lionpaw, but he couldn't pass him. He was still clearly exhausted, but unwilling to relent. The toms raced side-by-side, each getting just ahead of the other before they fell back a pace. They were both unable to go very fast at all—ShadowClan territory was muddy, and both toms nearly lost their footing more than once.

In the distance, Lionpaw heard a yowl. He wondered briefly what that was—part of the game the others were playing, maybe?

Suddenly, Breezepaw put on an extra burst of speed. He took off ahead, racing along the border. Up ahead, Lionpaw noticed a Twoleg den outlined by a fence just a few fox-lengths outside of ShadowClan territory. He gritted his teeth and tried to urge himself on faster—he was fueled by competition and his urge to beat Breezepaw.

Suddenly, something flew from the fence and crashed dead into Breezepaw. Lionpaw let out a startled yowl and skidded to a halt as he watched the smaller tom get knocked flat off his paws and slammed to the ground. On top of him stood a massive tabby kittypet, teeth bared.

"What have we told you stupid Clan cats about keeping to your border?" the kittypet roared. This was no soft Twoleg plaything—he was huge, hulking, and angry.

A shriek rang out from the top of the fence, and Lionpaw saw a second kittypet appear at the top. "Flea-ridden strays!" she spat. "I thought we already taught you what happens when you get near our house—but I'll have to show you again!" She leaped down from the fence and began to charge Lionpaw.

Lionpaw froze. "Stop!" he yowled. I don't want to fight anyone! "We didn't even go in your fence!"

The molly ignored him and leaped. Lionpaw, remembering his training, dropped and rolled. She landed clumsily and spun towards him. Lionpaw narrowed his eyes. These kittypets are strong, but they're not trained like we are!

Breezepaw let out a pained cry. Lionpaw turned to see the big tabby raking his claws across Breezepaw's chest as the dark tom pummeled his hind legs into his opponent's belly. He needs help! He dodged another pounce from the molly before he turned and raced towards Breezepaw and the tabby.

"Jacques!" the molly yowled. "Behind you!"

The big tabby turned to see Lionpaw. He let out a caterwaul and leaped free of Breezepaw, then began to charge Lionpaw.

Lionpaw narrowed his eyes. Come get me, then! he thought. He'll kill Breezepaw if I don't stop him… I can do this! He braced himself for the force of Jacques' attack.

Jacques slammed into him with all the force of a monster and threw him backwards. Lionpaw felt the wind get knocked out of him as his back hit the ground. Jacques swiftly pinned him down and snarled into his face. "You Clan cats are brave, I'll give you that!" he lifted a paw, claws unsheathed, to tear out Lionpaw's throat. "But so, so, stupid."

Lionpaw took a breath and reared his head up with all his might. His skull hit Jacques' throat, and the tabby choked. The kittypet stumbled backward, wheezing, and Lionpaw took the opportunity to leap up and slash out with a paw. His claws tore trough Jacques' cheek.

Keep your cool, Lionpaw! he told himself. You can do this!

Jacques hissed and leaped forward. Lionpaw rolled away again and sank his teeth into the kittypet's tail as it flicked by his nose.

It was a mistake.

Lionpaw's teeth crunched on bone, and he tasted blood.

His nostrils flared. He let out a guttural yowl that sounded more like a roar. Lionpaw's vision swam and became clouded by a red fog. He stood and turned to face Jacques.

With another deafening roar, he leaped.

Jaypaw's ears pricked as he heard Russetfur's yowl. They hadn't made it far yet—but he hoped their head start would help.

He heard Ivypaw's tail thump on the ground. A heartbeat later, she let out a frustrated hiss and glanced back at her patrol. "Get down!" she whispered. "Don't any of you use tail signals?"

There were a few mutters as other cats began to crouch down. Jaypaw frowned thoughtfully. Those don't help me at all, he thought. But I could see how that would help in an invasion. He creeped after Ivypaw, still pondering. You know… ShadowClan is giving away a lot by letting us train here. I wonder if we're doing the same? His tail twitched. Have ThunderClan and WindCan given away anything useful?

Understanding dawned on Jaypaw as the group continued slowly onward. This is why we keep the tunnels a secret, he thought. Everyone is going to be giving away important things that could be used against them… battle techniques, training exercises, invasion strategies… but we'll have kept a huge part of our strength a secret. He felt a strange sense of pride for his Clan. No one can use the tunnels against us, and if we needed… we could use them against the others.

Jaypaw heard a new voice speak in his mind—one he had not heard before. Wise thinking, young Jaypaw. The stranger had a deep voice. Jaypaw's fur lifted in confusion as the voice continued to speak. You should do your best to know all the other Clans—it will only make you and your Clan so much stronger.

Who are you? Jaypaw wondered. He tried to focus on following Ivypaw quietly, but his interest was piqued by this new voice. This was someone other than Spottedleaf—someone who didn't want to scold him.

Just a friend, the voice replied. You will make a fine warrior, Jaypaw. I'll see you later.

With that, the voice said no more.

Jaypaw's tail twitched in excitement. Another StarClan warrior must have taken interest in him. A better one than Spottedleaf, to be sure! Perhaps StarClan had seen that she was more a nuisance than a help and sent someone else to speak to Jaypaw.

Ivypaw let out a soft hiss, and the patrol stopped. "Someone's up ahead," she breathed.

Minnowpaw tasted the air. "Smells like Mousepaw," she whispered. "He's a good hunter—he'll scent us in a heartbeat."

Ivypaw nodded. "Then we attack. I don't smell anyone else."

Mousepaw must have heard them, because Jaypaw began to hear pawsteps slowly moving towards them.

Ivypaw braced herself. "Wait…"

Jaypaw crouched down, ready to spring.

Minnowpaw went to stand by Ivypaw. "Let me," she whispered. "We've fought before—I can take him. We only need two across to win. And if we can, we'll still keep the group secret."

Harespring nodded. "Let's do it. Jaypaw and I will be the fastest—we should be the ones to charge the border."

Jaypaw felt almost indignant. I can fight, too! But Harespring was right—the WindClan cats should be the ones to make the final charge. So he nodded silently and sheathed his claws.

Ivypaw nodded. "Fine. One… two…"

Mousepaw began to walk faster towards them. Minnowpaw darted forward, crashing through the undergrowth. Mousepaw let out a startled yowl, followed by a thump as the apprentices collided.

"Found you!" Mousepaw exclaimed. "Where's the rest of the invaders?"

"We split up, minnow-brain!" Minnowpaw replied. There was another thump, followed by a squack from Mousepaw.

"Let's keep going," Ivypaw whispered. She began to lead Jaypaw and Harespring around the fight, and onwards through the territory.

Another yowl rang out, further up in the territory. Jaypaw frowned. What's going on? That couldn't be another fight in the game—their group was all together. A shriek followed.

Ivypaw stiffened. "Oh, StarClan… who was frog-brained enough to cross the border?"

What? Jaypaw turned towards her. "What's going on?"

"Forget the game!" Ivypaw suddenly exclaimed. She leaped forward and took off into the undergrowth. "Come on!"

Harespring straightened up. "I don't know what's gotten into her, but let's not get left behind!" He nudged Jaypaw, and together, the two toms took

off after the ShadowClan apprentice.

A victorious cry sounded out up ahead, and someone exploded out of the undergrowth. Ivypaw was knocked clean off her paws as Owlpaw pinned her to the ground.

"Making a run for it?" Owlpaw crowed. "You should've left that to the WindClan cats!"

"Idiot!" Ivypaw snarled. "Didn't you hear the kittypets? Someone's getting attacked!"

Jaypaw and Harespring caught up to the two of them, and Owlpaw leaped away to avoid Harespring's swipe. The ShadowClan tom didn't back off fully—he took a few steps away and arched his back. "You're trying to distract me!" he hissed. "I won't lose!"

"I don't give a rat's tail about the game, Owlpaw!" Ivypaw snapped, as she stood up. "Listen!"

The young cats fell silent. In the distance, more shrieks and yowls could be heard. Jaypaw senses a sudden wave of fear from Owlpaw. He could tell the young tom hadn't actually fought he kittypets before—but whatever stories he had been raised on must have been bad. ShadowClan had some of the strongest scorn for kittypets, and to fear them must have taken immense violence.

Jaypaw lashed his tail. "Are we going to stand around here listening, or are we going to go deal with them?"

He sensed a sharp feeling of indignance from Owlpaw, but after a moment, the ShadowClan tom lashed his tail. "Fine," he hissed. "Let's go."

Together, the group bolted off towards the source of the sound. Jaypaw and Harespring ran at the head of the group. Though he still wasn't sure he could believe there were truly 'vicious' kittypets, of all things, he couldn't help but worry—what exactly would be waiting for them at the border?

Reviews:

SkiesofAmethyst: Jaypaw often keeps his eyes closed in WindClan just because it doesn't do him much good to keep them open. And since he's a tunneler, he's grown used to having them shut for the sake of avoiding getting dirt and grit in them. He keeps them open at Gatherings, usually, but at home he doesn't always.

The Apocryphal One: Brightheart'll have another apprentice, don't worry! Firestar knows she deserves it ;).

Wolfwhisker of something: That's right!

Kaktus: Who says Lionpaw is a stickler for the rules? And you might be onto something there!

Thank you to everyone else who reviewed! This story made it to 100 reviews, which is really exciting!