BLOOD-EYE'S CAMP: TWO-LEG PLACE
The two rogues dashed into the alley where Blood-Eye's camp was, and rushed over to where their leader lay stretched out in an old abandoned old trash bin which made up his den he lay down beside his mate Scarflank.
One of the rogues – a brown she-cat with stained spots – reached them first. "Saige has gone and brought help back with her."
Blood-Eye rose from his position. He was an impressive size for a cat. With a light grey pelt and dark stripes running down his flank. Both of his eyes were brown. However, his right eye was a permanent blood shot red thanks to a wound from his earlier days.
"We could be in real trouble here, Blood-Eye." The dark grey rogue panted.
More of Blood-Eye's rogues started to gather around as the two cats made their report.
Blood-Eye looked down at the two of his rogues. "How many of the new cats were there?"
"Five," The tom-cat meowed, lowering his gaze as he met Blood-Eye's cold stare, "Saige had caught some prey and we went to take it from her like usual, but then her new friends showed up and we decided to back off and lay low."
The she-cat stared boldly back at Blood-Eye and added, "They didn't look like the kind of cats that'd be easy to run off."
Blood-Eye surveyed his group of rogues, his red eye glinting. Then turning back to the she-cat, he growled, "And you let them get away with it, Zinger?"
Suddenly Blood-Eye lurched on top of Zinger and pinned her down, raking his powerful claws across her muzzle. Blood welled up instantly as Zinger scrambled wildly, trying to free herself from Blood-Eye's grasp.
Releasing his hold on Zinger, Blood-Eye stepped back, snarling. "I've never heard anything so pathetic in all my life."
Zinger whimpered quietly, her paws over her muzzle.
Addressing the rest of his rogues, he meowed, "Let Saige gather whatever help she thinks she can get. We're stronger than her and her mangy bunch of friends that she thinks will be able to help her. When her friends see what we do to cats that stick their muzzles where they don't belong, they'll go running with their tails between their legs as fast as they can to back where they came from."
Scarflank padded up to her mate. Her form looked small in comparison with Blood-eye's, and her pelt reflected what used to be a creamy white and her paws concealed long sharp claws which she wasn't afraid to use. After all, she wasn't Blood-Eye's second-in-command for nothing. She stood beside him. "I think it's about time we gave a little visit to these friends of Saige's don't you?"
Blood-Eye grinned wickedly. "I couldn't agree with you more, Scarflank."
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SAIGE'S HOME: TWO-LEG PLACE
Edgeclaw and the others all sat around in a circle. Now that they were staying with them, they decided to get to know Saige's mate and their kits a little more.
"Cedar said I was really helpful with taking care of Daddy while you were away, Mommy." The older light brown furred tom-kit meowed.
Saige licked his head affectionately. "I'm sure you were Pebble." She curled her tail around her other kit. "Look at that. Iris fell asleep." She smiled. "Oh, how I missed you both!"
There was a quiet creak by the entrance to the abandoned two-leg den and all the cats turned their heads abruptly toward the noise.
A tall, lengthy, black and white tom cat entered into the abandoned nest, stepping on an old floorboard which had creaked under his weight. His kind old eyes looked up with shocked surprise at the cats surrounding the injured Charles.
"Saige!" He exclaimed, "You're back!"
Rushing up Saige touched her muzzle to the tom's shoulder purring, "Yes, for good now. Thank you, Cedar, for taking care of them while I was away. I shall always be in your debt."
Cedar dipped his head in embarrassment. "It was nothing. I was happy to do it."
Saige introduced Cedar to all the ThunderClan cats.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Cedar," Edgeclaw meowed. "Charles here has been telling us all about what a great job you did taking care of him."
"Charles and Saige have helped me many times. I was glad to be of some help." Cedar meowed happily.
Splinter glanced over at Saige. "I don't want to break up the family reunion, but won't those two rogues have informed Blood-Eye and the rest of his gang that we're here now?"
Charles pulled himself higher out of the nest. "You're right, Splinter. As much as we would like things to just stay as they are right now, that can't happen with Blood-Eye out there, waiting to attck us when we least expect it."
Saige looked toward EdgeClaw. "What do you think we should do?"
Edgeclaw was a little taken back by her question, he knew he was the unelected leader of the group, but he still found it strange that he was the one giving out orders. "Well… now that we know we're here, there'll be no element of surprise. I think we should give them fair warning that we mean business and that we're not leaving until they are gone." Edgeclaw took a deep breath, "I've been thinking… From what you've said, Saige, there are too many of them for us to risk an open battle and walk away without serious injuries. So, I would like to meet with the rogues and challenge Blood-Eye to one-on-one combat."
All of the cats turned and stared with shock at Edgeclaw.
"That's much too dangerous an option, Edgeclaw." Berrybranch objected, "There must be another way. Maybe if we persuade them to draw up boundaries? You know like we do back at home."
Charles shook his head. "We've tried that already, I'm afraid Blood-Eye won't be happy unless he has everything."
"What if we tell him how much we're willing to fight for this place and that he'll be facing real trained Warriors?" Owlclaw offered.
"Blood-Eye isn't one to scare easily," Saige answered, "He already has the greater number of cats."
"But his cats are just rogues," Kickleg meowed, "And no cat wants to die for just a patch of hunting land when there is all of Two-leg Place to choose from."
"I think Kickleg has a point," Edgeclaw agreed, "If we could just get Blood-Eye, I'm sure making the others leave wouldn't be too hard. It sounds like they're just staying because they know they have protection and prey from Blood-Eye, but without him…"
"Don't forget his mate, Scarflank. She's every bit as cruel as he is." Cedar pointed out.
"But from what I hear she not a leader. That's why if I challenge Blood-Eye, maybe we can hope his pride won't allow him to turn down the offer, seeing as he has a reputation to keep with his rogues."
Splinter looked thoughtful. "It could work. But then again, you can't expect them to do anything fair."
Edgeclaw glanced at Berrybranch. "That's a risk I'm willing to take. Besides, I'll have you all right behind me," he grinned.
"When do you plan on doing it?" Owlclaw asked.
"The sun is almost down now," Edgeclaw looked toward the entrance, "I say we try tomorrow morning. Saige, where would be a good place to confront Blood-Eye?"
"I don't know where his camp is, but this city is only so big. We won't have to find him, we can wait anywhere and he'll find us."
Kickleg's stomach gave a loud rumble. "I guess my stomach hasn't forgotten about his dinner," he joked.
Cedar grinned. "I can show you some of the hunting spots around here if you'd like. Though, I can't promise you'll catch anything."
"Lead on." Kickleg gestured with his paw.
"I'll go too." Berrybranch offered.
Owlclaw opened his mouth to volunteer, "Me t-"
Splinter flicked her tail across his mouth like he was an apprentice. "I'll go. You need the rest." Even though she spoke with authority, her eyes were warm as she looked at him."
"Be careful," Charles warned, "Don't go too far, Cedar. We don't want Blood-Eye paying us a visit anytime soon."
"Not too far." Cedar winked, "Come on, let's go."
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Author note/ Thanks guys for reading and reviewing! I really appreciate all of the lovely reviews! It's one of the great parts about writing! As usual, Hope you liked this chapter!