They trotted along a well worn path to a clearing with small dens every where around the outer rim. In the center loomed a huge oak, obviously old and well tended to. Speck inhaled the new smell of cats every where. She was herded into a small cave with a single hole at the top where moonlight shone in. A gray cat with swirl pools of emerald for eyes emerged out to the darkness of the back of the cave. Speck felt her fur rise and her ears plaster themselves to the back of her head. The cat had a literally shredded ear. The mighty tom spoke,
"What have we here, Cottontail?"
"It seams that our young friend, Shredear, has found a new pal," mowed a suddenly meek cat. Speck looked at all the other cats. They were cowering and seemed to be afraid. This just made Speck stand taller and lift her chin. Rippedmoon took a step to her and sniffed the air right above her left ear. He abruptly whirled around and pounced on Shredear hissing,
"You dare bring a strange cat into my clan with out my permission?" Speck hissed in alarm and stood between the two toms. She meowed bravely,
"He did not mean to do any harm. If any one should be punished it should be me. But if you harm him I'll do it back.'' Rippedmoon turned on her. His eyes were menacing. He turned away but then whirled around and tried to give the fatal blow, on her neck. Speck was ready. She jumped up and over him. She bounded out of the cave with him right behind her. Rippedmoon's claws dug in to her tail. Speck yowled in pain and lashed her tail so he flew off. He landed with a thud and Speck ran up to his sprawled body to deliver the death blow. She took a deep breath and altered her paw so she scratched a long, deep wound in his side, she couldn't bring herself to kill him. Then as if to finish the show she opened her mouth and clamped down on his ear. Speck stalked off into the shade. Shredear came trotting up to her. He sat beside her before saying in a hushed tone,
"You are now leader of this Clan."