Hey bois guess whose on fall break

Review replies:

Chickenspoon: Hello again! And, uh, yeah, I'm pretty random. Heh. Anyways, I'm glad you like Sam! I love dogs, too, despite me villainizing the heck out of them in this story. xD

Timewing: xD Thank you! Her personality is really fun to write.

Enjoy!

Casper leaped to his feet, albite shakily, a snarl growing in his throat.

"Who are you? Where am I?" He demanded, his icy blue eyes meeting Spottedstar's old amber ones.

The leader took a step back, wary of the large tom.

"Settle down, son, you'll wake the kits," Spottedstar calmly commanded.

"Kits? What? I-where am I?" The white cat asked again, louder this time. And, although he tried desperately to will them away, tears pricked at the corners of his eyes.

Spottedstar saw this, and couldn't help but feel a bit of sympathy towards him. He was obviously young, no older than 20 moons, probably younger, and he had just woken in a strange and unfamiliar place.

"Spottedstar? Rainheart told me- who's that?"

The greying tom turned to look at Brightleaf, their young medicine cat, who was warily eyeing Casper.

"He is a guest," Spottedstar replied. "That is, if he wishes to be."

"A...guest," Brightleaf repeated. "From what clan?"

The leader turned back to the white tom, who was staring at Brightleaf with angered eyes. "I do not know," He confessed. "Are you from a clan, or are you a loner?"

Casper blinked. "A clan? What?"

Spottedstar chuckled a bit. "I'll take that as a loner. Are you hurt at all?"

"No. I don't think so, at least."

"If you're not from a clan, how'd you get here?" Brightleaf asked. "Rainheart said you were washed up on the lake shore."

Casper's eyes went wide. "Oh, scat!" He hissed. "The Rebellion! They must be worried sick!"

Spottedstar and Rainheart exchanged looks.

"Rebellion?" The former slowly asked. Was this cat some sort of anarchist?

"My Rebellion," The white tom said. "Against the dogs. Shard, more specifically."

"What? That- what? Who is Shard?" Brightleaf looked absolutely bewildered.

Casper looked at her. "Shard. Y'know. Giant Doberman that dictates both cats and dogs? Ever heard of 'im?"

"Nope."

The white tom looked from Spottedstar to Brightleaf. "Honestly? Are you cats completely unaware of the atrocities being committed against our kind? The dire need some of us are in?"

"Well," Spottedstar admitted. "I suppose so. Please do tell us, stranger. But first, though, I recommend getting some rest. You look tired."

"But-"

"No arguing!" The older tom commanded, making sure to keep his voice soft as to not wake any kits. "I am the leader. Do as I say. Brightleaf, could you have him in the Medicine Cat den?"

Without waiting for an answer, Spottedstar turned and walked back to his den. It was time for some well-deserved sleep.

oOoOoOo

Casper had not wanted to wait until morning to tell the strange cats about his Rebellion's dire situation. If they could help, he wanted it as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the old cat-who he had heard others call Spottedstar- was adamant that he slept, as was the young she-cat called Brightleaf.

Finally, though, Casper could talk to him, and maybe even get some help.

"So," The much-older tom started. "Who is Shard? Better yet, who are you? I don't believe I caught your name."

"An evil Doberman who pretty much dictates every place I've ever been. Except for here," After a moment of thought, Casper added more. "Not pretty much- he completely dictates. And I'm Casper."

Spottedstar nodded. "Good to formally meet you, Casper. As you probably already know, I'm Spottedstar, leader of Riverclan. Now, how exactly did you end up here?"

The white cat tried not to groan. That wasn't important! What was important was getting help from these strange 'clan cats', then getting back to his Rebellion. So, he sped through the story, leaving out many details for many reasons.

"So," He concluded. "I think this all could've been avoided if we were better warriors. I've noticed that Riverclan's life is heavily based around warriors, so...maybe you could help train us?"

"Not likely."

Before Casper could protest, Spottedstar continued.

"I am an old leader- I'm nearing the end of my 9th life. I can't go dragging these old bones of mine all around the land, and I need all my warriors. We've been having border disputes with Thunderclan, and I fear war may be coming. I'm sorry."

Casper's eyes narrowed. "I don't think you get it. Cats are suffering- dying- because of this. We don't just want help, we need it."

"And I don't think you get it," Spottedstar calmly replied. "I understand that you're young and hot-blooded, trust me, I was there once. But I'm a wise old cat now, and I have a clan to look after. I simply cannot spare anyone."

"Fine," Casper said, standing up. The two had been sitting in a relatively secluded corner of Riverclan camp. "Good day to you, then. Thank you for your hospitality."

As he began to walk away, he heard Spottedstar call to him.

"Casper, don't be a fool! You don't know the way back!"

"I'll find a river and follow it," He responded. "I fell into a river, and it must deposit into your lake."

Spottedstar sighed and ran to catch up with Casper. "Listen, I really do want to help your cause, but my clan is not in a position to do it. There are 3 other clans: ask them. Try Thunderclan. They're always helping loners."

"Didn't you say you were warring with them?"

"Close, but not yet. Besides, the fewer warriors they have, the better for us." Spottedstar smiled cheekily.

Casper gave a half-hearted chuckle. "Alright. Which way?"

"That way," The greying tom said, swinging his head in the direction of Thunderclan. "And try to stay away from Shadowclan. They don't take kindly to intruders."

Casper smiled. "I'll try."

As he made his way out of sight of Riverclan camp, he wondered what the Thunderclan cats would say. This whole clan system was so foreign to him.

"Good luck, Casper!" He heard Spottedstar call. "May Starclan watch over and guide you!"

Casper smiled. Whatever the future held, for the first time in quite a while, he truly felt like he would come out on top.

Sorry about the bad ending! And the fact that I'm a day late, but I had a reason for that. Today marks the 1-year anniversary of this story's beginning! Both yay and nay, because I really should have finished it by now. xD

Please review, have a great day/night, and check back in on Tuesday for an update!

See y'all soon,

~KitKat

P.S. If you PM me telling me to write this, there's a greater chance of me updating on time or early. Just saying.