Characters: (that appear in this chapter only)

BloodClan:

Baylor: Captain of the Guard; tom; white pelt with a gray spot on his neck, back, and flank, he has brown paws and ears. He also has one black spot overlapped by the gray one on his shoulder, his eyes are a bright green; massive and muscular

Rogues:

Maple: shecat; a deep mahogany pelt with golden swirls, a white chest, muzzle, paws, and tail with one red spot at the end of it. She has soft blue eyes; petite with long legs

Snake: shecat, daughter of Baylor and Maple; a long golden pelt with darker golden/mahogany swirls, a white chest, paws, underbelly, underside of tail and tip of tail. Also has bright green and lively eyes with silver woven into them and dark brown ears; petite with long legs

Ace: tom, son of Baylor and Maple; has a thick dark brown pelt that darkens into a black as it nears his belly and down his legs, his face is black with dark brown tabby markings strewn across it, has a single white paw and soft blue eyes; Massive like his father

Soot: shecat; daughter of Baylor and Maple; a long silvery smoke pelt with dark gray paws and tipped tail, has white tipped ears and muzzle and a dark gray spot on her shoulder like her father's, one eye is soft blue and the other a green; petite with long legs

Loner(s):

Nook: tom; light gray pelt with a white marking down his face and it moves down to cover his whole chest. He has white paws and bright, but kind, yellow eyes; A little taller than average, lean

The Rise of Snake: Chapter Three Part Two

Maple sat beneath the outstretched branches of the oak tree, and when she heard a twig snap she stood up. Baylor appeared out from the darkness, the sun striking his glorious pelt. He ran to her, obviously recalling the times they used to meet here. He pressed his muzzle to hers, until she was trilling loudly. "Let's go find our kit," he murmured. Maple smiled, and together they ran out of the woods and into the moor. He slowed his strides, so she could keep up, and they matched step for step. The barn came into view, and Ace was sitting impatiently at the doors.

"Dad!" he leapt up onto his paws, tail high. Soot squealed and shot out of the barn to meet her parents, Ace trailing behind her. In a few strides he leapt onto Baylor with a mock battle cry, and he fell to the ground chuckling with his son pumbling his belly. Soot touched noses with Maple, purring loudly before turning and running to join in with her brother. Maple stayed were she was as she watched her family affectionately, when a small pang of sadness struck her heart when she didn't see her third kit. Worry pricked at her paws.

"Baylor, we need to find Snake." Her mate ceased playing with his kits and cleared his throat, and nudged them off with his forepaw. He sat up, a trace of a smile on his lips, concern laced in his eyes.

"You stay here with the kits; I'll go and look for her. I'll try to come back by tonight." He walked over o her and nuzzled her softly, Ace hacking in the background. Maple smiled at him gratefully, and she escorted the kits back into the barn. He watched them disappear, love swelling in his chest. He turned and looked out into the moor.

Ok, where to start. He parted his mandible, testing the air for her scent. He caught a very faint trace of it, on a dented stalk. Baylor pushed aside some grass with his forepaw, carefully searching for another trace of her. He found it in yet another dented stalk, her scent vaguely on it. The trail seemed to lead north. Painfully slow, so not to miss leads, he stalked through the moor. The sun beamed down onto his massive shoulders, resulting in his white pelt to offset a soft glow. Her scent remained elusive, but the dented stalks and occasional scuff in the dirt kept him on track. Hours passed, and Baylor's patience hadn't wavered. He kept recalling his tracking lesson from many seasons ago. Patience was the utmost important key, however long it took he must keep a level head. Impatient cats often missed vital details. He followed her trail, until he reached the fallen tree. Her scent was stronger here; he looked up at the sky noticing that the sun was setting. Baylor rested beside it; I'll continue looking first thing tomorrow. She's a strong kit, appearances are deceiving, he decided while curling up against the rough bark, underneath a branch providing some coverage. The ground was damp, from moisture that collected. It felt good against his thick pelt, and he let sleep take over.

Snake's chest rose and fell rhythmically, still deep in her slumber. Nook raised his head, had awoken from troublesome dreams. "Filthy BloodClan scum, you won't get this one." He murmured under his breath, looking down at the kit sleeping beside him. The other night was a close call; the cats that went by 'Havoc and Fox' were out scouting on the new leader's orders. They would've found her if he hadn't stumbled across her first, in attempt to get away from them, she would've been recruited. She may have spunk, but she's also tiny… If they got her she wouldn't have made it a moon in that hell-bound clan. Nook stood up, careful not to disturb her. He crawled to the back of his den, near the herb store. His mother, a descendent of the old Clans, had shown him the use of herbs. Now out of habit, he collects them. Nook nosed through the various leaves, flowers, nuts, barks, and stems until he found some more comfrey root. He gathered it in his mouth, and crawled back over to Snake.

Carefully, he unwrapped the cobweb and moss from her leg, exposing the swollen tendon. It looked a lot better, so he knew the herbs were doing their job. He lapped off the old poultice, and he felt her shift slightly. Nook chewed up the new comfrey root, and applied it very carefully, on her leg before binding it back with the bind weed, cobwebs, and moss as securely as he could. She should be able to travel tomorrow… she has to be able to travel tomorrow… without her mother's milk she'll starve. Nook grabbed the moss and left the den, so that he could soak it in the stream. She would be thirsty when she woke up.

Upon returning, he left the moss by Snake. Nook then went out and sat outside of the den, gazing up at the stars. He could feel the comforting presence of his old friends and ancestors. "Feathermist… it's been a while," he spoke up to the pool of stars, "you haven't visited me in my dreams lately. I need you now more than ever, Felicity is planning an uprising against BloodClan. They get more viscous every season… She's no better, really. I miss you, I should've been there…" his voice cracked, and a gust of wind blew towards him. Her scent embraced him, and he knew she was still with him. He closed his eyes, and imagined Feathermist standing before him. Her beautiful silver pelt flowing from the wind, she would bicker playfully about how boring it was here. He knew she loved it. A tiny voice broke his thoughts.

"Nook, who are you talking to?" He turned her head to see Snake. He directed her to sit beside him with his muzzle. She limped over to him, choosing a thick mossy area to rest on. "Who's Feathermist?" She looked up at him with eyes filled with curiosity. He smiled.

"Have you heard of the clans that used to live here… or StarClan for that matter?" Nook flicked his damaged ear. Snake shook her head, she was clueless. He chuckled slightly, expecting no less. "A long time ago, there were five clans, Thunder, Shadow, Wind, River, and SkyClan. Twolegs tore up their territory for their dens and SkyClan had to leave." Snake spoke up, interrupting his story.

"What are Twolegs? And Clans?" She was intrigued by his story, and she wanted to know more about the 'twolegs' and 'clans'.

"Well, twolegs are large and clumsy things with two legs, hence the name, instead of four. They are very smart and clever, since they control monsters to do their dirty work for them. I guess they aren't all too bad since some cats actually prefer to live with them," Nook explained. Snake stared up at him even more intently, so he continued. "They settled in a gorge far from here. After that, there were only four clans. They lived here for many, many seasons. That is, until Twolegs greedily tore up more of the clan's territories for their petty dens. So, the clans had to leave this place in search of a new territory. I'm not quite sure what became of them. In a clan, there was a leader, a deputy which is someone who is second in line to be leader, a medicine cat who heals everyone's wounds and cures their diseases, warriors, elders, queens and their kits. Each and every one of them looked out for each other, for the most part anyways." He flicked his ear.

"Ok… What's StarClan then? Is that another clan?" She leaned towards him, eager to learn more. He cleared his throat, and wiped his paw over his face before continuing.

"Sort of, it's sometimes referred to as the fifth clan, sixth originally. StarClan is where all the dead cats go, once their time on earth is up and they've served their clan."

"If you're talking to them, then they must still be here. Why didn't they go with the other clans?"

"Most of them left with the clans, but some stayed behind to guide their kin who couldn't make the journey or who were caught by twolegs. My mother's mother was one of them, held back by twolegs. She was a medicine cat, and her knowledge was passed down to me."

"Is Feathermist in StarClan?" She questioned, he looked up into the sky almost like he was searching for her.

"Yes." He forced the word out.

"Who was she?" Snake laid down into the moss, and groomed her paw before running it over her ear, again mimicking Nook.

"She was my mate. Her father was a warrior in the clans. He was a young warrior, and she was the last litter he ever produced. She was given a warrior's name, in honor of her warrior blood."

"What is a warrior name?"

"A warrior name is something like Ottercreek, Frostpelt, Sorreltail, it needs to represent something about them. It also must have two parts."

"Why don't you have one?"

"I did." He recalled back when he was almost twelve moons old. His mother was sick from a tumor, and she gave him his name, knowing she wouldn't last until the proper time. Larkshade.

"What was it?" She spoke softly now, picking up his sadness.

"Larkshade… Feathermist loved my warrior name, but after she died I changed it to Nook. Nook it will stay until I see her again," He bluntly mewed.

"Why did you change it?"

"I don't know, why must you ask so many questions?!" He turned and snapped at her. She cowered back, tears forming in her eyes. Instantly, he felt guilt rise up inside him. He hung his head, and sighed.

"I'm sorry Snake… I didn't mean to. It's… It's just hard to talk about." He closed his eyes, locked in a devastating turmoil. He felt her lean against his leg; Nook opened his eyes and looked over to her.

"It's ok, Momma does that sometimes too." He felt the ends of his muzzle turn up in a small smile; this kit has been the first thing in many moons that has made him smile. Ah, she reminds me of her so much.

"Come on, go back to sleep. It'll be dawn soon, and you need all the rest you can get you know. It's a long walk from here to your barn."

"But I want to stay up and talk with you." Snake mewled, she loved hearing his stories. "Tell me more stories about the clans!" A laugh escaped his throat.

"Ok, just one more." A light shone in his eyes for the first time in three seasons.

Baylor opened his jowls in a wide yawn, before stretching out his forepaws. Ok Snake, where have you gone too. He picked up her trail, still somewhat fresh, and intently followed it. As it led him closer and closer to the forest he began to feel uneasiness in his paws. The freshest scent he detected of her, by a juniper berry bush, was two sunrises old. A tom's scent mixed in with it, he could also scent Havoc and Fox, though they didn't come by this exact bush. Indignation, and apprehension flared throughout his being. He could feel his large claws bury themselves into the dirt; no one will ever harm my family and get away with it. He'd better not hurt her, or else I will make him regret ever being born into this wretched world. The tom's scent was more pungent, and he followed it at a steady lope.

"Is it time to go Nook?" Snake hobbled around him in quirky steps, as he put together some herbs. "I want to go see my kin," she felt a small ting of pride, "but I also want to stay here with you." Snake didn't even notice the constant dull ache of her hunger anymore. Nook sat up with a few leaves and a flower in his mouth, he mumbled something inaudible through them, before laying them down in front of her.

"Eat these, they'll help you feel good." He saw the curiosity in her expression, and before she could ask he explained the herbs. "This one," he picked out an oval shaped leaf with serrated edges, "is burnet. It'll help give you strength. Same for this other one, Chamomile," he nudged a small white flower with a yellow center. "This last one is Lamb's ear which serves the same purpose," it was a soft and fuzzy green leaf. Snake ate the leaves, her face distorted from the bitter taste they gave.

"They're so gross." Nook nodded, and ate a few himself, before nudging her out of the den. The sun had made its way over the hills, and was giving off its warmth, drying up the morning's dew. He walked at a slow pace, so she would be able to keep up. He found it humorous, this tiny kit, limping beside him with her leg dragging the ground. It didn't seem to faze her at all.

They continued on like this for a bit, Nook telling stories of the clans. Snake especially liked the original clans, LionClan, TigerClan, and LeopardClan. She was precarious about the idea of cats nearly ten times Nook's size.

"Wait, so the clans descended from Lion, Tiger, and LeopardClan?" Nook nodded, his ear occasionally twitching. "Why were they so small then?"

"Well, I don't know exactly. Maybe it was the lack of food, or maybe it was so that they'd have enough territory since the twolegs took so much of it. There's no telling, you'll know when you enter StarClan."

"Why can't you ask them now?" Nook kept his gaze on the horizon, estimating how much time they'd have left before moonhigh.

"It doesn't work that way, StarClan gives guidance and warns us before bad things happen. They do not answer our questions, usually." Snake fell silent, taking in this new information.

"Have they told you anything bad was going to happen?"

"Hey, let's not talk about bad things. Tell me about your family." Nook swayed the conversation in hope to distract himself from the prophecies he received a moon before.

"Okay! Soot has the most amazing eyes ever, they're different colors! Ace has mammas eyes, and I have my dad's. Oh! Ace is a really good fighter, he always wins battles with Soot, but she's smarter than him I think," she rambled on about her siblings. Nook tentatively listened, only stopping her when he noticed her tiring. They rested here and there so she could regain her strength. Near Sunhigh, they passed by a twoleg's territory and traveled onto a field. Nook guessed they were near the barn.

"Wait, hold on," he parted his jaw, muzzle high, something's not right. His ear twitched, as he strained his hearing. A swallow was chirping, and there was some distant yowling of a twoleg. Nook could feel the ground pulsing slightly, his eyes widened.

"What's wrong Nook?" Snake stood beside him, completely oblivious. A deep snarl reverberated through her. She stiffened, "Nook?"

"We need to go now!" He snatched her up by her nape and darted off, leaving her to dangle from his jaws. Her eyes were the only thing that portrayed her emotions, pooling with fear. A howl echoed through the lea. The ground beneath him quaked and the sound of thundering paws echoed through his head making his ear twitch madly. The wind stung his eyes making them tear up, blurring his vision. He blinked away the moisture, only to have them fill up once more. Behind him, he could sense the massive presence of a dog. Nook surged himself forward, determined to get Snake to safety.

The brute gained on him, and he could now hear it panting behind him. He glanced back, to see a massive and bulky dog with enormous jowls, and short floppy ears. Its tail was missing, leaving only a nub similar to his own. Its eyes were bright with hostility and esurience, its tongue lolling outside of its mouth. His jowls bounced along with his stride, flashing long and stained canines. Nook felt a cold pang of panic shoot up his spine and into his head. He surged forward as hard as he can, his own paws thudding against the sodden ground He could feel Snake tremble, unable to speak or move due to the paralysis that overcomes kits when carried by their nape. He was grateful that she didn't weigh much, since his jaw was already growing tired.

They dog let out a bark, sending chills up his spine. He could now feel it's hot breath on his back, and frantically looked around for a tree, or wall, in which he could escape onto. Nothing but barren rolling hills stretched out in front of him, the next tree being several fox lengths away… too far for him to reach it before the dog clamped its jaws onto his haunches. Nook turned left sharply, and he heard the dog slip trying to follow after him. He sprinted to a tree trunk, spotting a tiny hole made from a tangle of roots. He tossed Snake into it, no time to be gentle. He pivoted and charged at the dog lashing his claws at its nose. He felt them catch onto its leathery surface and the brute yelped in surprise. He ducked beneath the dog, as it skid over him. He then leaped up and bit down onto its Achilles tendon. The dog snarled as it tumbled to the ground in a whirling mass. Nook panted, struggling to catch his breath. Snake peered out from the roots, "Nook!" Concern rolled off of her in waves, she feared for his life.

He looked towards Snake, her eyes wide from fear. He could feel Feathermist's presence, and the dog pulled itself onto its paws. He noticed that the brute was favoring the leg he had bitten down on. The dog descended upon him, gnashing its teeth. Nook reared up and began swatting at its muzzle and eyes rhythmically. The dog backed away, shaking its head, scarlet beads flying onto the grass. Nook darted forward and leapt up onto its head, climbing onto its massive shoulders. He buried his claws into it's pelt, and raked them down tearing through the fur leaving deep gages. The dog howled in pain, and turned his head snapping his jowls at the cat. He twisted and turned in circles, until he crashed down and rolled onto his back. Nook yowled, its weight crushing him. The dog rolled off and onto his paws, yelping when he put pressure on his injured leg. Nook gasped for breath.

The dog hovered over the cat, slobber streaming from its mouth. Snake tried to climb out of the roots, but her brace was caught. Nook was still sprawled out, and the dog bore its teeth in a menacing snarl. Fox-dung, stupid brace! She gnawed at the bindweed, until it broke. Snake yanked her leg free, wincing slightly and leaped out of the tangle of roots. She ran over to the tom, and jumped over him until she stood between him and the dog. She fluffed up her pelt and arched her back, sizing the dog up. StarClan help me, this thing is huge! She growled, her small chest rumbling.

"No, Snake… g-get back!" Nook struggled to get up, but a wave of dizziness held him down. The dog surged forward, and Snake shut her eyes and hunched over waiting for its massive jaws to latch onto her. I'm sorry, Nook… I'll say hi to Feathermist. When nothing happened, she slowly opened her eyes. A blur of white fur was entangled in a ferocious battle with the dog. Together they rolled in the grass, blood staining the ground. Caterwauls, snarls, yelps, and yowls filled the air. Nook forced himself onto his paws, and pushed Snake between them protectively. He unsheathed his claws, preparing himself.

Moments later the white cat detached itself from the dog and skidded masterfully on the ground until it came to a full stop. The dog continued to roll on the ground, snapping its jaws in the air, searching for its assailant. He eventually found the ground and jumped up, he looked at the cat eyes aflame with hatred, and roared so that his throat and chest rumbled along with it. The cat snarled at the dog, and as it lunged at him, he jumped back only to turn and leap at the dog once more. The dog stumbled sideways when it felt the cat's reinforced claws dig into its ribs. It howled in agony when the claws scraped the bone. The cat released and ran under the dog's belly, slashing at its abdomen. The dog barked defeated, before bolting back up the hills towards his housefolk. The cat lashed his tail, and shook his pelt now stained red.

His eyes lit up when he saw Snake, and he ran over to her. "There you are, your mother and I have been worried sick for you." He noticed Nook, and snarled. "Who are you, get away from her!" Baylor slammed his paw into Nook's head sending him flying to the ground. He stepped in front of Snake, shielding her.

"No don't hurt him! That's my friend," she mewled. Snake ran between his paws over to Nook, her tail twitching with concern. "Nook, are you ok?"

Nook leapt to his paws in a matter a moments, ignoring the wave of dizziness that crashed onto him. "Stay away from her BloodClan filth, you won't take her away too." He bore his fangs, rage swept through him. Baylor hissed at him, how dare he tell me to stay away! Baylor lurched at Nook, blinded by fury. Nook side stepped Baylor and clawed his shoulder as he passed him leaving a set of claw marks deep in his pelt. He yowled, more from rage than pain despite the fact that he tore through an old wound.

"Stop!" Snake cried out in distress, Baylor, hearing his kit, paused to glance at her. Nook saw his opportunity and raked his claws down Baylor's chest. He fell back, gasping from pain. "No Nook, don't hurt my daddy!" Nook stepped back in shock, Baylor was hunched over, blood streaming down onto his paws. Snake ran over to him, burying her face into his pelt. She smelled his familiar scent, the only thing she knew him by a few sunrises ago.

"Snake, I didn't know." She looked up at him, her face wet from tears. Baylor lifted his head eyes; he gnashed his teeth warningly at the tom. Nook took a step forward, and crouched down paying attention only to Snake. "Let me make it up to you, I'll heal him… ok?" Snake nodded, tears streaming down her face.

"No, I don't need help from a loner," Baylor stood up, eyes narrowed at the tom.

"Daddy please, he's good at it. He made my leg better when it hurt." Snake blinked away her tears. He complied; he couldn't stand to see her hurt.

"Fine," he spat at Nook. Nook shrugged it off not giving a mouse tail about him.

"I think I saw some marigold and horsetail around here… We're going to need catchweed." He smiled when Snake bounded over to him.

"I can help! Tell me what to look for and I'll go and find it!"

"Marigold is the most important thing I need. It grows near the ground, and it has yellow or orange petals." She nodded and eagerly bounded off.

"Don't go too far Snake!" Baylor called out after her. He directed his attention to Nook. "So, where'd you find her and what was wrong with her leg?" he demanded.

"She was strewn out by a tree that was struck down, she pulled her tendon. I took care of it." Nook distanced himself from the tom. "I'm going to look for some catchweed, stay here." He began to walk away, not giving Baylor a chance to answer.

"Not like I have a choice," he retorted loudly. Near noon, Snake came back with a mouthful of marigold. Nook had managed to find some catchweed near the brush at the edge of the lea. She was eager to help, and he showed her how to chew up a poultice and apply it to a wound.

Baylor winced when the marigold was smeared on his chest, it stung. He watched his kit warmly, her eyes lit up when Nook praised her for her work. Maybe he isn't too bad. He better watch it though. "How do you feel?" Snake backed away from him, observing her work. The catchweed was neatly placed on, holding her poultice in place.

"Much better, thanks." Snake's tail stuck straight up in the air.

"You're a natural, but we must get going. You need to get to your mother, we can practice some more once you get some milk in you," Nook nudged her with his nose, directing her towards where he thought was the barn.

"I'll lead; I know where my family lives." Baylor brushed past Nook, sneering at the tom. Nook hissed quietly, just loud enough for Baylor to hear. Snake brushed her tail against his leg, beckoning him. He smiled softly, and padded after her.

"You can meet Ace, Soot, and mamma now!" She bounced with each stride, her tail fluffed up with excitement.

"No. He will speak with Maple and I, and then he will leave," Baylor mewed sternly.

"But dad, he needs to meet them! He needs to stay, he's my only friend. It gets so boring at the barn, please?!" Snake stopped walking. Baylor turned around, eyes set on Nook.

"I said no, that is my final answer." Nook flattened his ears.

"Look Baylor, your precious kit was hurt, lost, hungry, cold, and on the verge of being discovered by BloodClan scouts. If I hadn't found her and taken care of her, she would be in their claws, and I don't think you want that. Whether you like it or not, you owe me. You didn't make it in time to save her, but I did. If I was going to harm her, or your family, I would've done it long before now. So get over yourself." Nook snarled at the massive tom, his pelt spiked up. Snake crouched down, sensing the tension between the two.

"Please don't fight again, let's go home… Mamma will know what to do," Snake uttered. Baylor growled and turned around sharply muttering, he started back walking.

"Come on kit, let's go." Nook nudged her gently with his muzzle, encouraging her to follow her father. Snake forced a smile, feeling uneasy. She complied with Nook and padded off with her father, listening to Nook's footsteps behind her.

"Baylor! Snake, oh! My kit!" Maple darted out of the barn meeting them and showered her kit with affection. Snake giggled, Ace and Soot squealed with joy and leapt upon their mother and sister. Nook stayed behind them, ease filling his conscience. After a minute, Maple noticed him.

"Who's this?" She stood up, and shook her pelt dusting it off. Nook grew uneasy and shifted his weight. He opened his mouth to speak but he was overtaken by Snake.

"That's Nook, he saved me and helped me get well. He fought a dog, I did too! Then daddy came and scared it away! Nook taught me about the Clans, they're so cool!" Her eyes were bright with eagerness. Maple laughed some, and hushed her kit.

"Thank you for helping her, I was so worried. You're a loner aren't you?" She tilted her head curiously. Nook cleared his throat attempting to speak but Baylor intervened.

"Yes he is and I don't trust him," he spat out hostilely. Maple lashed her tail, displeased.

"Baylor he helped our kit, we should be grateful. Don't mind him Nook, there's a lot going on. Come inside out of the sun. There is a pool of water you can drink from." She smiled at him warmly. He dipped his head in thanks, and Snake nudged him inside. Ace and Soot trampled after them intrigued by the new cat. Baylor grudgingly followed, his tail lashing.

"Maple" Baylor called to his mate, his gruff voice hushed. She paused to look back, and catching the worried glaze in his eyes she sent him a warm smile, flicking her tail. He sighed and moved to watch the strange tom crouching down lapping up water while the kits bombarded him with questions.

"Did you really know the clans?" Ace mewled out, followed by Soot "What are the clans?" Snake puffed out her chest fur "I know about the clans!" she boasted. "Yeah only 'cuz Nook told you!" Soot huffed, jealous of her sister's adventures.

Maple Laughed "Be polite, our guests has traveled a great distance and I'm sure he's tired." She nudged her kits away, Baylor then ushered them to his side. "Nook I want to thank you for saving our kit. I don't think you understand the trouble and grief you have saved us," Baylor snorted, "even though my hard headed mate hasn't come to sense" she added quieter. Ace snickered to himself making Soot and Snake grin, Baylor swatted him with his tail.

"No thanks needed, I've greatly enjoyed her company." Nook sat up smiling politely. Baylor narrowed his eyes at the tom, Nook flashed him a grin. Baylor rolled his eyes and turned his attention to the kits, Ace was swatting Snake's ear and she nipped his paw making him wince and pull back.

"But still due," Maple added to Nook's comment, "Don't you think Baylor?"

"Whatever you say dear," he remarked. Maple sighed and winked at Nook before she stood up.

"Come on Baylor; follow me up to the loft." She padded past him to the ladder, flicking her tail over his nose playfully. Seeing that he had no choice, he flashed a glare to the other tom, and padded after the radiant shecat. Once upon the loft, he saw her sitting down, tail laid across her paws with her ears folded back slightly. "We owe him our kit's life and the best you could do was 'whatever you say dear'?"

Realizing his mistake, he padded over smoothly and cooed "You know you're beautiful in this light." He went to nuzzle her but she turned her head away.

"Stop that I'm trying to be mad at you." She pinned her ears back further, and turned her back sharply. "Honestly Baylor, what reason has he given you to mistrust him so?"

"I don't know the tom, or what motivation he has." Baylor sat down in front of her, matching her posture.

"Everything he has done has been for Snake's sake, I worry for her Baylor… She's so small and fragile, the thought of her alone and hurt, with BloodClan cats nearby on the prowl for blood scares me. And when you left, I worried that you'd never come back. That I'd never see you or my kit again, but instead you show up with a stranger who has been so kind to our kit, giving her everything she needed. Whatever motivation he has, this world needs more of it." She choked this out, leaving Baylor moved by his mate's concern. He leaned down and groomed her forehead, sighing when she leaned against him.

"I am grateful for what he has done, but I still don't trust him. Knowing you, you're going to want him to stay for a while before he heads back. And since I have to return tomorrow before BloodClan sends out a patrol looking for me, I'll agree to him staying until then." Baylor rested his muzzle on her forehead.

"Thank you," she murmured. Snake's squeal rang out, resulting in Baylor's head to shoot up. "Maybe we should go back down, who knows what those kits are doing to the poor tom." Maple stood up, leaving Baylor to snicker to himself.

"And then TigerStar jumped at Scourge like this!" Snake leaped at Ace yowling out a battle cry. She tackled him to the ground, but Ace moved on top of her due to his size and pinned her beneath him. "Hey, you were supposed to fall! Now you ruined the story." She scowled, Nook laughed, clearly amused.

"That's enough kits, your father has something to tell you." She flashed him a playful grin as she nudged Baylor towards them. He trotted over leaning down with excited eyes.

"Nook here will be staying with us tonight, and tomorrow as I head back I will show him a good spot to make a den so that he may visit." Snake squealed with joy and jumped at her father nuzzling him.

"Thanks daddy!" Before he could say anything she whipped around, pelt shaking with joy, to Nook. "Did yah here that?! You get to stay with me Nook!"

"Yes I did, isn't it exciting? I can tell you about when the clans moved from their forest to the lake later then." He purred.

"Tell us too Nook!" Soot jumped up, her tail straight, followed by Ace. Snake fluffed up her pelt and turned around to face her sister.

"But you haven't heard the other stories yet, so you won't know why they are moving." Soot shrugged the comment off.

"That's ok Snake, you can tell them why." Nook winked at the kit, her eyes brightened at her friend.

"Ok!" She sat down, "well it all started when…"