A/N:Well I have little to say here but "Enjoy the story!"
Disclaimer: I own all characters, except Barley and Ravenpaw, who belong to Erin Hunter.
Rating: T – Just in case.
Chapter Two – "Just In Case"
The cats were all huddled under the trees surrounding a large oak tree, on which Silverpaw was standing. The clusters of cats murmured uncomfortably between themselves.
"Listen up everyone!" hollered the silver she-cat, stamping her paw on the roots of the tree to capture everyone's attention. "First thing's first. We need scouts to go and examine the area to check for good territory borders."
"What about the rain?" complained a male cat from the shadow of a tree. "It's cold, and we are all exhausted. Let's get some sleep!"
His suggestion received approving yowls of his friends and some questioning glances towards the cat on the tree roots.
"I think we need to explore first," replied Silverpaw, twitching her whiskers irritably. That cat was the same one who had insulted her father as he lay dying on his deathbed, speaking his last words. "We need to know what kind of territory is out there before we can create Clans."
"You're pretty ready to send others out into the unknown," spat the tom, stepping out of the shadows. His coat was a mixture of different shades of brown, and his tail whipped angrily from side to side. "Why don't you go out there?"
Silverpaw unsheathed her claws, and retracted them again angrily.
"Oh give it a break, Shade," sighed an elder cat. She turned to look up at Silverpaw. "Please go on. I think it is a good idea."
Silverpaw gave the elder a thankful glance before addressing the rest of the felines. "I need at least two cats to volunteer to explore the forest for the rest of us."
Glances were exchanged throughout the crowd, followed by an awkward silence.
"You'll have to go out in the rain," meowed Silverpaw, her green eyes scanning the crowd. "It may not be pleasant, but in this weather anything that might cause you a problem will be hiding out. No cat goes alone, either. Pairs."
Another silence, interrupted only by the rolling of thunder.
"I'll go," meowed a tom, as he pushed his was through the throng to step up beside Silverpaw. "It would be an honor to help reassemble the Clans that once roamed freely throughout this forest."
"Ravenpaw!" sighed Silverpaw gratefully. "Thank you. You once used to live in this forest. You would obviously be the best cat to send out there."
Ravenpaw nodded solemnly. "I always belonged in the forest, but I left it. Now I have another chance to live as my ancestors did..." He turned and locked his gaze with Silverpaw's. " I'm going to do everything I can to help out the Clans."
Silverpaw brushed her flank upon his. "Well said. We need another cat to go with you, however."
"I'll go."
Silverpaw's eyes widened as Shade stepped onto the roots of the great oak. "You?"
"You have a problem with it?" the tom snapped, glaring at the she-cat.
"No," replied Silverpaw, stunned.
"We'll be on our way then," announced Ravenpaw, getting to his paws. "We'll scout the forest and find good places for Clan territories." At that, he turned and stalked off into the undergrowth with Shade in tow.
Silverpaw turned to the group of cats and met their questioning gaze. "I know it is frightening to be in a new place, but you're going to have to try to relax and sleep. I'll keep watch, just in case."
"In case of what?" mewled a tiny kit.
Silverpaw smiled warmly at him as the other cats disbanded to curl up under the shelter of the trees. "Just in case."
A/N: And that's chapter two. I know, I know. It was a short chapter... but we've all got to have short chapters every now and again! Just Send me some reviews and I'll be more inspired to write a longer chapter! Bribing? No! Of course not!