Yipee!

Cats & main Warriors plot (c) Erin Hunter

Story plot (c) Moi

It was nearly impossible to get to Highstones without crossing through Windclan territory. The only other way would be to cross the Thunderpath to Shadowclan territory and then cross another Thunderpath to get to Highstones. None of the six cats wanted to cross two Thunderpaths, not with those creatures called wolves were around. So instead they traveled along the Windclan territory near the edge of the Thunderpath.

"Okay, we should rest here for now." Gorsepaw called from the back of the group. The others turned to look at him, then turned their gazes to Sandstorm for confirmation.

"Gorsepaw knows the territory better than I." Sandstorm said wisely, as she looked at their expectant faces. "We'll listen to what he has to say."

The cats nodded slowly, looking uneasily around for some source of shelter. No cat was excited about sleeping out in the open, even Gorsepaw who had once lived in these plains and couldn't be killed did not seem at ease.

"I suppose we could sleep under that tree." Sandstorm pointed with her nose to one of the larger trees that was planted along the Thunderpath. It was shady and big enough for all over them to hide on one side. "We'll take turns guarding, I'll go first. Then Whitefur and then Ravenpaw and Smallpaw, then Leafpaw and Gorsepaw."

"Sandstorm, should we hunt? We haven't eat since Cinderpelt gave us those herbs!" Smallpaw asked, digging her claws uneasily into the dirt. She was the least experienced of them all, and had yet to leave the camp for her journey to Highstones.

"No." Leafpaw said almost apologetically, but her voice was firm. "You start eating and the herbs won't work, we'll let them ware off for a while."

"Alright, then." Smallpaw looked slightly put out, but she couldn't argue against the Medicine Cat apprentance's knowledge. Instead she padded over the tree, yawning as she curled herself into a tight ball. Whitefur, Ravenpaw and Gorsepaw following quickly after them, everyone curling together for warmth.

"Leafpaw, you should go too." Sandstorm said when she noticed her daughter had yet to move. Leafpaw's amber eyes flickered up to her mother, then back down the ground.

"You'll be careful, right?" Leafpaw asked softly, trying to keep the worry from taking over. She saw her mother eyes flicker from confusion, to understanding. She gave a slight sigh as Sandstorm gave her ear a quick lick.

"Yes, I'll be fine. Get some rest, Leafpaw, we've got a long journey ahead of us." With that, Sandstorm watched as the light tabby she-cat turned away to curl up with her clanmates. Satisfied, she turned and sat, ears pricked and eyes wary.

Bane's golden eyes glared at the dusty door that human's used as the entrance to the basement. The lady who owned this House had lived here for almost fifty years, she was old yet managed to keep herself healthy and fit. Bane had lived here for as long as she could remember, enjoying the mutual respect she shared with the old lady and other twolegs in general. But now she felt as if her whole world was breaking apart as she heard the loud voices coming from the other side...

"Mother, please! You should've retired years ago, and now wolves on the loose? No -- just - no, we're getting you out of here."

It was a male twoleg, he came around everyone in a while to check on the older lady. He often argued with her, but he never seemed this mad. And he wanted her to leave? Bane's eyes widened in horror. But she kept listening.

"I told you - no. This is my home, and I have no intention of leaving. Now then, if you've got a problem with this place, you could always just call."

Bane grinned, even through her worry. She loved the old twoleg's spirit. Even in her old age, the lady seemed strong and powerful. Bane never thought she'd look up to anyone, especially not a twoleg of all things. But there was something about how she told off the male that made her respect the lady.

"Oh, sure. Like I'd ever leave you alone out here with those filthy beasts in you're basement."

Bane almost hissed, but managed to keep quiet. She heard shuffling, and it was apparent both had already left the room. Bane gave a sigh and lightly padded down the stairs, feeling even more tired. The ebony she-cat felt like laying down and just sleeping everything away, but she knew she couldn't do that. This was her reality, if something wasn't done, her whole life could fall apart. Where would she raise her kits? The woodlands were safe and the streets - even without Scourge - were really no better.

"Hmm." She hummed to herself, needing to distract herself from the silence that seemed to overtake the basement. Almost every cat, even Tabbs was out hunting or simply exploring. Night had fallen and it was the best and safest time for cats to be out. Bane had been too busy worrying to even think about hunting. Her kits had gone out with Sugar and Cream, who'd proven very trustworthy babysitters.

She leaped lightly onto a windowsill, staring out into the darkness of night, her golden eyes traveling to the forest. She narrowed her eyes, ready to turn away and leave. But she couldn't help but think about when she had been talking to Firestar. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the sound of his desperate and tired voice. Bane knew he had been wrong to yell at her, and that he hadn't meant it, but still. How could she just up and leave her kits?

"Bane? Ah, girlie, still sittin' 'round here?" Tabbs leaped gracefully up next to her. Bane remembered she'd been surprised the first time, seeing as Tabbs was a rather large cat. But she'd since gotten used to it and instead gave a slight sigh in reply. "Mmm, nothin' Rus - ahem - Firestar said, was it?"

"Huh." Bane said, her ears flicking back for a second. Then she stood, eyes stilll looking out the window. Holding her head high she said. "Tell Sugar and Cream they are incharge of Cross, Jay and Yarn, okay? Thanks."

She leaped down without waiting for an answer. She'd made up her mind, she would save this place. This was her home, and no one - especially not some mangy wolves - would take that away from her. You've gotten lucky this time, Firestar. She slipped out of the basement through a hole in the wall, then over the fence and toward the forest.

"Yes! The Gathering is tonight! Will I get to go?" Spiritpaw grinned at Graystripe, after his first day of being an apprentance he'd woken up early and had been rearing to go. Graystripe could barely answer the young tom's questions for he asked them so quickly. Despite that, he was so excited about having another apprentance. He had always felt guilty about Brackenfur's training, and his training with Stormpaw had been very short lived. He was determined to do everything right this time.

"Heh. Maybe." Said Graystripe good naturedly as he led his apprentance toward the Gorse Tunnel. That was when he spotted Mousefur and Spiderpaw, he hurried over to Mousefur, who seemed to have been relieved of her nursery duties.

"Eh, are you two by any chance going out hunting?" Graystripe asked politely. He might be deputy, but he knew Mousefur wouldn't take kindly to him demanding her to go with him. And especially after kits? Yep, much safer to just ask.

"Hm." Mousefur glanced over at Spiritpaw who was waiting somewhat patiently for his mentor to come and get him. She chuckled lightly, and said to Graystripe. "Alright then, we'll go up to Sunningrocks. It'll be nice since Newleaf is settling in."

"Thanks!" Graystripe said as he bounded over to get Spiritpaw who met him halfway. The white tom grinned up at his mentor as he waited for instructions. "We're going to get Spiderpaw to show us how to do a proper hunt."

"Yes!" Spiritpaw said cheerfully and charged toward the Gorse Tunnel. Graystripe's eyes widened before he laughed and merrily headed after his apprentance. For the first time in a long time, it felt like things were going to be okay.

Yeah, its a short chapter, but there was really nothing to add to it. The journey officailly begins next chapter with joining of Bane! Not to mention we get to see about the planned attack by the other cats! And the gathering...its gonna be fun!!

R&R please ;)