A/N You guys are probably wondering where the heck Birchfall and his insane sister are. Well, this chapter is dedicated to them! Enjoy.

Chapter 3 The Gang

My paws were killing me. "Holly, you sure you know where you're going?" I asked for the hundredth time.

She lunged at me, for the fiftieth time, and pinned me to the ground. "Again, yes, and again, shut your over-used trap. There are too many predators here for small talk." She hissed quietly.

That explains her unease. But she was also confused. "What are you looking for?" I whispered.

She shook her head. "There are border marks here that smell like my gang, but were too far in the mountains. They live in the twoleg place on the other side." That was weird, I guess. The rough mountain terrain was killing my sore and raw paws.

"Take cover!" Holly screeched, and dived under a large boulder. I looked up in horror to see a falcon diving down to kill me.

Suddenly, a paw hooked around my scruff and dragged me under another boulder. "You can thank me later," growled a raspy meow behind me.

I screeched and lunged at the voice, only to be pinned down by another cat. " 'Christ you're loud. What happened, the falcon bit your tail off?" It was a she cat with a low, seductive purr.

"Reeba. Off." The raspy voice hissed.

She sighed and jumped off me. Holly sprinted in snarling and spitting. "Okay you mountain cats! Wanna piece of me?!"

She gave the cats a good warning sniff, then suddenly relaxed. "Thorn? Reeba? What'd you doing here?"

Reeba gave a laugh. "We live here now. The upwalkers took our lands, so we headed toward here. Of course some mountain cats lived here, but we took care of them until-"

Thorn shoved her aside. "Until some clan showed them how to fight. Now we have to share. Stripes is furious."

Realization stunned me. These were the cats that were terrorizing The Tribe of Rushing Water! They seemed okay. Reeba rubbed against Holly. "I've missed you, Jade. I need a sparring partner." She added with a glint in her eye, "Stripes misses you too."

Holly-or Jade- stiffened. It was silent until Thorn coughed." Whose this screamer you got with you?" He meowed pointing to me.

She gave her chest a lick, clearly embarrassed. "That's my brother um…Screech. We've come to stay for a while."

Reeba sniffed me. "His namesake sure matches his voice."

I laughed nervously, and we all stepped into the open. I was a bit surprised when I saw Thorn and Reeba. Thorn was a young cat, probably as old as me, with a thick scar that circled his neck. Reeba was tiny, a black and white Tortoiseshell with black stripes. She was gorgeous.

"C'mon," she purred, "Let's get reunited."

Thorn cleared his mangled throat and led the way. Halfway there, my paws were rubbed sore. Jade brushed beside me. "Don't worry, they'll toughen up in no time."

We were led to a camp that would've had the spitting image of Windclan camp, if it wasn't for the rocks and dens. It looked as if something giant scooped out a portion of the mountain, leaving this shallow pit. A tabby with black stripes sprinted up to us. I heard his breath catch when he saw my sister. "Jade-I-I, I thought you were dead."

My sister laughed. "It was the only way to keep you from following me. Your place was with the gang."

He bristled for a moment, and calmed down. "Well, you're here, and that's what counts. Welcome to our camp."

He turned and looked at me, surprised, then jealous. "Whose this?"

Jade batted his ear. "Don't get any ideas. Stripes, this is my brother, Screech. Screech, Stripes. Stripes, Screech."

Sadness welled up in his heart. He used to look like that when he saw Thornclaw with Whitewing. What was happening there? He shouldn't have left. What if she escaped!? What if she died…

"Screech? Screech, are you okay?" Reeba asked cautiously. I only then realized I was hyperventilating.

Jade came to my aid. "It's been a long day for us, and we need some rest."

Stripes nodded. "Thorn will show him to the den. Jade, if you want to, you can-"

"Thanks, but no thanks." She said firmly. "I need to stay with my brother. He had an…accident at his old home and needs me."

Perfect Jade, make me look weak. This day was going like dung. A big heap of rotting dung.

We were led to a cave where some cats were already sleeping. The moon had just risen. I laid down on a nest and slowly drifted to sleep, hoping I'll be well rested…

It was midnight. Cats were screaming, kits were wailing for there dead mothers. I swung my head around, searching wildly for the one cry that mattered most. Her cry. It came from the bushes. I sprang into the thick of the battle, trying to break through. Rogue cats were everywhere, killing any cat in sight. I heard the cry again.

I sprinted now, receiving multiple wounds, but that didn't matter. All that mattered now was her pain. I crashed through the bushes. She was there, lying in her own pool of scarlet blood, staining her white fur.

"Whitewing!" I tried to cry, but no sound came.

A shadow appeared, and snaked its way toward her. It took the form of Tigerstar, staring greedily at Whitewing. He grabbed her neck with his teeth, and was about to bite down…

The scene suddenly changed. Firestar sat in front of me, his eyes glazed over.

"As darkness reigns, the light will shine on by the betraying soul, and will only restore balance if the light goes out to all the innocent…"

Firestar turned to me. "Time to go home."

I woke in a cold sweat. That was different than my usual night terrors. Tigerstar usually kills Whitewing, but that didn't happen. Firestar came… and delivered another prophecy. And told me to go home, but I can't. I can't. They'll kill Whitewing and me. Or something else more torturous. Jade was at my side in am instant. "Dreaming about home, love?"

I turned to her, unsure of what to say. "This is our home now."

She purred. "That's good, moving on. I don't think I could ever do that. C'mon, Stripes assigned us to a patrol."

I followed her to the fresh-kill pile, and we shared a vole. Stripes came up to us. "Let's go."

Reeba joined us, and two other cats I didn't know. Jade understood. "The big one's Hotspot, and that's his trainee, Petal."

Hotspot was a massive ginger tom, and petal was a delicate she cat with a light pink tint to her white fur. "I can't believe I'm still as small as a trainee." I heard Reeba murmured, frustrated.

I nudged her. "You're probably faster because of it." She gave him a dazzling smile and padded on.

It was a tough terrain. Halfway through patrol, I was heaving for breath. "Let's take a break." Stripes said, giving me an amused look.

I regained my breath not too long after. I felt Hotspot stiffen beside me. Reeba gave an exasperated meow. " 'Christ, do they always have to check we're on our side of the border?"

I turned my head and saw a patrol of cats advancing on us. We stood up and met them on the border. Stormfur was leading it. "Greetings Stripes." He meowed stiffly.

"Greetings." Stripes meowed back. "Did you come to check if we needed someone to tuck us in, like you do everyday ?" Reeba sneered.

I suddenly felt like I was on Shadowclan's side of the argument. "We were just wondering why you were sitting on the border." Stormfur meowed.

"We were just resting." Jade meowed hotly.

Stormfur looked at her. "You're new." He turned to me, and I looked down.

Surprise flickered across his face. "Do I know you?" He asked me.

Stripes snorted. "His name is Screech. Why would you know each other pee-brain?"

I gave him a silent nod and he understood. Jade stepped in front of me. "He's my brother." She growled menacingly.

A moment passed until Stripes spoke again. "We need to go. Screech, mark the border." He turned to leave, and the gang followed.

I stalled, taking extra time to mark. Stormfur looked at me. "Birchfall, what in Starclan's name-"

"Thunderclan is under new rule. Firestar was murdered, and Tigerstar possessed Thornclaw. I was banished. Listen, I'll explain everything later, okay? Meet me here tonight."

He nodded, and strode away. "Screech, hurry up!" Jade shouted.

"I'm coming!" I shouted back and left without a backwards glance.

A/N Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I'm co-author to a new story, Help Me I'm Lost, and I had to write the first chapter. Hopefully I'll update by the end of next week. Twistey out.