AN: Here's a new chapter, and one in a different point of view :D

Chapter Five

The Thunderpath was beginning to wind away from the group as they made their way out of Twolegplace. Dustyhead had come across a few kittypets here and there, but they were easily scared off. Ripplepaw had taken a liking to his way of fighting. She made a formidable opponent in battle when she wanted to be. Stripepaw had taught her a few moves as well - moves that would someday come in handy when it came to defending their new Clan.

In the end their journey had taken them to the edge of Twolegplace. A forest stretched out before them - one that Dustyhead had never heard about before. Rumors and whispers around Twolegplace had spread about the forest, but he never imagined that it existed. The harsh faint lights of Twolegplace annoyed him to no end, but they could be ignored during greenleaf when the trees had all of their leaves. He wasn't even sure what to make of the forest when he first approached it.

Ripplepaw and Stripepaw looked like they were ready to burst with excitement when they saw the forest. Trees of all kinds - ancient looking trees - towered above them. Dustyhead glanced at Sageleaf, whose eyes were heavy with exhaustion. He knew now more than ever they needed to find a place to rest. They had spent too long in Twolegplace - two days at least - and her kits were due in less than a couple of moons. Brownleaf and Foxear padded forward to scout the area. Those two could easily take care of themselves from what Dustyhead had seen.

And there are no other Clan cats to worry about here, Dustyhead thought with a satisfied nod. As long as we are here we might as well explore the forest and see how big it really is. He glanced at Sageleaf in concern once more. She was leaning against him, using his shoulders as support to keep her standing.

"There doesn't seem to be any danger here," Brownleaf rasped when she returned. "Foxear is searching the area for any dens we could use. It seems like this really could make a good home for us all." She seemed to notice Sageleaf's exhaustion as well. "Keep an eye on her. If she starts pacing you'll know the kits are coming."

Dustyhead nodded at her words and led Sageleaf towards the forest. Ripplepaw and Stripepaw bounded ahead, their pelts almost touching. Brownleaf stayed behind to keep an eye on Dustyhead and Sageleaf. She knew all too well how worried he was about his mate. At least this time there were no ThunderClan or WindClan warriors to keep them apart. They were together now and nothing would stand in their way.

. . .

xAmber's point of viewx

Amber crouched within the bush, wriggling her haunches in excitement. In front of her was a sparrow that seemed unaware of her presence. She wasn't a good hunter, but that didn't stop her from practicing. This territory was perfect for a young cat like herself. There was plenty of prey around and few cats who fought over it. Amber had claimed part of the forest as her own a few moons ago. She had fought fiercely for this patch of land.

And no tom is going to claim me as theirs, she added silently. I am free to make my own choices. No cat can tell me what to do so long as this is my territory.

Her ears suddenly pricked forward when she heard voices in the distance. The sparrow was alerted by the sudden noise and flapped it's wings. Though it was on the ground and in a vulnerable state, it was fast enough to get away from her. Amber hissed in frustration and dug her claws into the ground until she saw a pelt brush through the undergrowth.

Once again she dropped to a crouch and surveyed the intruder. It was a cat with brown fur and ginger-tipped ears. Beside this cat was a second intruder. The second intruder was smaller and skinnier looking, but she too looked fiercely independent. Amber narrowed her eyes when one of the cats came to a halt.

"We aren't alone," the brown and ginger-eared cat hissed.

"I will go and inform the others," the brown and ginger dappled cat meowed in a calm voice.

The larger intruder waited until she was alone to further explore the territory. Amber's tail lashed in annoyance when she glared at the intruder. She wasn't about to let this cat stomp around her territory! Even if it meant risking injury she would defend this territory with her life.

"Who are you?" Amber demanded when she leaped out of the bush.

The stranger suddenly whipped around, eyes gleaming with malice when she glared at Amber. The golden brown tabby flinched under the intruder's fiercely guarded gaze. There was something about this cat that sent chills down Amber's spine. She knew that this cat was capable of killing.

"My name doesn't matter," the stranger hissed. "I'd like to know who you are, and how many others of your kind live here."

Amber's tail lashed once before her ears flattened in defiance. "I'm not about to tell you anything!" she spat. "I don't have to."

"Foxear?" The brown she-cat's ginger-tipped ears flicked from side to side when a third intruder - a tom of all things - called out her name.

Amber stared at the third stranger in horror when she realized this was a powerful looking tom. He was just as strong as this Foxwhatever. Muscles rippled beneath a light brown tabby pelt. But what surprised Amber more than anything else was the cat leaning against him. A silver tabby with bright green eyes leaned against the light brown tabby. Her eyes were half-closed as she took in the forest's surroundings.

"I found this rogue out here while exploring," Foxear explained when she turned to face the newcomer.

I am not a rogue! Amber thought when she glared at Foxear.

"What is your name?" the light brown tabby asked in a softer voice.

Hesitantly Amber relaxed her shoulders when she realized these cats weren't going to harm her. For now. She held the tom's gaze and reminded herself that he was probably like any other tom. Selfish and greedy.

"My name is... Amber," she replied. Her eyes narrowed into tiny slits when she glared at the tom.

The tom and the she-cat named Foxear suddenly turned their backs on Amber. She lashed her tail irritably as she wondered what they would do next.

"... Good... warrior." Amber's ears pricked forward when she heard the word 'warrior'. She didn't know who these cats were but they weren't going to control her life!

"Amber, have you ever heard of the Clans?" The light brown tabby turned away from Foxear, whose whiskers twitched irritably. Amber wondered if this Foxear cat was reluctant to let any stranger join her group or gang of cats.

"No, and I don't think I'd want to hear about them," she muttered crossly. "Just leave me alone."

The light brown tabby tilted his head to one side in confusion at her sudden anger. Amber unsheathed her claws and glared at the two cats. Though she was outnumbered two to one she could easily outpace them. She was faster than most of the cats that lived around this area.

"We weren't planning on forcing you to hear about them," the tabby sighed. "We only wish to find a place to live. My mate is expecting kits and needs a safe den to keep them warm and fed."

Amber's shoulders began to relax slightly when he mentioned kits. She had never experienced what most she-cats experienced her age. By keeping toms away from her she had kept herself safe. But from what it sounded like, these cats needed help.

"You can stay here for a few nights," she finally grumbled. "But don't expect me to hunt for you or your mate."

Relief gleamed within the light brown tabby's eyes. Foxear simply blinked in surprise at Amber's sudden change in heart. She had given them a few nights of shelter. Any more nights and they might believe the territory was theirs to claim.

Once they are gone I'll make sure no other intruder gets past, she told herself.

Maybe she would even learn a few things about the Clans this tom had mentioned. Until than she would treat them as strangers and leave them be. She needed her space from cats who were close together. It only reminded her of the times she had spent in the city.