2. The Clan meets the rogues

Eagle sat in the middle of the clearing, her senses prickling. Dove had gone to collect herbs, and Falcon still hasn't come back from hunting. 'He's probably stuffing his face.' Eagle smiled as she thought. She relaxed and stretched.

Rustling leaves stabbed at her senses and Eagle sprang to her paws, claws unsheathed. A scent filled her nose, and her sharp eyes picked up a form in the bushes. Eagle let her tense muscles soften.

"Well, as long as you don't spring at me, it's good to see you're alert." Falcon emerged into the opening with his mouth full of prey. Falcon let his load fall to the ground.

"Four of them. That is the first time you brought enough for all of us." Eagle replied.

"Don't get too desperate. I still need to pick up two more." With that, Falcon disappeared. Eagle sat again, hoping that she would not have to be so alert. Something cracked, and Eagle jumped. She sighed. 'Guess not.' Eagle pricked her ears. She could hear the sticks and twigs crack under weight, and could barely make out the slow padding of paws against the ground. Her nose picked up another scent, one that she did not recognize. It was definitely not Dove or Falcon, and not prey.

Eagle unsheathed her claws and slowly stood. "I know your there. Come out and stop stalking me." Her answer was silence. "Look, I don't want to come and find you just because you're shy. I am just guarding my place." Still silence. Then two cats stepped into the clearing. "Finally," Eagle muttered.

"How did you know we were here?" the silver she-cat asked.

"It wasn't that hard," Eagle replied. "Just open up your senses and you notice interesting things." Eagle eyed the two young cats. "Why are you here?" the golden colored cat narrowed his eyes.

"We're on dawn patrol. You are trespassing on ThunderClan territory. This is not your place. Who are you, and what clan do you belong to?"

Eagle sniffed. "Friendly, isn't he," she said to the silver tabby. "My name is Eagle, and I belong to no clan. My brother and sister and I just move from place to place." Eagle narrowed her own eyes. "Who are you?"

"My name is Silverpaw, and this is Sunpaw. We are apprentices from ThunderClan."

The silver tabby answered.

"Silverpaw. You don't say." Eagle looked at both of them. "I am sorry. I didn't know we were trespassing. You really don't have to be so hostile, Sunpaw." Sunpaw growled and started stalking towards Eagle. Suddenly, a yowl ripped the air that made Sunpaw pause. Falcon leaped out of the bushes, dropping the prey he had in his mouth. He crashed into Sunpaw and the two wrestled on the ground. Soon, Falcon was pinning his rival to the ground.

"Don't you dare stalk my sister, or you will answer to me," Falcon growled. Eagle glared angrily at her brother.

"I don't need you to fight my battles for me, Falcon. Let him get up, and try not to start trouble." Falcon sheathed his claws and allowed Sunpaw to get up. Sunpaw spat at him.

"I could have taken you down if you gave me more time." Falcon narrowed his eyes.

"Respect those who are older than you. And you couldn't have taken me down. It is not wise to threaten a cat that can shred you in a matter of seconds. It could get you in a ton of trouble. You have to know your enemy first."

"Unless you are in a battle. It's more likely you are going to face someone more experienced, but I suppose that you will know your enemy's strategy or learn it quickly," Eagle added as she sat down.

"You should heed their words, young Sunpaw. They are dripping in wisdom." A voice called from with the bushes. Two forms stepped into the open. One was long-legged and had a black pelt with a white belly. The other was a golden, long-haired cat. The one that spoke was the black tom.

"Greetings. I am Spiderleg, and this is Lionheart. We are both warriors of ThunderClan."