Hm, so another chapter… I think this is kinda coming along quite well! Keep reviewing please lovely people!

X-X-X

It didn't stop there. Scrouge had refused to send Hope to our ancestors with the right words, so I prayed all night. Not just for Hope's spirit. I guessed that if she made it she would look after my murdered children.

I looked after Soul well, and she grew into a healthy toddler. Though I was horrified to find she was starting to look like Xena, I ignored it and got on with my life. The horrible thing was having Scrouge, Sasha and Xena watching my every move from Dawn to Midnight, just waiting for me to slip up, betray my secrets.

Xena also tried to organize a training programme for us all, to boost our skill and confidence level in battle. Many were only too keen to want to learn from her, but I refused to train with her. I was only too sure that Xena would murder me. But still, Sasha tried to force me into it.

"Maybe, if you met her she could knock a little sense into you." Sasha sneered at me, almost every day.

I tried to stand up to her, "I have Soul to look after now. And I believe my skills are up to scratch anyway."

"Oh yeah?" Sasha smiled, menacingly. "Fight me then. Fight me and prove it."

"Never!" I gasped, knowing only too well what Scrouge would say, or more so… do.

"Ha! You are a cowardess, Katherine. Come on. Fight me for that cross-clan, weak, mewling little rat who you have named Soul." That was it, and I flew at my mother without any thought, with a hiss. I misjudged her, and she dodged to one side, knocking me to the floor and pinning me down. I grappled with her shoulders and managed to pin her. Scrouge came bounding up.

"Oh! Help! Scrouge!" Sasha wailed. "I don't know what I did… she pounced! Help!" She was faking it of course, but Scrouge believed her. He nudged her to her feet and began to help her towards my brothers den, hissing words over his shoulder: "You'll pay for this Katherine!"

XXXX

Later I was laying by my hut, enjoying the late night warmth that the sun cast on the planet. Soul was fast asleep inside, and I was watching Xena taking fruit to Summer who had given birth to five sons earlier in the day. She spotted me and with a last word to Summer, walked over. I leapt to my feet and growled defensively. After attacking Sasha earlier, I was only too protective of Soul. Xena laughed, and I relaxed, instantly. Unlike her father, her laugh sounded genuine. Well, as close to genuine as I was going to get. I knew one thing – she was not mocking me.

"I heard about the confrontation earlier." Xena explained her voice softer than when I had last heard it. "Just so you know… Sasha wasn't hurt at all."

"I wouldn't care if Sasha was brought up by wasps, let alone hurt," I snapped, turning to go inside.

"I know, and neither would I. All I want is the best for the clan. Peace. And if that means getting rid of Lithe's clan, well, so be it." She replied quickly. "She faked all of that to get into trouble." I stiffened and turned around. "I am trying to protect your daughter. Scrouge… he's… not keen on her life. But I am. Yes he'll want me at his right hand in every murder but that doesn't mean I like it. You're my half sister and I owe you something for that." She smiled. "I'm free tomorrow afternoon. Are you sure you don't want to train?"

Now, I'm no sucker for a sob story but her little speech had seemed very genuine. Her words had touched my heart in a place I never knew I had, and I couldn't resist: "Okay…" I agreed, turning to walk away. Then I turned back, "Xena? You don't know anything about when we were younger do you? I was told my mother left you for me, her older child, but she never nursed me after a certain age. In fact she left me for dead…" I shook my head. "I'm so confused."

"I did not know Sasha was my mother until this year. My father brought me up since I can remember – except Hope would often tell me things. She told me the same – my mother left me for another child."

"Yet, I didn't see her again after I was six years old, not until I came here... She abandoned me and now she hates me and I don't get why!" I explained.

"She couldn't be bothered with us, I expect! We come from two different fathers I suppose; she must have felt some remorse for cheating. Didn't want job of being a mother either. My guess is she only bore Felix to create a great healer for us." Xena hissed. "I hate her."

"She makes me so annoyed!" I hissed. "I can't understand how a mother cannot love her child. I love Soul more than anything in the world. We should get at her." I knew how petty it sounded, but Xena was a great warrior. She'd help me fight Sasha, right?

"What?" Xena suddenly looked shocked. "Kat, you know how wrong that would be."

"You don't want to be like Scrouge?" I asked, slowly and confused, yet somehow curious.

"No. I want to be like my father." At my confused face she explained. "To me, as my father, he was kind, caring and wise. I knew he was the strongest in battle – so long as it was just and he was always giving me great advice and tips on how to be a great leader. But to the tribe – as Scrouge… he is different. He is violent and hard and I have seen now that he will kill unnecessarily. It tore me apart to see Hope die that way." She broke off as she heard Scrouge calling her name. "I ought to go, Kat. Thank you anyway, and I shall see you tomorrow at that old fig tree." I nodded as she walked away. Then I turned and made my way inside my hut, to curl around Soul protectively.

XXX

Ahhh, sweet…. Please review! The next chapter will be slightly different. It will still be 1st person but told from Sasha's p.o.v just to clear up any confusion.