AN: I don't know why I didn't upload this much, much earlier. I started to hate this story more and more as time went on, and eventually I guess I just figured everyone else did too. Regardless, I should've finished it. There was only this and the epilogue left. But I'm doing it now! I apologize for any change in formatting; it's been a long time since I've even looked at this story. Okay! Even if I don't, I hope you enjoy!

Fleet woke with a start only two days later, looking around the still-dark den for a reason why. He didn't find one. Immediately, he shook Lion awake, dodging the yellow tom-cat's reflexive attack.

"Get up," he hissed. "Something's happening."

"Did you hear something?" Lion asked, rising to a sitting position. Fleet was surprised that he had believed him.

"No," he replied, feeling a hot flush of embarrassment under his fur. "I can feel it, though. Something important."

As if on cue, a foreign cat landed in the camp with a dull thud. Fleet and Lion's ears both pricked up at the noise. "Somebody is here," Lion hissed. "Everyone needs to know."

"Everybody, wake up now!" Fleet screeched, racing across the clearing as more cats landed inside the stone walls. "It's an invasion!" Cats began to stumble out of their dens, wide-eyed and confused. The attacking cats formed a cluster in the center of the clearing, with a familiar orange tabby at their head. "Diamond rats!" Tiger snarled, lashing his tail. He looked battered and weary, with a few fresh scars crossing his flank, but his green eyes were glowing and livid. "Are you going to fight? Or hide like the filth you are?"

Socks came up behind Fleet, pushing him forward. "You have to do this,"she whispered, her own silver eyes holding an icy calm. "Only one cat has to die today, let's make sure it's not more."

Fleet nodded, a chill rolling through his fur. Stepping forward, he now stood only a cat-legnth away from Tiger. "We will fight!" he yowled, making sure his voice could be heard in all corners of the camp. "But it will fair. A leader against a leader, and no one else gets hurt."

Tiger grinned, his fangs shining an unearthly white in the darkness. "I don't think you're authorized to make that decision, pet," he purred.

"I stand by what my second has said," Socks announced.

The orange tom-cat was incredulous. "Your second?" he snarled.
"And the next leader of the Diamonds. Not you," Socks replied, smiling.
Infuriated by the snarky she-cat, Tiger spang, bowling her over. Fleet stepped back quickly, bumping into Lion who had emerged from his den. Socks pushed up with her hind legs, landing a kick to Tiger's belly and knocking him away. Both cats rose slowly to their paws, pelts bristling and the fire of battle in their eyes.

The two circled each other, sizing their opponents up. Tiger began to grow impatient waiting for Socks to make the first move, so he pounced. Socks sidestepped easily.

"Remember that I got my training from one of the most powerful leaders in Diamond history," she purred mockingly, "and that I was stronger than him, too." Socks swiped at his eyes, most likely trying to blind him, but Tiger ducked, sweeping a paw underneath her and tripping her. Immediately, he had her pinned. He snapped at her ears with gleaming fangs, but Socks met him halfway there with her own sharp teeth, scoring a deep scratch in his nose.

Tiger yowled in pain, and Socks rolled out from under him while he was distracted, leaping quickly to her paws and shoving him to the ground. Now Tiger was pinned, and the tables were turned.

"They are very nearly evenly matched," Lion mused from behind Fleet where they were both watching from a few cat-lengths away. It was difficult to see in the moonless darkness, and difficult to see who had the upper paw.

"Yeah. Is it true what-" his words were interrupted by another screech from Tiger. "What she said?" Fleet continued. "That she got her training from a leader?"

"It is. Though not a particularly dignified one," Lion replied before staring Fleet straight in the eye. "Are you worried?"

The white tom-cat looked down. "Yeah. A lot. I mean, even if Socks wins, what will the rogues do? They're not just going to leave. Our cats aren't prepared."

"Thinking like a true second, I see. However, that is not what I was asking. Are you worried?"

"Yeah," Fleet repeated. "I'm worried."

His pelt grew hot as he realized how much he cared about Socks. He felt like they were littermates, like they'd known each other all their lives, when in reality it had only been a few moons. Not to mention that he knew very little about her. Regardless, he had half a mind-no, more-to step in right then and take the tabby's place.

And...if she does die... Fleet shuddered at the thought. If she dies, what will I do? Tiger will have rightful control of the band, and there is no doubt that he'll be a horrible leader. If I faced him myself, that'd be going against my word. He'll be tired and hurt, though, and I'd almost definitely win.

"Socks is looking rather weary," Lion pointed out, looking uneasy.

Fleet turned back to look at the battle, and now that the sky was starting to lighten, could see clearly what was happening.

Both cats were bleeding heavily, though neither seemed to notice, and both were panting hard. Socks seemed to be the worse off, with one eye closed and one paw held off the ground. Her still opened eye held a dullness that told Fleet exactly what was she was thinking. The ragged brown tabby knew she was finished.

Tiger saw it too, and a malicious grin spread across his face. "A little tired, Socks?" he purred.

"Never," she spat, lashing her tail. "We're going to finish this. Now."

Tiger's grin grew wider. "With pleasure," he answered, a menacing glow lighting his eyes as he lunged towards the exhausted leader.

Socks was pinned, and despite her struggles, she couldn't seem to get free. She tried kicking his stomach as she had earlier, but Tiger was unfazed. "Scared?" he asked, still smiling.

"I don't get scared," she spat.

Tiger's grin disappeared, now replaced by a snarl. "I remember when you were still a cat, Socks, and emotion wasn't below you. When we first came here, you were mean and compassionate at the same time, capable of happiness. Being a leader killed the cat I used to know."

Socks looked uncomfortable, and continued her struggle against Tiger's grip. "I don't know what you're talking about," she hissed.

"My mate is dead!" Tiger roared. "What I have to do now will be a favor." He leaned in close to her. "I'm sorry," he whispered, raising a clawed paw.

"Don't be," Socks growled, single eye focusing on his lifted paw.
And then it wasn't lifted anymore.

"No," Fleet choked, recoiling, but the scene didn't seem quite real, like a dream.

Tiger rose, turned, and faced Fleet. "And I am truly sorry to you as well."

Everything turned crystal clear. Fleet stood as well, narrowing his eyes. "Don't be," he hissed, and lunged.

The white tom-cat had no idea what he was doing, only that a wrong had occurred and needed to be righted. Fleet was a whirlwind of claws and teeth, scratching and biting wherever he saw orange fur. In moments, Tiger was reduced to a shaking ball of cat.

"Get up, you worthless piece of filth," he spat, still trembling as well. Tiger curled up tighter. "Get up!" he roared, voice tremulous with rage.

Tiger stumbled to his paws. "Please don't-" he started.

"Socks exiled you, didn't she?" Fleet thundered. "My cats have the right to kill you themselves."

"Y-yes," Tiger stammered. "Right. I-I'll go. Sorry." One of the door-guards opened a door, and Tiger left in a limping hurry.

Fleet sat heavily, looking at the morning sky in despair. No birds were singing quite yet, the only sound being the whispering of the wind. A flame colored tom-cat with leaf-green eyes approached him cautiously. "Excuse me, sir, I'm sorry to trouble you right now." Fleet turned to look at him. "I am the leader of the cats that Tiger brought here, from the forest. We would like to know who has been trespassing on our territory."

"It was Tiger," Fleet answered wearily. "I followed him one day as he was doing it."

"Oh. In that case, we will go. We apologize for what has happened, and we will not bother you again," the flame colored tom-cat said cordially, gathering his cats with a wave of his tail and leaving through the still-open door.

"Any necessary business will be held this afternoon, after everyone gets some rest," Fleet announced, addressing the band. Every cat's eyes were trained on him as he padded slowly into the leader's den, curling up in Socks's old nest.

"I'm sorry," he breathed, and the she-cat's final words echoed around him.

Don't be.