Remember, people, I need cats! Send in Clan cats-any clan. Do Skyclan-Starclan-The Dark Forest! Please. Just send in cats. Oh, you might as well do the tribe while you're at it.

I wrote this chapter a while ago as Chapter 23 for my first Book in STS. I forgot to add it in, but tell me how you like it!

Disclaimer: I own Claw and Midnight. That is all. And my idea-I own my idea. And my reviews.

"Who is that?" Cats spat in disbelief as the large black tom was led into the clearing. "Is that a rogue?" Fur bristled as Firestar came down from Highledge, coming to a stop in front of the non-clan cat.

"Who are you?" With a swish of his tail, Firestar silenced Thunderclan. The queens pushed Cherrykit and Molekit back toward the den. Cherrykit peeked over excitedly while Poppyfrost scolded her. The elders watched, appearing lazy, but you could see by the fidgeting they were as unhappy about this visitor as everyone else.

"Claw," He replied coolly, his green eyes boring into the green ones of the Thunderclan leader. "I'm Claw, and my sister, Midnight, is waiting at the edge of these pleasant grounds."

Cloudtail let out a low growl, curling his lip up. "I say we attack!" he snarled, his fur fluffed up. Claw gave him an amused look, but said nothing.

"Quiet, Cloudtail," Firestar focused to the loner in front of him, narrowing his eyes. "You're Claw? What do you consider yourself, Claw? Do you live with Twolegs, or housefolk as you might say?"

"No, but you did," Claw turned his nose up at the surprised gasps of Thunderclan. Even the kits understood this situation, eyes wide with fear as they stared at their leader. Sandstorm's fur bristled, and Graystripe stepped forward. Firestar swept his tail, calling them back.

"How did you know that?" Firestar eyed Claw with interest, but the cheeky black tom shook his head.

"I also know Cloudtail did, too. I'm a loner, by the way," Sitting down, Claw curled his tail neatly around his paws. Firestar watched him with surprise.

"How do you know our clan terms?"

Claw cocked his head. "Doesn't everybody? I know a lot about all of you," Sweeping his gaze over the cats he said, "Sandstorm, Berrynose, Mousewhisker, Cinderheart, Leafpool, Lionblaze, Jayfeather, Hazeltail, Poppyfrost, Mousefur, Millie, Spiderleg," Claw paused. "And those are only a few."

"Who are you and how do you know us?" Everyone turned, surprised, as Jayfeather padded forward to meet the loner. "Who told you? Was it Sol?"

Claw watched him, confusion dotting his eyes. "A cat told me. I don't know a Sol," Claw was about to speak again before Berrynose gave a snort.

"Who else could've told you? A bird?" Berrynose puffed out his chest as warriors snickered around him, but Claw watched with calm eyes.

"I do not know a Sol," Claw continued, "all I know it was a cat. Tomcat or she-cat, I could not tell you. The cat was hidden. I only knew it was a cat because it spoke like one," Claw turned his focus back onto Jayfeather. "Are you the medicine cat?"

"Are you sure it was a cat?" Jayfeather pressed, ignoring his question. "Maybe it was a badger."

Claw snorted, his whiskers quivering with amusement. "What good have badgers done any animal? Badgers are worthless creatures, besides, why would a badger know how to speak to cats?" Brambleclaw exchanged a look with Squirrelflight, and Claw felt a pang. What? Did I say something wrong? But all doubts were erased as Jayfeather answered.

"Badgers have done no good, true. Now what do you want with us?"

"Why are you asking me?" Claw inquired. "Shouldn't the clan leader, warrior, or deputy be asking instead of the sharp-tongued medicine cat? I'm surprised, Jayfeather, that you even approached me. Can't you see I stand much taller over you?" Jayfeather looked away, and Claw felt another tug at his heart. What did I do?

"Jayfeather's blind, you idiot," Moonblaze snarled, raising her hackles. "Now answer his question before we give you a lesson!" Claw turned to look at Firestar, and to his surprise, the ginger cat nodded.

These cats are serious, Claw realized as his eyes swept over them all. Even the kits! These cats are no joke as that cat made them out to be. How am I supposed to overcome them? These are fierce cats. They're no joke, Claw blinked, choosing his words carefully. "I'd like to join Thunderclan," he said finally, "and I want to bring my sister along with me."

Ivypaw hissed, picking bracken out of her fur. Why do I have to share a den with those cats? They're old enough to be warriors! It was true. When Claw and Midnight had first come, they had asked to join. Firestar made them sleep outside while he thought about it. Finally, he agreed the let them stay, but they needed to learn clan techniques, so he pushed them into becoming apprentices. Claw just had to be all for it, Ivypaw thought bitterly. Claw just had to insist to use the apprentices' den, too!

"Are you okay, Ivypaw?" Ivypaw blinked, now just realizing Blossomfall had made her way in front of her, and was looking at her, concerned. "Ivypaw?" Ivypaw watched her, stunned.

"I'm fine!" Ivypaw snapped. Then in a lower voice she added, "are you sure Hawkfrost would appreciate such behavior? Showing concern for a clanmate?" Blossomfall froze for a moment before dipping her head and hurrying off. Ivypaw twitched the tip of her tail, her eyes narrowed.

I can't believe I still need to spy for The Three. Shaking her fur, Ivypaw stood up and padded over to her temporary mentor, Hazeltail.

"Where are we going today?" Hazeltail glanced down, surprised. She was in deep conversation with Berrynose, and was surprised as Ivypaw spoke up. "Hello?" Ivypaw flicked her ear in annoyance. Cinderheart was much better than this, always having something ready for her anxious apprentice.

Hazeltail narrowed her blue eyes at Ivypaw, using her tail to flick her ear. "Show some respect for a warrior," Hazeltail stared down at Ivypaw, who frowned back. Stupid kittypet, Ivypaw's pelt prickled. Hazeltail was not a kittypet, even though she wasn't from the clans. She was from the barn, along with Mousewhisker and Berrynose. Her mother was Daisy, who had left the barn to escape from the Twolegs, in fear that they would steal her kits. Their father, Smoky, stayed, and since then they had been raised in the clan, given clan names such as 'kit' and 'paw'. "…Ivypaw!" Hazeltail's mew pulled Ivypaw back into reality, and Ivypaw once again narrowed her eyes.

"What?"

Hazeltail flicked her tail irritably. "I said the patrol we should've gone on just left, and Midnight and Claw are already sparring, so you can't do that. Go check the elders for ticks," Ivypaw gaped at the gray white she-cat. "Now!" Turning around, Ivypaw dashed off to the safety of the medicine cat den, not stopping until she was inside.

"I wonder how Blossomfall dealt with her," Ivypaw mewed aloud then murmured, "no wonder she's in the Dark Forest."

"Reasons for Blossomfall being in the Dark Forest have nothing to do with Hazeltail, I can assure you," Ivypaw spun around to see Jayfeather sitting there calmly, his sightless eyes unblinking. "Blossomfall has private reasons of her own for visiting. Just like you do," Turning around, Jayfeather walked back to his stack of herbs. As if he knew Ivypaw was watching him, Jayfeather flicked his ear and motion toward the nests next to the pool.

"Cinderheart!" Rushing up to her former mentor, Ivypaw nuzzled her. Cinderheart watched her with equal warmth, giving her a lick between the ears.

"Hello, Ivypaw," Cinderheart's eyes glowed as she watched her apprentice. "I was wondering when you would come to visit me." Ivypaw's fur prickled with guilt, and she looked down. It's true, she mourned, I should've been there for Cinderheart instead of moping around. Ivypaw was saved from her embarrassment by Briarlight who was sitting in the nest beside Cinderheart.

Briarlight's eyes twinkled as she mewed, "Don't blame Ivypaw, Cinderheart. Lionblaze has been crowding the den ever since you've gotten here. It's no surprise to me that Ivypaw couldn't get in here with Lionblaze's heavy frame," Ivypaw gave Briarlight a look of gratitude, purring her amusement. Cinderheart smiled, but didn't hesitate to defend her mate.

"He cares about me," she argued. "What's wrong with that? It's no different than Graystripe and Mille, Brackenfur and Sorreltail or-" Cinderheart paused for a moment. "-Dovewing and Tigerheart."

Ivypaw immediately bristled at the mention of her sister and Tigerheart's name, and her claws slid out. Frowning, Ivypaw turned abruptly. "Sorry, but I need to go," Ivypaw strained herself trying to sound apologetic. "Hazeltail told me to check the elders for ticks." Watching her with sad eyes, Cinderheart nodded. Turning around, Ivypaw sped for the exit before she was suddenly blocked by Jayfeather.

"Beware of the twisted Ivy that will branch into different directions. One stem will spoil, the other will thrive," Ivypaw stopped and pricked her ears to listen to the ominous words Jayfeather had uttered. It was about her; that was clear. But what did it mean by branching off into different directions? Pushing the thought away, Ivypaw scrambled past Jayfeather and into the clearing. Glancing back, Ivypaw knew she could go back and gather moss.

No-best if I gather it in the forest, scurrying away, Ivypaw led herself into the forest, trekking the familiar path to where the moss grew. 'Branch into different directions'? Is Jayfeather mad? Does he mean the Dark Forest and Starclan? Because I'm Starclan, through and through, Ivypaw paused. She was doing this for Starclan…right? Pushing that thought away, Ivypaw sped up to where the moss was being gathered. Blinded by emotion, she was surprised when she ran into cat fur.

"Sorry," a deep voice mewed, and Ivypaw looked up, startled, to stare into the emerald eyes of Claw. "I didn't see you there," Claw's eyes watched her carefully as Ivypaw scrambled up. The black tom loomed over her, his face expressionless.

"I-I-"

"Leave her alone, Claw," Midnight slithered out from behind her brother, staring with concern at Ivypaw. "Dovepaw? Are you okay?"

Ivypaw growled, all traces of fear forgotten. "It's Ivypaw!"

"Sorry," Midnight apologized, "you look just like your sister."

"Yeah, well," Ivypaw marched past the two, not bothering to correct the fact that Dovewing was a warrior, not an apprentice. Claw watched her curiously while Midnight watched with concern. The two siblings were very different in their views of life.

"I thought her name was Dovewing," Ivypaw stopped in her tracks as Claw's cool mew came from behind. "She's a warrior, isn't she? Why aren't you? You are sisters-right?"

Ivypaw grit her teeth, not turning around. Instead she reached out her claws which had been digging in the dirt and swiftly grabbed some moss, putting it in a pile by her side. "Yes, we are sisters," Ivypaw forced herself to sounds casual. "I should be a warrior with her, but my mentor was hurt badly in a fight. I have a new one now."

"Do you like Hazeltail? I think she's darling, don't you?"

Ivypaw resisted the urge to rake her claws through his dark pelt. Instead she mewed, "She's okay. Hey, shouldn't you be warriors too? Oh, yeah, I forgot-you're new." Ivypaw let a slow smile leak onto her face, aware that Claw and Midnight's eyes were boring into her back. "Hey, why aren't you practicing you battle moves? If I know anything about my clan, I would know that Dragonclaw and Mousewhisker would be impatient."

Dragonclaw had been chosen to mentor Claw, and Mousewhisker Midnight. Firestar had been careful to choose cats that had not objected to Claw and Midnight in the clan, which was hard to find. Dragonclaw and Mousewhisker were ideal, because both were not clanborn.

"They know where we are," Ivypaw was surprised to find that the casual mew had come from Midnight. "They sent us over here to learn how to check the elders' ticks and get moss."

Ivypaw chose now to turn around. "I don't see any moss," Ivypaw retorted. And it was true. The only moss around was the moss growing at the base of the tree, and the moss Ivypaw had plucked up.

"We're still working on it," Midnight admitted. "Will you show us?"

Ivypaw watched them carefully, but Midnight and Claw seemed to show genuine interest. Finally, she gave in. "Alright," turning around, Ivypaw beckoned them. "First, unsheathe your claws."

"No, Ivypaw," Ivypaw was not surprised to find the sarcastic mew came from Claw. "I think we use our teeth."

"Well, you don't," Ivypaw replied, deciding to ignore Claw from now on. "If you do, you would only get moss stuck in it." Claw snorted, but let Ivypaw continue. "Now, reach them out as far as you can and delicately pluck the moss. Be careful not to get bracken or leaves stuck in it," she added, "it's an apprentice's first mistake." Claw eyed her warily, picking up the moss with his claws and lying it down beside him. Ivypaw let out a meow of amusement as some got stuck to his claws. Claw let out a low growl, fiercely trying to get it off.

"Like this?" Midnight gestured with her tail to the small pile next to her.

Ivypaw nodded, satisfied. "Yes, exactly like that. Midnight, would you mind helping your brother? He's trying to use his teeth to get the moss wedged out from between his paw. I don't think that will work. Here, Claw, let me," Sliding over, Ivypaw gently gripped the moss, pulling it out and spitting it onto his pile.

Claw glanced at her. "I thought you said we don't use teeth?"

"New apprentices don't," Ivypaw mewed. She knew she was going to have fun with them. Who cares how they knew about the clans? It only mattered that they never learned about moss picking-Ivypaw felt a twinge of pride that she knew something they didn't. "Now come on, keep doing it until you have a sizable pile. Then I'll show you how to carry it back to camp."

"I don't suppose we carry it on our mouth, do we?" Claw's taunting mew stopped when Ivypaw replied,

"Yes, you do. Now hurry up, the elders are getting twitchy."

Ivypaw smiled as Claw startled to grumble, but stopped when he saw how much moss his sister had gathered. Ivypaw sat and watched them with interest, occasionally correcting a flaw. I wonder if Tigerstar knows about these cats, or Hawkfrost or Thistleclaw, Ivypaw glanced at Claw. He seems like the Dark Forest type. I'll have to look out for him in my dreams, Her gaze flicked away from him, resting on the smaller she-cat beside him. I wonder about her. She's a hard worker, and a fast learner. But she strikes me as a shy, scaredy-cat. Oh well, Ivypaw sighed. Only time will tell. But time was running out. Soon the Dark Forest would begin the battle, and no cat may be left.

Hurry up, Tigerstar, Ivypaw silently urged in her head as she reached over to help Midnight, Please do this battle soon while I'm ready.

Claw and Midnight, based off my own two cats; Midnight is shy and scared, while Scratchy (Claw) is very headstrong and not afraid to approach anyone.

***SPOILER ALERT***

Claw and Midnight are important, in a way. In this Book, you may ask? This Book is just beginning...

Ah, yes, and I'm including a special POV.

****SPOILER OVER****

Anyway, tell me about your pets, or whatever you want to. But if you do that, you must find a way to wedge how well my story/chapter is in there. ;) Review!

~D