After Sunstar had faded from view, the camp began to move around again. Thistleprick and Raggedear sat awkwardly in the clearing, unsure of what to do. Lostheart noticed the two toms, and stopped Greysight and Moonfur by her side.

"Will you guys go explain how clan life to Thistleprick and Raggedear, I think it'd probably be best if we do that first." Lostheart had a feeling Greysight would be the best person for the job considering how seriously the she-cat took her warrior duties.

Greysight nodded, "Sure." Although she really didn't like Thistleprick, Greysight didn't mind following the orders of the clan's deputy-no, she didn't mind doing favors for her friends. It was weird to think about the fact that she and Lostheart were actually half sisters. It had never really been a big issue. When she was a kit, her mother told her to stay away from Lostheart and held a strong dislike for her mother, Silentshadow.

Yet she herself had never bore any ill will toward either of the she-cats, and as a kit Silentshadow had always seemed so kind, the she-cat was never mean or strict towards her. Greysight let a small smile grace her features as she padded toward the pair of toms. 'You were never mean or hateful towards me, yet I didn't bother getting to know you. Just like everyone else...'

"Yo! Greysiiiight-I can call you that now, right?"

The sound of Thistleprick's loud voice instantly made her smile fall. Her smile turned to a grimace and she stomped over to her new "clanmates."

"Look." Greysight began, "No one else wants to bother putting up with you, so I'm stuck with the job of explaining how clan life works."

Raggedear remained silent, but Greysight could tell the tom was listening. Thistleprick closed his eyes and nodded in mock seriousness, "Yes, clan life. Right."

"You better listen well because I'm not gonna be saving your tail if you get into any trouble." Greysight growled.

"Alright, alright. Just chill." Thistleprick replied defensively, "No need to flip out."

Greysight narrowed her blank gaze toward the spotted tom before continuing. "We coexist in this area with three other clans. Our clan is DarkClan, and there are three other clans living in the neighboring territories: OceanClan, TreeClan, and LightClan. Our borders fall against OceanClan, TreeClan, and Twolegplace."

Thistleprick was nodding absentmindedly, but didn't appear to be taking it too seriously. "Why is this important again?"

"Because," Greysight snapped, "You have to respect the borders. I know cats like you probably aren't used to things like that, but here it's important. Crossing onto another clan's territory or stealing prey from their land is a violation of the warrior code, the set of rules that we live by- and now that you live by."

"Borders, don't cross 'em. Got it."

'Okay, that's it.' Greysight growled. In one swift motion, the blind she-cat smacked Thistleprick on the shoulder, hard. The tom nearly fell over from the force of the impact.

"OW! Hey! What was that for?!" Thistleprick whined as he regained his balance while rolling his shoulder.

"This is serious! Pay attention!" Greysight hissed before clearing her throat. "Now, as I was saying," she meowed, turning back towards Raggedear, "Under no circumstances do you ever enter another clan's territory. We also run daily patrols to renew scent markers to make sure the borders are secure. Darkpelt organizes most of them, along with hunting parties."

"...Are there many cats?"

Greysight's ear twitched at the sound of Raggedear's strange voice, "Yes, and each full moon we meet in peace at Fourtrees in the center of all our territories. It's a time to talk to cats from other clans and share news of the forest."

Thistleprick had been watching his brother silently, but as it appeared the black tortoiseshell would say no more he glanced back at Greysight. The blind she-cat suddenly whipped her head towards Thistleprick.

"Which reminds me. You." she growled, taking a step toward the tom.

Thistleprick took a step back sheepishly, "What? Me?" he laughed, trying not to look at the intimidating way Greysight was standing in front of him.

"Yes, you. These gatherings may be a time to talk to the other clans, but you can't get too friendly with them. You can't give away any of our secrets, and don't even think about talking to any of their she-cats." Greysight growled.

"What?" Thistleprick laughed, "Oh, Greysight, you know I only have eyes for you."

Greysight only glared at the tom, clearly not amused. "I mean it, relationships with cats from the other clans are forbidden and against the code." Greysight said seriously.

Thistleprick sighed, "Yeah, yeah, I get it. The code. Anything else?"

"You can't disobey the clan leader, you must challenge any intruders, you're not allowed to waste prey, and as warriors we reject the lives of kittypets. There's more, but I think while you spend time with our clan, it will be easy to learn the code."

Thistleprick groaned, "So many rules."

Greysight rolled her eyes, "You'll live. As long as you follow them that is. We've already had all the hunting and border patrols for the day, so I'll see what you guys can do. Darkpelt may want one of us to take you through the territory or out hunting."

Thistleprick nodded, but stopped abruptly. "Wait. Take us?" he repeated.

"What? You didn't think we'd trust you enough to go out on your own did you?" Greysight smirked at the expression she knew would be on the tom's face, "No need to flip out."

Raggedear stood up quickly, catching Greysight's attention, "Is that all?" he meowed.

Greysight nodded and listened as the tom padded away, she could have sworn there was a hint of acid to his tone. Thistleprick had turned to watch his brother walk away as well, an unreadable expression on his face.

"What's wrong with him?" Greysight asked.

Thistleprick sighed and rose to his paws, shaking himself off slightly. "Nah, he's just mad at me." Thistleprick muttered.

Greysight blinked, "Why?"

Thistleprick only shrugged before padding off to the stream for a drink of water.

"Now that you're here, you might as well make yourselves useful." Darkpelt meowed, stepping in front of Browneyes and the two new toms. "Browneyes and Moonfur will take you through the territory, while you're out you might as well bring some fresh kill back for the clan as well."

The flecked tom couldn't believe he had even more cats to put up with, and it was his own fault. He knew that he would have never backed down from the challenge though, and the clan needed fighting warriors.

Moonfur was sitting nearby, watching the exchange with Roseclaw and Mintpaw. She had been sitting quietly, but something had been bugging her and she couldn't stop thinking about it.

"How come they didn't have to get apprentice names?" she grumbled.

A mreow of laughter from behind caused the pale she-cat to turn in surprise. "Because we know they can fight." Greysight replied.

Moonfur huffed, but was distracted as Mintpaw leapt to her paws. Darkpelt had padded away and the young apprentice had darted up to the newcomers. Greysight and Moonfur blinked at the young apprentice's quick reaction.

"She's been curious about them." Roseclaw explained, "I promised she could go meet them when they weren't busy." The medicine cat rose to her paws and padded after her apprentice, closely followed by Greysight and Moonfur.

Raggedear and Thistleprick had jumped slightly when they turned to see a little she-cat staring up at them with shining green eyes. Mintpaw's face broke out into a wide smile.

"Hello! I'm Mintpaw, the clan's medicine cat apprentice. I'm really glad you guys decided to stay with us, it's neat having more toms around!"

Thistleprick's eyes softened and he laughed, "Thanks, I'm Thistleprick and this is my brother Raggedear."

Raggedear gave a slight nod in greeting, "Nice to meet you."

Greysight and Moonfur padded up to the group while Roseclaw hung back.

Mintpaw nodded excitedly, "Maybe we can eat together! Oh, and you could come with me and Roseclaw to collect herbs!" she squeaked.

Thistleprick eyed the she-cat with an odd expression, "Don't hurt yourself kid." he meowed. The tom looked up and blinked, surprised to see Greysight looking at him with an unusually soft expression.

"What?" he meowed, noticing her smile.

Greysight shook her head, a small smile on her face. "Nothing, you just remind me of someone."

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Short, but I felt like I owed you guys from being sick. I still am, but not as bad now :/ Anyquestions/comments leave em' in reviews. I always feel like i forget whatever i was going to write in these things.

Lost Out