"Hey, Citrus?" Cherry asked, running up towards the striped, golden cat. Citrus' ear flicked to the side, hearing the request. She turned to greet the cream-colored cat. Instantly, the little she-cat hugged her, burying her nose into her warm pelt, sides heaving like she ran a mile. Comforting her, she wrapped her tail around her. 

     Cherry purred and looked up at her sweetly with her amber eyes, a shy smile breaking through her exhaustion. "Thank you..."

     "Sure thing, what is?" Citrus replied cheerfully, licking Cherry's forehead. She giggled happily and squirmed, enjoying the attention. 

     Then her expression turned hard. "Do you ever wonder what love is?" she asked, concerned. 

     "Wh-what?" Citrus replied, startled at her words. "Why would you ask?"

     "I just... wanted to know. Like how Mother and Father loved each other. Will I ever find love like that?" she mused, turning her head to the vast sky above them. Citrus frowned and nudged her shoulder, causing Cherry to wobble and look at her. 

     "What's gotten you into this mood?" she asked.

     "I wonder... what if I don't find it?"

     "Cherry, you already have love with you!" Citrus pushed. "Father, Mother, Blaze, Maple, Apple, Lark, and I all love you! You will always have us to run to when things get tough! Don't ever think that!" she snapped, hoping her tone wasn't too harsh on her little sister. 

     "No," Cherry pushed back, squeezing her eyes shut. "I mean as in love. Loving other cats. Will I ever find the perfect mate?"

     "We live in a perfect world; so there's gotta be the perfect cat out there for you," Citrus answered confidently. Her sister didn't look convinced and she silently growled, knowing that figuring out Cherry would take moons, the ambiguous signs always opening more paths.

     "Will there be a cat that will catch me if I fall? Pick me up from rock bottom? Care for me? Even if I don't have much to offer? Will there ever be a cat like that? I want to find them!" she begged, a silver line of tears pricking at her eyes.

     "Cherry, you've got your whole life ahead of you! Don't waste it on searching for love!" Citrus argued, grabbing ahold of Cherry forcefully, making her yelp. Forcing her to look at the horizon, she insisted, "Even Blaze or Maple hasn't found that certain cat for them. There's no need to worry about your future mate and kits."

     "Still! I want to know if there will be a cat like that!" Cherry snapped, becoming angry. Sensing this, Citrus backed away and her sister stumbled out of her grip, shaking her pelt. For a brief moment, her sister's amber eyes were fierce and hard but quickly softened and teared again. "Will there? How will I know if there will?"

     "That's the part of having an adventure," Citrus settled on. "All that matters is they treat you well, and if they're being a jerk to my little sister, I'll have a nice talk with them."

     Cherry huffed, still angered but didn't protest. "Still, finding---"

     "You will find that perfect mate. He'll be your dream. Everything you ever wanted will be in him and only him. You'll see and you'll just know if they're the one for you," Citrus comforted, licking Cherry's head and turning around. She padded away knowing if she stayed any longer, she'd lash out on her and didn't want to see her sister smashed to pieces. 

     But she barely heard her sister's next words.

     "That's not what I meant..."

~~~oOo~~~

     "Now, Father can strict, but it's not him you have to worry about," Tsunami instructed. Hurricane nodded, getting up to stand. "It's his retainers you need to worry about." She turned and raised a doubting eyebrow at the she-cat, who stuck out her tongue arrogantly. 

     "Retainers?" Hurricane asked and a cat raced up to them, his black and brown pelt reminding her of a bat. Tsunami rolled her eyes and Wildfire flattened her ears at the tom that approached. The golden she-cat noticed that his eyes were on her and could care less about the other two cats around her. 

     Suspiciously, she narrowed her eyes as her mind began to spark to life. 

     "He doesn't look good, I'd keep an eye on him," it mentioned, almost nudging her forward. 

     "Kill him in his sleep," she whispered, keeping her lips sealed so the three cats couldn't hear her. Raising her fur, Hurricane crept forward, claws slithering out of place. Someone gently pulled at her tail and Wildfire's warning expression greeted her. She cursed and tried to lower her fur, letting the ripples die down.  

     "My apologizes, your graces," he said with a bow. She picked up traces of mocking in his tone and Hurricane felt dark shadows twist behind her. 

     "Cut it out," Tsunami stated, annoyed. An aggravated snarl came out of her, one Hurricane hadn't heard before. 

     "Go die in a hole," Wildfire added, adding a dose of venom to her normally cheerful voice.

     Did I hear that right? Hurricane took a few seconds to recall what happened. Was this what Imperfects were like? Mean to every single cat that first approaches them? Even little Wildfire wanted this cat gone? She glanced at the dark-furred tom, acknowledging that she was getting a strange taste from him, but she tried not to judge him too soon. 

     "That's not very nice," the tom repeated, lifting his head, blue eyes striking all of them. "My question is to how we will deal with this filth." He pointed his tail at Hurricane and her muscles readied themselves for attack.

     Now I see why he should die, Hurricane thought but forced a smile on her face, hoping her acting skills were flawless. Let them think it didn't offend me. "I'm sorry, I was told---"

     "I wanted her to join us!" Wildfire fought like a spoiled kit, stomping her feet on the ground in front of the tom. Hurricane hid the fact that the littlest and youngest one felt the right to step in for her, but she kept herself calm by digging her teeth into her tongue. She let her emerald eyes watch the two of them fight with a blank expression. 

     "You're the one who always complains about having a small tribe compared to the Tribe of Shining Suns, right? Shouldn't you be happy that we recruited another ally?" she pulled her lips back and pouted, glaring at the tom with her amber eyes.

     "Mind your own business for once, Viper," Tsunami grunted, rolling her eyes. "We aren't kits, so you don't need to be around us like a pesky fly."

     Viper didn't look convinced and glowered at Wildfire for a brief moment. Then he directed his attention to the black and white she-cat, facing her with a bold expression. "It's not that!" he fired. "What if she turns traitor on us all? We have to kill her now while she's weak and defenseless! You never know if this is just a part of that no-good Tribe of Shining Suns' plan to eliminate us."

     "Viper!" Firestorm barked and she turned to see the tom standing there, the same hate and disgust radiating from him as well. Hearing their older brother enter the picture, Tsunami and Wildfire's malevolent grins increased and they turned on the tom, who gulped. "Enough with it! All of them have come to a conclusion of keeping Hurricane alive!"

     "Hurricane? That's her pathetic name?" Viper asked, wrinkling his nose and Firestorm stepped closer and she felt a rising tide behind her, towering over a harmless snake. 

     "Go die in that hole now!" Wildfire roared.

     "Wildfire!" Firestorm snarled, turning on his little sister. She cowered under him, eyes suddenly helpless and no longer had the courage to stand up. 

     "It'd be such a disappointment if your father figured out about your language at a cat like me," Viper commented, nodding his head briskly. 

     Wildfire whirled around to face him, forgetting about her fear with Firestorm. "You don't get any say in this!"

     "If this is all over me," Hurricane spoke up, irritated now, "shouldn't I be the one to settle this? I'm perfectly capable of fighting my own battles." The three cats turned around at the newest member. "I'm not going to hide. Let me deal with him."

     "Viper," A cold voice said, sending shivers down her spine, the ripples stronger then anytime Blizzard came up and threatened her.

      At once, Viper, Firestorm, Tsunami, and Wildfire froze up. Lightning and Blizzard came out of the Storm Siblings hut, in a good, laughable conversation it seemed. They noticed the immediate silence and stopped conversing, understanding. Hurricane lifted her gaze to see a massive, thick-furred gray tom. His yellow eyes pierced them, digging thorns into their flesh as he held them down -  except for her, who remained confused and skeptical.

     "Father!" Tsunami choked out. "I... you heard that, didn't you?"

     "Indeed, Tsunami," he answered without looking at her, dangerous eyes on Hurricane. "You think you're going to join us that easily?"

     "Father!" Wildfire complained. "She's---"

     "Python!" Viper gasped, dropping down to a bow. Python's appearance made her uneasy, a different sense of doubt than what she felt around Origanum. This time, something didn't settle with her and she didn't accept something about the grumpy-looking tom. Hurricane kept her guard up, lashing at the cowardice that bubbled to the surface.

     Just because I'm an Imperfect doesn't mean losing your pride, got it? she told herself, baring her teeth. Hurricane shook out her pelt and spoke up. "Is there something I need to do to prove myself? Or do you just want my knowledge of that tribe?" 

     She heard Tsunami scowl at her and in a threatening manner, snapped, "Are you asking for a death wish?! At least be bold and submissive!"

     You're asking the impossible, she countered, knowing the Imperfect couldn't hear her. "Your family seems against the idea of killing me. They want me to join and besides, you let Snow and I stay here and heal. I promise to place my loyalty to you as a reward." The moment the words left her tongue, Hurricane scrubbed her memory clean of them. 

     "Why should I trust you?" Python growled gruffly, seeming uninterested in her despite the accusing look on his face. "You could be a spy."

     That would be my brother. "Have you studied their tactics? If a cat enters Imperfect territory, it means they're Imperfect." 

     He didn't say anything, only seemed to ponder on the question. Viper lifted his head from the ground. His quick eyes glowered at Hurricane, disgusted at her and she responded to the hate with a snarl of her own, making sure the tom would see her power. He responded negatively and the two silently glared daggers at each other, staying out of Python's sights. 

     Something small stumbled out of another den. Hurricane turned her attention towards the movement. Her eyes widened, and without waiting for Python's answer, raced over toward the three-legged figure. Snow's amber eyes lit up happily at the sight of Hurricane. She gleefully threw herself into her pelt, snuggling close as she wrapped herself around the kit, whispering her apologies.

      "Here!" Snow chirped.

     "Yes, I'm here," Hurricane soothed. "Don't worry."

     "No matter," Snow said. "Wildflower?"

     "That's not my name," Hurricane instructed, touching her tail tip to Snow's head. The kit's ear flicked as a reaction. Her eyes looked up at her, full of curiosity and wonder. "It's Hurricane."

     "Hurricane..." Snow murmured to herself. "Like."

     "Hurricane." The name still didn't feel right with her, but perhaps the fact Python said it made the name sound like a punishment. She turned around to face the tom, hiding Snow behind her but he had already seen her, making her attempt futile. Hurricane narrowed her eyes at him secretly, hoping he wouldn't say anything about the kit.

     "Trust," Snow said, looking at Python curiously, then back at Hurricane. The white she-kit frowned and squinted at a cloud. "Fox."

     Python raised an eyebrow at Snow. That scared her behind Hurricane, using her striped tail as a cover. "I've got a task for you, just to test you," he growled and flicked his tail at Tsunami and Lightning. "Those two will accompany you." 

     Both Tsunami and Lightning straightened up when he looked their way. Hurricane caught the flash of fear sweep through their eyes. Was it possible they feared him?

     "There has been a new foxes den formed in our territory. You, Lightning, and Tsunami will go after it," Python explained bluntly, pushing the two cats away, despite Blizzard and Firestorm standing in the way. 

     Hurricane eyed both of them. There's something up and why did Snow say fox? Did she know about it? How?  Tsunami's burning eyes and Lightning's smirk seared her, answering her question without words.

     I see now. Out of all of them, those two are the most skeptical about me. So... are you going to kill me? She faced the two younger cats bravely, hoping they wouldn't get the wrong idea. 

     "Well?" Python snarled at her. "It's an easy task. I won't repeat myself."

     "Yes," Hurricane replied, taking a step away from Snow. The kit scampered back the best she could on three legs back towards a den. The two Storm Siblings turned around without a question, already leaving her behind. She bid Snow a farewell and raced after them a moment later.

     The moment she ran behind Tsunami, her paws adapted to the pace and copied it, keeping herself standing tall as she tried to avoid the hateful glares from behind. The calico turned around and gave her a quizzical look, motioning her forward with her black tail. Another thing Hurricane noticed was the footsteps were uneven. She cursed and ran beside the she-cat, switching paces. 

     Tsunami was quick to notice and abruptly stopped and Hurricane followed, stopping her paws at the same time with her right paw raised in the air like the calico. Growling, the Imperfect hurried forward, steps faster and she copied the pace, keeping a close eye on her paws if she stopped again. 

     Lightning, having enough, snarled and his eyes went down to her paws in seconds. Hurricane looked back at him without flinching, continuing to copy Tsunami's steps. He scowled at her and pushed forward again and the two she-cats began their battle again. 

     The younger tom finally snapped after Tsunami hopped forward and crashed. Whirling around to face Hurricane, he snapped. "Listen, this isn't just a trial. It's supposed to help you learn that you don't have to follow the rules you were brainwashed for!"

     "I wasn't brainwashed," Hurricane hissed at him, feeling her fur rise. "You'd understand if you were raised like me!"

     "And I'd be smart enough to learn that perfection wasn't the key!" Lightning countered, accepting the challenge.

     "No, you wouldn't," Hurricane pushed, a growl now pushing its way up her throat. "If you grew up in my world, you'd be just like me."

     "No, I'm smart enough to know what is stupid and what isn't!" Lightning argued, flicking his tail at Tsunami, who did nothing to help her older brother out. He cursed and glowered at Hurricane.

     "Stop arguing! You're only saying that because you didn't grow up hearing about perfection. You grew up hearing how bad it was!" she said, the two cats starting to circle one another like vultures. 

     "How do you know that?!"

     "You're an Imperfect! You heard stories about me! Why do we seem so arrogant to believe perfection is the key? I was raised to believe that was right! Nobody told me otherwise!" Then she added, "And I still think perfection is better than this!"

     "Stop arguing!" Tsunami roared, getting on her paws. "Hurricane, stop! Lightning, I'm younger then you and I know this is going nowhere!" The black calico fumed, icy, blue eyes catching them in a whirlpool. "I don't like this very much either, okay? If things went my way, I'd want you banished."

     "You wouldn't kill me?" Hurricane asked, bewildered. "With your attitude, I would've thought I was the first cat you want dead."

     Tsunami looked at her, holding back a snort. "Of course not. I may act like I want you dead, joke around that you'd be better off dead but I can't bring myself to kill you. You've done nothing to make me extremely mad at you, so killing you would just be a waste of time." Her eyes darkened and she threatened, "Don't make me change my mind, though."

     You... wouldn't kill me? I'm this enemy from the Tribe of Shining Suns, and you don't have any ill feelings towards me? Hurricane looked at Lightning for an answer.

     He groaned and lowered his fur, pulling back into a sitting position. "I'm not like my baby sister and dramatic, but I won't hesitate to kill you if push comes to shove," he said, glaring at Tsunami. "You haven't proven yourself trustworthy, so there's a chance you'll turn and kill me."

     "Or me," Tsunami added.

     "Listen," Hurricane snapped, planting her feet into the ground. "I was raised to be perfect. I was never told it was the wrong thing."

     "Traitor!" Lightning spat.

     "But that doesn't mean I hate imperfection as well," Hurricane finished. "Right now, I'm entering a world I thought was forbidden. Give me some time and try to look at it from my view."

     Tsunami hissed. "Just because this is your first day doesn't mean everything's going to open up for you. You still have to prove yourself to me!"

     "You act a lot like my sister, Lark," Hurricane pointed out, a stab of pain through her heart at the image. "You're so tight but something tells me that you're also shy and afraid to trust new cats."

     Tsunami curled her lip back in a snarl and flattened her ears against her head, lips peeled back in a snarl. "What you say means nothing to me. Nothing. Don't compare me to a cat I barely know. I'm not your stupid little sister."

     "She's not stupid!" Hurricane fought back.

     "Now it's you two fighting," Lightning sighed, stepping in the middle. "The more we argue, the more impatient Father becomes."

     "Let's just get this over with," Hurricane argued. "If you try and spread rumors about my siblings behind my back, I will kill you."

     "And I'll have a reason to fight," Tsunami threatened, her eyes piercing her pelt like thorns. The two cats glowered at each other before breaking apart, scowling words.

     "Just watch out, Hurricane," Lightning noted, showing little care in his voice. "You may be new here, but if you argue with every single thing, things will end badly for you."

     "And." Tsunami jumped back in. "It may be a whole new concept to you, but just because you think you're imperfect now doesn't mean you're safe. There are a lot of things out there that will kill you other than us."