Xaviar's P.O.V.

I burst into camp and climbed onto my den to summon the cats of my Tribe. "Everyone, gather! This is an emergency!" I yowled. I watched as the hunters paused from eating and the border patrollers stop talking and turn to me. One by one, cats gathered around my den and watched me. The queens settled in too, Ocean staying in the nursery to keep an eye on the kits, but I could see her peeking through the entrance to the nursery.

"I have gone into the moor and woodland to see what we were up against tomorrow. The moor-cats still seemed weak and fragile but as I went into the woodland, I noticed that they were much more muscular and healthy than the moor-cats. I told Jagged Rocks that the marsh-cats and river-cats may be just as strong and healthy," I announced, taking a breather. The cats below had their claws unsheathed, lips curled in snarls and their fur along their spine sticking up.

"We must train now and go tonight for a surprise attack. I know we said tomorrow to them and to you, but they won't want to be here after what we will do to them!" The cats among the ground cheered and roared in agreement. "We will make them pay for taking our prey and staying on our territory!" I vowed and the whole camp was filled with cheers, hunters and patrollers standing up and roaring in agreement.

I jumped down and Hawk slid in my way. "The Time of Flowing Leaves is on its way, Xaviar." I hissed, eyes to a slit and fur tangled. I rolled my eyes and pushed him out of the way. "I know that," I growled, padding back out of camp. "That means the prey will go into their burrows and not come out until The Time of Freed Water." He sneered, standing in front of me, blocking my way. "And your point is...?" I sighed, shoving him aside so hard he stumbled. "That means that we'll be feeding a bunch of cats that do not belong here!" Hawk growled, standing behind me. I looked over my shoulder and narrowed my eyes. "They can catch their own prey Hawk, not just for them but for the Tribe, too. We needed more hunters and patrollers, they are a great addition for the Tribe." I sneered. I could feel rage pulsing through my veins again. I struggled to not bite his ears off. "I do not need to be criticized by you anymore. From now on, unless you have proof they have done something wrong, go to Moon about your suspicions on Killer and the rest of the group he brought."

Hawk growled low and unsheathed his claws. Instead of lunging at me, he backed away and took off up the trail again.

'I am sick and tired of his thought on Killer. They are now a part of our Tribe and he shouldn't say criticize everything he does.' I growled to myself and padded away from camp to clear my head.

I had to do that a lot now-a-days, I realized.

**********

Hawk's P.O.V.

Maybe Xaviar was right. Maybe Killer wasn't as bad as Moon and I thought. Slowing down at the entrance, I squeezed through the thorn barrier and padded into camp. 'Where could he be?' I thought, searching camp for that dark brown pelt. My eyes fell on a tall and scarred brown pelt beside two others.

I padded up and took a deep breath. Apologizing was going to be harder then I thought.

The two others looked at me over Killer's shoulders and Killer looked behind his shoulder, looking shocked. Then his eyes went back to blank. "What?" he growled, his lip starting to curl. "I just wanted to apologize for accusing you of being a murderer." I meowed and I nodded once. He turned back to the two in front of him and they snickered; I suddenly felt hostile. "Apology excepted." Is all he said, eyes narrowed.

I dipped my head and turned around, feeling awkward. "-be first." I caught the last few words that Killer whispered and my fur spiked up.

I'd have to keep that to myself, for no one would believe me.

**********

Hawk's P.O.V.

Night came all to quickly. I had sent out patrols to get as much prey as possible before nightfall, and they had all come back with at least one thing to put in the fresh-kill pile. Xaviar was announcing - after they came back from hunting and fighting training - that we must have a feast to be ready and to celebrate our victory he was sure we'd get. We cheered even though most of us were to sure we'd lose.

Now, we ripped our prey and savoured the flavor. I passed mine over to Xaviar, not feeling hungry. My stomach churned with a growing feeling of being scared, but I didn't show it. Xaviar eyed me but kept eating in silence.

The apprentices were obviously excited for the upcoming battle. Most didn't finish what they had and were practicing fighting. Even some of the kits tumbled around, showing off and trying to get into the fight. I couldn't help but purr at the kits.

Padding over to where Skull and Storm tumbled around, claws sheathed. "Hey Skull, Storm, lets play a game." I suggested and they stopped rolling around, standing up. Their eyes were filled with curiosity. "I'll be those yucky newcomers and you will be hunters, or patrollers, which ever you want." They nodded eagerly and started jumping around. "I'll be a patroller because they fight more then hunters!" Skull squealed and Storm nodded, "Me too!"

I purred and started stomping toward them, "I'm a nasty newcomer! I'm going to get you!" I growled, changing my voice so I sounded like a grumpy elder - which we didn't have. Thank the Tribe of Glittering Stars we didn't.

They squealed and ran under my paws, almost tripping me. "Raahhwwr!" I growled and I snapped my teeth at them. They squealed again, smiling. "Lets get him!" Storm meowed and Skull nodded. They pounced on me and tore at my shoulders with tiny claws. "Aah! Oh no! They're too strong!" I fake gasped, falling on my side. They squeaked in excitement and pounced around on my side. "Yeay, we won, we won!" They yelled, their high-pitched voices filling the air.

"Hawk! Moon! My den, now!" Xaviar's voice pierced my ears more then the kits and reluctantly, I got up, carefully letting the kits slide down my stomach and onto the rocky ground. "Uh oh," I murmured and padded into Xaviar's den.

I padded in and Moon followed, concern filling her gaze as well as mine. Good thing she didn't know what this was about, 'cause I sure didn't. That would've been awkward.

"Get the hunters and patrollers straightened out Hawk! Moon, get the herbs ready, now! We are preparing to kill these newcomers and we will show no mercy what-so-ever!" Moon and I nodded and seriousness crossed over my past curious mood. Heading out into the growing darkness, I took a deep breath.

"Alright! Listen up! Every hunter and patroller, come her. Apprentices, too." I ordered, and they all obeyed. I could see the anxiousness in their eyes as they stood their, eyes wide and claws unsheathed. "Thorn, Skunk, Stitch, Raven, Killer, Savage, Squirrel, Cotton, Jax, Moose, and Cloud, you will be with Xaviar and I. Ash and Luna, you'll be in charge of the second patrol with Snowball, Pebble, Clover, Linger, Death, Flower and Scorch. We will send someone back to get you when we are starting to weaken." I explained and they got into their groups.

"Sky, Sand, you stay here and guard. The kits and queens will help you, they're strong. We won't let anyone slip in anyway, don't worry." Sky nodded and raised her head, "I will protect the camp, Hawk!" she vowed. I dipped my head and continued.

"The Tribe of Jagged Rocks will be meeting us when the moon is at it's highest point, which isn't long from now. Let's go. Ash, Luna, I will send Skunk to come get your patrol when we need help." The two patrollers nodded and stayed put.

Xaviar led the way out of camp and I stood beside him. We didn't speak until we got to the river-territory. Dagger was waiting patiently with his hunters and patrollers.

"Okay, Red, Jagged, Poison, Cloud, Thorn, Wasp, and Skunk stay here until you see the signal of Dagger kicking his foot twice. Red look for the signal. Eagle, Night, Cotton, Gorge, Slash, Furze, and Flame wait for Xaviar's kick. Cotton you watch for it." I ordered and with the nod of Dagger, they obeyed.

"Dasher, Stitch, Killer, Jax, Raven, Shadow, and Squirrel you're with Xaviar and I, we'll be attacking the moor-cats and woodland-cats." I explained and Dagger nodded in agreement. The cats I named off grouped together.

"Brownie, Snow, Savage, Moose, Tiger, Gash, Claw, you're with Dagger and Scar to fight the river-cats and pine-cats."