Venom's P.O.V.

Heading back toward the trail, I shook out my fur. Snow was beginning to collect on my coal-grey fur. A snow storm had started not long ago, only small snowflakes though. Luckily, it wasn't a blizzard.

My blackbird swung in my jaws as I trotted up the trail. Snow was already all over the ground, even with such small amounts of snow. I squeezed into the camp and trotted over to the fresh-kill pile. My eyes widened at the shameful amount of prey left in the - supposed to be - fresh-kill pile.

I dropped my blackbird into the pile and looked to the warriors in the camp. Bella, Shell and Fox were the only ones left in camp. "Where's the rest of the patrols?" I ask Shell, who was sharing a mouse with Bella. 'Selfish Fox has a mouse for himself...' "Midnight, Blossom and Thorn went back out for another patrol around to find more prey," Bella answered while Shell gave her a look as she swallowed her mouthful. "I was about to say that," she mewed. "They thought only two mice and a small sparrow wasn't enough so they went back out,"

I nodded slowly and turned around, grabbing the blackbird again and bringing it to Leaf and Strikes den. Leaf was taking a nap while Strike reorganized the herb piles, from the looks of it, it seemed he was taking the dead leaves out. "Here Strike, have the blackbird before Leaf wakes up and eats it all," I purred, dropping the blackbird and pushing it toward him. "Thanks Venom, I'll save some for Leaf, too." he replied, immediately turning around and eating the blackbird.

I went back out and saw that the snow had become harder and thicker. Hail had begun pouring from the grey clouds along with thicker snowflakes. "Great, there is no chance in them getting anymore prey," Bella muttered, padding to the nursery. "Where are you going?" Shell called to her, following her up to the small cave. "I'm going to clean the nursery for Mini and Sunny's future kits, they're due soon," Bella replied, disappearing into the nursery, Shell following.

I shook out my pelt and went into my den, watching the den entrance from the entrance of my den. The sound of hail pelting down on my den soothed my and I soon drifted off to sleep, my thoughts swarming with darkness again.

Xaviar padded in front of me, two others behind him. "Your Tribe is in trouble Venom, protect it while you still can," he growled. I had to look up at him to see his face; they were so much bigger then me! I felt so small and vulnerable.

I looked down and saw I was a kit, and when I looked up to question the three large cats, they were gone. I squealed and ran off, red eyes following me. I looked ahead and followed the others ahead. I didn't dare look behind me and before I knew it, I was alone. I halted and looked around, no one was here.

"Venom! Venom, wake up!" Someone was calling for me. My breathing came in short gasps and I looked at my paws, realizing I was fading.

I woke up in my den and stood up, crashing into Midnight as I did. "What? What is it?" I gasped, covering my head with my paw. Midnight was rubbing his chin. "It's Sunny, she -" I cut him off by rushing out of my den, slowly making my way through the crisp snow that was still making it's way up. The snow storm hadn't stopped, but at least the hail did.

I burst into the medicine den and looked over to where Sunny was laying. Four kits laid at her stomach, mewling. I rushed over and knelt down beside her. Sunny wasn't breathing.

Leaf drug me away. I stood back as Leaf put her ear to her chest. "Strike, Midnight, Venom, grab these kits and bring them to Mini." I hesitated and fought to get through Leaf. "You can bury them tomorrow. I am sorry, Venom but you must move on. Now go," she hissed. I nodded and turned around. Meanwhile, Strike grabbed the small black kitten, Midnight grabbed the other black kitten and two were left. "What about the dark orange one?" I asked as I grabbed the light orange kitten. "He didn't make it, neither did Sunny," My eyes widened and it felt like there was a stone lodged in my throat, grief was setting in. "Come on Venom," Strike mewed through clenched teeth.

I hurried out and bolted for the nursery. The small kit in my teeth squealed as she swung in the cold, night air. I hurried over to Mini and laid the kit down and wrapped my tail over her. Midnight and Strike came in and set down the two black kits beside me. I drug them over with my paws and wrapped my tail around them too.

Mini was now awake and sitting up, her kits still asleep. "What's going on?" She whispered. "Sunny gave birth to these three kits and... didn't make it. You're the only one who can feed them, will you try to be their mother for a while? I'll take care of them everyday... you just feed them..." I replied, grief cracking my voice. Mini hesitated, looking from the kits to me. She finally nodded, "Alright, I will do my best to feed them," she whispered. "What is their names?"

"This one will be Sunshine, in memory of her mother," I picked up the only orange kit and dropped her carefully in with the other three kits. "She will be Raven," I picked up the black kitten, noticing her grey paws, just like mine, as I dropped her in the nest beside Sunshine. "And this one will be Crow," I decided, handing over the last black kit.

Mini purred, "I'll wait for the nest to be bigger to sleep in it," I nodded and left, looking back at the three sleepy bundles called kits.

'Tomorrow I will spend every heartbeat I can with them,' I vowed silently, padding to my den. I circled in my den and laid down, closing my eyes and falling asleep again.

--------------

Venom's P.O.V.

I woke up, cold air ruffling up my fur. I stood up, heading out of my den. Dark clouds covered the sky, letting barely any light come into the camp. I sighed, 'Another snow storm coming our way...' I quickly trotted up the trail to the nursery, quietly padding in. They were all asleep still, surprisingly. Usually Froya and Sorrel are up play fighting by now.

I took a deep breath in and trotted to the medicine den. Without asking to come in, I barged through and looked at Sunny. It felt like a stone was lodged in my throat that, no matter how many times I swallowed, wouldn't go away. I rested my tail tip on her shoulders and stroked her beautiful, golden tabby fur. I looked to the golden kit at her stomach. He would've been a great kit to have around. "Rowan." I meowed, staring at the took cold bodies before me. "What?" Leaf replied, her tone was brisk yet soft. "Rowan." I repeated. "Rowan? It's a name, no duh." Leaf echoed, coming beside me and sitting down. "Oh, the kit?" she mewed. I nodded slowly, not moving my eyes from the still kit. "Good name, now go bury them. Remember to get their skulls in 2 moons,"

I nodded and left, dragging the two delicate bodies slowly out the camp, down the trail and to the burial spot. Saying my final good-byes, I dug a deep hole and softly lowered Sunny in, Rowan at her belly with her leg over his hips. I covered their bodies with loose soil and left a flower over top.

I had to get my mind off of them. Deciding to go out for a quick hunt, I silently left the nursery and camp. The wind was blowing harshly, seeming to be going under fur and into my skin. I watched the grass rustle in the distance of our territory. I glanced briefly at WindClans border, watching for movement. Luckily, nothing happened.

I eased into a trot, then broke into a run, racing toward the edge of territory. A loud bark made me halt. I turned my head around wearily, scared of what would be there. A dog was bolting toward the camp. 'Stupid Twolegs! They let out their dog!' I gasped in shock as another came up behind it, smaller though. I had to steer it away from camp before if caught the scent of the rest of the cats and went to camp.

My fur rose in disgust as the dogs jaws were dripping with saliva, tongue hanging from its mouth. I hissed and bolted at them, dodging under their feet, confusing them. The two slobbering dogs broke into a chase, gaining on me quicker then I expected. I looked ahead and pushed harder, running faster then I thought I could. My breathing was coming in short raspy breaths by the time I made it to the Twoleg fences, where the dogs first came from.

I steered myself away from the fence and headed toward an opening to an alley. The dogs barked in excitement behind me and caught up easily as I halted in the dead end. I unsheathed my claws and growled, fur rising again. I hissed at them and the smaller dog cowered away. The bigger dog came up, eyes full of curiosity. I swung my paw at its muzzle and started battering it's wrinkled muzzle with my claws. It whimpered and backed away.

I locked eyes with the smaller dog and darted toward him, biting down on its leg. It yelped and tried to get me off of him but I held on. The bigger dog ripped me off of its leg, sending me skidding on the ground.

I laid still for a heartbeat and waited for the two dogs to come at me. Once they were close enough, I flew up and started slicing the two on the muzzle and face. The smaller dog yelped loudly as I stuck my claws into his eye. It sent him running back to his Twoleg. The bigger dog was looking angrier with each hit, growling in defence and fur raised on end. I hissed and battered his eyes with my claws, jumping at the stone wall and pushing off. Legs extended, I slid my claws into the dogs shoulders for grip and drug it down.

The dog yelped in surprise and got up, snapping at my leg. His jaws slammed onto my leg and blood welled up immediately.

The dog growled and backed away, running the way the smaller dog had gone. 'That went... well...' I thought sarcastically, my leg throbbing with pain. 'No... Not so close to WindClan's battle!' I hissed in frustration and limped out of the alley, heading silently toward Tribe of Rotting Skulls territory.

I padded into camp, looks of curiosity and shock welcomed me as I limped over to Leaf's den. I squeezed in and sat down, grief flooding my heart as I remembered Sunny, when she laid there, sick, terribly sick. "Venom? What happened?" Leaf's mew brung me from my memories. "I chased off a few dogs and I got bit by one," I replied, the wound stinging greatly now. She nodded and grabbed cobweb and wrapped my leg with it, turning to grab more. "What did you do with Sunny and..." I stopped to think for a heartbeat. "With Sunny and Rowan's bodies?" I asked. Rowan, I decided, was the kittens name that didn't make it through the night.

"Rowan?" Leaf prompted. An ear twitched when I replied. "The kitten that died with Sunny, I named him or her Rowan," Leaf stuck on some herbs that stung slightly more. "They're in the center of camp, hadn't you noticed?" I shook my head, "I was to focused on the pain in my leg," Leaf didn't reply.

Once Leaf finished wrapping my leg in herbs, I limped off to my den.

"Poppy seeds will make you sleepy, go straight to your den to give your leg, and you, some rest," Leaf had instructed. I hate being ordered around but I knew she was right.

Padding into my den, I circled my nest. I circled it until the moss and feathers were patted down and comfy. Laying down, I put my nose over my nose and closed my eyes, falling asleep almost instantly; even with the cold breeze coming in.

*****

Midnight's P.O.V.

I padded out into the center of the clearing, my paws starting to numb in the cold snow. I stretched, arching my back and unsheathing my claws. I shook out my fur and groomed it down.

I looked up to the sky. Surprisingly, it was a beautiful day out. Barely any clouds had covered the blue sky. I looked to the nursery and to the medicine den. Quickly getting to my paws, I trotted into the medicine den, peeking in and seeing Strike making a poultice. "Hello, Midnight," Strike greeted. Leaf was still asleep and Shadow was grooming his fur. "Hello," I meowed back. "How are you, Shadow?" Shadow looked up and shrugged, "Feeling better, not the best, but better." I dipped my head and turned to Strike as he gave Shadow some leaves he had chewed. "Where's Venom? Should I make Mini's den larger?" I pryed. "Leaf sent Venom to sleep, he has an injury in his front leg, and yes because Venom won't be awake for a while," I dipped my head to him and padded out.

'First I'll do the patrols, then go out to hunt for Mini, and get feathers and moss.' I decided to myself.

I sat in the clearing, my paws numb from standing in the snow. I jumped in fright as a loud squeal came from the nursery. I quickly stood up and just before I could run, Froya and Sorrel came tumbling down the trail.

My eyes widened and little dots of red followed them as they rolled down the trail. "Froya! Sorrel! What in Glittering Stars are you doing?" I yowled, running over and yanking Froya off of her bleeding sister. Sorrel hopped up and hissed, her fur fluffed up. Mystery rushed over and grabbed Sorrel by her scruff.

I set down Froya and she lashed out at her sister. I pulled her back as she attempted to grab her sister in her jaws. "Froya! Stop, now," Mystery hisses as soon as he dropped Sorrel.

"Are you alright Sorrel?" Mystery asks, her muzzle bleeding with a deep scratch. "Oh so the one who started it gets the attention?" Froya growls under her breath. Her ears flattened to her skull and her tail lashed furiously.

"Is this true, Sorrel? Did you start the fight?" Mystery asked, only a whisker away from her. She nodded, "Only because she was being mean and taunting me!" Froya hissed and jumped over my paw and grabbed Sorrel's tail, dragging her back and kicking her side. My eyes narrowed, 'What a creative way to attack...'

Mystery pushed Froya back and grabbed Sorrel in his jaws. "Enough Froya!" Mini yelled from the nursery, stumbling down the trail drowsily. She ripped Sorrel from Mystery's mouth and brung her to Leaf's den. "Froya, for your punishment I am making you sit in the snow until at least on patrol comes back. Which Midnight has not yet made them," My eyes widened as Mystery decided Froya's punishment. Froya slumped her shoulders and mumbled some words I didn't catch.

"Are you sure, Mystery?" I mewed, narrowing my eyes. He nodded but said nothing. "Very well," I sighed. Froya sat in the snow and watched the cats come out of their dens. Her body began to shiver and I made sure the patrols were to go quickly.

"Thorn, take Whip and Fox out for a hunting patrol, check the borders as well." I began. I padded up to him and whispered, "Be quick," he nodded and left in a hurry.

"Dodger, take Fawn, Lily and Thrush out hunting as well, check the twoleg dens while your there. Make sure there aren't dogs or Twolegs coming near out territory." Dodger dipped his head and gathered the three cats, leaving without a word.

"Kink take Venom, Adder, Brindle and Slash for battle training." Venom padded over. "With Sunny gone, Soot will be Slash's new mentor. He may be young but he is very mature," The Tribe cheered Slash's name and Kink gathered the cats and left.

"I will take Mystery, Blossom and Shell out for hunting and border patrols." I announced, the three cats coming in behind me as we set off.

*****

Blossom's P.O.V.

Midnight led us back into camp with only a thrush and a mouse. I saw that snow began to fall, big clumps dotting the pelts of the warriors in the camp.

I shook out my fur as the snow became thick. Snow, snow, snow. All I could see was snow. The clouds were dark with more snow to come.

Shadow padded out of the medicine den and stretched his muscles. "Shadow, what are you doing? I thought you were sick?" I mewed, padded to him. The wind blew harshly at my face, snow pelted my face and I had to narrow my eyes to make sure the snow didn't cloud my eyes.

"I am but Leaf told me I'm okay to go out and stretch my legs." he explained, shaking out his fur. I nodded in understanding. "Blossom, take Shadow and Bella out for a short patrol around the territory. Shadow needs to stretch his muscles before he can go into training again." I nodded and Bella padded over. I noticed Shadow staring at Bella with a blank look while Bella came over. She didn't seem to notice, though.

I padded out with Shadow and Bella, the wind pushing us down the trail. "Where should we check first?" Bella asked, her voice higher so we could hear over the wind. "WindClan border then we'll see what's around the mountain bottom." I decided. No one had been around the base of the mountain for a long time.

"Isn't that part of WindClan's and RiverClan's territory?" Shadow asked. "Yes but this was our territory first, they have no right to not let us patrol there." Bella answered for me. "It was?" I asked. She nodded, "When Killer was leader, the Clan cats weren't around yet, they came shortly after he died." I nodded and kept going, pouncing over the boulders. Shadow and Bella followed in silence.

The snow was making it harder to see. I could feel my whiskers becoming heavier as the snow crusted on the tips, making them droop. My paws slipped on a frozen puddle as we came close to the territory line between WindClan and us. The wind ruffled my fur more as I got up and stopped at the territory line.

"What now?" Shadow mewed, renewing the territory line. "Follow me, we'll check the base of the mountain now," I replied. Bella and Shadow followed close behind as we made our way around the mountain base. There was barely even a trail here anymore.

My patrol trekked along silently in the snow as we came to a dead end. I looked up to where the cliff of Jagged Rocks stood. "Well, nothing to report here..." I mumbled to myself, turning and taking the lead back.

By the time we were back in camp, out fur was coated in snow. I shook out my fur, for the hundredth time now, and ran on the spot. My paws were numb from trekking through the snow. Shadow padded into the medicine den again and Bella went to the warriors den. I hopped over to the fresh kill pile.

I unburied the shamefully small pile and picked a small, crusted thrush. Soot and his new apprentice padded over with a sparrow. "There is nothing to eat in this weather..." Soot mewed, his ears flat on his head. Slash looked tired from battle training all day. "We found this bird huddling under a broken branch on our way back," Slash explained. "Good catch," I praised as Slash and Soot sat down beside me.

Finishing eating the small sparrow, I pushed the rest to Slash, who had been watching me eat it the whole time. Being too cold to care, I licked my lips and didn't groom myself. "Once your all done eating, head down to the battle training area. We will all train today," Venom announced, Midnight beside him.

Even with their dark pelts, they were hard to see in this weather.

"Kink, Dodger and your apprentices, stay behind just in case something happens. You've been out training all day so you're free to guard and relax," Venom continued, darting for the entrance and leaving without another word. Midnight stayed behind and watched the camp, fur fluffed out. Meanwhile, Fox, Bella, Whip, Mystery and I quickly followed him.

'Battle training is fun and all but we need prey for strength which helps us to fight...' I sighed and followed the group. I trotted in behind the group and watched the snow pile on the rocks even more. 'There is so much snow... could this be a sign?' I wondered, looking up at the sky. I had to squint my eyes to make sure no bits of snow got into my eyes.

The wind blew my fur and made me shiver. This wind was chilling me to the bone. I ran ahead and halted in the middle of the training center. I ran on the spot until the rest of the warriors and apprentices came in.

A loud call made me jump. I looked up and saw a black figure flying over head. The snow began to come down in big, heavy clumps. My whiskers were clumped with frosted snow and my pelt was starting to get completely covered in a thick new pelt of white, freezing snow.

I narrowed my eyes to slits and watched the dark figure circle and circle until finally it started calling. Another came beside it. "Blossom? What are you looking at?" Bella murmured, prodding my holder gently. "There are crows or something circling above us," I meowed, almost not loud enough for me to even hear over the wind. "Those aren't crowd, Blossom, they're hawks," she gasped, turning and calling the the rest. "Hawks!"

Not sure what to do, I ran to the cave and went to the trail and ducked. Fox calmly stalked to a pile of rocks and squeezed in while Bella and Whip ducked in the cave that the trail I was under led to while Mystery and Venom bolted for a bush. I watched them, my heart pounding. I was itching to run and just dive into them and save their behinds but I knew it was costly.

I looked up and saw the two dark figures dive for Venom and Mystery. "Watch out Venom and Mystery!" Bella yowled, she was inching out of her hiding spot and she didn't seam to notice it.

I couldn't help it. My heart thumped loudly, my claws unsheathed and I bolted out of my hiding spot, dashing toward the two toms. My blood roared in my ears and I knew this was a bad idea. I rushed forward and just before the hawk grabbed Mystery, I leaped up and hooked the bird in my claws, taking it down. I killed it with a single nick to its neck and watched Whip attack the second. He also took it down it a single blow, killing it with a strike to the neck.

Mystery and Venom halted, their eyes wide and chests heaving. Bella ran over to Whip, her ears flat and fur on edge. Bella was furious. "You were supposed to stay with me, Whip! You could've died! Next time-" "Bella! I'm not a kit anymore! Soon i'll be a warrior, and you can't boss me around anymore. I can take care of myself," he sneered, glaring at her. The wind blew between all of us and I searched for something to say.

Luckily, the rest of the cats hurried over in a cloud of chatter. They halted as their minds took in two hawks, two furious cats and four cats gasping for air. "What happened here?" Midnight asked, eyes filled with confusion. "Blossom and Whip saved Mystery and I from two hawks," Venom replied, keeping his eyes fixed on the hawk sitting motionless in front of my paws.

Midnight didn't seem to know what to say, his eyes darting from Whip to me and back to Whip. "Well, thank you Blossom and Whip," Midnight dipped his head and walked forward, Venom coming in beside him. "I'll take the two hawks to the fresh-kill pile," Whip mewed, grabbing the two in his jaws; they were about the size of his head. I dipped my head in thanks and padded over to the training center.

"Alright! Let's get going everyone,"