Venom's P.O.V.

"This is what we'll do." I began. "We cannot let you join our Tribe, but I will order Leaf and Strike to give herbs and help heal your warriors. I will also order patrols to go to your camp to give you prey." I turned to Thorn. "Only your patrols so nothing gets out of hand." Thorn dipped his head.

Lurker took in my option and him and Cloud tucked their heads together. Thorn and I waited patiently as they decided.

After what seemed to be seasons, they looked up. "We take your offer. The Tribe of Glittering Stars thanks you for this." Lurker dipped his head and I did as well. I backed away as they turned to leave. "Thorn, get Leaf and Strike and order a patrol now." I instructed. "Yes, Venom." He replied and trotted away.

I ducked into camp and watched as Thorn gathered a few cats that had just come back from patrols. 'Looks like all the cats are back,'

"Okay. The Tribe of Jagged Rocks is in need of a lot of help. We will be catching double the prey and they will go to Jagged Rocks. Thorn will take that prey and go over them with his patrol and no one else." I announced, cat gathering. "Leaf and Strike will spend the rest of the day tending to them. Shadow, go with them in case." Shadow dipped his head and trekked in behind Leaf and Strike.

"What happened? Why do they need our help?" Fox growled standing up. Murmurs of agreement rippled through the camp. "RiverClan raided their camp and killed Feather and most of the medicine. They took most of their territory and killed quite a few warriors." I explained, stepping off of my den.

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

Thorn's P.O.V.

Time had passed and Fawn, Brindle, Moon and I had gotten at least one prey. Moon had two mice, I had a rabbit and a pigeon, Fawn had a robin and Brindle had a thrush and a sparrow. We had gone into the WindClan territory and checked the new border first and then hunted on it gladly.

A WindClan patrol had passed by and Moon smirked and rolled around in the grass. "Wow! I'm so glad WindClan lost that easy battle! This grass and rabbit are great!" He had teased loudly for the WindClan scum to hear.

Brindle joined in and Fawn and I had just sat back and purred. They only glared and set the borders and left.

Now, we climbed the trail into camp. I dropped my rabbit.

"Okay, Fawn, drop your prey and Brindle drop your thrush. I'll bring the rabbit but leave the pigeon. Moon, take a patrol with Fox and Adder to get more for us. Put at least one here." I told them and Moon nodded, dropping his mice and grabbing Fox and Adder. I grabbed a few rocks and made a circle.

"Moon! Tell the rest - if you see them - to put at least one thing in here for Jagged Rocks!" I called to him. "Okay!" He called back, trotting out of camp with Adder and Fox in his heels.

I picked up my rabbit and Fawn grabbed the two mice while Brindle grabbed her sparrow. I trotted quickly out of camp, ducking through the hole and to the river.

The river was, gladly, down enough so I could cross the river without slipping. The territory Jagged Rocks had was sharp and rocky. Very rocky.

I followed a path that had no sharp rocks, heading down a slope to the entrance of their camp. It wasn't far from the river, a bit longer then it takes us.

Their camp was more exposed to RiverClan then we were to WindClan's moor. Their camp was made of boulders, the side of the mountain went straight up. You could see the top of it and if you looked far enough from the edge of the camp - on the other side of the entrance - you could see the other mountains.

I looked off the edge of the camp, climbing one of the boulders that lined the edge of the camp, and saw the Thunderpath that turned off just before it went in front of our mountain, probably going into the other mountains. The Thunderpath seemed to be deserted today.

I turned back. The camp was completely destroyed. The bits of fresh-kill they had ripped apart, leaves scattered everywhere. Blood was stained on their camp floor. Lurker padded over and I stepped down. A gash in his chest was exposed badly. I tried hard not to stare.

"Lurker," I dipped my head. "Thorn. Just put it in the center of the camp." He replied, his voice raspy.

I nodded and put it there. Fawn and Brindle came from the entrance of the camp and set it down over top of the rabbit I had set down.

"Who did you lose, if you don't mind me asking." I whispered to Lurker. He sighed, pain showing in his eyes. "Luna, Feather, and Violet. Stone, Eagle and Coal are badly injured. Hawk went missing a day before the battle." He mewed. I nodded and sized him up.

"By the looks of it, Lurker, so are you. Let Leaf look over you." I insisted and he shrugged. Leaf and Strike were working on Stone. By the looks of it, his ear was torn off, leg displaced and a gash on his shoulder of the same leg.

"They are busy. I can wait." Lurker meowed and I looked over to him. I decided to stop. 'His choice.' "Do you need help rebuilding nests and dens?" I asked, my ear twitching as a fly buzzed around it.

"If you can spare your own time." Lurker replied turning to me. I nodded and got to work.

*****

Thorn's P.O.V.

Fawn, Brindle and I left the Jagged Rocks camp as the sun began to go down, Leaf and Strike behind us. Leaf said Stone will have a permanent limp and might not be able to fight properly. Coal and Eagle will have terrible scars, but nothing more. As for the camp, it isn't even close to being done.

The nursery was done and a bit of the warriors den, too. Barely any of the cats were strong enough to keep guard, but Shadow offered to stay behind.

All I could think of, was: 'How did RiverClan come to be so cruel? Did their leader have enough of it? Will Onestar strike, too, someday, just like that? I'll have to tell Venom we should always have a cat on guard. Maybe two.'

As I came back to camp, I began to think about how Lurker's Tribe will recover. They didn't have a lot of cats to begin with and now they lost three plus a medicine cat. I wonder if Lily should hear. She's almost ready to move to the nursery, even though she barely does anything. 'I'm going to have to convince her to hunt more before and after she goes to the nursery...'

Warriors were heading off. My stomach was rumbling. I decided I could wait, it seemed that the others may need it.

I spotted Venom outside of his den. "Venom," I whispered, turning toward him and heading to him. "Hmm?" He mumbled, lifting his head off of his paws.

"We should have a warrior or two on guard every night, on the platform out there." I suggested, flicking my tail to the rock that we barely stood on now, where we looked over the boulders and moor.

Venom nodded, muttering a groggy response, "Good idea. For now, you should be the guard. I'll have three cats be the guards from now on. Remind me tomorrow if I forget,"

I nodded once and went quickly to the warriors den. Of course, lazy Lily was asleep. I stepped over sleeping bodies and nuzzled her stomach. She moaned and stirred a bit. "I'll see you tomorrow." I whispered, stepping over the bodies again and leaving.

The warm den was nice and cozy, but I woke up again as the cool air hit my pelt. The moon was up now, not all the way but it was still up. Stars sparkled above and crickets chirped. The soft hum of the waterfall calmed me as I sat down and watched over the moor.

Laying down, I rested my head on my paws as they dangled off the edge. 'Lets hope nothing happens.' I sighed as I settled in.

********

Thorn's P.O.V.

Finally, dawn came and the sun started to make its way up. Nothing had come by and I had almost fallen asleep about three times.

Stretching, I yawned and shook out my fur. Taking a quick look over my shoulder to look down at the moor again, I padded back into camp. Lily was just waking up, her belly swinging with her as she wobbled toward the fresh-kill pile. "Lily," I mewed and she stopped and looked over. "Morning Thorn!" Lily yawned, padding away again.

"Look, Lily." I began, sighing as I halted beside her. "You need to at least start hunting more. Maybe when you've had our kits, but I can tell Venom is getting tired of it. Before you know it, he's going to send you and our kits to Jagged Rocks."

Lily tipped her head to the side and narrowed her eyes when I finished. "Alright. I'm still used to the easy life back in the farm." Lily replied, grabbing a sparrow. "Well, you're not. Sorry, but Tribe life is harder. I didn't even see you in the battle!"

Lily nodded, laying down, "I've decided to tell Venom I'm going to be moving into the nursery until I have my kits. I'm scared they'll get hurt if I get hurt." She mewed and I sighed. Nodding, I laid down and helped her finish the sparrow.

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

Shadow's P.O.V.

I looked around the camp as the sun began to make its way up. 'Jagged Rocks has a great view,' I thought, jumping off the boulder I had sat on since Thorn left.

Cloud padded out of the unfinished warrior's den and fluffed out his fur so he looked like a red-stained-over-grown rabbit. "Shadow." He greeted, dipping his head as he passed. I did it in return, not replying.

I looked over as Leaf and Strike padded in, mouth full of herbs. "Okay, I'll get Stone and Eagle, you get Coal." Leaf mewed and Strike nodded, dropping the herbs and trekking quickly away. I watched without blinking as Leaf dropped the bundle of herbs and disappeared into the unfinished warriors den.

I trotted to the warriors den and waited for her, in case she needed help. "Oh, good. Shadow, help me get Stone." She whispered. I gave her a confused look and padded in. The warriors den had a leak in it where the dew was dripping in, making a puddle. The top of the den was caved in and the side we didn't start on had holes everywhere. Nests were torn apart.

"He didn't make it. I need you to get him out before the others wake up." Leaf ordered, waking Eagle. I nodded and grabbed the cold, grey warrior. Dragging him around bodies, I struggled not to nudge or step onto the sleeping Jagged Rocks cats.

I ducked out of the warriors den again and brought Stone with me, laying him calmly onto the ground away from the few bits of fresh-kill.

Cloud stormed over. "What are you doing?" He hissed. "He didn't make it through the night." I mewed calmly. Cloud stared at Stone for a while before dipping his head and sitting there.

"Do you want me to get Lurker?" I asked over my shoulder. Cloud nodded a few times silently. He didn't even look back.

I went into the crack in the cliff of the mountain and poked Lurker but he didn't budge. I nudged him with my nose and I realized how cold he was. I hurried out and went around Leaf and pushed her to the den.

"Shadow! Stop it!" She hissed and I pushed her into the den. "Lurker didn't make it." I hissed and she put her ear to his chest. She checked his body and sighed. "An infection spread and it seems that on top of that he hadn't eaten in at least three or four days."

I narrowed my eyes at the cut up warriors. "What are these warriors going to do? Feather, Violet, Luna and Hawk and now Lurker and Stone? Cloud can't lead this Tribe yet, he barely knows a thing! I think we should give up a kit, maybe two. This Tribe isn't going to survive the next leaf-bare." I pointed out, growling low so no one could hear us if they were awake.

"We cannot sacrifice our cats for the sake of another. We have done enough. bring Lurker out, lets go." Leaf replied, chin up. I nodded and grabbed Lurker by his crusted scruff. 'Ew, ew, ew... I swear if I reopen a gash, I'll heave!'

I backed into the clearing and set him down beside Stone. "Are you killing them? Lurker couldn't of died! This is madness!" Cloud growled loudly and cats came out in a hurry.

"What? Lurker and Stone both died?"" "What are we going to do?" "Are we going to die?!" Dark and Pebble began to panic and Amber stumbled out and met up with Swift her mate.

"Calm down everyone!" Thorn called. 'Thank Glittering Stars...' I sighed. I had no idea what I was going to do. 'Thorn will know what to do!' Fawn and Brindle came in behind him. "What's going on?" Thorn growled, dropping the prey.

"Lurker and Stone didn't make it. Cloud doesn't seem sane or healthy enough to be a leader yet. Jagged Rocks has close to no cats left. I don't know what they're going to do." I whispered to him, hissing. The camp was silenter then a night with no crickets and waterfall, as quiet as death.

Thorn finally nodded, confusion and frustration flooding his eyes. "Alright! I know you don't have a leader, but you have a deputy. Cloud," Thorn turned to the white deputy, quieting down. "you need to get it together. Your Tribe needs you. You're now in charge of this Tribe. You need to choose a warrior. Get that cat to make two patrols, one to RiverClan's border and one to go hunt." Cloud hesitated for a few heartbeats then nodded.

"The Trube of Jagged Rocks will not fall! Ocean, you are strong and brave, you are the new deputy. I know its sudden, but you can do it." A ripple of cheers came from it but not much. Ocean dipped her head, stepping in beside Cloud. "We will get our revenge when we are strong. RiverClan won't know what hit them." Cloud growled and cheers louder then I expected came from that.

Thorn didn't make a sound.

"We'll help." I replied and Cloud glanced over. Every pair of eyes was on me. Thorn whipped me around. "Who are you to make a choice like this?" He hissed, eyes narrowed to a slit. "They can't do it on their own. They need all the help they can get, Thorn. Venom will understand." I replied evenly, nodding once and turning back to the small crowd of cats.

"Thank you." Ocean whispered to me and I nodded, "Not a problem." I murmured, not looking at her.

"We'll build up the river so no fish come through, we'll make them wish they had never destroyed our lives. We'll take our territory back, not just the part they took the other day, but part of the river. I hate having the small river near Rotting Skulls. RiverClan has taken too much!" Cloud announced, baring his teeth. "Yeah!" "Revenge will be ours!" Cheers of rage erupted among the camp.

Cloud raised his tail for silence. "Eagle and I will go to bury Lurker and Stone. Ocean, I will be back." Cloud announced and Eagle stumbled over. "Eagle, don't move to fast or your herbs will come off. Fawn, go with them so he doesn't hurt himself." Leaf ordered and Fawn nodded, grabbing Stone while Cloud grabbed Lurker.

Ocean stood and mewed, consern filling her gaze as she spoke, "Do you respect battles? Maybe we should try to talk and reason with them instead of killing for revenge and territory?" I tipped my head to the side, "Aren't you going for the battle? Fighting is what we go for, how we were raised. Don't you like fighting?" I asked and she shook her head. "Not really," Ocean muttered, padding away.

"Shadow, go to camp. Brindle and I will help repair the dens." Thorn instructed and I obeyed, leaving wihtout another word.

Climbing the slope and crossing the river, I ducked into camp. 'Thorn didn't set the patrols out?' I wondered, seeing that close to every cat was here. 'Lily would know why.' I decided, padding up to her. Her stomach was very swollen, as if she were Snow when she had first come.

"Lily, do you know why Thorn didn't order patrols?" I asked and she sat up. "He sent out like three but they came back. Venom took out a few cats to border patrol and then to the Twolegplace. He took Kink, Adder and Fang." She mumbled and I dipped my head.

She looked like she was laying in the sun, even though the dark clouds had covered the sky almost completely. Rain was coming by the looks of it. 'How nice, more rain.' I groaned inwardly. 'Just what we need.'

*****

Venom's P.O.V.

After border patrolling WindClan's new border, we had headed to Twolegplace and killed a dog. We got the head off of it and Kink offered to get the meat off of it while we fought something else.

We needed more skulls to have. We couldn't use the ones we had before because no one had taken the meat off yet.

Trotting through Twolegplace, the stench of death overwhelmed my nose.

"What in Glittering Star's name is that smell?" Adder growled, hiding his nose in his leg.

I looked around and wrinkled my nose. "Kink, stay here with Adder and Fang. Get the meat off of the dog. I'll be back." I ordered and they nodded.

I stalked around a Twoleg nest and into a dark alley. The smell was strong from here and I started gagging. The place was dimly lit.

The sound of flies buzzing made me wonder what was back there. Curiosity filled my veins as I took slow strides deeper into the alley.

In the shadows, I spotted a cat. Behind the smell of rotting flesh was a hint of Jagged Rocks.

I padded closer and got a glimpse of a dark brown tabby pelt. The cats' bones were jutting out where dogs must've eaten it and fur was scattered almost everywhere. Dried blood was below it and on the walls behind it.

I took a closer look, suddenly worried it was still alive and was going to jump at me.

It was Hawk. "Kink! Fang, Adder! Come here." I yelled over my shoulder, my ears ringing when my voice echoed.

"What is it?" Kink mewed. I lashed my tail and Kink and Adder and Fang stood in beside me, making a semi-circle around Hawk.

"Who is that?" Fang mewed, looking over at me. "Hawk, from Jagged Rocks." I murmured, eyes narrowed.

"We should take him to Lurker." Adder suggested and I nodded.

Silence followed my wordless response.

Finally, Adder broke the silence. "Well... Uh, who's going to take him?" I snorted, "Not me. Fang, Adder, you two are new warriors. How bout you two do me and Kink a favour and take him back to Jagged Rocks while we hunt for more animals' skulls?

Adder gave Fang a look and Fang turned to me. "That's disgusting. Cloud needs to come here himself!" Fang complained, eyes narrowed.

"Fine, but Kink stay in charge. Don't wander off too far, I will be back." I dipped my head to them and hurried off.

I hurried down back the way we came, dodging a dog on the way.

Taking in quick gasps, I jumped the fence and dashed through the grassy territory to the maze of boulders. I bolted up the trail, pebbles rolling down the hill.

I didn't slow down in camp, rushing past cats as they talked. "Venom!" Thorn called but I ignored him, rushing away and through the hole in camps wall.

I took a breather as I halted at the rivers muddy edge. My paws sunk into the mud. The sky rumbled and I looked up. It was warm day with barely any clouds, what an odd day to have a rain shower.

The water was warm-ish as it touched my pelt, seeping through it to my skin. I narrowed my eyes as the rain came down harder, rushing over the river.

'I have had enough rain! No more Tribe of Glittering Stars, no more.'

I rushed down the rocky trail and into Jagged Rocks camp.

"Cloud! You need to come with me." I panted as I halted in front of him. He gave me a concerned look. "What is it?" He asked, concern and worry edging his tone.

"I found Hawk." I replied, trotting away and back out of camp.

I heard Cloud rush up to me and thunder rumbled ahead before he could say anything.

"Is he okay? Where is he?" Cloud asked and I refused to answer, rushing into camp and down the trail with Cloud on my heels. Picking up speed as Twolegplace came into view, Cloud bolted past me.

A kittypet sneered as I hopped over the fence. Fur on edge and eyes to a slit. I growled at him as I passed by. He only watched me.

Looking away, I headed toward the alley Kink waited in. I bypassed the dog - almost got my tail bitten off - and found the alley shortly after.

Cloud shoved past Fang and Adder and when he laid eyes on Hawk, he sat down. Rain on the Twoleg nests made a nice, calming sound. It was kind of hollow. "Of course." Cloud purred dryly. "How could I think he was alive?"

Kink set her tail on his spine, whispering, "He's in a better place now."

I pushed lightly past Added and stood on the other side of the stinky, rotting cat. "Well, we should take him to camp. Did you bury Lurker and Stone yet?" I murmured, looking up at Cloud. He didn't look up, only nodded.

"I was lucky to find a place to bury them in. RiverClan took most of our burial places as well as hunting territory." Cloud sighed, his voice was low and empty.

'How sad. He must be so tired of deaths. Is that why he's so hollow sounding?' I wondered, examining the scrawny leader.

"Well let's take him-" I started, almost grabbing the warriors scruff.

"No," Cloud stopped, suddenly more awake. "Bury him here. Lurker always said to bury them where they die. And I plan to keep that rule going. Besides, I don't need them seeing this..." Cloud's voice cracked and I felt the bile rise in my throat.

I shook my head and shrugged, looking at the dead cat again. "Alright."

Nodding, Cloud dragged the rotting warrior to a place without stone underfoot. Kink, Adder, Fang and I watched as Cloud dug as deep as he could into the muddy dirt. After he finished, I lowered the gross cat in the hole.

Cloud avoided eye contact and dropped the warrior in with him. Cloud stared at the warrior for a brief heartbeat and climbed out. With the help of Fang and I, we kicked dirt into the hole and patted down the dirt on the grave.

Cloud dipped his head and padded on, head down.

When he was out of earshot, I turned back to the three warriors. Kink was aging badly, grey spots dotting her muzzle and her body becoming frail. Fang was almost twice the size of her, Adder just a bit taller.

"Okay. Kink, finish getting the meat out and off of that head. Eat it if you have to, you need the meat anyway." I ordered and she nodded.

She had eaten dog before anyway. She didn't mind it; she didn't seem to anyway.

"Kink, we're going back to camp. Come on, you can finish it when we get to camp," I ordered after a heartbeat of thought.

She nodded, grabbing the dog by the ear. Blood dipped from where we had decapitated it and Kink didn't seem to mind.

'What a weird cat.' I thought, turning and rushing away.