The autumn leaves crunched under their paws as the trio of cats slunk through the thick undergrowth. The tomcat in the lead was trying his best to stay quiet, but despite his small frame he bore too much muscle to step lightly like his sister, who stalked quietly behind him. Her stunning green eyes watched their surroundings, her paws barely making a sound as she slipped after the lead tom.

In the back padded a large silver tom with brown patches. He wore a constant frown on his face as he followed his siblings through the forest. He wasn't even trying to be quiet.

"Try to be a little quieter, Stump. We're actually attempting to hunt here." The lead tom meowed softly, glancing back at his brother.

Stump's ears flattened, and he snapped back at the smaller feline. "There's nothin' in this forest you fool."

The she cat let out a small huff of frustration and rose from her crouched position, her thin black tail flicking back and forth. "Well now there isn't, thanks to your yelling."

"You're welcome, Ebony." Stump growled down at her, his lip curling to reveal yellowed teeth. The black she cat moved swiftly away to avoid his stinking breath, allowing the pale brown tom to talk.

The solid tom stood before his brother, his lush green eyes meeting Stump's, each orb filled with slight annoyance. "I know that you've only just returned to us, brother, but you must understand that we won't continue to pamper you like we are doing right know. In this group you must look after yourself, and yourself alone."

The silver tom snorted. "Hah! Not much of a 'group' then, eh Java? What happened to your soft, caring side? Lost it when Mother dearest abandoned us?"

Java let a noticeable twitch of his tail tell Stump he was treading in dangerous territory. Ebony watched silently in the safety of a few tail-lengths away. Stump had been gone for seasons, since they were only kits, and now that he had been reunited with his siblings, he was forced to adjust immediately to their harsh rules. It was hardly fair, but Java's words were law. Objections, if raised, were treated with extreme consequences. In a group as large as the one Java ruled- populated by a few dozen rogues- he had to be strict. Banishments and executions were common, especially with the constant trickle of kits being birthed within the group.

"Go back to the Nest. You're not being fed tonight." Java meowed sternly at Stump, glaring at his brother with his green eyes narrowed to slits.

Stump let out a snarl of anger, but he whipped around and began storming away from Java, knowing exactly what would've happened had he disobeyed the leader of the rogue group.

The black she cat waited until Stump had faded from view before speaking in a soft voice. "Do we continue the hunt?"

"Unless you want to go hungry like your brother, yes." Java snapped, taking the lead through the undergrowth once again. Ebony hurried after the brown tom, her stomach rumbling quietly as if to remind her of her gnawing hunger.

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Weird start to the story, but hopefully things will be more clear as it progresses.