---

Despite having had no sleep in the past few days, Torncoat sat ready in the morning, frowning at the tasks given out to each of his tribe-mates. After the insulting attacks on their land, this weak Koa would stand idly by and ignore his tribe's cry for justice? Torncoat scoffed under his breath again as he turned from the meeting, calling to Cinderclaw to accompany them to the southern border. Yet as he began walking away, he heard a hesitant mew from behind him, and he turned to meet the Shaman, Dawnleaf.

"Of course, Shaman. I will do everything in my power to bring you the herb you need," Torncoat fixed a convincing smile upon his lips and purred in agreement, doing his best to mask his disgust from before. This Dawnleaf had spoken to him little in the past, and Torncoat knew very little of what to think of him, but knew that it would be better to try and earn his favor than guffaw at his simple request. With a nod, he turned from the young Shaman and made his way out into the pines, Rosepaw and Cinderclaw following close behind.

---

"I don't know, Torncoat; I agree, but to go to that extreme...?" Cinderclaw hopped from rock to rock playfully, not taking much time to sniff out any peculiar scents. They had reached the Mossy Rocks quite early in the morning, and had quite easily found the blue ginger, which Rosepaw was tasked with carrying. Now, they lounged about in the crevices of the great rocks, chatting idly and taking their time to finish their border task.

"You understand the necessity of this just as much as I, do you not? Then you would surely want to aid me when the time comes, I would hope," the gray tom finished with a cold glare toward his companion, stretching out his front paws, revealing claws as sharp as needles. The other tom sat pondering for a small while, before finally mewing in agreement. This seemed enough to satisfy Torncoat, and he turned back to Rosepaw. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, however, he heard a distant mew coming from beyond the rocks. Eyeing Cinderclaw, the two toms positioned themselves between a few of the larger rocks to help block them from view.

---

---

Rosepaw sat idly by, blue ginger set between her front paws, her mind wandering about. She paid little mind to when her mentor spoke with the other warriors, as it often had little to do with her, and it was rarely her place to put in a word of her own. So she took little notice of Torncoat and Cinderclaw maneuvering themselves between a few rocks, instead letting her mind continue to wander before she heard the small padding of other paws from behind her. Jumping up and around, Rosepaw's ears drew back as she sighted the black and brown she-cats coming over the green rocks. Stepping back a bit, Rosepaw glanced back to her mentor - who was nowhere to be found. Rosepaw looked around again, fear slowly working its way into the young cats eyes.

"Y-- you better watch yourselves! This is AshTribe territory, ya see, 'n we don't like WaveTribe cats putting their dirty paws on it!" Though she tried her best to sound menacing, Rosepaw's voice shook as she spoke, though she stood her ground. Eyeing the blue ginger in front of her, Rosepaw batted at it with her free paw, bringing it closer to her, lest she lose it.

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As his mentor and Fernlight padded towards him, Wildpaw stared longingly out into the woods. It seemed like ages before they finally managed to catch up. As they exited the camp, heading northeast, Greycloud quizzed his knowledge of the territory.

"Wildpaw, do you remember what part of the territory rests between the Wavetribe and Ashtribe border?"

"Well, that would be..." Wildpaw started quickly before remembering that his knowledge far proceeded that which it should. He decided to play it safe rather than answer ostentatiously. "...um...maybe...Jagged Tooth?" He finished, hoping his feigned ignorance would go unnoticed. He was right, of course; many times he had been told never to go there unless he wished to join Deeptribe. It was well known by the kits and apprentices of Wavetribe, and therefore not something he would get in trouble for for saying.

Wildpaw eagerly followed his mentor as she led the group of cats deeper into the woods, closer to the Ashtribe border. From time to time he would crouch, pretending to stalk a leaf or stick, trying to be as silent as possible. The terrain they traversed was familiar to him; practicing was the only thing keeping him occupied besides the occasional quizzing from the two elder she-cats.

Eventually, the trees thinned, giving way to grey rocks. The mountains lay in sight just in front of them. Woah... Wildpaw's mouth opened in awe as his gaze fell upon the tallest, center-most peak. It had to be at least ten tree-lengths tall, he figured. He had never seen them, apart from catching glimpses from the camp or hunting parties. At night they appeared to be only large shadows in the distance. "Is that where Blazetribe's camp is? he asked Greycloud.

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The camp began to quieten as cats dispersed to complete their daily duties. Stormfur heard Flamestorm call from behind her; apparently the young tom's party had returned. She looked over the fresh-kill pile, noticing the snake they had left to kill earlier that morning. "My, my. It was a big one." Stormfur affirmed Nightpaw's assertion. "It's hard to say," she continued, "After all, Leaf-bare is almost upon us. Are you prepared for the removal party? she asked them.

Her attention was taken from the two tomcats by the battle cry of Rainpaw. It seemed he fancied that fish well enough to fight a full-grown warrior for it. Judging by Iceheart's expression, he didn't enjoy having the young apprentice ruining his meal. Stormfur turned to Cavetooth, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Uh-oh. Better call your apprentice before he manages to lose an ear. I don't know if I would like having a twin." she said playfully, pointing her one good ear towards the commotion.

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@Ambra@Vashonn

Silverfish stretched out in front of the nursery, laying out in the sun as she enjoyed sunbathing to the most it offered. Occasionally, she cracked a green eye open to watch her playful kits wrestle before shutting it again. It was a little tiring having a couple of rambunctious kits, but she loved them dearly. They reminded her of Reedfeather. Especially Stonekit who was almost a spitting image of him. Rambunctious, outgoing, energetic... she wished he was able to meet his kits.

Stonekit gave a battle cry as she tackled her sister, tumbling both to the ground before slamming her paws against Streamkit's shoulders and pinning her littermate on her back. "Gotcha!" The dark furred kit mewed triumphantly.

Streamkit mewled, scrunching her nose before batting her tiny paws against her sister's muzzle. "Get off me! You're heavy!" she purred playfully, causing Stonekit to smirk, rearing up as her paws returned the rapid swatting of paws before leaping off of her. Looking around she spotted Rainpaw bothering Iceheart and purred deviously. Crouching down low, haunches wiggling a little. Leaning closer to her sister, she whispered, Streamkit nodded and the two split apart.

Streamkit crouched, coming from the left while Stonekit came from the right, slowly stalking toward the apprentice from behind. Before Stonekit let out a loud mew that was battle cry and lept. Landing on the apprentice's back. "Haha! Gotcha enemy warrior!" the dark kit furred mewed, tiny claws digging in for grip.

While the silver grey kit lept up to land more on Rainpaw's haunches. "We'll save you Iceheart!" she mewled.

---

@sMoKe

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Greycloud watched her apprentice, waiting patiently as he answered in a hesitant tone. Her blue eyes narrowed slightly while her ear flicked a bit thoughtfully. "The Jagged Tooth is more east of our territory. The territory that mostly is with Ashtribe is the Mossy Stones. We'll patrol along there and perhaps meet the hunting party. Then we will visit the Jagged Tooth." she answered before continuing on. She remembered back when this apprentice, once a rambunctious kit, had gotten himself in a bit of trouble at the Mossy Stones.

When they reached the more rocky terrain where Blazetribe thrived, her gaze glanced up the towering mountains. Mildly pondering what it was like to live among them. Must be hard on the paws to walk on rocks all the time. Granted, Wavetribe cats were used to walking on stones too, but nothing like mountain rocks. Their paws must be hard like the stones themselves. As her apprentice questioned about the location of Blazetribe's camp, the large grey she-cat flicked her ear for a moment.

"Blazetribe's camp rests hidden between their central mountains. This tallest mountain is known as Fire Rock. It's the center of Big Paw and sacred to Blazetribe. It's where warrior ceremonies are held and where their dead is respected." she answered. Padding along, she paused when they officially reached the border. Sniffing around for any suspicious signs, she glanced to the others.

"We'll start marking around here then move along the border. Be careful, some adders passed by here recently." Greycloud warned before picking a spot to mark the border.

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Soon, the life of the tribe had returned shortly after his announcement. The tribe split like shrapnel into their smaller groups, whether it was to complete a task or to socialise with the spare time they had to keep. Everyone had diverged outwards, and a small smile left his face towards those who complied so quickly. Fitting in, more than two moons or so into the shift in responsibility, made it hard for him to appreciate or identify whether he was successful in what he did. Having the complete respect, or at least the compliance (He knew his position and age mixed together made it hard for him to be respected by other Tribes) to what he had to say. It was moving and comforting in all situations, knowing that his tribe were to be with him no matter what the situation at hand was.

But something was still crossing his mind...The dream that he had heard from the Shaman. It was, scary. There had been reports only between FrostBite and a few other warriors about a She...A brown she...Who had been lurking on the borders for several moons. She'd mostly been eyeing the other tribes, but that's what rogues and strays do. Originally, it wasn't any problem whatsoever, not to FrostBite nor to the tribe. Yet, when they had discussed this worrying omen sent by SkyTribe...It concerned him over the night. Yet, FrostBite didn't want to go straight to the Chief. It would only cause inconvenience, but it would also create superstition of him knowing something he shouldn't. In reality, the Chief was not at all like that, but FrostBite was sceptic through his own worry and concern over the issue at hand. What if this Rogue sighted several times was the cat of the dream?

He knew that their Shaman wouldn't have paid detail to it, but a few, quiet words about who was in the background of their dream made it nerving to what FrostBite was dealing with. And so, he decided to approach someone wise, but not threatening at the slightest...CaveTooth.

The tom approached the other tom, looking around for any signs of eves-droppers. None were present, as far as FrostBite was aware, and so he began to speak, requesting for them to speak privately. Once the Tom had agreed and followed him to a less-crowded part of the Camp, he began to speak in his low, serious tone of worry and concern.

"CaveTooth...I've had time to think about a few issues in my mind. Something has been worrying me for a while, but it's probably nothing too much. Y'see, I've been dealing with a small tribe issue without the full concern or knowledge of our chief regarding to something I overheard from a BlazeTribe patrol...They said a 'Troublemaker' had been lurking around between both our borders and theirs, so I looked into it, and started sending two warriors to check our borders regularly. Turns out, there's someone who keeps coming to our border, regularly...And, something about our counselling last night made me think more about this matter...I...I don't know what to think of it...Maybe I'm reaching out too far into my troubles but...What's your input on this?"

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Drat! The planned attack which had been executed so perfectly was suddenly falling apart, and Rainpaw fell forward, tumbling right past Iceheart's meal as the two clinging creatures continued their assault on the surprised apprentice. Rainpaw's mind raced as he struggled to find a way out of his predicament, squirming about as he tried to paw at the feline that had latched onto his haunches. "M-- maybe we can make a deal, eh, guys?" Rainpaw's voice was strained as he finally flung Stonekit from his back, only to fall down next to her as her sister had pushed him over. "I'll even let you both get a bite of the prize!" Rainpaw laughed as he rolled away, thumping into Iceheart's side. The small tom gazed up to the older warrior, who seemed to still bear a scowl across his face, hoping he didn't cross the line by bumping into him.

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Cavetooth felt a wave of dread pass over him as he watched his grandson scuffle about with the two kits, though he couldn't help but smile at the scene as it played out. "Perhaps we'll see if he is ready to become a warrior, yet," the old tom said dryly to Stormfur in response, though he had meant his words to come across with humor. Turning away from the epic battle occurring right in the heart of camp, Cavetooth bowed his head to Flamestorm and Nightpaw, mewing his response to the young apprentice. "I'm sure there'll be plenty of fresh-kill about thanks to your efforts, young'un," Cavetooth smiled to Nightpaw, just as Frostbite came over to pull him aside.

As Frostbite finished, Cavetooth sat for a moment in silence, letting his whiskers twitch as a chill breeze passed through the camp. Letting out a yawn of too many nights gone past without sleep, the tom finally spoke. "My counsel is just as useful and just as wise as your own, Frostbite. This... 'Troublemaker', or whatever it may be, should probably be looked into a bit deeper, though I think it unwise to hide this from Swiftsky. Then again, I can't blame you for not wanting him to worry; we have enough going on with Wolfmask's dream. My suggestion, though I expect you to act with greater caution than I would, is to do what you think should be done. If that would mean you should go and find out for yourself, then the only cat I know who could stop you is yourself. Just remember, young'un, there's no need to go and get us a new Koa so soon." With that, Cavetooth nodded his head to the young Koa, and made his way back to the other cats that had gathered to begin the adder removal.

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Rosepaw's whiskers twitched as the dark-furred she-cat purred out her response, seemingly calm despite Rosepaw's attempted intimidation, which only irritated her. Rosepaw glanced about the rocks once again, trying her best to spot her mentor or the other tom that had accompanied them here, but to no avail - as far as she could tell, she was alone, and now had to worry even more about the blue ginger they had collected for Dawnleaf. Rosepaw sneered at the larger she, though she was almost certain the cat could probably best her if it came down to having to fight.

Just a bit past the two cats from Wavetribe, however, Rosepaw could see a movement amidst the shadows, slowly creeping toward the felines. Rosepaw pawed at the blue ginger again to bring it closer to her, not sure of what she should say in response. Regardless, she made sure to keep her teeth bared and gave her best attempt at looking bigger, though her eyes kept darting back and forth from the large Wavetribe warrior and the shadow behind her.

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Heh, figured there would be more of you, the grey tom grinned, revealing the sharp white tips of fearsome teeth as he prowled along, ears twitching as he heard a sigh from in front of him. Gingerly placing his paws along the leaf-clad forest floor, Torncoat made his approach toward the lone brown tom that had seemed focused more on the scene below than his own surroundings. Torncoat stopped just a few pawsteps short of his opponent however, the demented glint of victory shining off of his eyes.

"Make a single sound and there'll be my teeth in your throat," the cruel words twisted off of Torncoat's tongue, piercing the air as they made their way toward Rootfur's ears.

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Wildpaw's fur stood up a little when his mentor mentioned adders. It reminded him of that night, what seemed like so many moons ago. "Oh." he mewed quietly. From then on he stayed close to Greycloud, careful not to stray too far ahead. They conitnued onward, soon arriving at the edge of the mossy rocks, the AshTribe border.

Though Wildpaw knew the area well, there was an unfamiliar scent in the air. AshTribe cats! He crouched low, looking for the invaders, though couldn't see them. The WaveTribe cats had come from downwind, so their presence was likely as of yet unnoticed. Wildpaw's eyes widened, his fur now standing on end. He looked to his mentor quizzically, waiting for her instructions.

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FrostBite listened to the words of CaveTooth and smiled ever-so slightly. He was wise, as age usually brought with cats of the tribe. It was something to be grateful for, and FrostBite expressed it with his expressions of relaxation. Well, he was slightly relaxed, but still tense on the inside. He knew that it was an issue he'd have to follow up on his own to reduce the work-load of his Chief, SwiftSky. And so, he stood up, nodding silently to the elder with a smile. CaveTooth was a good individual to approach for issues, especially after FrogPelt's passing.

He stood up, and approached WolfMask just before he had the chance to escape him. It was a swift approach, due to he leaving for Shaman enquiries. Respectable as it was, he wasn the closest authoritative figure in the Tribe to allow him to notify of his potential absences.

"Uhh...WolfMask, don't mean to be a pain, but if you see SwiftSky, or he ever asks if I'm absent to the Tribe for a small while, can you please tell him that it'd be because of me visiting a rather personal spot in the Tribe. Y'know...Sentimentality and all, it's an important thing to me?"

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@Ambra@Vashonn

When their opponent had fallen, Stonekit fumbled on the ground before pouncing on Rainpaw's head, nipping the apprentice's left ear and tugging on it. While Streamkit batted her forepaws against the tom's back. They paused at the offer Rainpaw said, before Stonekit huffed, pushing her paws to make fur push down closer to the apprentice's eyes. Puffing out her chest at Iceheart's words, nodding in agreement eagerly and proudly.

"Yup! We are the best warriors! Noble and brave to protect the clan from bad cats!"[/color] Streamkit mewed proudly and confidently. Stonekit slid off of Rainpaw and wapping his nose with a tiny paw.

"Maybe you should try fishing better Rainpaw!"[/color] Stonekit teased.

"Kits! Please try not to torment Rainpaw too much! He's still a apprentice! Give him a little break."[/color] Silverfish mewed, purring slightly in amusement.

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@sMoKe@Vashonn

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Greycloud flicked her blue eyes toward her apprentice as he grew nervous at the mention of adders but continued foreword. As soon as she caught wind of the Ashtribe scent, she crouched low. Eyes narrowing, she opened her jaws, tasting the air. There was three of them. Along with Shadestep, Hawkpaw and Rootfur. Pondering this through, she leaned closer to her apprentice and said in just a hushed whisper.

"Stay low and out of sight. I'm moving ahead. There's two slinking around."[/color] Greycloud mewed before clicking her tail to signal her fellow warrior to circle before prowling quietly upwards.

Eyes narrowing as she spotted a Ashtribe cat with a torn coat having managed to get behind on Rootfur. Haunches stiffening, her large form lunged to pounce onto the invader. Massive class outstretched, lips curled into a vicious snarl and her fur bristling and fluffing like a thunder close threatening rain down a hurricane.

"Get back to your side. Now."[/color] Greycloud bellowed, voice cracking like thunder.

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As the deputy ignored him, the older tom rolled his eyes and gave a mildly annoyed snort. "Well, how rude. Youngin's give no respect now a days. Feh! Back in my day, we say a good how ye do to your elders!"[/color] he huffed, deciding to just lie down. Absently watching the other cats go about their business. He wished he was young again. Even a apprentice to clean out ticks and bedding. Least he's have energy to go hunt or climb a tree.

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The roar of another cat behind him caused the ragged-coated feline to turn sharply, though it was already too late. As he had focused too much upon the brown tom in front of him, he had forgotten to stay vigilant of his surroundings, so sure of his victory. Swiping upward, Torncoat's claws slashed out as the other feline crashed onto him, knocking him backward, though he was fairly certain his retaliation was just enough to do some sort damage - or, at the very least, defend himself. Kicking away from the assailant, Torncoat leapt to his paws, fur bristling as he recognized his odds of leaving unscathed had dropped significantly. Still, fangs bared, the gray tom pounced forward at the she-cat, his pupils becoming thin as the desire for blood filled his thoughts.

"I've killed mice fiercer than you!" he spat out as his claws aimed again for the gray she-cat's throat.

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The she-cat from Wavetribe certainly appeared intimidating, despite her incredibly calm demeanor. Rosepaw glanced down at the blue ginger at her feet as the other cat approached, swiping it up in her teeth in one swift motion, trying to stand her ground - though her back left paw betrayed her, quickly stepping away as a means of escape. Stupid, the apprentice cursed herself, knowing she couldn't outrun this larger feline if she tried. Luckily enough, the shade from behind had managed to catch the other cat's attention just enough for Rosepaw to jump back a bit further.

The figure from the bushes leapt into the air, fangs and claws bared as it shrieked at the black she-cat that had noticed its presence. Cinderfang let out a cry toward Rosepaw, "get back to camp, now!" causing the young apprentice to hesitate for a moment, then turn to run.