Nutmeg wrinkled her nose at the heavy scent of pollen hit her nose. Her eyes scanned the area and she realized it was almost completely yellow with pollen. “Who would want to live here" she murmured quietly. She often had to shake falling pollen from her pelt in order to not have to clean it later. The cats led her to a tunnel made of brambles and moss. She silently followed the leader of the group through the barrier.

Nutmeg flattened her ears to avoid thorns as the tunnel got narrower. She was relieved when she saw the end past the white and back fur. Nutmeg pushed out of the tunnel and gasped at the scene. Many cats were in the grassy clearing, either eating, chatting, or sharing tongue’s. “ Welcome to BuzzClan” she heard a voice from the opposite of her. She simply nodded, the scent of pollen not strong as they padded further into the camp.

She tried to ignore the hostile glares of the cats as they padded towards a large den in the back of the clan. She pushed through the moss that covered the entrance of the den and stopped when she saw a large Yellow figure with black striped and paws dozing in the den. The huge tom flicked his ears as her escort flicked his tail. “Honeystar” dipping his head respectfully. Nutmeg immediately did the same, sensing that this cat was powerful and well respected.

“Ah, ShredClaw” he mewed as he sat up and padded over to them. He murmured something to the black and white tom and looked at Nutmeg. “ Who is this" he mewed, his voice vibrated with suspicion. “We found her in our territory next to a fox incident, at least that’s what it looked like. We do not know her name but she was badly injured and probably would have attracted more predators into our territory.” ShredClaw mewed. Honey star nodded , “And what do you plan on doing with her" He said, glancing at her injured shoulder.

Nutmeg instinctively crouched and drew her long tail over her injury. Honey star’s whisker twitched slightly and he re directed his attention back to ShredClaw. “ I plan to keep her here until her injures are healed. We can also ask her questions of why she was in the forest, she has the scent of a kittypet.” Shred Claw mewed. Honeystar nodded and stood up. “Sounds like a good plan but she will need to be guarded for we do not know what she may be capable of" He said as padded towards the entrance. “I will go and make the announcement” he Said , pointing his tail towards Nutmeg. “Come with Me"

Nutmeg blinked and padded after the leader , her tail flicking Nervously as she could feel the eyes of several cats on her. Honeystar leaped up onto a high ledge and signaled for her to wait at the bottom. Nutmeg sat down as he called the clan together. She was surprised to see every cat quickly gather in rows and wait patiently till almost every cat was present, the others on patrols.

“Today Shred Claw and his patrol found a Cat on our territory while investigating a Fox-like incident. To avoid attracting predators, Shred Claw and his patrol brought this cat with them.” Honeystar mewed and flicking his tail towards Nutmeg. “He recommended sheltering this she-cat until her shoulder is healed, while that happens we can use her to our advantage. I have agreed upon that decision and wish to hear your voices on this matter”.

Nutmeg flattened her ears as a sudden outburst of hisses and objections spewed from the crowd. “How can we shelter a cat we know nothing about!?” one voice said. “What if she’s one of them!?” Another said. The yowls continued until there were no more voices of objections. Honeystar simply nodded and opened his jaw to say his decision but suddenly a loud yowl broke through the silence. “Honey star, Wait!” The voice said.

Nutmeg froze as a huge Dark-grey tom with white speckles on his legs padded Though the crowd. Several cats shuffled away to avoid the lashing red tail. A Large scar ran from his left eye, which was damaged beyond repair, to his chest. His Amber eye gleamed with such Malice that Nutmeg wanted to run away and hide forever until the threat no longer existed. She felt an even stronger sense of Power towards the cat and instantly knew he was highly respected, maybe even more than Honey star.

“Nightfox" Honey star mewed sternly, his eyes glimmering with distrust. “Do you have something to say about this?” He mewed. Night fox nodded. “This cat must stay in this clan. It seems she’s associated with the Serpents” ~Serpents?~ she Thought in confusion, but kept her mouth shut, curious to hear what was to be said. Murmers rose of the group of cats. Honeystar looked at her, with confused eyes. “How so" he asked. Night fox shook his head and padded over to her.

Nutmeg flinched and he pressed a paw on her back, directly on her birthmark, The shape of a Snake's Head. It had always been hidden under her long fur and she was confused how he found it so easily. “Come look at his” The black tom mewed. Honey star hesitated and then jumped off the ledge Nutmeg watched him pad over and lean over to look at the mark too. His eyes widened and he immediately jumped back on ledge.“What Night fox said is true. This cat will stay in the clan!” …. End of chapter