West Avenue

Lilac-Pond very slowly opened her eyes and blinked around her to see another cat. She quickly retreated with her fur on end. "What did you do to me" she hissed.

Island retreated a few steps in the opposite direction.
"Um, sorry," he blinked in surprise. "Didn't mean to offend you. I just wondered if you were ok..." he took a deep breath. "You collapsed after some energy around the dead cat over there spread to you, so I thought I should help you by getting rid of it in case it killed you... or... something."

Lilac-Pond's fur returned to normal but she was still cautious of this cat. It was in her nature she just didn't trust anyone. "Who are you?" she asked

"I'm Island Palms." the cat took a few hesitant steps forward. His scent was of the sea and sand. "I'm a loner. I live away from the clans, in a cave on the beach. I'm glad you're ok."

Lilac-Pond stared at the new-comer. She felt he told the truth. "Why did you help me?" she asked plainly.

"Why wouldn't I?" he replied. "I wouldn't just leave a cat to die, or an injured cat, and that includes you." he padded a little closer. "What clan are you from? I know there are four different clan scents but I don't live round here and I find it hard to distinguish them."
The moonlight shone on the large tom, showing his striking appearence with his sea-speckled fur and warm mint eyes.

As the cat started walking towards her she started walking back. "I'm from no clan" she replied.

Island nodded and smiled. He stopped walking towards her, noticing her wariness.
"Where are you staying tonight, then, if you have no clan to go to?"

"Anywhere, does this matter to you?" she asked

Island laughed quietly. "Well, I don't want you to be alone or in danger. You might get injured. Even the moon... could be dangerous."

"I've survived for years without you, why would I need you now?"

Island grinned.
"You almost died a second ago if hadn't of been here." He pointed out, his warm mint gaze fixed on the she-cat. "I just wondered if you had anywhere to stay. If you don't, you could come and stay with me for the night if you like. You're perfectly safe near the sea. It might get rougher if Darkshadow find you, or even worse, the cat that cast that purple electricity."

"Don't flatter yourself, I'll be fine, I don't need babysitting" then she turned around ready to leave.

Shafts of moonlight shone down on Island, one after the other. Lights began zipping past the she-cat before circling Island. More and more lights zipped past her, and then water droplets began following the lights so fast that it was similar to a micro rainstorm. The water was from the sea; it had a salty scent.
"Back on subject, I just asked you, where ARE you staying tonight, exactly? Or don't you hae anywhere to go?"

"I'll find somewhere, easy, I have every night for two years, so no but I will soon, I don't need someone skulking around my back when I'm sleeping."

Island laughed and walked all the way up to her.
"Whatever you say." he said. "Still, it's a bit too dark for me to go back right now. Can I tag along?"

"Ha, first your reprimanding me for not having anywhere to sleep now you want to follow. Why don't you just leave me in peace."

Island smiled. "You are the one who told me that you could find your own place to go, so technically I could say that if I wanted to."

"Yes, a place to sleep for me, I have no time for finding a home for you"

Island shrugged. "I guess there's no persuading you." he turned to walk away, but as he did, a bolt of purple lightning crashed down very near Lilac-pond, creating a mini-explosion.
"There's someone else here!" yowled Island, turning around.
~
Glowstick flew over the alleyway on her silent yellow wings. I need to check to see if any Darkshadow cats are still around. she thought. Suddenly, she stopped dead and hovered in mid-air, listening. She could hear the sound of talking cats. On instinct, she fired some of her energy to the ground near them, trying to warn them of her presence and hoping to scare them into a quick surrender.

Lilac-pond saw Island and the purple lightning. "Come down you big purple furball" she spat at the cat in the sky.

Hawkpelt padded into the alleyway.
He sensed other cats.
"Gewt out of Darkshadow territory now!" He spat

Lilac-Pond walked up to the new cat. "Why do you have authority over us" she hissed.

Glowstick landed near the three cats.
"So, loners and a surviving Darkshadow cat, hmm?" she spat. "Listen, loners. This is Darkshadow territory and is very dangerous. Go find someone else to hang around, because otherwise you'll get caught between me and that Darkshadow foxdung. This is your only warning."
Island stood his ground, saying nothing.
Glowstick fired a small burst of purple energy at Hawkpelt. It ripped through the air and struck him hard.
"You'd better watch out, crowfood. I was the one who did away with your pal there." she flicked her tail at the remains of Rook Kuro's tattered body.

Lilac-Pond stood her ground. "No" she said plainly. She walked up to the Darkshadow cat but recoiled in pain. A memory, his memory was racing through her head. Nightscar shouting something to Hawkpelt. She laughed and looked Hawkpelt square in the eyes. "Are you sure you're a Darkshadow cat". Then she turned around to Glowstick. "Don't tell me off for trespassing as your doing exactly that, so keep your nose in your won business if you no what's good for you".