Whether he knew knew it or not, Tiny was standing on the edge of a decison that would change the forest forever.

Tiny, however, didn't feel like he was changing much of anything at all. In fact, all he felt was apprehensive. He peered into the forest, nervously kneading at the leaf mulch. Tiny twisted to look behind him, to stare at the small gap in his fence. He knew that it led back to Mother, to security and warmth. It also led to Socks and Ruby, and Tiny knew that they would only tease him even more mercilessly than before. He shivered as Ruby's words came back to him: If no twoleg wants you, then you'll be thrown in the river!

Resolution took ahold of him, from the bottom of his paws, and he padded forward into the almost menacing shade of the forest.

Tiny took a few pawsteps in, and looked around. A bird sang merrily near by, and he let loose a relieved sigh. Perhaps what the housecats from before had said wasn't true.

He padded forward, and started as a mouse darted for cover, diving into a hole in the ground.

Tiny glanced around, seeing only the seemingly impenetrable wall of ferns and brambles surrounding the small sunlight patch of grass, and flicked his tail. Perhaps this wasn't going to be so hard after all.

Tiny pricked his ears, hearing the undergrowth rustle, and took a step back in surprise as three cats pushed their way into the clearing. There was a white and gray striped tom, a smaller dark tabby tomcat with amber eyes, and a rather reluctant looking gray furred she-cat.

"Hello," he said, blinking at them.

The gray striped tom let out a low growl, his hackles rising. "What are you doing here? This is Thunderclan territory!"

The she-cat took a half step in front of Tiny, narrowing her eyes. "Thistleclaw, he's only a kit. He's no threat."

Tiny felt inclined to agree, and shuffled hesitantly backward a pace.

The smaller tom pinned Tiny with a fierce glare, and Tiny started to rethink his decision to ever step paw into the forest.

"An intruder is an intruder, Bluefur! You've always been too soft on them." The gray and white tom bristled. Then he drew his lips back in a mockery of a smile. "Here, let's put it to my apprentice. What do you think, Tigerpaw? How should we handle this?"

The one apparently named Tigerpaw hissed, low and angry, fur bristling. "I think the kittypet should be taught a lesson. One it'll remember."

Tiny felt the first pin pricks of fear in his paw pads, and he flattened his ears, eyes wide.

He didn't even see it coming. Tigerpaw blurred past the she-cat and bowled into him, snarling.

Tiny unsheathed his claws, survival the only thought running through his mind. Tigerpaw pummeled his belly, raking razor sharp claws across his skin.

Tiny let out an agonized howl, and twisted desperately to get away from the bigger cat's heavy weight. Suddenly, it was gone.

Tiny opened his eyes hesitantly, feeling pain ache through every part of him.

"Enough!" The gray she-cat snarled, her fur straighting up. She was standing over Tigerpaw, one paw pining him down. She raised her head to stare at the white and gray tom. "This kit is nearly the same age as Whitekit. How would you feel if a Riverclan patrol did what Tigerpaw did, Thistleclaw?" She narrowed blue eyes, her tail lashing.

There was a tense moment where Tiny felt as if the darkness rising at the corners of his eyes was going to sweep over him as he panted for breath, feeling the warm agony of blood soaking into his black fur.

The tension broke as if it were a storm in the dry season, and the cat named Thistleclaw looked away first.

"Fine. We'll be leaving then. I suspect that Sunstar will want a report." He said brusquely.

The she-cat padded over to Tiny, and he squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for some new pain.

"Be still, kit. It'll be alright." She murmured, dipping her head to take his scruff in her teeth.

"What do you think you're doing, Bluefur?" Thistleclaw's mew was harsh, his tail flicking in irritation.

Bluefur paused, and pierced him with a frosty look. "Cleaning up your mess, Thistleclaw. Don't make me do it again."

Tiny closed his eyes, and let out a whimper as she picked him up, letting him dangle from her gentle grasp.

"It'll be over soon." Bluefur meowed gently to him, her voice muffled.

Tiny didn't hear much more as the roiling darkness overwhelmed him, and he surrendered to it, drifting away.

Tiny blinked open his eyes, feeling as if he'd slept for moons, and all he could see for a moment was green. He was lying on a bed of moss, shaped around him like a blanket. Branches arched overhead, and weak, but warm sunlight streamed through the leaves.

'Where am I?' Tiny thought, glancing down at himself. He was lying on his side, a sticky looking white covering on his stomach. He sniffed, and wrinkled his nose, a strong, fresh leaf smell coming from the wrap on his injuries.

"You're awake!" Someone purred, and he unthinkingly twisted to get a look at them, fur already bristling.

Tiny yelped as pain shot through his stomach, and he resisted the urge to curl into himself, knowing it would bring him more pain.

"Easy, kit." The same voice mewed. A face came into view, and despite the pain, Tiny stared curiously.

It was a tom, with long silvery fur and bright amber eyes. He gave a pleased purr, and sat down, wrapping a plumey tail around his paws. "Welcome back. I'm Featherwhisker." The tom stared expectantly back, and Tiny blinked in return, puzzled. "Your name?" Featherwhisker prompted, with an amused twitch of his ears.

"Oh," Tiny let out an embarrassed squeak. "Tiny. It's Tiny."

"Well, welcome to Thunderclan camp, Tiny. Tigerpaw injured you quite badly. You were very lucky that Bluefur carried you back."

Bluefur? Tiny thought. "Oh, the grey she-cat." He said out loud. "Where is she?"

"Patrolling or hunting or some such thing. Warriors are quite busy." Featherwhisker got to his paws, and turned away from Tiny.

"Where are you going?" Tiny asked anxiously, wondering if those cats, Thistleclaw and Tigerpaw would come back. "It's alright." Featherwhisker said soothingly. "I'll be right here. Try to sleep."

Not likely, Tiny thought, but as he rested his chin on his paws, thoughts whirling in his head, his eyelids drooped lower and lower until he finally gave in again, and sank into unconscious.

Hi everyone! This is my first fanfic in a while. I'm excited to hop back aboard the train.

All reviews are welcome!