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while. But Clear Sky was still reluctant to take in a kittypet, especially when he remembered what had happened with Bumble.
    Leaping to the ground, Clear Sky kept a wary distance from Tom while padding around him to size him up.
    â€œSo can I come and live with you?” Tom asked. “I’ve heard about your survival tactics, and I think I could work the same way.”
    Instantly suspicious, Clear Sky narrowed his eyes as he gazed at Tom. “What have you heard?” he demanded sharply.
    Tom hesitated, as if he sensed Clear Sky’s tension. “Well . . . that you make tough decisions when it’s necessary.”
    â€œTimes have changed,” Clear Sky responded, wondering ifTom was referring to his behavior before the battle. “All the cats live peacefully now. Really, there’s no particular reason to join a group of cats. You should be able to survive pretty well on your own.”
    Tom twitched his ears. “True,” he mewed. “But I can also bring benefits to your group.”
    â€œWhat would those be, exactly?” Clear Sky asked, his interest piqued. What could a kittypet offer real cats?
    â€œI may not be as skilled at hunting as you,” the ginger tom replied. “But I can learn quickly. And I have my own ways of fighting.” He studied his paws, and Clear Sky couldn’t decide if he looked modest or guilty. “I know how to fight with cunning,” he added.
    â€œDo you mean fight dirty?” Clear Sky asked sharply.
    Tom didn’t reply. Instead he looked up at Clear Sky with wide, pleading eyes. “There is much that I can teach you, I promise. Won’t you take me in?” he begged.
    Guilt throbbed through Clear Sky. Facing the truth about himself, he knew that he had caused so much unhappiness in the past. Perhaps it’s time to make amends.
    â€œOkay,” he meowed. “You can come back to the camp with me, if you think you can prove yourself. But I’m warning you: We can’t support any cat who doesn’t contribute.”
    Tom puffed out his chest, his expression suddenly proud and happy. “You won’t regret this,” he promised. “We won’t let you down.”
    Clear Sky, who had turned away and taken a couple of paw steps back toward his camp, halted and turned back again. “‘We’?” I agreed to take in one cat, he thought, his pelt beginningto prickle with anger. Is this ginger flea-pelt trying to cheat me?
    Tom let out a pleased mrrow. “I have a friend with me.”
    As he spoke, there was a loud rattling of twigs and leaves from up above and another cat landed on the ground. Clear Sky fought the urge to leap away, his pelt crawling at the thought that the newcomer had been lurking in the very tree where he had hidden to keep an eye on Tom—and he’d had no idea the cat was there.
    They must have been following me. They arranged this meeting!
    Sizing up the new arrival, Clear Sky realized that he had never seen a rogue like this before. The fur that covered his scrawny body was knotted and his claws were broken. One eye was missing, and in the one that remained was a look that was pure wild. He paid no attention to Clear Sky, but circled on the spot, hissing and spitting as if he was facing a whole group of enemy cats.
    â€œThis is One Eye,” Tom announced proudly. “He’s the bravest rogue cat in the whole forest.” When Clear Sky didn’t respond, Tom added, “He may look like a sick, skinny old thing on his last legs, but he’s the perfect addition to your group. You won’t have to worry about being attacked with him around. I invited him here today—”
    Tom broke off with a screech of pain as One Eye pounced onto his back, digging his jagged claws in. Jerking away, he turned a shocked stare on One Eye as the rogue jumped down again. “What was that for?” he asked.
    â€œI can speak for myself!”