Oaksong's voice was firm, slicing through the tension like a claw. "We need to head back to camp now," he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument. "And Bramblestar needs to hear what we've found."

Ironheart's tail flicked with frustration as he padded alongside the patrol, his mind still churning with disbelief. Meeting a stranger beyond the borders had filled him with excitement—until that stranger turned out to be a deceitful rogue. What rotten luck, he thought bitterly, claws flexing against the earth. To run into someone who lies so quickly.

The ThunderClan patrol moved in near silence, their pawsteps muffled by the soft forest floor. Eyes darted to every rustling leaf, muscles taut as they stayed alert for trouble.

Suddenly, Oaksong froze mid-step, his fur bristling as he lifted his nose to the breeze. "Wait," he growled, his voice sharp with warning. "Something's wrong." His ears flattened, and his teeth bared in a fierce snarl. "That scent... I know it. And it's not welcome here. Karizza!" He spat the name with venom, his eyes blazing.

From the dense underbrush emerged a colossal figure, her stormy blue-gray pelt gleaming like scales under dappled light. The she-cat was massive, with eyes that gleamed like shards of polished stone.

Ironheart's breath hitched as he took in the sight of her. This wasn't just rogue—there was something strange and familiar about her. The air around her seemed heavy with untold stories.

Karizza stepped forward, her massive paws silent on the leaf-strewn ground. She lowered her head in a gesture that teetered between respect and defiance, her voice low and rough. "I heard my sister has passed. I only came to pay my respects."

Ivypool's tail lashed like a whip; her eyes narrowed to icy slits. "Your sister's already been laid to rest," she spat, sharp and unsympathetic. "You missed your chance. Should've thought of that before you turned rogue."

The patrol stiffened, tension crackling in the air. Though Karizza's presence radiated danger, a thick and undeniable thread of sorrow wove through her words.

Oaksong, his stance still guarded, took a step forward. "You don't belong here," he growled. "Leave before we make you."

Karizza's eyes flickered, but she offered a solemn nod. Without another word, she turned and melted back into the forest's shadows.

The patrol remained on edge, their muscles coiled until the last trace of her scent faded. Only then did Oaksong signal them to move on.

As they returned to camp, unease hung heavy over the group. Whatever Karizza's true intentions, her presence was a threat they couldn't ignore—and Bramblestar needed to know.

SCENE BREAK

As the patrol of ThunderClan cats padded toward the camp entrance, the familiar scent of home wrapped around them like a comforting breeze. Their weariness clung to their pelts, but duty drove them forward. Bramblestar stood tall atop the Tallrock at the heart of the clearing, his amber eyes glinting with curiosity as he leaped gracefully down to greet them. His fur rippled in the wind as he approached, his tone warm but commanding. "How did the patrol fare?"

Oaksong's shoulders stiffened, and his breath hitched slightly. The usual spark of cheer in his eyes was dulled by the weight of what they had seen. "The patrol went as expected," he began, voice steady but grim. "Until we encountered... something unusual."

Bramblestar's gaze sharpened, and the gentle curiosity in his expression was replaced by concern. "Go on," he urged, his tone even but firm.

Oaksong's tail flicked as his eyes swept over the patrol. "We picked up a scent that doesn't belong to any Clan cat," he reported solemnly. "A rogue, without a doubt."

A spark of tension flashed through Bramblestar, though he remained composed. "Where?"

"Near the Twoleg fence, along the western border," Oaksong specified, his fur prickling as he relived the memory.

Before Bramblestar could respond, Ivypool stepped forward, her tail lashing sharply. "There was more," she interjected, her tone clipped. "We encountered Karizza."

Bramblestar's ears flattened, his amber eyes narrowing. "Karizza? The ex-ShadowClan warrior?"

"That's right," Oaksong confirmed with a solemn nod. "She claimed she only came to pay her respects to Harestar's grave."

A heavy silence settled over the group. Karizza was steeped in infamy—once a respected ShadowClan warrior, she had become a rogue with a reputation for manipulation and deceit. Her presence on ThunderClan territory was more than unwelcome; it was a threat.

Bramblestar's tail lashed once, betraying his unease. "And what did you do?"

Ivypool's eyes gleamed with cold defiance. "We drove her off," she reported briskly. "She tried to spin her usual lies about honoring the fallen, but we made it clear she had no place here."

Bramblestar nodded slowly, his gaze distant as he processed the news. "You did well," he praised, his voice low but resolute. "Rest now. We'll discuss this further at the next Clan meeting."

The patrol dispersed, their paws heavy with fatigue and unease. Bramblestar lingered, his eyes fixed on the horizon where the forest met the sky. Shadows of trouble loomed beyond their borders, and Karizza's return was a reminder that peace was as fleeting as a whisper on the wind.

As leader of ThunderClan, it was his duty to keep his Clan safe. Clantever dangers lurked in the shadows, ThunderClan would be ready.

SCENE BREAK

The patrol trotted into camp, dust swirling in their wake as they approached the familiarTerrain. The scent of herbs and earth filled the air, a comforting reminder of home after the long journey. Bramblestar, his sleek pelt glistening in the sunlight, leaped down from the imposing Tallrock, his amber eyes gleaming with authority and concern. The weight of leadership settled heavily upon him, but his voice was warm as he addressed the patrol.

"How was the patrol?" he asked, his tone blending curiosity with the calm assurance of a leader. His gaze swept over the group, taking in their tired yet determined expressions.

Oaksong, his fur bristling slightly with tension, paused before responding. His scent carried the faintest hint of unease, though his voice remained steady. "Just fine, Bramblestar," he replied, his tone bordering on grim. "Though we did come across something unexpected. There's a strange scent lingering on our territory—a rogue has been here."

The camp seemed to hold its breath as the words hung in the air, the potential threat weighing heavily on the cats' minds. Oaksong hesitated, his gaze dropping briefly before he continued. "And there's more," he added, his voice heavy with the significance of his words. "We found Karizza."

Bramblestar's amber eyes widened, his movements freezing momentarily before inhaling sharply. "Really?" he asked, his voice low and terse, the concern in his tone evident.

Oaksong nodded solemnly, his expression somber. "What did she say?" Bramblestar pressed, his gaze intense, a storm brewing behind his eyes.

Ivypool stepped forward, her tail flicking sharply as she spoke. "She claimed she wanted to pay her respects to Harestar," she stated curtly, her voice laced with disdain. "We told her to get lost," she added, her eyes narrowing as memories of the encounter flashed.

As the group digested this news, Ironheart made his way toward the fresh-kill pile, his stomach growling with hunger. The scent of prey filled the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of the camp. Yet, his path was interrupted by a gentle touch—a light pressure on his shoulder as Emberfall's tail rested against him.

"Wait, brother," she murmured, her voice soft yet firm. Her gaze held a mix of concern and curiosity as she guided him away from the watchful eyes of their clanmates toward the shadowy shelter of the Apprentice Rock.

Once they were out of earshot, Emberfall turned to him, her eyes shining with empathy and reproach. "Why did you let that rogue in?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern and a hint of accusation. "Now, our warriors will go out of their way to find her."

Ironheart expelled a weary sigh, the weight of his actions pressing heavily on him. "I just wanted to be a little kind," he confessed, his voice filled with the burden of his intentions. "Is that too much to ask now that the clans are at each other's throats all the time?" His tail flicked irritably, a habit that betrayed his frustration.

Emberfall's gaze softened as she listened, her expression shifting from concern to understanding. "I understand where you're coming from," she admitted, her tone gentle yet firm. She leaned closer, her warm breath brushing against his ear as she whispered, "I've also thought that the time here feels stale, like we're stuck in a rut. We need something to shake things up, a spark to rekindle our spirits."

Yet, her voice carried a note of caution as she withdrew slightly. "But bringing in a rogue..." She tilted her head, her eyes flickering with doubt. "It's too much, brother," she concluded, her tone blending affection and reproach.

With a final, lingering sigh, Emberfall stepped back, creating a small but significant space between them. "See if you can find that cat and bring her out of our territory," she urged, her voice carrying the weight of concern and a sibling's gentle nudge toward responsibility. "It's the least you can do."

With those words, Emberfall padded away, her movements graceful and purposeful as she sat with Cloudtail and Brightheart, where the sounds of their conversation drifted lazily through the camp.

Ironheart watched her go, his thoughts tangled with frustration and determination. He flicked his tail irritably, the gesture showing his conflicted emotions. Fine, he thought to himself. I'll find Lilly and drive her out of here. The task felt like a burden, its weight pressing down on him with the reminder of duty and the quiet sting of regret.

With a slow, deliberate movement, Ironheart turned his gaze outward, scanning the edges of the camp and beyond. The world outside was vast and filled with uncertainties, yet his heart held a flicker of hope—a tiny flame of belief that maybe, just maybe, this rogue could bring the change the clan needeClanor now, however, it was his duty to ensure she found that change elsewhere.