"I'll go wherever Wasp goes," Summit responded, eyes smiling. "And I'm always up for a new adventure and a new friend. I'd love to be on your team." Hurricane smiled to herself and nodded at the golden tom, confirming her little team. 

     I'm surprised those two weren't on a team before I came, she thought as the two padded away, carrying a medium-sized bird in their jaws. Either way, maybe I can feel a little bit more welcomed with a team. Summit looks nice. 

     "I guess we'll give you a lesson about our ways here," Tsunami butted in the moment they disappeared. "Normally, like what Firestorm said when he wants a patrol done, he'll just say, 'Team Tsunami', go hunt." 

     "Sounds better than just organizing patrols," she commented, receiving an annoyed sigh from Lightning. "But we had betas in charge of all of the patrols."

     "Betas," Tsunami repeated, letting the word settle on her tongue. "That another perfect term?"

     "I guess," Hurricane shrugged. "A beta is in charge of sorting out the patrols and helps them out. It's recommended that you were at least each rank twice before you attempt the Beta's Tryout."

     "Sounds like Viper," Tsunami added, engaging in a conversation. A sense of relief swept through Hurricane, glad they weren't at each other's throats when they discussed their differences. "Viper and the others help aid Father out in battle and sometimes go out on patrols."

     "Isn't Viper a jerk?" Hurricane asked blankly.

     "He is," Lightning said, flattening his ears against his skull. "We can have a small say in things, but it's mainly between Father and his three retainers."

     "Retainers? Are those the cats in Python's team?"

     "Yeah, like that." Tsunami bunched up her muscles and launched herself on a tree. Hurricane saw that her form was slightly off and when she landed on the tree, her back legs hung loosely behind her. With a grunt, the calico heaved herself up onto the tree and her back legs finally hooked on.

     Hurricane saw Lightning follow behind and they began to climb the tree. The striped cat gave them a few seconds before leaping onto the tree. All of her instincts of climbing came back to her in that leap. Almost as if that leap sprung them back to her mind. Hurricane collided with the tree and easily climbed up to Tsunami's branch.

     Lightning seemed to be struggling up the trunk. Hurricane frowned, closely examining the tom as she continued to make her way up. After a few more moments, he finally got up to her and she quickened her pace, heading for his sister. He snarled and climbed up clumsily, trying to avoid eye contact. 

     Laughing, she climbed around the trunk, until she was beside him, her paws clinging to the trunk tightly. "Don't be so tense, you won't be able to move," she suggested, nodding towards his paws. "If you relax a bit, you'll find it easier to move. Just don't---"

     Lightning relaxed too much and fell off of the tree. The tom crashed on his rear on the ground. Hurricane laughed, while Tsunami looked over her shoulder at the commotion, a spark igniting in her eyes just as she wrapped herself around her branch, making sure she stayed on.

     "Fall," she finished her sentence.

     "Hurricane, I don't need help!" Lightning sputtered, shaking out his fur. Up above, she laughed and turned, heading for the calico. Tsunami rolled her eyes and got off, adjusting herself to jump into a nearby tree for a better view. Hurricane glanced over and then at the Imperfect's form, judging it. 

     She realized the flaw after Tsunami jumped. Her back legs didn't have enough strength to jump and the black she-cat hurtled to the ground with a strained yelp. Hurricane didn't have enough time to dodge the cat and black and white fur collided with golden fur. Both lost their balance, despite the golden she-cat trying her best to dig her claws into the trunk. They tumbled off the tree and crashed into Lightning, who had tried to elude them.

     With Tsunami pressed against her back, Hurricane couldn't move and her paws shook as Lightning thrashed, her paws slipping and catching him in the eye. "Get off me!" he grunted, squeezing his one eye shut.

     "Get off me!" Hurricane hissed at Tsunami, trying to stand on a wavy surface Her back paw stepped on Lightning's tail, who violently jerked and her chin smashed against his forehead.

     "Stop moving around!" Tsunami growled, unable to find a solid surface to stand on to get off as Hurricane and Lightning tried to get up. 

     "I wanna join!" A cheerful voice squealed. Hurricane, her head stuck under Tsunami's front paw, saw a blur of orange fur before something collided with them. 

     "Wildfire!" All of them snarled, turning their attention on the tiny she-cat and she laughed, pulling away.

     "You guys are a mess," Firestorm groaned, coming out of the bushes with Blizzard trailing behind him. "It's embarrassing to see my younger siblings act like this. I understand it is fun to mess around at times, but we have to remain alert."

     "What's going to attack us here?" Tsunami asked, eyeing the forest as if a hoard of cats were about to ambush the group.

     "Hurricane," Lightning growled, spitting out a mouthful of her fur and promptly groomed himself, casting dirty looks her way.

     "Foxes," Hurricane noted, glaring at him with the same expression in her eyes.

     "Badgers," Wildfire said proudly, raising her head to the sun.

     "The Tribe of Shining Suns," Blizzard murmured, eyeing Hurricane with an unreadable gaze and glanced toward the mountain. 

     I think all of those reasons are understandable except for one, she thought, hiding a snicker and snarl. But I'd love to see what happens if Lightning and I got into a fight. The last time we didn't get to fight since I was so focused on Blizzard.

     Firestorm changed the subject. "If I remember correctly, Father specifically requested that Lightning and Tsunami were to go with Hurricane, right?"

     "Yeah, we aren't useless and don't need you guys coming to our help on everything just because we're younger," Tsunami argued, curling her tail. "But what are you doing out here?"

     "It was either you had Viper and Phantom watching you or us three. Just for extra security measures," Firestorm explained, looking sorrowful at Hurricane. She understood and gave him a reassuring nod, giving him her forgiveness. 

     "We'll have to deal with Father's integration why those two were knocked out, but at least you don't have those two around you all the time," Blizzard meowed happily, letting a hint of murder flash in her blue eyes. Hurricane looked the other way, the tufts of fur in the silver she-cat's claws becoming more noticeable.

     "Now what?" Tsunami asked. "Do we all do Hurricane's trial?"

     "Why are you in a bad mood?" Firestorm questioned, tipping his head. "Did you want Viper and Phantom to observe you?"

     Tsunami flattened her ears against her skull. "No, you know the look Viper's been giving me lately; it makes my fur itch." She tore the leaf in her claws apart. "I originally had it planned that it was Lightning and I who were doing this. Even if you just watch, you're bound to jump in if things get rough."

     "Hush," Blizzard said, batting Tsunami on the head. "It's no big deal. This can be our first quest with the newest Storm Sibling." 

     Hurricane felt a rush of pride at her words. Me, an Imperfect. Who would've thought? Try to remember Blizzard's words, though.

     "If she's going to join us." Lightning turned on her. "She needs to have a job."

     "Job?" she asked, tipping her head to the side. Like warrior, hunter, spy, healer, guardian, mother, and beta? 

     "Correct," Firestorm agreed. "It's a small system we have that seems to work effectively. I'm usually in charge, but that can vary depending on the task. Blizzard takes the front lines, Lightning is an excellent strategist, Tsunami doesn't fight until she sneaks her way to the head, and Wildfire is our healer but also helps plan out tactics."

     Hurricane nodded. "It seems like it works out, I, personally, don't care what job I get."

     "She can be bait," Lightning settled on.

     "Except for that," she corrected.

     "Cat shield."

     "And that."

     "I know you want to kill Hurricane, but try not to make it show that much," Firestorm commented, making Hurricane stand on her toes at the thought of all five of them secretly waiting until she let her guard down. 

     "What if she does something like what Tsunami does?" Wildfire suggested. "She only snakes her way through to the back, finding the information she needs. We can use Hurricane as that as well, but instead, she can take out stronger cats. Cats we think might be in charge."

     The suggestion floated around the group for some time. They each bounced ideas off of each other as more ideas came out. The only one who was opposed to the idea was Tsunami, but her voice was drowned out in the fire. Hurricane paid attention to each one, trying to fit the pieces together.

     "Well, they better choose well. Just try not to screw up," the menacing voice hissed. She flicked it, trying to make it look like she was only merely swatting a fly.

     What's the job I can get away with easiest? Hurricane pondered, letting the hissing voice pass through freely. I could do something with Wildfire since she's the only one who seems more comfortable around me. 

     "All votes for Wildfire's idea?" Firestorm asked. Wildfire raised her paw high in the air. Lightning raised his paw as well. Tsunami didn't, either she was taking the time to overthink her situation, or she didn't want her to have a similar job.

     "But it also depends on Hurricane's choice," Blizzard said. "What would you like to do?"

     "I'm good with anything," Hurricane replied confidently. Think. You're in Imperfect territory, it's okay to make mistakes now... but I really don't want to make mistakes anymore.

     "You idiot!" Her mind hissed louder than normal. "You never know what will happen! Go ahead, embarrass yourself! Do it!"

     "Looks like you'll be taking Wildfire's suggestion as a job. Think you can handle it?" Firestorm asked, raising an eyebrow towards her. The Storm Sibling stood her ground, swallowing down any worries that bubbled up in her throat like dewdrops.

     "Yes," she answered confidently. "I'll do my best."

     "Good then. Time to head towards the Tribe of Shining Suns," Tsunami smirked, directing her snarky comment toward her.

     That word made Hurricane's fur spike. Her heart nearly lunged out of her chest. Seconds after the black and white she-cat said those words, memories of escaping swarmed her mind like angry bees. Her wounds from the fight resurfaced and she tried not to let the worry and pain show. Her reaction boosted Tsunami's ego and the calico snickered and she couldn't tell if she was trying to joke or being mean.

     "Heheh..." her voice giggled. "Her words are like knives that play with your life."

     "T-Tribe..." Hurricane couldn't choke out the rest of the words. "Really?"

     "Yes," Lightning said. "Their territory will be our territory - soon. Father just wants us to deal with the predators."

     "Why?" Hurricane rasped like she was an old cat. "What's there to gain?" Every cat looked at her like she was crazy.

     "Father's order is to completely take out the Tribe of Shining Suns," Firestorm explained. "Surely you've seen the signs?"

     "But---"

     "It's not up for us to decide," Blizzard said sadly. "We may be his children, but that doesn't mean he sees us like them. We have no intention of taking them out."

     "Some," Lightning corrected, lashing his tail to express his point. "Some of us want to take them out." He glared at Hurricane with his fiery eyes. The newest member stood there, staring back. "You killed Owl."

     Owl? Hurricane pondered for a second, trying to understand the meaning behind his words. Then it fell into her head like a falling raindrop. "That battle! Origanum killed---"

     "She killed a member of my team," Lightning answered. "It's just me and Sheer now. Thanks." His voice was rising with venom each word. Hurricane felt the ground rumble as she was stuck in the flames of hatred.

     "Still," Hurricane grasped for her voice in the middle of the heat. "Taking out the tribe won't accomplish anything. Except filling in a hole for revenge."

     "Are you still loyal to them?" Tsunami question, turning hostile once again. "Most of us wants to eliminate that tribe."

     "It's not that," Hurricane snapped. "I'm mad at the tribe, but it's not their fault. It's my fault that I was kicked out." Wildfire's eyes sparked with joy and she tumbled forward, snuggling against her like Snow. 

     "How do you not want revenge?" Tsunami challenged.

     "You rarely want revenge!" Firestorm fired at his younger sibling. "This is one of the first times I've seen you openly admit you want it."

     "I always want revenge. I just hide it inside of me," she claimed calmly, keeping her voice somewhat stable. "Usually, I want it, but if I tell someone that I want it, it'll go away."

     "And what exactly do you want revenge for?" Blizzard asked. "If it requires killing any cat, call me up!" She smiled happily, supporting her little sister. Hurricane felt the familiar waves of terror from Blizzard creep towards her like crows to rotten food. Tsunami grinned and her eyes flashed mischievously, mouthing a few words she didn't catch. 

     "Just let me do my thing." Tsunami flicked her tail at Hurricane. 

     Hurricane scowled. "It doesn't make sense," she argued. "Say we do take them out, what's next? We've only filled the hole in our hearts of revenge. There will be nothing gained."

     "But if we take them out, at least we'll be satisfied," Tsunami answered. "There may be something left to fill up, but at least we finished one task."

     "Hey," Blizzard said, stepping between them. "Father wants us to attack the Tribe of Shining Suns, he wants them gone. All we can do is listen to him."

     "But if his supporters don't agree---"

     "Then you've got something else to learn," Firestorm growled, slowly flattening his ears against his skull. "Like Blizzard said, we may be his kits, but that doesn't mean we can do what we want."

     "What do you mean?" Hurricane asked, but her brain told her the answer she sought out. Her mind boosted the idea by bringing up stories she heard from Dandelion. 

     "You received love from your mother," Lightning explained, narrowing his eyes. "If you remember, our mothers weren't the fairest."

     "And our only hope was to turn towards our Father," Wildfire mewed beside her, pressing against Hurricane for comfort.

     "Our mothers never gave us love," Blizzard explained. "Neither did our Father."

     "So, in all." Tsunami wrapped up the sentence. It freaked Hurricane out that all five of them could orchestrate a sentence that each cat could say in just a matter of seconds. Her emerald eyes landed on Firestorm for the truth.

     "We're only pawns in his goal and nothing more than simple pieces in his game."