Sweetdawn followed the other cats on patrol, keeping her tail down. The black she-cat hated going on patrol. She didn't want to feel restrained. There was a lot more territory outside of the borders.

"Hey."

Sweetdawn glanced up when she felt another cat brush up against her. Her mate, Cloudflight gave her a huff.

"Just a bit distracted," she fell back so that the rest of their patrol went on ahead of them.

"Are you alright?" the white tom lowered his voice. "Littlepaw and Lavenderpaw are concerned."

"Why are they?" Sweetdawn was anxious. What was her kits worrying so much about?

"You seem so distant lately. As if you aren't happy." Cloudflight sighed.

She almost chuckled at his words, but had to stop herself. He wasn't wrong. She had both of her parents, her kits, and a mate. The Clans were at peace. But she wasn't happy.

"I'm fine. Just doing some thinking."

Sweetdawn paced around the edge that lead to rouge territory. She had met a couple of rouges. They all seemed tough, as if they could kill her if they wanted to. She almost shivered.

"Still hanging around here?"

Sweetdawn swirled to face her son. Littlepaw had a sad look on his face. The small gray tom lowered his ears.

"I'm just thinking."

"You are always saying that," Littlepaw rubbed his head against her flank. "I can tell you aren't happy, Mama."

"I guess not," she admitted. "I love being a warrior, but I want to leave. To travel around."

"I understand," Littlepaw nodded. "I think you should go. If it would make you happy, than you should go achieve your dreams."

What about you, Cloudflight, and Lavenderpaw?

Her heart felt heavy at the thought of leaving them behind. She couldn't leave her family. But would she give up her own happiness to give them theirs? It would be selfless of her and would set a good example. But she couldn't.

Goosestar flicked his tail to signal the end of the Clan meeting, but was interrupted by Sweetdawn's yowl.

The tom gave her a sigh, but let her speak. She glanced around at the Clan. At her friends and Clanmates that she had so many precious memories with. But she had to do this. For herself.

"Cats of ShadowClan. I have been proud to become a warrior. To defend and protect my Clan. But my heart isn't here," She tried to ignore the gasps and glances of her Clan, but she continued. "I am leaving ShadowClan to become a loner. I want to go many different places and I can't do that here. I'm not sure if I'll ever see you all again."

"Are you sure?" Cloudflight questioned, voice laced with worry and pain. "What about me? And the kits?"

Lavenderpaw and Littlepaw were standing together, their gray pelts blurring together. Littlepaw nodded at her while his sister looked from parent to parent.

"Come with me. I gave this a lot of thought."

"I can't," he sounded as if his throat was tight. "My home is here."

"Sorry, Mama, I want to be a warrior," Lavenderpaw wouldn't meet her eyes.

"Me too." Littlepaw echoed her, a knowing gaze lighting up his face. He was wiser beyond his years. Just like his father.

Sweetdawn glanced around one more time, taking in the scents one more time. To remember her mate's scent. The scent of her kits. . .

With a heavy heart, she rubbed her head against her mate's. She licked each of her kits on the head before turning and racing out. If she looked back, she might have changed her mind.

Sweetdawn followed the scent of mouse as her stomach growled. She knew that she had to be careful since she was in ShadowClan territory. It had been four seasons since she left, but somehow she ended up back here. Somewhere deep in her heart, the Clan was still home. She still missed her family.

Did Cloudflight get a new mate? Were Littlepaw and Lavenderpaw being respectful to their mentors? Were her parents happy? She was their only kit.

She was distracted, so the mouse had heard her. The tiny brown creature fled under a bush and vanished from sight. She shook her head and opened her mouth, trying to catch another scent. She didn't smell prey. A familiar warmth washed over her as a couple of cats showed up.

There were two of them, fully grown warriors who looked strong and healthy. Their fur was dark gray. A tom and she-cat. Were they?

"Lavenderpaw? Littlepaw?"

"It's Lavenderpelt now," Sweetdawn's daughter purred as she rubbed her head against her mother's.

"It's Littleheart," her son blinked at her. "I've missed you."

"Me too," she responded, "You two are warriors now. I'm so proud. I'm sure Cloudflight is too."

"I'm sure he's watching," Lavenderpelt frowned a bit.

Cloudflight must have died while she was away. Sweetdawn knew he would be looking at his kits from StarClan. Would she go there as well? She turned her back on Clan life. But she still believed. And she had Littleheart and Lavenderpelt. She would stay with ShadowClan for a bit before she moves on. She couldn't be any happier.