By the time a halfmoon had passed, Spottedpaw felt at home in his clan again. He'd been training again, and although Applepaw and Hawkpaw were upset to see Nightpelt leave Skyclan to become a loner, they knew it was her choice to make.
He was on patrol with Whiskertooth, Robingwing, and his brother, Breezepaw. His brother was chatting his ear off as the four cats were checking the border.
"And then, Sandpaw grabbed the thrush by the tail feathers and brought it down! The whole clan was super impressed! And, Spotted, Thrushfur really missed you, and even Silverstarling looked for you and Nightpaw with Wrenfeather every night! Applepaw chatted my ears off every day askin' if I knew anywhere about where you went! Her and Dapplepaw seem to be awful close, too, as if they were RAISED together! Ha, what a thought, right, Spotted?" Spottedpaw's gaze lingered on the lonerplace as they passed it, his heart yearning to go back and spend night with his friend on the trashbags, and have races in Skyclan's border. No cat other that the Day-light warriors even dared to move and inch away fro the border anymore, as if they were afraid of being taken by the loners, too. Or maybe just the dog coming back, Spottedpaw grumbled in his thoughts, mulling over what might be keeping them away. "Spottedpaw!" Said apprentice snapped back to what was happening, turning to look at his brother, who looked less than happy. "Geez, Spotted! It's like all you ever do is ignore everyone else other than your mentor, and Hawkpaw, and Applepaw, now! It's like you don't even have time for family!" He grumbled, rushing forwards to keep pace with his mentor, leaving Spottedpaw to take up the rear on his own.
"Don't hold it against them, Spottedpaw. Some of them think you left on your own accord." Whiskertooth tried to assure Spottedpaw, resting his tail tip on the apprentice's shoulders, to which he pulled away from.
"But, I didn't!" His hiss hurt his own ears, and Whiskertooth winced.
"I know you didn't. Not everyone has the same opinion. They're just unsure you're going to stay loyal, unlike Nightpaw."
"She's NightPELT, Whiskertooth! And I am loyal. I was born in Skyclan, and it's where I will live, for the rest of my life! Maybe you can't see that, either!" As his paws turned to run, it was like the eyes of the clan were watching him, Whiskertooth sat where he was, and he didn't stop until the faces were a memory. He found himself near the border of the Thunderpath and the Lonerplace, scenting the disgusting black tar monster stink of the Thunderpath, and the sharp smells of the Lonerplace mixing together.
"I think you were brave." The voice came from behind him, and he turned around quickly, seeing Mousepaw- Now Mouseheart, stand a few whisker lengths behind him.
