I yawned as I blinked awake, the sunlight shimmering through my dusty window. I paid it no mind, though, as I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up. I took a moment to stretch and then headed to the closet and grabbed a light yellow t-shirt and baggy tan , I walked into the bathroom and prepared the shower.

After I was done, I grabbed my backpack and headed out the door. I circled around the house and only paused to scratch a black and white cat behind the ears. 'Isn't his name Smidge?' I thought to myself as I strolled into the forest. As I was examining the beautiful trees, I felt cats jump on me. Suddenly, due to fear or surprise, I shapeshifted into a dark brown tom. As I did, I caught sight of the cats who were attacking me. One was a fire-colored tom and his companion was a sand-colored she-cat. They both were shocked, fear scent trailing from them both, their fur bristling. Suddenly, the fire colored cat ringed an ancient bell. After an uncomfortably long stretch of silence, I blurted out to the flame-colored tom, "Are you Rusty?" This seemed to break the duo out of their trance, as they both shook their head, and the flame-colored cat gazed at me curiously. "N-no. Not anymore. My name's Firestar now." He meowed. "and I'm Sandstorm." the pale she-cat interjected. I nodded at her and returned my gaze to Ru- no, Firestar. "Now we get to ask a question." Firestar mewed cautiously. I nodded my head, prompting him to continue. "What,exactly, are you?" he asked.

I sat down and wrapped my tail around my legs. "When I was born, I didn't come out right. I had a weird ability to transform into cats. When I was younger, I couldn't control it and would often shapeshift into a cat at random times. Luckily, it only lasted for 10 minutes at most. " I mewed, purring. "Last year, I had finally gained control of it, although I can still randomly transform if I am scared or surprised." I admitted. "I usually come here to just relax and calm down. These trees, I don't know what it is about them, but they're so...soothing." I finished, purring. After exchanging a glance with Sandstorm, Firestar gazed at me. "Would you like to join our clan?" He asked.
"What?" Both me and Sandstorm yowled in surprise. "F-Firestar...I can't just leave my family..." I murmured quietly. "That's what I thought, too, but I came here and I'm so much happier." Firestar explained. "No, it's not like..." I mewed, before stopping to retract my claws. "Imagine if you went missing, Firestar. No explanation whatsoever." I mewed. "Thunderclan would be worried. They would send cats to look for you. That's the same with my family." I explained. "My family would be worried and would come looking for me. And I can't...I don't want that happening." I sighed, laying myself on the cool grass. "How do you know about Thunderclan?" Firestar asked. I blushed and quickly sat up. "I...hear things..." I quickly explain, feeling myself grow embarrassed. "We'd better get going." Sandstorm mewed, sitting up and stretching. "You, too." Sandstorm glanced at me. "You wouldn't want to keep your 'family' waiting." She purred, bounding into the undergrowth, Firestar following not too far behind. After they were gone, I sniffed the air, making sure nobody was watching as I transformed back. With the sun setting, I picked up my backpack and headed back home.