The weeks went by and Hazelkit soon became Hazelpaw. Her mentor was the deputy of Secret Clan, and also Flamekiss's mate, Sunbattle. Hazelkit adored Sunbattle for his power, loyalty, and courage. She was still close friends with Ebonypaw, Breezepaw, and Rosepaw. But especially Ebonypaw, he was her first friend when she arrived, although she didn't remember any of that. All she knew was he that he was her first friend.
"Hey Hazelpaw!" he meowed one morning. "Vexheart and I are going hunting, Want to see if you and Sunbattle can come with us?" Hazelpaw smiled. Vexheart was Ebonypaw's brave mentor, and a good friend to Sunbattle, she was sure he would let them tag along. She was right, Sunbattle didn't hesitate to accept the invitation.
The two apprentices and two mentors padded through the mountainous landscape. Hazelkit always loved looking over the edge of mountains to stare down at the rivers and trees. Ebonypaw joined her most of the time. Hazelpaw was glad to have such good friends in Secret Clan.
But one day she overheard her parents talking. She wished she hadn't heard what she did.
"Pinetrail, we can't go back…we could get in so much trouble if we did." Her mother meowed. "I know, but it doesn't feel right to stay here hiding from the past. I miss my friends, my home." What past? Hazelpaw wondered.
"Fine, I'll talk to Hazelpaw about it, but if we do return I must insist on staying in Wind Clan…" Her mother replied. "No, you must go back to Thunder Clan. Your mother, father, and brother miss you. We'll have to forget our relationship Creamfur." Her father said. Hazelpaw heard her mother walking towards her. She acted natural by continuing on as if she were just passing by.
"Hazelpaw, I need to speak with you." Creamfur called. Hazelpaw dreadfully turned around. "Yes mother?"
Creamfur told her how Mistcloud loved her, and her own forbidden love with Pinetrail, the clans where she used to live, and how they had run away to Secret Clan.
"Hazelpaw, we have decided it is time to return, to our real homes." Creamfur concluded. Hazelpaw was in awe. So much history she never knew about. It hurt.
"I'm not leaving." She mewed. How could she leave? "I understand you might not want to return-" Hazelpaw cut her mother off, "I know, but I don't want to return, this is the only home I have ever known. I have friends here. This may not be your real home, but it is mine." Creamfur closed her eyes solemnly and meowed back, "Okay Hazelpaw. I understand. Pinetrail and I will leave without you then." Creamfur padded away. Hazelpaw knew she didn't want to leave, but she would miss her parents, they way they missed their own parents, she assumed.
Later she told her friends about it and they all agreed it was right for her to stay.
The next day Hazelpaw watched as her mother and father padded out of camp. Secret Clan cats were saying goodbyes. Hazelpaw did not. She wouldn't say goodbye, you never say goodbye to your friends, and her parents were definitely her friends.
Hazelpaw knew now she was on her own. She had to make her own life now.
