A/N: Sorry phor the long wait…but here ya go! XD

Shine saw Mist cantering back towards her, he looked slightly happy; but where was Silk? She tossed her mane and neighed to him. Mist slowed and stopped beside her. "Well?" Shine asked nervously, she hoped Silk didn't get hurt. "Her old stallion returned…" Shine held her breath; was he angry about her being with Mist and not him? Mist saw her nervous look as thoughts raced through her mind. "He asked her to go home with him…she accepted. I'm am happy for her, she didn't belong here and we both knew it." Shine let out her breath. It was true. Silk never really had belonged in the herd. "At least she can be happy now." Mist nodded and the two went off to graze.

Silk nuzzled Spitfire's shoulder as the galloped side-by-side towards the herd. Silk wondered what had happened since she had left; was Ice still around? She dreaded meeting the beautiful mare again. It was her fault Spitfire stopped being attracted to her. But he did come back for her…maybe things were over between Ice and he.

"Spitfire…Sky was kicked out of the herd just before you arrived." Spitfire skidded to a halt. "I was wondering why I didn't see her…" Silk lowered her head. "I don't know where she went Spitfire." Spitfire nodded, also looking sad and crushed. "I just hope she meets a nice stallion; one that will take care of her." Silk nodded in agreement; then they both took off again. They both knew it was no use trying to find their filly. They couldn't go back through Mist's territory; plus she would be long gone by now.

Finally the herd came into view. Silk recognized everyone perfectly. Power, Bolt, Midnight, Twilight, Storm, and even Ice. Spitfire threw up his head and let a magnificent neigh rumble through the air. All six mares looked up as awe settled over them; Silk was home! Spitfire nuzzled Silk's cheekbone and trotted down towards the herd eagerly. Silk nickered and followed cheerfully; she never thought she would be back home again, never. As all the mares crowded around her, welcomingly, she felt as if she really belonged again. Then Ice made her way through the mares and lowered her gaze, as if ashamed to even look at Silk. "I know I caused all this trouble…but I want to be friends. I didn't know Spitfire would reject you the way he did when I joined the herd…I…" she trailed off and Silk knew what she was trying to say. "Apology accepted. I know you didn't mean for any of this to happen." Ice raised her head and smiled. Silk nuzzled her and then turned to Spitfire. He reared up and neighed triumphantly then the two ran up the hill side to watch the herd together, for the first time in a long time.

Mother…where are you? What am I to do out here all alone? That same line of thoughts kept running through Sky's head as she galloped into unknown territory. Mist had always been there for her, as had Shine and her mother. Now she was all by herself; alone for the first time in her young life. Suddenly she stopped her frantic galloping. She was going back to her father. (Remember she left home at an early age so she thinks Mist is her father) Mist would take care of her if she returned…wouldn't he? Shine would help him see that she belonged there. And so would Silk. Confidence seared through her as she kicked up her heels and galloped back towards the scents of her mother, Mist, Shine, and some strange stallion. She was sure Mist could chase off any stallion who dared to lay hoof in his territory. Finally she could see Shine and Mist grazing together, but where was Silk? She neighed and both horses looked up to see her. Mist came trotting over.

"Sky, what are you doing back here?" Sky gulped. "I…don't want to leave my home!" Shine walked over and wrapped her neck around Sky's head comfortingly. "It's okay…" she tried to soothe her, but Sky wanted to see Silk. "Where's Mommy…?" Mist sighed. "She left…with Spitfire." Spitfire, the name echoed inside Sky's head. Why did it seem so familiar? Shine nuzzled her again. "Sky, you and your mother don't belong here…go on, find yourself a nice stallion to take care of you." Sky shook her mane. She didn't want a stallion! Mist nodded and raised one hoof into the air warning her that if she stayed she would be driven out again. Shine was supposed to help her, not agree with Mist! Why was her father so intent on driving her away? "I don't want a stallion daddy…I want to stay here, at home." Shine and Mist exchanged worried glances. Mist spoke next. "Oh Sky, don't you understand? I'm not your father…Spitfire is. That is why Silk left with him." His words poured into Sky's mind painfully. All her foalhood memories with her real herd and father came back. She felt like going home then and there, but she knew that if Spitfire hadn't bothered to look for her, he didn't want her in the herd. Sky looked at Mist, then Shine, and before she could stop herself she neighed painfully and took off back the direction she had come. Why was the truth so hard for her? She had known it all along in her heart.

She traveled all day long until she could travel no further. Her legs collapsed underneath her and she fell to the ground. She heaved in exhaustions from her nonstop travel. She was running away from her troubles, but that was all she could do. Her parents didn't want her anymore, they wanted another foal, perhaps a better one. Sky's white coat was becoming brighter everyday; any stallion could see her from a distance. But Sky wasn't thinking about stallions, she just wanted to escape her prison of a life. She rolled onto her delicate side and closed her eyes. Sure, laying down and sleeping in the middle of the night with mountain lions all around. Nothing to be worried about right? Sky didn't care if a lion ate her. She wanted to die. (Poor Sky!) Her breathing slowed as she drifted into a deep slumber.

A hoof gently pawed at her side. Sky blinked and opened her eyes. "Your alive!" a voice said above her. She looked up to see a paint stallion gazing down at her. He was brown and white, with pretty blue eyes. Sky started to get up, but her legs felt week and they wobbled around. The stallion helped her up and then looked around. "What's a pretty mare like you doing out here all alone? I bet there is one handsome stallion in your life." He smiled kindly. Sky blinked. "I have no family." She said, rather coldly. The stallion's smile faded and he just kept looking at her. "Neither do I." Sky turned back to look at him. "What are you doing out here?" he repeated. Sky felt an attitude coming on. "That's exactly what I was going to ask you." She turned around and started walking limply away; but she heard the stallion's hooves crunching into the ground as he followed her. "Why don't you just leave me be?" she said without turning around. There was no answer. Sky suddenly realized why this stallion was following her, watching her. She was in her first heat. Uncomfortably she started trotting, trying to get him to give up. But picked up his pace and stalked after her. Sky's patience was running out. She turned around to tell him off but as she did she came nose-to-nose with him. Her eyes widened a little but she backed up. The stallion lowered his head, embarrassed. "You need a place to stay. You're hurt." He finally said. Sky looked at the leg that had caused her to limp. "So I am." The stallion flicked his head towards the east. Sky glanced that way, but saw nothing but the plains. The stallion playfully nipped her side and took off. Sky felt herself flushing, but followed him. Perhaps she could find a place to rest and be okay for a while.

As she caught up the stallion rounded a corner and then a shrill neigh cried out in pain.

A/N: ha ha! Cliffie! Now, please review! XD