Finding them was easy this time. Everyone else knew Sheegwa was with her mate, and they located Sagwa in the forest. She barely acknowledged their presence with a nod of disinterest; clearly, she wasn't lost.

"We were worried about you," Dongwa told her.

"I'm allowed to go for walks and clear my head, right?"

Dongwa smiled. "Is that where all those cobwebs are coming from?"

Baba looked at him. "Go back to camp," he snapped, "Check on An-Lin."

Dongwa frowned, but would not object to seeing to his daughter's welfare. He turned and ran back the way they came.

Baba sighed, returning his attention to his own daughter. "Try to remember what happened the last time you wandered off in a strange forest. I don't want you getting hurt."

"Getting hurt is fine. At least you live," she answered glumly. Then she realized what had been said about her niece, and she hesitantly raised her eyes. "What's wrong with her?"

"She got hurt," he said matter-of-factly. He studied her closely. "For someone who just said she was okay, you seem awfully subdued."

"Are you happy here?"

He scowled at the concerning question. "We're not travelling again, Sagwa. We can't."

She looked at him, sounding detached. "Yeah. Right."

He decided the best tactic was to change the subject, fast. "The fireworks will be starting soon. I'd like you back by then."

She was unresponsive. Baba turned and trotted after his son. Reluctantly, she stood up and followed him.

She had made her decision.


Dusk fell quickly and completely. The cats gathered eagerly, resting comfortably on their pillows; joining together in celebration. Not even Sagwa could deny that this large group of strangers seemed more like family to each other than her sister did to her.

She was just so different. All that lost time...

She felt a nudge on her left, and she looked up at a stranger grinning at her.

"Try to enjoy yourself."

Sagwa frowned at him. How was her mood any of his business? She had known him for three seconds.

Unfazed by her disapproval, he turned his smile to the pier; and Sagwa felt an unaccustomed rush of...belonging.

And it only made her miss Jet-Jet. Sneaking a discreet look at her family, Sagwa backed off of her pillow; not even catching the attention of the cat beside her, and trotted to the pale orange flash sitting in the moonlight. He was pretty unmistakable; his yellow eyes glowed, a pair of blue eyes glowed beside him, and a pair of glowing green eyes hovered between them.

"Hey. Leader?" Sagwa asked, her voice tinged with contempt. "That girl Hana is trying to steal members by trash-talking your mate. And daughter."

"Hana left."

"Well, she's here. Trying to make her own pack. She's saying your daughter isn't strong like Fan."

Siao-Po scowled. "Where is she?"

"Actually, I saw her by the shed with Wu-Ming."

Siao-Po stood up, sparing a glance at his mate. He knew Sagwa didn't like him; so the fact that she had willingly approached him did make him feel that something was wrong.

"Stay here. I'll sort it out."

Siao-Po left. Alone with her sister, niece, and nephew; Sagwa trained her eyes on her sister's glowing blue.

"We need to talk."

"Did you lie to him?"

"Yes."

"Is that how low you are nowadays?"

"That's how important this is."

Sheegwa's eyes roamed briefly to her offspring. Then, to her sister, she said, "Let's go someplace quiet."

They walked away together, ignoring the first fireworks that shot off the pier behind them. Quite certain that the whole camp was enjoying the party, they stopped by the trees. Everyone could see them, but no one could hear them.

Sheegwa looked unhappily at her. "Talk."

"Okay. Well, first off, I want to say again that we looked everywhere for you and asked every species we could think of. So...just remember that I love you."

Sheegwa's eyes narrowed. "Okay," she echoed.

"I think choosing Siao-Po was a mistake."

"What?"

Sagwa sighed. "He's living in the delusion that he owns everyone."

"No he's not," she said dismissively.

"Wait, okay? Listen to me. We haven't seen each other since we were kittens; do not cut me off. Please."

Sheegwa looked at Siao-Po and raised a paw to keep him from coming any closer. "Continue."

"I mean, don't you remember all that garbage about challenging authority?"

"Well, he is the leader."

"Then tell me one thing. If there are no rivals in this wonderful camp of yours, why is he at the top of a power struggle?"

Sheegwa again refrained her impatient mate. "Cut to the chase."

Sagwa gazed plaintively at her. "I want you to ditch him."

"What! No way!"

"Please, we can find an owner and finally live the way we were supposed to six months ago."

"I can't. I have responsibilities here."

"You have an unhealthy attachment to a delusional mind. Ditch him. Bring Song and Fan..." Her words turned rapid as Sheegwa brushed past her.

"Thanks for lying to Siao-Po and trying to ruin my relationship. Enjoy your welcome party." Sheegwa rolled her eyes and walked away. Trembling with emotion, Sagwa locked eyes with Siao-Po and watched her baby sister leave with him.