Author's Notes: Written awhile ago for a contest that I don't think was ever judged. When I wrote this it was to have a strong family feeling to it, but it's okay to draw a ProwlxSari vibe since rereading this, I could see where people could draw that conclusion.

Sunrise

Prowl contemplated the sky to the east. It had become his habit to watch the sun rise every morning. On Earth, the rising of its star was a beautiful sight and it never repeated itself. He observed it at the same time in the same place every morning, feeling calmed by the tranquility of it. He enjoyed bathing in the first rays of morning. To him, it felt like he was cleansing away the stress of the previous day.

Prowl was of course, a loner by nature. He enjoyed the solitude the roof provided him and the fact that he was usually the first one up everyday - a fact that still amused him when he'd see Optimus walking around sluggishly as his systems booted up for the day ahead. Prowl held respect for his young leader, but he still got a kick out of one-upping him in subtle ways.

However, one morning found him sharing his spot on the roof with a certain inquisitive little girl. "Prowl, what're you doing?"

Prowl looked down at the girl. "You're up awfully early Sari."

She shrugged. "I had a bad dream." she answered quietly.

Prowl nodded and went back to his quiet contemplation. Sari sat beside him, still wondering why he came up onto the roof every morning. "Prowl, you never answered my question."

He glanced down at her and then glanced back up at the rising sun. "I come up here to watch the sun rise."

Sari squinted her eyes to the east. "You watch the sun rise? Why?"

Prowl sighed. "Because I find it peaceful." He glanced down to the girl beside him. "And, I believe many Earth philosophies speak of light's cleansing power. Maybe it will help you shake off your dream."

Sari nodded and sat down beside the Autobot ninja. It wasn't lost on Prowl what a strange pair they must make, he in his confident meditative posture and her huddled beside him, still slightly afraid from her dream. He usually wasn't one to pry into others' affairs, but he did actually like Sari. "What happened in your dream?"

"Promise you won't tell?"

"I promise Sari."

She took a deep breath. "I was running around the factory like I did when Mixmaster and Scrapper barged in that one time, but I was calling for my dad. I could hear his voice but I couldn't find him. I looked all over."

Prowl was gazing at the dramatic reds, pinks, and yellows of the dawn sky, but his attention was aimed at Sari. "Go on."

"Well, then I heard Bumblebee calling my name. I tried to find him and my dad, but I just kept running in circles. Then I heard Optimus start calling me, and then Bulkhead, and then you, and then Ratchet, but I couldn't find any of you. I was so scared and so alone."

Prowl nodded. "You are afraid we'll leave you."

Sari nodded and sniffed. "You guys are all I have left. If we can't find my dad . . ."

"We'll find him Sari."

Sari sniffed again. "I don't want to be alone Prowl."

"I know Sari. No one likes to be alone."

She gave him a puzzled look. "But you like to be alone all the time."

"Yes, I like my solitude, but in a way I am not alone. I know that when I choose I still have you and the rest of the team as my friends to come back to. The loneliness you are afraid of is when you don't even have that hope. Trust me, I wouldn't like being alone without a friend in the world either."

Sari was silent for a moment. She was staring at the colorful sky before her. "Prowl, thanks."

"You're welcome Sari."

Prowl's gentle words were the last sound heard on the roof for quite awhile. It wasn't until Bumblebee came looking for Sari to fetch her for breakfast that the serenity of the roof was broken. He walked up to find Prowl in his customary meditation position, but Sari was curled up beside him, fast asleep. The early morning sun bathed her peaceful face and a small smile of contentment graced her features.

Bumblebee looked expectantly at Prowl, but the motorcycle touched a finger to his lips. "Let her sleep. She had a rough night."

Bumblebee nodded. "Well, we've got breakfast whenever she wakes up. I'll tell Bulkhead to put it up for now."

Prowl nodded in return and went back to his meditation. Fortunately, there were no emergencies so that he could sit vigil over Sari's sleeping form. It was close to noon when the little girl woke. She blinked her eyes and looked to the sun. It was high in the sky. She worried for a moment about sunburn but Prowl's hand had formed an impromptu tent for her.

"Prowl, how long have I been asleep?"

He took away his hand. "A few hours."

Sari nodded and stretched. Her stomach growled loudly, reminding her that she hadn't eaten in over twelve hours. She smiled sweetly up at Prowl and walked toward the roof door. Halfway there she stopped and glanced back. "Hey Prowl?"

"Yes Sari?"

"Can I come watch the sun rise with you tomorrow?"

Prowl smiled at her and nodded.