The morning after Rusty's encounter with the Clan cats, Rusty returned to the fence post where Smudge was already waiting.
"They asked me to join their Clan."
Smudge's whiskers quivered disbelievingly.
"They did!" Rusty insisted. "Why would they do that?" "I don't know," Rusty admitted. "I think they need extra paws in their Clan."
"Sounds a bit odd to me," Smudge mewed doubtfully. "I wouldn't trust them if I were you." Rusty looked at Smudge. His black-and-white friend had never shown any interest in venturing into the woods. He was perfectly content living with his housefolk. He would never understand the restless longing that Rusty's dreams stirred in him night after night.
"I trust them." Rusty purred softly. "But, I can't leave my housefolk alone. I'm going to stay."
Smudge sighed. "At first I thought you were going to join them. But, I guess you're not crazy after all." He purred as Rusty rested on the fence, looking into the deep shadows of the mysterious forest.
"Although, you will have to go to the cutter." Smudge said under his breath.
"Maybe, but at least I won't have to worry about where my next meal is coming from, or how to stay warm during winter, or other cats trying to kill me just because I'm not in their Clan." Rusty said, thinking about how much easier the life of a kittypet was compared to the harsh reality of Clan life.
Many seasons later
In ThunderClan Camp
Sandstorm shifted in her nest in the nursery, two kits snuggling at her belly. One was a brown tabby tom, the other was a light brown and pale ginger tabby she-kit. The she-kit had green eyes like her mother. The tom had amber eyes...like his father.
Dustpelt squeezed through the nursery entrance, a squirrel dangling from his jaws. He padded over to Sandstorm and set it down in front of her.
"How are they?" he said, avoiding her gaze and instead watching the kits, a distant yet soft look in his eyes.
"Thankfully, tired." She murmured as she began eating the squirrel. "How was the patrol?" She said with a mouthful.
"Uneventful. Borders are marked, prey is still running, and everyone is staying inside their borders." he said, his voice carrying no emotion.