sunwhisker padded into camp, followed by ravenfur, bunnysnow, and heatherclaw.

they had been on a successful hunting patrol, bringing back each two prey, some more.

but as he continued in camp, something didnt feel right. the presence in the air- it wasnt the same.

he dropped his squirrel and vole on the prey pile before looking around and almost immediately spotting sparrowtalon with a strange cat.

but that strange cat... there was something about her. and as he got a closer look, he recognized her immediately.

"so what! shes my friend. i choose ripplekit!"

"do you ever wonder if we'll become advisors? help lead the clan in peace? because i sure do hope that, ripplepaw."

"ripplepaw... you cant leave! you cant... you cant leave me here all alone...!"

he blinked away the tears threatening to spill from his eyes. theres no way...

ripplepaw. his best friend. they had a dream, a dream to be advisors together, and lead the clan side by side.

but she had left. she ran away, far away, after attacking the commander.

he knew she had gone far away- for he made sure to join every border patrol, searched around on his own free time, and even got his sisters to keep a lookout for her.

but she never came back. he had made himself forget about her after he became a warrior, for his own good. he couldnt be letting a dream slow him down.

but here it was... his dream, in front of his own two eyes. he padded closer, slowly at first, but gradually getting faster.

did the clan recognize her? should he call her ripplepaw? should he ask how's shes been? ask if she found other cats out there? ask if shes happy now?

"who... who are you?" was all he managed to say. embarrassment flooded him, and he wanted to slap himself for asking such a silly question.

he watched as the blue-gray fur on her spine risen. she turned around slowly, her fiery red eyes wide. wide with recognition.

"i-uh- lariana. lariana is my name." she whispered.

oh, had he hoped to listen to that voice for so long. and hearing her talk, it sent shivers down his spine.

"hey sunwhisker, guard her while i go get featherstar."

sunwhisker jumped at the sound of sparrowtalons voice interrupting his thoughts, but he nodded. "of course, sparrowtalon."

sunwhisker and sparrowtalon hadn't been that close when they were growing up, but they did know eachother well. after all, he was ri- no, larianas littermate.

he recognized her, right? how couldnt he? he acted as if he didnt. but sunwhisker was certain he did.

he noticed lariana standing there awkwardly as she looked around camp. "can you... can you tell everyone to stop staring at me?" she whispered, moving her head to look at her paws.

he said nothing as he watched her carefully. after several heart beats he broke the silence. "so... where have you been?"

she looked up in suprise. "what do you mean? ive been on my own for... for forever, wandering anywhere i please."

he took a deep breath. "i know who you are, so stop acting like you've never been here." he whispered, hoping no one could hear him.

she shook her fur. "i have no clue what you are talking about." she meowed stubbornly.

he snickered and shook his head. "you always have been stubborn, haven't you ripplepaw?"

she froze once she heard his last word. "sunpaw... how do you remember me?" she meowed, her voice low.

"are you kidding me? we were best friends... ive never forgotten you, ripple- lariana. we grew up together... then you just, you left. without even a goodbye."

he closed his eyes, hoping the deep sadness and love for her hasn't shown. what would she say? would she apologize?

"that's because i was unwelcome here. i-"

she cut off as featherstar padded out of her den, sparrowtalon by her side.

"so, lariana. what do you want?" featherstar meowed, glaring at the loner, mistrust showing in her eyes.

sunwhisker stood taller as he faced his leader. "she would like to stay and live here, featherstar."

featherstar flicked her tail in annoyance. "please let her talk for herself, sunwhisker."

he lowered his head in shame. "sorry.." he whispered.

the clearing was dead silent for a few heartbeats as they waited for the rouges answer.

"i think... i think i would like to stay."