Ebonypaw groaned and left the alleyway. It wasn't even dawn yet, but Phantom insisted they head out now towards the lake.

Peggy, and Eliza were with Ebonypaw, Russetwind, Shadowhunter, and Phantom. Shadowhunter was consistently walking over to Ebonypaw and rubbing against her. Until later, when the group neared the forest.

Shadowhunter went next to Ebonypaw once again, Ebonypaw's gaze was forward, not really noticing Shadowhunter. Till his tail wrapped around her's and he licked her ear.

"You understand I claimed you... Right? I don't feel right when you talk all lovey to Rhinestone."

Ebonypaw looked at the dark feline. Her eyes full of sorrow. "I-I'm so sorry, I didn't think you'd mind.."

Shadowhunter sighed, and nodded, "Don't beat yourself up about it." He licked her again. She rubbed her head on his cheek and licked the corner of his mouth.

~~~~

It wasn't that long till Russetwind called out for a halt (he was leading them back) to hunt.

Shadowhunter and Ebonypaw walked side by side, Ebonypaw's ears flicked and she fell into a hunter's crouch. Her eyes staring at a rabbit sniffing around for food itself. Ebonypaw flicked her head to the left for Shadowhunter to prepare to run incase it caught her sent. The rabbit looked up, then looked back down.

Ebonypaw jumped at the rabbit, it looked over at her then ran to the left. Shadowhunter was ready and jumped at it himself, pinning the squealing animal down until he bit into its neck. Killing it. He picked up the fine catch, pride in his eyes.

"Wonderful, let's go back and we can share that one." Ebonypaw purred, poking Shadowhunter's nose with her own, then walking back to the other cats.

The others had already found and killed a few smaller creatures, though Phantom had two robins. Eliza kept staring at Phantom with dark rage glistening in her blue eyes.

The six cats ate their catches in silence, till Eliza lifted her head to see Peggy laying against Phantom.

"Phantom if you get any ideas about my sister I will slice your throat out of your neck."

"You wouldn't do that. Rhinestone would be so sad." Phantom laughed turning his head to lick Peggy's ears.

Eliza growled, before looking back at her meal and licking the scraps of meat up.

~~~~~~~~~

Ebonypaw's ears perked, and she rushed forward. Jumping up a hill she looked out at the lake. A smile plastered on her face. They were near Finchclan but Troutclan was right by Finchclan. Ebonypaw could see the rivers of her home! Her sisters, her parents, her future... All in that island of TroutClan.

Shadowhunter walked up next to the white dotted feline, his tail rising at the sight of the lake.

The sun's heavy shine mirroring on the lake made it seem as though thousands of gems were glowing on the water. The tall, heavily leafed trees slowly moved to and fro from the light wind.

Ebonypaw rubbed her head on Shadowhunter's shoulder.

"We're home."

~~~~~