Rusty was sure he knew what to do, so he went to Smudge's house to tell him. Smudge was on the fence, and he said, "Rusty? What's up?" He said Rusty said, "The wild cats have asked me to join them. I think I will take up the offer." Rusty saw Smudge gasp, and maybe a little hurt. He said, "Why would you want to join them? There evil cats! They fight with each other and will kill!" He said. Rusty argued and said, "They probably don't for no reason!" He said. Rusty did feel a little guilty for leaving Smudge, so he tried to cheer him up by saying, "Your a nice cat Smudge! I'm sure you will become friends with the new cat my housefolk's gets if they do get one!" He said Rusty was a little jealous at the thought of his housefolk getting a cat that's not him. But they deserved to be happy, and not alone. Smudge sighed and said, "I see I can't stop you from joining, but can we at least spend one more night together?" He asked Rusty nodded and went to hang out with Smudge.

The night was over, and Rusty said good bye to Smudge and went to sleep for one last night in his housefolk's den. Was he really ready to leave this all behind? Would he regret it? No, he was sure he wanted to join. He would miss his housefolk, but he was ready to leave them behind. He fell asleep, starting to dream of the forest and what it would be like.

It was morning now, and Rusty went to meet up with the cats, he looked back at his house, and felt a pang of regret that he wouldn't see it again. But his housefolk would be find surely. He saw Bluestar come with Lionheart, but there seemed to be a new cat there as well. Bluestar said, "Ah, you noticed the other cat, His name is Whitestorm." He said. The Tom was a big fluffy white Tom, with yellow eyes. Whitestorm said, "Bluestar told me you wish to join our clan, if you do, you can not go back to your twolegs." He said Bluestar said, "He is right. It is one or another." She said. Rusty said, "I am sure I want to join!" He said. Bluestar nodded and said, "Follow me." And they went into the woods.