The Sun sunk through the window of a house, and onto the silver fur of a small silvery she-cat who layed in her cat bed. She awoke to the suns welcoming embrace.

She gave a luxurious stretch and padded to the dog-door and she leapt out of it.

Her friend, Wheaty, the housecat, had other plans other than sleeping this early.

"Heyo, kiddo!" yowled the cream-furred Tom, his blue eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Dont call me kiddo, you big Tom-Kit" she teased.

Wheaty gave an exaggerated gasp of annoyance and shock. "Ugh! Rude!" he threw his head back.

She giggled. "Its true.."

He smiled. "Fine. Its true, Ash"

Ash was at least 15 moons younger than her kin, but Ash was much more mature.

"Hey there, mouse-turds!" teased someone.

Ash frowned. Snowfall. The mean nextdoor cat that always teased her and Wheaty.

"Leave is alone, No-balls!" Wheaty shot back with a hiss, making Ash giggle.

Snowball gave a furious hiss and lunged for Wheaty, his claws outstretched.

This caught Wheaty off guard as Snowball knocked him to the ground, Cream and white colliding.

Ash decided to jump on, and knocked Snowball off.

She sliced at his throat.

Snowball was much bigger than Ash, but she was quicker and more agile and more talented in fighting.

She sunk her teeth in his front leg and he gave a yowl of pain and jumped back. He raced back to his yard.

"Yeah! Hurry back home, Snow-Butt!" Ash yowled in triumph.

Wheaty came over and gave his younger kin a lick over the ear. "Thanks kiddo."

One of the housefolk came out and yowled something.

Wheaty perked his head up, his blue eyes suddenly interested. "Gotta go, Ash. My breakfast is ready" he raced off

Ash nodded and began to clean to scarlet blood that stained some of her silver pelt.

"Very well done, young one. I didn't know Kittypet's could fight like that"

Ash poked her head up as a Sandy colored tom and a jet black she-cat stepped out

The Tom was huge, muscles rippling under his Sandy pelt, his Amber eyes blazed, and his head and tail raised high.

The she-cat was small, smaller than Ash, with green eyes and four white paws that twitched when she stood still, as though itching to move again

The Tom purred with amusement. "No need to act so surprise," he purred, "We won't hurt you. What's your name, little one? Ash was it?"

Ash nodded.

"Calm yourself before your fear scent attracts unwanted attention." he commanded.

Ash closed her eyes and took a deep breath and felt her fear wash away at his gentle tone.

"My name is Sandstar, and this is Wildflower" he pointed to the she-cat who just nodded and continued to twitch and lick her paws.

"You just be them forest cats Wheaty told me about. I heard y'all are mighty strong" Ash commented

The warrior leader purred and nodded. "Indeed. Which is why we think you belong with us. We believe that you would make a benefit to our clan" he stepped closer.

Ash glanced back at her home. "Getting away from Snow-Butt would be nice..." Ash mumbled under her breath, rewarded with a purr of amusement from Wildflower and Sandstar.

"But I can't leave Wheaty behind... Can I have a chance to think about it?" she looked up at the Tom.

He nodded. "Of course. Tomorrow night. Moonrise. Meet us here, and don't be late" Sandstar said.

Ash nodded. "Of course!"

He nodded and waved his tail. "We shall leave for now. Remember, moonrise tomorrow night. Don't forget" him and Wildflower left.

Ash sighed and went back to her house to think about it.

A life of freedom?

Or a life of being trapped and taunted?

She already knew the answer.