Patches looked intently around, the wind ruffling her fur. Birds chattered in the air, and the musky scent of mouse filled her nostrils. Her eyes widened in excitement. Finally! Another chance! She looped around, slipping past a bush, the leaves rustling slightly. She caught the mouth-watering scent again, creeping towards it. She spotted the creamy grey fur of the small creature, lunging forwards and batting it with a paw. It squealed in terror, scuttling away but Patches hit the ground with her paw, just in front of the mouse. It reeled around, sprinting away as fast as it could. Patches gave chase, nipping at its tail. She was so focused on the thing, she didn't notice the tree approaching. The mouse scurried down a small hole at the base, leaving Patches to crash into it. She yelped, her eyes shooting open. He ears drooped. Back at home, in her fluffy nest. 

She got up, stumbling over to a chair and leaping onto it, scrabbling at the legs and hauling herself up. She heard the rattle of her twoleg pouring her dry, tasteless food pellets into her bowl, and the door slam shut. She twitched her ear, not hungry for that horrid food, especially after her dream. That was the fourth dream about the forest that she had experienced. Just the thought of that mouse made her mouth water... Stop it! She scolded herself, climbing up onto the table and settling down at the window sill.

Patches gazed out the window, staring at the white fence that lined the garden. She got up, stretching then jumping off the window sill, bounding to the door and pushing through the squeaky cat flap. As the cat flap swung to a stop, making a few feeble squeaking noises as it did, she looked around, darting to the fence and jumping nimbly onto it. Patches looked across the thunderpath at the vast expanse of forest, lining the edge of the twoleg place. 

"Not going to the woods, are you?" She jumped at the sudden voice, humour and a tinge of worry woven into it. She turned, facing a white tom with black spots. A purr rumbled in her throat. 

"Maybe." She flicked her brother's flank. "Anyway, how would it affect you, Panda?" The tom shifted, glancing at the woods. For him, the woods seemed threatening, dark. But for Patches, it seemed like a place of endless possibilities. Panda scuffed the ground, looking away. He didn't answer, but he didn't need to. Patches sighed. Panda had also told her about cats that lived in the forest, wild and reckless. They apparently sharpened their claws on the bones of enemies and killed everycat in their paths.

"I'm going for a walk." Panda looked up in alarm, but before he could speak, she jumped off the fence, darting over the thunderpath and into the forest. Luckily the thunderpath was empty, no monster in sight. Patches strolled through the trees, the breeze ruffling her fur She breathed in the fresh scent of the place, then froze. The musty scent of mouse filled her nostrils, and her eyes sparkled with excitement. Yes! 

The kittypet dropped into an awkward crouch, the bell attached to her lilac collar jingled softly. She spotted the dusty brown mouse, swiping her tongue around her muzzle and swiping out a paw at it. Suddenly the blurred form of a brown she-cat crashed into her, and Patches toppled over with a screech of alarm, paws flailing at the attacker. She managed to writhe away from the cats' grip, pelt fluffed out with fear. She bolted away towards her home, and could almost feel the snapping jaws of the cat pursuing her, trying to chomp down on her tail.

This is useless! She thought, fear scent emanating from her as she whipped around, hissing. The skinny cat looked slightly taken aback, but leapt at her, her claws digging into her flanks. Patches once again yowled, squirming around and kicking at her attacker's stomach. The brown she-cat let out a small 'Oof', tumbling away. Patches scrambled to her paws, glaring at the cat and hissing. 

The lithe she-cat just got up, licking her paw and drawing it over her ear. Patches hissed, confusion sparking in her eyes, but also a twinge of anger.

"Aren't you going to fight me?" She spat, although her courage was quickly disintegrating. She she-cat shrugged.

"Nah. What's your name?" Patches' eye twitched, and she sat down, although positioned to bolt if needed.

"Patches..." The cat opened her mouth to speak when bushes rustled nearby and three cats bounded out. A tall, grey tom with piercing green eyes. His pelt was slightly ruffled. Next to him was a golden tabby she-cat with amber eyes tinged with yellow, and behind them was a blue-grey she-cat with blue eyes. 

"Lynxpaw!" The golden tabby scolded, approaching the brown she-cat. "You shouldn't go near the twolegplace! Let alone be talking to kittypets!" The cat shot Patches a disapproving look, and the fur along her spine bristled with indignation. Lynxpaw ducked her head, scoffing. The grey tom studied Patches, eyes narrowed.

"No kittypet has dared come into the forest for a long time," He meowed, eyes still narrowed at her. "No, not at all. You really could've got that mouse, if you were a bit faster, and you fought Lynxpaw instead of fleeing. You have great courage, although a kittypet. I would like to ask, if-" 

The blue-grey she-cat cut him off, eyes wide. "Stonestar, are you seriously about to let her in? She's a kittypet! She doesn't have any warrior blood!"
"Warrior blood..." He mused, an unreadable expression crossing his face. "Too much of that has been spilled recently," He snapped out of his daze like state. "Patches, would you like to join the clan?"

Patches didn't even register that the tom knew her name, too caught up in her surprise. 

"Wh-What? I don't know what a clan is..." She gulped. She could tell this was special by the shocked, disbelieving look on all the cats' faces.

"Join Thunderclan? Are you sure Stonestar?" The golden she-cat meowed. 

"I'm sure. We need more warriors," Stonestar turned to Patches. "A clan is like a group. I am Stonestar, leader of Thunderclan. There is also Shadowclan, Windclan and Riverclan-" Patches blinked, noticing that he said 'Riverclan' with a dry tone. "- Clans are organised. They run neatly, and you will learn more if you join, young cat. Goldenfur will be here tomorrow at sundown. Make your choice. We will be expecting you." He flicked his tail, turning and disappearing into the bush, his companions following. Lynxpaw glanced at her, before following.

Anticipation made Patches' paws tingle, and her eyes were wide. Wordlessly, she turned and fled back to her home, thoughts darting in and out of her brain. What just happened? As she tumbled out of the forest, her excitement seemed to dull slightly, now that she was away from where the offer was made. Her breathing was slightly ragged, and she shivered, racing back inside and ignoring her brother, who meowed something that she didn't hear. She curled up in her bed, puzzled. She didn't even feel the hunger in her stomach as she drifted off to sleep, her head buzzing.

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A/N:

Woah... Longest chapter I've ever written! Hope you enjoyed!

~Night