Sedgefang scented the air, whiskers twitching. She was on patrol with Liontooth, Dovewillow, and Cindershade.

"Kittypet." Liontooth muttered beside her, growling under his breath. Sedgefang could smell it too, but that made sense as they were close to the twolegplace border. But this scent was stronger than usual, and made Sedgefang worried.

Dovewillow stopped. "A tom. Fresh, too." Worry flashed in her yellow eyes. "Is he planning on attacking SummerClan?"

Liontooth snorted. "Of course not. Kittypets are weak and hare-brained. They'd never be able to plan something like that." He paused. "And I only smell one."

Cindershade lashed her tail. "That doesn't mean there aren't more. We should keep an eye out."

"But we still have to finish the patrol." Sedgefang growled. "AutumnClan has been pushing the border, the arrogant furballs." Murmurs of angry agreement sounded among the cats.

"Then let's keep going." Liontooth grunted stubbornly. Sedgefang reluctantly followed. AutumnClan weren't the only arrogant furballs in the forest. Liontooth thought as the deputy he had a right to boss everyone around. And he's right, but he doesn't have to be so smug about it!

An idea popped into Sedgefang's head. "What if you three keep going and I check out the scent?" It'll give me some alone time, away from Liontooth.

Dovewillow brushed against her. "What if there are more kittypets? You can't take them on by yourself." Worry laced her mew.

Cindershade nodded. "Or you could run into an AutumnClan patrol."

Sedgefang flicked her tail dismissively. "I'll be fine." She asserted. "I'll check it out and come right back."

"It doesn't sound like a bad idea," Liontooth mewed. "I'll let you go." Dovewillow was still looking reluctant, but she said nothing as Sedgefang padded off. Let me go? I let myself go. I didn't need his permission.

Sedgefang continued to brood as she absentmindedly followed the scent trail. It led in a beeline to twolegplace, and looped around as if the cat had ventured into the forest, then turned back home. This isn't going to be a threat, like I thought. Dovewillow worries too much.

Sedgefang was surprised when she stumbled across a patch of blood on the ground. The scent told her that the kittypet had caught a mouse then ate it. A kittypet catching prey? She shook her head. My nose must be playing tricks on me.

As she went in to check again, a mew sounded behind her. "You won't be finding any more food there, I'm afraid."

Sedgefang whipped around to see a dark gray fluffy tom sitting rather comfortably on a tree branch. His long tail twitched below him, and his green eyes shone with humor. This was no doubt the kittypet she had been scenting; his breath reeked of mouse and he looked like he hadn't missed a meal in a while.

"What are you doing here? Who are you?" She hissed, not liking the fact that he was above her on the branch.

He began cleaning a paw. "That was one good mouse." His whiskers twitched with amusement. "Who are you? You look quite thin. You could use a meal or two at my den. My housefolk would be more than happy to welcome you."

Housefolk? This tom knew some strange words. But her irritation overruled her curiosity. "I would never accept food from a twoleg. I'd rather starve." She lashed her tail before continuing. "Besides, I asked first. Who are you and what are you doing on my territory?"

The tom let out a purr of laughter. "Well, it isn't exactly your territory, but I'm Dusty. Now answer my question." He said in a tone that was too friendly for this conversation, in Sedgefang's opinion.

How did he know that wasn't my territory? She realized she had passed the border in her search. But the kittypet had no way of knowing, unless he had figured it out himself. A flicker of admiration made her paws tingle. He caught a mouse, knows how to climb, and knew I passed the border when even I didn't.

"Well?" Dusty pressed. Sedgefang realized he had asked her a question, and her pelt grew hot. "Sorry. I'm Sedgefang." She replied.

Dusty let out an amused mrrow. "What an odd name." Sedgefang felt the fur on her back prickle. "No odder than yours." She remarked.

He leaped down from the branch with surprising grace, stopping in front of Sedgefang. "True," he began. "Maybe life in your group is odd, but only to me." He licked his paw again, this time pausing to drag it over his ear as he spoke. "And to you, life as a-what did you call me? A kittypet?-is odd."

Sedgefang had never thought of it that way. It was clear this kittypet had thought about this before. She realized she was staring at him while she was thinking, and quickly averted her gaze, pelt hot with embarrassment. Dusty chuckled.

"What is life in the group like anyways? Maybe then I won't think it's so weird." He said. Sedgefang smiled. "Maybe I should tell you sometime." She stopped, cursing herself. Sometime? I've just met this cat, and I'm already planning on seeing him again?

A sudden thought made Sedgefang distracted from Dusty. Where are my Clanmates? I told them I'd get right back. "What's wrong?" Dusty asked.

"I have to get back to my Clanmates." She said. Dusty sighed. "Oh, okay." He brushed his cheek against hers, and Sedgefang's heart sped up.

"When can I see you again?" He asked. Sedgefang smiled. "Tomorrow. Same place, same time."

Dusty nodded. "I'll be there." As Sedgefang left for her Clanmates, she realized she had felt happier with this cat she hardly knew than with the cats she had known her whole life.

I haven't known him long, she mused. But I know he's part of my destiny.