Thunderpaw was awakened by a new warm body pressing against her back. She looked up, it was still dark out, from the light in the den, but she could tell that her friend, Eclipsepaw had come back from night patrol and that there was another cat she didn't know in the den. Cocking her head to the side, she prodded Eclipsepaw to find that he was already awake. "What's up, Thunderpaw?" he asked as though there was nothing amiss.

Thunderpaw's brow furrowed. Toms were so stupid sometimes. She pointed at the new body, which smelled of Loner and wet fur. "Who's this?" she whispered.

Eclipsepaw shrugged and responded casually, "I don't know and neither does Eagleclaw. We found her just within our border, asleep under a tree. We brought her here, cuz she's just as old as us you know." The black tom's whiskers twitched in another form of a shrug as Thunderpaw rolled her eyes. "C'mon, we should get some sleep. Silverstar is gonna have a look at her tomorrow." Thunderpaw twitched her own whiskers in a reluctant agreement, then settled down to sleep. The stranger's warmth at her back made her uncomfortable. She was so used to the empty space there and now it was being filled up.

***

She awoke the next morning by the sudden coldness at her back. Where the stranger had been was now empty. Thunderpaw left the Apprentices' den to find she'd been the only one asleep. Eclipsepaw and his sister, Fallpaw were out of the camp, probably hunting with their mentors. Cedarpaw, her sister, was helping Bonepelt sort through herbs and Icefang was talking with Eagleclaw. She couldn't spot the stranger anywhere. Suddenly, Icefang's ears pricked and, then she went into the Leader's den. Eagleclaw padded over to her. "There's my sleepy apprentice. So, do you wanna eat first before we go or what?" the black Warrior asked.

Thunderpaw cocked her head, scrutinizing the big tom bluntly. "Where are we going today and who was that cat Eclipsepaw brought into the Apprentices' den last night?" she inquired. Eagleclaw sat back, looking down at his apprentice with a steady gaze.

"You'll find out... but AFTER we find the hunting party and bring them back to camp, alright?" he said lowly, bending to look her straight in the eye. It was his look and his body language that told her she shouldn't speak of this until they found the hunting party and returned to camp. "So, do you need to eat before we go?" he asked again. Thunderpaw shook her head and started toward the camp entrance excitedly. She wanted to know who this new cat was and what they were doing here as soon as possible. Eagleclaw, dashed after, then past her, leading the way through their forest. They had to stop a few times along the way, so Eagleclaw could check the recent scent trails, but eventually they found the hunting party. Rainstorm, Eclipsepaw's mentor, had just caught a sparrow when Thunderpaw tumbled into Foxfur, Fallpaw's mentor and Thunderpaw's father. The copper-colored tom let out a yowl as he and Thunderpaw flew into some thistles, then laughingly spoke, "Thunderpaw! What's the rush?"