Fianna was curled up in a ball, waking up groggily from an evening nap. She stretched relaxingly, and flexed her claws. She noticed her sister, and bounced up to her, prodding her vigorously in the flank.

Fiona woke up with a start, green eyes sparking with annoyance. "Fianna! Can't a cat get some sleep?" she hissed, lashing her furry tail in annoyance. Fianna just smiled smugly.

"We need to go. We have stayed in this Clan long enough" Fianna addressed, giving her chest some dignified licks.

Fiona flattened her gray ears, but nodded. "Okay. . . " she mewed, heaving herself to her paws. She licked a paw, and ran it over her ear. Satisfied with her neat pelt, she nodded to her sister.

The two switched siblings padded out of the den, looking around for Pondstar. Fiona spotted the dark gray and black tom, who was sitting proudly on a log. He was looking out into the distance, deep brown eyes sparkling with confidence. Fianna bounded towards him, trampling through grass filled with beautiful newleaf wildflowers. She gently dipped her head to the older tom, and started to speak softly.

"Um, Pondstar?" asked Fiona.

Pondstar flinched, as if he didn't notice the two she-cats were there. "Yes?"

Fianna straightened herself, erecting her tufted ears. "We thank you and your Clan for all you've done for us, but we have decided that today we are going to leave."

Pondstar sighed, looking quite remorseful. "Very well then. I hope you had a good stay here, and we will always welcome you with open paws. Do you need any cat to escort you out?"

Fiona was the one who spoke, speaking more loud and bold. "No, thank you. We do fine on our own."

Pondstar nodded, wrapping his tail more tightly around his paws. "Okay." He looked around, blinking. "Goodbye. And may StarClan light your path."

Fiona and Fianna lowered their heads. "Bye. Thank you."

They sprung off, spirits lifting with excitement. They ran into the woods, darting casually around the fallen trees and rocks. The picturesque forest was laced with golden light, warming their pelts. A warbler sang a sweet song in the distance, probably calling for its mate.

Then Fiona stopped suddenly, paws skidding across the crisp leaves that engulfed the woodland ground. "Fianna, do you smell that?"

Fianna almost slid into Fiona, claws scrabbling into the undergrowth. She shuddered. "Yes. It smells vaguely familiar. . . " Struggling to remember the nearly familiar scent, Fiona barely noticed the movement in the bushes next to her.

Just then, a light brown calico burst out of some bushes near them. His chest was puffed out proudly, and he ran up to the two she-cats.

Fiona hissed, lifting an unsheathed paw before seeing the cat and putting it back down. "Pinebranch!" she snapped, tail lashing in annoyance. "What are you doing here?"

Pinebranch halted, stung by Fiona's harsh comment. "I was on patrol. I smelled your scents, and I couldn't resist. I just had to come over, and see what you were doing." Then he blinked his bright, noticeably amber eyes. "What are you doing?"

Fianna piped in, excited to talk. "We are leaving! To the lab!"

Pinebranch perked his ears, smiling expectantly. "Can I come?" he asked, not even thinking it through.

Fiona looked at Fianna. Fianna looked at Fiona. "Well, I mean, I guess you can come. . . " Fianna mewed, twitching her whiskers. A tingling sense of happiness bubbled up in her chest.

Fiona huffed. She was about to disagree, when Pinebranch brightened. "Yes! This'll be awesome!" He cheered, mouth gaped wide in excitement. Fiona sighed, resigned to the fact that he would be hanging around for a while.

The cats got situated, and started off again. The traveling was silent, although it occasionally had some noise, like a cat talking about how hungry they were, or how bad their paws hurt.

Fiona looked around briskly, green eyes dimming. "I hope we get there soon. . . " she murmured.

That was brought to you by Animal! :D