Having said their goodbyes, Rolo and Hershey left the dove coloured roads, yellow lights and red bricks behind them as they leapt off the fence separating the forest and Twolegplace. Rolo looked around, not used to the sights, smells and sounds of the vibrant forest that suddenly flooded his senses.
"It's very...green." Hershey said uncertainly.
"It was your idea to come here, furball. I suppose we will get used to it if we stay."
"Yeah. You're right."
"As usual."
"Can't you accept a compliment when you get one?"
"Can't you come up with any good comebacks?"
"Furball."
"Don't use my words against me."
"Can't you come up with any good comebacks?"
"I hate you."
"As usual."

***********************************
The toms continued to walk through the forest, not encountering any cats.
"Isn't there supposed to be a large group of bone-eating, tiger-sized monster cats who line their beds with kittypet fur somewhere around here?"
"Um...Hershey, I think they found us."
A light brown tabby tom with a white underbelly and tail tip stalked out of the ferns in front of them, green eyes narrowed. At his heels was a young white and grey tortoiseshell she-cat with amber eyes. Following behind them were a long-furred black tom with amber eyes and a ginger she-cat with one white paw and yellow eyes.
"Who are you and what are you doing on ShadeClan territory?" asked the ginger she-cat, the hostility clear in her voice. Rolo glanced at Hershey, asking if he was sure about this. Hershey gave a curt nod and Rolo spoke. "I am Rolo and this is Hershey. We come from the Twolegplace and we want to join your clan."
The cats looked surprised, obviously not expecting that answer.
"Our leader will decide if you can join." the black tom said seriously.
"Great! Let's go!" Rolo said enthusiastically.
"Can you even hunt?" asked the small grey and white cat.
"Lilypaw, don't be rude." the brown tom spoke as if he was used to giving orders. "I'm not! I'm only asking a question!" she huffed.
"Be quiet and walk."
"But what good are they if they can't hunt?"
"Three moons ago you couldn't hunt."
The she-cat huffed but did not respond.

The walk to the wild cat camp was uneventful. The camp was located in a secluded hollow, curtains of lichen hanging from the surrounding trees. Thick brambles woven together to create a wall crowded the floor. Ferns hung over the thorn wall, creating shady patches. The black tom disappeared between some ferns that obviously concealed the entrance. The other wild cats, with Hershey and Rolo between them, slunk through the ferns.

A silvery stream ran through the back of the camp and next to it, a large mossy stone stood, a pile of small animals and birds heaped at its foot.  Behind the rock was a pile of smaller stones, a gap between two of the largest ones. A holly bush grew beside a patch of brambles, and, on the other side of the camp, a fallen log resided. Rolo gazed around curiously, his eyes taking in the peaceful camp. A black and white she-cat lay by the brambles, watching two kits, a brown tabby tom and a black and white she-kit, scuffle together on the soft grass. A grey and white tom was speaking to a silver tortoiseshell she-cat in the middle of the camp.
"Dapplestar, these kittypets want to join ShadeClan." said the brown tom.
At his words, the silver she-cat turned around to face them.
"Thank you Rabbitstripe. What are their names?" She asked.
"I'm Rolo. This is Hershey." Rolo replied.
"Our Twoleg died several days ago and we decided that coming here was the best idea." Hershey added.
"I see. Can either of you hunt?" She questioned. Before Rolo or Hershey could reply, a golden tabby tom strode into the camp, a thrush in his jaws.
"Goldthorn, these toms wish to join our clan." The tom's eyes widened slightly as he went to put his catch with the others.
"They should join. We will teach them what they don't know but they should join us." From the way he spoke, it sounded like he and the silver she-cat had been recently discussing something similar.
"I agree. I will hold their ceremony now." She said, eyes bright.
"Jojo and Curtsey, welcome to ShadeClan."