wally's eyes widened in suprise. "m-me? you want me... to join your clan?" he stammered.

duskstar nodded. "yeah, why not? you look like you could use some company, and it wouldn't hurt to have another hunter in camp. it's a win-win!"

citrinedazzle smiled by duskstar, and nodded. "it would be a pleasure to have you, wally. you're funny and kind, and i've been having so much fun talking to you!"

ashstumble still looked unsure, but he didn't say anything.

wally looked at duskstar, his eyes still wide. "are you sure? i'm so old- i won't even be around for much longer.."

"but surely you would want to die with the company of cats, and have a proper burial? instead of just... rotting into the ground." ashstumble added, which suprised duskstar.

he expected the tom to be against the idea, not support it.

"well... i suppose it wouldn't hurt to stay with you guys." wally meowed with a smile, and dipped his head in thanks. "it'll be great to not be alone for once."

-

starlingdash sniffed the new orcaclan cat, and wrinkled his nose in disgust. "he smells gross!"

wally flattened his ears, and batted the young tom away with his claws sheathed. "so do you!" he replied, a hint of laughter in his raspy voice.

starlingdash smiled, and began laughing. "you- you seem fun!"

wally smiled. "i might be old, but i still know how to have a good time!"

the two started chasing eachother, and duskstar smiled.

it was about time that starlingdash needed a friend.

duskstar turned his attention back to the cats surrounding him.

"he seems like a good cat. i'm glad you invited him, duskstar." wildflowers meowed, her eyes on the pink-grey tom.

"yeah, i agree. he seemed so relaxed while talking to us, and he looked so happy. i was afraid duskstar would just walk away." citrinedazzle purred.

ashstumble nodded. "i had my speculations at first, but he seems like a good cat. lonely, too."

"also, it's always nice to get new cats to help us here. maybe we should look for more cats, soon?" buzzardsnow said, looking at duskstar for an answer.

"yeah, i think that's a good idea."

the group continued to talk about the new orcaclan member, but duskstar spaced out.

would leopardstrike agree with his choice? would his parents? his deceased clan members?

he couldn't help but doubt himself.

buzzardsnow had told him before that duskstar would never be forgotten, as long as his story is told.

but that scared duskstar. if he messed up one little thing, everything would be ruined. his legacy, his clan...

duskstar shuddered. "okay, i'm off to bed. goodnight everyone."

duskstar padded off to his den, smiling as he heard his clanmates call goodnight.

he needed to stop worrying so much. he has these great clanmates around him, that will help him through everything.

right? will they help him when things get rough?