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Sunpaw had grown, there was no denying that. He was taller, but still skinny, and without any other ShadowClan cats by his side he’d found his way home entirely by himself. The slender tom strode with purpose across the marsh, following one scent trail after another to the place where they all converged. He hardly remembered it, but here it was: ShadowClan’s camp.

Slipping in through the entrance tunnel, he called out (in a still kittishly high-pitched) voice, “I’m back! Mother! Sablestrike! I’m back!”

He was certainly a sight, though, with six or seven mangled collars draped over the top of his head.

Tawnykit's ears twitched as the brambles of the entrance rustled and a loud voice pierced the air. glancing over, she recognized Sunpaw, who she remembered seeing around camp in her early moons. well, it was good to have a clanmate back, even if she didn't know him particularly well. the silver tortoiseshell got to her paws and padded over, her tail lifted in greeting.

"Welcome back!" she called, stopping a little way off to make room for other cats to greet the apprentice.

Sablestrike's head whipped around his name was called. It took him only a moment to register who the cat was despite their growth spurt, and all of those oddly colored things around his head. "Sunpaw?" The warrior was on his paws in seconds, padding over to inspect the tom that stood before him. His scent was... off, but he looked and sounded just like Sunpaw. "You've certainly grown since the last time I saw you. Stars, what have you been through?" Sablestrike's gaze lingered on the twoleg paraphernalia that adorned the tom's head as he spoke, but his attention was quickly drawn elsewhere. Despite his rapid vertical growth, he looked way too thin, almost as if his captors had refused to feed him. Stars, I NEED to have a spar with him. Later, that could wait until he had properly settled back into his clan life. "Are you feeling well? Hungry?"

Sunpaw purred a little at his mentor’s approach. “Those rotten twolegs,” he sighed. “Yanked me out of the forest and shoved me and several other clan cats into their stupid nest. I got a spar or two in with the other apprentice there, though, so no, I haven’t been neglecting my training.” At the mention of food, he rolled his eyes a bit. “Am I ever! Kittypet food’s not quite as disgusting as they say it is, but I feel like it’s been ages since I’ve had a mouse.” The cinnamon tom motioned to the collars on his head. “They kept trying to put these things on my neck. I was hoping Thalia or someone else could help me weave these like a flower crown. It’s not like my Rite or anything, but I’ve defeated the Twolegs and I feel that’s worth something.”

Applepaw looked up at the sound of some cat yelling, and his eyes widened in shock at the sight of his brother. He'd all but given up hope of ever seeing him again, so this was quite the miracle in his eyes. For a moment he stood dumbfounded, unable to put into words the overwhelming torrent of emotions. He and Sunpaw hadn't always gotten along, but Applepaw had missed him. He padded over, nudging his head into Sunpaw's shoulder and purring loudly.

"You stupid furball!" He hissed, unable to disguise the affection in his voice. "You had us all worried half to death!"

Sablestrike nodded along as his apprentice spoke. "Very good, Sunpaw. I wouldn't have expected you to keep up your training while away. Perhaps I'll have to plan something special for you?" What would that be though? Perhaps he could take Sunpaw out to hunt his first predator? It would serve to prepare the apprentice for his rite, as well as give him some combat experience with a creature that didn't hold back. Yes, that sounded like a perfect idea. "I'm sure when Thalia returns she can do something with that unsightly mess, she might even have a way to incorporate it into whatever pelt you get." As Applepaw approached, Sablestrike withdrew from the group of gathering cats long enough to fetch two mice from the fresh-kill pile before returning and placing the prey in front of Sunpaw. "I'll give you a couple of day to settle in before we resume training. It's good to have you back, Sunpaw."