Blaze saw Raptor start walking towards home. She had to cross back over his territory to reach hers. She whinnied to Millie, then cantered after Raptor.

Raptor felt... sad. He knew that Blaze would leave him... he pricked his ears and watched some of the mares walk in one direction, and some in the other. Four mares looked back, then looked at him, and decided to follow him. He didn't know if he was completely ready for a herd, but it was a small one. The only problem... stallions didn't lead herds. They protected them. He needed a mare... Raptor's ears drooped, but he kept trotting steadily towards home.

"Raptor!" Blaze called out as she sped up, Millie following. She reached him quickly.

Raptor turned his head, flicking his ears. "Yes?" He slowed to a walk, sauntering along. He tried to be relaxed, but his gait was stiff

"I've gotta go this way to get back home, so is it okay if we come with you?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't it be?" Raptor looked slightly surprised, but her words just made his heart sink lower. He turned his ears and mind back to the journey ahead, walking ahead till I took got dark. He then found a stream, stopping for the night. He observed the mares in his herd. Blue roan, grey, red roan, and a golden buckskin.

Her and Millie walked along with Raptor, her by his side and the Palomino filly following with the other 4 mares. "Are you okay?" Blaze asked, truly worried about her friend. She wanted to stay with him, but she wasn't sure if she could or should, and how to tell him that.

Raptor glanced at her. "Oh yes, I'm fine. Why do you ask?" He asked, his pelt twitching slightly and his ears dropping back at his small lie. His gaze flicked back towards the mares. They had told him their names... now if only he could remember them. The blue roan was Ice... the grey was Mockingbird... the red roan was Sahara, and the golden buckskin was Silver. Raptor shook his head, trying to ignore the fact one of these mares would have to lead the herd... and be his mate ... in the future. The lead stallion and lead mare didn't need to be mates, technically, but it worked better when they were.

"You don't look okay" Millie piped up. "Millie, hush." Blaze said. "But, she is right Raptor." Blaze continued to walk along with him.

"Really, I'll be okay. I'm just a little.. sad." Raptor chose his words carefully, flicking his ears. As the night wore on he locked his legs, his head drooping but he still stayed awake to watch the herd