Author's Note: This short story takes place before chapter 20 of Leopard Origins.

Sliverkit woke up in the nursery. It was dawn. The other clanmates were awake and sharing tongues. Her mother, Jewelfur, was nowhere to be found. Suddenly, Sliverkit heard her voice.
"Sliverkit!"Jewelfur called.
Sliverkit ran to the medicine cat den. She saw Jewelfur sitting next to a new pile of leaves.
"You wanted to see me, Jewelfur?"
Jewelfur nodded.
"What is this about?"Sliverkit asked.
Jewelfur took a deep breath and finally spoke. "I wanted to have a talk with you once you were old enough to understand."
"Understand what?"
"Many moons ago, Angelfur had her kits. She said that I could raise one of them as my own. Before I joined this clan, my old housefolk took me to the cutter."
"What does that mean?"Sliverkit asked.
"I can't have kits of my own, Sliverkit. Not even if I wanted them. I'm not your mom. Angelfur is. I'm so sorry. I only wanted to know what it was like to raise a kit."
Sliverkit paused for a moment. Once she processed all this information, the young kit figured out what to say.
"It's okay, Jewelfur. I'll still be your daughter, even if we're not related by blood."
"And I will always be your mother."
Sliverkit nuzzled Jewelfur's muzzle.
"I think now I know where my heart lies. Here, in the medicine cat den with you."
"Really?"Jewelfur said.
"Of course. From birth I could remember all the herbs and poisons by heart. I know it won't be easy, but I am ready to take on the next path my paws shall walk."
"I shall tell the clan tomorrow."Jewelfur said, "You're almost six moons old anyway."
"Thank you, mother. For raising me."
"It's a mother's job."