Prologue
"Were going on an adventure?" asked the little brown tom.
"Yes, Oakkit, we're leaving tomorrow, so you'd better get some sleep," replied the silver and tortoiseshell queen.
"We're leaving the mountains?," asked the silver she-kit.
"Yes Windkit. The Tribe of Rushing Water had been kind to let us stay here this long, but this is not our home. We are going where there is a lake, moorlands, and forests. It is the home of Thunderclan, Riverclan, Windclan, and Shadowclan. That it our home. One day you will all grow up to be fine Thunderclan warriors."
"I'll miss the mountains," said Windkit. "And the waterfall."
"How big is the lake?" asked the third kit, a white she-kit.
"The lake is very big, Moonkit. And very deep, too. No cat has ever managed to swim across it, not even Riverclan. And Riverclan cats are the best swimmers of all the clans.
"I can't wait to see the forest, with all the trees," said the brown she-kit, her green eyes shining dreamily.
"Yes Mosskit, it is a very beautiful place," Replied the queen. It would be a hard journey, especially with four kits. The tribe had let them stay until newleaf, and until the kits were old enough to make the journey. It would still be difficult, first the rocky slopes and precipices of the mountains, and then many days trekking across grassy hills, but soon enough, they would be home.
"Fernfire, it is sad that you have to leave," said Stone on the Cliff, one of the tribe's prey hunters, coming up behind them. "I guess we all knew the day would come sooner or later. I will get a few cats to escort you to the edge of the mountains, but then you'll be on your own."
"I'll miss you, Oakkit," mewed Stone's son Pebble of the Riverbed. "And all of you, too." He said, looking sadly at each of the other kits. They had become close friends during their stay with the tribe.
"I'll miss you too, Pebble," said Windkit. For a kit, her blue eyes showed a lot of emotion.
"Well kits, it's time to get some rest," purred Fernfire gently. "We've got a big day tomorrow."
There's one thing I need to do first," said Windkit. She padded quietly out of the cave and sat down by the waterfall, looking out into the night.
"What are you doing?" asked Fernfire.
"I have to say good bye to the mountains," answered Windkit. "They look so beautiful at night. And so peaceful."
After a while, Windkit came back into the cave and settled down to sleep. As she was watching her kits fall asleep, she realized how truly wonderful her kits were.
