"She's so small!"

A high-pitched voice squealed, dissipating the darkness inside her mind. She was so very tired and that voice just made her ears ache. There was a vague feeling of missing something important, something so crucial it could dictate her whole life and-

Wait a heartbeat. Who was she anyway?

Struggling against the fog that was slowly covering her thoughts, she tried to move her body. She was conscious enough to know she had a body and she could feel something soft under her belly and paws. Paws! She had paws! She tried moving them but she could only get them to twitch. Frustrated, she felt her throat contract and a sound came out of it. It was not piercing like the unknown voice, but rather low and rippling. It echoed up in her ears and made her jaws vibrate. Her instincts called it a growl.

An unexpected something nudged her flank harshly, followed by a low, deeper growl than hers and a surprised sound. A gasp, her instincts provided once again. The she-kit yowled her discontent at the noises and prods, instantly feeling someone moving against her. She-kit? Oh, that was what she was! A cat!

"Come on Tigerblaze! Just let me play with them!," the high-pitched voice begged. She decided she didn't like that voice very much.

"Not until they are big enough," a second voice reproached. This one was not high-pitched but rather soft and soothing. It promised warmth and protection, and her instincts labeled it "mother". "Mother" was also called "Tigerblaze", apparently. What was a "Tigerblaze" anyway? A name, her instincts pipped in. So, having a name was natural? Everyone had names? What was her name, then?

"But that will be in forever!," the high-pitched voice whined. "There are no other kits in the nursery!"

There was something soft and silky moving next to her. "You must be a little bit more patient, then. And stop prodding Smokekit!"

Smokekit? That was her! The she-kit decided she liked her new name.

Smokekit rolled to her side, lost in thought. What were the voices talking about? Due to their conversation, she assumed they were currently at the nursery...whatever that was.

"Please Tigerblaze! The sun is up and the apprentices are not here! I have no one to play with."

The she-kit shifted her attention back to the conversation. Apprentices? Sun? Those were some interesting words. When the negative response from Tigerblaze came again, Smokekit felt another nudge. "Come on kit, open your eyes and play with me!"

Smokekit squealed and pawed at the attacker but none of her blows connected with anything. She was fascinated at her paws actually moving, but she was more concerned in fending off the high-pitched voice. A growl was heard from somewhere to her right, but the prodding continued. Greatly annoyed by this, Smokekit blinked open her eyes. The harsh light made her shut them close again but, apparently, it satisfied the attacker, for there were no more nudges.

"Come on", Tigerblaze purred. "Open your eyes again."

The she-kit sniffed, covering her eyes with her paws. That hurt! She though that the world was always dark and warm, and the sudden brightness was disconcerting. Tigerblaze continued to say soothing words, trying to coax her paws away. The bright world was unusual and painful but...

Curiosity took over, her eyelids fluttering open before she was aware of what she was doing. The light burned her eyes but as the heartbeats passed, the pain faded to a dull ache and disappeared. And then, there was color. Bright greens, dark browns, flashes of grey fur... She looked around, finding a pair of green eyes looking back at her. The cat was dark grey with spotted markings, and was smiling with pride. She assumed this was Tigerblaze. The bigger cat (Smokekit had never imagined a cat could be that big) bended over and passed a rough tongue over her forehead. "You got some beautiful eyes."

Smokekit cringed at the contact but said nothing to voice her displeasure. Her instincts suddenly roared at her to stand up and she obeyed without thinking it. They had helped until now, hadn't they?

Her small legs trembled under the new weight and she almost face planted as she fought for balance. Her dark grey paws were difficult to command, and she took a few hesitant and wobbly steps. Tigerblaze purred and motioned to a pair of bundles of fur. "These are Snowkit and Robinkit, your littermates." Smokekit gave them a quick glance but decided that they were not important at the moment. After all, they seemed to still be asleep.

"Now can I play with her? Please?", Smokekit turned around stiffly, recognizing that voice. The movement was too sudden for her, and she fell on her flank with her paws flailing. A dark golden she-cat stood by her, her icy blue eyes pleading. Tigerblaze huffed, grabbing Smokekit by the scruff -much to her protests- and placing her near the sleeping kits. "When she is older."

"But-"

"No buts Firekit."