A silver-gray tabby shuffled the moss of her bedding with her feathery tail. She gazed outside her den, the moonlight reflecting off her blue eyes. Her heart was filling with the most confusing and troubling emotion of all: bittersweet feelings.

How should I feel? Should I be happy? Should I be sad? Should I be angry? This is so confusing...

"Feathertail?"

A sweet voice broke into the tabby's thoughts. She turned her head to the voice. Another she-cat, almost identical to her, stood in front of her, her blue gaze filled with concern and a mother's love for her kit. "What's wrong, darling?"

"Oh, Silverstream," Feathertail replied, "I'm...I'm just so confused."

"What's to be confused about?" Silverstream asked her daughter.

"Don't act like you don't know," Feathertail snapped, then looked away, ashamed of her tone, "I'm sorry, Mother. It's just...everything's changed!"

"Oh, I see," Silverstream sympathized, "I see. You don't know what to think about Graystripe."

"I know I should be happy for him," Feathertail continued, "Millie, too. But I don't know what to think."

"Your father is a loyal cat," Silverstream meowed strongly in defense of her former mate, "Just because he took on another she-cat as his mate doesn't mean that he has neglected us."

"It's not us I'm worried about," Feathertail meowed, "It's you. Shouldn't you be upset?" "Oh, not in the least," her mother replied, "In fact, I couldn't be happier."

Really? What would make her feel like that?

"Ever since that unfortunate day at Sunningrocks," Silverstream continued, as if reading her daughter's thoughts, "Graystripe has grieved for me, and your death didn't help much at all. I'm glad that he has found a cat that can mend that broken heart of his."

"So you don't have a problem with...?"

Silverstream shook her head. "No, I don't. Graystripe and Millie's kits will be beautiful, and Millie should consider herself very lucky to have a tom like him," her gorgeous eyes darkened, as if the memories of the times with her beloved Graystripe were washing over her, "I know I did."

Feathertail leaned forward, and touched her muzzle to her mother's, "You're right, Silverstream. I should be happy for them. After all, these kits will be my half-siblings."

Silverstream dipped her head in approval, "And do you promise to watch over these kits with a sister's love?" "Of course," Feathertail replied, filling with pride of the kits that will be her kin, "I'll give them so much love, they'll drown in it."

The silver tabby she-cat's eyes glowed with pride, "I'm glad to hear it. I, too, will watch over them with love. They may not be my kin, but they will still be Graystripe's kits, and I swear that I will love them as if they were my own."

Feathertail nodded, then turned her head and gazed at the stars. She tried her best to picture Graystripe and Millie's litter scurrying playfully around them, stronger and more beautiful than any other kit before them. Suddenly a thought entered her mind.

Stormfur! He must know about this. I have to tell him about our half-siblings.

"Stormfur will have to know as well," Silverstream murmured, sharing her daughter's thoughts, "We will have to tell him."

"The day of birth..." Feathertail murmured.

"Pardon?"

"The day of birth," Feathertail repeated, her voice growing with determination and loyalty to her mountain-dwelling brother, "I will come to him in a dream on the day of their birth. I will tell exactly what they look like, and what their names are. I have a special connection with the Tribe's ancestors. I know my way."

"Yes," Silverstream agreed, "And so do I. Though I'll let you do the honors."

Feathertail dipped her head in gratitude.

Stormfur, if you can hear me, wait for me, my brother. I have news for you. But you must wait. Wait until the time is right. Then, I will be there.