I sat with my gaze lifted to the stars above me. The gentle snores of my clanmates filled the night air around me. My clanmates, the thought brought warmth and comfort to my tired body. I was now a warrior, sitting vigil on my first night, as was tradition. The image of my sister, Pine filled my mind, making my heartache. She died before we could escape from Shadowclan. My mother, Mist, died in a skirmish with a Shadowclan hunting patrol. I buried her beneath the pines we called home for two moons.

The thorn barrier seemed to rustle; I got to my paws and unsheathed my claws. I would not let anything hurt my adopted Clan. A mottled brown she-cat bounded forward her green eyes shining. Pine! My heart thudded against my chest and the ground seemed to lurch beneath my paws. My sister looked nothing like the last time I had seen her. Her mottled brown pelt was sleek and shiny, her green gaze bright.

"Close your jaws before you catch a fly." She purred teasingly. A second she-cat padded up behind her. This she-cat smelled of Shadowclan, her pelt was tortoiseshell and her green eyes held a thoughtful look. A growl rose in my throat, but died when Pine swiped at my muzzle. "She's a friend." She hissed.

"But you're dead, Pine." I mewed quietly. "How can you have friends?"

"Mouse brained fool." The tortoiseshell snorted. "She's part of Starclan."

My jaw dropped open once more. I had thought Starclan was a tale for kits. I looked closer and noticed, for the first time, the shimmer of starlight in their pelts. "I am sorry, I meant no disrespect. I am not too fond of most Shadowclan cats at the moment." I dipped my head respectfully.

"I am sorry for how Rowanstar treated you, Foxspirit. He used to be kind hearted and reasonable." Grief glistened in the Shadowclan she-cat's gaze.

"Are, are you Tawnypelt?" I asked tilting my head. She nodded. "You were Rowanstar's mate." She turned her head and nodded once more. "Most of your Clan realize he hasn't been the same since you died."

"He still blames himself for my death," she whispered. Suddenly she shook out her pelt, as if to get rid of the memories that clung to her like cobwebs. "We didn't come to talk about Rowanstar." Her tone grew brisk.

"She's right," Pine meowed. "We came to tell you that you have a difficult path ahead."

"Like my life hasn't been difficult enough already," I spat, trying to hide my anger. How could my life be any more difficult?

"Shut up and listen," Tawnypelt snapped, her green gaze blazing like small fires. I took a startled step back.

"You will be the light of hope for one young she-cat." Pine continued flicking her tail nervously.

"Cloudedkit?" I asked. The young she-kit was arrogant and that alone would get her into trouble one day.

"No," Pine shook her head. "Follow us." She made her way to the nursery. I followed curious about who my sister meant. We slipped inside and stood before Flowernight's nest, I noticed the queen's breathing came in wheezes. My eyes traveled to Spiritkit. "That is right," Pine, breathed in my ear. "You will be chosen to mentor young Spiritkit in two moons' time."

We left the nursery. I returned to my post. "She is the future of Thunderclan, Foxspirit. She must not be led astray down the dark path of hate and revenge." Tawnypelt and Pine's voices melded together creating a sense of urgency in my chest.

I lowered my head humbly. "I will do everything in my power to lead Spiritkit along the right path." I vowed. The two she-cats blinked at me once then disappeared.

I watched the sky above me turn from black to milky gray then pink as dawn approached. My mind whirled with the visit of Pine and Tawnypelt. I realized shortly after they left that I had heard Tawnypelt's voice before. Tawnypelt told me Pine was dead, forcing me to leave without her. If Tawnypelt hadn't spoken to me, I would have stayed there like a brainless kit, trying to wake my sister.