It was a cool night. The stars were bright and the moon gave a glow that seemed to light up the whole forest. In a secluded area, cats have set up camp, and all were asleep, except two.
"Will my kits be okay Whiteherb?" An orange tabby she-cat said to a pure white tom.
"Stop worrying Flaretail, they will be fine, the cats will accept them as fine warriors when the time comes." Whiteherb said.
Flaretail looked down at her three kits suckling. She sighed.
"Their father was a rogue who Sandstar killed for tainting the warrior blood, he even attacked me in pure rage, I was lucky that Crookedclaw defended me, he is a good deputy" Flaretail, almost in tears.
"Why did you chose the rogue over Crookedclaw? You would have been hurt and banished if he did not forgive you right away." Whiteherb said quizzically.
"Maple was an amazing cat who would do anything for me to love him, he was not under the control of the warrior code like us so it was easy for him to win my heart but now I wish he hadn't, he died because of me, I killed him, and now my kits will suffer for what I did." Flaretail cried out softly.
"It's ok Flaretail, Crookedclaw will father them and no one will speak of the rogue in their blood, they'll live a normal warrior life" Whiteherb said reassuringly.
"Can I let my kits live a lie" Flaretail whispered.
"They have too, for the good of the clan and for the good of themselves" Whiteherb said seriously.
"Ok" Flaretail replied glumly.
"Let's change the subject, what will you call them" Whiteherb said, trying to sound cheery.
Flaretail tried a smile.
"The bright, vibrant orange one, she will be called Brightpaw, the dim tan tom will be Dimpaw and the blue gray she-cat will be Moonpaw.
"Let's hope they all survive leaf-bare strong and healthy" Whiteherb said as she left the nursery den.