"Let me see them."

"No, they are still very weak, wait until the next sun-rise. Until then, you are not allowed to even have a slight peek at them," Cinderpelt blocked the nursery entrance, and her eyes were filled with worries. Inside, her heart was beating hard against her chest. Will Brambleclaw find out that the kits weren't his?

"Fine," the ThunderClan deputy flicked his tail, and stalked into the warriors' den, hissing. He sat down, his eyes focused on the nursery entrance, seemingly hoping that the annoying medicine cat will step away, and he can get in to see his mate and kits. "Is it really that bad that I can't even see them at birth?" He thought, shifting his paws nervously. What could go wrong? Surely they won't be dead?

No, they won't be, and the truth is harsher than what Brambleclaw thought.


"You can come in now," Cinderpelt shifted her body and yawned. She had been guarding the nursery entrance for the whole night, and now, she has done her part. Wether the plan succeed or not will depend on Squirrelflight and her sister, Leafpool. Brambleclaw barged in, and licked his mate affectionately. His heart almost stopped when his gaze landed on the three kits.

"They are beautiful," he murmured, his heart swelled up with love. He prodded the golden tom and licked his forehead. "He looks exactly like a lion, just without a mane."

"Then, he can be Lionkit," the brown tabby 'queen' lifted her head up and touched noses with Brambleclaw. "This black she-kit can be Hollykit."

"And the smallest tom can be Jaykit," Leafpool suggested, entering the nursery.

"Why Leafpool, what's got into you? Last sun-rise you were so fat, and today, you are so slim," Brambleclaw exclaimed, circling the medicine cat apprentice. "Are you sure you are alright?"


"Foxkit and Icekit!" Lionkit scrambled towards the two older kits. "Will you play with me?"

"No," Icekit shook her head. "You are the kin of the leader and the son of the deputy, you should be focusing on battle moves, not playing with us."

"Yah, you are to royal for us to play with," Foxkit piped up. Lionkit's fur fluffed up, making him twice his original size.

"I will tell mama that you two bullied me!" The golden tom squeaked.

"What? Threatening us?" Icekit stood up and placed a paw on Lionkit's neck.

"Why, shouldn't the leader's kin be more sensible? Or are you just a worthless cat?" Foxkit growled.

'So what that I am the kin of Firestar? That means I can't play? If I can choose my birth, I wouldn't want to be the kin of Firestar, but just an ordinary son of an ordinary queen. Then, maybe I can join Foxkit and Icekit in their games.'