I open my eyes. The area around me is unfamiliar. It isn't the cozy nursery I am used to. Instead, I am in a small, dark cave. Off to one side is a long tunnel. I don't know where it leads to, or where I am, for that matter. I am up and on my feet in an instant, swiveling my head around in panic. "Calm down, Silverkit." I turn my head and see Brackenclaw, my father, as well as the Nightclan deputy, striding towards me. I finally calm down a little. He's from Nightclan, my home. "Why am I here, Brackenclaw?" Brackenclaw stays many mouse-lengths away, not acting fatherly at all, but that is normal for me. Neither my mother, Brightstar, or my father ever show me affection of any kind, but for once, Brackenclaw looks at me with an emotion other than cold strictness. It is sympathy.

He explains it all. All of my life, the cats in my clan have given me odd looks, all filled with sympathy, and some with suspicion. I was always kept away from the other kits and told not to play with them. Whenever I asked my mother, Brightstar, why, she simply said, "because I say so." And I always listened. It isn't until now that I realize why I wasn't allowed to play with the other kits, or grow attached to them. I will never forget the chill I felt when my father explained it all to me.

"Every Green-Leaf, one of the clans must give up one of their kits to another clan. The four clans surrounding this cave, Nightclan, Stormclan, Leafclan, and Breezeclan, have never spilled each other's blood, and we want to keep it that way. By offering up one of our kits in the most prosperous time of the year, it shows our respect to the other clans. That's why you weren't allowed to become attached to anyone in the clan, including Brightstar and I. Now you have to choose which clan you want to join."

As the exact meaning of his words dawn on me, I start shaking. "B-but I don't want to leave Nightclan!" I shout, jumping to my paws. "You don't have a choice, Silverkit." My mind whirls, looking for a way out of this. "But you said I could choose whichever clan I wanted! What if I choose Nightclan?" He just shook his head. "No, you can't choose your home clan." Finally, I use my last possible argument. "But why me? Why not Volekit or Stripekit?" Once again, he just shakes his head. "Silverkit, you're the child of a clan leader. Anytime that a clan leader has a kit when it is their turn to give away a kit, they must choose theirs, otherwise it will seem selfish." Finally accepting that I have no other choice, I sit down again. "When do I choose?" I say quietly. "All of the clan leaders will report here at dawn. Then, you will make your choice." Before he can leave, I call after him. "Where am I?" He turns around and looks at me. "This is the Mooncave, where the leaders and medicine cats come to speak with Starclan."

As I slumber, I weigh my options in my head. I could join Leafclan. They live in the forested area across from Nightclan, preying on mostly squirrels and mice.

Or I could join Stormclan. They live to the right of Nightclan and to the left of Leafclan. Stormclan camp is in the middle of a small pond. It's perfect protection against the other clans because of the water. Only Stormclan cats learn to swim. They mostly catch fish.

But what would it be like to run with Breezeclan? They live on the moor, across from Stormclan and to the left of Nightclan. They are not sheltered from the harsh winds. They are the fastest of the clans, and they catch mostly rabbits.

I bite back a yowl of distress; why can't I just stay in Nightclan? I like it there. But as the thought enters my head, I take it back. I have no friends in Nightclan. My parents never bonded with me. They acted like total strangers. It's probably for the best; that way, if the clans ever did get into a fight, my loyalty would not be divided.

I wake to the sounds of paw steps. I stand up and stretch, shaking with anticipation. I still haven't chosen which clan to join. In the end, I know I will choose the right one.

The first cat to step into the cave is Brightstar. Brightstar doesn't even acknowledge me; she just goes and sits in front of me. Three more cats walk in and sit beside Brightstar. "Silverkit, it is time for you to choose." Brightstar said with no emotion on her face. The tom next to her looked at me. "Will you join Breezeclan?" That must be Swiftstar, the Breezeclan leader. "Or will it be Stormclan?" This time it is Reedstar, leader of Stormclan. "Or will you join Leafclan?" That's Willowstar, the Leafclan leader. I look between the faces of all of the cats. Brightstar, Reedstar, and Swiftstar are all showing no emotion, but when I look into Willowstar's gaze, I can see sympathy. I look once more between all of the cats before staring at my mother with my head held high as I say "I have made my choice."

They all watch me with expecting faces as I turn to look at Willowstar. "I will join Leafclan." I say. Willowstar smiled at me. "Then we will be on our way. Come, Silverkit." I get up and follow Willowstar with my tail held high, refusing to look back at me mother.

I gasp as I reach Leafclan territory. Willowstar gives me a look. "Sorry, it's just...it smells so different." Willowstar lets out a mrow of laughter. "Some day you will be able to identify each scent as a specific cats. For now, you just have to know which scent is for which clan." I nod as we enter the Leafclan camp.