It's finally here! When They Were Young, the prequel to Secrets and Witnesses! This first POV is written by Foxbracken - Phoenix Everren, who won second place in the Secrets and Witnesses contest. Icy of the Wind, as a reminder, won the contest and will be writing the second chapter. I'm switching off the POV's this time, so this chapter will be for Featherkit, then Snowkit, and then so on.

Featherkit's POV

Featherkit squirmed in the nest, sucking in the sweet milky scent. She squirmed when she felt a paw jab her in the ribs. "Come on, Featherkit," the voice whined. "Open your eyes already!"

"She'll open them when she's ready," a kind, soft voice mewed and Featherkit felt someone move aside the other kit.

Smirking softly, Featherkit drifted into sleep.

xXx

Featherkit raised her head, her eyes practically forcing themselves open. Whoa! She thought, reeling her head back. Everything is so big!

A dark gray tom-kit towered over her, eyes shining as he squeaked softly, "You've opened your eyes! Come on, mama says we can leave the den once you do!"

Featherkit glared and stood shakily, stumbling around before slowly catching her footing. The kit grinned and purred, "That's it!"

Featherkit grinned at him and stumbled out of the nursery. "Whoa," she murmured, gazing around the camp with wide eyes. Cats milled around the camp, yet to notice the two kits, going about their business.

"Duskkit, Featherkit, what are you two doing out of the nursery?" A voice called and the two kits whipped around, seeing a large tom padding toward them, eyes lit happily and a smile playing on his face.

"We are seeing the camp!" Featherkit trilled happily. The tom purred and leaned down to lick his kits.

"Does Honeystream know you're out here?" He inquired and Duskkit and Featherkit suddenly gained fascination in their paws.

"There you are!" A voice called and their mother raced over. "Amberstar, are they okay?" She yowled worriedly to her mate pulling her kits close and covering them in long licks. Featherkit squirmed, trying to get away, her brother doing the same.

Amberstar purred and licked his mate's ear. "Don't worry, they're fine."

Honeystream relaxed and let go of her kits, sending both tumbling. Unfortunately for Featherkit, she tumbled right into the fresh-kill pile, a vole squishing the little kit. Laughs from cats around her echoed around and she felt her skin heat up with embarrassment as Featherkit scrambled out from under the vole.

Duskkit was rolled onto his back, giggling and laughing at his sister. Featherkit growled playfully and bowled into him, sending both flying as they tussled with each other. Featherkit pinned her brother and crowed, "I got you!" He growled playfully and struggled to get free.

"Come on, let me go!" He squealed, thrashing. Featherkit purred and stepped off of her brother, smirking at him.

"I win," she purred triumphantly. Duskkit grumbled and glared at his sister, his gaze then lighting up.

"But I'll be the next leader!" He cried, raising his tail and flagging it.

Featherkit puffed out her chest and chirruped, "No, I will!" She bounded to their father and whined, "Dad, who will be the next leader, me or Duskkit?"

Amberstar purred in amusement twining his tail with Honeystream's. "Well, one of you can become leader and the other can become deputy."

"I'll be leader first!" Featherkit yowled, not seeing a glare from the deputy of IceClan. "Duskkit, you can become my deputy!"

Her brother pouted. "But I want to be leader first…" growling playfully, he then tackled Featherkit and the two continued their 'fight'.