Leafstar padded out of the nursery with a purr. Three kits tumbled after her. The biggest one, a dark brown tabby and white tom bounded down the rocks. "Wait for me!" A tiny golden she-cat called, bounding after him. "Bramblekit, slow down and wait for your sister!" Leafstar called as the she-kit tripped again, trying to catch up to her brother. The small golden she-kit tumbled down a rock with a squeak.

"Lilykit," Leafstar mewed, dashing down and grabbing the kit before she hit the ground. Another squeak came from down below. Setting her kit on the ground, she looked to see the small dark brown tabby and white tom tumble head over paws. A ginger and white tom stopped him with one paw. "Easy there Bramblekit." He purred and grabbed him by the scruff.

"Billystorm," Lilykit squeaked and batted at her father, giving Leafstar a hard time in holding her. Setting her kit down, she padded over and licked Billystorm on the cheek. "Good morning," she purred. Billystorm nodded a hello and sat the kit down. "Echosong said she wanted to talk to you." He informed. "I'll watch over these tw…" His voice trailed off as he looked for the kits. The two siblings were dashing for the river. He dashed off after them while Leafstar let out a small, amused purr.

Quietly, she padded down to the medicine cats den, enjoying the sunshine on her pelt. She padded into the den to see Frecklewish treating Patchfoot's sprained paw. "Okay," she mewed when she was done. "Go to the warriors den and relax. Do not put any pressure on it until this evening." She instructed and dabbed her paws in the puddle of water to wash off the comfrey. She looked up at Leafstar's entrance. "Echosong's waiting for you." She mewed, pointing to their sleeping and herb storage den.

Leafstar nodded and padded into the den. "Echosong, are you there?" She called into the darkness of the cave. A silver tabby padded out of the shadows. "Leafstar, we got a problem."

Before the Sky can rise

The Fire will fall

And all five will be joined together forever

But beware of the shadows that encircle the Brambles

Echosong mewed in a hollow voice. Leafstar took a step back in surprise. Echosong flicked her tail, dismissing the confused leader. Leafstar slowly padded out of the den, ignoring the weird look Frecklewish gave her, and into the sunlight. Bramblekit and Lilykit were being chased by Tidepaw and Whitepaw.

But beware of the shadows that encircle the Brambles. Leafstar thought that over. A sudden chill went up her spine. She had no clue what the prophecy meant but she knew her son would not have a care-free life like Lilykit. A warm scent filled the air and a voice whispered in the breeze. But if all fails the Lily will be lost forever in darkness.