Prolouge

The sky was dark in the forest, where most of it's inhabitants slept in their dens. In the ShadowClan camp, two were still awake. One was Nightwind, a black queen in the nursery. The other was Blackfoot, deputy to Tigerstar, leader of ShadowClan. They were not awake without reason. Blackfoot was the father of Nightwind's kits, who were on their way.

Nightwind's amber eyes were wide with pain and fear. "Where's Runningnose?" she gasped.

Blackfoot licked her head, trying to calm her as he growled, "It's half-moon. He and Littlecloud went to the Moonstone." His blue gaze swept the barren nursery. There hadn't been many kits this season and Nightwind's would be most welcome. Unfortunately, that also meant that there was no one he could send for help, and he had no intention of leaving his mate to suffer on her own. "Don't worry. You'll be fine."

Nightwind didn't look so sure, but she had no time to argue or insist that he go get help. Already one her kits was coming into the world. As it fell onto the moss, Blackfoot grabbed it and began to wash. The kit was a black tom splashed with white. Blackfoot paused in his washing. Something was wrong. He knew that most kits cry when they were born, but this one did not. Looking more closely, Blackfoot realized with a pang that his son wasn't breathing; he had been born dead. Casting a swift glance at Nightwind, he realized that she had not noticed his discovery. She was struggling to bring her second kit into the world.

Thinking quickly, Blackfoot placed the dead kit next her belly. There would be time later to let her know about her kit's death. Right now all of Nighwind's focus had to be on keeping her other kits alive. With a groan, Nightwind gave birth to her second kit. It was another tom, this one black with his front legs white as fresh snow. Blackfoot licked him fiercely, but it was no use. This kit had also been born dead.

Blackfoot became aware of Nightwind watching him. When he looked up, her amber eyes were filled with pain. "He's dead isn't he?" She looked down at the dead kit at her belly and her eyes widened. "Both of them?"

Blackfoot pressed his muzzle against hers. "They are together in StarClan now. Right now our other kit needs you to be strong for them."

Nightwind didn't seem to be listening. "This is all my fault!" she wailed. "What is StarClan punishing me for?"

"Nothing! This isn't your fault!" Blackstar growled, trying to ignore the dark thoughts that were creeping into his mind. Was it his fault his two sons were dead? Could StarClan be punishing him for his crimes against Raggedstar and the warrior code? He shook his head clearing the idea from his mind, and turned back to Nightwind. She was tired, and the death of her kits had been a cruel blow. Still, she had one more kit left. If it survied, it might help Nightwind with her grief. The final kit was the only she-cat, and she had her mother's black pelt. Unlike her brothers, this kit let out a shrill cry when her father tried to groom her.

Relief swept through Blackfoot. He nosed her toward Nightwind, exclaiming, "She's alive, Nightwind! Look at her! She looks just like you. What do you want to call her?"

Nightwind leaned forward to sniff her kit. Love sparked in her eyes, but they were glazed and unfocused. She blinked at her mate and whispered, "You decide. You're all she has now."

An icy feeling settled in Blackfoot's stomach. "What do you mean?"

"You were right when you said our sons won't be alone in StarClan. I'm going to join them."

"No!" He dug his claws into the mossy bedding. "You can't die! What about our kit? Whose going to take care of her?"

"You'll do your best, I know it. You'll be a great father." Nightwind's eyes were beginning to cloud over as she stretched up and licked her mate on the cheek. "I love you Blackfoot. You'll make a great leader one day. I'll always watch over you." With that, Nightwind laid down on the moss, and died.

Blackfoot stumbled out of the nursery. He couldn't believe Nightwind was gone. He raised his head to Silverpelt, where the stars glittered brightly. Are you there Nightwind? Blackfoot thought. He turned to his leader's den. Tigerstar would have to be notified. Maybe he could help him figure out what do do about his climbed up to Tigerstar den. Poking his head inside, he hissed "Tigerstar!"

His leader's amber eyes flashed in the darkness. "What is it Blackfoot?"

The white deputy hesitated, then spoke in a voice filled with grief. "Nightwind is dead."

Tigerstar did not seem to share his sorrow. "What about the kits?"

"Two of them were born dead. Only one survived."

The ShadowClan leader did not hesitate with his next decree. "Then take it to the Thunderpath and leave it there. We have no queens to nurse it and can't afford to spend time caring for a motherless kit."

The fur on Blackfoot's shoulders began to rise as he stared at his leader in horror. "You want me to take my kit to her death?"

Tigerstar stared at the cat in front of him. "You heard me Blackfoot. Now get rid of that kit. That's an order."

Blackfoot stared at Tigerstar. How could abandon his own daughter, so soon after he had promised Nightwind he would take care of her? But he had to obey Tigerstar; he was the Clan leader, and his word was law. He bowed his head and backed out of the den."Yes, Tigerstar."

The nursery was dark as Blackfoot padded in and pressed his muzzle into Nightwind's fur. It was cold, and her sweet scent had been replaced by the odor of death. Choking back his grief, he looked down at their kits. Their daughter was squirming next to her brothers, wailing for food. Sadly, Blackfoot picked her up by the scruff and left the nursery. Nightwind, please forgive me for what I'm about to do. I don't have a choice. But he heard nothing.

It wasn't long before they reached the Thunderpath. Blackfoot gently placed the kit on the hard ground next to it. Her wails had lowered to a thin mewling. Blackfoot crouched next to her and began to groom her for the last time. She looks so much like Nightwind. Blackfoot knew that he couldn't leave his kit here to die. Straightening up, he looked swiftly around him. There were no monsters in sight. He then grabbed his kit and raced across the Thunderpath. When he got to the other side, he found a soft patch of grass and gently placed his daughter on it. Leaning close, he whispered, "Those ThunderClan cats were always a soft bunch. Hopefully they'll find you a train you to be a warrior. I hope you survive little one." With that, Blackfoot turned and raced back into ShadowClan territory, leaving his daughter to the mercy of ThunderClan.

Fireheart, deputy of ThunderClan, was out on patrol with Graystripe and Sandstorm. As they were nearing the ShadowClan border, Graystripe stopped, his ears pricked. "Do you hear that?"

The others stopped as well, listening. Sandstorm was the first to hear the noise. "It sounds like a kit!" She turned and raced toward the border.

"Sandstorm wait!" Fireheart and Graystripe charged after her. When they caught up, they saw Sandstorm crouched beside a black kit. It was small and it's eyes weren't even open yet. Fireheart approached and gave the kit a curious sniff. "She smells like ShadowClan!"

Sandstorm glanced across the Thunderpath. "Should we take her back?"

The ginger tom spoke hesitantly, "We can't take her back, with all the trouble with Tigerstar. Besides, a kit this size didn't get this far by accident."

Graystripe's eyes widened in horror. "Who would abandon their own kit?" He was clearly thinking of Stormpaw and Featherpaw, his kits in RiverClan.

"It doesn't matter now. What's important is keeping this kit alive. Willowpelt has milk, and Goldenflower can help her care for this kit."

Sandstorm looked uncertain. "What will Bluestar say?"

"If she finds out this kit is ShadowClan, she might tell us to take it back or abandon it. It might be best to tell her it's a rogue."

Graystripe agreed with his friend. "She hasn't been well lately," he meowed. "She might think that this kit could grow to be a ShadowClan spy. We should keep this to ourselves."

Sandstorm bent down to pick up the kit. "I hate lying to Bluestar, but you might be right on this one. Come on. This little one will die if she doesn't get milk soon."

When they entered the camp, Sandstorm went straight to the nursery while Fireheart went to go and give his report to Bluestar. When he entered her den, he saw that Bluestar was awake and seemed to be expecting him. "Bluestar, we found a kit near the Thunderpath. It's been abandoned has nowhere to go. What do you want to do?"

Bluestar narrowed her eyes. "Who will take care of it?"

"Willowpelt has agreed to nurse it." Fireheart had not heard Sandstorm enter the den. "Goldenflower will help her. Please Bluestar. We do need more warriors."

Bluestar turned away. "She may stay. Fireheart, you will annouce it to the Clan."

"Let all those cats old catch their own prey gather beneath Highrock for a Clan meeting!" Fireheart waited until all the cats were there before speaking. "While on patrol we found an abandoned kit near the Thunderpath. Bluestar has agreed to take it in and Willowpelt will nurse her."

Frostfur spoke out from the cats gathered. "What will she be called?"

Fireheart thought for a moment. While he was thinking, he smell a ShadowClan cat weaving around him, whispering the name they had chosen for the kit. He spoke the words the warrior had said, "She will be named Darkkit."

That's the prolouge. Next chapter will be the alliances and my changes to the story. Review and I will give you Firestar.