This story is for my buddy, Hawkwhisker The plump, white rabbit swung ever so slightly from Whitestorm's mouth as he walked back into camp with his apprentice, Brightpaw, at his side. His tail was high and his eyes gleamed with pride as he crossed the clearing to visit his mate, Willowpelt and his kits.

As Whitestorm came to the nursery entrance, he called, "Willowpelt? Can I come in?" through his rabbit.

Cinderpelt poked her head out of the nursery and smiled at him. "Of course, Whitestorm, she'll be pleased see you."

Whitestorm padded in joyfully, his paws feeling lighter than usual. Willowpelt was lying on a moss bed, three kits tucked in beside her. One kit, a tortoiseshell, kept trying to crawl away, but her mother would always nudge her in the right direction.

Whitestorm dropped the rabbit beside his mate and said, "I caught this for you."
Willowpelt looked up and blinked. "Thanks, Whitestorm."

Whitestorm watched the kits for a minute and then asked gently, "Have you decided on names for them yet?"

"Well," Willowpelt said, looking at them all lovingly. "The two toms are Sootkit and Rainkit, and this one" she glanced at the tortoiseshell. "I haven't decided on the name for her yet."

Whitestorm stood watching the kit for a second, and then wondered aloud, "What about Sorrelkit?"

"Sorrelkit?" Willowpelt said, looking back at the kit. "Yes, I think that's perfect."

Sorrelkit yawned; showing tiny pointed teeth. Whitestorm smiled.

A memory drifted back to him. They were apprentices, Willowpaw, and Whitepaw were sitting outside the apprentice's den, enjoying the warmth of the golden sun on their pelts. Tigerpaw and his mentor, Thistleclaw, walked by.

Tigerpaw waited by them while Thistleclaw talked to Speckletail.

"Thistleclaw took me to Sunningrocks this morning." Tigerpaw boasted loudly, so that all of them could hear. "Thistleclaw says that one day ThunderClan will rule all the other clans, with him as leader, and me as deputy."

Willowpaw glanced up and said, "Yeah, that will happen when hedgehogs sprout wings and fly."

Tigerpaw bristled and stalked away. Whitepaw bounded after him. "Ah, come on, you know Willowpaw was only joking. The thought does seem a bit ridiculous."

Tigerpaw swung around, hatred etched on his face. "Mark my words, Whitepaw, one day, I will rule all the clans."

Whitestorm's memory slipped away as Willowpelt asked, "Whitestorm?"

"Oh, what did you say?"

"I was asking how Brightpaw's training is coming along."

"Oh, it's great." Whitestorm said. "She's truly ready to be a warrior."

Cinderpelt nudged him with her tail. "Whitestorm? I think it would be good if you left. Willowpelt seems very tired and needs some sleep."

"Alright. Good-night Willowpelt. Good-night kits."