PROLOGUE
Two silhouettes bounded through the forest, rain drenching them. Thunder rolled across the sky, and lightning struck a nearby tree, illuminating the two cats. The smaller one, a gray she-cat, stopped. "Brownleaf? It's time."
The brown tabby stopped. "Now? But our Clans will be looking for us soon!"
The she-cat shook her head. "Now."
Brownleaf searhced the woods wildly. "There." His nose pointed to a hollow tree. He nudged the she-cat forward, and she started limping towards it. Crack! Another jagged lightningbolt set a tall pine tree on fire. Whirling around, the gray she-cat heard a loud moan as the tree started falling. She saw a branch fall crush her mate's back. She gasped, hobbled back over, and tried to pull off the limb.
"No." Brownleaf murmured weakly. "It's okay. I'm going, but I'll always be watching you and our kits." Sorrow filled his eyes. "I love you, Smoketail."
Smoketail whimpered softly, and touched her mate's nose. After nuzzling him once more, she winced, and headed back to the tree.