Prologue

'Raven! Stop!' I screeched loudly causing my unruly kit, Raven, to skid to a halt.

'What is it now, mother?' Raven mewed sulkily.

I sighed and shook my head. 'How many times must I tell you not to dash around without first-'

'Looking, listening and scenting. I know mother. But you've already checked this area,' Raven interrupted.

'Even so, you should still check to be sure,' I meowed, trying to keep my calm. I looked down on my three beautiful kits and sighed again. I would die if anything happened to them. There was my only son, Smokey, who is a handsome gray tom with beautiful blue eyes. He looks like a smaller version of his father, Storm. Then there's my eldest kit, Patches. She's a gray, black and white tortoiseshell with gorgeous amber eyes. Of course, I can't forget Raven, my youngest kit. Raven is a completely black she-cat with bright green eyes that remind me of the forest where I was born.

'What's wrong mother?' Patches mewed concernedly, breaking into my reflection.

I blinked and shook my head. 'Nothing, dear,' I meowed putting on a smile. 'We just have to be careful around here. Although Raven is right and I have checked the area, dogs might still turn up.' I inwardly winced at the half-truth. No dog would come into this place even if it was starving. No, dogs weren't the danger I feared here. It may have been three moons since the kits were born, but I still didn't believe that they would be safe from Hunter and his underlings. Oh, Storm! What did you do to anger that cat?! I wailed silently.

'When will we see father again?' Smokey mewed quietly.

I blinked at the gray tom. 'I'm not sure dear. However, when we next see him, I'll get him to teach you some fantastic new hunting moves!' I replied, trying to sound upbeat. Storm often disappeared on long trips in search of somewhere safe for us to live, but he had never been gone this long before. 'Come. Let's find something to eat and a new place to sleep,' I mewed and took a step forward before levelling my gaze on my youngest kit. 'And Raven…'

'Yes, mother?' the little kit blinked at me questioningly.

'Don't go running off again,' I meowed sternly. Raven nodded before following me. I lead them through the streets, hoping that we'd have some respite from Hunter's relentless pursuit. If things get any worse, I'll take the kits back to the forest…may the clans have mercy on them!

It's been five moons since Storm disappeared. The kits never ask about him anymore and I think they might've forgotten about him. After all, they're seven moons old now, meaning that five moons is the majority of their lives. I blinked open my eyes, pushing the sorrowful thought away. I sigh as I look at the concrete that makes up the alley that is currently our home. I miss the trees! Well… at least we're near the forest and have multiple ways out of this alley. Over the moons I had been slowly retreating toward the forest and the clans within, just in case. It appeared as if Hunter had given us some temporary peace, but if he turned up again, I would have to take the kits to the clans for protection and hope that they would forgive me and accept the kits. Thinking of the kits… I glanced around spotting Patches and Smokey nearby. I looked around again, fear mounting. My fear was realised as I failed to see black fur and green eyes anywhere in the alley. 'I'm going to have to punish her for leaving without permission again!' I growled quietly flicking my tail. Despite moons of being told off for leaving without asking or dashing around without a care, Raven still ignored my rules, and I feared for her the most as a result. I couldn't deny her good intentions as she always returned safe and sound with food, but the worry was making me more paranoid than I needed. I stretched and stood up ready to see if there was any prey in the alley. Hearing pawsteps, I turned to face the newcomer, expecting it to be Raven. As I turned, I heard multiple sets of paws and my heart dropped. 'Hunter!' I hissed and dashed over to Patches and Smokey, nudging them awake whilst signalling for silence. As we crouched silently, I swivelled my ears around trying to figure out how many of the escape routes Hunter and his underlings knew about and were blocking. After a few heart-stopping moments of panic, I noticed one exit that was completely silent. 'Follow me as quickly as possible!' I hissed quietly to my kits and awaited a nod from each. The moment they nodded I launched myself toward the exit, sprinting as fast as possible the moment I heard my kits behind me. Moments later cats exploded from every other entrance and exit to the alley. The head start we had made me hope that we would escape and then I skidded to a halt as a tabby leg stretched out of the gloom of the exit we were aiming for. My sudden stop caused Patches and Smokey to crash into me and tumble over. I immediately stood over them as best I could, to protect them.

'Ahh!' Hunter sighed; a smirk twisted on his face. 'If it isn't Storm's mate and kits! I'm surprised to see you all here.'

I hissed angrily at the tabby while curling my tail around my kits protectively. Hunter's smirk deepened.

'You know what's to happen, clan cat. So, which of you will die first?' he meowed nastily.

I could feel Patches and Smokey shaking despite their silence. My love for them grew as I noticed their attempts at bravery. 'Hunter, it's me you're wanting! So, let the kits go and I'll do whatever you wish me to,' I meowed as strongly as I could, trying to keep my fear hidden. Hunter's eyes darkened with something akin to thoughtfulness.

'Hmmmm…You are right…' Hunter meowed musingly, and I began to hope that he would let my kits go. 'Okay! Let the kits go!' Hunter flicked his tail and the underlings nearest him backed off. I immediately nudged Patches and Smokey toward the exit.

'Go! Go to the forest and find the clans! You'll be safe there!' I hissed at them and pushed them further.

'But!' Patches began.

'No! Just go! And Quickly!' I hissed, cutting her off.

'Mother-' Smokey started.

'Now!' I half-yowled in fear that Hunter would change his mind. My kits blinked at me in shock and then ran. Hope began to swell as the neared the exit. Then to my horror I saw Hunter flick his tail and two toms pounce onto my kits. 'No!' I yowled and began to race toward them. Suddenly I felt a weight on my shoulders and found myself pinned to the ground.

'I am truly surprised at your foolishness, clan cat!' Hunter hissed in my ear. He leaped off of my back, but I remained down staring at my now lifeless kits.

'Show me, clan cat, how a warrior fights!' Hunter yowled, sneering the word "warrior." I remained on the ground for a heartbeat longer and then dragged myself to my paws. I sent Hunter a look of pure hatred.

'You know, the traitorous Storm gave me the same look before he died,' Hunter snarled gleefully. My gaze hardened and I leaped. We fought a short but fierce battle. I always knew that if a fight between Hunter and I occurred, I would die. The tom was far larger and stronger, and I hadn't practiced battle moves in a long time. But with every bite and pawswipe that landed I felt as if I had all the cats who had died at Hunter's paws at my side fighting with me. Hunter knocked me down and I bit into his leg, hard. I tore at it with what strength I had left feeling some satisfaction as I realised Hunter would never properly recover from this wound. As Hunter's teeth dug into my troat, I let go and I looked into the exit I once thought as my escape. There a small black she-cat with gorgeous green eyes sat, almost blending into the gloom. I'm sorry, Raven my dear. Seek out the clans, they should look after you!

Darkness…then…light. Sniffing the air, I picked up the scent of the forest in Newleaf. Prey scent was also prevalent.

'Welcome, Featherheart,' a warm, familiar voice welcomed. I turned around and stood staring in shock and awe. Before me stood my old mentor from the clans.

'R-Ravenwing!' I gasped. The black she-cat smiled.

'Starclan never stopped watching over you, Featherheart. It was your destiny to leave the clans to be with Storm, but that never meant that you ceased to be a clan cat at heart,' Ravenwing meowed in explanation. I bowed my head as I recognised the truth of her words. 'However, Featherheart, as you have not been a clan cat for many moons, it is up to you whether or not you join Starclan.' I stared in surprise.

'Is…' I glanced away from Ravenwing. 'Is Storm here?' I whispered.

'Not yet. He said he'd join if you did but for now, he walks alone.' Amusement tinged Ravenwing's voice. I stared in shock at the black she-cat. 'You taught Storm about Starclan and he believed. He also had the heart of a clan cat, and so, despite never having joined a clan himself, Starclan would be happy to welcome him among our ranks. I nodded.

'And my kits?' I asked.

'They are with Storm and will join you wherever you go. Although, Raven still lives.'

I nodded again. 'Then we shall be honoured to join Starclan.'

Ravenwing smiled. I glanced to my side as I felt a presence and smiled sadly as I saw Storm, Patches and Smokey standing there sharing my smile.

'Welcome to Starclan!'