Hello, kits. What are you doing wandering so near this clearing? I thought no one knew of this place. You were exploring, eh? But have you heard that some places aren't worth exploring? Oh, and what am I doing? I'm just reflecting on my past life. Yes, by looking at a puddle, Beechkit. Beechkit, did you know you were named after a serious accident in ThunderClan? You want to hear the story? Oh, I guess I could spare some time. Now settle down.
Willowpaw charged into the clearing, chasing after her mother. Streamwhisker was desperately trying to save young Gorsekit from the beech tree that was groaning and slowly toppling through the undergrowth, scaring away birds as it slipped on the wet earth.
The pale gray tabby had become an apprentice six moons ago and was about ready to become a young, energetic warrior. But now, she was fearful and challenged by her soul and mind. Don't you want to live, mousebrain? a small voice said in her head, wickedly tempting her to leave both Streamwhisker and Gorsekit behind for the sake of her living.
But another voice, her beating heart, spoke in a firm voice, No, Willowpaw, you can't betray your Clan. Go help them, even if it means risking your life! Willowpaw nodded decisively and raced even faster to the center of the clearing, where Gorsekit sat frozen in terror. His bright green eyes were wide with dread as the beech tree's pale wood came even more visible than before through the tangle of brambles.
Willowpaw grabbed Gorsekit by the scruff and sprinted to the camp entrance, putting him just inside in the brambles. Then she came to Streamwhisker. The blue-gray tabby had her eyes full of determination and she growled fiercely, "I was born a warrior and I lived a warrior's life and I will die a warrior."
The young apprentice stared at her mother, her heart sinking. Her mother had gone mad, thinking that the tree was a cat from another Clan. "Come on, Streamwhisker," she meowed, though she had to raise her voice over the thud of the branches as the tree came closer to camp. "No, Willowpaw," the she-cat told her. "I have something to confess."
"What is it, mother? We need to leave," Willowpaw mewed urgently. The blue-gray queen stared at her paws and sat down. When she looked up, Willowpaw knew there was something wrong. After a few moments' pause, Streamwhisker started.
"I'm not your mother," she whispered, so that Willowpaw had to strain her ears even harder to hear her voice. The pale gray she-cat's jaw dropped and she shook her head in disbelief. "Your real mother is a kittypet who died giving birth to you and Blazepaw. She was my sister, so I took you as my own. I decided not to tell you until you were older, so you wouldn't stress as much.
"I had thought I would tell you this evening, but I guess this will be our last words together. Goodbye, Willowpaw." By this time, the tree was splitting through the bramble wall surrounding the camp, a tree surely big enough to kill a whole Clan all at once. The apprentice held her breath and curled her tail around her adopted mother's as the tree shot through camp. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you the truth, Willowpaw!" Streamwhisker's muffled yowl was lost by the ear-splitting crack as the branches divided and swept Willowpaw away.
Then, everything was lost to Willowpaw's ears. Blackness closed in on her and she took in a deep last breath before a branch stabbed her.
Yes, this is a true story, young kits. Why do I address you so formally? StarClan gave me a warrior name after I came to them. Streamwhisker did survive the tree falling but she died only a moon later of a severe greencough of some kind. It had something to do with the breathing, but I can't keep you kits forever. Go off and play with us. Oh, yes, my warrior name? I am Willowfrost.