Chapter 1

It started in greenleaf. For no reason, my mother abandoned me. I had not known my father. I was pretty sure he was a loner. My siblings squeak in protest as I tried to make myself warm.

We had all hoped they will come back.

All I ever knew was that my name was Starlingkit. Remembering that my distant relative was Silverpaw, who now lived in LightClan, discouraged me.

I had no home, and no food. Juniperkit, my older sister, comforted me, licking my head.My younger brother, Birchkit, was nearly dead. We had searched for scraps of food to bring to him. Now, we can only hope.

Juniperkit, Birchkit, and I all agree on planning revenge on our parents when we grow up.

If they are even alive.

If we even survive.

Till this day, we all know now, that our mother won't come back.

Juniperkit, Birchkit, and I decided to take a walk to refresh our minds.

"I wished our mother wasn't a mouse-brainer," Juniperkit commented.

"Me too, if only we can get back at her and ask her why she abandoned us," I agreed solemnly.

"I wish…," Birchkit sniffled.

"Yes? What is it Birchkit?" Juniperkit said.

"I wish…"

"Go on," I said encouragingly.

Then, he blurted out, "I wish everything could start over again! I wish that our mother will come back! I wish that our father will release himself from the shadows! I wish for a new, peaceful life!"

Juniperkit and I stared at him for awhile. "You really want that?" I asked softly, "a new life to begin with?"

Birchkit looked away in shame. "I'd know you would tease me. I just wanted things to go the correct way." He strayed over towards the trail that led back to our little den.

Juniperkit whispered, "Don't be too hard on him, Starlingkit." She gently cuffed my ear.

I turned away. "I'm not being hard on him!" I snapped. "Mama and Daddy has been too hard on him! In fact, they were too hard on all of us!" I followed my slumping brother, flicking my tail irritably. "All of us won't become warriors. Just because of our mother! Silverpaw and Mistypaw were younger than us. Guess what? They're apprentices; soon to be warriors!"

Juniperkit turned away from us. She pretended to be squinting at the sunlight, but I could see one tear brimming at each of her eyes; grief-stricken.