Chapter 1

2 moons after the battle with the DarkForest…

Amberkit looked up. The sky was pure blue, just like the river Squirrelflight told him.

"Mommy, why are there no warriors in camp?" Amberkit's sister, Brackenkit, asked.

"Brackenkit. I told you already. They are out patrolling and hunting to keep you and everyone else safe and feed." Squirrelflight replied. "Now this is your first time out of the nursery and your father is going meet you."

Amberkit looked up. "You mean we have to get cleaned?"

His mother shook her head. "It just means you must be on your best behavior."

"Well, well, Squirrelflight. That's some purdy kits ya got there. Ya are quite lucky." Amberkit turned his head to see an elderly brown tom.

"Thank you Purdy." Squirrelflight said.

"Why I remember the time me and my housefolk found a nest of little birds in a bush. They was a cute bunch too." Purdy continued.

"Oh that reminds me, I saw a sparrow on the fresh-kill pile earlier. I think it's still there." Squirrelflight told Purdy.

Amberkit let his gaze wander to a pile of small animals. On the top was a fat bird.

"Why thank you for telling me Squirrelflight. I was just heading over for some food." Purdy walked away quite happy looking.

"Momma, why does that cat speak weird?" Amberkit asked.

"I don't know Amberkit." Squirrelflight replied looking at the thorn tunnel.

"What are housefolk Momma?" Brackenkit questioned.

"Twolegs who take care of kittypets." Squirrelflight said.

Amberkit guessed that Purdy used to be a kittypet.

"Sit up straight" Squirrelflight hissed.

The thorn tunnel quivered. Then a strong looking tabby tom pushed through with three other cats behind. Amberkit recognized Lionblaze and Cloudtail. The other two were unrecognizable.

"Bramblestar, I think your mate is waiting for you." Amberkit over heard Lionblaze tell the tabby.

Amberkit watched as the tabby tom turned around. Amberkit expected mean, fearless eyes. Instead the tom's eyes were caring and excited.

"Squirrelflight!" the tabby said.

"Bramblestar, meets your kits." Squirrelflight told him.

Amberkit looked up at his father. "I'm Amberkit!"

The tabby laughed. "I know. I named you."

Brackenkit leaped onto the tabby's shoulder. "Do you know who I am?"

"Brackenkit! Behave." Squirrelflight scolded.

"Let me ask you. Do you know you I am?" The tabby asked.

Amberkit shook his head. Brackenkit did the same.

"I'm your father, Bramblestar." Bramblestar told them.

Amberkit gazed, wide-eyed into those deep amber eyes of his father.

"Bramblestar, Amberkit has your eyes" Squirrelflight said.

"Yes he does." Bramblestar looked away. "Sandstorm wished to talk with me. I have to go."

Amberkit watched as his mother licked Bramblestar. "Will you be back soon?" Amberkit asked.

"Maybe" Bramblestar answered before bounding away.

Squirrelflight nudged Amberkit and his sister away towards the nursery. Reluctantly they obeyed walking back and taking everything in.

"Momma, is father important?" Amberkit asked when they got in the nursery.

"Yes. The clan could not survive without him." Squirrelflight said.

"Why not?" Brackenkit asked, yawning.

"You'll learn when you're older." Squirrelflight started to clean Amberkit. "Nap now."

"I'm not tired." Amberkit protested sleepily.

"Yes you are." Squirrelflight said gently, as Amberkit drifted off into sleep.