Chapter One

Blue eyes wandered around the nursery, taking in everything. The green of the ferns that sheltered the nursery from whatever the weather had to offer. The soft sunlight drifting through the branches that held the nursery together, like arms embracing all inside, keeping them close, warm, and safe. The blue eyes rolled over to a she-cat. She was a beautiful white with sad amber eyes. She smelled of milk, and a warm familiarity.

"I see you're awake." The amber eyes filled with happiness. "I'm Dawncloud, your mother."

The blue eyes belonged to a small, silver tabby she-kitten. She was fragile, and weak, but her mother was sure she would make something of herself one day. She let out a small squeak and rolled closer to Dawncloud. Her name was Silverkit.

Dawncloud shifted to reveal three other small lumps curled next to her warm belly. Silverkit's blue eyes fell on the masses of fur. She wiggled closer to them to get a smell. They smelled of Dawncloud, yet a bit different. She cocked her head sideways. What were the three other kits doing here? Wasn't Silverkit Dawncloud's only kit? Evidently not.

"These are all your sisters." Dawncloud's voice was hesitant, as though she felt the contempt radiating off of Silverkit. "They will love and help you through your whole life."

Silverkit didn't speak. She thought. She stared wide-eyed at the three curled up kits. Without thinking, she lifted a claw. It was sharp and fine. Silverkit stared at it for a couple of seconds, then moved her claw closer to one of her sisters. Closer. Closer. Closer. If she went any farther, her claw would have been jabbed into the side of her sisters ginger tabby fur. Suddenly, the ginger tabby fur started to move. Silverkit, startled, leaped backward and landed right by Dawncloud. Dawncloud gave a start, then quickly quieted.

"Don't wake them," She mewed softly, "They're not as ready as you."

Silverkit let out a breath that she had subconsciously been holding. So Dawncloud didn't see what her claw was about to do to her sister's frail body.

"What are their names?" Silverkit spoke, and Dawncloud smiled brightly.

"The white one is Icekit; the brown one is Mousekit; and the ginger is Tigerkit." Dawncloud looked on lovingly at each kit as she said their name. Silverkit felt a sudden jealousy and nudged her mother in the side. Dawncloud turned to face her. The loving look was still in her eyes, and that was enough to satisfy Silverkit.

Silverkit nodded her head towards the nursery exit and paced over. She stared out the small opening and saw the innermost workings of the clan going on. A patrol was coming in from hunting, while another one came right behind them. Silverkit looked up at the sky; it must've been the dawn patrol that just came in. The sun was barley over the gorge's highest point.

Silverkit couldn't resist herself. She glanced back at Dawncloud, who was busy tending to a stirring Tigerkit. Silverkit rolled her eyes and took off out of the nursery.

Silently, she slid to the outside wall of the nursery where she plastered herself. After being in the nursery and suddenly coming out into the open, everything seemed so intimidating. Silverkit felt her eyes widen in surprise as a big tom with a brown striped pelt step loudly into the nursery. She almost yowled out for the peace that he was breaking. Who did this moron think he was, dancing into the nursery like a mouse-brained fool! Silverkit knew that her sleeping sisters would not be sleeping for long. She decided to get as much sight-seeing done as possible now, before they wanted to tag along.

A stealthily as she could manage, Silverkit made her way across the camp. It was bigger than she expected. She turned to look back at the nursery, but couldn't see it! All she could see were the legs and bodies of huge warriors going about their daily business, not paying the slightest attention to a little kit. What was she going to do now?

Silverkit scanned the surrounding area and found a shadow cast by a decent sized rock to hide in. She scurried over quickly, slightly tripping on her clumsy paws. As soon as she reached the safety of the shadow, she felt at ease. She could now get a better view of the camp, and hopefully would locate the nursery and get back before Dawncloud even realized she was missing.

Unfortunately, as Silverkit stepped back to expand her view a bit more, she bumped into something. This something had fur and was obviously a cat. Her body went rigid with shock. Her blood ran cold and her heart raced. Never in her very short life had she felt this emotion. Fear.

Ever so slowly, Silverkit turned to face her adversary. Instead of seeing a cat-like creature, all she saw was a big, stunning, cold pair of deep green eyes staring right into her clear sky blue ones.