Chapter 1
"Come here Breezekit!", said his mother Rippleheart. "I'm going!", he said. "Why don't you go and play with your half siblings?", his mother asked. Breezekit's father, Raintail, hadn't want to father him, since Rippleheart wasn't his mate. His mate was Tigerstripe, with whom she had Heatherkit, a white and ginger she – kit, and Reedkit, a brown and white tom. His half siblings hated him and they treated him like fox dung. His father, also treated "Play with him? Never!", he heard Heatherkit say. "Hush!", shouted her mother, Tigerstripe, who was behind her. "Don't treat your half brother like that. You know it's wrong", he heard her say. I don't want to play with you, stupid furballs. One day I'll be leader and I'll banish you! he thought.
Breezekit had gone to explore beyond the nursery. He had gone to Mintpelt's den and then to the apprentice's den, where he talked with two apprentices, Marigoldpaw and Ravenpaw. He had noticed that Marigoldpaw was a bit fatter than most apprentices. Later, he had gone to explore the fresh – kill pile and had accidentally wondered in Nightstar's den. Nightstar was leader, and Lionfur was his deputy. He had heard Redspots, Nightstar's mate and mother of Rowankit, Pikekit and Eaglekit, say that he was on his last life. After all his adventures, he decided to go back to the nursery.
Marigoldpaw was in the nursery! "What are you doing here?", he asked. "I'm having Dustpaw's kits.", she answered. Breezekit was shocked. Weren't apprentices supposed to finish their training before having kits? He didn't dare to ask.
"Reedkit, go invite Breezekit to play. He is your half brother, remember?", said Tigerstripe. "He's weak", he answered. "It's boring to play with a weak kit". How did he dare call me weak? he thought. I'll show him. Suddenly, he jumped in the air and attacked Reedkit. He clawed his neck fur and was left with brown fur in his claws. In return, Reedkit bit his belly and Breezekit yowled in pain. "Stop!", screamed Tigerstripe. "Rippleheart, take your stupid excuse for a kit out of my way!". "You have no right to talk to my kit like that!", retorted Rippleheart. Good job, said a voice in Breezekit's head. "Who are you?", he murmured. Nobody replied.
After the fight, both of them were taken to Mintpelt's den to receive treatment to their wounds. Later, they went back to the nursery.
"I don't feel okay", said Marigoldpaw. "Please, Willowheart, could you bring Mintpelt and Whitefoot?", she added. "Sure", Willowheart replied. Marigoldpaw's kits are coming! thought Breezekit.
"Please bring Dustpaw. She is starting to kit!", announced Mintpelt. Willowheart left the nursery and brought Dustpaw. "You'll be fine, I promise", he told her.
Several seconds later, Marigoldpaw finally started to kit. "Here comes one", said Mintpelt, picking a pale ginger she – kit. She put it on Dustpaw's paws. "Lick her", she said. Dustpaw started licking his daughter. "Another one!", said Mintpelt, this time holding a black tom. She put him on Willowheart's paws. "Lick him", she said. Willowheart obeyed. "The last one", she said, holding a white she – kit. This time, she put it on Rippleheart's paws. "Lick her", she said. Rippleheart did it. "Will Marigoldpaw be okay?", asked Dustpaw. "I don't know", she replied.
Mintpelt and Whitefoot took Marigoldpaw to their den. Everyone was worried for her, specially Dustpaw, who was waiting in front of the medicine cat den waiting for some news. Marigoldpaw's mother, Morningcloud, was also very nervous waiting with Dustpaw. Marigoldpaw's father, Sandpelt, was trying to comfort Morningcloud that she would be fine. But Breezekit wasn't sure if Sandpelt belived what he said. Breezekit saw Mintpelt come out of her den to tell something to the anxious cats. He sneaked out of the nursery to see what was going on.
"I'm sorry", he overheard. "Marigoldpaw is dead", she said. Breezekit felt a pang of grief strike his heart. We were really good friends, he thought.