Chapter One

The harsh wind blew, thick with snowflakes, chilling the earth and blinding anyone unfortunate enough to be outside. The ginger tom struggled to walk through the layer of snow that had coated the ground, cursing StarClan for sending bad weather at a time like this. It was the middle of Leaf-Bare and FireClan were starving. They needed every last scrap of food there was, but they would find no prey in snowstorms like this.

Behind him a brown tabby tom with a thin pelt shivered, accompanied by a pale cream she-cat. They lagged about two tail-lengths behind, obviously growing tired.

"Clawtail!" The brown tabby cried, finally speaking out, "We'll have to turn back! This is MoonClan's territory now."

"That hasn't stopped us before!" Grumbled the ginger cat, but he stopped and waited for the others to catch up.

"The weather is too bad now anyway," The she-cat suggested softly, "We won't find any prey. It would make more sense to go back."

"I suppose you are right Honeystripe," sighed Clawtail, swishing his tail agitatedly from side to side, "We shall have to tell Bravestar the hunting trip was unsuccessful." The cats turned around and began to go back, trying to follow their rapidly disappearing paw prints.
Suddenly Honeystripe stopped, her ears pricked and alert.

"What is it?" The brown tabby asked, noticing her sudden pause. She shook her head, silencing him, straining her ears forward.

"I thought...," She suddenly leaped into action, springing across the snow and disappearing from view. Startled, the brown tabby bounded after her, keen to know where she was going. She stopped when she reached a thick bush covered with snow, right on the edge of Warrior Forest. Silencing the male with a flick of her tail, she crept forward, her ears pricked forward and her tail swooped down low. She squeezed through a small gap in the bush, closely followed by the tom, "Look Raggedtail!" She called out in alarm.

Nestled on a pile of moss lay two kittens, sheltered from the snow by the branches of leaves intertwined above their heads. Their fur was a mixture of brown and black (black being the dominant colour) and their amber eyes blinked nervously up at Honeystripe.

"Whose are they?" asked Raggedtail

"I don't know," replied Honeystripe, giving the kittens an affectionate nuzzle, "But Clawtail needs to know about this." Raggedtail nodded before leaping back to fetch the Deputy.

Clawtail did not look pleased when he saw them.

"Where have you been?" He snapped, fur bristling. Raggedtail answered nervously

"Um, we found some kits Clawtail. I think you should come and see." Clawtail followed him, frowning.

"Kits?" He stared in disbelief at the furry bundles who were now cuddled up to Honeystripe, purring, "How..." He shook his head firmly, "No. Leaf-bare has been bad enough as it is this season. We can't afford any more mouths to feed." Honeystripe glanced up at him in shock.

"But Clawtail-they're just kits! You can't leave them here...they'll die in the first quarter-moon!" She wailed, snuggling them against her protectively, "And what about the warrior code?"

"She's right," Murmured Raggedtail, "It does say in the code that no warrior can neglect kits in need."

"The warrior code can be broken in times of need if necessary!" Snapped Clawtail, swishing his tail agitatedly. Then his tone softened and he addressed Honeystripe, "I know you've lost kits before," He began, "But these aren't going to replace them, and the Clan is going through some hard times. We can't afford to save them," Honeystripe didn't reply, avoiding Clawtail's gaze and licking the kits defiantly, "Come on," Continued Clawtail, addressing Raggedtail, "She'll come when she's ready and-" To his surprise Raggedtail hissed fiercely and sat firmly down beside Honeystripe.

"I'm not coming," He blinked, "I can't leave these kits to starve." Clawtail glared furiously, loosing his temper.

"Fine then, stay and starve! If you'd rather look after these kits than defend your own Clan so be it! Bravestar would be ashamed if he could see you now!"

"I think I'd better be the judge of that," Came a voice. The cats turned their heads and saw a cat emerge smoothly from the bush behind them. He was on the largish side and his thick, fluffy pelt was mainly dark brown in colour, although several patches of amber and tan could be seen around his underbelly and legs. His jade eyes looking disapprovingly at Clawtail, "I'm surprised at your outburst Clawtail. Any warrior, especially a deputy should be able to control their temper," He turned to face the other cats, "Now tell me-what is this all about?" The cats shifted their feet and tails uncomfortably. Finally it was Honeystripe who spoke, dipping her head respectfully as she did so.

"You see Bravestar," She began, moving her paws so the leader could see the kits, "We found these kits in this bush. I don't know where they came from or why they're here, but one thing I do know is that they need help to survive. They're about 3 moons old I think, and-" Bravestar signaled her to stop, swishing his tail.

"3 moons? Not old enough to survive on their own of course. So what's the problem?" Clawtail stepped forward, he too dipping his head before he spoke.

"With all due respect, the Clan is struggling as it is. We barely have enough food-can we really cope with two more mouths to feed?" He paused, glancing at the kits and Honeystripe before continuing, "I believe we should leave them here and let StarClan deal with their fate." He stood still, clearly uncomfortable. Bravestar sat expressionless for a moment or two, deep in thought.

"You make a valid point Clawtail. However, the warrior code is very clear about this point. I pride myself at the way FireClan obeys the code and we shall not break it today. Honeystripe," He turned to the cream-coloured cat, "Do you know of a queen who can take care of these kits?"

"I believe Silverwind will be willing to do so," Honeystripe replied eagerly, "And I could always look after them in between hunting and patrol work. After all, they are old enough not to need constant care."

"Then it is settled," Bravestar nodded, "Raggedtail, you stay behind and help Honeystripe escort the kits. Clawtail, you come back to the clan with me and explain the situation." Clawtail nodded and bounded out after the leader, determined to prove to him he was just as loyal a warrior as any other cat.

Once they were well out of earshot, Bravestar spoke, a grave look on his face.

" You are right about the lack of food Clawtail. We shall take care of the kits only until New-leaf. Then they are on their own," Clawtail closed his eyes in silent agreement. Bravestar continued, showing he understood Clawtail with a flick of his ear, "You took it hard when Honeystripe lost her kits. Am I right in assuming you were their father?" He nodded, still keeping his eyes closed.

"I loved those kits. When they died..." He shook his head fiercely and his eyes snapped open, " But these kits aren't the same. I understand that Honeystripe is still mourning but she can't pretend these kits are ours."

"I don't think she will. But either way we must obey the Warrior code." Bravestar dismissed the subject firmly, and didn't say another word about the topic throughout the journey.

Back at the clearing Honeystripe was nursing the kits, lovingly licking them with her tongue. The kits snuggled up to her, eager to have some kind of shelter and warmth. Raggedtail sat near by, growing more nervous as the sky steadily darkened above them. Finally he spoke up

"Honeystripe, we should go. We'll be needed back at camp." She nodded, getting to her feet without a word. The kits mewed as she left, but were silenced by a quick nudge with her nose.

"You can take the female," She handed him the largest of the two kits, "The male needs more attention so I'll carry him." She turned and strutted determinedly out of the bush. Raggedtail followed, gently carrying the struggling kit.

"You kits are very lucky," He muttered under his breath, "May StarClan protect you."

BACK AT CAMP

Honeystripe sat next to the kits, refusing to budge and licking them furiously. Bravestar leaped onto the top of the pile of rocks that lay on the edge of Sunny Field.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Cliff Stones for a Clan Meeting!" He called out clearly. Several of the cats crawled out of their nests in the large hole that they called their home and gathered round, "While Honeystripe, Raggedtail and Clawtail were out on hunting duty they discovered some lost kits. Now I, on behalf of FireClan, have agreed to shelter these kits," A murmur of agreement and discussion went around the Clan, "They do not appear to smell of any Clan, and since we have no way to tell what their names were, we shall have a naming ceremony now," He turned to Honeystripe, "Bring the kits forward," She obeyed, gently dropping each one onto their feet. They gazed up at Bravestar in fear and wonderment, their amber eyes shining, "Spirits of StarClan, you know every cat by name. I ask you now to take away the name from the kits you see before you, for it no longer stands for what they are. By my authority as Clan Leader, and with the approval of our warrior ancestors, I give these kits new names," He turned to the larger female, "From this moment on she will be known as Ravenkit. And-" He then faced the smaller male kit, who was shaking by this time, "From this moment on he will be known as Crowkit. May you welcome their new names and help guide them into their new Clan." The cats gave a small cheer and Honeystripe stepped forward to the kittens once more. She turned to a silvery grey she-cat with startlingly bright green eyes.

"Silverwind, I believe your kits are also around 3 Moons? Would you be willing to look after these kits as well?" The female nodded, gently picking up the male in her mouth.

"I'll gladly take care of these two if it will help the Clan. I'll have Spottedfoot give them a check over to make sure that neither is injured," She carried the kit down into the pit and through the tunnel to the medicine cat's nest, closely followed by Honeystripe and the second kit. The red, white and black tortoiseshell tom was hard at work, mixing some kind of herbs together. Silverwind mewed to announce their arrival, dipping her head respectfully and dropping the kit, "Honeystripe found these kits out in the snow. They appear to be fine but we thought you'd better have a look just in case," She blinked at the confusing bundle of herbs, "That is, if you're not too busy." The tortoiseshell shook his head impatiently.

"No, no, it's okay. I was just experimenting with a possible new cure for Greencough. Catnip is getting harder and harder to find these days," He nodded towards a small bed of moss in one corner, "You can put the kits there. I'll examine them once I've cleaned up a bit. Can't be too careful of infection," He meowed cheerfully. Silverwind placed the male down, but Honeystripe paused. Sensing her reluctance, Spottedfoot continued, "It's okay, you can leave them. I'll drop them off in the Nursery once I'm done."

"Come on, they'll be fine." Silverwind gently nudged her and Honeystripe nodded, carefully dropping the kit. Throwing one last glance at them, she turned and slowly trudged out of the den, her whiskers twitching worriedly as she went.

A little while later Spottedfoot trotted into the Nursery, carrying the two kits firmly in his mouth. The snowstorm had cleared away from the camp area, and the sun could be seen shining clearly above it. The kits were a lot livelier now, wriggling and squirming, the female swatting playfully at her brother. Honeystripe gladly took them off him, placing them carefully in Silverwind's nest, alongside her other 3 kits.

"I've checked them out carefully and they seem to be okay," Meowed Spottedfoot, "The male has a nasty chill, but he seems strong and I daresay he'll be fine. The snow seems to have covered most of their scent but I can make out a faint trace of it."

"And?" Honeystripe queried, her stomach beginning to ache nervously.

"They're definitely not from any clan I recognize. Most likely rogues, left behind by their irresponsible mother," He watched for a moment, observing the way both females were fussing them, "I'd best be off. Feel free to ask me if you have any more questions."

"Thank you Spottedfoot." Nodded Honeystripe, dipping her head politely as the tortoiseshell disappeared from view. She gazed softly at the kits with loving eyes, before crouching down and sniffing the fur of the biggest one. It smelt very strange, hoarding an almost sulphuric tang of burning and smoke. Pulling her head back in confusion, Honeystripe shook her head clear and smiled once again at the kits. They looked so beautiful, so innocent and-

"Sorry to disturb you again," Spottedfoot re-entered, interrupting Honeystripe's daydreams, "I meant to ask-what are these young kits to be called?"

"They've already had their naming ceremony I'm afraid," Replied Silverwind, "The female is Ravenkit and the male is Crowkit." Spottedfoot smiled at the kittens, before suddenly frowning.

"What is it?" Panicked Honeystripe, lines of worry creasing her face.

"Nothing," Muttered Spottedfoot, "It's just..." He trailed off, a dreamy look spread across his face, "Excuse me, I need to talk to Bravestar." Without saying another word Spottedfoot sped out of the Nursery and up to the ledge where Bravestar was sat, talking to Clawtail. He pulled the leader over to one side and began to explain in hushed, but excited tones.

"It's just like StarClan said!" He whispered urgently, "These kits...they have to stay." Bravestar frowned, before bowing his head and graciously nodding.

"Thank you Spottedfoot. I know you take your predictions very seriously and, if you wish, these kits will stay," He glanced up at the sky nervously, "But let's hope that whatever StarClan has planned, they will help us."

Note: The next chapter is already written, so I'll upload it in around two days. Hope you enjoyed it-my spell check certainly didn't XD