Chapter 1

Morningkit struggled out of the curve of Ivystem's belly, and clambered over her mother's slender tail. Mossfur, Honeyshine, and Creamfur, the other queens, were sound asleep. Smallkit and Lilackit were sleeping peacefully, pressed against Mossfur in the same manner as Morningkit's own littermates. She glanced over her shoulder, half hoping that maybe Cloudkit or Oakkit might wake up and come with her. Her gaze found the other sleeping form, his dark tabby pelt standing out against the others. Tigerkit. Morningkit sniffed. The last time she'd had an adventure, her brother had told on her. Visiting the medicine cat's den is a great warrior experience, she thought bitterly. Lashing her small tail, she gave a tiny hiss and turned her back on her mother and littermates. I'm not going to let Tigerkit ruin things for me, she thought, and padded towards the den entrance. As she poked her nose out, inhaling the night scents, she heard a small rustle from behind her. One of the cats was waking up, and from the sound of it, padding straight towards her! Then the cat stepped into the moonlight and meowed, "Morningkit?"

Morningkit sighed in relief. "Oakkit!"

"Where are you going, Morningkit?" Oakkit asked, his golden eyes boring into hers. "Can I come with you?"

Part of Morningkit wanted to tell Oakkit that she was going to be a warrior for a night, and was going to go sleep in the warriors' den. Instead of saying that or even accepting his company, Morningkit mewed, "I not going anywhere. I must have been sleep walking, that's all."

Oakkit smiled. "That sound like something you would do," he purred, and licked Morningkit's ear affectionately. She purred back, and together they padded back to Ivystem, though Morningkit's steps were heavy with reluctance. Settling back down next to Tigerkit, Oakkit mewed sleepily, "Good night, Morningkit."

Morningkit, who was also tucked against their mother's belly, closed her eyes and faked a yawn. Letting drowsiness edge her tone, she answered, "Good night, Oakkit." Morningkit's tail twitched, waiting for Oakkit to fall asleep again. Her paws were itching to set out, and sleeping was the last thing on her mind. However, she could sense Oakkit's golden gaze fixed on her, until she relaxed and let Ivystem's warmth lull her into a deep slumber.

Hot… so hot… Morningkit blinked, and her soft fur fluffed out. Terrified, she pressed closer to her mother, then realized with a start that Ivystem wasn't there. The flickering red wall crept closer to Morningkit, who squeaked in fear. She drew in a deep breath, scenting the wall, and choked on an unknown substance. Gasping for air, she struggled on the ground, her paws flailing uselessly. Gathering her voice, Morningkit called out uselessly, "Cloudkit! Oakkit! Tigerkit! Ivystem! Help me!" A spasm ripped through her body, when she felt jaws clamp on her scruff, pulling her away from her doom. She tried to breathe and cough at the same time, and she shuddered and flailed, mewling all the while.

Night winds blasted her fur, but they did nothing to soothe her throat. She squeezed her eyes shut. When she was finally set down, a rough tongue started to lick her, and she began to breathe more easily. Stalks of grass tickled her side, and she sighed, inhaling the fragrant smells and a faint trace of the earlier substance. Morningkit could also smell herbs, which she only slightly recognized from her visit to Lilyflower's den. Then a cat poked her small white head into Morningkit's line of vision.

"Hiya, Morningkit!" Cloudkit meowed, and Morningkit could tell that the enthusiasm was forced. "Did you see Oakkit?"

"Oakkit?" Morningkit panted, her throat dry.

"Yes, Oakkit," Tigerkit snapped, shoving Cloudkit out of the way, who gave a faint squeal of protest. "He went back when Ivystem dropped you. Duh."

"I-I didn't see him…" Morningkit stammered. Oakkit had gone back to get her? She hadn't seen him. Scrambling to her feet, she stumbled t the camp, only to be stopped by Iceflower, the clan deputy.

"Oh no you don't," Iceflower hissed, baring her fangs. Her expression softening, she meowed, "A trained warrior will get your brother." Morningkit hissed back, her fur bristling, but she finally gave in, and let Iceflower call Ivystem to take her back to her littermates. Reluctantly, she laid down next to Cloudkit, and her sister pressed her muzzle against Morningkit's sooty fur. She finally relaxed, but kept her senses alert, waiting for any sign of her brother.

Morningkit was hardly aware of two elders' conversation, in which they didn't bother to lower their voices.

"It was fire," Foxnose declared, lifting his oddly shaped muzzle into the air. "Turns trees into black stumps, it does."

"Yes, Foxnose, I know that," Ripplewind replied patiently.

"But those mousebrained kits don't," Foxnose snapped hotly, his neck fur starting to stand.

"Of course," Ripplewind soothed him, and slowly Foxnose's fur flattened.

As they continued to chat, Lilyflower appeared, carrying more herbs. "About time," Foxnose muttered, and let the tortoiseshell she-cat nose at the dark smudges on his fur, checking for any possible burns.

While the elder was distracted, Cloudkit turned to Morningkit, her embarrassment showing in her blue eyes. "Did you know it was fire?" she asked.

Morningkit shook her head. "No," she whispered, hoping Tigerkit wouldn't hear.

"Of course you didn't know," Tigerkit scoffed and turned on them, proving he had heard. Half to himself, he muttered, "A cat would think you might've learned something from all the times you decided to explore the camp."

Morningkit decided to ignore his comment, since she knew he hadn't known either. She laid down next to Cloudkit, taking comfort in the touch of her sister's pelt against her own, when there was a soft thump beside her. Looking at the source of the sound in surprise, she saw Tigerkit sitting next to her, opposite Cloudkit.

"What?" he asked when he saw Morningkit's shocked look. "Littermates support each other, no matter how annoying and mousebrained they may be," he meowed with a defiant air.

"As if you aren't," Cloudkit muttered, flicking her brother with the tip of her tail.

"Hey!" Tigerkit protested, and reached over Morningkit to give Cloudkit a cuff over the ear. "Take back what you said!"

Cloudkit danced out of the way, and Tigerkit climbed over Morningkit to get to her. He batted at Cloudkit, his claws sheathed and she dodged out of the way again, making her brother chase her across the clearing.

"I'll take it back if you can catch me!" she taunted, and darted past him to hide behind Morningkit.

"Hey, Cloudkit—" Morningkit complained, and was left to fend off Tigerkit while her sister ran off to find a new hiding spot.

When Morningkit finally pinned down Tigerkit, both of them were panting. By then the other kits had joined in on their game, and Ivystem, Creamfur, and Mossfur watched them. When Tigerkit pushed her off him, he was too tired to even get up, and both Morningkit and Tigerkit laid panting on the ground, defeated. Cloudkit wandered over to them, and helped both of them up. They all sat together to catch their breath, when a bush rustled, and a line of cats filed into the clearing. Morningkit's ears flicked forward, suddenly alert, and she trained her eyes on the approaching cats.

In the lead was Iceflower, followed by Rowanpelt and six other warriors, one of which was supporting the scarlet tom Crimsonpelt. He was suffering from a major burn on his side. Behind them trailed the apprentices, all eight of them huddled in a cluster and mewing uncomfortably to each other. Three more warriors padded out after the young cats, keeping a close eye on them. Behind them was Stonefang, carrying a small body carefully in his teeth. Last of all, Duskstar pushed his way into the clearing, dragging cat with her fur slightly singed along with him. Morningkit knew all of them because she had gone out to see all the different dens, and had memorized the unique scents of her clanmates by name. Where's Oakkit? she thought, and her tail twitched. They didn't forget him, did they? The clearing began to fill with cats, and Morningkit could see the ashes that clung to her clanmates' fur, and smell the acrid scent of smoke filled the air, stinging her lungs. Morningkit and her littermates ran to Ivystem, burying themselves in her familiar scent. The quiet murmuring of the cats unnerved Morningkit, and she wanted to flee deeper into the forest, to escape the grief that hung in the air like a deep fog. Morningkit let out a tiny mew, distressed, and tried to locate Oakkit's scent again. She couldn't locate it, and the thought sent shivers through her body.

Maybe they really did forget him.

Morningkit let out a thin wail. "Where's Oakkit?" she cried, trying to raise her voice above the others. No one paid her any attention though, only the queens had heard her distress and sent her sympathetic glances. Lilyflower had left the elders and gone to Crimsonpelt, her eyes flashing with worry as she inspected his wound. All the other cats were now gathered around Duskstar, anxiously awaiting their leader's calm commands. It was clear that none of them knew what to do; even Iceflower was scuffing her paws on the ground, and her gaze was flitting around like a butterfly. Morningkit started to bristle. It was like no one cared about her littermate. Morningkit scrambled to her paws. I'll find Oakkit myself, since no one else seems willing. They're all just whimpering like a bunch of cornered mice.

Morningkit opened her jaws to taste the air, and quickly found the scent of fire. She shook her head, of course she'd smell it, since her clanmates fur were still smoky gray from ash. Trying to get a more accurate scent, she sniffed harder, and discovered that the fire-scent was stronger to her right. Turning her head, she saw that there was smoke rising through the trees. She darted away from Ivystem, pausing just enough to meow over her shoulder, "I'm gonna go see Rowanpelt!" Rowanpelt was her father, and one of many loyal warriors of Nightclan. Weaving around the legs of cats, Morningkit nearly crashed into an apprentice. Morningkit recognized the bulky form of Pinepaw, and held her breath, but the he didn't notice her. That was close, Morningkit thought, breathing a sigh of relief. Morningkit continued again, being more careful as she picked her way through the group. Losing herself among the cats, Morningkit glanced back to make sure no one was following her. All the cats had their eyes trained on Duskstar, who was meowing confidently, and the fear-scent that had enveloped them had faded away. She turned back to face the trees, and without a second thought she plunged into the undergrowth. Thorns scratched at her face, and Morningkit felt her paw got caught in some brambles. Tugging fiercely, she let out a distressed cry. Finally, she pulled herself free. Licking her paw, she was glad to find that she wasn't hurt in any way.

"Aha! I knew you were up to trouble!"

Morningkit nearly leapt out of her fur. Glancing around, she tried to locate the cat who had spoken. "Who's there?" she called nervously.

The familiar tabby pelt stepped into view. "A cat would think you'd—" he started.

"Okay, enough of that already!" Morningkit tensed her muscles slightly and pushed off the ground, knocking into the cat with outstretched paws. "I've had enough of your snotty attitude, Tigerkit!"

"Nothing you say can make me stop," Tigerkit replied, haughtiness laced into his tone.

"Then I'll just have to shut you up," Morningkit snapped back playfully, and before he could answer back she slapped her tail over his mouth. Her actions were rewarded by a short and quick nip from her brothers teeth in her tail, hurting her just enough that she jerked her tail away.

Tigerkit spit out some loose fur. "Hmph," he said, turning his head to the side. "That's what you get."

Morningkit was suddenly bored of their little game. "Whatever, I'm going now," she said, opening her jaws and breathing in the forest scents, along with a slight burning smell. Pricking her small ears, she could faintly hear a tiny crackling. Letting her senses guide her, Morningkit wandered towards the fire.

"Hey, where are you going?" Tigerkit followed in her wake, his eyes wide. "And why you gaping like a senseless newborn?"

"I'm not gaping, I'm smelling!" Morningkit bristled. "Haven't you seen the warriors do it when they're scenting the prey?"

"No, warriors don't hunt in the camp." He meowed teasingly. "Unless you been tracking— or trying to track— a hunting patrol again?"

Morningkit let out an irritated hiss, and turned pointedly away. "They don't only scent prey."

"Okay, okay! Don't get your paws in a tangle," Tigerkit said, and flicked his ears. Morningkit flicked her ears right back, and turned to continue, but not before she saw his baffled look. Stifling a purr of amusement, she padded on, not stopping to look back. Tigerkit had such a funny look on his face, Morningkit thought, her eyes shut tight in the memory. She heard a tiny crackle coming from above her, but she ignored it. It took a moment to compose herself again, her chest was heaving from her attempt to hold in her laughter. Or maybe it was the smoke.

Smoke?! Morningkit looked up to see a burning branch over her head— the crackle from just a few seconds ago.

But her realization came too late. Morningkit had barely let out a fearful yowl before the branch fell, coming closer and closer, until the breath was knocked out of her and her vision turned scarlet with flames.