Disclaimer: I don't own any of the ideas, those belong to Erin Hunter


Prologue

Dovewillow purred, licking at her perfect kits' pelts. Both of them had been born a quarter moon ago, each born with a beauty and grace that was sure to get toms falling for them. She heard a soft rustle of the willows, and she raised her head, purring once more as she spotted her mate, Hawkstripe.

"How's it going, love?" Hawkstripe whispered, nuzzling his mate. The half moon glowed above the nursery, lighting up the entire camp with serene moonlight. Dovewillow glanced at her two daughters, who were so perfect cuddled up together.

"It's going wonderfully. Our two daughters are the most gorgeous she-cats in the world. Fernkit and Skykit will grow up, have a perfect mate and kits, and they will be just perfect," Dovewillow purred, wrapping her tail around them. Hawkstripe flinched at his mate's words, hoping that she wouldn't be vain to their kits. Dovewillow seemed to have adapted the word "perfect" for everything, and that made him worried.

"Yes, they will. Now, I need to get some rest because I'll be going on the dawn patrol. Sleep tight, my darling," Hawkstripe mewed, slowly backing out of the den. When he looked back, Dovewillow was cooing at her kits, undoubtedly telling them they were perfect. Hawkflight shivered, before disappearing into the warriors' den.

Warm sunlight filtered in through the nursery, shining light on a gorgeous white pelt. Dovewillow stretched, before gasping as she realized she had made Skykit fall off of her. Yelping with alarm, she quickly nudged her kit back to her nest, licking at her fur. "I'm so sorry, Skykit." Skykit snuggled closer to her mother, making her purr with delight.

"With the way you act around them, it seem that they're the leader of RiverClan," mewed an amused voice. Dovewillow raised her head, looking straight at a pale red tabby she-cat.

"Oh, Applesong. Good morning! They're not leaders, just perfect little warriors of RiverClan!" Dovewillow purred, glancing at her close friend. Applesong snorted with amusement, before glancing at them.

"They're quite beautiful," Applesong admitted, sniffing both of them gently. Dovewillow puffed out her chest, swelled with pride about the appearance of her kits.

"Of course they are!" Skykit pawed at her mother's belly in annoyance, and she glanced down, gasping in surprise and delight as she saw her eyes open. They were a warm golden, like the sunrise. "Look! Her eyes are open! They're just like mine! She's so perfect!" Skykit blinked away the sleep, looking at Dovewillow. Her eyes shone like the bright, golden sun. Applesong lumbered over to the queen, her large stomach dragging her down.

"Oh! Those eyes are just like the sun! You certainly are lucky, Dovewillow, to have such a beautiful daughter," Applesong purred, glancing at the white she-kit. Dovewillow nodded in agreement, before nudging Fernkit.

"Come on, my lovely fern. Open your eyes too! Maybe they'll be emerald green! Or sky blue! Maybe warm amber?" Dovewillow cooed, licking at her daughter's ears. Fernkit snuggled closer to her mother, her white dapples like freshly fallen snow against her pelt. "My lovely, beautiful daughter, please? For me?" Fernkit yawned sleepily, pawing at her mother stomach.

"Sister! I want to see the entire camp, but I know Mama won't let me until you're awake!" Skykit squealed, poking at her sister's stomach. Fernkit stretched open her eyes, glancing up at her mother's glowing golden eyes. Dovewillow's face of pride and love dropped, turning into disgust and horror.

"Get away from me, you monster! You're eyes! I can't believe I ever called you my daughter!" Dovewillow hissed, shoving Fernkit hastily away from her. Fernkit yelped with surprise, feeling herself falling back. Instead of hitting the floor, a fluffy paw stopped her.

"What's gotten into you, Dovewillow? You were just beaming about how perfect your kits are!" Applesong snapped, her fur bristling. Dovewillow hissed, wrapping her tail around Skykit and dragging her towards her stomach.

"I have no second kit! Skykit is my only daughter!" Dovewillow spat, lashing her tail at Fernkit. Fernkit backed away, her eyes flashing with fear. Her one emerald green eye and her other burning amber one filled with tears.