Chapter 3

'Snowkit' Brownkit whispered. Her voice didn't seem to come out right and she made a horrible strangled noise.

'All of a sudden she was knocked out of the way by Jayfeather.

'Out of my way! Where's Snowkit?' He asked

'Over the- there.' Brownkit pointed with her tail.

Oakkit was crouched by his sister nuzzling her muzzle.

Jayfeather listened then sighed.

'I'm so sorry Oakkit. There wasn't anything I could do…'

No! She's not dead. No!' Oakkit wailed.

Hazeltail came running into the den, then stopped dead as she saw Snowkit.

'She's not – she's not dead is she?' Hazeltail seemed to choke on the words. 'She's going to be alright?'

'Hazeltail. Snowkit has just eaten five deathberries. I'm sorry, but she died.'

Hazeltail lifted her mouth to the air and wailed, joining in with Oakkit's chorus.

Brownkit stared in shock. She had never liked Snowkit, but for her to die was unthinkable. She fled from the mourning pair and ran outside. The camp looked normal. Apart from a hesitant looking Daisy and Icecloud. Daisy rushed over and licked Brownkit behind the ears.

'Oh my kit, are you okay? You didn't eat any did you?' Daisy said.

'No but Daisy… Snowkit's dead!' Brownkit couldn't take it and collapsed on the ground.

'All cats old enough to catch their own prey meet under High Ledge for a clan meeting,' Duststar called.

Brownkit stumbled over to the outcrop of rock and sat down next to the grief-stricken Oakkit.

'I am extremely sad to report that one of our own, precious kits has been lost,'

Mews filled the air, some questioning, some saddened.

'Snowkit was found in Jayfeather's den. With death berries. Jayfeather did everything to save her but she died. We will miss her greatly. The elders will prepare her for her walk to Star Clan.' Duststar nodded to the group of cats before turning and leaping onto the floor.

Brownkit padded over to Snowkit's motionless body and pressed her nose deep into her fur.

'Goodbye Snowkit, may Star Clan be with you.' She breathed.

Daisy came over to Brownkit and comforted her.

'Don't worry my dear, I won't let you near any Deathberries'

Brownkit struggled out of Daisy's grasp and spat,

'Just leave me ALONE!' With that the brown she-kit ran into the nursery and curled in her nest.

Oakkit padded in soon after. He came over to her.

'I just can't believe it. That she isn't here. We could be playing with that moss ball right now.' The tom looked sadly at the moss ball which was swaying gently in the breeze.

'She will always be with us, in our hearts and in our minds,' a deep voice came from behind them. Bumblestripe, Snowkit's father looked so sad it wrenched at Brownkit's heart.

'She will always be with us' Oakkit echoed.