It had been one and a half moons since Brightheart had her kits. Sandstorm's kits were now two moons old. Willowpelt and Brightheart were going to get Frostkit. Cloudtail had been assigned to a hunting patrol, and Firestar was patrolling the RiverClan border with Bramblepaw, Longtail, and Sootpaw, and planning to assess the apprentices' hunting and fighting skills after. Bramblepaw and Sootpaw were almost ready to become warriors. Willowpelt and Brightheart got to Princess's twoleg nest with no problems. Brightheart took Frostkit and they left. On the way back, a badger attacked.

The badger was huge. It fought hard, and would not go.

"Brightheart! Take Frostkit and run! Get help!" cried Willowpelt. Brightheart knew that there was no point in arguing. She picked up Frostkit and ran back to camp as fast as she could.

"Greystripe! Come quickly!" Brightheart yowled. Greystripe raced toward her.

"Brightheart! What happened?! I thought you went off with Willowpelt! Where is she?" asked Greystripe.

"A badger attacked us! She told me to get help! I have to go back and help her!" cried Brightheart.

"Sorrelpaw! Take the kit to the nursery! Mousefur, Spiderpaw, Rainpaw, Brightheart! You will come help with the badger!" called Greystripe.

"Can I come too?" asked Sorrelpaw, running out of the nursery.

"Ok, Sorrelpaw! Let's go!" cried Greystripe. Brightheart led them at full speed to Willowpelt and the badger, but when they got there, it was too late. The badger had killed Willowpelt then left.

"No! Willowpelt!" cried Rainpaw and Sorrelpaw together.

"Mousefur! Brightheart! Spiderpaw! We need to get Willowpelt's body back to camp. Sorrelpaw, Rainpaw… I think you will want to tell Sootpaw about this." Meowed Greystripe. They both nodded.

"Let's get back to camp," Greystripe called, "before that badger comes back."

"Oh, let's wait! I can't wait to get my claws on that thing! It will run off like a kittypet!" exclaimed Rainpaw. Brightheart spun around.

"What do you mean like a kittypet!" snarled Brightheart, "Not all kittypets run and hide, you know!"

"S… s… sorry, B… B… Brightheart." Stammered Rainpaw, "I… I… I meant a… a… a… mouse."

"Good. Now, don't EVER insult kittypets again. Got it? My leader and mate were both kittypets once, and they are amazing warriors! Your mentor was once a kittypet! My kit was a kittypet for a moon and a half! There is nothing wrong with kittypets!!!" Brightheart hissed. Rainpaw was taken completely by surprise. Brightheart was usually a very nice cat. She had never snarled or hissed at any ThunderClan cat before.

She's defending her mate he realized Brightheart has loved Cloudtail for a long time. Soon, they were back at camp.