In the nursery of CloudClan, Icetail proudly looked down at her three new kits. Her mate, Flamestorm, stood beside her. He was a broad ginger tom and a strong warrior. Sometimes, she even wondered if he'd become deputy someday.

Three kits suckled at her side. There was a ginger tom, a white and ginger tom, and a white she-cat that resembled Icetail herself. Flamestorm purred and licked Icetail's cheek.

"They're beautiful, just like you," he told her.

Icetail grinned and looked down at them. She shuddered, remembering another pair of kits that she had cared for once. Their mother had been tragically killed, and while she had done her best to care for them, she had not been able to protect them. And for that, she was worried for her own kits.

"What will you call them?" Starwish, the medicine cat, wondered.

"We can call the ginger tom Orangekit," Icetail decided. "And the other tom can be Sunkit. How about the she-cat?"

"Brightkit," Flamestorm decided.

Icetail purred and nuzzled her mate. She hoped to be the best mother she could for the kits. And she knew Flamestorm would be the best father.

"Can I come in now?" came a squeaky voice.

Icetail glanced up and grinned as a small gray kitten wandered in. Her name was Rushkit. She had been found orphaned in the forest and had been taken in about a moon ago. She had quite a spunky personality and seemed to never tire. Icetail watched out for her sometimes, but the she-cat seemed to lead her own life.

"They're beautiful, Icetail!" Rushkit exclaimed, glancing at the kits. "I can't wait to have new playmates!"

Icetail grinned. "Well, it'll still be sometime until then. But I'm glad they'll have someone to play with."

Rushkit grinned and bounded off back outside. Flamestorm soon left Icetail, and she slowly rested her head on her nest, falling into a deep sleep.

The first time Orangekit opened his eyes, all he saw was darkness. His sense of smell was great, and his hearing was sharp, but he could make out nothing. Beside him, his siblings stirred and were speaking.

"Settle down, Sunkit," he heard a soft voice, his mother, speaking.

His sister, Brightkit, squirmed beside him. "I want to play," she murmured.

"Oh, Orangekit, are you awake too?" Icetail asked.

Orangekit moved his head in the direction of the sound. His siblings shoved past him, leaving him in the nest with his mother.

Orangekit glanced around, trying to find out where they'd gone. He got to his feet and stumbled slightly. He only took a few steps before colliding into Icetail's leg and falling back to the floor.

Icetail laughed slightly, helping him back up. He glanced around again, not sure where his siblings were. He tried to feel for their movements in the ground, but found no luck.

"Why don't you go play with your siblings?" Icetail asked.

"I-where are they?" Orangekit wondered.

"Orangekit, look at me," Icetail spoke, her tone suddenly tense.

Orangekit turned toward her voice and heard a startled gasp. Next thing he knew, the medicine cat had been called in and his father had raced to the nursery. It was as Icetail had predicted. Orangekit was blind.

Of course, being given this diagnosis early in life, Orangekit never minded. Being blind was simply a part of who he was. His mother seemed absolutely heartbroken, and she heard of whispers of how his warrior skills would be affected. But Orangekit was young and vulnerable and did not pay attention.

When the chaos had finally died down and Icetail whispered quietly to his siblings about being more careful with him, Orangekit investigated the nursery, sniffing the unknown scents and feeling every crevice of the walls.

He felt footsteps nearby, and then suddenly, a cheery voice.

"Hi there! I'm Rushkit! What's your name?" It was a she-cat.

"I'm Orangekit," he replied.

"Orangekit, huh? I heard you were blind, but hopefully that doesn't mean you can't play," Rushkit said.

"I-I think I can still play," he thought.

"Great. Follow me," she said.

Orangekit followed behind the she-cat to a corner of the nursery.

"What do you want to play?" Rushkit asked.

"Hide and seek," Orangekit decided. He'd heard his siblings playing it earlier.

"Okay. Um...why don't I seek?" she decided.

"Okay!" Orangekit squeaked. As soon as Rushkit began to count, Orangekit navigated his way around the nursery until he took a step into the outdoors.

Wind blew at his pelt, and his smile widened. He had never gone past the walls of the nursery before. He felt around until he found a dense rock and crouched behind it.

"Where are you?" came the calls of Rushkit. He heard her footsteps from outside and crouched down farther. The footsteps became increasingly closer, and he glanced up.

"I found you!" she shouted.

Orangekit let out a squeal of delight and turned to run away, only to smash right into the rock he was hiding behind.

He let out a cry and fell to the ground. Pain exploded in his forehead, and he felt a substance drip from his forehead.

"ICETAIL! ICETAIL! COME QUICK!" Rushkit screamed.

Soon enough, Orangekit felt the comforting presence of his mother. She licked his head and soothed his cries.

"What happened?" she asked Rushkit.

"He hit his head while playing hide and seek," she explained.

Icetail nuzzled Orangekit. "Don't fret. We'll take you to Starwish and get you all better, okay?"

Orangekit nodded and was led away from his new friend. He had no serious injuries, just a cut, and was perfectly fine being able to go play the next day.

"You have to be careful when you play," Icetail warned him. "You have a disadvantage that the others don't. I don't want you getting hurt."

"I won't," Orangekit promised. "I can find my way around better now."

Icetail sighed. "All right. Be careful. I worry for you," she told him, nuzzling him once more.

Later that day, Orangekit found Rushkit again. "Hey!" he exclaimed.

"Oh, hello!" Rushkit replied, seeming surprised.

"Sorry we had to stop our game yesterday," Orangekit lamented.

"Oh, it's okay. It was my fault," Rushkit admitted.

"What?"

"That you hurt yourself," Rushkit explained. "I should've been more careful with you."

"No, it wasn't. I ran into the rock all on my own," Orangekit bragged.

"Oh..." Rushkit replied, laughing slightly.

"Is something wrong?" Orangekit asked, noticing lack of energy in her voice. She had possessed it the day before.

"Oh, nothing," she replied.

"Oh..."

"Wanna play?" she wondered.

"Of course!" Orangekit responded.

"What should we play?"

"A new game," Orangekit decided.

"What about tag?" Rushkit suggested.

"Tag?"

"You touch someone and run away."

"Sounds fun!" Orangekit replied.

"Maybe we can get your siblings to play too," Rushkit thought.

"Sunkit! Brightkit! Play tag with us!" Orangekit called.

His brother and sister were over in no time. Rushkit raced to Brightkit, touching her with her paw. "Tag!"

Orangekit laughed and ran around, being careful of his surroundings, as Icetail had warned. He heard a fall behind him and spun around.

"Just me!" Rushkit shouted, laughing.

Orangekit laughed and ran again, colliding straight into Sunkit. He fell to the ground and moaned.

"Oh! Sorry, Orangekit!" Sunkit called in distress.

"Orangekit!" Icetail exclaimed, rushing over to him.

Orangekit pouted. He had begun to notice a pattern in Icetail's behavior toward him. She always seemed to treat him as the baby of the litter. Why could he not just roam around freely like Brightkit and Sunkit?

"I'm fine!" Orangekit argued, even if his head did hurt a bit.

"You already hurt yourself yesterday," Icetail scolded. "Let's rest for a bit, okay?"

Orangekit sighed and nodded, following his mother back to the nest. The game dispersed shortly after, and even Rushkit went off, leaving Orangekit behind with his mother.

"No playing for you for a little bit," Icetail told him.

"But, I'm-"

"Orangekit," Icetail warned.

He sighed and nodded, resting once more.

The next day, Rushkit was at his side again. He was thrilled to have a friend at last, and her presence made his day.

"Hey, Orangekit. Feeling better?" she asked.

Orangekit nodded.

"Wanna play?"

Orangekit glanced to his side. Icetail was smoothing the fur of Sunkit and Brightkit and had not heard the exchange, but he remembered her words.

"No. Icetail says I have to rest a few days," he explained.

"Oh." There was clear disappointment in her tone.

By the end of the week, Icetail was lenient enough to let Orangekit play with Rushkit again. He was only allowed limited playtime, but in the meantime, he and Rushkit would talk about things. They talked about becoming warriors and defending the clan.

Everywhere Orangekit went, he heard cats whisper of his slim chances of becoming a warrior, but when he was with Rushkit, she encouraged him and saw no flaw in his blindness. If he wanted to be a warrior, he could be one easily.

When he was not with Rushkit, Orangekit spent time with his siblings, who despite having a clear advantage over him, were always considerate with him. Unfortunately, their games were usually died down for Orangekit due to his disability.

Icetail made her love known for her kits often, and Flamestorm would visit at times to play with them. Flamestorm held a similar protective nature over Orangekit, but not as severe as Icetail, and they'd often get to play a little rougher than Orangekit normally would.

But that all changed one day. Foxes had come into CloudClan territory, and Flamestorm had been on the patrol to encounter them. He had fought the foxes bravely, but one fox had tossed him at a nearby tree and broken Flamestorm's spine, paralyzing his hind legs.

As soon as the news was heard, Icetail brought all three kits to the nursery where he was cared for by Starwish.

"Is there nothing you can do?!" Icetail exclaimed, pain and anguish in her voice.

"Icetail, calm down," Flamestorm spoke softly.

"I am sorry, Icetail. He will be paralyzed forever."

"I've been asked to be moved to the elders' den," Flamestorm explained.

"But you wanted to become a deputy," Icetail spoke softly.

"It was not meant to be," Flamestorm replied.

All three kits felt Icetail's pain, but in the end, he was alive, and that was what mattered. Unfortunately, losing feeling in the leg led to challenges and poor health, and not too long after his move to the elders den, Flamestorm died due to side effects of his paralysis. He did not have the strength to recover, or the willpower, Orangekit thought.

Icetail was beside herself, and for days, the kits remained in the nursery, mourning. Icetail held her kits close and licked their foreheads, reminding them how much she loved them and how much she would never leave them.

When the pain had ceased them, Orangekit headed toward the nursery entrance to find Rushkit.

"Orangekit, where are you going?" Icetail called.

"To play with Rushkit."

"I-I can't let you play with Rushkit anymore," Icetail told him.

Orangekit's heart broke. "But why?"

"You have been hurt in too many circumstances with Orangekit. You already have a disability. Losing Flamestorm has helped me to remember what is important. I don't want to lose you, too, Orangekit," Icetail explained.

Orangekit sighed. He knew his mother was in pain, but he still did not understand her reasoning. He sighed and remained in the nursery until Rushkit came to find him later that day.

"I'm so sorry," she told him quietly.

"It's okay," Orangekit replied. He missed his father more now than ever. His father would at least play with him and remind him of life as a kit. His mother seemed to think he needed to rest constantly.

"Can I play with you?" Rushkit asked.

"I-"

He was broken off by Icetail. "Rushkit, can we speak?" she wondered.

Rushkit did not return to Orangekit that night. Orangekit knew Icetail had made it clear that whatever friendship they had should be forgotten.

Sometimes Orangekit would pass by Rushkit and catch her scent. He'd glance back longingly, and he swore she was looking back.

But Orangekit could not stand not being with his friend, and one day, he found her outside the nursery.

"Hi," she grumbled.

"Rushkit, what's wrong?" he wondered.

"Nothing. I thought you would know," she replied angrily.

"I-I want to keep seeing you, Rushkit, but...I'm just so sorry for not being able to play," he admitted.

"It's not your fault," Rushkit assured him, letting out a sigh. "I-I wish I could play with you too," she said, nuzzling him slightly.

Orangekit purred, glad to know his friend still appreciated him.

"I'll find you later," he promised.

Thus the secret meetings began. He found Rushkit in the middle of the night, and the two went to the border of camp and spoke to each other. It continued for several sunrises, and while they could not play during the day, Orangekit was thrilled to have their company by night.

One night, the moon was full, and the two were sitting in a bush, conversing with each other.

"Orangekit, I don't know how much longer we can do this. I don't want you getting in trouble," she admitted.

"But..I still want to talk to you," Rushkit continued, moving closer to him.

Orangekit grinned. "You're the best friend I've ever had," he admitted.

Rushkit giggled. "I'm glad."

A sudden rustle nearby caught Orangekit's attention. Not a moment later, the leaves were moved aside, and an angry growl came.

"Icetail!" Rushkit gasped.

"So this is where you've been!" Icetail exclaimed. "Orangekit, go back to the nursery now. I'd like to have a talk with Rushkit."

"Stop, she's just-"

"Orangekit!" Icetail growled.

He glanced back at Rushkit and walked past his mother, his trail drooping. He was not even that far when he heard Icetail violently lecturing Rushkit.

Suddenly, an anger welled up inside Orangekit. It wasn't fair. He was a few moons old now. He had not injured himself in a long time. If he were ever to become a warrior in this clan, he needed to be independent.

As soon as Icetail returned, Orangekit sat up, waiting.

"Orangekit? I thought you'd be back in bed."

"Mom, stop," he growled.

"Orangekit?" she replied, taken aback.

"I'm sick of you treating my friend this way. I'm not a helpless newborn anymore," he argued.

"Orangekit, you don't know what you're-"

"It's true! I have not hurt myself in at least a moon. I know my surroundings. I can feel the vibrations in the ground, hear all sounds, recognize scents. You're mistreating Rushkit and me. I'm not a baby. I will be just like Flamestorm if you don't let me do anything.

"I know you miss Flamestorm. I know you want to protect us. I heard rumors you cared for some other kits a while ago. I don't know if they're true, but all of us, Brightkit, Sunkit, and me, we're fine. If you truly loved me, you would let me do what I want. You harm me more keeping me here then let me wander."

Tears came to Icetail's eyes. "It's true, it's true!" she wailed.

"Mom?" he wondered.

"I-I knew i was doing it, but I couldn't stop. I don't like letting cats down. I have let too many down in the past. Losing Flamestorm was the hardest thing in my life. I'm sorry," she whispered. "Hearing you speak now reminded me of the tom you're becoming. You have more maturity than me."

"Mom," he responded, feeling tears in his eyes. He approached her and purred as she nuzzled him.

"Does this mean I can play with Rushkit now?" he asked.

Icetail nodded against him.

"Mom, she doesn't have a family. We've talked about it before, and-"

"Say no more," Icetail replied.

She and Orangekit sat outside as Rushkit dejectedly returned to the nursery.

"What do you want?" she asked desperately. "I'm following your rules, Icetail, aren't I?"

"Rushkit, listen to her," Orangekit spoke excitedly.

"I-I was wrong Rushkit, for yelling at you, for keeping you from Orangekit. It took a lecture from Orangekit for me to realize it myself. I wanted to formally apologize. You are free to play with Orangekit again," Icetail told her.

"Really?!" Rushkit exclaimed with more enthusiasm than Orangekit had ever heard.

"There's another thing. I'm aware you're an orphan. I-I cared for some orphans early in my warriorhood. I-I know we've had our differences, but I could grow to love you as much as my own kits. I'm asking if you'd like me to be your adoptive mother..."

"R-really?" Rushkit stammered.

Orangekit nodded.

"If you'll accept me, that is. I know I-"

"Of course I will!" Rushkit exclaimed, bounding into Icetail's furry chest.

"Oh, I'm so glad. I will not baby you, I promise," she teased Rushkit. "Or Orangekit anymore for that matter."

"I have a family again," Rushkit wept. She came to Orangekit's side now. "And a best friend."

Orangekit grinned and rubbed against her.

And for once, what was a broken, corrupt family was finally made whole again.