"And that is the story of SkyClan!" Frostwing finished with all the kits raptured on her every word with the exception of Gingerfur's kits who were fast asleep in a pile by Frostwing who curled instinctively around them.

"Wow!" Aspenkit yowled excitedly his green eyes sparkling with wonder. "You tell way better stories than the elders!"

"Yeah!" Agreed Leafkit.

"Mrph!" Mumbled Owlkit through a mouthful of his own tail. Owlkit had started chasing his own tail when Frostwing got to a suspenseful part. He spat out his tail so he could speak properly. "You are so much better!"

"Thank you," Frostwing meowed. On the outside she tried to act like this was no big deal but inside she was glowing with pride. Compliments were rare for her and she would take what she could get.

"Can you tell us another?" Leafkit squeaked.

"It's getting late-" Frostwing started.

"It's not even close to moonhigh!" Leafkit interrupted. Frostwing sighed. When the kits made up their mind about something there was no turning back.

"Okay," She muttered. Her throat felt a little sore from all this talking. Maybe she'd go see Mapleleaf later to get some honey. "Once, many moons ago in the forest…"

She began telling one of her favorite stories, the story of Jayfeather, Hollyleaf, and Lionblaze. It wasn't nearly as good as Firestar but it would do.

She continued on with the story even though she was almost completely positive all the kits were asleep. She liked telling stories. She could completely zone out telling a story and think about other things and never miss a beat. She always dreaded coming to the end of telling a story. Good stories were ones you desperately had to find out the endings but desperately didn't want them to end and unfortunately almost every story in her repertoire was a great story.

Besides Frostwing's voice, the only other sounds in the nursery were the soft breathing of the kits. Kits have it lucky, Frostwing thought. They aren't ever scolded as harshly as warriors and they have carefree lives until they are six moons. However kits just wanted to grow up and become warriors. Frostwing herself was guilty of it, but now all she wanted was to be a kit again.

"The end," Frostwing finished her meow a little hoarse. She found herself surprised when she uttered these words. Had she really just told the entire story? By the silence that followed it seems she had. Her throat hurt worse now that she wasn't distracted from it. She thought about getting up and going to see Mapleleaf but then realized that the kits were all sleeping on her belly. She didn't want to disturb them by getting up and have them demand another story so she laid her head in her paws and closed her eyes.

"How are the kits?" Frostwing was startled awake. She opened her eyes. Mapleleaf was standing over her. In the background wind howled and thunder rumbled. But from the looks of it no storm could keep Mapleleaf.

"Fine," She answered but the only thing that came out was a squeak and her throat throbbing desperately.

"Sore throat?" Mapleleaf asked. Frostwing nodded and winced. Even that slight movement had enraged her throat. "Here," Mapleleaf pushed something toward her. "Suck on that."

They were honeycombs! Frostwing quickly grabbed them up and began sucking. Her throat wailed in protest at first but the pain ebbed away.

"Thanks," She managed. Mapleleaf grunted.

"I figured they would want you to tell them stories," Mapleleaf laid down in front of Frostwing. Now Frostwing could see how damp her fur was. She must have come just to check in even during this awful storm.

"They most certainly did," Frostwing croaked.

"Which stories did you tell?" Mapleleaf asked. Frostwing was taken a back. No one was supposed to know the story of SkyClan. Frostwing only knew because her mother had told her the story when she was very young. Her sister had been asleep. Hazeltail had explained the story had been passed down from mother to kit for generations and that no other clan member must know. She'd only told the kits because she was unsure whether or not she'd ever find a mate and have kits. Her clan members could barely put up with her let alone like her! Well they didn't hate but love was probably a stretch.

"Uh, you know, stories," She stammered. "Just stuff the elders told us."

"I see," Mapleleaf grunted. "The main reason I came out was because I was awoken up by your sister and your friend, Blaze something or other, clambering through camp in the pouring rain. They couldn't be any louder!"
Dawnheart and Blazespirit had been out together? Frostwing's ears twitched. Why hadn't they invited her? She felt a sharp pang in her gut. How come Dawnheart had to be the perfect cat? She got the personality, the talent, the looks, and now Blazespirit! Blazespirit had always been a friend for both cats, now only Dawnheart was the only cat he wanted. Couldn't Dawnheart see that Frostwing like him?

Frostwing barely suppressed the shock from showing on her face. She had just admitted to herself that she liked Blazespirit! Her face felt hot. How could she like another cat!

"Anyways," Mapleleaf yawned, breaking Frostwing's train of thought. "I have more honey combs if you want them for later, and-"

BOOM! A loud clap of thunder shook the forest. Plink, plink, plink! Hail rained down on the roof of the nursery. Mapleleaf and Frostwing looked at each other.

"Well, I guess I am staying the night in here," Mapleleaf grumbled annoyed at the weather for keeping her in one place. "Anyway, I think I'll turn in for the night." Mapleleaf yawned and padded over to a moss nest. She plopped down and her eyes immediately closed. Within a few minutes Frostwing heard the soft snoring of Mapleleaf. Frostwing placed her head in her paws as her head buzzed with thoughts.

Does Blazespirit like Dawnheart?

Does Dawnheart like Blazespirit?

Why wouldn't Blazespirit like her?
What made Dawnheart so much better than her? Could she do no wrong?

Frostwing turned these thoughts in her mind until finally, as hail pounded and thunder rumbled, she fell into a restless sleep.