"Mossyflight! Mistlepaw! Rosefur's giving birth!" Tansywhisker's voice rang out throughout the camp, and the two medicine cats were the first to hurry into the nursery to see the ginger tabby queen in agony.

"Mistlepaw, get raspberry leaves, chervil, fennel, borage leaves, and a strong stick." Mossyflight ordered, placing a paw gently on Rosefur's white belly. As soon as Mistlepaw returned with the herbs, Mossyflight coaxed the birthing queen to eat them. As Rosefur lapped up the tangy herbs, she gasped and Mistlepaw nudged the stick forward. The ginger queen bit down harshly on the stick, and a blue sac slithered out of her. Mossyflight instructed Mistlepaw to place a paw on Rosefur's stomach, and told her to feel the ripples.

"There are three more kits, Rosefur." Mistlepaw told the queen, and as she groaned, another sac slipped out. Mossyflight had nipped the first sac open, and handed it to Rosefur to lick it dry. This happened with the second, the third and the fourth sac, and finally, Rosefur was done kitting.

"You can come in now, Bramblefang." Mossyflight called for the golden tom, and he immediately came in, concern on his face. Obviously, he had heard the yowls from his mate.

"Four healthy, strong kittens. Two toms and two she-kits." Mistlepaw proudly reported, and Bramblefang licked Rosefur's ear.

"You did well, Rosefur. Look at our beautiful kits. What shall we name them?"

"The ginger tom with white flecks will be Thunderkit, as he reminds me of the fierceness of the thunder and stormy skies. The she with the white paws will be Smallkit, as her paws are smaller than what is normal." Rosefur purred, nosing each of the kits she mentioned.

"Assuming I can name the other two, the other tom will be Sparkkit, to match the energy that he seems to contain. Just look at him wriggling! Now, the last kit, the yellow she-kit will be Frecklekit, thanks to her pelt pattern." Bramblefang nudged all of the kits, and Sparkkit let out a small wail. Mistlepaw smiled, looking at the happy family. She'd never have one - but that didn't matter, she was doing what StarClan willed her to do, and she was happy doing it. As she went outside, she saw joyous looks of her Clanmates spreading like wildfire. After hearing that Sedgetail from MoorClan had kitted at the last Gathering, CaveClan was getting worried about the nursery and how there were no kits.

"Mistlepaw! What are their names?" A flecked golden tom made his way over to the medicine cat apprentice.

"Oh, hello, Yarrowblaze! The ginger tom with the white face is Sparkkit, the dark ginger tom with the white flecks is Thunderkit, the flecked yellow she is Frecklekit, and the golden tabby is Smallkit. I think you can go in now - Splashwhisker, Amberpelt, Briarheart and Molestrike are going in." Mistlepaw added, kinking her tail towards the entrance to the nursery. Yarrowblaze dipped his head in thanks and hurried into the nursery. Happy noises could be heard from the nursery, and Mistlepaw noticed that Goldenstorm and Beetlefern, the parents of Bramblefang, weren't going into the nursery to greet their grandkits.

"Why aren't you going in?"

"The nursery is a bit full now, and Rosefur needs to rest. We'll visit the kits later." Goldenstorm replied, ears flicking as she saw Russetstar heading into the nursery to properly welcome the kits into the Clan.

"Ah. Well, I'll be seeing you later." Mistlepaw awkwardly nodded as she saw her mentor walk out of the nursery. She rushed towards the black and white cat, shaking out her fluffy pelt.

"You can have this day off, too." Mossyflight waved her away with her tail, her eyes dimming. Mistlepaw frowned, and walked away. She didn't understand why her mentor was being so sour these days- perhaps she was sick? Mistlepaw was beginning to miss the ways of a warrior; so much freedom, and so much action, too! Sure, StarClan meant for her to become an apprentice, but she wasn't so sure she wanted to continue her medicine cat apprenticeship. She would never get a mate, she would never go fight in battles, and it would be less boring if she was a warrior. She could even become leader one day! She could hunt and she could fight, why shouldn't she become a warrior? She didn't even have to be a leader, or a deputy - she just wanted to be a warrior. If you become a warrior, you will become a leader, a leader enveloped with the idea of revenge and hatred towards your own Clan. You will destroy your own Clan. Willowspots' words came back to her, but then she also remembered what she'd also said: … follow your heart, Mistlepaw. Frustrated, Mistlepaw shook her head fiercely and looked at the entrance, where sunlight was flooding in and a patrol was waiting. Mistlepaw stared at the group of cats longingly. Soon after they left, Mistlepaw closed her eyes before opening them again. She had to get answers from StarClan. Should she really continue being a medicine cat apprentice? Mossyflight was young; she'd get another apprentice before she retired or died. Mistlepaw rushed out of the camp, ignoring the strange stares from some of her Clanmates, and ran towards the Starcave. She hissed when her pelt caught on a branch, ripping out part of her outer coat. But she couldn't care less - she had to get to StarClan. When she reached the Starcave, it was barely sunfall - she hadn't thought the time through. She'd be hungry when she could touch her nose to the Starstone, but it'd be worth it.

Soon enough, it was nightfall - and the stars were shining down on the large stone, making it glow white. Mistlepaw eagerly pressed her nose onto the cold, old rock, feeling herself slip away.

"Mistlepaw, I understand you're here for answers, and perhaps a prophecy related to you destiny." Petalstar's voice echoed in her ears, her sight still filled with darkness. "We have no prophecy, but we do have answers, dear Mistlepaw." The whispery voice of the gray and white leader became more solid when the tortoiseshell apprentice's vision finally cleared, and she could see StarClan's hunting grounds.

"Do tell me." Mistlepaw forced her pelt to lie flat, eyes wide.

"I know you are hesitant in continuing your path of, well, becoming a medicine cat, but remember, it is StarClan's will."

"Why should I follow the destiny StarClan gave me, and not the one I choose to follow?" Mistlepaw countered, narrowing her eyes.

"I… Mistlepaw, remember? The path of a warrior will kill your Clan." Willowspots joined the conversation, quick to defend Petalstar, whose eyes were clouded with some emotion Mistlepaw couldn't define.

"Fine. I'll just sacrifice the life I want and what I wish to have for the sake of my Clan." Mistlepaw said with a hint of bitterness, and the mist clouding Petalstar's amber eyes changed to anger.

"Loyalty to your Clan is more important than anything! Respect your birth Clan, or you don't deserve to live in a Clan!" The gray and white she-cat hissed, her neck her bristling. Taken aback by the ancient leader's sudden anger, Mistlepaw nodded slowly.

"I apologize. I will do my best to serve my Clan as a medicine cat." Mistlepaw held back a "whether I like it or not". Willowspots nodded, and Petalstar seemed to calm down.

"Good, Mistlepaw. Now, go back to your Clan - they'll be looking for you." Petalstar calmly said, and everything swirled away. When Mistlepaw opened her eyes, it was halfway to sunhigh. The tortoiseshell ran back to camp, pushing past the drooping pine branches and heavy leaves. Panting, she went into the Clan, determined to get back to her medicine cat duties. However, when she got into the CaveClan camp, she saw something she wasn't expecting to see. It wasn't bad, but it was just out of the blue.

It was a StreamClan patrol, facing Russetstar and Sparrowsong. What did they want?

"Russetstar, we've warned you. We need that territory for the coming leaf-bare. If you don't give it to us by the next Gathering, be prepared for a battle - wherever it may take place." Otterstar flashed a last warning glance at Russetstar before flicking his tail and walking out of the camp.

"Thistlefang, Sparrowsong, Bramblefang and Skyfeather, escort them out of the territory." Russetstar called to the warriors nearest to him, and they nodded before following the StreamClan patrol out of camp. Did this mean that a battle would occur soon?