As the battle came closer and closer, so did the date that Skypaw and her siblings would become warriors. Skypaw bounced with excitement at the very thought of becoming a warrior. She wanted nothing more than to serve her clan with honor.
Rosefur had unfortunately continued to reject Smokekit, but Skypaw and her siblings had been there for her brother, and they had bonded quickly.
Skypaw sat in the camp in the morning, sharing a squirrel with her sister. Petalpaw still had continued to sneak out to see Rockpelt, though they met closer to the camp to avoid running into any MoonClan warriors.
Hearing a rustle of bushes, Skypaw pricked her ears and saw Smokekit pad forward, a beautiful gray tabby kit and silver-blue kit following behind him.
Skypaw stood up, ready to lecture the tom about going into the forest when a gasp came from Rosefur.
"OCEANKIT?! IS THAT YOU?!"
The small gray tabby kit looked up at Rosefur in confusion.
"Who are you?" she asked curiously.
Skypaw closed her mouth, knowing exactly who Oceankit was. It was the missing kit that Rosefur had mentioned moons ago.
Smokekit seemed as confused as Oceankit and the older kit standing next to her.
"It's me, Rosefur. Your mother," she spoke gently.
Oceankit's eyes widened, and Smokekit opened his mouth to speak, though no words came out.
"I FOUND YOU!" she screeched.
Oceankit and Rosefur danced for joy while Smokekit stood there, utterly confused. The silver-blue she-cat standing next to Smokekit let out an uneasy smile towards the black and white tom.
"What's going on?!" the silver-blue she-cat yowled.
Rosefur growled, beginning to tell Smokekit and the she-cat the story of how she had left with Mousekit and Smokekit while Oceankit and Olivetail planned to meet her. Smokekit looked down at the ground, saddened.
Skypaw knew his exact thoughts. Oceankit's return meant he would be replaced forever.
But Oceankit joined her brother in sorrow and looked up sadly at her mother.
"It's my turn to tell stories now," she explained. "Olivetail took me away, but he didn't survive. The fire got him, and he told me to run off."
Skypaw winced. Burning alive did not sound like a good way to die.
"But then I met Wavekit," she explained, pointing at the she-cat. "She took care of me, and I would've be alive without her."
"Thank you, Wavekit," Rosefur grinned. She nuzzled her daughter and went off with Wavekit and Oceankit to speak to Icestar.
"Smokekit," Petalpaw began.
Smokekit let out a mew, and he turned, his watery eyes gazing into Petalpaw's.
"I know I'll be replcaed now," he sighed. "And I know I'll never be forgiven. No one will love me, not ever."
"Don't you say that!" Skypaw snapped. "You know your life is wonderful. I love you, Smokekit. Petalpaw loves you! Cloudpaw loves you! We're a family, and we will always love you. You have so many friends, Smokekit. Think positive."
Smokekit let out a faint smile. "Thanks, Skypaw. I feel kind of better."
"And if the situation progresses, it wouldn't be a bad idea to tell Oceankit the truth about Rosefur and Mousekit."
