Softpaw woke to see her five kits sleeping beside her belly. She blinked as a shape covered the entrance of the nursery and turned the den black.

"It's time." He whispered. Softpaw recognized Whitefoot's calm mew and nodded. He backed out of the small den and left Softpaw alone.

"Wake up." She breathed in Birdkit's ears.

"I don't want to." The small tortoiseshell groaned, her ice blue eyes glimmering. She rolled onto Cloudkit and he sat up instantly. "Great Starclan! You scared me Birdkit!"

Softpaw chuckled at the kit's reacting. "You two are becoming apprentices. Now."

Honeykit leaped to her paws. "We're becoming apprentices?"

"No mouse-brain." Smallkit muttered. "We're only two and a half moons old."

"Oh yeah."

Softpaw began licking Birdkit's fur so it would lay flat and the little kit sat, purring, savoring her last moments as a kit. When it was Cloudkit's turn, he kept mewing in protest until Birdkit pointed out that he didn't want to look sloppy when he was getting his mentor. Finally, Softpaw was done and led the two excited kits up to the Highrock. They sat together, both shivering. Birdkit was shivering with excitement, but Cloudkit shook with fear. Softpaw's heart nearly melted with adoration when she saw Birdkit whisper something in her brother's ear and then lick him comfortingly.

"Birdkit and Cloudkit." Smallstar began. He sounded strange because his voice was too powerful for his body. "You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to become apprentices. Birdkit, your mentor will be Mousenose because your mother didn't finish her apprenticeship with her."

Softpaw's ears burned with embarrassment, but she knew her daughter was in good paws.

"Cloudkit you will be apprenticed to Silvertail. He will use all of his knowledge to make you a wonderful warrior."

Softpaw gasped and her stomach sank to her paws. She stared shakily at her former mate and saw something glittering in his eyes. It wasn't love or pride; it was like Cloudkit was going to be his prey.

"The clan welcomes you two as Birdpaw and Cloudpaw."

The whole clan cheered as the two apprentices touched noses with their mentors. Softpaw hissed quietly to herself as Silvertail glanced gloatingly at her.

"What's wrong Softpaw?" Honeykit asked.

"Nothing." Softpaw mewed hastily. "I just have a bellyache."

Honeykit nodded and led her mother towards the medicine cat's den with her brother's trailing behind her. They entered the sweet-smelling den and were greeted by Graypaw.

"What's wrong?" He asked worriedly.

"Her belly hurts." Smallkit replied confidently. Graypaw dipped his head, obviously flustered. "Um, well, yes, um, Yellowstripe is out collecting herbs. I-I don't remember." He blurted. Honeykit touched his nose with her tail tip. "I know you can remember." She encouraged. Graypaw shook his head as if he was clearing it. "You're right. I remember now." He padded to another part of the den and returned with a bundle of herbs. "I got you chervil, juniper berries, and watermint. I also brought a bit of lavender for you to smell, it's so you can calm down. Just smell it for a little while and it should calm your nerves."

"Thanks." Softpaw meowed gratefully. She lapped up the herbs and padded back out into the clearing so she could congratulate her older kits. On her way, she was stopped by Smallstar.

"Come into my den." He meowed gently. Softpaw followed him into the leader's den and sat down beside him.

"What's wrong?" He asked. Softpaw sighed and everything tumbled out of her mouth like a rushing waterfall. "Birdpaw and Cloudpaw are not Whitefoot's kits."

"Whose are they?" Smallstar gasped in surprise.

"Silvertail's. He didn't want them and now he has Cloudpaw as his apprentice. He'll poison his mind. Snowpaw can't-" She stopped, her eyes frozen open.

"What?"

"It was just a slip of the tongue." Softpaw explained.

"No it wasn't. He reminds you of some cat." Smallstar disagreed. "Who is it?"

"Snowfall." Softpaw wailed. "Cloudpaw is so much like him and I don't want that to change."

"Your mother and your son aren't the same cat." He whispered softly.

"I know, but I can't let him turn into Silvertail." Softpaw broke off, staring into her leader's eyes.

"Yes I know about your siblings. So do all the medicine cats. Only cats that Starclan wants to know have been informed of it. Don't worry, we still think of you as clanborn."

Softpaw closed her eyes and buried her face in Smallstar's fur. He flinched a little bit, but didn't make her move.

"Another thing that bothers me is the fact that I'm an apprentice and so are my kits." The light gray and white apprentice mumbled into her leader's fur. He chuckled and shrugged to get her off of him. "I would make you a warrior today, but I don't think you're ready to become one."

Softpaw wrinkled her nose disagreeably. "Yes I am!"

"No." Smallstar shook his head. "You and Brightleaf will go train for today, and you can go to the gathering tonight as well. Your kits can visit the elders too. Squirrelfur and Sunstripe could use the company. Also, don't worry about Cloudpaw. Everything will work out fine, Starclan-willing."

Softpaw nodded and bounded out of the den. After she got her three kits into the elders den she left with Brightleaf.

"Okay, first we'll go to the Great Sycamore, then the Sandy Hollow, and finally we'll hunt for a while." Brightleaf thought aloud. Softpaw dipped her head in agreement and they padded quickly and quietly to the Great Sycamore. Softpaw looked up at the old tree and thought it was taller than the last time she'd seen it.

"Climb." Brightleaf urged. Softpaw gulped and started climbing. She didn't look down and leaped from branch to branch until Brightleaf yowled. "Stop!"

Softpaw glanced down and saw how high she was. She squeezed her eyes shut and felt herself swaying back and forth. She heard the branch snap and her eyes flew open. She was falling.