The first part of a long, complicated AU. Princess is happy to go wherever her brother goes, and do whatever he does. That includes joining the wild cats. But not all cats are suited for ThunderClan, and when she is turned away and her brother abandons her, she is furious. But there are other Clans in the forest, and one particular leader is more than willing to let her stay.

Spindle yearns to know what it's like. Not to- well be like her. She and her brother never leave the house they were- no. Not born but created in. She is the first of many, and she hates it. She hates the way she can't feel like a normal cat. She hates the whispers and sideways glances she gets. She hates her mechanical heartbeat.

Houndleg hates this. He hates it oh so very much. Whisper calls it a gift. He calls it a curse.