The sky hosted a number of fat gray clouds that pelted down a torrent of rain onto us. A streak of lightning quickly bolted across the sky, illuminating all of the crouched shadowy figures standing in the center of the clearing. We were all freezing, the rain making our fur slick against our bodies. Despite the abysmal weather, none were planning to move. All of our forlorn eyes were focused on the cold lifeless body of who was once our leader, and who was once my father. I leaned down to lick his tousled gray fur. He looked so peaceful as if he were only asleep. I half-expected for his chest to start rising and falling again.

Despite my best efforts to remain stoic, I couldn't push down the cloud of sorrow that was forming in my chest. And to think, I had once held deep contempt for the dead cat laid out before me. I knew my father never saw me as a true warrior, he hardly even saw me as his own son. But, he's taught me so many things. He kept me motivated to strive for what I was fighting for, even kept me humble when I got a little bit arrogant. I thank him for those things, but that doesn't justify what he put me through, I don't think anything could. His clanmates stand before him now with such an earnest look of sadness in their eyes, unaware of the full extent of what their once glorious leader had done to me. They've got to learn the truth and I am determined to tell them. But now's not the right time.

My gaze drifts from my father to Rushsky and Foxclaw. Their wet fur made them look scary, like two pale ghosts in the darkness. I could barely make out their expressions through the onslaught of pouring rain. They have to be sad or at least shocked, he was their father too after all. I wonder if they're confused like I am.

I suppose I should start at the beginning, to help this all make sense.

Everything started on a much warmer green-leaf day. Everyone in the clan was anticipating our births. Our mother, Owlstorm, was one of the most commended senior warriors in Thunderclan and our father, Featherstar, was their diligent leader. We were born when the sun was at its highest and brightest point in the sky. We came into the world without any complications and everything was beautiful. Two she-cats, Rushkit and Foxkit, and one tom, Waspkit. As any son would, I idolized my father. I was so excited to become a warrior and follow in his paw steps and to make him proud of me. Every passing day, my sisters and I would dream of that fateful day we'd all become warriors together. I don't think I even knew there was something different about me at first. I acted as any other kit would, playing, eating, and sleeping. All the other kits in the nursery were completely oblivious as well. They never questioned why I never flinched when thunder rumbled loudly, how I wouldn't react when my mother called my name from across the nursery, and why I seemed to yell everything I said. My mother, however, caught on very quickly. She must've known from the very beginning.

It was a normal day, I was scrambling after a moss ball with my sisters, the sun beaming down on my back. I looked up for a moment to see Owlstorm beckoning for me to come over with her tail. I reluctantly abandoned my sisters and raced over to join her. She was sitting with a dark orange she-cat I'd never seen before.

I had become accustomed to reading other cat's lips and detecting their body language to understand what they're trying to say. It wasn't always easy but it was the best I could do.

'Waspkit, I'd like you to meet someone new.' My mother looked calm, but I could sense the feeling of unease in the air.

I remember feeling impatient, flicking my tail back and forth.

The orange cat finally spoke, 'Hello Waspkit. My name is Flamewhisper, the clan's medicine cat. Your mother has told me a lot about you,'

I just nodded my head, losing more and more interest with each word she said.

'Do you mind if I ask you a favor?' Flamewhisper cocked her head.

'No, I don't mind,'

'Okay, just keep your eyes on your mother for me,'

Flamewhisper disappeared behind me as I kept my gaze locked with my mother. The medicine cat had finally caught my attention. I needed to know what was going on.

'What's happening?' I asked my mother.

Owlstorm shifted uncomfortably and just reassured me that it was a little test and nothing more. I turned and saw Flamewhisper three tail-lengths behind me, repeatedly mouthing something. I wondered what she was saying. Flamewhispher then trodded back over to us, looking discontent.

'Did he respond at all?' Flamewhisper twitched her tail anxiously, 'Did his ears perk up or anything like that?'

'No, he didn't react at all,'

Flamewhisper nodded her head, 'I see. Waspkit-'

'I'll tell him don't worry,'

Owlstorm turned to face me. I'll never forget that distraught look on my mother's face. It still echoes in the back of mind sometimes when I'm laying down in my nest to sleep. Back then, I didn't understand why she looked so hurt, I thought I'd done something wrong. But now I know, everything she had feared had come true.

'Waspkit,' She finally spoke.

'Yes?'

She closed her eyes, 'Flamewhisper and I have good reason to believe that you're deaf.'

I felt like a heavy stone sinking to the bottom of a river, left to watch the powerful current rushing overhead. I knew nothing would ever be the same again. All my dreams had been swept away.

'Does this mean I can't be a warrior?'

I already knew what the answer was but I still held on to the slightest chance of hope. I wanted to believe this was all a cruel joke they were playing on me that I could easily laugh off. Or maybe my imagination had gotten the better of me and it was a bad dream I was having. I would wake up at any moment now, startled, but relieved. I held my breath anxiously, waiting for her response.

'I'm afraid not, Waspkit.'