Prologue (Part One)

Fawn purred as she circled Storm, brushing her pelt against his. The two took every other night to themselves, spending time together. Ever since Fawn had been made an apprentice, she had always had a small crush on the black-and-white tom, but now... she didn't know. She felt she was in love. Storm must have felt the same for what he said next.

"Fawn, I have something to ask you." Storm murmured softly, touching his nose to her ear.

"Yes, Storm?" She saw his tail-tip twitching nervously, and her curiosity built inside her.

"Will you be my mate?" Storm locked his amber eyes with her blue eyes, hope sparkling in their depths.

Fawn froze. Sure, they had a romantic connection, and both knew the other felt the same way, but the question that'd set everything officially? Plus, she was an apprentice, and it was forbidden for apprentices to have mates until they became true warriors. Many cons swarmed her head, but her heart filled with a longing, strong enough for every doubt in her mind to float away. One word settled on her tongue. "Yes."

Storm sat there, speechless, and reached forward to touch noses. His tail twined with hers, merging black fur with fawn fur. "I love you."

"I love you, too." Fawn smiled slightly. It felt like her heart would burst with ecstasy, along with wonder. Wonder about what would happen if they were found out. Wonder about what would happen if she carried his kits so young. Wonder about the future with her mate. Her mate. Such a perfect word.

Prologue (Part Two)

Fawn hissed quietly as a sharp pain struck her belly. It had happened multiple times and it was getting irritated. Dumb mouse. I knew it didn't smell right when I ate it!

"Fawn, come on. It's about time you visit Leafpelt." Storm wrapped his tail around her shoulders, not waiting for a reply, and led her over to the medicine den. Inside, Leafpelt was sorting herbs into two piles, rotting and new, with Softclaw at his side.

"Hey, what can I do for you?" Leafpelt looked up from his work, padding up to Storm and Fawn.

Storm glanced at Fawn, waiting for her to speak. Fawn grumbled something under her breath before replying. "I'm having pains in my stomach. It's probably the mouse I had yesterday. It smelled weird."

Leafpelt briskly placed a paw on her side, understanding, worry, but mostly anger seeping into his green eyes. "Why?"

"W-why what?" Fawn stammered, taking a step back from his flaming green eyes.

"Why did you two break the warrior code?" Leafpelt growled, glancing to Storm. "You should know better! She's just an apprentice!"

"It wasn't hurting anyone. It didn't cause trouble." Storm returned the glare, brushing fur with Fawn comfortingly.

"Huh!" Leafpelt snorted. "Well, great job. Thanks to you, she's expecting kits."

Prologue (Part Three)

"Ow. Ow. Ow." Fawn grumbled, pangs sending shivers through her spine as she ate a sparrow. Everyone knew now that she was expecting kits, and even though it was against the code, most looked to her with sympathy, knowing how hard it must be to carry kits at such a young age. "Ow. OW!" Her 'Ow's' turned into a shriek as agony surged her. Her legs gave out and she found herself panting on her side, spasms shaking her. She wanted to call out for Storm, knowing he could somehow help her, but she remembered that he had gone out for a hunting patrol.

"Fawn? Fawn!" Apple, her best friend, raced up, eyes wide with fear. "Leafpelt!"

The brown tabby emerged from his den, sensing the urgency. His eyes dragged down to Fawn, and he raced back inside to grab the needed herbs.

By now the Clan had gathered around, murmuring. "Aw, poor thing..."

"Out of the way! Move! Give us some space!" Leafpelt snapped, barging through the crowd. "Fawn, focus on your breathing. The kits are almost here."

After what seemed like seasons of pain, one kit was born. Then another. And another.

"We're done! Two toms and she-kit." Leafpelt's mew trailed off as he gazed at the three bundles at Fawn's belly. "Two toms." The white she-kit had stopped moving. Fawn sighed sadly, feeling as if her heart was splitting in two for the helpless, limp kit.

Paw steps thrummed the outside of camp, and four cats crashed through the camp entrance, Storm in the lead. He raced across to Fawn as he saw her laying on the dusty ground. "You kitted?" His eyes softened lovingly as he saw the two living kittens. "They're perfect!"

The Clan dispersed, discussing the birth happily. Storm and Fawn decided on names.

Flame for the ginger. Coal for the black. If only Coal was going to turn out like the small, innocent, normal kit he seemed. But his destiny awaited.