Run. That's what the voice in Snowfrost's head demanded her to do. It wasn't the sound of her ancestors in Starclan, but a deep rooted voice of maternal instinct, urging her to return to her homeland to find a place--the perfect place--to bring her kittens into the world. It was almost time. Her kits moved around inside of her, more lively than ever before. Snowfrost wouldn't rest until she had at least crossed the border. Anywhere on Grassclan territory will be good enough for me, she thought. She traveled for a long time, long into the night. Her limbs grew tired and her kits thrashed in her belly, but she kept pressing forward until she finally crossed the barrier. Familiar scents flooded into her nostrils as she ran into the meadow. I'm home!

Her sprint turned into a trot, which turned into limping, until she finally collapsed on the ground with exhaustion. She panted, laying on her side awkwardly to let her kits rest on the familiar grounds of Grassclan while she caught her breath. Snowfrost nosed at her belly for a heartbeat before she tilted her head to look up into the sky. Silverpelt shined above her, glittering with hundreds of stars. But clouds were gathering menacingly. It was going to rain soon. Snowfrost needed to get up and find some shelter. With effort, she heaved herself back onto her paws, much to the dislike of her unborn brood. She huffed and waddled along. Maybe I could go into The Dip? She wondered, but quickly dismissed the idea. The Dip was nothing more than a giant ditch. Once it rained, it would fill with water. Certainly not a good place to stay. Perhaps I could find an old rabbit's burrow? No, a rabbit den could barely fit one full grown warrior, yet alone a pregnant cat who was due to kit at any moment. Snowfrost paused in her stride to think for a heartbeat. Where else could she go? The lynx point molly scanned the meadow, looking for somewhere that might be good. As she did so, a memory popped into her head. A short while ago, Grassclan had discovered that a badger had made its home in the meadow, not too far from where Snowfrost now stood. They had chased it out, leaving its den unoccupied. The badger set. That would be the place where her kits would be born. In a flash she set off, scanning the ground in search of the den. Light began to filter above her head as she looked, only for it to be cast over by storm clouds. The dawn patrol will be coming soon. I have to hurry. Snowfrost began to awkwardly trot forward, whipping her head around to look for her birthing place. It was around here somewhere, she knew she had to be close. Snowfrost started to head southwards, closer to the border, too afraid of going near Grassclan's camp. It can't be much farther. Rabbit dung, where is that badger set!? The sky was completely light now, or as light as it could become. Clouds overcast the sky above, a chilly wind stirring through the dull colored grass. With the wind, the grass parted for heartbeats at a time, at last revealing the location of the old badger's den. It was only four bear lengths ahead. If she hurried Snowfrost could put together a nest and make herself comfortable inside before the rain started. A noise caught Snowfrost's attention making her become still. The scent of several Grassclan cats drifted into her nose. Panic shot through her, her kits quaked inside her belly with worry. She crouched down, praying to Starclan that they wouldn't find her.

"Yuck, what's that stench?" A cat hissed. Snowfrost realized it must be her they smelled. She'd almost forgotten the Twoleg stink that clung to her, she'd gotten so used to it after living with them for a moon. She slipped along the meadow floor, hiding herself in a tussock of grass. But she hadn't realized it was right in the cats' path.

"Woah!" A cat tripped over Snowfrost, falling a tail length in front of her. They sat up, shaking their pale golden head. The cat's eyes narrowed, focusing on the shape they saw in the grass.

"Snowfrost..?" The cat rose to their paws to stare down at the pregnant she-cat. Above the queen hovered her apprentice.

"Hello, Goldenpaw."

Goldenpaw looked at her, confusion written on her face. Questions spilled out of her like water through the cracks of a beaver dam.

"Where have you been? Why do you smell like a Twoleg? Why are so...? Snowfrost, are you pregnant?"

Snowfrost folded her ears against her head, shame turning her stomach. She didn't want any clan cat except Wolfheart to know. And now an entire patrol would learn of her mistake. The other cats who were out with Goldenpaw came into view. Standing beside her now was Jaybird and Ambereye.

"Snowfrost!" Jaybird trilled, leaning down to press her forehead to hers. "I knew you couldn't stay away. And it looks like you've returned just in time." Thunder began to rumble in the sky. Snowfrost growled, backing away enough to be able to stand.

"I only came to deliver my kits," she meowed indignantly, a feeling of rage overcoming her. "I have not come to return to the clan."

"Clearly." Ambereye snorted, eyeing her collar. "Having fun being a Twoleg's toy, kittypet?"

Snowfrost hissed at her. She was in no mood to argue with the ginger she-cat. But if she had to she'd fight her to reach the badger set. Another harsh kick was thrown in Snowfrost's belly, making her visibly wince. She needed to get away from here, before she was in too much pain to move anymore. Snowfrost didn't bother to reply, she simply began to slink along the ground slowly, too wary and in too much pain to attempt to stand on her own anymore. Goldenpaw and the others began to follow after her.

"Where are you going?" Jaybird asked.

"Away from here," Snowfrost hissed. She didn't have time to chat anymore, her kits would be here soon, nothing would stop her from preparing.

"Let us help you," Jaybird pleaded as Goldenpaw came around to stand in her way.

"Goldenpaw, please help me convince her."

"Are you serious?" Snowfrost snorted "She is still an apprentice! Why would I listen to what she has to say when i hardly want to listen to you, my own sister?"

"I may only be an apprentice, Snowfrost. But I am Grassclan's medicine cat. Doubting me, and my skills, would be like having doubt in your own."

Snowfrost winced, not from pain and not from the chilly wind which had begun to stir, but from Goldenpaw's harsh words.

"As a medicine cat, I have to look out for those who are unwell. And the Code says I must help anyone in need, even if they are not from my clan. So like it or not, Jaybird and I will follow you wherever you go until your kitting begins." Goldenpaw's voice was stern, something that was out of character for her. Snowfrost knew how serious she must be. She let out a harsh sigh, standing up as straight as she could.

"Help me over to the badger set."