''Tell us a story! Please please please?''

''Yeah, let's hear a story!''

Rustkit raised her head, watching from the shade of the nursery as Barkkit and Lightkit scrambled into the Elder's den. Barkkitkit looked almost the same as his father, Gorsewhisker; his tabby pelt was noticeably darker than Rustkit's, and he had his father's blue eyes and white paws. His sister, Lightkit, resembled her mother more, with a golden tabby pelt. Gorsewhisker often came by the nursery to see his kits, but it was obvious he also came to see their proud mother, Marigoldheart. The young queen was now sitting by the entrance of the nursery, grooming her beautiful fur with long, rasping licks. Rustkit padded over to her unsurely. She still wasn't confident how the queen thought of her, as the other kits often got more attention, but then again, there wasn't a lot of cats in the clan that fully welcomed her here. The golden queen looked up as she approached her.

''Hey, Rustkit...come here.''

Rustkit obeyed quickly, sitting herself beside the taller she-cat. Marigoldheart eased herself down into her leafy bedding, her green eyes focused on Rustkit seriously.

''I've been meaning to have a talk with you,'' she started. Rustkit swallowed nervously. What would Marigoldheart need to talk to me about? I've kept out of the way as best I could!

''I know you could learn to love this clan. The others will accept you over time, and they will learn to love you as well. I'm trying my best to be here for you, okay? I'm trying to be like...your mother.''

The direct statement seemed to take them both by surprise, and Marigoldheart looked down at her paws for a moment.

''I just feel as if you're very quiet for a kit. Please don't be afraid to be yourself around me.''

Rustkit felt words surging up inside her, feelings and emotions longing to be expressed. Yet, all Rustkit managed to say was,

''I'm sorry, Marigoldheart."

Marigoldheart's green eyes glimmered sympathetically, and she placed a paw on Rustkit's tiny paws.

''Rustkit, no one in this clan doesn't want you here. You have your whole life ahead of you to prove yourself to them!''

Rustkit sighed silently, looking out as Barkkit trotted away from the Elder's den with Lightkit right behind him.

''Barkkit doesn't seem to want me here,'' she grumbled. Marigoldheart shook her head lightly, gazing after her son in slight disprovement.

''Yes, Barkkit...has quite a tongue on him. I'll have to talk to him again. He'll warm up to you eventually; he's not impressed easily. Why don't you go play now?''

Rustkit nodded and padded out into the clearing, where the sun beat down upon the dry earth. It warmed her thin pelt from her paws to her ear tufts, and she felt drowsy as she padded towards her adopted siblings. Barkkit was the first to spot her out.

''Hey, it's the no-clan kit! She could be half skunk for all we know!''

Lightkit appeared uncomfortable as her brother openly mocked Rustkit. She looked at her paws guiltily.

''Barkkit, Marigoldheart said we need to treat Rustkit like our sister,'' she mewed quietly.

''That's no sister of mine! She can't even play fight!'' Barkkit thrust his muzzle into Rustkit's face. The outsider suddenly felt a spark of anger spark inside her. She met the dark blue eyes of the tom evenly, her tail beginning to lash back and forth slowly.

''I can so!'' She growled.

''Can not!''

''Stop it!'' Lightkit stepped in between them, her green eyes alight with fear.

''Lightkit, Barkkit, Rustkit. What's going on here?''

The trio of kits swiveled around to see Eaglestar padding towards them. The young leader's eyes were narrowed disapprovingly.

''I think you should go with your mother to get some water,'' He continued, his gaze meeting each one of theirs' evenly. ''Rustkit, I'll have you go next time. There's something I need to talk to you about.''

Lightkit and Barkkit obeyed, darting away.

Rustkit followed Eaglestar into his den miserably, with her tail between her legs. I'm in real trouble now, she thought, her stomach twisting nervously.

''Rustkit, has Marigoldheart told you what a gathering is?''

Rustkit shook her head slowly. Marigold had explained many things to her so far, about the four clans of the forest and their rituals, and right now she was beginning to teach her the clan ceremonies. Eaglestar sat and wrapped his thin tail around his paws.

''Well, there is going to be one tomorrow night. Every full moon, the four clans meet on the island to meet and discuss with each other. They meet in peace, under a truce formed long ago by our ancestor warriors. Most warriors and apprentices stay behind to guard the camp. Any fighting will be strictly dealt with by StarClan, do you understand?''

Rustkit nodded, her blue eyes sparkling with curiosity. Why was Eaglestar telling her this?

''We cannot keep you a secret from the other clans, Rustkit. Please understand that, because at the gathering tomorrow I am going to tell them that we have given shelter to a kit we found abandoned in the woods. There is a good chance that tension will break out.''

Rustkit stared at Eagleheart with disbelief.

''You mean they will fight because of me?''

"Yes. And you will be there with us. I have to see if you recognize anyone, or if anyone recognizes you. I will assign three warriors to guard you, just in case.''

Rustkit could barely contain her shock and excitement.

''Wow! Would that make me the youngest cat to ever attend a gathering?''

Eagleheart chuckled, his tortoiseshell fur catching the sun through the woven branches of his den.

''As far as I know, yes. Will you be ready?''

Rustkit's answer was firm.

''Yes!''