Sun, Stone, log and trail

by Orange Peel 5

Guess what territory didn't like the cat infestation? Yes, the lake territory, now welcome to the mountains. Through the mountains, we lost OG blood. Or main plot follows Silvermist a fierce warrior and Feathersong a tethered she-cat. The clans have new names and it's time for new beginnings. Meet our warriors that struggle for acceptance. Welcome to the new generation.

15. Kits

Emberblaze returned to SunClan, still in a daze over what happened. He noticed Taloncall with Rainshine and decided to let them be with each other, He needed to think.

How could Feathersong not be related? She had lived most of her life, knowing it was a lie and still never told anyone.

He felt a huge amount of pity for her. Feathersong had her own mother somewhere but she had no clue where she was, what she looked like, if she had any siblings or what.

He had to tell Silvermist. She deserved to know as she was once Feathersong's best friend before that tom. He disliked Pufffrost and he didn't even know him.

Though he didn't want to tell Silvermist. She deserved to hear it from Feathersong. Though since Feathersong wasn't there, Emberblaze headed in to tell her.

"Hey, Silvermist?" He meowed, sticking his head inside of the nursery. She was currently with Wolfshade who wasn't pleased about the interruption.

"Yeah?"

"I have something to tell you. About Feathersong."

"Do you think the kits will come today? " Wolfshade asked his mate for the hundredth time that day.

"Maybe, Feathereyes said that the kits will come really soon, maybe today maybe tomorrow."

Then the braken around the nursery trembled as Emberblaze poked his head in.

"Hey Silvermist?" He meowed.

Wolfshade let out a small hiss of annoyance.

Silvermist silenced him with a flick of ear, "Yes Emberblaze?

"I have something to tell you. About Feathersong."

The black and Silver she-cat let out a gasp as she scrambled to her paws, eagerly waiting to hear what was going on with her friend.

"What is it?"

"Feathersong told me that when Dappledleaf and I were born, there was a third kit that looked exactly like Feathersong. But it was stillborn. Mad with grief, she disowned her kits, running into the forest and basically leaving them to die. Then she noticed a small kit, crying for it's mother. It was still young eyes not yet open, so she just took it and claimed it to be her own."

"What does that have to do with Feathersong?" Silvermist asked; then she understood. "That can't be true!" Her voice grew loud in shock, a few cats turning their heads in surprised curiosity.

"Feathersong told me it." Emberblaze purposely left out Pufffrost as he didn't want to bring too much onto a pregnant queen.

"Why didn't she tell me! I asked her what was wrong and she didn't tell."

Wolfshade rushed out to Silvermist's side as he heard her raised voice.

"Are you alright?" He asked, shooting a look at Emberblaze that clearly read: What did you tell Silvermist?

Silvermist nodded, her gaze still fixed on Emberblaze.

You did just fine with her, and Wolfshade. I hope I get Emberblaze right with this...

"Is that all? " Silvermist asked Emberblaze, watching one of whiskers.

"Yes that's all."

Silvermist narrowed her eyes as the whiskers twitched, "Emberblaze your lying. What else is there? There's more."

Emberblaze looked back and forth, not wanting to worry the queen.

"Well, Feathersong made another friend, his name is," he broke off as Silvermist let out a gasp and her legs buckled.

Feathereyes hurried over and felt the black and silver she-cats stomach.

"Her kits are coming."

Wolfshade panicked, he grabbed his mate's scuff and pulled her into the nursery. Silvermist let out a hiss.

"What do I do? Can I help?"

Silvermist lifted her head, "Go get Taloncall, I want him to be one of the first cats to meet our kits."

" Taloncall? But...but...why?"

She gave him a glare before her head fell back, gasping. Wolfshade shook his head then reluctantly agreed and ran off.

Taloncall came into camp, pleased with the plump thrush he had caught for Silvermist. He was so glad to be... almost an adoptive uncle. Taloncall waltzed into camp, but he dropped the thrush as a cry rang from the nursery. Taloncall knew that cry, and he ran, he ran as if he were only a blur. Taloncall on heard a small complain, just as he darted in front of Wolfshade.

"That was quick don't you think," Wolfshade mumbled

"Never quick enough" Taloncall winked charmingly. Wolfshade looked like he wanted to smash the other toms face into the dirt.

"Is she ok?" Taloncall asked Feathereyes, but he said in a tone that mostly meant are you ok Silvermist.

Rainshine gave Silvermist of uncertainty, either Rainshines kit were late, or Silvermist's where early...

Emberblaze paced outside of the nursery. Listening to Silvermist's pained cries. He left, assuming that Silvermist only wanted Taloncall and Wolfshade to be in the den with her.

Rainshine rushed out of the nursery, she didn't know what to do, and Silvermist didn't answer when she asked whether she should stay or go. Rainshine was torn, but she joined her mate outside in the end.

"Are our kits late, or are hers early?" Rainshine asked half-heartedly, her brain was wandering through awful thoughts

Wolfshade's claws picked at Silvermist's mossy nest. His mate was in agony and he was useless. Taloncall seemed calm, he was a little ways from Silvermist meowing small words of encouragement. Silvermist was listeneing to anything anyone was saying. Wolfshade was by her head, Feathereyes by her stomach, feeling the ripples with her paws.

"Wolfshade!"

Wolfshade stopped picking at the nest, "What?"

"The kits are almost here, I need you to get a stick for Silvermist to bite down on!" Feathereyes demanded.

"Couldn't I use my tail?" Taloncall asked, wanting to be helpful.

Wolfshade looked at Taloncall as he was stupid, "Do you want a broken tail? She could probably bite your tail off! Have you seen her jaws?"

Taloncall whisked his tail away, looking a little crestfallen. Wolfshade didn't care, he hurried out of the nursery.

"How is Silvermist?"

"Is she okay?"

"Why is Taloncall in there?"

"Wolfshade! What are you doing out here? Your mate is in there!"

The broad shouldered tom ignored the clan, he search the ground for a sturdy branch, looking for a thick one.

There!

There was a newlyfallen branch, Wolfshade picked it up in his jaws and rushed to the nursery. He shoved the stick in his mate's jaws.

"Thanks," she whispered, her eyes glazed with pain.

Wolfshade settled behind her head and pateintly waited, he closed his eyes and flattened his ears to block out Silvermist's wails. Then all of a sudden a ripple past and there was suddenly there was kit at Wolfshade's paws.

"Lick her," Feathereyes ordered.

Wolfshade bent down and started licking the she-kit. She was black and glossy just like Silvermist, and even had tiny silver stripes. It was a little Silvermist.

My daughter!

The kit let out a wail as soon as it was touched and swiped her tiny paw at her father's nose, he jerked back in surprise.

Feisty! Just like her mother!

Then the stick in Silvermist's mouth splintered as a second kit was born, Feathereyes picked the kit up and dropped it in front of Taloncall.

"Lick her, get her breathing."

Taloncall started licking the kit, the kit was light gray. Wolfshade picked up his daughter and put her at Silvermist's belly, the tiny kit started suckling immediately. Taloncall placed the kit he was licking by the other kit.

Soon two more kits were born, another she-kit and a tom. The other she-kit was light brown and had Wolfshade's broad shoulders. The last kit was tom with a white pelt. Silvermist was exhausted, Taloncall had gone to fetch some wet moss for the queen to drink. Feathereyes had left after a careful check-up with Silvermist. Taloncall was back and placed the moss by her head, Silvermist reached out and took a long sip.

Wolfshade ran his tail down the back of each of their kits.

"They need names," he mummered.

Silvermist studied her kits, then touched the black and silver kit, "Spiritkit," then she put her tail on the light-gray she-kit, "Freekit."

"They're perfect names," he agreed.

Wolfshade glanced at the tiny kit that inhearted his pelt and his broad shoulders, "Violetkit."

Silvermist nodded in agreement then turned to the last kit. Tears brimmed at the edge of her eyes.

"He looks exactly like Willowcloud..." she trailed off.

Taloncall made a move to leave when Silvermist called him back, "Taloncall? Would you like to name him?"

He hesitated, "Are you sure?"

"Yes, it wasn't an option."

Taloncall made his way back to her, "Clearkit?"

"Perfect! Spiritkit, Freekit, Violetkit, and Clearkit!"

Taloncall looked proudly at Silvermists kit, and then at Clearkit. He smiled, maybe I'll have him as my apprentice. Then Taloncall looked over all the kits.

I'd be proud to mentor any one of Silvermists kits.

Taloncall looked over at Wolfshade who looked almost as exhausted as Silvermist. Taloncall pounced out of the nursery, went back and grabbed the thrush he had caught and on the way back he caught a rabbit. Taloncall brought it back to the couple and their kits, Taloncall dropped the prey at their feet, he smiled warmly.

"Can I see them?" Emberblaze called after some time. Taloncall and Wolfshade were still there and Rainshine had re-entered since she also lived in the den.

"Silvermist can't be crowded." Wolfshade responded in his cool tone.

"Don't be a mouse-brain, Wolfshade." Silvermist said to her mate. "This is Emberblaze's den as well."

Though he couldn't help wondering something. Did Silvermist wish that Feathersong was there to see the kits? He wondered how she was taking the news of Feathersong and her new best friend.

He kind of blamed himself for Silvermist giving birth to her kits early. He caused Silvermist too much stress and thus, kits were born. Though he didn't dwell on it much.

When he went in, he saw four kittens all curled up beside Silvermist.

"What are their names." Emberblaze asked.

"Freekit, Spiritkit, Clearkit and Violetkit." Silvermist told him, nodding to the kits in turn.

"They're beautiful." "Thank you."

Emberblaze headed to where Rainshine was, in their nest. He couldn't wait for Rainshine's kits and the excitement dwarfed the fear by a lot.

I can't wait to be a father!

So I'm going to skip by a few days so that Silver's kits eyes can be opened and can be introduced to the clan, if you don't want me to skip ahead a couple of days then just ignore this.

Silvermist nudged her kits to their paws.

"Come on kits, the clan wants to meet you!"

Spiritkit bounced to her paws, Clearkit's eyes twinkled mysteriously, Freekit smoothed her fur down, and Violetkit's tiny claws tapped on the den floor. After checking her kit's out, Silvermist led them out of the nursery. The sun was shining, there was no clouds in the sky, and the clan was well fed.

"Aww! Look at the kits!"

"That one looks exactly like Silvermist!"

"I hope I get to mentor one!"

"Silvermist is the first cat to give birth in our new nursery!"

Silvermist gave a pleased purr at the complements the clan was giving. Yet, someone was missing. Silvermist desperately wanted to leave and find Feathersong and tell her about the kits, but she couldn't leave. Silvermist wanted Feathersong to be the first cat outside of Sunclan to know. Then Silvermist felt a nudge by her paw that jolted her out of her thoughts she looked down and saw Freekit staring up at her.

"Mother!"

"Yes Freekit?"

"Look at what I came up with!"

Freekit stood on her back paws and tried swiping, she became unbalanced and fell in a heap of fur. The clan let out amused purrs, Freekit shook out her pelt.

Silvermist gave her daughter an amused look, "That was a nice try."

"Did you know that your mother used to be the fiercest warrior and one of the best hunters?" a cool voice asked the kits.

The kits turned out and let out a squeak, "Taloncall!"

They rushed and climbed up on the deputy.

"I'm going a fierce warrior too!" Spiritkit declared.

"I'm going to be the best hunter ever!" Clearkit meowed, then pounced on Taloncall's tail.

Violetkit climbed off of Taloncall's back, "I'm going to be both!"

"Well I'm going to be better than all three of you combined!" Freekit meowed.

Spiritkit then grabbed the deputy's tail and bit down as hard as she could.

"Ouch! Spiritkit!"

Wolfshade stalked over and picked his daughter up by the scruff and set her down.

"Spiritkit! No chewing on tails."

"Well I have to practice being the fiercest warrior just like mom is!"

Silvermist padded over to her mate and sat down next to him, "Mind your father Spiritkit."

The she-kit crouched down and bared her teeth in submission, "Yes mom."

"Well go on, go play," Silvermist nudged her daughter away.

What should we play?" Violetkit asked as the four of them went to a quieter part of camp to go play.

"Clans!" Clearkit decided. "Dibs SunClan!"

"But I'm SunClan!" Protested Freekit.

"So am I!" Violetkit put in.

"I'm the best so I should be!" Spiritkit mock-growled.

"No, I am!" Freekit argued.

"Why don't we all be SunClan?" Clearkit mewed.

Violetkit looked over and noticed Silvermist watching them.

"Hey, I know what we can play!" She meowed, excitedly. "We're SunClan and we have to attack the evil rogue!"

"Who's the rogue?" Clearkit asked.

"Mother, mousebrain!" Spiritkit mewed.

"Let's go!" Freekit was already silently stalking towards Silvermist. Violetkit quickly followed, trying to be stealthy. She was a SunClan leader, Violetstar, stalking towards the baddest rogue ever.

When they got close enough, Spiritkit lept up, trying to claw at Silvermist's back. The other three started their own attack, Silvermist looking at them in amusement.

"Oh no, I'm being beaten by brave SunClan warriors."

"We've killed you, Mother." Freekit announced, getting off. "You're dead."

"We did it! We saved the clans!" Violetkit mewed triumphantly.

One day I will save the clans, for real!

"Our kits will be like that." Emberblaze watched the four kits playing with Silvermist.

"If they're half the trouble that they are, StarClan help us!" Rainshine joked.

"I'm sure that they will be very well behaved." Emberblaze meowed. He couldn't wait for them. It wasn't long now until the kits were born. Silvermist and Rainshine had been pregnant around the same time so any moment now, pretty much, Rainshine could go into labour. The thought made Emberblaze get hardly any sleep at night. What if Rainshine started giving birth whilst he was asleep? What if she died whilst he was asleep? He couldn't wait for them to be born so that he could stop worrying about Rainshine.

Rainshine noticed Emberblazes worry, she really didn't know how to comfort him. Mostly because she didn't know what it was about, but she could feel the kits were due any day now.

Silvermist's eyes pop opened, it was the middle of the night. It had been a moon since her kits had been born, and it was almost time for Rainshine to have her kits. Silvermist looked down at her sleeping kits and nudged them awake.

"Come on, wake up."

"Mother! It's the middle of the night!" Spiritkit protested.

"I know, but I have a friend that I'd like you to meet. We have to leave now so we'll get back in time."

"A friend?" Clearkit woke immediately. "I want to meet your friend!"

"Okay then, follow me and be very quiet, we don't want to wake the clan."

Silvermist lead her sleepy kits outside and into the center of camp where Taloncall and Wolfshade were waiting.

"Father and Taloncall are coming too?" Violetkit meowed.

"Mother's friend must be very important then!" Freekit squeaked.

Wolfshade looked down at his kits, "Ready?"

"Yes!"

"Well then let's go," Wolfshade led the way out of camp, The kits following behind with Silvermist and Taloncall bringing up the rear.

Silvermist peaked through some bushes looking for Feathersong. She desperately wanted Feathersong to be the first cat outside of the clans to meet her kits. She soon spotted the she-cat sitting on the edge of a cliff talking to some cat that Silvermist didn't recognize. Silvermist stepped out the brush and made her way to her friend, Feathersong lifted her muzzle and sniffed the air.

"Silvermist? Is it really you?"

"Hi Feathersong, There are some kits I'd like you to meet."

Silvermist waved her tail and her four kits stepped out. Spiritkit bounded out, Clearkit ran after his sister, Freekit looked around nervously, and Violetkit stayed by her mother's leg.

"This is Spiritkit, Clearkit, Freekit, and Violetkit," Silvermist meowed pointing to each kit. "Kits this my old friend Feathersong."

"Hi!"

"Hello!"

"Why do you smell so weird?"

"Did you know that we were coming?"

Feathersong tore her gaze from the kits and looked at Silvermist, "I can't believe that you had kits!"

"Strange isn't? I..."

The black and silver queen broke off as the cat Feathersong was talking to early came over.

"Who are you?" Silvermist growled, she shoved her kits under her stomach.

"I'm Pufffrost! I'm Feathersong's best friend!"

"Really? Cause I thought I was her best friend," Silvermist's words were for Pufffrost but her gaze bore into Feathersong's.

Feathersong shuffled her paws, "I didn't replace you if thats what you think, I just made a new friend. That's all."

"You had friends in Sunclan you know, It was hard just you leaving, but at least I could still see you. Now you replaced me, knowing that you were my only best friend."

"Please!" Feathersong pleaded. "It's not like that! I just didn't want to spend the rest of my life all alone! So I made a new friend!"

Silvermist narrowed her eyes, "You two seem really close to being just friends."

Feathersong shifted her paws and Pufffrost just met Silvermist's gaze calmly.

"Silvermist, you are not in charge of Feathersong, her and I can be friends. After all you two are from different clans now. Feathersong can't have friends from other clans, it just makes life harder. I think it would be best if you and your kits went home. Feathersong's in a new clan now."

Silvermist clawed the ground before whipping her head around.

"Kits!" she commanded. "Let's go home."

Clearkit, Violetkit, and Freekit scrambled from underneath their mother's belly and ran away, casting glances at the cats behind them. Spiritkit ran up to Pufffrost, claws unsheathed.

"Don't be rude to my mother!"

Silvermist stalked up and picked up her daughter by the scuff and carried her away, not looking back. Wolfshade and Taloncall were waiting. Wolfshade had Violetkit in his jaws and Freekit on his back, Taloncall had picked up Clearkit. Silvermist flicked her tail and the seven cats headed back home.

Silvermist hadn't even returned when Rainshine suddenly gave a cry of pain. Emberblaze was instantly out, going to get Feathereyes. He shot a look at Rainshine as he left, hoping that she would be okay.

He heard cats' mutter amongst themselves, coming out of their dens and yawning. Their eyes were on Emberblaze as he dashed to get the medicine-cat.

Feathereyes looked surprisingly calm. Emberblaze was the opposite.

"Rainshine! She's giving birth! It sounds painful, will she be alright?"

"In a lot of pain but she is healthy enough to bear kits without complications." Feathereyes told him as they headed back to Rainshine.

"Should I get a stick?" Emberblaze asked after a long minute had passed. He couldn't stand still and he was openly worried for his mate.

"That would be a good idea."

Emberblaze was out in a shot, searching desperately for the perfect stick. All of them seemed flimsy or thick. Even when he found a good one, he panicked. What if it's too thick? What if it spinters in her mouth and cuts it? What if she chokes on it? What if I kill her? The thoughts got more extreme and Emberblaze just wanted it to be over.

Eventually, Rainshine bore four kits. The first was a gorgous brown-almost black- she-cat. The second was a silver tabby that reminded Emberblaze so much of Feathersong. The third was a pale brown kit and the final was an exact lookalike to Rainshine.

Two of them instantly started crying and Rainshine nudged them all to her stomach and Emberblaze felt a little choked up, watching them all get their first taste of milk. He felt a little worried when the youngest made no cries, but it was drinking and seemed healthy. The silver tabby didn't seem to be making any attempt to get to one of Rainshine's teats and Emberblaze willed it to get up.

"Feathereyes..The silver tabby. She feels cold." Rainshine's eyes filled with tears.

Emberblaze carefully picked up the tabby, who hung there limply in his jaws, and gave it to Feathereyes.

"She's gone."

No! No, it can't be! Emberblaze remembered what Feathersong had told him. Were they cursed to always have one dead silver tabby?

He thought it strange that his mother abandoned him and Dappledleaf when her kit died. But looking at one of his own kits, dead, he was so overcome with sorrow. It was different to the pain he felt with Dappledleaf. His own kit..dead before it entered the world.

"The three others are healthy and strong." Feathereyes noticed his expression. "The last seems a little quiet but they are all alive."

Rainshine was crying silently, inconsolable, her head in Emberblaze's fur.

"At least we have three others." He told her, gently.

Rainshine looked over all of them. "They're beautiful."

"Should I bury the stillborn?" Feathereyes offered, the kit still in her jaws.

"I want to do it." Emberblaze stood. Feathereyes looked surprised by his determination and nodded.

He wanted to bury this kit who reminded him of Feathersong and his lost sibling.

"I hope you are safe in StarClan." He whispered, blinking away the tears.

"Emberblaze, what happened?" Silvermist's voice cut through the moment and Emberblaze looked up, covering the kit with a little more soil.

"Rainshine had her kits. Four of them." He broke off, ducking his head. "One was stillborn."

"Sorry for your loss." Taloncall meowed, his voice slightly muffled from holding a kit. "Can we see them?"

"Yes. Rainshine wants Silvermist to name one." Emberblaze took them in.

Rainshine looked proudly down at her surviving kits, sure she was sad about her lost kit, but life must go on. Rainshine first wanted to name the blackish-brown kit.

"Ebonykit" Rainshine whispered just enough so everyone could hear.

"Emberblaze do you want to name my lookalike?"Rainshine asked in a soft voice.

"Name one of our kits, funny you should ask I just so happen to have a name I like" Emberblaze looked down at his mate with a grin.

"Silentkit, and hopefully she'll stay a little silent in the nursery, for her names sake" Emberbaze mew softly looking down at their kits.

"And Silvermist, won't you name one of my kits," Rainshine asked gently.

"I'd love to, how about... Elkkit" The fierce warrior suggested.

"Perfect" Rainshine said in a proud tone.

Emberblaze would never admit it but he had a soft spot for the silent little kit. She looked like Rainshine and hopefully she would have all of the good qualities of his mate.

Spiritkit barreled Freekit over, grabbing her littermate's fur with sheathed claws. It was the day after Silvermist had taken them to meet Feathersong. Freekit broke free and scrambled to her paws. Spiritkit crouched down ready to attack again, when Violetkit ran in between them.

"How can you two be fighting right now?" Violetkit demanded. "Look how sad mother is!

Spiritkit turned to see her mother lying on the ground, her head was up watching them but her ears were pulled back and her tail was flicking around lazely. Clearkit was by her side talking. Spiritkit still didn't understand why mother's eyes seemed to tear up when he looked at her.

"I have an idea!" Freekit meowed. "Let's go cheer mother up!"

Spiritkit and her littermates bounded over to the silver and black queen.

"Mother, what's wrong?" Violetkit asked, gazing at Silvermist's eyes. They seemed to have lost their sparkle, her eyes dull and lifeless.

"Nothing, sweetie, go and play."

"You're lying!" Spiritkit stared at Silvermist in shock. "You've told us never to lie."

"Naughty Mother!" Freekit added.

Silvermist gave a small smile but it didn't reach her eyes.

"Mother won't say what happened." Clearkit told them. "But she's sad about something."

Violetkit remembered what had happened the night before. Silvermist had been upset over a cat..Violetkit had forgotten his name.

"Is it about..." She paused, trying to remember the silver tabby who was with the tom. "Feathersong?" She looked pleased to have remembered it.

Silvermist's eyes filled with tears but she blinked them back almost instantly. Too late to have gone unnoticed by all of the kits.

"It is!" Freekit declared.

"Of course it's not." Silvermist's voice didn't have much conviction though.

"Let's cheer her up and make her happy and then she might tell us!" Clearkit piped up.

"Okay." Violetkit racked her brain for ways on how to cheer up Silvermist.

Spiritkit had already thought of a way. "Attack!" She screeched, launching herself at Silvermist's tail and trying to chew it.

Violetkit's hopes lifted when the briefest of smiles crossed Silvermist's face, a small hint of amusement in her eyes. It was gone in an instant but Violetkit knew what she had seen.

"Come on, Violetkit!" Freekit called her and Violetkit joined in, pretending to attack. She would cheer Silvermist up if it was the last thing that she would do. She wasn't allowed to be sad!

Emberblaze watched the kits fondly as they stumbled around, clumsily, their eyes having only recently opened. Silentkit hadn't yet moved, however. She was just curled up beside Rainshine and watching her siblings play.

"Gotcha!" Ebonykit pounced on Rainshine's tail as she flicked it.

Both Ebonykit and Elkkit were noisy already but Silentkit hadn't uttered a single word. She purred, a soundless vibration, but that was all. He wanted to consult Feathereyes but it was still early days. She was probably just quiet. Though the voice in the back of his mind kept telling him that she was mute. He told himself not to be pessimistic but the worry for the youngest kit showed in his eyes.

"Can we go out yet?" Elkkit asked, looking up at Emberblaze and nearly falling as he raised his head.

"Tomorrow." Emberblaze promised.

"But that's ages away!" Whined Ebonykit. "Pleeease!"

Rainshine gave a small laugh. "You can soon, tomorrow isn't far away."

"But Silvermist's kits are outside!" Ebony pointed out.

"They're a moon older." Rainshine looked briefly at the playing kits. They were attacking Silvermist and he noticed that she looked slightly more like herself since when she had returned from wherever she was.

Emberblaze had a feeling that he knew where she had been. Obviously, she had gone to show Feathersong her kits. Who else would Silvermist take her kits to see? He didn't bother asking about it, half-afraid that the she-cat would claw his nose off. Obviously, things hadn't gone well between them.

Ebonykit and Elkkit looked at Rainshine, their faces so desperate that Emberblaze couldn't help grinning. He remembered how he was at that age, wanting to be out the moment his eyes opened.

Wolfshade felt a purr bubbling up as he watched his kits climb on Silvermist's back. She stomped around as if she was a badger and trying to throw the kits off. Wolfshade set a rabbit that he had caught on patrol and padded up to his mate. She stopped the game long enough to nuzzle him before going back to stomping. He had noticed that her eyes were a little brighter and on her face she wore a small smile. Then Freekit scrambled off of her mother's back.

"Wolfshade!"

He bent down to nuzzle his daughter, then gently pushed her until she fell over.

"Have you seen Rainshine's kits yet?"

"Nope, are they cute?"

"yes, but not as cute as me! And they just opened their eyes!"

"We're going to be the first ones to play with them ever!" Clearkit added.

Then Spiritkit and Violetkit ran to them.

"It worked!" Violetkit meowed excitedly. "We cheered mother up!"

"She's all happy now!" Spiritkit squealed and then pounced on her brother.

Wolfshade looked up at Silvermist, the kits were right. She was happy now, the haunted look of being replaced was no longer there. The only things that glimmered in her silver eyes were the love for her kits and the fierce determination that always burned there.

"Now that I'm happy now, why don't you go and ask Silvergaze for some stories? He can tell you what I was like as a kit," Silvermist mewed.

Her father had retired a half moon ago, Silvermist didn't want anything to do with him, but the kits loved him.

"Yes!" Violetkit bounced. "We get to hear about how naughty mother was!"

Spiritkit led the way, "Naughty mommy! Naughty mommy!"

The other kits followed her lead and also chanted.

Silvermist buried her face into Wolfshade's neck to stifle her giggles.

"I don't know how we are going to five more moons with this!" Silvermist laughed

Wolfshade shot her a side glance, "You can fight off a badger single-pawed but then you have four kits and you get tired?"

"You're not stuck in the nursery all day."

"True," Wolfshade paused, "Are you sure you're okay? I mean with Feathersong and everything?"

Silvermist glared at him, "Of course I am!" she snapped.

Yep! She's better all right!

Then Taloncall beckoned Wolfshade, it was time for the sun-high patrol. Wolfshade started walking over there when he paused and turned back.

"What are you going to do while the kits are busy pestering your father?"

"Clean out the nursery, you would not believe how filthy your kits get!"

"My kits? Since when?"

"When they are sleeping and not making any noises they are my kits, any other time, they are yours!"

Wolfshade purred, then quickly touched noses with her before leaving her. He was happy and had a hard time controlling his energy.

His mate was happy. He had four beautiful and adventurous kits. And he was going on patrol to make sure that nothing came to harm his kits or Silvermist.

"Silvermist?" a new voice asked.

"Who is it?" Silvermist hummed. Her kits were outside and she was finally alone.

"Pufffrost and before you call the clan on me-" Pufffrost was cut off.

"Oh, Pufffrost the great best friend of feathersong." Silvermist mocked with an edge of hurt in her voice.

"Please just listen, I've ruined everything with her and I need to make it right. I know I said wait I said, may I make it clear I said. Please don't let it affect Feathersong, I thought we were friends, I knew not best friends, but she is my only friend and my best friend, even if I'm not hers. Please she's sorry, but doesn't she too deserve a life, especially after how hard her life has been, don't you feel the slightest bit guilty after she'as had to break the connection with her family, lose her sister. Feel like she didn't belong in her own clan... don't you feel sorry?" Pufffrost pleads in a desperate tone.

Silvermist tried to interrupt, three times but Pufffrost ignore and went on his whole Feathersong rampage. He felt sorry for bombarding Silvermist with so many questions but he held his ground, and at the slightest hint of an attack he was going to bolt for the hills and return the following day.

"Mother!" Elkkit whined. "Please let us go out and explore! I want to see what's beyond the nursery walls!"

Rainshine and Emberblaze shared an amused glance.

"Not today, but tomorrow I promise we will go out." Rainshine meowed.

"Aww!"

Elkkit padded to the nursery entrance.

One look won't hurt...

Elkkit stuck her head outside the nursery wall, Wow! Camp is so big!

"Elkkit!" Emberblaze called.

Oops...

Elkkit pulled her head back in and looked at her father. He picked her up by her scurf carefully between his teeth. Then set her down beside Rainshine.

"Elkkit, if you don't listen to us then tomarrow you can stay in the nursery while your littermates go out," Rainshine meowed, shifting her body.

Elkkit look horrified, "You wouldn't! Would you?"

"Only if you don't listen," Emberblaze warned.

"Okay," she sighed.

Emberblaze nudged her, "Why don't you go play with Ebonykit?"

"Okay!" Elkkit squeaked, then pounced on Ebonykit.

Silvermist was barley listening to Pufffrost go on and on about how sorry he was and about Feathersong. Finally she snapped.

"Great Starclan! Would you shut up?!"

Puffrost abruptly stopped talking, for once.

"Look! You were right!" Silvermist began. "Feathersong and I belong different clans! I don't need to be visiting her all the time! She has obviously made some friends and I can't stand in the way of her getting a social life!"

Pufffrost just stared at her as she ranted on.

"I get that now! Besides, she obviously really cares about you. And you care about her."

Pufffrost looked at her shock, "H..how would you know?"

"Because, I have had more toms follow me and fall in love with me more times then you have eaten mice! Other than me, I don't think any cat knows. But please go back to her. Feathersong needs a friend and you seem to be her choice."

"Are you sure?"

"Never more sure in my life! Now go!"

Puffrost never had the chance to leave as paws pounded into camp.

Spiritkit ran out the elder's den. She could sense that something was wrong and she wanted to help. It was a cat named Shybreeze. Risestar immedentaly went to her.

"Shybreeze? Whats going on?"

"Skyclan!" she gasped. "We saw a patrol, they accused us of crossing the scent line. We never did, they didn't believe us and attacked us! Nightstar was there!"

"Nightstar!" Risestar growled.

Just then, Silvermist appeared from behind the nursery and went to her kits. Spiritkit and her siblings took shelter under her stomach.

"Skyfoot! Dawnwhisker! Moorrunner! Come with me!" Risestar ordered.

"I'm coming too!" a voice rang out.

Spiritkit looked up at her mother in horror, "Mother you can't!"

"But what...what if you..." Rainshine began.

"Wolfshade takes that risk, Why can't I?"

"but...but your kits?"

Silvermist cut her off, "Will you look after them for me? Until I return?"

"Of course!"

Silvermist nudged her kits towards Rainshine. Spiritkit stayed.

Spiritkit stood up on her hind paws and put her front paws on her mother's face and put her forehead against her mother's.

"You promise that you'll come back?" Spiritkit whispered.

"Starclan willing," Silvermist meowed.

Then she gently shook her daughter off and went to join Risestar. Spiritkit stumbled after them.

"But what if Starclan wants her?"

Rainshine came and swept Spiritkit away with her tail

"It's begun, I thought they were waiting for another six moons, I was wrong..." Taloncall mumbled as most of Sunclan ran out of camp

"Since when are we the peacekeeping clan?" Mistedsun complained.

"It's probably because Stoneclan's got rocks for brains." Skyfoot huffed

"And... Trialclan, Their gone. not a soul is marking their borders" Mistedsun continued to complain.

"Well, that's not our fault. It Sunclan and Stoneclan against a single clan. It should be more than enough" Skyfoot meowed sincerely

"And logclan," Mistedsun said blushing.

"Yeah oh starclan they've been quiet, but Skyclans outnumbered," Skyfoot said puffing his chest out.

"Nah, slow down. Their she-cats came from twoleg place, Its a mass production kit cave" Taloncall warned.

"If anything were outnumbered, Peace is our best option," Taloncall added

The warrior rushed off and towards Skyclan, Pufffrost was running with the clan and would break for his territory once it was in sight. Next, he would Find azure and tell her everything, then they would be even, Pufffrost on their territory and Silvermist on a small bit off their territory. If Sunclans peacekeeping then they shouldn't want to start a fight. Nightstar however still works in the code he would wait until Sunclan's next wrong move.

Pufffrost Bolted like lightning, he ran for the treeline, Taloncall noticed Pufffrost and smiled.

"Looks like we're even" Taloncall pointed to Pufffrost, Risestar nodded

"Don't worry he's a good cat" Taloncall whispered.

"I know, why else would I have let him into camp" Risestar looked down at his brother. Taloncall smirked.

Soon the patrol reached the border, soon Nightstar barreled out of a bush alone...

"Now what?" Risestar asked

"You know very well I obey the code," Nightstar stated strictly. Risestar nodded

"Its been appointed to my attention that one of our warriors crossed over the border and onto your territory." Nightstar sighed.

"And?" Risestar pressed.

"Were even, for now!" Nightstar snarled.

The Sunclan patrol ran back to camp, Dusk had come and they ran towards the falling of the night sky. Risestar made an announcement once they were in camp.

"I want every cat training, Nightstar is on the verge of wanting war. Were not perfect, and eventually one within us will slip up. Hopefully, by then we'll be ready" Risestar announced, a ripple of cheers ran over the clan, but others rose in an argument. Was fighting the only answer?

"It's the next day!" Elkkit cried, excitedly.

Silentkit tried to cling on to the remnants of her dream but it was slipping out of her grasp. She didn't want to forget it. All that she could remember now was the face of a silver tabby. She had said something but Silentkit couldn't remember. It was only a kit and something about it was familiar.

"Mother! Pleeease!" Ebonykit gave Rainshine the cutest face that she could manage.

"I guess that this is the only way to get them to shut up." Emberblaze grinned.

Silentkit shot him an indignant look. She wasn't speaking! She had tried to but the words would never come out. It frightened her a little but she had gotten used to it. Though she sometimes felt as if Ebonykit and Elkkit were teasing her, talking all of the time.

"Yay!" Elkkit and Ebonykit chorused. "Now?"

"Yes." Rainshine looked a little anxious, Silentkit couldn't help noticing. "Stay with me."

"Yes, Mother!"

Silentkit gave a small shake of her head. She didn't want to go out. Ebonykit and Elkkit dragged Emberblaze and Rainshine out but Silentkit was happy watching. She felt no envy, seeing them meet the older kits.

"Silentkit, are you coming?" Emberblaze called her.

Silentkit shook her head.

"You can stay with us." Emberblaze looked like he was almost pleading her.

Silentkit still did not want to, but she didn't want to offend her father. Slowly, she poked her head out and, trembling slightly, came to sit by Emberblaze and Rainshine.

Elkkit and Ebonykit were already getting acquainted to Silvermist's kits but Silentkit didn't want to join. She felt a little afraid, seeing how big they were compared to herself.

"Don't you want to play with them?" Rainshine asked.

Silentkit shook her head.

Rainshine sighed. "Go play for a few minutes and then come back."

Did they not want her? Mildly offended, she cautiously made her way to the others.

"You have to do this!" One of the kits, one who Silentkit thought was Spiritkit, was showing Elkkit and Ebonykit how to fight or something.

Silentkit was happy watching, reluctant and almost afraid to join in.

"Hey, look, there's the other kit!" Violetkit noticed a smaller she-kit watching from some distance. "You can play, you know."

The kit nodded but stayed put.

"Please, Silentkit!" Elkkit looked over. So that's what the kit is called. She certainly lives up to her name!

Silentkit came a little closer but otherwise seemed reluctant to play.

Violetkit decided to maybe make friends with the kit. She didn't want it to be lonely.

"I'm Violetkit!" She told her.

The kit just gazed at her, completely silent.

"Can't you say something? What's your name?"

The kit inched back slightly.

"Hey, Elkkit and Ebonykit, does Silentkit ever speak?" Violetkit asked them.

"Nope." Elkkit responded.

"She hasn't said a single word to us." Ebonykit added.

Violetkit had heard of deaf and blind cats but it had never crossed her mind that some cats couldn't speak. Why? Could she speak but she didn't want to?

"Violetkit, come back and play!" Freekit called. Violetkit looked back at the kit, hoping for her to say something. But she just looked at Violetkit with piercing blue eyes.

"See you!" She turned and joined in the games, though she kept looking at Silentkit, wondering why she didn't want to join.

"Do you think that they're getting along?" Emberblaze asked, watching Ebonykit get tackled by Spiritkit. "Or are they fighting?"

"I'm sure that they are making friends." Rainshine responded.

There were a few moments of silence before Emberblaze spoke again.

"Silentkit reminds me of Feathersong." He admitted. "She never joined in with the other kits." There was a hint of sadness in his eyes that he instantly managed to push away. Ebonykit's ear picked up Emberblaze's comment. She had grown to learn tales of his sister and his other sister. Ebonykit vowed never to let the same happen to her family.

"Come on Silentkit. you'll never become a warrior if you hide all day" Ebonykit chimed.

"She's right you know" Rainshine added softly.

"Ok..." Silentkit meekly replied. Rainshine, however, caught a glimpse of a look of determination in the tiny kit's eyes. Silentkit shyly stalked towards the other kittens.

Silentkit stayed with Ebonykit, trying her best to join in. She could feel the gazes of her mother and father burning into her back. She did want to play a little, but it was too hard. Silvermist's kits were bigger and stronger and she didn't like to fight much.

"Come on, Silentkit!" You have to play properly." Elkkit looked a little annoyed.

Silentkit kept ducking the attacks and never bothered to counteract their claws.

She tried for a bit longer before sitting back and watching again. She was ruining the game by not playing and though she kind of wanted to, being a warrior wasn't the path that she wanted to follow.

Silentkit had seen Feathereyes with the herbs and wondered if she could become a medicine-cat. She didn't want to fight all day and patrol and hunt. Though try as she might, the words of truth never came out.

"Why don't we play a different game if Silentkit doesn't want to play?" Ebonykit noticed Silentkit not joining in.

Violetkit looked over, "What do you want to play?"

Silentkit didn't know. She looked over at Feathereyes, carrying some herbs into the medicine-cat den.

"You want to play with herbs?" Freekit sounded surprised.

Silentkit shook her head. She didn't want to play with them. She wanted to learn them and help Feathereyes. Though she didn't say anything.

"She doesn't know." Ebonykit declared.

"Then let's get back to playing!" Spiritkit seemed to enjoy fighting, the exact opposite of Silentkit.

Emberblaze watched the kit while Rainshine walks outside of camp. Finally some quite. Rainshine laid down. The breeze is the only noise that rustled. but it hadn't lasted. The distance cry rang clear. Rainshine rose her head in alert. The scent was strong, she fallowed it, and then... Their another kit. It looked so much like The one they Buried. Behind the kit was a mangled she-cat. below she was three dead kits.

"We were attacked." The kit mewed through a sob.

"She's dead right?" The kit sobbed again. she rushed towards Rainshine.

"Don't worry, you're going to be ok" Rainshine purred

"But my mom not..." The kit sighed.

"No, but memories fade and so does the pain that follows." Rainshine mewed softly.

"what was her name?" Rainshine pressed gently.

"Rain, and my brothers were Puddle, Night and Shadow, "The kit said fondly at her family's names.

"well, may they forever be remembered by those they loved," Rainshine said proudly.

"That means you" Rainshine added.

"I-..." The black kit trailed off.

"Shadow, you alive." The kit exclaimed.

"Not for long. he needs help" Rainshine mewed, Rainshine picked up the two kits. She ran.

She ran into camp. Feathereyes looked horrified at the black mangled kit, she took him to the medicine den, and then they waited, they waited for him to come back. And around dusk Feathereyes returned.

"He'll live" Feathereyes mewed through a wall of relief.

"May I see him?" The kit asked in a small scared voice.

"Of course," Feathereyes chirped

"But first what's your name?" Rainshine asked.

"Clover" Clover mewed.

Then Clover waddled off and into the medicine cats den.

"What happened?" Emberblaze asked, his eyes wide.

"It's a long story." Rainshine giggled, Well I've got the time he replied, and so Rainshine told him how she saved Clover and Shadow.

Clover approached her brother, a tear escaped her eye.

"He'll be fine, he just won't have his right eye, his back right leg and the fur on his throat will be forever missing," Feathereyes said as lightly as possible.

"I'll be fine Clover" Shadow mewed meekly to his sad sister.

Violetkit decided to try talking to Silentkit again. Spiritkit and Freekit were playing with Silvermist and Clearkit with Elkkit and Ebonykit. She could join in but she didn't want the other kit to be lonely.

"Hi, Silentkit." She approached the calico who was just sitting alone, staring at the ground. "You lonely?"

Silentkit jumped, obviously thinking about something. She looked up at Violetkit, wondering what she wanted.

"Are you lonely?"

Silentkit shook her head.

"What are you thinking about?"

Silentkit shook her head again. Obviously, it was none of her business.

"Do you want to play or something?"

To her surprise, the kit nodded.

"What do you want to play? Warriors is a fun game."

Silentkit looked around, unsure of what to play.

"Want to play Warriors? We have to fight and see who wins. I'm rubbish at it so I'm sure that you'll win." She gave a grin that was returned by Silentkit's blue-eyed stare. Did she have no sense of humour? Violetkit didn't dislike Silentkit, but wondered why she couldn't be like the other kits. She had heard Emberblaze talking about how she was like Feathersong.

Feathersong was the cat that Silvermist took them to see. Why was she like Feathersong?

"Do you know a cat called Feathersong?" Violetkit wondered if Silentkit had been told about her.

Silentkit nodded.

"I'm guessing that Emberblaze and Rainshine told you then."

Silentkit shook her head.

Surprised, Violetkit asked even more questions. "Who told you?"

Silentkit simply looked at the sky.

"The sky told you?" Violetkit scrunched up her nose. "That's weird."

Silentkit nodded, obviously not noticing that it was meant to be more of a joke.

Violetkit decided to go back and play with Silvermist. It seemed like Silentkit and her weren't really meant to be friends. Silentkit was..strange, to put it bluntly. She seemed interested in herbs, never spoke, didn't want to play, had no sense of humour and also got spoken to by the sky, apparently.

Silvermist watched her kits fondly as they seemed to be the little ring leader, whatever she said or did the other kits seemed to follow her. There had been no battle, Nightstar had called it off. The kits were so happy when she came back unharmed and demanded that she never went to battle until they were apprentices. Wolfshade had thought that was a great idea so Silvermist reluctantly agreed. As Silvermist watched her kits, something pricked the back of her mind.

Why had she told Pufffrost to go back to Feathersong? Why had she argued with her best friend?

Silvermist let out a soft growl and shook those thoughts away.

Clearkit shoved Violetkit away from Silentkit. Violetkit let out a small hiss of annoyance before going to see how Spiritkit and Ebonykit were getting along. Clearkit stared at Silentkit.

"What's the matter? Why can't you talk?"

Silvermist went over there and hissed at her son, "Clearkit! Be nice!"

"Its fine Silvermist," Rainshine meowed wearily.

"Do you not know how?" Clearkit continued. "It's easy! Open your mouth! I'll teach you!"

Silentkit opened her mouth and waited.

"Okay, so I'll teach you how to say, mother! It's easy! At the beginning you put your mouth together then you take your lips apart. When you get to the middle of the word your tongue will stick out! See? Watch!"

Clearkit demonstrated. Silentkit tried but no noise came out.

"Hmmm, you're a puzzle! Someday I'll get you to talk!"

Then he bounded away and Violetkit came back.

The day was coming to a close and Shadow couldn't help but feel a little jealous as he watched the other kits play. Clover was on the sidelines and the other kits barely seemed to notice the she-kits White silhouette. Shadow sighed, Feathereyes was looking over at the kits aswell.

"Don't worry you'll be out there soon" Feathereyes smiled warmly.

"How soon?" Shadow asked

"Maybe a moon, the herbs have been working fast on your body." Feathereyes mewed. Shadow met the Medicine cat's eyes.

"Whats a moon?" Shadow obviously knew what the moon was, just he never heard it as a term to measure time.

"How old are you" Feathereyes trail off-topic,

"Half a season." Shadow mewed as he attempted to stand.

"So your around one and a half moons," Feathereyes said making sense of the way they used time.

Shadow wasn't sure about the way he felt, something was missing. He heaved himself to a stand, he stumbles. There was the problem, his right leg, it was missing... Feather eyes returned and yelped as she saw Shadow on his feet, already. He looked at her in surprise.

"I'm shocked you can stand already" Feathereyes exclaimed.

"Your wound from the amputation is nearly healed. Your throat has scabbed, and your eye..." Feathereyes trailed off.

"It's gone, I know. But I'm alive and that matters." Shadow purred, Feathereye looked down as the small kit.

"The way you talk, it makes it hard to believe your only a moon and a half." Feathereyes chimed, a tear of joy slid down her cheek.

Silentkit decided to go and see the kit that was watching. Unlike Silentkit, the kit seemed lonely when watching the others, its eyes always going towards the medicine-cat den.

She sat down and looked at the she-kit. It was a little larger than herself, though it seemed a little underweight.

Emberblaze watched Silentkit attempt to befriend Clover, the kit that Rainshine had rescued. The kit seemed lonely and lost without her brother and he was pleased that, finally, a kit was going to attempt to make friends. Every time he saw Silentkit beside Ebonykit or sitting alone, it reminded him painfully of his sisters. He saw so much of Dappledleaf in Ebonykit, her compassion and love to her siblings, and he wondered who Elkkit took after. Maybe himself? He didn't know.

"What are you playing?" Violetkit asked Ebonykit and Elkkit as they stalked towards a stick, laying there, discarded, on the floor.

"Shh, we need to catch our prey!" Elkkit whispered, "You'll scare it off."

In the few moments that Elkkit was talking, Ebonykit pounced on the stick, holding it in her jaws.

"Got it." She exclaimed, her voice muffled by the stick.

"Can I show you a better way?" Violetkit offered.

"Sure." Ebonykit and Elkkit stepped back, allowing the older kit to demonstrate.

Violetkit slowly got into a crouch, remembering what she had seen other warriors do, and slowly stalked towards it. She copied what she had seen the apprentices do, just in a sloppier method, waiting until the right time.

Then, she pounced, landing right onto the stick.

"Wow!" Ebonykit exclaimed.

"I can do that!" Elkkit went to try

"I'll teach you?" Violetkit offered.

"Okay!" Ebonykit seemed happy with that idea

Another kit came into the nursery, she kinda just stared at Shadow. He could almost feel something was missing on her too.

"Hello," Shadow mewed. Silentkit jumped back a little.

"Hmm, what's your name?" Shadow asked. The kit didn't answer.

"You don't have a voice do you?" Shadow mewed in an understanding tone. Silentkit looked down at her paws.

"My family never talked at all. we communicated with tail signals, Purrs, ear flicks, ear position. And the dog we lived with all the famous lift of his paw to signal he found an animal." Shadow explained. The tom-kit tried mimicking the dog's paw lift, but he lost balance due to his missing back leg.

"I had a brother named lark, I could never see what was missing on him, maybe he didn't have a voice either." Shadow looked over at Silentkit. Shadow had piles of regret that sat just beyond his understanding eyes. His brother Lark, he to had no voice, and yet, all the same, he was gone...

"I could teach you how to signal kitten. you could do your own action to show your prefix." Shadow shifted his head so it looked like he was asleep.

Silentkit, looked puzzled for a minute, but then she stayed silent for a moment and then twisted her head. Shadow looked puzzled. After three more tries, he got it, and he knew he had, because of the excitement that burst onto Silentkits face.

A nex kit came up to Clover, she stayed silent, she twisted her head. Clover winked her left eye and smiled, then she flicked her tail up straight, and then twisted her head. Clover's body then relaxed back to her usual posture. Silentkit looked at the she-kit her expression confused.

"I just signed, Greetings Silentkit." Clover explained with a warm smile.

"My brother told me about you, do you want to learn more?" Clover added.

She could do it! She could - kind of - speak!

She did it again before dashing off to show Emberblaze and Rainshine.

"What is it, Silentkit?" Emberblaze asked, noticing the excitement in her eyes.

Silentkit did what Shadow told her, shifting her head.

Emberblaze clearly had no clue what was being shown to him but praised his daughter, all the same. "Well done!"

When she left, Emberblaze turned to Rainshine. "What was she doing?" He whispered, making sure that Silentkit couldn't hear.

Shadow limped into the nursery, he stood behind Silentkit. Shadow leaned on Clover for support, but he looked proudly at Silentkit. He smiled before explaining.

"She just said her name." Shadow mewed.

Clover flicked winked her left eye then smiled, she clicked her jaw then looked up. Then Clover paused, she looked over a Silent kit who mimicked her. Clover Padded the floor then blew onto the ground. Silentkit mimicked them.

"Now she just signed, Greetings Rainshine and Emberblaze." Clover chirped. Rainshine looked to Emberblaze, Rainshines face started to rain, she pulled all the kits in and thanked them.

"How do I say thank you?" Rainshine asked.

"Silentkit?" Shadow asked.

Silentkit dipped her nose the floor the nuzzled her mother.

"That how we thank a family member, strangers are different, since you probably don't want to nuzzle then" Clover laughed.

Violetkit had been watching a little as the silent kit learnt how to 'talk'. She wondered what it was like for Silentkit. Words came out so easily for Violetkit and she couldn't imagine ever not speaking.

She went back to play with her siblings, noticing them stalking towards Silvermist who was currently having a conversation with Taloncall.

Violetkit joined the game, creeping up on her mother and her friend.

"Hello, little one" Taloncall mewed looking down on the kit.

"Hi!" Violetshine replied.

"Violetkit! You blew our cover!" Spiritkit complained.

"Sorry! He noticed us first." Violetkit defended herself.

"Let's try Elkkit and Ebonykit!" Clearkit decided.

"Alright!" Spiritkit seemed happy with that idea.

"Let's go!" Freekit was making her way towards the siblings.

Violetkit followed, keeping low to the ground as they stalked the pair of kits.

Clearkit bounced with joy as he heard Silentkit speak.

"I can't believe it!" He squeaked. "I taught Silentkit how to speak!"

"No you didn't! Shadow did! He showed her how!" Elkkit meowed crushingly.

"No! I did!"

"No Shadow did!"

"No I did!"

Then Rainshine intervened, "Whats going on?"

"Clearkit thinks that he taught Silentkit how to speak when it was really Shadow!" Elkkit explained.

"I don't think it! I know! I showed her how to move her lips up and down! So I did!"

"Well," Rainshine looked like she wasn't sure how to address them. "Shadow helped her find her voice and Clearkit taught her how to say mother."

Clearkit growled, he like'd to think that he was the one who taught her, not some random kit that they found. Elkkit looked at Clearkit smugly.

"Told ya!"

Cloverkit noticed the two bickering kits, she was debating whether to go over and check it out, but she decided it wasn't worth it. Who really wants the parentless kit anyway... Clover really missed her mom and her other brother, but she was glad Shadow survived, at least she had one other kit to talk to. Silentkit however, that kit felt special, it was like a sixth sense or something, but she could feel a bright future. Silentkit offered Clover and shadow a way to escape back to their home traditions. Clover went to visit her brother.

"Hey, Shadow?" Clover asked.

"Hey, yeah?" Shadow replied.

"Do you think Lark, Meadow, Haybale, Prowl and Flannel are still looking for us..." Clover asked

"Lark probably is..." Shadow said in a hollow tone.

"Did you sense the same missing feeling on him?" Clover asked

"Yeah, what if he's like Silentkit? He doesn't have a voice... if he stumbles across a rouge..." Shadow trailed off, miserable thought infected his mind.

"Don't worry, Haybale and lark were inseparable, I'm sure their together, as for the others... I really don't know." Clover comforted honestly. Clover had got up and began to leave when...

"I really don't want to blame anyone...but I can't help but think Prowl worked for the rouges... he always came back smelling of other cats, yet he always blamed it on a tresspasser he kept finding..." Shadow said grimly.

"I know..." Clover mewed, her eyes were watery, but she left. Then again Shadow was alone

He wasn't alone for long though, Silentkit came in not long after.

"Hello Silentkit" Shadow chirped if a friendly tone

"Since your here I'd like you to try purring. Purring is a vibration, not a voice" Shadow added.

"It like this, it might give you more of a voice... But it will be very limited" Shadow explained

"Like this, I enjoy teaching you" Shadow purred as an example.

Silentkit was with Emberblaze, trying her best to purr. She had done it when she was born, but it was difficult to do on command. She had found that once, when she was really pleased about something, she had felt a vibration coming from her throat, but was that purring?

"Why don't you go and play with the kits, now." Emberblaze asked. "Maybe you could learn more from Shadow."

Silentkit shook her head. She wanted to stay with them and watch her siblings play and interact with the other kits. Part of her also wanted to think about the silver tabby that she had seen in her dreams.

Last night, she'd had a nightmare. She could feel anger and hurt pulsating in every part of her body and saw the silver tabby, smaller than before, hissing at another tabby. Saying insults and hurtful words, trying to upset the other tabby. Then there was a loud crack and the larger cat shoved the silver tabby out of the way, sacrificing herself.

Were those the kind of dreams that kits were meant to have? She felt a strange connection to the silver tabby who she had began to think was called Feathersong. Her father's sister, the one that left.

That was the first time she had seen into the cat's past, but she felt that it wouldn't be the last.

Maybe, one day, she could meet this infamous Feathersong for herself and try figure out the rest of her story.

Spiritkit crept silently towards Wolfshade. She was Spiritclaws, the fiercest and best cat out there, and her father was the world's meanest rouge. Wolfshade was sitting next to Emberblaze, having some sort of conversation about patrols. Spiritkit shared a glance with her hunting partner, Ebonykit. They looked at each other and nodded then launched themselves at their unsuspecting fathers. Emberblaze let out a yowl as he tumbled, trying not to smash Silentkit beneath him. Spiritkit tackled her father, clawing at him with sheathed claws. Wolfshade stood up and tried to shake her off, but she dug her claws into his fur. Then Wolfshade gave a large jump and Spiritkit fell off. She shook the dust off then attacked his tail and bit it. Wolfshade flicked his tail out of harm's way and looked down at her, disapproval in his green eyes.

"Spiritkit! You need to give a cat a warning before you launch yourself at them!"

"But you were an evil rogue!, you're not supposed to give your enemy time to think!"

"I'm not an evil rogue! I am your father who just got back from a hunting patrol!"

Spiritkit looked at her shuffling paws, crestfallen. Silvermist heard the commotion and stalked over to investigate.

"What is going on?"

"Spiritkit launched herself at me and didn't give me any type of warning!"

Spiritkit interrupted, "I was pretending that he was an evil rogue! And you're not supposed to give your enemy's a warning that you are going to attack!"

"She has a very good point! And she will make an excellent fighter when she's older."

"What?" Wolfshade growled.

Silvermist looked at her mate, protective rage in her eyes. Spiritkit crouched down, when her mother was angry everyone better watch out. Silvermist never got angry enough at her kits, but Wolfshade looked like he was going to get it.

"Grow up Wolfshade! She's a kit! Kits attack and have fun! Get over it!" Then the silver and black queen stalked off with Spiritkit in tow.

Wolfshade stared at his mate in shock after she left. Emberblaze gave him a sympathetic glance.

"She is worse than usual! I'm surprised she didn't bite your head off!"

"I wonder why she is so upset!"

"Maybe it's the kits?" Emberblaze observed. "With Rainshine raising three kits she can lose her temper, not as bad as Silvermist."

Wolfshade shook his head, "No it's not the kits, it's deeper than that. She would never get that angry."

"Well why don't you go talk to her?"

"And risk getting my eyes clawed out?!"

Wolfshade thought about it, then decided to take Emberblaze's suggestion. He tentively went to his mate who was in the shadow of the leader's den. Wolfshade slowly approached her, then she surprised him. Silvermist went and placed her head under his chin and twined her tail with his. Her fur pressed against him made him more confindent.

"Silver? What's wrong? I know it's not the kits," then he went on hestitanly. "Is it Feathersong?"

Silvermist broke down and sobbed in his neck, "I miss her so much! I want to go see her but I can't! If Nightstar catches me who knows what he will do to me! Or our kits! I mean, Spiritkit looks just like me! Do you know how many toms she is going to attract? Besides, Feathersong has found a new friend now, but I miss her so much! I'm losing all of my friends! I lost Feathersong then before that Willowcloud!"

"Clearkit looks just like Willowcloud," Wolfshade said.

"I know! I can't even look at our son without tearing up! Kits aren't supposed to see their mothers cry! Especially not me, If any cat saw me cry..."

Wolfshade nuzzled her, "Calm down, we will figure everything out! I promise! Right after you go and relax. I'll watch the kits."

Silvermist lifted her head, "Really?"

"Of course! Go relax! Go calm down."

"Well, I guess I can. Just this once."

Wolfshade nudged her, "Off you go."

"Alright," she looked over her shoulder. "Also, Spirikit just learned how too sharpen here claws, watch out!"

Silentkit was watching, unseen in a bush that she had been playing in. She had heard the name 'Feathersong' and she was instantly listening. She wasn't aware of Silvermist knowing the cat she had seen in her dreams!

Maybe they were best friends or something? Silentkit watched for some time, before going to be with her siblings. She'd had her time of solitude and she wanted to see what they were up to.

All of the kits were playing together, Spiritkit obviously the ringleader of them all. Maybe they were playing 'Warriors'? She came closer to watch, noticing that they were indeed playing Warriors, oblivious to their mother's pain.

She wondered even more who Feathersong was. Trying to piece together her story from what she had seen and heard. Maybe she was once part of SunClan but..died? No, that wasn't possible. Silentkit knew that she was alive. She didn't know how she knew, but it was more than instinct. Maybe she'd find out more in her dreams?

Clearkit padded towards the game his sisters were playing. They were playing warriors, Spiritkit was leader, Ebonykit was deputy. Violetkit was a medicine cat against her choice, Elkkit was a warrior, and Clearkit was a hunter. He had brought back a large ball of moss that the kits had deemed, prey. Clearkit set it down in front of his sister's...er leader's feet.

"I caught this huge rabbit with one paw!" He boasted.

Spiritkit sniffed the ball of moss than hit it away.

"Hey!" he protested.

"I asked for a eagle! Not some measly rabbit! For disobeying me, you will now be exiled!"

"Exiled! Spirikit! Its a game!"

"Yeah? Whats the big deal?"

"Its just moss!"

"Well!" Spiritkit fluffed her fur out. "I am the leader! I am in charge!"

Ebonykit wrinkled her nose, "You know Spiritkit! You're too bossy! I don't want to play with you anymore!"

"yeah! Me too! You don't even let me do anything besides sit in the corner!"

"I quit too! Lets go play somewhere else! Without Spiritkit!"

All the kits shot her dirty looks then scurried away from the little warrior. Clearkit touched his muzzle to his sister's cheek.

"Its alright. They just need time to cool down."

Then he too left his littlemate all alone.

Spiritkit looked lonely, watching the kits run off and play their own game. Silentkit couldn't help but feel pity for the she-kit who looked on the edge of tears.

Yes, Spiritkit was bossy, Silentkit wasn't going to deny it, but maybe the way that they reacted was a little over the top. She didn't really hear what was happening, thinking about Silvermist and Feathersong, but she had heard enough to know the basics of what happened.

She came out, slightly cautious as she was a little afraid of the older kit. She looked up, her gaze clearly stating: Are you okay?

Wolfshade came in, surprising Emberblaze when he noticed that Silvermist wasn't with him.

He didn't want to ask what was wrong, but he was immensely curious. Emberblaze hoped that it didn't show as he settled down in his nests, watching the kits play.

Emberblaze had noticed the kits all running off and leaving Spiritkit. He was about to comfort her but then Silentkit arrived. Hopefully, Spiritkit would accept her company and not be her normal, bossy self. He had been watching for a few moments when Wolfshade had come in.

Eventually, he gave in to his curiosity and asked:

"What was wrong with Silvermist and where is she?"

Wolfshade seemed a little irritated by the questions but responded.

"She's gone to clear her head and watch the kits." He didn't say why she was clearing her head, but it was perfectly obvious that he didn't wish to talk about it.

Feathersong arrived at the camp as the moon was rising. Just a sliver of silver, standing out from the black of night. There weren't many stars out yet, making Feathersong feel that she was alone.

She scanned the camp, hoping that she wasn't out or anything. Then she saw the cat she was searching for. Silvermist was outside, though why wasn't she in the den with her kits?

Then she stepped on a twig, the crack echoing around. Feathersong jumped, cursing silently. She hoped that she was hidden in the dark of the night and she froze, trembling slightly.

Had Silvermist heard? And more importantly, had she seen?

Silvermist was star gazing. The stars glittered and blinked, as cold and hard as ice. Pretty to look at, but useless, utterly utterly useless. The stars reminded the black and silver warrior about Feathersong. The time when she and the sad she-cat spent the night together in the field, each searching for their family members. Then a twig cracked, echoing throughout the camp. Silvermist bared her teeth, unsheated her claws, and narrowed her eyes. She hunted towards the sound, ready to defend her clan. She wouldn't let anything go to harm her kits, she would fight to the death. Then she spotted a familiar cat, the cat was trembling.

"Feathersong," Silvermist hissed.

Her hiss was hollow, Silvermist really just wanted to confront her old friend about her troubles. But Feathersong didn't have any kits, she didn't even have a mate.

"H..hi Silvermist. There is something that I need to tell you..." she broke off as a kit bounced to her mother.

"Mother! Who are you talking t..." then the kit noticed Feathersong. "I know you! You are the cat that made mother cry!"

The tiny kit unsheathed her claws.

"Spiritkit!" Silvermist softly commanded.

Spiritkit jumped and looked at her mother guilty, "Yes mother?"

"What are you doing up? I put you to bed!"

"I heard a twig crack and I decided to investigate it!"

"Spiritkit!" Silvermist let out a warning growl.

"Yes mother," Spiritkit crouched down into submission.

Silvermist picked her daughter up by the scruff and carried her into the nursery, waving her tail to signal to Feathersong that they weren't finished.

You are the cat that made my mother cry! The words hurt Feathersong, reminding her that she was no longer Silvermist's best friend. In her kit's eyes, she was nothing but a cat who upset her mother.

The wait seemed like forever and Feathersong was beginning to wonder if Silvermist would ever return. Soon, she did, this time not accompanied by a kit.

"What is it that you want to tell me?" Silvermist asked.

She couldn't hold it in any longer. "I miss you." Her mew cracked slightly but she continued, forcing herself not to cry. "Ever since you came with your kits, I've always been thinking of you. I don't want our friendship to end. I don't want to lose the one true friend I had..have." The words came out in a rush and she was staring at the ground. There was no mask, nothing hiding how she really felt. Feathersong was exposed, vulnerable, and she disliked it.

"You have Pufffrost." Silvermist's tone wasn't hostile, when she mentioned his name, but Feathersong knew that Silvermist probably wasn't a fan of the black and white tom. Maybe blaming him for the end of their friendship. But Feathersong didn't want it to be the end and she was trying so hard to be the one who brought it back together.

"I think that we're becoming mates or something." Feathersong responded. She still wasn't sure of their relationship status, as both had feelings for each other but hadn't asked the other to be mates. Maybe they were a mix. "Anyway, he could never replace you." The words sounded gushy and pathetic, but she couldn't help them.

She finally looked up, searching Silvermist for an answer. Did Silvermist already have a new friend? Was Feathersong no longer welcome to be her friend anymore?

Silvermist narrowed her eyes at Feathersong. She wasn't surprised about the relationship between Feathersong and Pufffrost. Both cats were too shy to admit their feelings towards each other. Feathersong was waiting awkwardly, waiting for any type of reaction. Silvermist despertaly wanted to believe Feathersong and she really did want to be friends but how did she know that Feathersong was telling the truth. Silvermist had always had trust issues, after she found out that she was half-clan.

"I want to believe you, I really do. And I do miss you too, but how do I know that you aren't lying to me?"

"I guess you don't know. But I promise that I am telling the truth. I may end up being close with Pufffrost but it's just like you and Wolfshade!"

"Here's the thing! Wolfshade and I may be mates and have kits together, and be busy! But I still take time to visit you! I risk my life everytime that I go to visit you! Do you have any idea what Nightstar would do to me or my kits if I am found. Still I go and visit you. And the only reason that you are visiting me is because you're so lonely."

Feathersong flinched as if Silvermist had raked her claws across her muzzle.

Then Silvermist went on more calmly, "Feathersong, I miss you. Please come back home. I want my kits to grow up knowing you. You could be Aunt Feathersong or something. You can come with Pufffrost, I'll be deputy soon. Plus I'm sure that I could convince Risestar."

Her eyes twinkled mischievously.

"Oh no!" Feathersong meowed. "Don't even think about trying to seduce Risestar!"

"I was thinking more of Taloncall but I can try Risestar!" Silvermist purred.

Feathersong relaxed and Silvermist continued on more seriously.

"Come on, please come home. Besides Pufffrost, there is nothing there for you. This is your home, come back please."

Feathersong hesitated.

Silentkit awoke suddenly, her dreams drawing to a close. It was another about that Feathersong cat. She got them almost every night.

The whispering of voices from outside made her realise that Silvermist was missing. Quietly, she got up and headed out to see what was going on.

She headed to where the voices grew louder, a little ways out of camp. Her eyes grew round when she saw who was there.

There was Silvermist talking with a silver tabby with amber eyes. It had to be Feathersong! But it couldn't be. Feathersong had left to be somewhere else. Why was she here? She positioned herself in a bush and listened, curiously.

"I..I can't. I promised myself that I would stay."

"But there is no point to you being there!" Silvermist sounded a little exasperated. "All you have is Pufffrost. Here, you have friends and family."

Silvermist wouldn't understand the reason. Feathersong was almost certain that she wouldn't.

She couldn't live here, with the clan-mates who were unaware that she had killed her own mother and sister. Unaware that she was not actually clan born. Every day, it got harder and harder to breath. She felt trapped amongst her memories and guilt here. Yes, it didn't improve in SkyClan, but she didn't have to see the same faces there every day.

But there was no point saying all of that. "I just can't." She blinked back the tears, staring at the ground and not meeting her gaze. Almost fearing what she would find in it.

Silvermist was almost pleading. "Just come home. I miss you and Emberblaze misses you. If it matters that much, just bring Pufffrost along."

She didn't want to say 'You won't understand.' as it sounded patronising and rude, though how could she get Silvermist to understand? She couldn't.

Maybe she could stay for a little. See how it went. Maybe the pain would've lessened and she would be fine.

"Fine. Only for a day or two." Feathersong looked reluctant, but she was willing to give it a bit of a go.

Feathersong was staying here! Silentkit stared at them in surprise. She could get to know the cat she had seen in her dreams. Partly excited and partly nervous, she carefully returned to her den and curled up again beside Rainshine.

Silvermist was pleased that she managed Feathersong to stay, even if it was a day or two. She still didn't forgive Feathersong, or knew if she was really telling the truth.

Keep your friends close and keep your enemies closer. Was Feathersong an enemy or a friend? Silvermist wondered. She gave a big yawn, showing her needle sharp teeth. Silvermist realized that she was so tired she couldn't even keep her head up.

"We need to find a place for you to rest until we can everything figured out," she meowed.

Feathersong nodded, her own head drooping. Silvermist waved her tail.

"Come, lets go speak to Risestar."

The two she-cats made their way towards the leader's den. Silvermist stopped at the entrance and called softly.

"Yes?"

"Its Silvermist, I have something we need to talk about."

"Come on in!"

Silvermist walked beside Feathersong, pressing her own fur against hers to calm her down.

"Feathersong?" Risestar asked. "What are you doing here? Silvermist? Whats going on?"

Silvermist sat don calmly, "Feathersong needs a break from Skyclan for a while, she is uh having some issues."

"Is this about the war?"

Feathersong shot Silvermist a glance, unsure how to reply. "Um no, its just that I never got the chance to meet Emberblaze's family. And I need to talk to Taloncall, he was in Skyclan with me after all."

Silvermist flicked her ears, Feathersong was good at lying and coming up with excuses.

"She needs a place to rest, we can figure everything out in the morning," Silvermist meowed, then gave a fake yawn.

"Of course, take Feathersong to the apprentice's den, she can rest there." Risestar ordered.

Silvermist and Feathersong both dipped their heads with respect then left. Silvermist led her to the apprentice's den, there was already an aviable nest. Feathersong settled into the moss with a sigh. Silvermist meowed a good night, then left.

Silvermist had gotten back from talking with Feathersong a while ago and was now sound asleep, her gentle snores echoing in the nursery. Spiritkit popped out her nest and quietly prodded her siblings.

"Wake up!"

Freekit was the first one to wake, "Spiritkit! Its moon-high! What are you doing?"

"The evil cat who made mother sad is here! I saw them talking! We must go teach Feathersong a lesson!"

Then Clearkit and Violetkit were wide awake too.

"No one is allowed to make mother sad!" Clearkit hissed.

"Yeah!" Violetkit added, "Mother isn't supposed to be sad!"

"Then follow me!" Spiritkit led the way out of the cozy nursery.

They all scented the air, looking for the evil cat. Violetkit smelled it first. She had one of the best tracking skills in the clan.

"She's in the apprentice den!" Violetkit growled.

"Lets go get her!" Spiritkit took the lead again.

They entered the apprentice's den, Spiritkit spotted Feathersong and pointed her out to her littermates. The four kits stalked up to her, Spiritkit unsheathed her claws and clawed Feathersong on the nose. Feathersong woke with a startled yowl and leaped backwards.

"K...kits? What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?" Spiritkit growled. "You're the evil cat who made mother cry! Now you have to pay!"

"I didn't mean to make her sad. It was an accident!"

Spiritkit could tell that the she-cat was frightened by her fear scent. Spiritkit and her siblings had grown, they all inhearted their father's broad, muscular shoulders. They all had Silvermist's fierce attitude when they needed it.

Freekit fluffed her fur out, Clearkit was growling, and Violetkit had her back arch hissing. They all wanted to attack but instead waited for Spiritkit. Spiritkit felt a thrill running through her body, her siblings look to her for leadership. Spiritkit decided to take it one step farther.

"Attack!"

Silentkit raced towards them, hoping that they wouldn't harm Feathersong. She hadn't slept at all and hearing their plans, she felt obliged to help Feathersong. Even if she was nothing but a small, mute kit, she knew that the kits were stronger than they looked. And they looked strong.

She got there to see the cat staring at the kits with a mixture of fear and surprise. It was almost comical how four kits managed to overpower a warrior.

She stood in front of Feathersong, glaring at them. She felt a connection to the silver tabby and even if she was younger and smaller, she would defend Feathersong.

"Silentkit, get out of the way!" Spiritkit sounded annoyed. "We're teaching the evil cat a lesson!"

Feathersong had already been through enough. Silentkit had seen it in her dreams. The last thing the she-cat needed was this.

She shook her head, her claws unsheathed. Feathersong stared at the kit in surprise.

"She made Mother cry! She needs to pay!" Violetkit glared at Feathersong.

She seemed surprisingly near tears. "I didn't mean to! You wouldn't understand." Feathersong looked at them, hoping for them to see reason. They didn't.

"We understand enough, you evil cat!" Spiritkit hissed.

"I knew that coming here was a mistake." Feathersong muttered to herself. Silentkit managed to hear, but only just. She must've been persuaded to come by Silvermist or something. One way or another, Silentkit would piece everything together.

Feathersong wondered why another kit was there beside her. It seemed to want to defend her. But why? Honestly, Feathersong felt some sort of connection to the kit, but how? Nothing made sense. All she wanted was to talk to Silvermist or Pufffrost.

She suddenly had an overwhelming urge to talk to Dappledleaf. She'd show the kits not to mess with them. But Dappledleaf was dead. Because of her.

"Let's attack!" One yowled.

"But what about Silentkit?" The tom-kit obviously felt more compassion than his sisters, though he was still ready to attack her.

"Just attack. Aim for the evil cat and try just ignore Silentkit." The kit narrowed her eyes before leaping. The others followed behind.

Their claws were pretty sharp. But they were nothing compared to the pain Feathersong felt inside. The kits were right. Whatever friendship she and Silvermist shared was gone. The she-cat obviously didn't really trust her. And the kits thought of Feathersong as some kind of monster. Which she was.

Noticing that the entrance was no longer blocked, she bolted out , leaving the kits in her wake.

"Catch her!"

Feathersong wasn't good at much. Fighting and hunting weren't her talents. But she could run. She had been the fastest of the kits in the nursery and she used her skill to good use. Sprinting until she had left the clan behind. The kits had stopped following, but still, Feathersong ran. She only stopped when her cliff loomed up ahead.

She regained her breath, staring out into the horizon. It was still dark but sun-rise would come soon.

She allowed herself to break down. Shed all of the tears that she had been hiding.

She would return to Wi-SunClan. Just not now.

"Silvermist!"

Silvermist jolted awake, hearing Risestar's commanding call. Silvermist stood up, her whole body aching. Then she noticed her kits, well the lack of them. She felt panic rising and quickly searched the nursery, not finding anything.

They must be out there.

The black and silver queen left the nursery and went outside, Silvermist's heart plummeted. Risestar was standing over her four kits and Silentkit was there. Silvermist noticed that her kits were scared yet triumph shined in their eyes.

"Whats going on?

"Your kits thought it would be a good idea to attack Feathersong. They said that she was an evil cat who made you sad, so they decided to teach her a lesson."

"Where is Feathersong now?" Silvermist asked.

"She left, your kits drove them off."

"And Silentkit was apart of this?" Silvermist meowed in surprise.

"No, she came and woke me up and led me to the den where I caught your kits."

By now all of the clan was awake and was out in the clearing. Silvermist groaned as Wolfshade joined her.

"Since they are kits, I am leaving the punishment to you Silvermist. But I don't want this to ever EVER happen again! Are we clear?" He narrowed his eyes

"Crystal clear."

With a disdaining sniff, Risestar walked away. The kits bounced forwards, ready for praise when their mother exploded.

"What in the name of Starclan were you thinking? You drove my friend off, You attacked her, and Now I am in trouble with our leader!"

The kits instinctively crouched down into submission, each looking at up their mother with scared eyes.

"What you were thinking?" Silvermist's growl was dangerously low. The clan cats backed up, ready for Silvermist to attack something.

Spiritkit started to explain, "Feathersong made you cry, so we wanted to make her pay for hurting you."

"Yeah," Clearkit meowed bleakly. "Mother isn't supposed to be sad. You're only allowed to be the fiercest warrior ever, you're supposed to be our mother."

"Yes I'm fierce and can be sharp, but that doesn't mean I don't have any other feelings."

Wolfshade let out an exasperated sigh, "Yeah and right now we are feeling angry! Very angry!"

Silvermist let out a growl and picked up Spiritkit by the scruff and tossed her into the nursery, hard but not hard enough to hurt her. She did the same with the rest. Then she climbed into the nursery.

"Your punishment is no food today and no milk. And you will stay in the nursery for three days unless I say otherwise," Silvermist growled.

Spiritkit looked like she wanted to object, but then Silvermist shot her daughter a look so fierce that even the most powerful warriors would tremble. Spiritkit dipped her head and went to her nest, wrapping her tail over her nose.

Eventually, the flow of tears died down before finally stopping. Feathersong assumed that she would look a mess so she decided to stay a little longer. Just so that her crying for the rest of the night wasn't noticeable.

After some time, she was ready to return back, though fear pounded in her heart. The clan was probably awake by now-Emberblaze included. What would happen?

Not to mention the fact that Silvermist probably thought that she was never returning.

She ducked her head in hope that they'd think her as just a silver warrior and not the cat that ran away and left her clan.

"Is that Feathersong?" She heard a voice meow.

"I think so."

"What's she doing here?"

"Didn't she abandon her clan?"

"So did Taloncall but he's back now."

Feathersong tried to ignore the whispers that erupted from all around her. There was one cat who she wanted to see. And he was by the nursery, watching what must've been his kits.

"Emberblaze." A cat, who Feathersong recognized as Rainshine, nudged the dark ginger tabby. He looked over, following her gaze.

"Feathersong?" He stared at her before a relieved grin spread across his face. "I thought that I'd never see you again!"

"I'm not here for long." Feathersong made that clear. "I can't stay for longer than a few days."

Emberblaze knew what Feathersong was on about and nodded. "I understand. Why are you here?"

"Silvermist persuaded me. I don't know why though as we're not friends anymore."

"How come?" Emberblaze got up and muttered something to Rainshine. They went to a quieter part of camp and talked there.

"She doesn't trust me. She has said nothing but I've seen it in her eyes. She's..not like the cat I used to know." A single tear dampened the ground and Feathersong didn't even bother hiding her feelings. "She says that she misses me but I don't believe her. Then her kits tried to assault me and this kit came over."

Emberblaze failed to hide his amusement. "Silvermist's kits tried to attack?"

"It isn't funny!" Feathersong snapped. "Anyway, there was this kit there that stood beside me. I think it is called Silentkit. For some reason, I kind of got the feeling that I've seen her before. I don't know why."

"That's weird." Emberblaze remarked. "Anyway, let me introduce you to my kits. Silentkit, Elkkit and Ebonykit."

Elkkit sniffed the newcomer, "Who's this?"

Silentkit poked her with her nose then pointed at the new cat then pointed at Emberblaze then at a feather.

"Feathersong? Emberblaze's sister?"

Silentkit nodded.

"How'd you get all of that from her pointing at a bunch of random things?" Rainshine asked.

"Siblings have that special connections. We can read each other's minds." Ebonykit explained.

Emberblaze cleared his thought, "Kits, this is Feathersong my littermate."

Then Ebonykit gave a shrill shriek at Silentkit, "You have already met? When? And why didn't you tell us?"

Silentkit just shrugged. Then Emberblaze, Rainshine, Feathersong, and Silentkit all had a conversation. Elkkit tuned out and went back to the nusery where she knew Silvermist's kits were waiting.

"It's just not fair!" Spiritkit complained. "We were helping her and-Oh hello, Elkkit." She stopped mid-rant, noticing the younger kit come in.

"Hi, Elkkit." Violetkit greeted the other she-cat. "Why are you here?"

"To save you from dying of boredom." Elkkit seemed to be only half-joking.

"You've come just in time. Spiritkit was about to drop dead." Freekit mewed, looking over at Spiritkit

"What should we do then?" Violetkit asked.

"I don't mind." Clearkit replied. Freekit and Elkkit just shrugged.

"Maybe War-"

Violetkit interrupted, "Not Warriors. Unless someone other than you is leader."

"Fine." Spiritkit didn't look happy about being bossed about. "Let's sneak out!"

"Sneak out?" Elkkit repeated. "Silvermist's watching."

"Yeah, but when she goes to the dirt-place, we can go out. Maybe even catch a mouse to make Mother forgive us!"

Violetkit wasn't sure if she agreed or not. But she didn't like being in trouble. "Sounds good to me." She decided.

The others seemed fine with it, if a little nervous.

"How's Pufffrost?" Emberblaze attempted to make small talk.

"Been passed out for ages." Feathersong replied. She didn't say why, but to her relief, Emberblaze didn't ask.

She kept looking down at the kit who was sitting with them. She wasn't playing with the others or by herself. She acted like a mini-warrior already. Emberblaze had told her that Silentkit was mute and that was why she was so..silent. Feathersong wondered what it was like, being mute.

"Is your new clan nice?" Emberblaze asked, subtle emphasis on 'new clan'.

If Rainshine and Silentkit weren't there, she would've said how nothing had changed with her nightmares, memories and everything that she had tried to leave behind still clung to her. But she had to just give a simple answer. "It's alright."

"Feathersong" Pufffrost shouted as he ran into camp.

"You here?" Feathersong mewed surprise in her voice.

"Of course, I gotta keep my title in check" Pufffrost mew jokingly, Feathersong turned her head.

"You know, the random cat that follows you around, nevermind..." Pufffrost had never been good at jokes, so he decarded the "joke".

"If you wanted to stay here, I would have come anyway. I don't leave friends..." Pufffrost said softly.

"Isn't that wonderful..." Silvermist grumbled.

"Isn't it!" Wolfshade said cheerfully, he clearly hadn't picked up the bitter joy in Silvermist's voice.

I thought it would be a fun dynamic of like Pufffrost and Wolfshade becoming best buds lol, the pipsqueak and the buff :P

Spiritkit bounced up and down, Silvermist wasn't in the den anymore and neither was Rainshine or Emberblaze.

"Are you sure about this?" Clearkit asked. "I don't want to go without food or milk for two days."

"Of course I'm sure! Now would you be quiet?"

Clearkit snapped his mouth shut and waited for Spiritkit to lead the way. Spiritkit sniffed the air then led Elkkit, Clearkit, Violetkit, and Freekit outside the den. They went behind the nursery where there was a hole in the camp wall. Then Violetkit stepped on a twig and it cracked.

"Shh!"

"Be quiet!"

"Violetkit! Do you want to be caught?"

Violetkit didn't say anything back. The kits soon broke free and ran as fast they could, Spiritkit in the lead. Then they stopped.

"I smell something! It smells like a rabbit but bigger!" Violetkit had her nose in the air.

Then Spiritkit spotted a reddish browinsh tail whisking away, she pointed, "Look! Its huge! Mother will be so proud!"

The kits ran over to the red creature, Spiritkit bared her teeth at it. The animal turned around and growled at the kits, Spiritkit tremebled.

Then Elkkit shrieked,"Run! Into that rabbit hole!"

The kits followed Elkkit to the rabbit hole, just barley managing to fin inside. The animal started digging and snapping its jaws at them. Spiritkit was so close to the animal that she could smell its meaty breath.

"I want mother!" Spiritkit wailed. "I wanna go home!"

Then Silvermist appeared, as if she had heard Spiritkit's cry. Spiritkit watched her mother fight the animal. Her mother was fierce, just like everyone had told her. Silvermist delivered a couple of blows then jumped back to avoid the snapping teeth. The red animal connected a blow on Silvermist's stomach but she never wavered. Spiritkit covered her face in the dirt and waited for the fight to die down.

Soon Silvermist poked her head into he hole, "Kits, the fox is gone."

Spiritkit hesitantly went out first, followed by the others. Silvermist gave them all sniffs.

"Everyone alright?"

The kits nodded, too tired to speak.

"Good, let's go back to camp." Silvermist led the way back home, limping.

"How'd you know that we left? And that we were in trouble?" Clearkit asked.

Silvermist glanced at him, "I'm your mother, I always have one eye on you. I knew that you were leaving camp, I followed you."

"And this is the apprentice den," Wolfshade wrapped up his tour.

He was showing Pufffrost around the camp against Silvermist's judgement.

Where is Silvermist anyways? He wondered.

"Wolfshade!" He heard Feathersong calling him.

Wolfshade whipped his head around to see Silvermist and his kits and Elkkit limp into camp. He rushed to his mate's side.

"What happened?"

"Kits found a fox, I drove it off." She tried to raise her head proudly but it dropped.

Then she fainted, Wolfshade turned her over to see blood pouring our a wound on her stomach.

Feathersong was instantly running towards Feathereyes, Wolfshade staying by Silvermist.

"Is she alright?" She asked, her eyes full of worry. Even if Silvermist disliked her, Feathersong would never stop caring for her once-best-friend.

"She'll live. It's a deep bite but it probably won't get infected."

"But there is a chance of it getting infected?" Wolfshade seemed equally worried about the injured she-cat

"A chance, yes, but it's a very slim one."

They managed to get Silvermist into the medicine-cat den and Feathereyes was able to begin treating Silvermist.

Silentkit was in the nursery, mentally reminding herself of what the herbs were called when Wolfshade, Feathersong and Feathereyes came in with an unconscious Silvermist.

Could she help? She rushed forward, wondering if there was anything that she could do.

"Not now, Silentkit." Feathereyes told her, wrapping cobwebs around Silvermist's wounds. "Go play with the other kits."

A little hurt, she trailed out of the den, going to listen to Spiritkit's exaggerated version of what happened.

Pufffrost though originally he was going to fear Wolfshade, but they seemed to have the same relationship problems. Or at least Pufffrost newfound relationship, both the she-cats were friends, both were feisty, both were snappy. Pufffrost never knew he could find a new friend.

"That's Taloncall over there" Wolfshade pointed out, Pufffrost asked about the tom earlier on.

"And he became deputy again just like that?" Pufffrost exclaimed.

"Unfortunately" Wolfshade muttered

"Tell me about it," Pufffrost agreed.

"He taunts me seeing him all happy around Silvermist, I just want to claw that grin off his face" Wolfshade growled half-heartedly

"You should have seen him before though, he was a mess" Pufffrost admitted. The two cats fell silent.

"Yeah" Wolfshade reluctantly agreed.

Feathersong wasn't sure what to do. Pufffrost seemed to have forgotten his reason as to why he came, trying to befriend Wolfshade. Not that she minded. Maybe she could just visit her cliff. It was closer to the WindClan camp than the SkyClan one, so she could go for longer.

She decided to go, unaware of the small kit following in her wake.

Silentkit noticed Feathersong leaving and decided to go and maybe follow. It was boring in SunClan and she wanted to find out more about the cat she had seen in her dreams. Maybe Feathersong recognised her? That was an exciting thought.

She trailed behind the silver tabby as she headed through the moors. Silentkit noticed how she seemed a little sad, looking at a cliff that overlooked yet more hills and woodland. Why was she sad?

Silentkit looked up, feeling amused as surprise passed the she-cat's gaze.

"Silentkit, were you following me?"

Silentkit nodded. She turned away, following Feathersong's gaze as she looked over the landscape. Why was she here? It seemed quiet and peaceful, but there had to be more reason for her coming here. Maybe she had gone there before? But why? Maybe to escape her clan? Silentkit had no idea.

Feathersong was a mystery and Silentkit was determined to figure her out.

Pufffrost felt bad giving Feathersong space, but he had also made a new friend. Hopefully, Feathersong also was having a good time catching up with Silvermist and what not.

Feathersong wasn't having a good time. She was planning on leaving the next day as the trip had resulted in nothing but misery for herself and Silvermist. Sure, she would miss Emberblaze, but she didn't want to be here for much longer.

She watched the sky as the sun slowly set and Silentkit stared at it, transfixed by its beauty.

"Silvermist and I used to come here sometimes." Feathersong told the kit, quietly. It was as if anything too loud would break the moment.

Silentkit didn't answer, her piercing blue gaze fixed on the silver tabby.

Feathersong could tell this kit all of her secrets and none would be spilled. Not that she was going to. The kit wouldn't understand anything about her past which was anything but a good one.

"We'd sit here and gaze up at the stars, each of us searching for a loved one amongst the sky." Her voice cracked and tears welled up in her eyes at the memories and she looked away, watching the sun slowly turn red as it sank below the horizon. Within minutes, it was gone, dusk hanging over them like a darkening blanket.

"I miss being friends with Silvermist." Her voice was barely audible, lost in the breeze, but Silentkit seemed to have heard. "But I don't think that she misses me. For good reason." Her voice hardened and she tried to ignore the tears on her face. "I screwed up her whole life. That is why I'm leaving tomorrow when the sun rises."

Silentkit shook her head, staring at Feathersong with a look of pleading. She seemed to have grown attached to Feathersong in the brief time they had spent together.

"I'm sorry but I belong here as much as a hare belongs in a tree." She stood, preparing to go back. Silentkit copied her, standing up and preparing to go back to camp. "Let's go. Hopefully, the clan will be asleep now."

They walked back together, Feathersong managing to compose herself and get rid of her tears before they arrived.

"Silentkit! Oh, thank StarClan you're here!" The voice of Emberblaze cut through the quietness of camp. Rainshine was beside him and Feathersong noticed Ebonykit and Elkkit run out.

"I'm sorry. She followed me." Feathersong's voice was still a bit husky but no-cat seemed to notice. They were too pleased to have their kit.

"Why didn't you take her back?" Rainshine asked. Her voice wasn't hostile, but there was a small sharpness to it. Feathersong could understand. Their kit had been missing and maybe presumed dead, and it turns out that she was simply with another cat.

"I.." Feathersong didn't know how to answer. Instead, she began making her way to the apprentices' den. Curling up in the same, lonely, spot as last night. There were no apprentices and Feathersong felt alone and cold, a chilly breeze coming through the gaps in the den. Obviously, it hadn't been used for some time and needed a little repairing done to it.

When she was cold, as a kit, Mother wrapped herself around Feathersong, purring softly until she fell asleep. Dappledleaf also used to curl up with her on cold leaf-bare nights. It wasn't leaf-bare yet, but it was still cold. But Dappledleaf and Mother couldn't do much now. Thanks to Feathersong, they were dead.

Crying came easily and Feathersong curled up tighter, sobbing silently into her pelt. Last night wasn't so bad as she fell asleep instantly. Now she couldn't sleep, stuck in an empty den with no-cat there.

It was different in SkyClan when she slept alone. Here, she couldn't really sleep outdoors and she was covered in darkness, magnifying her solitude. Eventually, she decided to just go to the one place that offered her comfort.

She exited the den after some time, the sky black and filled with stars. The camp was empty and she soundlessly crept out. She headed to her cliff, checking to make sure that Silentkit wasn't there, and sat there.

Feathersong scanned the sky, though there was nothing of her Mother or Dappledleaf. She longed for them right now. She had pushed Dappledleaf away in SkyClan and now, all she wanted, was to see her one last time. To apologize to both her and Mother.

She recalled the last words she had hissed at her mother. If she could, then Feathersong would take those words back.

Here, she eventually managed to sleep. Alone, but...

Night had fallen and Pufffrost found Feathersong, he joined her in the apprentice's den. The howling wind whistled as it blew threw the den. Pufffrost crawled up beside the she-cat. He watched her looking for signs of a nightmare, none. With the knowledge that Feathersong was dreaming made him relax. Soon the tom drifted asleep, hopefully he would be able to sleep in. Or maybe awake at the same time as Feathersong, he missed her company. No one knew but he truly missed when he and feathersong would spend the long days together.

As the sun rose higher, Feathersong awoke with Pufffrost by her side. For the first time, here, she hadn't had any nightmares. That was pleasing but worrying. What if that meant that she was meant to stay here? Yes, the memories and whatnot had gradually began improving, but she still didn't feel like a SunClan. Or a SkyClan cat. Her mother had probably been a loner and that was what Feathersong wanted to be. Maybe leave with Pufffrost before the battle and just never return. She felt like a dog tied to a post; always able to be outdoors, but never able to enjoy it.

Pufffrost awoke as she was getting ready to leave. He gave a large yawn and they both came out together. She had missed spending time with Pufffrost. She hadn't realised that until she awoke with him by her side. She still was unsure of her relationship with the tom, but, honestly, she didn't care. She didn't need a stereotypical relationship with him and was perfectly content with how they were currently.

Feathersong hadn't seen Silvermist for a while, though. She was always in the nursery or with Wolfshade. Maybe she was doing it deliberately so that she could avoid her old friend? Though that seemed unlikely as it was Silvermist who had invited her to stay. Today was the day that she was leaving, going back to SkyClan for a bit before leaving all of the clans before the battle. Feathersong didn't know if Pufffrost was planning to return after the battle but she definitely wasn't. She didn't belong in the clans and longed for solitude- more or less. Frequently though, she was lonely, but that was only when she was missing Dappledleaf or Mother.

She didn't feel that hungry and just sat there, chatting to Pufffrost as he ate. The kits were still sleeping, as were many of the warriors, and Feathersong expected to instantly be met with Silentkit when she awoke. Surprisingly, she was looking forward to it.

Pufffrost didn't even want to return to Skyclan, they were dead to him. They were traitors to their clans, maybe Feathersong felt the same. Somehow Pufffrost wasn't satisfied, clan life wasn't suiting him as it had before feathersong. Feathersong brought a new perspective on life. Pufffrost often found himself dreaming about the days when all he and his family did was roam. Roam and roam, he yearned for the feeling of no need for responsibility. The way the only thing you had to worry of was water, food and shelter. No clan duties, just free, or as free as free gets.

Silvermist was back in the nursery after spending a couple of nights in the medicine cat den. Her stomach was still patched up with cobwebs, making her unable to feed her kits. Rainshine had been feeding her kits as well as her own, making her exhausted. Seven kits was too much for Rainshine ad it showed. Silvermist hadn't seen Feathersong after the fox attack, Silvermist wanted to go see her but was told not to leave the nursery. Silvermist cursed softly under her breath, Feathersong would probably be leaving soon to go back to Skyclan.

"When do you want to leave?" Feathersong asked Pufffrost, her eyes still fixed on the opening in the nursery. Silentkit wasn't out yet and neither was Silvermist.

"Whenever you want to." Pufffrost replied.

"I thought that you might've wanted to stay. You and Wolfshade seem to be pretty good friends." Feathersong doubted that he wanted to stay, but there was a part of her that expected it.

"No." Pufffrost gave a small sigh. "Clan life just isn't for me, anymore."

"Oh." Feathersong didn't know what to say. She agreed, but she hadn't expected him to say it first. Her entire speech that she had been mentally planning about becoming loners had gone to waste. "I agree," She said, simply.

Pufffrost looked pleased that she also wanted to leave. "I hoped that you would."

Suddenly, a calico kit burst out of the den, racing towards Feathersong at top speed. Her eyes shone as she only just managed to stop in front of her. In Silentkit's jaws was a soft, pale grey feather that almost matched the lighter shade of fur on her pelt. Obviously, the kit had been searching for a perfect feather for a while.

"Thank you." Feathersong, slightly bemused, took the feather and set it beside her.

Silentkit's gaze ventured to Pufffrost, wondering who he was.

Clearkit had started coughting. Silvermist looked on with disguesed worry, her son had started coughing a day ago but she took thought he swallowed a feather or something. Black spots had also appeared on Clearkit's nose. Silvermist licked her son's head, trying to cool him down. He wouldn't feed, he wouldn't play, and he had a hard trouble breathing.

I give up, its time to see Feathereyes.

Silvermist had been avoiding going out of the nursery, remembering that Pufffrost was there with her best friend. Silvermist picked her son up by the scruff and carried him outside, it was lightly raining. Cats were huddled in their dens watching the rain fall. Silvermist skirted by a puddle and noticed Feathersong out of the corner of her eye. She kept going until she reached the den, she set her son down.

"Feathereyes?"

"Silvermist? What brings you here?"

"Its Clearkit," Silvermist fretted. "He's sick."

Feathereyes put her ear to his chest and listened, then checked his eyes.

"I'll give him some Jupiter berry, but he should stay here until he is better."

"But he's my kit. I'm just going to leave him here!"

Feathereyes looked at her with her blind eyes, "Do you want your other kits to get sick too?"

"No," Silvermist said reluctanty.

"Good, now leave."

Feathersong watched Silvermist hurry out of the nursery, Clearkit in her jaws. He looked smaller, scrawnier and she could just about make out some black dots on his nose. Though Silvermist rushed to Feathereyes so fats that Feathersong wasn't sure if she had seen the black dots or not.

That was the first time that Silvermist had ever ventured out really since she got injured by the fox. Obviously, she had been allowed out for some time, as she had come to get prey a few times, but why wouldn't she come to see Feathersong? She didn't want to be clingy or anything, but Silvermist was the only reason she was staying for a bit longer. Well, that and letting Pufffrost stay with Wolfshade. The two seemed to be good friends and Feathersong felt a stab of envy every time she saw them.

Silvermist hadn't come to see her. Feathersong was staying for a little longer, trying to grab at an opportunity to speak to her about something. Get to the bottom of why she seemed..different. As if she didn't quite trust her old best-friend. But why? Silvermist knew almost everything about Feathersong, yet she knew nothing of Silvermist's past. There had to be more reason to her lack of trust for Feathersong.

Feathersong would stay long enough to talk, and then go. She wasn't leaving without knowing what was up with Silvermist.

"Mother! Where's Clearkit?" Silentkit heard Violetkit ask. Clearkit had caught a cold or something and the kits didn't really play with him. Silentkit was worried for the tom, but tried not to show it as openly as the others. Silvermist probably didn't need all of the worry and tactless questions. But that didn't prevent the fear, increasing every day. He hadn't been healing so as a last resort, Silvermist had taken him to Feathereyes. Silentkit wanted to go and watch, but she didn't want to interrupt Feathereyes treating him.

Silentkit slipped out of the nursery, going to visit Feathersong. She was talking to that tom, Pufffrost, again. That didn't deter her, however, as she searched for another silver feather. She had been giving Feathersong one every day, sometimes two if she found some good ones.

It always made the silver tabby's eyes light up slightly, changing her often miserable look. She kept eyeing the nursery where Silvermist was, her tail twitching with noticeable impatience. But why? Feathersong wouldn't understand her silent talk, and Shadow wasn't around to help her explain it if she messed up.

Slentkit picked up a large grey feather in her jaws. It was darker and bigger than she wanted, but was the best that she could find. She stumbled a little, making her way towards Feathersong.

She proudly displayed her feather, looking up with bright eyes.

Feathersong looked down, though to Silentkit's surprise, she showed little gratitude and resumed talking to Pufffrost. Her eyes didn't light up like they were meant to and the feather lay, discarded by her feet.

Hurt, Silentkit turned away and stalked off, taking the feather with her. Small tears pricked her eyes but she forced them away.

Why didn't Feathersong like the feather? It wasn't good enough! Silentkit felt happier when she knew why. Next time she would find the bestest feather ever!

Though looking over at the downcast she-cat, Silentkit wondered if it would ever cheer Feathersong up. She seemed to be waiting for something, looking for Silvermist. Maybe instead of a feather, Silentkit could bring Silvermist out to talk!

Feeling more joyful, she headed back into the nursery to try and get Silvermist out. Feeling little jolts of excitement, she thought about Feathersong and her eyes lighting up. Silentkit would finally make her happy again!

Spiritkit rolled a moss ball in between her paws bored. Mother said she couldn't go outside because it was too wet and too cold. Violetkit was talking to Ebonykit, her tail tip twitching excitedly. Freekit was napping after a long night of tossing and turning, Elkkit was giving herself a bath, Rainshine was talking to Emberblaze, Wolfshade was outside of camp probably with Pufffrost, and mother was staring at the nursery entrance. Spiritkit let out a long sigh and rolled onto her back, stretching. Then Silentkit ran into the nursery, grabbing Silvermist by the tail and trying to pull her outside. Spirikit perked up.

Tug-O-War!

Spiritkit bounded over to join the fun. Silvermist turned around and tried pulling her tail free.

"What are you two doing?"

Spiritkit dropped the tail, "Playing."

Silentkit shook her head and ran from Silvermist to the entrance and back again. Silvermist tilted her head in confusion.

"What?"

Spiritkit was equally confused with the mute kit. Silentkit ran to Silvermist to the entrance and pointed at Feathersong.

"You want me to go outside?" Silvermist asked.

Silentkit gave a nod and pointed at Feathersong again.

"You want me to go outside in the rain and talk to Feathersong?"

Silentkit nodded, happy that she managed to get the message acrossed. A cloud of doubt passed through Silvermist face so fast that Spiritkit wondered if she imagined it. Silvermist seemed to be debating then gave a slow nod.

"Okay." She turned to Spirikit, "Stay here."

"But I want... okay." she meowed sulky when Silvermist narrowed her eyes in disapproval.

Silentkit led the way outside when Wolfshade and Pufffrost returned, they walked over to Feathersong. Spiritkit noticed her mother's hesitation.

"Maybe I should stay here so I can watch my kits," Silvermist explained.

Silentkit shook her head and tried to nudge the black and silver queen to the group. Silvermist gave a sigh, but strong determination sparked her gaze and she followed the little kit.

Feathersong was out in the rain, a little lonely as Pufffrost had gone. She was pretty much the only one in the camp; others were either in dens or out of camp as most disliked the rain. Yes, Feathersong didn't love it, but she didn't really mind.

"Feathersong?" A voice made the tabby jump. She turned around and was surprised to see Silvermist, her pelt already soaking with the heavy rainfall.

"Silvermist, why are you here?" Despite the fact that she had been waiting for this moment, she didn't feel at all comfortable about it. What was she going to say? What if Silvermist got offended? What if Silvermist truly hated her?

"Silentkit dragged me over here." She shot a glance at the kit, who was sitting beside Silvermist with an innocent expression. "Apparently, she wants me to talk to you."

"..There is something I have been meaning to ask you about." Her voice was hesitant and quiet. One thing stood out in her mind, drowning out the what-ifs: How did Silentkit know that I wanted to talk?

"What is it?" There was a slight note of impatience in Silvermist's voice and Feathersong suppressed a small smile. Silvermist obviously hated rain.

"Do you..not like me anymore?" She cringed at the words, as soon as she spoke. That sounded so kittish. Like an upset kit who overreacted over the slightest thing.

"Of course I like you." Was Feathersong imagining it or was there a slight hesitance to her voice?

"You've been acting like you don't trust me and I..I thought that I had done something wrong. Have I?" She sounded silly and pathetic, but she was unable to help it. "Or have you been hiding something from me. Is that why you don't trust me? You know almost everything about me and yet I know nothing about you."

She didn't look up from the ground, afraid of what she'd find in Silvermist's eyes.

Here we go kits, almost caught up to current time two more chaps then the story is up to date