Prologue

Darkness Shrouded over a silent forest. No moon let its snow-white glow touch the bare ground

of the forest. The wind shook tree branches and tore the loose ones off like paper as a

monstrous storm approached. "Pinestar, It's happening your mate is kitting!" A grey tom cat blue

eyes and white underfur meowed with excitement to an all-brown tom with amber eyes who

looked up at the young warrior. The lead tom questioned the warrior in disbelief, "Is it true

Slatestone?" The brown tom couldn't believe that now of all times his mate would have her kits.

The young grey warrior answered him, "Yes Pinestar, Snowclaw is kitting right now!" The

leader's eyes grew wide and he smiled at the thought of being a father. "We must get over to the

nursery the kits might have come by now," the grey warrior continued. The lead tom sighed,

"Okay Okay I'm coming Slatestone." Young cats can never be patient these days, he thought.

They padded through the pitch black bramble structure that formed their camp. When they

arrived at the nursery, they were met by a gorgeous calico she cat with mint green eyes.

Pinestar look at her nervously and meowed, "How is she, Mapleeye?" The calico purred with

happiness, "Congratulations Pinestar, you have a beautiful she kit!" Pinestar looked at

Slatestone. "Unfortunately, the other two other kits did not survive," Mapleeye meowed with

sadness. Pinestar looked at her as she continued, "I'm so sorry Pinestar." Slatestone looked at

Pinestar. He didn't seem concerned about the loss, but a hint of sorrow could be seen in his

eyes. "May I see Snowclaw?" Pinestar asked. "Of course," The calico meowed. Pinestar ambled

into the nursery and saw his beloved she cat. He nuzzled her and shared tongues with her.

Then his gaze fell on a reddish-brown kit with a white underside. "Her name is Redkit," the

snow-white she cat meowed to her mate. Pinestar smiled at the juvenile she kit and he saw

great strength in her. He was proud to be the father of such a beautiful kit. Let's hope she

survives this Leaf-Bare. I can't imagine losing this strong kit, he prayed. Redkit indeed…