Fawnkit opened her eyes. Brilliant light shone on her young eyes. She quickly closed them again. Taking a deep breath Fawnkit opened them a crack. Dandelionpuff stirred and looked down at her kits. "Ahh… young one you've opened your eyes!" she exclaimed.

Fawnkit scrambled over her littermates trying to get out of the nest. "Where do you think you're going," Dandelionpuff meowed picking her up by the scruff and placing her next to her littermates.

"I just want to go and explore!" Fawnkit meowed, not deterred by her mother's tail blocking her way. Dandelionpuff sighed and said "You must wait until your brothers have opened their eyes. I don't want you wondering out in camp all on your own."

Scoping up a wad of moss Dandelionpuff tossed it in front of Fawnkit. "Play with this until your brothers are ready to explore my little warrior," Dandelionpuff purred. Fawnkit looked at the moss and tapped it with her paw. It started to roll away. With a soft growl Fawnkit leaped at it, but overshot and landed awkwardly on her side. Scrambling clumsily to her paws Fawnkit crouched down and leapt at the moss, this time catching it between her front paws. Purring with satisfaction, Fawnkit threw the ball high up in the air. It fell and landed on Thornkit.

"Hey!" he squealed opening his eyes for the first time. Thornkit looked around, wonder in his amber gaze. Fawnkit leaped at her brother from the edge of the nest bowling into him. Dandelionpuff let out a low growl and stood up causing the two kits to tumble to the edge of the nest.

"Alright you two may go outside. But do not stray far from the nursery," Dandelionpuff said emphasizing the word 'not'. Fawnkit unscrambled herself from her brother and raced out of the den, Thornkit hot on her paws. Together they scrambled from the nursery and bowed right into a massive golden tom.

"Fawnkit, Thornkit! You've opened your eyes!" he rumbled.

Fawnkit lifted her eyes until they could meet the toms gaze, "Are you Lionshine?" she squeaked.

"Indeed I am young one," he replied bringing his muzzle down to lick the top of her head.

Thornkit's eyes grew wide and he ducked behind his sister and squeaked, "So you're our father?"

Lionshine dipped his head. "Yes Thornkit. I have meant to come visit you sooner but I have been caught up in some very important warrior duties," he murmured with a hit of regret in his voice. Looking around Lionshine asked, "Is Jupiterkit out of the nursery yet?"

Fawnkit perked up, "No he hasn't opened his eyes yet so mother sent us out to play to allow him some peace and quiet." Dandelionpuff poked her head out of the nursery and said with a hint of fear, "Lionshine can you please go and retrieve Dewdrop from his den!"

"What's wrong," Thornkit asked looking towards his mother as Lionshine raced across the clearing.

"Nothing you need to worry yourself with Thornkit. Take your sister and head over to the elders den. I'm sure they have a story or two they could share," Dandelionpuff said softly.

Thornkit nodded his head in agreement, excitement lighting his amber gaze as he turned towards Fawnkit and said, "Race you to the elders den."

"You're on," she replied.

Ducking under tails and weaving around paws the two kits raced across the clearing to the elders den where Squirlflight and Leafpool were sharing tongues with one another. Just then Lionshine, Dewdrop, and Grasspaw raced across the clearing towards the nursery.

"Come inside young kits. I have a story for you that will make your pelts crawl," Squirrelflight said trying to distract the kits. Just then Jayfeather padded out of the elders den.

"What is all the racket out here," he meowed crossly. Sniffing he turned his blind gaze towards the kits. Eyes flashing Jayfeather went perfectly still. He was staring straight at Fawnkit.


Dun dun duuuuuuaaahhhhh!

More coming to you all soon!