"How could the two of you hide my kit from me?! She's not only yours! You could have at least told me about her! I thought I could trust you two. I guess I was wrong. My own mother and mate! How could you?" cried Cloudtail.

"Cloudtail wait!" called Brightheart, but Cloudtail had already walked away. Brightheart ran after him.

"Cloudtail! Stop! I can explain!" called Brightheart. Cloudtail turned.

"What can you explain? Why you and Princess are hiding my kit from me? Leave me alone! Go away!" snarled Cloudtail. Brightheart was stung by his words. Surely he couldn't be this angry! Brightheart hoped he would understand when he knew why she had done what she did.

"Cloudtail, I can explain why I hid Frostkit from you! If I hadn't she would have died like Oakkit!" cried Brightheart.

"What? What do you mean? Why would Frostkit have died?" asked Cloudtail.

"She wasn't strong enough to survive the leaf-bare cold. She was barely stronger than Oakkit. I couldn't let her die like Oakkit. Just after you left, I realized that medicine cat or no medicine cat, he would never survive. I was hoping for at least two kits to live out of the three. I was going to get her from Princess when she was stronger. Please believe me!" wailed Brightheart.

Cloudtail padded back over to her.

"I understand. I'm sorry I reacted so badly. We need to at least tell Firestar about Frostkit."

"You're right. I hoped you would understand."

"Now that I know why, of course I do, you stupid furball! Come on, let's get back to camp. Whitekit needs us. Sandstorm probably isn't very happy to be taking care of her for you while you're out here."

"You're right. Let's go!"

When they got back to camp, Firestar was waiting for them.

"Firestar! We need to talk to you. Alone," meowed Cloudtail.

"Is this about your kits?" asked Firestar.

"Yes," replied Brightheart.

"My den," answered Firestar simply. Once they were in Firestar's den, Cloudtail and Brightheart began talking.

"Oakkit, as Cinderpelt may have told you, died before we could get him back to camp. Whitekit is here, I'm assuming in the nursery with Sandstorm, Orangekit, Squirrelkit, and Leafkit," began Cloudtail.

"Yes. Sandstorm will take care of Whitekit until you return," answered Firestar.

"Whitekit and Oakkit weren't my only two kits," meowed Brightheart, "there is a third. A she-cat that I named Frostkit."

"A third! Where is Frostkit?" asked Firestar.

"With Princess. Just after Cloudtail left to get Cinderpelt, I realized that with or without her, Oakkit would never survive in the leaf-bare cold. Before she got there, he died. Frostkit was the second kit. She wasn't much stronger than Oakkit. She would never survive the leaf-bare cold in the forest either. I did what I had to." Brightheart paused.

"Where is Frostkit? What did you do with her?" asked Firestar anxiously.

"I left her with Princess. When she is stronger, can she return? Or will she have to stay with twolegs? I didn't know what else to do. Cinderpelt doesn't know about Frostkit. Only Princess and us know. Please, Firestar. Will you let Frostkit come back when she's stronger?" meowed Brightheart.

"I let Cloudtail come back when he went to the twolegs, didn't I? Well, I guess that was Bluestar, but I wanted him back, didn't I? How is Frostkit any different? She can come back when she's stronger if she wants. But we will not force her to come back. It's her choice." Answered Firestar.

"Yes, Firestar." Meowed Cloudtail and Brightheart together.

"Good. Brightheart, you should get back to Whitekit. Sandstorm can't take care of her forever." Firestar reminded her. With a quick goodbye, Brightheart left Firestar's den and raced to the nursery. Whitekit was curled up, asleep, next to Sandstorm.

"Hi Sandstorm. Thanks for watching Whitekit for me while I was burying Oakkit and talking to Firestar. How is she?" meowed Brightheart.

"You're welcome. She's adorable. I almost wish she were mine. Whitekit's doing fine. She gets along well with Orangekit, Squirrelkit and Leafkit. They'll have fun playing together later. I can't wait until they open their eyes!" Sandstorm replied.

"I know! It's going to be so much fun!" exclaimed Brightheart.