Icekit stared off into the blackness of the nursery. Should she believe what Jaypath told her? Did she really have a special destiny? Icekit closed her eyes. Maybe if she went back to sleep, she could see Jaypath again. After all, she had so many more questions to ask! She rested her head on her paws and curled into a tight, fluffy ball. Unfortunately, no matter how hard she tried, sleep refused to come. Icekit stood up and shook the loose moss from her pelt. Then she padded silently out into the clearing. Icekit swung her head from side to side as she searched the camp for a good sleeping place. She could sleep by the hollow tree-trunk with the elders, but their snoring would probably keep her awake. She could try the apprentice's den, but she might get in trouble. Frustrated, Icekit swiped the air with tiny, unsheathed claws. If only it weren't so dark! Then she would settle for a nice patch of moonlight. Icekit scowled and stomped over to a small tree on the edge of the camp. She dropped into a sloppy hunter's crouch, and "stalked" it. Then she reared up and sunk her claws into its soft bark. Proud of herself, Icekit flicked her tail and began to climb. Halfway up the tree, two branches met in a fork, and their was an old abandoned seagull nest that looked like a great place to sleep. Icekit placed one paw in front of the other and started to haul herself up to it. Out of breath, she finally reached the edge of the nest and spilled into it. The seagulls had really done a good job. Even though the nest was old, the sticks were strong and tightly woven. There was even a thin layer of feathers to complete it. Icekit settled down into the feathers and took some deep breaths. It was so peaceful. She rested her head on some seagull fluff. The stars were out, the nest was soft, the clan was sleeping, and some snow crabs were scuttling along the shore. Icekit began to drift off. It was starting to snow, but the feathers preserved body heat well. It wasn't long before she slipped into unconsciousness.

Icekit jumped awake. Someone was calling her name! For a moment she forgot where she was, but then all the events of the previous night came flooding back to her. Unfortunately, she didn't get to talk to Jaypath again.

"Icekit, can you hear me?" Skyhawk called. He sounded worried.

"I can hear you." Icekit called back as she hopped out of the nest and began to climb down the tree.

"Thank Starclan!" Skyhawk exclaimed when she reached the ground. "I thought you had run away!"

Icekit ran over to him. "I wouldn't run away!" she exclaimed indignantly. "I just decided to sleep in that tree."

Skyhawk nodded. "Okay, but next time you need to let someone know were you are."

"I will." Icekit promised.

"Hey Skyhawk, are you coming or what?" Mintpaw called impatiently from the camp's entrance. Skyhawk dipped his head to his daughter and padded out the entrance with Mintpaw. Just as they left, Rainstorm rushed past Icekit with a bundle of herbs in his jaws. He hurried to the elders den and disappeared inside. After a little while he popped back out and ran into his den. Then he reappeared with more herbs and hurried into the warriors den. Icekit sat down to watch as he repeated this process with all the other dens. When he finished, he padded up to Icekit and pressed his ear against her chest. Icekit gave him a weird look. "Uh... what are you doing?" She asked him. Rainstorm didn't move. "I'm listening to your breathing."

"Why?" Icekit asked suspiciously. Rainstorm straightened up. "Just a precaution." He said as he gave her some of the herbs he was carrying. "Chew and swallow. I don't think you need them, but it's better to be safe than sorry."

Icekit sniffed the herbs before she licked them up. "What are the herbs supposed to do?" She asked after swallowing. Rainstorm looked down at her. "Greencough has broken out in the camp. Those herbs will help protect you from it." He told her. Then he stood up and dipped his head. "Now if you'll excuse me; I have work to do." He said as he padded towards his den. Icekit jumped up, "Wait!" she called. "Who has Greencough?"

Rainstorm didn't answer.

Sorry. This is a really bad chapter. I tried to make it longer, but it didn't turn out so well... Do you guys think it's a good enough length? As usual, please review and tell me what you think!

P.S. You really need to read "Dark tides". Animaneya is an awesome writer!