Prologue
Four figures slowly slump threw thick mud. "I don't see why we have to patrol through this." Ivypaw, a black tom complained. The two older toms ignored his comment merely flicking an ear to his attitude. "I'll have to clean my pelt all over again!" A calico she-cat, Dewpaw added. The leading tom, a black tabby, swiveled his head back glaring at the two. "Hush up both of you! I've had enough of your complaining! Patrolling is to remark our borders and to ensure the safety of our clanmates, you know that!" Bowing their heads the apprentices shut up, sulking as they trudged on. It's not every day you get yelled at by the clan leader.
"Hold on. Darkstar I smell rouge." The other tom, Tornear, a tan tabby, cautiously glanced around. "Are you positive?" The tom nodded glaring slightly as Darkstar turned. "Ivypaw, you and Tornear check around here for anything that might tell us why or who was here." Darkstar commanded. "Dewpaw and I will mark the borders."
Each cat went to do their separate duties. It was routine until Ivypaw unexpectedly yowled in surprise. All cats rushed to him to see a squirming kit in his jaws. "Ivypaw! Where did you-" Darkstar trailed off as his eyes glanced over to a still heap of fur. "Well… Shall we continue?" Tornear cleared his throat awkwardly.
Darkstar sent him a glance straightening his shoulders. "Very well, pass the kit over Ivypaw." Bowing his head Ivypaw set the kit by Darkstar's paws. "Tornear, you lead the patrol while I take the kit back." Flicking his tail Darkstar commanded Tornear with a stern tone. Tornear narrowed his eyes slightly stepping closer to his leader.
"Darkstar, surely you aren't suggesting we… take this kit in? Are you?" Tornear stared at the black tom. "Of course I am, her name is now Fogkit. And you will be her mentor." Tornear gaped as Darkstar grasped the small kit in his jaws and padded towards camp. The tom glared, slowly trotting along the border. Ivypaw and Dewpaw glanced at one another as they followed the growling tom.