"So what are we going to do?" Foxpaw asks, staring at both me and Cloudeyes. It was midday, and Onekit and Dapplekit were snoozing in their ground den. It had been a few weeks since I had my visit with Snowfur-my true mother-and the kits had grown exceptionally. They could be left alone for small amounts of time now, which allowed us all to hunt more frequently to keep up with the dawning cold.

"I think we should leave," I announce. "We are not Clan cats anymore. We have nothing left here. Clawstar is taking control, and we are not strong enouh to fight his rule. We must go."

"Go where?" Cloudeyes butts in. Her eyes are wide with emotion. "We have nowhere to go. We do not know what is beyond this territory. Maybe there is nothing, and we will starve! Besides, I can't go without Spiritkit."

I feel bad for my adoptive mother, I really do, but I know it's in our best intrest to leave.

"If we stay, we will die," I murmur sadly. "Winter is coming, and there is liittle to eat here in the willow tree forest. And Vinetail said that she would care for yours and Windclan's kits, yes? She will care for them, and she will someday find us again."

"I agree with Tinypaw," Foxpaw adds. I send him a look of gratitude, and he smiles back before looking at Cloudeyes. "The kits are old enough to survive the journey, and I'm positive there is a place for us somewhere beyond here. I can feel it."

Cloudeyes gives a saddened sigh, but admits defeat. "All right, we'll go," she agrees, eyes dull. Her voice trails off when she speaks again. "I only wish there was a way we could wait for Spritkit..."

As if on cue, Cloudeyes' kits begin to mewl loudly within her den. The black she-cat perks her ears and goes Iinside to feed and comfort them. I feel a small jolt of longing as I see the way she cares for them. She really did love them. Unfortunately, I would probably never have any of my own.

The thought gets me thinking. Would Foxpaw want kits some day? Would I be a good mother? What would they look like? Would they be a perfect mix of their parents, with red ruby fur and bright dazzling eyes, or would they look just like one of us, maybe with silky white fur and and little pink noses and..

"Tinypaw?"

Foxpaw's voice breaks me from my daydreaming, and I offer him a small smile. "Sorry, I was just thinking."

Foxpaw doesn't say anything, but gives me a questioning look. I just shake my head. "Nevermind. Nothing important."

"C'mon, what wrong, Tiny?"

The mutter of my nickname makes me soften, and I shrug slightly in embaressment. "I was just thinking abouts kits, is all. Cloudeyes loves them so dearly. I was thinking about what would happen if...if I...If I had some someday."

I look away so I don't see Foxpaw's expression. He comes to sit beside me, though, and when I look up, I see he is smiling.

"I know," he says, and for that moment I feel he really did uunderstand. "I've always wanted to be a father. We're so young, though, Tinypaw, and with everything going on..This isn't the best time. I know you'd be a great mother, though."

I feel my heart sink in disappointment, but I nod slightly. I understood, and I agreed. It didn't help the longing, though.

"Someday, Tinypaw," Foxpaw says. "Someday..."

-()-

The sun was just rising the next morning when Foxpaw, Cloudeyes, the kits and I decided to head out. We all agreed that it was better to leave early, as that way we could make a camp somewhere before sunset, and we would have all day to travel. Already my paws ached from the journey.

"I wonder if this forest will ever end," Foxpaw muses as we walk. I shoulder him and snort.

"We're the ones carrying the kits, Foxpaw," I mumble through Onekit's fur. Cloudeyes grunts in agreement. I suppose that meant she was tired too. After all, we'd had little to eat the last few days. It was taking its toll on us.

"I did offer to hold one," Foxpaw points out, and I feel slightly guilty.

"Sorry," I say. "It's the nerves. And the hunger."

Foxpaw nods but then gives me a slight shoulder bump to let me know he forgives me. The rest of our walk proceeds with a calm silence, and I would have been perfectly happy with that had a loud yowl not stretch over the treetops a moment later.

"What was that?!" Cloudeyes cries, setting Dapplekit onto the ground. Foxpaw's ears perk along with mine and we both tense, ready to fight if need be, even though I knew I could barely take a cat at full health and I was certainly not my usual weight..My little bit of training would be hardly any help in a fight now.

"Cloudeyes, take the kits," Foxpaw commands, and she does. "I'm going to investigate. Tinypaw, you stay here and protect them if need be."

I stutter, "What? B-But-"

"No buts. You'll be fine, love," my red tom says, and his little nickname gives me chills. I wanted to show him that I could take care of myself for once.

Another cry reaches our ears, followed by some crashes. I give Foxpaw a worried look, but he ignores me, heading deeper into the trees without pause. It was then I realized what I had not noticed before.

Foxpaw, no matter how much he denied it, was the perfect warrior. He was willing to risk his life for the safety of others, but he avoided conflict when he could. He knew when he needed to be fierce, but he also knew when he needed to be merciful. He was strong yet compassionate. Fighter yet protector. Warrior yet I knew then, with all my heart, that I loved him for it.

Moments later, Foxpaw walks back through the trees. Behind him is Vinetail, Spiritkit clutched ever so gently in her jaws.

"Clawstar's troops," she explains, and I feel my heart sink as I take in all her bleeding wounds. "He's looking for Outclanners. He wants to kill us all."

"Don't worry," Foxpaw grunts, and there's something like protectiveness in his eyes. "I won't let that happen. Nobody, including Clawstar, is ever going to hurt my clan agaim. I promise you that."

Clan. He called us his clan. I felt my eyes fill with tears.

"We know, Foxpaw," Cloudeyes seems to be speaking for me. "Or should I call you Foxstar?" There's a smile on her lips.

"I could get used to that," Foxpaw grins, and then his eyes turn soft. He was looking at me.

"So could I," I say, and then I jump up and lick his ear fondly. "Now, let's get the heck out of here before Clawstar finds out his cats aren't coming back. Lead the way, my fox."

"As you wish, my little vixen."