Through the heavy snowfall, a small, green-eyed shape bounded forward. Her tiny white pelt blended in perfectly with the white flurries, the only thing visible being her bright green eyes. She pelted through the falling flakes, determination in her narrowed gaze as the taunts came back to her mind.

"I bet you couldn't even reach the ThunderClan border!"

She could just imagine the satisfied smirk upon Stormkit's face. Her sister had once again proved that Icekit was a failure. "I'll show you," the kitten growled to herself, trying to ignore the white clouding her vision. "I'll show you and all of ShadowClan what Icekit is capable of."

With that statement, the white furred kitten of ShadowClan continued her short bounds through the heavy clumps of frozen water. Cold flakes dotted her pelt which she promptly ignored. Sure, the cold air was getting to her, but reaching the border was far too important. Her remaining pride was on the line. Using less than graceful springs, Icekit raced past snow covered pine trees, her warm breath evaporating in the air. More than once she stumbled either over her own clumsy paws or over the concealed roots of the surrounding, ominous trees.

By now, her paws were beginning to ache. Never had she run this much in a short amount of time in the nursery. She was used to short games of chase that usually ended quickly leaving plenty of time for rest. And never had she played these types of games with her littermates. For unknown reasons declared by Littlebird, Icekit had a harder time breathing whenever exercising too much or being out in the cold. Already, Icekit had halted her strides, currently propped up against a sturdy pine tree and breathing heavily. With each short breath, she exhaled a shrill wheeze, the energy to move dwindling.

"No," she protested to herself, coughing and wheezing again. "I have to show Stormkit. I have to prove that I can reach the ThunderClan border. Maybe then, I'll be noticed. Maybe then, Pinestar will make me an apprentice. Yes. I must continue." Despite her aching paws and heavy chest, Icekit surged forward through the snow showers, pain however clouding over the determination in her eyes.

"Ouch!" she yelped suddenly, her left paw stinging with raw pain as it fell into a sheltered hole made by some burrowing animal. Hopping around to examine it, Icekit figured she wouldn't be able to put any weight on it for it had been sprained. "StarClan forbid," she sighed in defeat, sitting herself down to recover her bearings. "If only Littlebird was here. No matter, no injured paw is going to stop me from reaching the border. How far is it?" Her dark green gaze floated from tree to tree, now trying to figure out which way the border was. She furiously looked for her pawprints but was left aghast as the snow had quickly hidden them.

Worry flashed through her round, green orbs, her pelt now shuddering. Panic surged through her body and she started hyperventilating. In seconds, her breathing was once again shortened and followed by pained wheezing. "No no no no no no no!" Icekit wailed, cold tears streaming down her face. "I can't be lost! No! Stormkit! Snowwing! Pinestar! Anyone! Take me back! I can't be lost! Please!" The sobbing kit collapsed, wheezing and coughing, eyes glued shut with pain.

"There there, young one," a soft voice reached her ears, an overly warm embrace surrounding her. "You're safe now." As the previously wailing kit looked up, her green eyes met a soft blue. She glanced around to see she was embraced by a large white and gray tom tom. The tom in question bent down to lick the top of her head. "You are far from camp, little one, but I am here to guide you back. StarClan wishes not for you to join their ranks today. Come, we must return."

Icekit found herself able to stand, forgetting about her injured paw as the large tom nudged her forward. As she took several steps through the snow, it was clearly revealed that her paw had not been experiencing pain although the kitten paid little to no attention to it. The snowy duo walked through the drifts, leaving Icekit to wonder why the snowfall had began to slow. No longer was it a blizzard, it was instead a light drizzle.

Very soon, the camp's entrance came into view. Icekit was overwhelmed as she sprinted ahead, wailing for her mother. From the shadows emerged a lithe white she-cat who quickly wrapped herself protectively around her kit. "Icekit, you're back. Please don't ever leave again."

"I promise mother," Icekit promised, her green gaze floated back to the lightly falling flurries, spotting a starry-furred tom. "Thanks!" she called and received a nod in return before the StarClan cat faded from view, a heavy blizzard now taking his place.

"Who are you talking to, sweet?" Snowwing asked her daughter, releasing her from a tight hold.

"A friend," Icekit smiled, still staring where her guardian had disappeared. She sneezed once and wriggled away from her mother. "Come on! I'm cold!" She only made three steps before yelping, "Ouch!"

"Icekit! What is it?"

"My paw!"

So now she remembers, the starry feline chuckled. Good luck dear Icekit. Remember what lesson has been learned today. I wish you a safe journey through life and look forward to seeing you again. My beautiful daughter...

-Snarky (Redpaw of LeafClan)