Chapter Two

Skykit had gotten used to being alone after a few more days had passed. By now Redflower had completely gotten rid of her. Brackenkit and Leafkit had turned their backs on her every time they played. She tried joining them every now and than, only to be pushed away by Brackenkit.

Frostpelt's kits had finally arrived as well. She had three little gray kittens, each ranging different shades. One was a lighter gray tom, another was a gray she-cat, and the third was a dark gray tom. Skykit had offered to watch over them while Frostpelt went to stretch her legs every now and than. And she loved watching over them. Their names were Cinderkit, Rainkit and Stormkit.

When she wasn't watching the kits, Skykit found herself listening to the elder's stories more often than usual. It was a good way to pass the time, and she enjoyed hearing their tales. Quailnose had gotten used to her constant visits. The old cat seemed to think it was just her being helpful. But in truth Skykit was trying to avoid the nursery.

She was afraid Redflower might attack her again. So far her 'mother' had avoided her at all costs. But Skykit knew that sooner or later Redflower would look for an excuse to attack her. Frostpelt had asked why she avoided the nursery when Redflower was around. Skykit wasn't sure how to answer her question, for she was afraid Redflower would just use that as an excuse to hurt her.

"Come on lazy furball, we're going to explore the entrance of the main camp," Leafkit mewed, prodding her brother with a paw. Skykit was sitting not far from them, listening with keen interest. They were told not to go anywhere near the entrance, for fear a fox might show up and attack them.

"Just let me sleep in," Brackenkit grumbled, swatting away her paw. Leafkit only rolled her eyes and suddenly pounced on him. Skykit watched in amusement as Brackenkit struggled to push off his smaller sister. Leafkit may be small, but she didn't let her size get the better of her.

"Stupid furball, time to wake up!" Leafkit nearly yowled, causing Brackenkit to jump in surprise. Heartbeats later and Skykit could hear wails coming from the nursery. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes when she realized Leafkit's yowl had woken up Frostpelt's kits.

Brackenkit was finally wide awake though, and as he got to his paws Leafkit was already halfway across the cave. Skykit narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. She knew how much trouble they would get into if they were caught that close to the entrance. Maybe she should follow them just in case.

Carefully she picked her way towards the camp entrance, hiding behind rocks and inside crevices so no one would see her. To the cats of CaveClan, her white pelt stood out. That was why they thought she would be a queen for the rest of her life. But she was going to prove them wrong.

"Look at that white stuff covering the forest," Leafkit mewed when they reached the entrance. They were lucky. Their pelts blended in so that they couldn't be found so easily. As Skykit followed Leafkit's gaze, she noticed that the forest was covered in what the elders had called snow. "What do you think it's called?"

They obviously haven't been around the elders long enough, Skykit thought. As she watched the white flakes fall, she realized just how easily she could blend in with it. That would give her a huge advantage when it came to hunting. The thought made her fur prickle with excitement.

"I think Rustpelt called it something… something like shno." Skykit stifled a purr of laughter at Brackenkit's response. Leafkit looked at her brother in excitement. "He says that schno is wet, cold and fun to play in."

"Great StarClan, what are you kits doing out here?" Skykit flinched when she heard Ferntail's voice. She looked around in time to see the light brown tabby approaching Brackenkit and Leafkit. Then Leafkit turned her gaze over to Skykit, who was still standing there with her pelt bristling slightly.

"We were only making sure Skykit didn't get into trouble," Leafkit meowed, blinking innocently at Ferntail. Skykit could only gape at Leafkit as Ferntail glared at her.

"What were you thinking?" Ferntail snapped at Skykit. "If you had wandered any further you could've have been lost in the snow!" Skykit found herself glaring at Leafkit. How could the cat she once called her sister betray her like that?

"I was the one following them," Skykit retorted, letting anger draw out her voice. Brackenkit narrowed his eyes at her while Leafkit simply shook her head.

"Enough, this has to end now," Ferntail hissed. Without warning she grabbed Skykit by the scruff and carried her all the way back to the nursery. Leafkit and Brackenkit trotted after her, tails swinging with happiness as they avoided getting scolded. "Maybe next time you will learn better than to disobey Clan rules."

Skykit could only stare at Ferntail as she stalked away. Leafkit and Brackenkit had already made their way back to Redflower as their mother gave them soothing licks. The silence was almost piercing as Skykit curled up nearby.

All she wanted was a family that actually cared for her. And the more she thought about it, the more she realized she would never get that again here.

"Skykit, why don't you stay here with me," Frostpelt suddenly suggested. She looked at the white queen in surprise before padding over.

"Are-are you sure?" she asked warily. She was almost afraid Frostpelt would hurt her like Redflower had.

"Of course," purred Frostpelt. "Why Redflower won't take care of you is beyond me. But I won't let her hurt you."

"Thank you," Skykit sighed in relief as she curled up beside Frostpelt. She was careful not to hurt her kits.

"It's the least I could do after you watched over my kits," Frostpelt reassured her. "Now get some rest, I'm sure that tomorrow will be a better day for you."

Skykit found herself lolled to sleep as Frostpelt rasped her tongue over her ears. For the first time in moons Skykit had gotten a full night sleep.

AN: Sorry for the shorter chapter, but unfortunately the beginning is always shortest when it comes to my writing. Things will pick up in the next few chapters, so no need to worry :) And thank you everyone who reviewed, I really don't have time to respond so I'll just leave it at a thank you. I really do appreciate them and hope you're enjoying the story so far!