________________>>Prologue<<________________ Three moons ago, a medicine cat had gotten a prophecy. A few cats born against the warrior code would save the Clan. A day later, the medicine cat fell in love with a cat from a different Clan. Then it all happened: She had kits. In panic and confusion she threw her kits over the border and ran back into camp, panting. "What's wrong?" someone asked. "N-nothing," the medicine cat stammered. "Just tired from... Uh... finding herbs?" The warrior frowned. "Why would you be running finding herbs? And you don't even have herbs at all." "Someone stole them," the medicine cat blurted. "They chased me and I had to give them up." The warrior studied her between narrowed eyes. Finally he relaxed and nodded dismissively, walking away slowly. "I'm watching you," he hissed. The medicine cat glanced at her paws. Her sister, Silverfur, said, "What was that about, Lightpelt?" "Nothing," Lightpelt thought about saying. But she could trust her sister. "I had kits," she whispered quietly, and Silverfur's eyes widened as she told him the whole story quietly. "I think he suspects me," Lightpelt finished guiltily. "I don't know what to do to hide my secret." Silverfur burst into laughter. "That warrior's just a gossiping ball of fur. Nobody's going to believe him." Lightpelt shared Silverfur's smile but felt the guilt stabbing her like thorns. What if someone did believe him? She might have to leave her Clan. She shivered. Silverfur looked at her, concern in her blue eyes. "Look, Lightpelt. I promise, I won't tell anybody." Lightpelt sighed. "I know that, Silverfur. But what it gets around wrong?" "They'll be wrong," Silverfur said firmly. "And if they think it's true, I'll be there for you." Lightpelt licked her sister happily. "Thank you, Silverfur. I couldn't ask for a better sister." For the first time that day, she let herself hang out with Silverfur and just hunt in peace, but she couldn't get the thought out of her mind that her kits could die without her protection. She whispered to herself, "What would they do?" That night, Lightpelt dreamed that her kits were on the edge of a gorge. She tried to reach out and rescue them, but their shrill, pitiful wails faded as they fell into the gorge. "No!" she yowled. "I've lost everything. Don't let me lose you too!" She woke up. Silverfur murmured, "Remember, Lightpelt. Whatever you lose, you still have me." Next:
