Mossheart shook his head, “Are you sure?” “Of course. It was hard for them to warm up to Troutstar and Lakenest, but they eventually did.” “Uh-huh… You know I'm not staying here, right? I have to go home.” “Why?” “I have a Clan, a mother, friends…” He sighed, resting his head onto his front paws with a frown. “But… Don’t you like it better here? We have plenty of prey and herbs, and we all respect each other.” “It just… Even with you all, I love you all, but I feel so, so homesick…” He flopped down. “I bet it’s safer here… Didn’t you say that your parents were against the Warrior Code? Wouldn’t that mean that the Clans would drive you out anyway?” “I'm not sure.” He shook his head and sat up. “I think it’s fun having someone new here.” “I guess so… I’m sure other Kittypets will join you.” “So you won’t stay?” “No, I can't.” Smoke sighed. “At least you’re here for now.” “Yes….” He nuzzled him. Smoke smiled as Dusk walked over. Smoke purred. “Hello, Dusk.” Dusk slithered out of a bush. “

“Greetings.” Troutstar watched from a den as the black fluffy she-cat sat down next to the two toms. Larknest sighed and sat next to Troutstar. “Hello.” He said. “Are you okay dear?” “Yes. Why do you ask?” "You look ill.” “I don’t feel ill.” “If you say so… But you're getting as old as time…” Troutstar folded his ears back and huffed. “Are not.” “Are too.” “Then I’m not much older than you.” “I have a few moons left.” She croaked out a laugh. “So do I!” “Maybe less than I thought.” The brown tom frowned. “What are you trying to say?” “Our time is coming soon… My bones are frail, I feel weak.” “Don’t talk like that!” Troutstar said surprised. “Why not?”

“We still have moons longer to live! And what about our kits?” “They can go on without the husk of bones we are slowly turning towards.” “But what about all of these cats! And…” He started talking in a quiet voice. “Maybe I want to visit Fadedclan.” “Should we ask Mossheart…?” “Sure.” She swooped down towards Mossheart and his new friend. Smoke was sleeping, with his forehead on his paws. Mossheart was following, sunbathing into a dream. Larknest huffed out a sigh, and prodded Mossheart and Smoke’s side. Smoke looked up tiredly. “May we all chat?” Dusk yawned. “Sure.” “Dusk, would you like to accompany me and my mate to go back to Mossheart’s home?” “You mean like… To a Clan?” “Yes…” “Sure!” She jumped up onto her paws. “Thanks! We should get moving… Tomorrow?” “Sounds like a plan!” “Woah woah woah.” Smoke said, standing up. “Are you really sure that’s the best idea right now?” “Why not?”

“Blossom told me that Clan cats are vicious towards cats outside of their territory. And it wouldn’t really be a great time for Mossheart to rejoin his Clan.” “Yeah…” Mossheart frowned and shook his head. “Hmmm…” Troutstar frowned. Blossom rounded towards them, “Let’s wait a little while.” “Well… I guess that would be fine.” *** It was a silent day for Meadowclan. Light rain drizzled onto the repaired dens, only a mouse caught by Lionpaw was the only freshkill they were able to get. Ripelily laid bitterly in her nest pile, stuck in her own oblivion. Every cat was too busy for her, she was just a near distraction. She heaved a sigh as large balls of water splashed her. Heartpelt walked into the Elders den, carrying a thrush. “Ripelily.” She mewed. “I got this for you.” Riplelily smiled. “Thank you. Can you set it in front of me?” “Sure!” The pretty calico she-cat said, gently laying the prey in front of the Elder. Riplelily ate and with a stuffed mouth. “Do you think you can stay here for a bi

“Ok. I wouldn’t mind.” Heartpelt laid down, across from the Elder. The Elder smiled softly. “Tell me about the kits.” She twitched her tail with a soft smile. “Well, Safekit’s doing well, even though she’s blind, and Splashkit is very eager to become a Warrior. Lionpaw’s training is going well.” She rippled in pride, bursting into a loud purr, “How great!~ How old is Safekit and Splashkit?” “Two moons, I’m pretty sure.” “Oh how cute! I wish I could see them.” “I could bring them here sometime.” “Oh please do!” She smiled. “I could do it now, if you’d like.” “Be my guest.” Heartpelt got up and swiftly padded into the Nursery, where Safekit and Splashkit were sitting with Sunfur, who had to watch over them while Amberface was in the Medicine den. Splashkit whined, “Where's mom?” “In the Medicine den.” “Why?” “She’s sick.” “Let me help her!” “I’m sorry, but you can’t. Ripelily wants to see you.” “Why?!” “Because she hasn’t met you yet.” “Erm.. Alright… May I see my mother first?” “Sure! You

both can.” Splashkit nodded and ran into the Medicine Cat den. His eyes darted for his mother. Safekit slowly followed, twitching her whiskers. “Mom?” The gray she-cat raised up her head from the corner of the den. “Splashkit?” “Yes?” “And Safekit?” “Yep.” Answered the small black and white she-cat. “Are you okay?!” Amberface smiled. “Yes, I’ll get better soon.” “What illness do you have?” Flytail padded into the den. “She has a fever, and a possible Whitecough.” “Have you tried Lovage?” asked Splashkit, “With Bright-Eye flowers?” “How do you know what herbs those are?” “Yes. When mixed together they lower fever and soothe coughs.” “When did you learn all of that? I’ve never teached it to you.” “I overheard you,” He smiled, “One day if Safekit gets sick, I want to be the Medicine Cat and save her.” “Oh well… That’s nice but… I’m still young enough to not need an Apprentice.” “So?” “So you won’t be a Medicine Cat.” “You never know.”

“Meadowclan doesn’t need more than one Medicine Cat at the moment. Plus, you two are only two Moons old.” “I’ll be one when I'm older.” “You’ll have to be a Warrior.” “I’ll run away!” He hissed. He stalked off and away, upset. “Splashkit!” Safekit complained, following her brother. “We need to see Ripelily.” “Later!” “But she wants to see us now!” “Finee.” He whined, and walked back to her. The black and white she-cat padded slowly over to the Elder’s den.

Chapter 10:

Chapter 12:

EEEEE!!!!!