Chapter 1

“Mommy, why did we leave?” I asked in my tiny kit voice.

“Spottedkit, we left because the leader exiled us.” My mom said.

“Okay, I just wanted to know.” I said, stumbling along with my mother. We were crossing the thunderpath when it happened. I heard a monster getting nearer. My mom urged us on. I was the only one who made it across. My two siblings and my mom didn’t get to the other side.

“Mooooommmmmm!” I screeched. I stumbled alone through the lush forest. I heard some rustling in the bracken. Four cats stalked out of the bracken. It was four full grown cats.

“It’s a kit. This kit smells of Shadowclan and reeks of the thunderpath.” One of them, a tabby tom, growled.

“Let’s take it back to camp.” A she-cat said more gently.

“Fine, we’ll take it back to camp, then Firestar can decide its punishment.” The tabby growled. I stumbled along after them into a hollow of stone.

“Firestar, we found this in the territory. It smells of Shadowclan.” The tabby said. A flame colored tom bounded down a rock ledge.

“What are you doing out alone?” Firestar asked me.

“My leader exiled my mom, my two sisters and me. They died being hit by a monster. I came to your territory on accident. I’m sorry for trespassing.” I said.

“What’s your name and what clan are you from?” He asked me.

“My name is Spottedkit and I was from Shadowclan.” I replied. The clan had gathered and were now staring at me. I gulped and looked at the orange tom and him only. His gaze softened.

“What did you say happened to your sisters and your mom?” he asked gently.

“They were hit by a monster while we were traveling through the twoleg place, so I came back here.”  I said, gulping.

“Ferncloud, do you think you could handle one more?” He called.