Stormkit was frozen in fear. Mudkit had been so close to being an apprentice, Heatherstar only had to say a few more words.

What had we done to make them attack? Stormkit thought in confusion, jumping out of the way as a ShadowClan warriors leapt at her, claws unsheathed. She flinched as another one scratched her ear.

"PREY-STEALERS!" A light gray tom was attacking the deputy, Featherfall. Featherfall seemed to be managing fine on his own, and as Stormkit watched, his mate Fernheart leapt next to him, and together they fought the warrior.

The ShadowClan tom let out a screech as Fernheart landed a blow on his leg, and he limped out of camp, hissing at Mudkit, who was clawing the tom's tail.

Pinetail rushed toward Mudkit. "Don't you dare hurt my kit!" She yowled in fury, raking her claws down his side. Blood dripped from the wound, but he returned the blow with a swift bite to the neck.

"Mother!" Stormkit stumbled forward, only to be swatted back by a ShadowClan apprentice. At the same time, Stormkit saw Thunderheart racing towards Pinetail. As if he had grown wings, he flew over the commotion to rescue his mate.

As Stormkit watched the fight, she didn't notice another warrior reaching out to grab her. She felt sharp pain in her neck, and turned her head to see a ShadowClan cat gripping her by the scruff. "Put me down!" She squealed, although she knew she probably sounded like a feeble kit.

Before she knew it, she was flying through the air, and hit the fallen tree. Pain throbbed in her head, making her dizzy, and time seemed to stop as everything turned black.

*****

Light began to ebb into Stormkit's vision. Pain was everywhere, yet nowhere at the same time. A calming silence filled the air, and everything was blurry.

"Whe-where am I?" Stormkit stuttered. A dark shape stood over her. As her vision began to clear, she could make out the cat's features. It was a fluffy pale gray cat.

"Hush, little one," a gentle female voice sounded. "You're in the medicine den." That...that makes sense... Stormkit thought. "We were so worried about you. Everyone thought you were dead."

Suddenly everything came flooding back to her. "Who won the battle?" Stormkit gasped. She attempted to sit up, but darkness faded into her vision, so she slumped down uselessly.

"We did," another she cat said. "I'm Lightpaw, Moonwing's apprentice by the way."

Lightpaw hesitated for a moment. "Some of our warriors have-" her voice began to crack. "-died."

"What?" Stormkit exclaimed.

"Sparrowmoon and Berryfur." Lightpaw replied.

"I never really knew them." Stormkit admitted. "Wasn't Sparrowmoon Thunderheart's brother or something?"

"Yup," Lightpaw said, and pushed a ball of moss towards Stormkit. "Drink." She ordered. Stormkit nosed it, and licked a few drops of water from it.

"How long have I been asleep?"

"From about sunhigh to sunset."

"Were Mudkit, Splashkit and Springkit made apprentices?" She asked, hoping the answer was no.

"No. Heatherstar said that we wouldn't have the naming ceremony until you were awake. Mudkit wasn't happy about that."

"What did I expect from him?" Moonwing snorted, returning to the den. "He's stuck up like the rest of your siblings." Lightpaw nodded in agreement and wandered off. Moonwing examined Stormkit. "I think you're all good. You can leave now." She pushed Stormkit to her paws, and she stumbled out of the den.

"Heatherstar's waiting!"