A cold breeze weaved through the pine trees, making their needles tremble under the silver moonlight. Far below, Leopardkit shivered as she sat at the mouth of the nursery, fluffing our her spotted fur for warmth. She struggled to keep her amber eyes peeled open, not quite used to ShadowClan's peculiar sleeping schedule. They preferred to wake up at dusk, running patrols all through the night, and then returning to their dens at the crack of dawn. Strange, Leopardkit thought. But interesting...

    Many things here in ShadowClan seemed very strange to the young she-kit. After Prickleface died and Pebblefrost's mournful wails finally subsided to low whimpers, the warriors had all silently gathered around the tom's still body. They passed by him in a line first, each whispering a few words into his unmoving ears before rounding back to settle down, laying beside him. Leopardkit had never seen anything like it. She wondered if the ritual was similar in ThunderClan. How could it be, when her Clanmates despised each other?

    A heaviness had weighed down ShadowClan's camp since then. Two long nights after Prickleface's burial, she noticed that the mood was finally beginning to lift, each cats' eyes brightening a bit. The ShadowClan warriors had moped around for awhile, the sorrow evident in their sagging shoulders and slow movements. They were solemn and respectful, something that Leopardkit never imagined they could be. She had always thought of ShadowClan warriors as bloodthirsty, battle-hungry, and cruel all the time. This strange reality was far different.

    Attempting to shake the grogginess clouding her head, the she-kit curiously watched as Lizardkit and Duskkit molded a wad of moss into a round shape in the center of camp. The two tom-kits focused intently on the scrap, padding it firmly with their forepaws.

    What in StarClan's name are they doing? Leopardkit wondered.

    Lightningkit suddenly burst from the elders' den, followed by a loud, bellowing complaint from Frogbelly, the Clan's only elder. Ignoring him, the short-haired gray tom-kit bounded across the clearing, nearly tripping over the strip of moss hanging his jaws. His blue eyes shone with glee.

    "I go' shum!" Lightningkit mumbled through the mouthful as he skidded to a halt by the other kits. Lizardkit gave the younger tom an appreciative nod, and Duskkit swiftly began molding the two moss pieces together.

     Leopardkit narrowed her amber eyes at Lizardkit. The fluffy tabby tomcat had practically ignored her ever since she beat him in their fight. She was satisfied that his cockiness had subsided a bit, but at the same time, she found herself frustrated by the complete lack of attention. He couldn't just admit that she was better than him and move on with life?

    Lizardkit let out a frustrated yowl. "Lightningkit, it's not ready yet!" he whined as the smaller gray tom tackled the ball of moss, flipping on to his back and batting it between his little paws before the round shape crumpled down to a few pitiful pieces.

    "Oops," Lightningkit chirped, not sounding very sorry at all.

    Lizardkit groaned, rolling his pine-green eyes. The fluffy tabby snatched the ruined moss in his jaws, flashing Lightningkit a glare that the younger tom-kit joyfully ignored. The short-haired kit's attention had already fleeted, and he was stalking towards an unsuspecting, yawning warrior that had just emerged from one of the bramble dens.

    As Lizardkit and Duskkit began bickering about who was going to repair their wad of moss, Leopardkit found her eyes drifting toward the camp's entrance. The narrow bramble tunnel was dark and quiet. A painful longing eased its way into her chest.

    It had been three days now. Three days she had spent waiting and desperately hoping. Where was Darkstar? Why hadn't he come back for her yet?

    Although Leopardkit's frayed nerves had calmed significantly since she had first arrived, she still felt awkward and out of place among the ShadowClan cats. Fogtail was always sweet and gentle with her, much more gentle than her own mother, and even more welcoming than Gingerstorm, but it still didn't feel quite right.

    The she-kit's troubled mind snapped back to the present as something prodded her shoulder. Rowankit wordlessly settled next to Leopardkit, flashing her sharp teeth in a quick yawn.

    Rowankit's presence used to bother Leopardkit, but she had quickly become accustomed to the other she-kit over the past few days, even enjoying her light-hearted company. The ShadowClan she-kit followed the other's gaze.

    "Itching to get out of here already?" Rowankit joked, her dark amber eyes amused.

    Leopardkit stiffened, dismayed that she had noticed where she was looking. "I just... I don't know," she finished lamely, a storm of emotions whirling in her chest. Between all that had happened in the past few days, she wasn't even sure she wanted to return.

    Rowankit chuckled. "Don't worry. We'll be apprenticed soon. I heard Fogtail tell Roseheart that your ceremony will be with ours instead of Lightningkit's and Duskkit's. That's a relief, isn't it?"

    Leopardkit forced a nod, although her throat was dry. I'm supposed to become an apprentice with Mousekit, she thought with a pang. Even though she had avoided him for a time, the black tom was still her brother.

    Rowankit must have noticed her discomfort, because she didn't press the issue any further. The pair sat in silence for a few heartbeats before Rowankit's amber eyes were drawn to the other kits. "Looks like they're about to start a game of mossball," she said, standing up and shaking out her thick fur. Rowankit gently touched her tail to Leopardkit's back, giving her a kind look. "You wanna join?"

    Leopardkit furrowed her brow. She didn't even know what game Rowankit was talking about. The ShadowClan kits were always coming up with odd, yet interesting games that she had never heard of. Back in ThunderClan, Leopardkit spent most of her time sleeping or listening to the elders drone on, which seemed so dull compared to now. "What's mossball?"

     Rowankit's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "You're telling me you've never played mossball?" When Leopardkit only stared down at her paws, she said, "Well, we can teach you. It's a lot of fun, especially when you get to beat arrogant toms like my brother!"

     Leopardkit's whiskers twitched. Beating Lizardkit again did sound appealing, but she was in no mood to play with the others right now, her heart still hammering painfully in her chest. She shook her head. "I'm good."

     "Suit yourself," Rowankit meowed with a shrug, padding to join the others.

     Leopardkit watched curiously as the kits organized themselves into teams: Lizardkit and Duskkit against Rowankit and Lightningkit. The ball of moss sat between the pairs. Then, before Leopardkit could blink, the game was on.

     Lizardkit emerged with the ball first, kicking it ahead with his big forepaws. He bounded toward the apprentice den, Rowankit hot on his tail. All of a sudden, a flash of gray fur intercepted him and the game flipped the other way.

     Lightningkit, true to his name, bolted past the others with frightening speed, bouncing the mossball ahead of him with his forepaws. He had a giddy grin stretched across his face as he sprinted straight toward the nursery.

     Realizing she was in the line of fire, Leopardkit's amber eyes widened and she jumped out of the way. Lightningkit flew past her, bouncing the moss ball into the den with a triumphant yowl.

     The others skidded to a stop, Lizardkit and Duskkit growling while Rowankit purred in laughter.

    Leopardkit tilted her head at the other kits as they rearranged themselves to start playing again. Although she had no clue what was going on, her spotted pelt itched with curiosity.

    Illuminated by the moonlight, the kits leapt to their game once again, streaking across camp as they battled for possession of the little moss ball. After a few heartbeats, Duskkit swiped the ball from Rowankit's grip, turning tail and heading straight for the apprentice den. Just before he could kick it through the entrance, a ginger head with black ears emerged.

    All the kits suddenly froze and Leopardkit held her breath as the ball smacked the apprentice squarely between the eyes. It bounced back to the ground and slowly rolled to Duskkit's paws, who cowered sheepishly before the apprentice.

    The ginger tom blinked in shock before his blue eyes narrowed. "What do you think you're doing?" he growled in a low voice, emerging from the bramble den. He looked large enough to be a warrior, his shoulders broad and jet-black legs well-muscled.

    "You think this is funny?" he snapped, his sharp blue eyes flashing as they locked on Lightningkit. The little gray tom was struggling to stifle his laughter.

     Leopardkit slowly backed further into the nursery, but stayed where she could view the scene unfolding. She wasn't going to get caught causing trouble, especially after Wolfsong's chilling, not-so-subtle threats.

     Although the apprentice was glaring at him, Lightningkit's laughter didn't subside. Instead, it only grew louder, until the tiny tom was rolling in the dirt, hooting. Duskkit crouched down, his black fur ruffled in embarrassment.

     Leopardkit felt a squirm of fear in her belly for the little tom-kit. She didn't interact much with the apprentices back in ThunderClan, but she knew from Fogpaw that they only caused mischief and torment for kits like her.

     To her surprise, instead of throwing himself at Lightningkit, the apprentice's hard eyes suddenly broke down and sparkled with amusement. "I guess this means I'll just have to beat you in a game of moss ball!" he growled, his voice laced with humor.

     Lizardkit, who had been silent, suddenly cried out in delight. "Yes, play with us, Starlingpaw! You can be on my team!"

     Two more apprentices suddenly slipped out of their den, ears pricked at the commotion.

     "Not without me!" a cream she-cat protested, joining her denmate with friendly, gleaming hazel eyes. "I loved this game when I was a kit!" The third apprentice emerged more slowly, observing the scene carefully.

    Rowankit spoke up. "Swiftpaw, you can be on our team," she offered.

    Leopardkit felt her heart skip a beat as she eyed Swiftpaw. The cream she-cat was lithe, bearing a startling resemblance to her own mother. However, her dainty white paws and bright hazel eyes were stark reminders that Sandstreak was far, far away right now. Leopardkit felt relief flood through her at the comforting thought.

    "And what about you, Marshpaw?" Swiftpaw asked cheerily, turning to the quiet, pale ginger tom.

    Marshpaw's whiskers twitched in amusement. "I'll be the judge, in case there are any fouls," he said evenly, sitting back on his haunches.

    "Sounds good to me!" Starlingpaw boasted, lashing his black tail. Lizardkit and Duskkit lined up on either side of him, facing the other team with determined gazes.

    Before the teams could begin, Leopardkit's attention was drawn to the camp entrance. A reddish-brown tom, Waspwing, emerged through the thorny tunnel, rustling the brambles with his apprentice in tow. The smaller mottled black and gray tom looked weary, his shoulders sagging from a hard training session in the biting cold. However, his green eyes suddenly brightened at the sight of all the kits and apprentices gathered together. All traces of exhaustion gone, he quickly padded over to them. "What's going on?"

    "We're playing moss ball," Swiftpaw purred, her gaze flitting over the kits with warmth. "Want to join, Blackpaw?"

    The smaller black tom nodded vigorously, although Starlingpaw let out a groan. Blackpaw jumped to the bigger tom's team instantly, lashing his dark tail as he faced the opponents. Starlingpaw's blue eyes flashed with irritation, but he remained silent for once.

    "Wait, the teams are uneven now!" Duskkit spoke up in dismay. "This isn't fair."

    Starlingpaw puffed out his chest. "We would still win anyway!" he bragged in a joking tone.

    As Swiftpaw reprimanded her fellow apprentice, Rowankit's dark amber eyes searched the clearing. They suddenly locked with Leopardkit's, and the spotted she-kit's stomach dropped as she realized what Rowankit was about to do.

    "Leopardkit, come play with us," the dark gray she-kit said loudly.

    Following her voice, all the kits and apprentices fell silent as their gazes locked on her. Leopardkit crouched down, her ears burning at the attention. She shuffled her paws nervously. "N-no thanks," she forced out.

    "That's too bad," Lizardkit said with a sneer. "You have to play to even out the sides."

    Leopardkit glared at the fluffy, arrogant tom and he stared back triumphantly. "Fine," she finally spat, padding out to join the others. Her belly was burning in anger, and if she was being forced to play, then she would find a way to rub his prideful muzzle in the dirt.

    "You're on our team," Rowankit purred as she drew closer, a gleam in her dark amber eyes. Leopardkit only nodded in response, unnerved.

    As she stood among the apprentices, Leopardkit felt very small. Rowankit and Lightningkit were close to her height, but Swiftpaw towered over her. The cream-furred she-cat could easily pass for a young warrior. Starlingpaw, who was on the opposing team, was even larger than her. How am I supposed to play this stupid game without getting trampled?

    Before Leopardkit could think about it any longer, Marshpaw had already tossed up the moss ball into the the air. As expected, Starlingpaw reared up on his hind legs and snatched it first. The ginger tom quickly dodged Rowankit's attempt to steal it, bouncing it toward the nursery.

    Leopardkit's breath hitched and her paws were frozen in place. What am I supposed to do? she thought, her breath quickening and she panicked.

    Swiftpaw must've noticed her unease, because her hazel softened as she spotted her. The cream she-cat leaned down to speak in her ear, her sweet breath washing over Leopardkit.

    "You can go guard the nursery. All you have to do is stand in front of it," Swiftpaw said in a rushed, yet sympathetic whisper. The cream she-cat nudged her flank gently with her pink nose. "Now, hurry!"

    Finally jolted out of her trance, Leopardkit quickly followed the apprentice's instructions. Cold air rushed past her whiskers and she bolted toward the nursery, glad to be back in a familiar spot. Arriving at the entrance, she whipped around and watched the game with bristling fur.

    Starlingpaw still had control of the moss ball, clumsily bouncing it between his wide black paws. Suddenly, Swiftpaw was blocking his path, tense and ready to defend. His blue eyes flashing, Starlingpaw stared down his fellow apprentice before hitting the mossball to the side, right into Lizardkit's open paws.

    The fluffy tabby had no one guarding him, as all attention had previously been on Starlingpaw. Lizardkit wasted no time in bolting toward the nursery, his pine green eyes shining.

     "You got this, Leopardkit!" Rowankit called from across camp, but the she-kit could barely hear her friend.

    Leopardkit's ears were pounding as she stared, wide-eyed, at Lizardkit. The tom was running straight at her at full speed, seemingly with no intention of slowing down. There was a hard, determined, frightening sheen over his eyes. Her paws were frozen to the ground.

    At the last moment, Leopardkit flinched and ducked, pinching her eyes shut as the moss ball sailed over her in the frigid air. She could feel the breeze from it against her ear fur.

     The next thing she knew, Lizardkit's triumphant yowl pierced the air. She peeled open her eyes to see the fluffy tabby prancing in circles, his nose in the air. "Did you see that? She can't guard worth a mouse's tail!"

    Shame washed over Leopardkit, burning the tips of her ears all the way down to her paws. Her stomach flipped over. She flattened her ears to drown out Lizardkit's taunts.

    Swiftpaw and Rowankit both shot Leopardkit sympathetic gazes, but she couldn't take her attention off the gloating Lizardkit. Her burning embarrassment was gradually overcome by a hot fury. The spotted she-kit stared him down, glowering.

     Rowankit flanked Leopardkit, pressing her fluffy gray coat against her in comfort. "No need to be upset; it was your first try," her friend reasoned softly.

     Leopardkit's scowl didn't subside. "Then let's start again," she said rigidly.

     Rowankit gave her a curious look, but didn't press her any further. The she-kit turned and followed the others back to the center of camp, where they positioned themselves for the next round.

     Again, Marshpaw tossed the moss ball into the night air, pale green outlined against an indigo sky. Glowing with confidence, Starlingpaw lazily stretched up with a large black paw to bat it down. Instead, a cream paw snatched it out of the air, quicker than lightning.

     Surprisingly, Swiftpaw brought it down and quickly weaved between the defenders as she headed toward the apprentice den. An angry Starlingpaw leapt in front of her, nearly knocking the cream she-cat off balance. Before she fell, Swiftpaw managed to smack the mossball to the side, where Rowankit and Lizardkit both stood.

     Exchanging a glance, the littermates both instantly dove for the mossball with outstretched paws. Lizardkit's aim was a bit off, and as he reached for it, Rowankit kicked the ball of moss away, cackling. A spark of satisfaction lit up Leopardkit's insides as she saw Lizardkit's face twist in frustration as he clambered to his paws.

     Although Leopardkit secretly itched for the game to turn her way, Rowankit made it all the way to the apprentice den, sneakily scoring a point past a dismayed Blackpaw, who was guarding the bramble entrance.

     As Marshpaw launched the ball in the air for the third time, Leopardkit's heart began to race. She planted her paws firmly on the ground, her amber eyes carefully following Starlingpaw as he took control of the mossball.

     Leopardkit felt shivers of energy skitter down her limbs, all the way to her toes.

     Swiftpaw guarded the ginger and black tom fiercely, forcing a frustrated Starlingpaw to pass the ball again with a smack of his wide paw. It bounced toward Duskkit, who was waiting with open paws, but Lightningkit flew at his brother, bowling him to the ground.

     Duskkit let out a sharp hiss of anger at the same time Marshpaw yowled. The game froze and the pale ginger apprentice padded up to the two toms, looking between them with a furrowed brow and calculating golden eyes. At last, he said calmly, "Lightningkit, you aren't allowed to attack another player. This is supposed to be a no-contact game."

    Letting out a huff of disappoint, Lightningkit looked down. "Okay," he said dramatically, shooting a mischievous glance at Duskkit that conveyed he would gladly tackle him again.

    If Marshpaw noticed, he didn't seem to care. "Duskkit gets possession of the mossball. You may begin," he commanded.

    Duskkit, still a little shaken from his attack, stumbled as he bounced the ball toward the nursery. A flicker of panic passed over his yellow eyes as Starlingpaw approached him, and he hit the mossball far head of him.

    Right into Lizardkit's paws. Leopardkit stiffened.

    Just like last time, the fluffy tabby ran straight at her, his green eyes already gleaming with triumph.

    A little too soon to celebrate, Leopardkit thought smugly. She let herself stand rooted in the same spot, even putting on a panicked expression to solidify his confidence.

    Lizardkit tried the same move as last time, hitting the ball past her head. However, a spotted forepaw reached out and deflected the wad of moss.

    Not bothering to gloat at Lizardkit's gaping jaw, Leopardkit darted past him, kicking the mossball forward. The she-kit quickly found out that controlling the ball was much harder than it looked. She struggled to keep it bouncing between her forepaws while bounding at a decent speed. Her heart leapt as she nearly lost her control of it, scrambling to keep up.

    "Don't panic! We've got your back!" Swiftpaw whispered from her side, loping alongside her. Rowankit bounding up on the opposite flank.

    Her breathing erratic, Leopardkit focused on the apprentice den, which seemed so far away. She had to keep glancing up and down between the bramble den and the mossball, straining her neck. Almost there...

    Blackpaw was planted at the entrance to the apprentice den, blocking nearly half the tunnel with his small body. Leopardkit's amber eyes searched frantically for an easy way in, before she finally settled on his tensed paws.

    The other cats always tried to score by shooting over the head of the goalkeeper. So she kicked the ball with as much force as she could underneath him, her paw scraping the ground painfully.

    Blackpaw clearly wasn't prepared as he raised up on his hind paws. But to Leopardkit's horror, the ball hit one of his hind legs and bounced back out. Before she could react, Swiftpaw swooped in and hit the ball fiercely, smacking poor Blackpaw right between the ears before it dropped over him and into the apprentice den.

    "Score!" Marshpaw cried, lifting his tail. Swiftpaw let out a cry of triumph.

     Leopardkit's horror was snuffed out as it slowly dawned on her that she had helped the team score. A warm feeling of joy spread through her chest and she turned to Rowankit, her amber eyes shining.

     "Nice work," the fluffy gray she-kit purred, giving her friend a friendly nuzzle. From behind, Swiftpaw gave Leopardkit a joyful nod. Even Duskkit, who was on the opposing team, mumbled a reluctant "good job" to her.

     Leopardkit beamed at the sudden attention and she felt incredibly light on her paws. Her mind buzzed with ecstasy as she looked at the other players gathered, but her amber eyes sought out one cat.

     They landed on Lizardkit, who was scowling at her. His green eyes were burning. Whiskers twitching, Leopardkit smirked at him.

     From that point on, the two foes made it their mission to outplay the other. Over the next several rounds, Rowankit took the duty of guarding the nursery while Leopardkit bore down on Lizardkit like a hawk. Twice, to his fury, she was able to steal the mossball right out his big, clumsy paws. And although she was not much better herself at handling it, she managed to score once without Swiftpaw's help.

     Lizardkit, on the other hand, worked expertly with Starlingpaw when the pair decided to team up. The two arrogant toms passed the ball back and forth, eventually scoring a couple sneaky goals into the nursery. Both times, the fluffy tom sneered directly at Leopardkit, lighting an angry fire in her belly. Determination pulsed through her veins.

     "This is the last round," Marshpaw announced after Lightningkit made a goal. The pale ginger tom's tail lashed impatiently. "Swiftpaw and I have been assigned to a hunting patrol, and we'll need to leave shortly, so the next score wins."

     Leopardkit felt a flutter of excitement in her chest. She subconsciously sought out Lizardkit's gaze, only to find the tom already glaring at her. There was a prideful flicker in his pine green eyes. Leopardkit scoffed loudly, making sure he noticed. Just you wait.

     "Into position," Rowankit gently reminded her, an amused gleam in her amber eyes. Leopardkit shot her enemy one last glare before taking her place beside the gray she-kit.

     Leopardkit felt eyes boring into her and she looked to the side, only to find Rowankit staring at her, dark amber eyes sparkling with mirth. "What?" Leopardkit snapped, irritated.

     "Nothing," Rowankit purred, although there was a undertone to her voice. Leopardkit eyed her suspiciously, but didn't press her any further. She must be planning some kind of sneaky attack for their winning point. The she-kit focused her amber eyes on Marshpaw. The final game was about to begin.

    Feeling the weight of eyes on her, Leopardkit glanced around, realizing with unease that all the warriors had emerged from their dens to watch the boisterous game. Surprisingly, their gazes weren't judgmental, cold, or annoyed. Instead, they were bright with amusement and warmth. Even Flowerstar, perched atop the High Branch, watched the kits below her with a softened blue stare as opposed to her normal icy expression.

    Swiveling her head around, Leopardkit spotted Fogtail and Roseheart sharing tongues with a quiet Pebblefrost by the medicine den as they kept a close eye on the kits. Leopardkit hadn't forgotten about Roseheart's unhidden dislike of her, but the long-haired gray queen no longer stared at her with open disdain. Instead, her amber eyes held a look of fragile acceptance and calm, cautiously flitting between her and Rowankit. A flicker of protection and worry passed over Roseheart's amber eyes, but then they soon returned to a state of peace.

     Deep in thought, Leopardkit missed the first toss. A flash of cream fur flew by, startling her. The spotted she-kit had to whirl around and sprint after the others to catch up.

     After a quick tussle between Starlingpaw and Swiftpaw, the cream she-cat emerged with a victorious yowl. Her lithe figure easily batted the mossball back and forth as she bounded toward the apprentice den.

     Leopardkit's heart soared as the mossball flew in. But her breath hitched at the last heartbeat when Blackpaw sprang up, catching the moss in his jaws. Green eyes shining, the mottled black tom spat it out. "I did it!" he cried joyfully.

     Leopardkit rolled her amber eyes while Swiftpaw only chuckled.

     Once the opposite team was in possession of the mossball, the game moved quickly. Leopardkit struggled to keep up, her chest burning as she sprinted after the other cats. Her amber eyes carefully followed Starlingpaw and Lizardkit as they strategically passed the mossball back and forth to each other.

     Panting, Leopardkit threw herself in front of Lizardkit as soon as the ball rolled into his paws. They were only a fox-length away from the nursery.

     Lizardkit's green eyes flashed at her. She curled her lip smugly, knowing that she could easily steal the ball from him the second he moved.

     Their gazes locked, Leopardkit missed the small smirk on Lizardkit's face before he quickly kicked the ball to the side.

     Leopardkit furrowed her brow in confusion before she noticed Duskkit's black figure slinking up beside her. In a panic, she pounced for the ball, but she was a heartbeat too late, her paws clamping down on the dusty ground. The little black tom gleefully hit the mossball into the nursery, sailing past Rowankit's lunging claws.

     Hoots and yowls of victory filled the frigid night air. Leopardkit lay in the dust for a few heartbeats, her sides heaving. A weight settled into the pit of her stomach. She had just embarrassed herself in front of all of ShadowClan.

     Her ears burning, the spotted she-kit climbed to her paws and shook out the dust from her spotted pelt. She quickly licked her chest fur, realizing with a surge of disappointment that she was dirty as well as a failure.

     A light touch on her back startled the she-kit out of her dismay. Leopardkit's head snapped to the side, widening when they met pine green ones.

     "Good game," Lizardkit said, lifting his fluffy tail from her flank. His green eyes were unreadable, but his voice sounded calm and strangely genuine.

     Leopardkit narrowed her amber eyes him, her mind a storm of confusion. Wasn't he just scowling at her moments ago? Where was this sincerity coming from?

     After an awkward silence, Lizardkit pawed at the ground absently. "You know, sometime you should show me that technique you used to fight me the other night, remember?" He offered her a feeble smile.

     Leopardkit tilted her head at him. "You think I'm just going to give away all my secrets? Not a chance!" She intended for her words to come out condescendingly, but instead found herself grinning as she recalled her satisfying victory.

     Lizardkit rolled his eyes dramatically. "Whatever, Moss-cat, one of these days I'll beat you," he declared, a twinkle in his eyes. "And once we become apprentices, you won't be able to use your bedding to your advantage anymore!"

     Leopardkit only scoffed in return. An uneasy feeling tightened in her belly. Was she really going to stay here long enough to become an apprentice?

     Leopardkit turned to head back toward the nursery, where Duskkit, Lightningkit, Rowankit were already digging into a squirrel that Fogtail that brought them. Lizardkit eased into step beside her.

     "Just so you know," Leopardkit began, flicking her tail haughtily. "If we played that game one-on-one, I would kick your useless tail every time."

     Lizardkit lifted his nose. "You really think so?"

     Leopardkit rolled her amber eyes, although they shone. "I know so. Just you wait—next time we play, I'll be so quick that you won't even know that happened!"

     "I'll take that as a threat."

     Leopardkit stifled an amused purr. Losing the game had left her with a heavy heart, but a strange giddiness had quickly replaced her sadness. Her light-hearted banter with Lizardkit had surprisingly lifted her mood. The she-kit felt light on her paws, and any dismay from the game melted away.

     When they reached the other kits, Rowankit glanced up, her dark amber eyes gleaming. Leopardkit met her gaze with confusion, but the dark gray she-kit lowered her head and continued to eat. However, Leopardkit didn't miss the smirk on her jaws.

     Leopardkit settled with the other kits and began chewing on the delicious, warm flesh. Fogtail sat nearby, gazing over them all with her warm gray eyes. The other warriors huddled about camp dissolved into light-hearted conversation, the occasional laugh drifting across camp. Even Flowerstar leapt down from her perch to join in sharing tongues with her Clanmates.

     Sitting there, in the chilly moonlight, the sharp scent of pine needles wafting around her, surrounded by cats that she had known for only a few days, Leopardkit felt oddly in place.

     The spotted she-kit never again glanced longingly toward the camp's entrance, wishing for Darkstar to appear.

     She was already home.