Mapleshade's calico pelt was warmed as she laid on the stone. She let herself relax and enjoy the sun of a falling greenleaf. She reminded herself leaffall wasn't far off.
  "Mama! Mama save us!"
  Mapleshade jumped up, her tail bushing. The sound was so distant yet so close.
  "Mama! Mama help us!" The wails came again.
  Mapleshade could hear it nearby, this time she was certain it was real. She turned, following the sound of the echoes. Her paws barely skimmed the ground as she rushed forward, her calico markings a blur in her motion. The calico stopped, frozen, as she gazed down at the valley. Three small figures sat, achingly familiar and yet still different. She rushed forward again.
  "Mama! Help us!" The call was loud now, ringing in Mapleshade's head.
  The three cats turned to look at Mapleshade, eyes wide in surprise.
  "Mama?" One mewed, walking towards her. The patched pelt was so familiar that is broke Mapleshade's heart.
  "Patchkit!" She mewed, her voice choked.
  "Mama! We're alive! Don't leave us!" Petalkit mewed, her kit-fluffed pelt sticking out, her yellow eyes bright with worry.
  "Please find us! We want to be with you! Don't leave us!" Larchkit finished the plea, his tail flicking pleadingly.
  "I won't! My sweet kits I won't!" She promised.
  The three kits walked in the opposite direction. Mapleshade followed hurriedly. As they faded the she-cat felt another sense of grief, but it was almost overwhelmed with fear. Not too far in front of her were three ragged pelt, ungroomed. No wounds were obvious but the air surrounding them told Mapleshade all she needed to know.
  "My kits! I'll get you something to help!" Mapleshade was panicked. She could tell her three adopted kits were sick, but she didn't know what they were sick with, nor what she needed.
"I- I'm not too good with hunting or fighting but I have some great herb knowledge to help you with them."
Olive's world burned into her mind. She looked down at the three sickly cats.
"Don't worry. I know someone who can help."
She rushed off without another word. Her pelt was bushed but determination glittered in her amber eyes.
'Olive will help them!'