Willowkit didn't think about her mission anymore. She didn't have the energy or will. She didn't even want to think of asking anybody anything. She cringed everytime she thought of the time she had just strode up to Brownfur and demanded answers, now she just stayed in the nursery. She didn't go out to eat. Only rarely to drink. If she thought Brownfur was coming, she would flee back into the nursery and cower. She didn't know what had come over her. She hated feeling so incapable and weak. She hated that she ran away from the thought of Brownfur. She wished she could just be strong. Just be normal. But she couldn't. Mintspot didn't seem to notice Willowkit although everytime she had to talk to Willowkit, she seemed more light and less mad. That was the only good thing. Mintspot wasn't getting mad at her anymore. Beetlejaw though was getting more and more mad. 
              "Why can't you just play with the other kits? Like a normal kit?" He'd asked her in exasperation. She'd shrink away and whisper a small answer. Beetlejaw would sigh. All Willowkit could think about was the words Mintspot had said. Not just thought, she had said. Willowkit should have been taken instead of Stormkit. So that was how Willowkit acted. She didn't care about anything anymore. She was still invisible but she didn't eat when her stomach grumbled, she didn't think about living with a happy family. Because her family didn't love her. Her family never would. Willowkit was huddled beside the nursery, hiding in a bracken bush. A cold wind blew. She didn't care. She shivered slightly with the cold but didn't budge. Her eyes were half closed. 
               "Why are you so depressed these days?" sighed a voice. Willowkit barely glanced up but she was surprised to see who it was. Mintspot peered at her through the leaves. Willowkit turned her head, what was the point of replying? 
               "I mean, you shouldn't be jumping for joy, you lost your brother, but since when are you this depressed? Only I'm this depressed," Mintspot seemed to reflect on her own words. "Have you eaten yet? You look bony. You were already skinny before but now we can see your bones. Do you want everybody to think I'm neglecting you?" Willowkit didn't answer, she wasn't even listening anymore. Whatever Mintspot had to say, Willowkit knew it was lies. Mintspot wished her gone. Wished Stormkit had replaced her. 
               "I'm going to get you something to eat, don't move..., not that you've moved for hours," Mintspot mumbled under her breath. She returned with a mouse clasped in her jaw. She dropped it at Willowkit's feet. 
               "Here, eat," Mintspot nudged the mouse to Willowkit. Willowkit's ears pricked at the delicious scent. Her mouth watered. Her tail twitched. She was so hungry. Eagerly, she pounced onto the mouse and started to tear it apart. Mintspot let out a huff and dragged herself back into the den, to think about how depressing her life was. Willowkit licked her lips. Her stomach was much fuller than before. Now she was just thirsty, her mouth and throat dry. Acornkit trotted over to her from the other side of the clearing where Snailkit was talking to the apprentices. He peered at her worriedly.
               "Are you alright?" he asked. Willowkit didn't answer. She didn't feel bad, not talking to Acornkit. He probably wished he could play with Stormkit instead. Stormkit would be strong and a much better deputy for Acornkit. 
                "Why are you sad?" asked Acornkit. Willowkit wanted Acornkit to care. She wanted to believe it. But she had leant not to expect that of cats. She was alone. Nobody cared.
                "Go away," muttered Willowkit.
                "Do you want me to call Troutfur?" asked Acornkit, not budging. Willowkit shook her head. 
                "Leave me alone," she murmured. 
                "Why?" asked Acornkit. "You can play with Snailkit and I." 
              "Just go," sighed Willowkit. 
                "Come on. I'll cheer you up," smiled Acornkit encouragingly. 
                 "I don't want to go. You go," retorted Willowkit.
                 "Why? Are you lazy?" taunted Acornkit. Willowkit glared at him but didn't get up. 
                 "Just go. Maybe I am lazy," Willowkit mumbled. 
                 "You aren't," Acornkit said, his voice softening. "I didn't mean it, when I said you were lazy. You're just sad. Why don't you come and play with us? Your sadness would go away." 
                "You can't make my sadness fo away," sighed Willowkit. "Nobody can. Except maybe StarClan." Acornkit looked skeptical. 
                "I can! Let's play," begged Acornkit.
                 "Go play with Snailkit," muttered Willowkit. "You can't do anything for me." Acornkit wasn't going to budge, Willowkit could see that. "I'll play with you tomorrow." Acornkit thought about it for a moment.
                 "Promise?" he asked.
                  "Yeah," nodded Willowkit although she didn't think she would be able to keep the promise. "I promise." 
                 "Alright. Thanks," beamed Acornkit. "Don't be sad." He trotted away. 
                 "I can't just not be sad," muttered Willowkit. She curled up into a ball and closed her eyes. She puffed out her fur from the wind. Her whole body was numb from cold but something inside her had sparked. She wasn't as sad as before. Her eyes flickered unconsciously to Acornkit. He was grinning as he wagged his tail towards some of the apprentices. He leapt up at them, trying to catch their tails. Willowkit felt just a little warmer watching him smile.