Willowkit listened, her head low, as the deputy and Clan leader talked to her mother. 
                "She snuck out?" Mintspot repeated. Her face was set between anger and annoyance. 
                 "Yes. We talked to her about it though, and she won't do it again," nodded Doestripe.
                 "She wasn't supposed to sneak out in the first place. Is this what I taught you?" Mintspot snapped at Willowkit, turning away from Doestripe and Gorsestar.
                 "No. I'm sorry," whispered Willowkit. 
                 "What are you saying? I can't hear you. Can you talk?" Mintspot accused, raising her voice. 
                 "Sorry," blurted Willowkit, still softly. 
                 "Argh," Mintspot cried out, lashing her tail out in frustration. 
                 "Mintspot. I'm sure Willowkit understands what she did was wrong," Gorsestar said gently.
                 "Mmmmm," Mintspot said, closing her eyes. She took a moment to calm down. "You're grounded. You're to stay in the nursery for a moon." Gorsestar frowned. Willowkit hung her head, telling herself that was what she deserved. She had broken a rule. She had to be punished. 
                "Well, Mintspot, we were hoping to come up with a suitable punishment together," Gorsestar put in. "Staying in for a moon is quite.... harsh really." Mintspot took a moment then nodded. 
                 "What do you suggest?" she asked, her words controlled. Willowkit cowered. 
                 "Well, as Willowkit left camp and has seen part of our territory, how about, we apprentice her later?" suggested Gorsestar. Doestripe nodded but Mintspot didn't agree. 
                "I'm not letting her become an apprentice later than everyone!" Mintspot spat. "I don't want to have to stay in the nursery longer than I must."
                 "Nobody's keeping you in the nursery," pointed out Doestripe, which was a mistake. Mintspot thought for a moment then nodded. 
                 "Alright Gorsestar, I agree with you," nodded Mintspot. "That is a great punishment." 
                 "Good. So Willowkit, as you have left camp without permission, you will now be apprenticed half a moon later than you would normally have been," Gorsestar explained. Willowkit nodded. She never objected.
                 "Good then that's settled," Mintspot said finally. She turned around and limped towards the fresh-kill pile. Willowkit trotted back to the nursery, her head down. 
                 "Tell me all about it!" cried a happy voice. Willowkit jumped. Acornkit smiled at her expectantly. Snailkit was right behind him. Willowkit sighed and continued walking towards the nursery. 
                "Come on. Tell us all about it!" pushed Snailkit, trotting by her side.
               "Are you ok? Did you see a fox or something?" asked Acornkit. Willowkit shook her head. 
              "Can you leave me alone?" she asked. 
                "Fine," huffed Snailkit, marching away. 
                "Do you want to play?" asked Acornkit. 
                "No," replied Willowkit flatly. She did want to play. She wanted to have fun. To smile. To laugh. But she knew that wasn't going to happen. Mintspot would be even more upset. What would they think of her? That even after her punishment and the disappearance of her brother, she is still going to play and have fun? No. She shouldn't be happy. 
            "What do you want to do?" asked Acornkit instead. 
            "Be alone," answered Willowkit. She didn't want to be mean to Acornkit. She just wanted to be alone. And the sooner Acornkit got made at her and left her alone, the better. She didn't deserve friends and Acornkit shouldn't have to hang out with her. 
               "Why?" asked Acornkit. 
               "Cos I want to," Willowkit said. "So please, just go."
               "I'm sorry you got in trouble. But don't you want to play?" asked Acornkit. 
              "No. I don't," answered Willowkit. 
               "Why not? You're not normal, you know. All kits like to play," Acornkit sighed. "What's wrong with you?"