The prologue takes place one moon before the allegiances.

         Lichencall glanced through her storage, desperately looking for a certain flower. Zinnias. Zinnias. Zinnias. Where are you! It's almost moon-high, I can't miss another meeting, or Cloudystone will have to postpone Owlkit, Needlekit, Beekit, Bubblekit, and Ferretkit's ceremony. Again! Where are the zinnias! She continued looking through all the branches and leaves of the hollow bush, where she kept all her herbs and flowers. There!

         She violently snatched the stems of the almost wilted flowers and laid them out in a hexagon pattern on the outer edges of her fern grass nest. She softly stepped onto it and slowly circled around until she could find the perfect position and crouched down into a loaf sit, resting her head on the ground.

         She was instantly zapped into the meadow where she was greeted by her passed mentor, Puddlebee. The two touched noses as a sign of 'hello'.

         "I am so sorry, Puddlebee, that I couldn't make it to the last meeting! You see, Hollowkit had a small infection and I had to take care of him and sleep beside him so his temperature wouldn't drop. And- and-"

         The pale spirit lightly tapped her tail on Lichencall's maw, "It's all right, I understand." Once the stressed feline's guilt was relieved, Puddlebee whisked them to the Meadowclan nursery, where Driftshine, Mallowmist, and their kits slept peacefully. Their chests rising up and down at a steady rate.

         "You're here to ask if any of the kits are to become a future healer, I presume?" questioned Puddlebee, as if she could read her trainee's mind. Lichencall nodded eagerly like a new apprentice at their ceremony. "That one, that kit will be the next Gatherer and future healer," she stated, pointing at a sleeping light grey tabby long-furred kitten.

         "Softkit?" asked Lichencall, tilting her head.

         Puddlebee just simply nodded. Lichencall continued gazing at the two moon old kit. Softkit? But Softkit's always has her head up in the clouds. How will she ever be a successful healer? Puddlebee must have bees in her brain! "But– but- Softkit?"

         The spirit again just nodded her head, making Lichencall even more annoyed. She just sighed and grumbled quietly, "Fine..." Puddlebee may be a wise ancestor, but she's wrong on this one. Sorry, Puddlebee. I have to do this. "Thank you, I'll see you again next time! Bye!!"

         "Bye fuzz-brain!" purred the older she-cat.

         Lichencall was whizzed away back to her nest, the zinnias she'd laid out had disappeared. The healer hung her head and took a deep breath. Sometimes I wish I didn't have so much responsibility. She snuggled into a curled up ball and closed her eyes, pondering about her dream.

~•~•~•~•~

         "Has Blooming Meadows spoken to you about if any of the kits are to become gatherers?" asked Cloudystone, pacing around in his den.

         Lichencall took a moment before answering. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to figure out what to say. I can't say Softkit. I can't. But I'll be betraying our ancestors. No! This is for the good of the clan. Sorry Puddlebee and Softkit and- Owlkit. "They have." She flicked her ear, signaling for the chief to pay attention. "Owlkit. Owlkit will be the next gatherer."

         "Really?" questioned Cloudystone, furrowing his eyebrows. This caused the healer to shift in discomfort. Does Cloudystone know? Please don't. Please don't. "Interesting choice, but I won't question it. If it's the will of our ancestors, I must follow. I'll hold their ceremony right now!"

         Lichencall instantly felt guilty, she was playing with her clanmates actions and destinys, it felt so wrong. She had to keep reminding herself, 'It's for the good of the clan', or she might let the bees out of the hive.

         The two strode out of the hollowed cavity under the tree. Cloudystone leaped onto the bark and raked his claws into it, gripping it as hard as he could. He slowly made his way. Cats began gathering, knowing there was going to be a meeting soon. Since it was still morning, everyone was still at camp.

         "All cats gather under the Sacred Wilt!"

         The council member; Tansybite, Frozengaze, and Silversprint climbed to lower branches of the tree and Lichencall placed herself near the roots.

         "We're all gathered here today to hold the ceremony of five kittens." The littermates beamed with excitement as they stepped forward. "Bubblekit, your mentors will be Tumblesnap and Cricketsong. I believe their courageous and understanding personalities will shape you into a wonderful cat. We welcome you now as Bubblepaw." The new trainee lifted his head up high and proud, beaming.

         "Ferretkit, your mentors will be Galeswoop and Lightningspirit. I think Galeswoop will be a calm, cheerful contrast to your personality while Lightningspirit will drive on that ambition. You will now be known as Ferretpaw."

          The chief beckoned for Needlepaw to come forward. "Needlekit, you will now be known as Needlepaw. Your mentors will be Nectarflake and Sparkpounce. I believe that Nectarflake will complement your personality while Sparkpounce will challenge you with more of a contrast."

         "Beekit, we welcome you as Beepaw. You will be mentored by Songlark and Aspengaze. Songlark will help you grow out of your shell while Aspengaze will give you more of a comforting tone."

         Cloudystone now paused, and shifted his position. Clearing his throat, he stated, "Owlkit. Blooming Meadow has chosen you as their next gatherer. You will be named Owlpaw, and mentored by Lichencall. I believe you will become an excellent healer."

         The clan cheered the five new trainee's names. 'Beepaw! Owlpaw! Bubblepaw! Ferretpaw! Needlepaw!''

         Lichencall finally sighed, it was over. Now, nothing could ever be changed, and no-cat would find out. The only thing that worried her was What would Puddlebee and the rest of the Blooming Tribe say? She felt sick in the stomach again as guilt and nervousness wormed in.

         Just as she thought she had fixed one problem, another had sprouted

What do you think of the prologue?!?!?!