You give one Sparrowkit one final look then take off in the direction of your clan. You shake your head, trying to forget the haunting look of betrayal in his eyes. You're a kit, what chance do you have against two strange cats? Besides, it was Sparrowkit's fault you were even in that mess in the first place. This is the fastest way to get a cat who can actually help. It's not your fault if Sparrowkit has a problem with the only smart thing to do. You repeat these things to yourself as you race through the forest. It helps take some of the sting off of the guilt.

Suddenly, you find yourself barreling into another clearing. You have just enough time to register two more cats before your body collides into one of them. You shake your head and stumble around, dizzy from the impact. Your vision focuses and you gasp. Staring down at you are a very annoyed Brumestar and Maplestrike.

"What are you doing out here, Y/Nkit?" asks Brumestar coldly. "Don't you know a cat of your age isn't allowed outside camp? Explain yourself!"

You start to mumble something, then stop. Brumestar raises her brows. You shake your head, trying to find the words to respond to Brumestar. Her copper eyes bore into you as you wrack your brain for what you've just forgotten. Then it hits you like a thunderbolt. "S-sparrowkit's back there with two strange cats!" you cry.

"If you're trying to get out of this...," Maplestrike growls, his yellow eyes narrowing.

Brumestar cut him off, sniffing the air. "No, they're telling the truth. I smell two rogues just north of where they came." Brumestar straightens up. "Maplestrike, go get your son and drive off those rogues. I'm taking this one back to camp." Maplestrike's eyes widen, and he rushes the way you'd came.

"Follow me, little one," said Brumestar. You obey at once, not wanting to get into even more trouble than you're already in. You walk in silence for a time before Brumestar speaks. "I still don't know what possessed you to wander outside of clan, Y/Nkit."

"It was Sparrowkit's idea. We just wanted to prove we aren't mousehearts!" you mew, hating how pathetic you sound.

"Enough!" snaps Brumestar. "I'm not interested in who's at fault here. Both of you should have known better. I'll leave your punishment up to your mother Brindleclaw, but if more incidents like this occur I'll be forced to push back your apprenticeship." Your heart sinks. No matter what punishment your clan leader could have devised, Brindleclaw would do worse and then some.

Your head lowered as you stare at your paws, you barely notice the once so captivating outside world go by until Brumestar leads you back to the nursery den. After such a scary day, you almost feel like bounding back inside, your tail quivering. Then you remember that Brindleclaw is waiting for you there and your tail lowers to the ground.

After Brumestar glares at you, you reluctantly creep into the nursery den. Brindleclaw looks up at the two of you, a rare smile on her face. "Little kit! Zere you are. Brindleclaw vas getting so worried for you." Then she looks at Brumestar, then back at you. Her eyes narrow. "Vhat trouble did you get into vis time?" she asks with barely repressed rage.

"They snuck away from camp with Sparrowkit. Punish them as you like," says Brumestar. She gives you a final look full of pity, then slips out of the nursery den.

"VHAT IN ZE DARK FOREST VHERE YOU ZINKING?!" yowls Brindleclaw as soon as Brumestar is out of sight, her voice so loud it's nearly earsplitting. "YOU MEAN TO FRIGHTEN BRINDLECLAW TO DEATH?! DID STARCLAN GIVE YOU DUNG FOR BRAIN?! BACK IN OLD COUNTRY..."

Brindleclaw's words start to merge together as you huddle into a shaking little ball. "I'm sorry," you mumble over and over again. Just when it feels like you can't take it any more, Brumestar returns with a badly shaken Sparrowkit held in her scruff. A great weight feels like it's lifted off your shoulders when you notice he's not hurt.

You start to move over to him, but he walks off without meeting your eyes. He moves over to Mossfur and Violetkit, who talk with him in low voices, licking the tears from his eyes. Violetkit's large eyes briefly meet yours, filled with accusations worse than any words. You bury your head in the ground, wishing it would swallow you up.

Lose One Relationship Point with Violetkit. Lose Two Relationship Points with Sparrowkit. End of Chapter. Go to Chapter 2.

A/N: I'm impressed that I was able to finish this since I 99% have caught covid thanks to my sister. Next chapter drops tomorrow. Don't forget to leave an upvote and reply, it really helps me out.