It had slowly occurred to Honeykit that Berrykit was a cat whose soul seemed far too pure to touch. 

She had never truly met someone this innocent. 

His big heart and shining eyes always seemed to be able to melt Honeykit into a puddle. She sought comfort in him as the brother she wished she had.

Leaning against him with her tail curled around her paws, Hon closed her eyes, letting herself slip into a made-believe fantasy that everyone in the world was as pure as her friend. But, of course, that wouldn't last.

"Oh, so there you are!"

Honeykit widened her eyes, sitting up and fixing all her attention on Morningflower. The beautiful she-cat would've captured the attention of many males with her coat but there was a catch.

She used to be a kittypet.

The simple knowledge of this was an instant repellent to all cats. All cats except for her mother, Littlebird, and Mistysky, who was also not pure-blooded. 

It was rumoured that Mistysky made a promise to protect Morningflower at all costs. It certainly seemed that she was keeping her promise.

Now, Morningflower was snarling at Cream, "Where were you?!"

The rogue looked completely baffled, "I was hunting, like you told me to."

The beautiful warrior was quickly losing her temper, "I didn't tell you to run off without the rest of the patrol! You're supposed to stay with us at all times."

Honeykit glanced at the other members of their patrol.

Lilypad was sitting rigidly behind Morningflower in silent support. The excellent huntress had on an entirely complacent expression all except for her furrowed brow.

Eaglesoar's paws were placed shoulder-width apart, his bushed tail lashing from side to side. The only thing keeping him from leaping into the argument was Treeclimber's tail that was laid cleanly on his spine. The mottled tom-cat being the more sensible of the two brothers, murmured soothing words into his sibling's ears.

More and more cats were starting to take notice of the commotion that the two she-cats were making. Redbee looked up reluctantly from sunning himself, his ears flattened in an obvious attempt to block out this interruption in his afternoon nap.

Barkpelt was glancing thoughtfully at the leader's den, his paws fidgety. The old deputy certainly didn't want to bother Hawkstar and was watching the situation carefully.

Lilypad, remaining quite pointedly in her seated position, spoke up, "If you are going to stay in Skyclan, you must follow the Skyclan rules."

Cream blinked, her gaze still vacant of any self-righteousness that usually came with defending oneself, "Yes, but I don't understand. Can't we catch more prey if we split up?"

The she-cat's cluelessness was making several other cats twitch. Mistysky sank her claws into the earth as if trying not to leap at the kittypet.

Honeykit found all of this slightly amusing. The way Cream played dumb was incredibly admirable to say the least.

Berrykit muttered, "Poor Cream. She didn't do anything, really."

Quietly, Hon understood that other cats needed the freedom to voice their own opinion, whether it be right or wrong. Not all cats could find enjoyment in silently observing.

Morningflower smoothed down her fur, "But you could get caught unaware by a badger or fox more easily. You never know if you'll be attacked by agressive rogues either."

Lilypad agreed readily, her voice pleading the rogue to see reason, "It's always safer to hunt in patrols. It's also more organised."

Cream shook her head, "That's silly."

This immediately provoked a wild response from Morningflower, who took several steps forward, claws unsheathed.

Lilypad was finally ruffled, scrunching her nose up indignantly, "Cream, you need to understand that-"

Morningflower leaped, her enraged yowl cutting off any further, peaceful negotiation. Cream tensed and the two she-cats collided in a flurry of claws and insults.

At this, Beestripe finally emerged from the nursery, blinking away sleep. The queen had been sleeping soundly next to Stonekit, Fogkit and Dapplekit the whole afternoon. It was only Cloudykit and Berrykit who were willing to get up and talk to Hon.

This irked Honeykit.

Two cats could definitely not provide the same amount of love that every cat in the clan could. Which was what she earned.

Mum quickly scooped the kits into her warmth, "Into the nursery, you go. It's far too loud and violent outside."

Honeykit mentally cursed her mother while snuggling obediently close. She didn't want to cause trouble, but also wanted to hear what happened next.

Cloudykit bared her teeth, "No! I wanna see!"

Beestripe glared down at her daughter, mouth twitching and ready to scold.

"NO!"

All eyes were instantly trained on Cream as she lifted her head in a dramatic wail. Her chest fluff seemed to have exploded; there was nothing left to contain it. It took Honeykit a moment to realise that her collar was gone.

Without the strange blue band around her neck, she was revealed to possess an admirably large and wavy mane. Hon secretly wished it was the same for herself.

Perhaps more cats will admire me and love me for my mane.

Morningflower growled, "Get over it!"

Cream took a moment to blink back some glistening tears that had been building up in her eyes, "Yes, you're right."

Honeykit could no longer be surprised by this former kittypet's strange mood swings. Maybe mood swings wasn't the correct term. Her changes of attitude were much more calculated. They almost seemed planned.

Cream dipped her head, "I'm sorry, Morningflower, every cat. I'll try."

Her eyes glowed, "I'll try."

Hi!!

Sorry for the short chapter, even though thats not the first time :'D

Hope yall haven't completely forgotten about this spin-off story, even though I, as the writer, nearly did. 

I wish I could give an excuse that I have studies due or something like that. But that would be a straight up lie. I'm simply just lazy and I always will be. A leopard can't change her spots. 

<3