Blossomfur's POV:

As dawn approached, Blossomfur was roused by Spiderkit's excited squeaks. The cream furred she cat slowly lifted her head to see the black kit was being groomed by Flowerstream, chatting away about how she was going to be apprenticed.

Oh yeah. Blossomfur yawned as she watched the happy kit wriggle in the other queen's grip. It's her apprentice ceremony today.

Spiderkit's mewing soon awoke the rest of the den and Blossomfur was piled on by the three tom kits. They squeaked and cried loudly in her ears, pawing and nibbling her fur. They were obviously very hungry.

Flowerstream glanced across at Blossomfur and laughed. "Come on you three, I'm the one with the milk here." She brushed away her own kits, letting them snuggle next to Spiderkit. The older kit patted the three newest additions to the nursery, purring as they patted her back.

Blossomfur giggled as the three toms dashed over to Flowerstream as quickly as their stubby legs could carry them. They all latched onto Flowerstream's belly and began suckling eagerly, their squeaks and wails finally silenced.

Redleaf's tired grumble brought Blossomfur's attention away from the three toms. "Am I delusional or does Flowerstream suddenly have six kits?"

"Shadeheart brought in the three new toms." Blossomfur explained, stretching in her nest. "They were found somewhere in the forest."

"Oh, more rescues." The red she cat smiled faintly. "Has NoName accepted them yet?"

Blossomfur shrugged. "Don't know. Hopefully she does."

The nursery drifted into silence, which was soon broken by a loud squeal from Flamekit. The orange she cat darted out of Redleaf's nest and bounded over to Spiderkit. "Are you going to be apprenticed today?" She asked eagerly, circling the bigger she cat.

"Mhm!" Spiderkit nodded, grinning widely as Snowkit joined her sister. "I'm going out into the forest at last!"

"Aw, cool!" Snowkit stared at her with wide eyes. "I want to come!"

"No you don't." Redleaf's sharp reply sent the rest of the den into light chuckles.

"Please come back here and tell us what the forest is like!" Flamekit begged. "I've always wanted to see it."

"You'll see it soon enough." Flowerstream promised, smiling at the two she kits. "Don't worry."

"It's not soon enough." Flamekit whined, turning to the grey she cat.

"Hey, don't worry." Spiderkit mewed, turning their attention back to her. "I promise to tell you all about the forest when I get back."

Blossomfur jumped in surprise as the three tom kits bounded back to her, climbing onto her back with wild squeaks. Flowerstream chuckled. "Aw, they like you."

Blossomfur smiled back. "Then I hope they don't mind my kits joining them soon."

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Shadeheart's POV:

Shadeheart woke with a start, lifting his head from his nest just as NoName called for a clan meeting. It was the morning of Spiderkit's apprentice ceremony. And tonight I receive my punishment with the shadows.

The dark furred tom stretched, trying to keep his mind off the sense doom looming over him. He still had a whole day to prepare for the ordeal. For now he just needed to distract himself until night fell.

Shadeheart followed his clan mates out of the den and into the cool morning air. He spotted Blossomfur sitting by the nursery, the three tom kits tumbling around her as they play fought. We should think of some names for them, since they are staying. Shadeheart sighed, strolling over to his mate and giving her cheek an affectionate nudge.

"Good morning." The cream she cat purred. "Did you have a good night's rest?"

"Yes." Shadeheart lied, smiling at the she cat. In fact, he hadn't rested much at all. It had been way past moonhigh when he had it to his nest and he kept waking himself up each time he dozed off, his mind plagued by the fear of his punishment for the following day.

The sounds of cheers broke out from the meetinf clearing and Shadeheart realised with a start that he had missed Spiderkit's ceremony. Blossomfur gave him a nudge. "Go on then." She urged. "Don't miss anything else."

The warrior nodded and took off for the clearing just as his clan mates poured back into the main camp. Spiderkit, probably Spiderpaw now, bounded joyfully after Tyler. It seemed that NoName had appointed her brother to mentor the lively she cat. It made sense; she was expected to gain her wings soon and she needed someone of her kind to help her.

Shadeheart watched the mentor and apprentice leave camp, and a thought suddenly coming to mind. If he was NoName's son, didn't he have a chance to get wings? Why hadn't he? Was he really so unlucky that he took completely after his father?

"Shadeheart." A gruff voice broke through his thoughts and he looked up to see none other than Dime.

His father looked at him, a stern expression on his face. "Something wrong?"

"No." Shadeheart replied all too quickly. "Nothing's wrong."

Something close to sympathy passed over Dime's features, but the dark tom kept it well hidden. "You deserve tonight with the shadows. The Dark Forest's way of life is the only way to succeed. You must learn this, just as I once did."

Shadeheart watched, his heart dropping, as Dime strolled away to sort out the patrols. NoName knew he was soft. She knew he sympathised with the prisoners. For a second, Shadeheart wondered if his mother would ever consider killing him. He was a major threat to her order, but he was also her son. Would she really kill him to stay in power?

Probably. A little voice deep inside his head responded.

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