"What happened?" Bloomfire meowed as Flameheart entered the den. She lay in her nest, looking ready to go to sleep. Crickets chirped outside in the night."I heard Swiftkit had an accident."

Flameheart set Bloodkit down in front of her. "Yes, just a little quarrel with some thorns. He'll be alright."

"Are you alright, Bloodkit?" She looked at her kit.

Bloodkit looked down, unable to meet his mother's gaze. Will Flameheart tell her what happened? Will she be mad? Will she believe me if I tell her the truth?

"Bloodkit?" Bloomfire stared at him, her eyes growing round with concern.

When he didn't respond, Flameheart sat down beside his mate. "The clan thinks that Bloodkit pushed Swiftkit into the thorn barrier." He told her.

Bloomfire's orange ears flicked forward. "What?" She exclaimed. "He would never do that!"

"I know he wouldn't." Flameheart looked down at Bloodkit. "The clan wouldn't hear him out. Will you tell us exactly what happened?"

Bloodkit shuffled his paws. "What does it matter?" He whispered. "The clan still thinks I did it."

"Nevermind that," His father told him. "We know you didn't. And if you tell us exactly what happened, we can tell Depthstar, and he'll understand."

Bloodkit hesitated, feeling a bit comforted by that. If Depthstar believes me, maybe he'll like me and let me be a warrior..! "Well," He rasped, shuffling his paws. "We were playing, and Depthstar and Cobratail were coming out of the leader's den. Swiftkit was looking back at me as he was running, he didn't see them." He looked up. Flameheart and Bloomfire were watching him, listening intently. "I thought he was going to run straight into them, and get in trouble," Bloodkit mewed. "So I pushed him out of the way." Guilt pulsed through his stomach. "I never meant for him to get hurt!"

"Oh, Bloodkit..." Bloomfire lowered her head and began lapping at his fur. She paused. "Of course you didn't."

"I'll tell Depthstar right now." Flameheart told him, giving his head a lick. "Would you like to come?" Bloodkit shook his head, too afraid to face the clan leader again. "Alright. Don't worry, we'll sort this out," He promised. "I'll be right back." He turned and ducked out of the den.

I hope Depthstar believes him..! Bloodkit thought anxiously. It's my only chance to be a warrior! An alarming thought jolted through him. What does Swiftkit think of me, now? Does he think I meant to hurt him, too?? He looked up at his mother anxiously. "Can I go see Swiftkit?"

Bloomfire gazed at him. "Of course."

Bloodkit headed for the den exit and hesitated, peering out warily. The camp looked empty and dark. He saw two shapes near the camp entrance and decided that they must be the guards for tonight. Figuring it was safe, he stepped out into the clearing. He headed for the medicine den and poked his head in.

Hawkfeather and his apprentice, Dewstorm, slept in their nests on the far side of the den, their herbs sorted in neat piles along the wall of the den. Across from them, Poisonedsap lay on the ground, her black tipped tail curled over her nose. Stonekit lay a few mouse lengths from her, his ear twitching occasionally in his sleep. Swiftkit lay on his side in a nest close to Dewstorm, his black flank rising and falling softly as he slept.

Bloodkit cast Poisonedsap a nervous glance, remembering how furious the golden she-cat had been earlier. He could only imagine how angry she would be if she woke up and saw him. Something about her had always rubbed him the wrong way. But now, he was truly afraid of her. He remembered how she'd unsheathed her claws during the argument with Flameheart.

Would she have attacked him? Bloodkit suddenly wondered. Would she have drawn blood? It's against the warrior code to harm a clanmate, isn't it? He stared at the jagged, thorn-sharp claws glinting through her dark fur, imagining them tearing through his father's pelt... He shuddered and turned his attention back to Swiftkit. He cautiously padded past Poisonedsap and crouched by him.

"Swiftkit..." Bloodkit whispered. When he didn't move, he gave the tom-kit's shoulder a gentle prod. "Swiftkit."

"Wha?" Swiftkit stirred, blinking open his blue eyes. "Bloodkit?" He looked confused. Suddenly, Bloodkit didn't know what to say. Why didn't I plan this out?? He thought miserably. "What's up?" Swiftkit murmured, his eyelids lowering, looking drowsy.

"Are you mad at me?" Bloodkit blurted out.

"What?" Swiftkit blinked. "Why would I-" He paused, his eyes softening. "I know you didn't push me into the thorns on purpose, Bloodkit."

He looked at him hopefully. "You do?"

"Of course," Swiftkit meowed. "You wouldn't hurt me like Stonekit and-" He broke off and cast his mother a nervous look. He lowered his voice. "Anyway, I would have run into Depthstar and Cobratail if you hadn't stopped me. Now that would have been embarrassing!"

Bloodkit twitched his whiskers in amusement before turning serious again. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired," Swiftkit replied. "Hawkfeather gave me poppy seeds, and they sure do make you sleepy."

"Swiftkit,"

Bloodkit nearly jumped out of his fur and the quiet meow behind him. He spun around, bristling. A creamy tabby tom stood in the entrance to the den, yellow eyes flashing in the darkness. After a heartbeat, Bloodkit recognized him. It was Swiftkit's father, Maplefur.

Swiftkit let out a soft purr as the warrior leaned over him and swiped his tongue over his ear. "I heard about what happened. Are you alright?"

"I'm okay," Swiftkit replied.

Maplefur looked at Bloodkit, and he tensed. He had always seemed nicer than Poisonedsap, but he wasn't sure what the cream furred warrior thought of him. "I just spoke with Depthstar and Flameheart." Maplefur meowed.

Bloodkit stared up at him nervously. "I-I-"

"He didn't mean to hurt me," Swiftkit meowed. "It was an accident."

"I know." Maplefur murmured.

Bloodkit's ears perked forward in surprise. He believes me?

"Bloodkit," The tom sat down, and Bloodkit felt his stomach churn under the warrior's gaze. "I hear what the clan says about you. I'm sure you do, too." He paused, seeming to choose his next words carefully. "Our paths aren't laid out at birth.... Like some cats think. It's up to us to build them." Bloodkit stared at him, fascinated as he took in Maplefur's words.

"The clan may think they know who you are," Maplefur went on quietly. "And what you may become... But they don't. Not yet. You need to show them who you are."

"How do I do that?" Bloodkit asked anxiously.

"It will take time," the tom told him. "You need to be patient. Never let anyone cause you doubt. Focus on your training, and one day you'll be one of ShadowClan's finest warriors. You'll prove your loyalty and worth to them."

"You really think so?" Bloodkit asked.

Maplefur nodded. "I do."

Bloodkit felt his heart pound with anticipation. Suddenly, he was filled with courage and determination. Maplefur's words gave him hope. He would be a warrior. And he would show ShadowClan just how valuable he was!

"Thank you!" Bloodkit squeaked. "Thank you so much!" He ran out of the den. "See you, Swiftkit!" He went straight back to the nursery, where Bloomfire lay, Flameheart sitting close to her. They looked at him as he ran in.

"Bloodkit, I spoke to Depthstar," Flameheart began. Bloodkit stopped in his tracks, staring at his father anxiously. What had Depthstar said?

"He understands, and believes that he misjudged the situation," He told him. "He wanted me to tell you he's sorry for putting the blame on you."

The happiness flowed through him again like floodwater. Bloodkit let out a delighted purr and raced at Bloomfire, pressing himself against her orange pelt. "He believes me!" He cried. "Maplefur, too! And Swiftkit!"

Bloomfire purred and nuzzled his head. Flameheart lay down and rested his muzzle against Bloodkit's shoulder. "Of course," He purred. "And so do we."

I'm going to be a warrior! Bloodkit thought, a loud purr rumbling in his throat as his parents cuddled him. I'm going to be the best warrior in ShadowClan!