MOUSETAIL WAS CURLED up against Skystorm, relishing the sunshine with delight. It was a beautiful day. The sky was clear and blue with not a cloud in sight, and the sun shone delightfully onto the camp. When the other cats in the Clan had time, they rested in the sunniest spots of the camp to soak in the sunlight. It was especially delightful for Mousetail. For her entire life, she never imagined a day like this being so great. But now that she had Skystorm by her side, everything was better.

The other thing that made it better was the day before, the day Dovepaw came into camp with Foxclaw and Spottedsong, Mousetail and Skystorm discovered that Mousetail was expecting Skystorm's kits. They were just waiting for the perfect time to let the rest of the Clan know. It would be an amazing time for the Clan, considering that no new members of the Clan had been introduced in a long time.

Mousetail felt a huge thrill of excitement at the prospect of being the mother of a litter of kits. She was even more excited when she felt the kits moving around inside her. Like now. She looked up at Skystorm with excitement and love. "We should tell them today," she told him.

Skystorm's green eyes gleamed as though in answer. "Perfect."

"Tell who what?" Cloudsky had just left the medicine den after seeing Frozenfang, and now he was strolling toward Skystorm and Mousetail. "Whispering in public spaces is very rude, you know," he teased.

Skystorm flicked his tail dismissively, glancing at Mousetail quickly. "We know. Mousetail is expecting my kits. We're just waiting for the right time to tell everyone."

Cloudsky's eyes widened in surprise. "Wow. Congratulations. This is a really big time for all of us. Why don't you tell everyone now?"

Mousetail really didn't want to admit the real reason she didn't want to tell everyone yet. She knew that sometimes kits didn't survive for a long time after they were born, and if that happened to her kits when the entire Clan was expecting new warriors, she knew it would be devastating. "Well . . . this sounds silly, but I don't want to get everyone's hopes up, and then . . ." Oh, Mousetail, why are you so pessimistic all of a sudden? she thought. It's going to be fine!

Cloudsky's expression softened. "Don't be so pessimistic," he mewed. "I'm sure it'll all be fine. Besides, why would StarClan let such a thing happen?"

Did you read my mind?

"Okay. Thanks, Cloudsky. I'm sure it will be fine. I'm just nervous because, well, I have a bunch of other little cats inside of me," she admitted, glancing at Skystorm, who had an affectionate glitter in his eyes. "I'll go tell Lynxstar if it makes you two toms happy."

"Oh, more than happy," Skystorm responded. "Overjoyed."

Mousetail purred and flicked her tail over his muzzle good-humoredly. "Alright, I'll go." She stood up and stretched, then with a glance at the two littermates, she headed to the waterfall. "Lynxstar?"

"Come in."

Mousetail came inside the den. It was bright and lively with the beautiful reflection of water through the sunbeams. "I need to share news with you."

Lynxstar looked concerned. Mousetail felt another glimmer of excitement. "What is it?"

"I'm expecting Skystorm's kits!" Mousetail exclaimed happily. "And I think it's more than one."

"Oh!" Lynxstar's eyes widened in surprise. "That's amazing. Congratulations. Would you like to tell the Clan or keep it to yourself for now?"

"Thank you." Mousetail dipped her head gratefully. "I know this is a big thing for all of us, so I would like to tell everyone now. Skystorm and Cloudsky agreed."

"This is a big thing for us all. I will gladly bring the Clan together, but would you like to announce?" Lynxstar asked with a proud glimmer in her deep blue eyes.

"Yes. Thank you very much."

"My pleasure. I'll go now." Lynxstar got up from her spot and made her way to the exit of the den.

"Sure. Thank you again." Mousetail left after her and hurried toward Skystorm, who was still carrying on his conversation with Cloudsky. "Lynxstar says she'll let us announce it to the Clan," she murmured, trying to make sure that no other cat heard.

"Perfect." Skystorm's eyes gleamed with anticipation.

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Snowrock!" Lynxstar yowled. Immediately the cats in the Clan began to gather around the Snowrock.

"It's time!" Mousetail meowed happily to Skystorm. "Are you ready?"

"I was born ready," Skystorm responded, his tail tip flicking with excitement. He touched Mousetail's forehead with his nose. "This is like a dream come true."

"I know it is. It is for me, too." Mousetail licked his ear in return before they headed to the Snowrock.

When all of the cats were gathered around, Lynxstar began. "Today is a very special day for us all. But I will not announce it; Mousetail and Skystorm will."

Some surprised but delighted murmurs rippled through the Clan as Mousetail and Skystorm excitedly made their way to the Snowrock.

"You can say it if you like," Mousetail told him.

Skystorm nodded and turned to the Clan. "Yesterday we discovered that Mousetail is expecting kits!"

There was a shocked silence for a couple of heartbeats, and then an excited outburst of celebratory yowls and exclamations. Mousetail felt her kits wiggle around inside her, as if they, too, were excited about the news. She leaned into Skystorm, gazing up at him happily.

When the outbursts died down, Lynxstar added, "And as a result, Mousetail will be moving to the nursery so she can safely expect her kits." She dipped her head to Mousetail and Skystorm respectfully before turning back to the Clan. "Feel free to return to your original duties."

Nuzzling Skystorm's ear affectionately, Mousetail leaped off the Snowrock. "I want to talk to Dovepaw for a moment. I have talked to her in two days." And we haven't had the conversation she wanted two days ago. Mousetail felt ashamed for not keeping her promise to Dovepaw. Ever since she became a warrior, Mousetail noticed how she and her sister drifted apart more and more, and it made her feel miserable each time she thought about it. They had been best friends since the beginning.

"Sure. I don't mind." Skystorm touched her cheek with his nose before padding away.

Mousetail stared after him for a moment before padding away toward Dovepaw, who was headed to the medicine den. "Hey, I'm sorry if I'm interrupting you or anything, but I wanted to catch up."

Dovepaw glanced over her shoulder and then touched Mousetail's nose with hers in greeting. "Hi! Congratulations on your kits. I'm so happy for you. Tell Skystorm, too. And no, you're not interrupting anything."

"Okay, good. I didn't know if you were too busy because of what happened yesterday. I know I forgot to see what you wanted to talk about, and I'm sorry. I could see you were very hasty about it," Mousetail told her.

"Oh, yes. But I didn't want to ruin your big day with my worries." Dovepaw let out a small laugh. "But if you have time, I can tell you now. I just don't want to interrupt you and Skystorm."

"It's fine, really. I felt bad for leaving you waiting. So. What is it?"

Dovepaw looked around, then angled her ears to the medicine den. "Follow me."

Mousetail glanced at Skystorm before following her littermate. They stopped at the front of the medicine den. "So, what is it?" she repeated.

"You know what you said about Spottedsong? About not wanting to come back?" Dovepaw asked with a nervous glance inside the den where Spottedsong was resting.

"Yeah. What about it?" Mousetail felt a little nervous at the mention of what happened with Spottedsong. The tortoiseshell she-cat was certainly a mystery, that was for sure.

"I saw her the other night." Suddenly Dovepaw was working her claws nervously on the earth. "But it was really weird . . ."

"How was it weird?" Mousetail asked.

"I . . . I had no control over it. And I didn't even remember waking up. I just opened my eyes and I was running in the middle of nowhere. And then I came to the forest on uncharted territory, and Spottedsong was there." Dovepaw glanced at Spottedsong again. "She told me to run."

The image of what Dovepaw explained took Mousetail by surprise. "Why?"

"I-I don't know." Dovepaw turned her gaze to her paws as if she was ashamed of herself for not knowing. "But she told me that Moonclaw was in the middle of it." Her fur began to bristle. "I had faith in her all this time, and look what she's done!"

Mousetail looked around nervously. "Keep your voice down. How do you know that Moonclaw is in the middle of it?"

"Spottedsong told me that Moonclaw made her and all of the other traitors of this Clan do what they did. It's terrible, I know, but it's true. I'm sorry I didn't listen to Spottedsong when she said that Moonclaw was evil."

Mousetail found herself staring at Dovepaw with shock. How? How did she make them do that? That's . . . impossible. "Are you sure? Does she even have proof?"

"Why would she say that if she didn't have proof?" Dovepaw challenged. "You can ask her yourself; she'll say the same thing!"

Mousetail was unconvinced. She eyed Dovepaw suspiciously. That seems dangerous. She looked into the medicine den. It didn't even seem right to go in and ask. Spottedsong looked like she was in a lot of pain physically and mentally. It wasn't right. "I can ask her later. Thanks for telling me, though."

"Of course. Now, if you excuse me, I'm going to check on them." Dovepaw dipped her head briefly before whisking into the den.

Mousetail stood there for a moment before walking toward Skystorm, who was in a conversation with Gorseberry, Cloudsky, and Whitefoot. "Hey," she mewed as she joined Skystorm's side. "Dovepaw says 'Congratulations.'"

Skystorm touched her nose with his in greeting. "You're lucky to have such a kind littermate. Gorseberry and Whitefoot were just saying the same thing."

Whitefoot dipped his head respectfully. "Yes. This is a very big time for us all. We should stop to celebrate."

Mousetail's nervousness faded and her usual energy returned. She touched Skystorm's forehead with her nose and joined the conversation.