The ground beneath her paw pads was rough and slick. Leopardkit gasped and crouched down, shivering in the cold, pelting rainfall. Thunder crackled somewhere overhead.

     Her spotted fur was soaked down to her skin by the icy rain, darkening her russet color to a deep brown. The she-kit glanced back and forth wildly, struggling to make out her whereabouts in the heavy storm. She blinked as water blurred her vision and sputtered as it dripped into her nose.

Monstrous shapes rose in the distance, jet black peaks that jutted into the sky like jagged teeth. They were gloomy and hazy in the rainfall, but any cat could tell they were among the mountains. Leopardkit's paws slid on the rocky surface as she spun around, grit and pebbles sticking between her toes. Seeing the same huge peaks in every direction, panic began bubbling up inside her. Where am I? Where is Redpaw?

The she-kit's dripping ears discerned a great roar that stood out from the splashing of the rain. She began to follow the sound.

      Leopardkit crept around a great rock face and came upon a massive waterfall, cascading down the mountainside like a living, raging creature. A familiar, warm scent wafted from its direction and drew her closer to it.

Leopardkit noticed a rocky path leading down to the waterfall, and she tentatively followed it, scattering pebbles in her wake. The closer she was to the great torrent of roaring water, the heavier the smell was.

Leopardkit's heart exploded in her chest as her forepaw slipped, slicing on a sharp rock. Her body plummeted forward, and the she-kit gasped as she slid toward the cliff's edge. Her back paws dug into the gravel and found a precarious hold, leaving the she-kit gazing tree-lengths down a slick, dark cliff face with jagged rocks at the bottom.

Her whole body rigid with fear, the she-kit slowly backed up on to the path. Her paw was hot and throbbing, but the she-kit didn't stop to examine it. Pressing her heavy body against the stony side of the path, she continued toward the thundering waterfall with a slight limp, leaving a trail of bloody paw prints behind her.

The she-kit, spotted pelt soaked and clinging to her lean body, carefully followed the well-worn trail into a shadowed hollow hidden behind the waterfall. Mist was rising all around her, obscuring her view of the cave she had stepped into. The rain was absent, but the roar of the waterfall still filled her ears, echoing off the vast walls. Pelt dripping on the stone, the she-kit continued deeper into the cave. Leopardkit suddenly stopped, wet fur bristling.

The smell was surrounding her. It was heavy in every shaky breath she took. The she-kit turned around, a cold fear settling into her bones. The scent was becoming clearer now; it was metallic and rancid, like fresh-kill that had sat too long.

As the mist slowly lifted, her panic heightened. Her heart leapt into overdrive, and a fiery fear rose in her chest. Because as her vision cleared, Leopardkit's amber eyes saw several dark mounds surrounding her. Unmoving. Reeking.

Bodies.

Leopardkit's entire pelt bristled and she whipped around wildly, looking for a way out of the cave, only to discover that the entrance and waterfall had disappeared.

The scent of death clogged her jaws and the she-kit felt a wave of nausea rise in her stomach. An icy fear pulsed through every vein in her body. She couldn't tear her gaze away from the rotting cats.

Her chest constricted, Leopardkit bolted deeper into the cave, which grew darker with each tail-length. Her forepaw caused a jolt of stinging pain with each step, but that wasn't enough to make her slow down. She ran until she was breathless, heaving for air. The she-kit finally stumbled to a stop. She closed her eyes and a small whimper escaped her jaws. Great StarClan, where am I? I have to get out of here, I have to...

       A gust of wind suddenly blew past her ears, and Leopardkit's amber eyes flew open. She was still shrouded in darkness, but sensed she was no longer deep within the cave. The fresh scent of grass and crisp trees were carried on the wind.

       The she-kit peered all around her, but her amber eyes could not adjust to the darkness. Her spotted fur, now dry as dust, once again rose along her spine. Her ears swiveled in front of her, picking up eerie, hushed whispers—or perhaps just the peaceful rustling of grass. A new aroma drifted into Leopardkit's nose that stirred a memory in the back of her head, but she couldn't identify it, to the she-kit's frustration.

      A warm breath stirred her ear fur, and Leopardkit shivered, backing away. The smell was much stronger now, as if the creature was circling her. It brought with it sharp feelings of agony and helplessness. Leopardkit's breathing quickened and her amber eyes grew round with worry.

     "Who are you?" she cried into the darkness. Her own voice was swiftly carried off by the wind. A great storm of anger, frustration, and fear was brewing in her belly.

      And then, all of a sudden, the memory clicked into place.

       Leopardkit stared defiantly into the darkness. "Who are you?" she repeated, her voice stronger this time. The wind buffeted at her pelt, parting her spotted fur. "And why did you save me?"

       A thundering roar responded, jarring Leopardkit from any confidence she felt, and vibrating painfully through her bones and teeth. She hunched over in a terrified crouch, gritting her teeth together. Please, make it stop!

       A sudden, soft touch landed on her back. Leopardkit flinched at first, but calmed when she recognized the scent. She wordlessly followed the creature through the blackness, relying solely on her nose and the scent trail ahead of her.

         She seemed to be traveling away from the thunder and the whipping wind. Leopardkit paused when she felt another soft touch on her shoulder. A soothing voice drifted into her ears, as if it were a gentle breeze.

      "It is not safe for you here..."

        Leopardkit could still only see blackness. "But Bluesky, I have to know," she pleaded. "You could have let me die. I know StarClan doesn't step in to save every kit in danger, so why me?"

        There was silence and Leopardkit thought for a moment that she had been abandoned. Then a response came with the wind, grim and slow.

      "Forces which have long lain dormant are awakening. The forest is in grave danger. You must go on, little leopard; your life and your quest are far from over..."

      Leopardkit felt a chill run up her spine at the ominous message. "I don't understand," she meowed, feeling utterly helpless.

      Before Bluesky's peaceful voice could wrap around her again, a great boom sounded overhead, stronger than the one before. Leopardkit cried out in pain at the jolting shock passing through her fragile body. Her ears ached excruciatingly with the sheer power of the noise. It was an unearthly agony, as if she was stuck in the midst of deafening storm.

     But in the span of a heartbeat, it had ceased.

     Leopardkit gasped and opened her eyes, jumping to her paws and trembling. The Moonpool sat still and silent in front of her, as peaceful as ever. Only the sounds of crickets and rustling leaves reached her ears. The moon had sunk closer to the horizon, with a few stray clouds drifting over it. Redpaw sat next to her, his green eyes wide. He glanced back and forth between the moon and Leopardkit, his expression growing more and more confused. "That's odd..." he muttered to himself.

     The fluffy ginger tom rose and pressed his flank against the she-kit's, offering his support. Normally, she would've fiercely rejected it, but now Leopardkit gratefully leaned on him.

     "You look a bit shaken," Redpaw commented softly. His green gaze ran over her bristling pelt and wild eyes. "Are you alright?"

       Leopardkit gulped and nodded. She could still feel the chill on her pelt from the relentless wind, her bones vibrating in the resounding thunder, her ears throbbing from the sound. She could even still taste a wisp of Bluesky's scent, lingering in her jaws...

        Redpaw laid his tail over her back in a friendly gesture. "Well, we better head back now," he murmured. He slowly guided her away from the Moonpool and back to the forest. "There's still a bit of time before dawn; you'll be able to get some sleep in," the apprentice added brightly. He was clearly trying to cheer her up. Guilt radiated from his pelt.

       "Yeah," Leopardkit agreed, her voice cracking. She stared straight ahead into the woods, walking as if she wasn't in her own body. She highly doubted she would be able to fall asleep now. How could she, if there was a chance that terrible thunder would return? What if she saw the bodies again?

    Bluesky's grim words repeated in the back of her head. Leopardkit hadn't gotten a clear answer to her question. All the invisible she-cat had revealed was that a great danger was coming to the forest. The thought sent chills of dread through Leopardkit, and the scene of the bodies flashed in her vision.

      It was just a dream! she told herself firmly. None of that was real. The cave with the bodies and the storm and even Bluesky; you made it all up in your head. There's nothing to worry about.

      Leopardkit breathed in relief. Of course, it was just an unlucky nightmare. She was overreacting over nothing.

      "Hey, did you hurt yourself?" Redpaw asked worriedly, glancing over his shoulder.

       Leopardkit followed his gaze to where a single, tiny, bloody paw print lay on the stone by the Moonpool. Her breath caught in her throat, the she-kit slowly raised her forepaw and examined the pad, where there was a clean, crimson cut.

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     **A quick author's note. I hope whoever sees this is enjoying the story so far! I'm in the process of revising this entire book, so updates will come randomly, but I do plan on finishing it. Feel free to point out any errors you find or offer constructive criticism!

     Also, I've been trying to attach photos to the beginning of each chapter, but I'm not sure if it's working. Let me know if you all can see them or not! :)