As SpiritStrike, Oakfall, and Wolfstripe brought the three drenched kits into the medicine cat's den, Rustflower was instantly taken aback by the sight of the dripping kittens

"In starclans name, what on earth has happened to them?!" She exclaimed, her eyes wide in shock as she hurried over to assess the kits' condition

The warriors put the kits down, and shadowkit shakes his fur "they fell in the river." Wolfstripe meowed "while sneaking out"

Rustflower's eyes widened in disbelief as she heard Wolfstripe's words. She mewed in a stern tone "Sneaking out, huh? How...irresponsible and foolish! What were you thinking?!"

Nightkit tried to defend himself, but his teeth were chattering too much to speak clearly. Fawnkit shivered and groomed herself, trying to get warm.

Shadowkit managed to hiss "it w- wasn't just shameless sneaking out! We had a reason!"

Rustflower turned to shadowkit, her eyes narrowing as she asked "And what reason is that? Because as far as I can tell, you were just being reckless and impulsive, putting not only yourselves, but the whole clan in danger."

Wolfstripe nodded in agreement, his expression stern

Shadowkit looked up at Rustflower, trying to explain himself "we weren't just being reckless. We had a plan! We were trying to prevent a potential disaster!"

Rustflower arched a brow skeptically. She meowed "A plan, you say? And what kind of 'plan' did you have in mind that involved sneaking out in the middle of the night and nearly being swept away by the river?"

Fawnkit chimed in, her voice still shaky from the cold "we were...trying to prevent a war between the clans! There was something important we needed to do!"

Rustflower's stern expression softened slightly as she heard Fawnkit's words. She looked at the kits, seeming to consider their explanation

SpiritStrike spoke up, his voice stern but calm "war? What could possibly cause a war!? Is this another little kit game of yours!?"

This time it was nightkit who spoke up, he stood and squeaked defensively "it's not a game! Sandrunner stole prey from JaguarClan!"

The warriors and Rustflower exchanged uncertain glances, trying to understand the seriousness of the kits' claims. Rustflower looked back at them, her expression intense

She mewed in a firm yet curious tone "And how are you so sure, Nightkit? What makes you think Sandrunner would do such a thing?"

Shadowkit interrupted "while we were playing earlier today, we heard a patrol run through the bracken with wide eyes, and...and...uhm ..."

Fawnkit chimed in "sandrunner had a bleeding scratch on her shoulder so we asked why! And she looked around all nervously!"

Nightkit finished it "she said it was rouges! But then Wolfstripe said 'sure that's why, you tooootally didn't steal prey off of JaguarClan territory! And so we decided to do something...but then we realized we didn't have a plan..and fought, then I knocked them in the river, then you saved us, and now we're here!!"

The cats in the den were silent for a moment, processing the kits' explanation. Rustflower leaned in, her eyes narrowing as she interrogated them more

She meowed firmly "So you thought it would be a good idea to investigate the border alone, in the dead of night?"

The three kits flinched, knowing they were in trouble, but they nodded sheepishly "yeah..." shadowkit mewed softy

Rustflower huffed, her expression clearly frustrated, but there was a hint of understanding in her eyes

"I hope you realize how irresponsible that was," She meowed sternly "putting yourself in danger like that...you could have been attacked by a patrol or worse...you could have been swept away by the river. You're lucky to be alive"

The three kits looked down, their ears drooping, realizing they had indeed made a foolish mistake.

Rustflower gave them a weird looking herb "here, eat this coltsfoot, it will help your breathing"

Shadowkit ate it, grimacing at the taste "this is disgusting!

Rustflower chuckled slightly at shadowkit's reaction. She meowed "I know it's not the most pleasant taste, but it will do you good, trust me."

The other two kits swallowed their coltsfoot, making various disgusted faces as they did so

Wolfstripe snorted and rolled his eyes "just be glad you didn't drown"

Rustflower nodded, agreeing with Wolfstripe's words. She turned back to the kits, her expression serious again

"You should know better than this. You are too young, and inexperienced to be making such decisions. Next time you have a problem or something important to say, you need to go to a warrior, not try and solve it all by yourself"

Nightkit and Fawnkit averted their eyes, feeling guilty and regretful. Only shadowkit still protested "you should be thankful we care for the clan" he snarled before hearing his mother, Scargaze come in.

The moment Scargaze stepped into the medicine den, her eyes widened in shock and concern as she saw the soaked and shivering kits

She rushed over to them, her eyes flickering to Rustflower in worry "What in starclans name happened to them!?" she meowed urgently

Rustflower explained what had occurred, how the kits had snuck out and nearly been swept away by the river

Scargaze's expression hardened as she listened, a look of rage mixed with worry passed through her eyes as she heard how close they had come to danger

"By the stars!" She said in disbelief, looking at the kits sternly "What on earth possessed you to do something so reckless!?"

Nightkit hissed angrily this is sandrunners fault! If she wouldn't have stolen prey we would have.. mumbling to himself

Shadowkit listened as Fawnkit recalled the entire story fawnkits right!, we deserve to feel honored instead of dishonored right now! We were defending our clan! Because Sandrunner broke the warrior code! Whips around and narrows his eyes at Wolfstripe "And Wolfstripe knows it! He knows what happened, what she did!"

Wolfstripe's expression darkened at Shadowkit's words, his eyes narrowing "I do know what happened" he hissed, "but that does not excuse your behavior."

Scargaze huffed in agreement "Wolfstripe is right, there's a proper way to handle things, and sneaking out in the night like that is not the way

Nightkit protested again "But-!"

Scargaze cut him off firmly "No! You're kits, this kind of situation is handled by warriors, not little kittens like you! Now go back to the nursery and I'll dry you off. I'm going to speak with the others."