Rainheart pelted into the camp, holding a mouse in his jaws. As he raced through the clearing, he nearly crashed into Cougarfoot, who reared back just in time.

"Great StarClan, slow down!" The golden brown tom exclaimed from behind him. 

Sorry! Rainheart thought, unable to respond with a mouth full of mouse. He ducked his head as he slipped into the nursery. 

Poppywing lay in her nest of moss, her chin rested on her paws. When she heard Rainheart's arrival, she raised her head and purred warmly. "Hello, my love."

He dropped the mouse in front of her and let out a purr, sitting down. "I caught this just for you."

"Thanks, Rainheart," She purred and lowered her head, taking a bite out of the mouse. 

On the other side of the den, Poisonedsap lay in her nest, watching them. By her belly suckled her two newborn kits, Stonekit and Swiftkit. They had just been born yesterday. Both were black and white toms, though Stonekit was more white than black, unlike his brother.

"You're back again?" Poisonedsap snorted as she narrowed her amber eyes at him. "You were just here this morning!"

Poppywing had been in the nursery for over a moon now. Every day, Rainheart tried to visit her as often as he possibly could when he wasn't on patrols, bringing her prey, water, and fresh moss for her nest. He knew that Poppywing missed being able to go hunting. He wanted to keep her company and make sure that she was comfortable. The kits were due any day now.

Rainheart dipped his head to the queen. "What's wrong with that?" He demanded. "I'm excited for my kits."

For a moment, Poisonedsap didn't respond. Then, she lashed her tail and rolled her eyes. "If Maplefur were barging in here as often as you, I'd shred his ears," She muttered and looked down at her kits.

"Stop acting like a grumpy old badger, Poisonedsap," Poppywing purred, and the former rogue shot her a glare. "I like it when Rainheart visits."

"Maybe you do." The golden brown she-cat grunted. "The sooner these kits arrive, the sooner he'll stop being a nuisance."

Rainheart was too excited to let Poisonedsap offend him. He was going to be a father, and nothing could crush his happiness about that. All that mattered was he, Poppywing, and their future kits. Nothing else felt as important, and certainly not Poisonedsap's opinion.

"Do you need anything else, Poppywing?" He prompted, gazing at her warmly. "I'll find whatever you want, you name it!"

The red tabby let out a purr. "I'm fine Rainheart, thank you."

"Rainheart!" Bloomfire poked her head into the den. "Cobratail wants to know if you'd like to join a patrol. You spend so much time in here, you're starting to smell like a queen."

He let out an amused purr. "Very funny." He hesitated. "I should stay with Poppy-"

"Rainheart, go on," Poppywing gently nudged him. "I love seeing you, but you can't avoid your duties. I'll be here when you get back."

He hesitated for a long moment, then sighed. "Alright, I will." He gazed at her lovingly. "I'll see you later." He lowered his head and touched his nose to hers before turning away.

As he followed Bloomfire out into the clearing, she looked at him in amusement. "Any cat would think you're the one having the kits," She commented. Rainheart shot her a look, and she purred. "I'm just teasing." Her eyes warmed. "I'm happy for you."

"Thanks, Bloomfire," He meowed happily, gently nudging his sister. "Did Cobratail really want me for a patrol, or were you just trying to get me out of the nursery?"

"He does," The orange and white she-cat purred. She led him to the center of the clearing where Cobratail stood, surrounded by warriors.

When the clan deputy spotted them, he dipped his head. "Ah, Rainheart. How is Poppywing today?" He asked. He too was interested in the arrival of his sister's kits.

"She's fine," Rainheart told him. "The kits should arrive any day now."

Cobratail nodded and purred. "We all can't wait." He paused before adding. "Cougarfoot is leading a patrol to refresh the scent markers along the ThunderClan border. Would you like to join them?"

"Sure," He dipped his head and padded over to the golden brown warrior. He was joined by Cliffshade, Greenpine, and the newest warrior, Diamondrain.

The day after Poppywing had told Rainheart she was expecting kits, Diamondrain had been made a warrior. And just last moon, her brother, Dewstorm had earned his full medicine cat name. Sunflower's two kits, Blackpaw and Brownpaw, had been made apprentices.

Cougarfoot gave him an irritated, but mildly amused look, and Rainheart ducked his head in embarrassment. "Err I'm sorry I almost knocked you over earlier."

"That's alright," The warrior purred in amusement. He turned to the other members of the patrol. "Come on."

***

The sun shone high in the sky as Rainheart padded through the forest with the patrol. Diamondrain and Greenpine spoke together quietly, while Cliffshade joined his brother at the head of the group, sniffing at the grass.

"Wait." Cougarfoot suddenly stopped, raising his tail to the others and studying their surroundings.

They halted, and Diamondrain's eyes widened. "What is it?" She whispered. 

Before Cougarfoot could respond, Cliffshade raised his head and bristled, his nostrils flaring as he sniffed at the air. "Fox." He growled. 

Rainheart quickly picked up the scent and felt his fur prickle with unease. He remembered the fight with the two foxes that had cost Stormstar his life all those moons ago. He certainly didn't want to see a fox again anytime soon. "It's fresh," He commented uneasily. 

"It must be living in our territory," Greenpine realized, her green eyes flashing with alarm. "Do you suppose it's the same one that killed Stormstar?"

"It could be," Cougarfoot meowed grimly. "We'd better check it out. Every cat, stay close." He slowly headed onward, and Cliffshade and Greenpine fell in behind him. 

Diamondrain hesitated, her eyes filled with unease, and Rainheart stepped to her side. "Don't worry," He told her quietly. "There are five of us. A fox would be mouse brained to attack us."

She slowly nodded. "That's true..." She followed Greenpine, and Rainheart joined her. He couldn't deny the fact that he was a bit nervous too. He and Diamondrain had to be the weakest cats on the patrol. But Cougarfoot, Cliffshade, and Greenpine were strong and skilled fighters. He felt ashamed to think that he was relying on them for protection.

The forest was eerily quiet as they slowly headed through the trees. Rainheart glanced around him warily, half expecting a fox to leap out of the bushes at them. Suddenly, Cougarfoot stopped in his tracks, and Cliffshade stopped just before he bumped into him. 

"What is-" Greenpine began.

"Quiet!" Cougarfoot hissed, and she fell silent. Rainheart peered over Greenpine's head and felt his fur prickle. Up ahead was a badger's den. With a start, Rainheart remembered it. The den had belonged to the badger that had killed Silverblossom several moons ago. The badger had abandoned the den, but it seemed that something else had made it their home.

Greenpine's eyes widened. "That's the abandoned badger den," She breathed. 

"Yes," Cliffshade growled lowly. "And it looks like that rotten fox has moved into it."

This isn't good. Rainheart thought worriedly. That fox has made a home here. And it doesn't look like it's leaving anytime soon.

"Should we take a look?" Cliffshade asked, his eyes narrowed.

Cougarfoot shook his head. "No. We don't know if the fox is inside right now. And I'm not too keen on meeting it." He turned to the others. "Come on. We'll return to camp and report it to Depthstar. Every cat should avoid this area until we figure out how to drive the fox away."

As the cats turned away, Rainheart hesitated, looking back at the fox den. If any cat got near that den, the fox would tear them apart. He thought uneasily. I hope I never have to face it. With a shudder, he turned and hurried after the others.