water had dried, but she still shivered at the memory of being swept under the water.

"What happened to you, Wolfheart?" Asked Ripplepool as they entered the Medicine Cat's Den. "She fell into the river." Hazelheart answered for her. Ripplepool gave Wolfheart a suspicious look. "How?" She asked. Wolfheart knew she couldn't share the true story, Clan-member or not, she would have to lie. "I was hunting," She said between coughes, "and I was swept off my feet, into the river by a strong gust of wind."

Ripplepool looked like she didn't believe a single word, but she went on, "You will have to spend a few nights here, maybe even a moon." She sighed.

She awoke the next morning with her paws aching, but to her surprise, when she awoke, Shadowheart was beside her, his flank against hers, and Hazelheart was padding into the dark Den.

"He was really worried about you last night." She explained. "I didn't see him go out, but I knew he would."

Right about that time, Shadowheart's ear twitched, and a loud yawn came from his enormous mouth.

"Feeling any better?" He asked Wolfheart. "Yes," She replied. "I think I am ready to leave The Medicine Cat's Den."

As they padded over to the Fresh-Kill pile together, Wolfheart noticed a young kit, scuffling in the dirt, but not with another kit. She looked lonley and sad, and her eyes had no expression.

"What's wrong with that kit?" Asked Wolfheart. "That's Sourkit," Explained Shadowheart. "She has never been like the other kits-something is wrong with her."

As Wolfheart watched the Brown-and-white kit paw at the dirt, she noticed something was definatly wrong.

"I am going to mention it to Ripplepool." Murmurred Wolfheart, "I think she ought to look at her."

Hazelheart tilted her head. "You know Ripplepool is only a makeshift medicine cat, right? Bluewater is our real medicine cat- but she was out last night."

"And, I wouldn't count on it." added on Shadowheart. "Her mother is Brownstep- the grouchiest queen of them all, she will be really upset if you mention it to Bluewater and she finds out."

Wolfheart looked very closley at Sourkit. Her ears twitched as some distant warriors shared tounges- she had amazing hearing! Yet, her eyes were blank, and colorless.

After a moment, Wolfheart saw what was wrong with Sourkit. She was blind.

"She's blind." Sighed Hazelheart, as if she had read Wolfheart's mind. "But she is almost six moons. Maybe it is a possiblility of her atleast being a apprentice. What use would she be if she wasn't?"

Right about that time, Brownstep emerged from the nursery and padded over to Firestar. Sourkit's ears twitched and she stumbled up and followed her mother's scent.

She has a fine nose. Thought Wolfheart. That could help her in the future.

There was a bit of arguing over Brownstep and Firestar, but then it ended, and Firestar gave a brief nod and padded over to the Highrock, and leaped onto it.

As the cats gathered around, Firestar announced that Sourkit was going to be made an apprentice.

Out of Wolfheart's surprise, Firestar's eyes suddenly met her gaze.

"Wolfheart," He meowed. "you will mentor Sourpaw, even if it takes all of the patience in the world..."

As Wolfheart and Sourpaw greeted each other, the cats started to break up, until the beat of large paws and angry yowls arose from outside the Gorse Tunnel.

"ShadowClan!" Gasped Firestar. "They are attacking us!"