Momma? Momma? Where is Momma? Where did she go?

Huddled deep within the dull thistles of a bush, a tiny, helpless figure shivered uncontrollably out of both cold and fear. Her dark brown fur, though filthy and unkept, blended in with the dirt and branches quite well, though her bright, yellow-green eyes stuck out like the moon on a dark night. She didn't know how long she had been out there in the forest; from her size, she looked to have only just been weaned off of her mother's milk...and then her mother disappeared, and she was left alone. Void of any basic survival instincts, the bush shook and rustled with every small move the kitten made, attracting the clear attention of anything in the nearby area.

Luckily for the poor kit, that included Greythorn, who quickly took notice of her hiding place after picking up her scent.

The kit let out a squeak of fear at the loud, commanding voice coming from outside of the bush. Her first instinct was to draw back even deeper into the foliage, but she soon hit a wall of thick brambles and couldn't back up any more. There was nowhere to go but outside, facing whoever was calling to her. Summoning all of her courage, she took slow, cautious steps forward, until the light of the sun hit her face.


Emerging from the bush was not an intruder, but a young kit, barely two moons old. Her pelt and face were covered with dirt and grime; she hadn't been groomed by anyone in several days. Tail tucked between her legs and ears flat against her head, she stared up terrified at Greythorn.

The young she-cat stared up at the tom with clear hesitation in her eyes. She wasn't sure what to do; she didn't know this cat, and she didn't know where she was or even how she got there. When he moved to approach her, her first instinct was to flinch away. But even still, he looked...nice. Despite how gruff and scary his voice sounded before, this strange feline was calm and soft; with clear, genuine kindness in his eyes. She hadn't seen another cat since she had found herself wandering in the forest, and for a brief moment she felt herself getting lost in the warmth of his compassionate gaze. Glancing down almost shyly at his question, her trembling voice squeaked out the only answer she had.

"I-I don't know...Momma's been g-gone for so long..." Eyes flooding with tears, the kit found herself quivering again. Where was Momma? Why couldn't she remember?

The she-kit buried her head into the softness and warmth of Greythorn's tail, taking in his soothing scent as she slowly began to relax. It took a brief moment before the tom's words registered in her head, and she looked back up at his face curiously. What was a clan? She had never heard that word before. Was that what he called his home? Her stomach growled; it had been a long time since she last ate. Though she was still uncertain about this stranger, he had promised food...and he seemed so nice...


"O-okay mister," she mewed simply, with a small nod. 

"Gray...t-thorn..." Even his name sounded strange to her; the two-part name foreign to a tongue used to very short names that meant nothing. Of course, the young kit didn't recognize that. She paused at Graythorn's question. Her name? The she-cat's face scrunched up as she tried to remember the answer. "I think...I think Momma always called me 'darling', is that my name?"

"Mud...kit...Mudkit." The kit repeated the name out loud a few times; it was similar to Graythorn's, just like he had said. Mud: because her pelt was dark brown, the color of fresh mud. Kit: because she was a kit. It would be some time before she fully came to grasp the clan idea of suffixes, but for that moment, the name seemed fitting to her. "Mudkit! I love it, Graythorn! Mudkit! Muuudkit!" Her fear finally subsiding for good, she grinned joyfully, looking at last as a real kit. After a few moments she calmed down again, and though still bouncing slightly in her spot, she stood up facing the Medicine Cat. "You said that you'll take me somewhere safe. Can we go now? I'm really hungry."

Mudkit nodded excitedly, eager to finally have something to eat. "Okay, Graythorn!" She quickly scrambled over to the tom's side, ready to follow him through the forest, as if she had been rejuvenated by his simple kindness alone. This was great! She would fill her aching belly and be taken somewhere safe and warm! She couldn't wait! Though she had to wait, considering that she really didn't know where she was going. "Horray! Lead the way~!"

For Mudkit, their trip back to Summerclan's camp was the biggest adventure she had ever been on. Despite her small size, she managed to keep up with Graythorn decently well; though for every one of his steps she had to take three. She watched in awe as the tom caught a fresh mouse for her, and she devoured it delightedly. By the time they finally reached their destination, the kit's legs were tired, and for the last leg, Graythorn carried her by the scruff of her neck. Softly, like a parent would.

Mudkit's eyes widened in pure amazement as the thick trees of the forest parted and opened to a vast clearing; a lush, green field scattered with the occasional oak tree, and in-between them, large dens built of earth and stone. Even more incredible to her were the occupants of this camp. There were so many cats here! She had never seen so many cats together in one place before! "T-This is your home?!" She squeaked, barely able to get the words out in her amazement. "It's amazing!"

Mudkit padded after Graythorn, pausing every few seconds to gaze awestruck at her new surroundings. Summerclan? What that was this place was called? It certainly looked pleasant and comfortable. Realizing that Graythorn was still walking away, she quickly turned and scampered quickly after him, nearly bumping into him after he stopped in front of his den. "A den to yourself?" She questioned, wrinkling her nose at all the odd scents coming from inside. "Isn't it lonely in there?"

Her head turned at the sudden cheerful voice of a she-cat running up to them, and she instinctively hid behind the Medicine Cat's back, peaking out to observe the new cat. From their conversation, she guessed that this was someone Graythorn knew, and she seemed friendly enough. "Umm...hello," she squeaked shyly. "My name's Mudkit. I-I think I'm okay...I was alone before, but Graythorn found me. He says I'll be at home here."