Mountain cats:

Leader:Snowdrift Queens (mothers)

Deupty:Pinecloud Snowbranch(mother to

Healer:Morningblossom Pinekit)

Warriors: Elders:

Drifttail Smalltree

Smallcloud

Needletree

Snowpeak

Littlecloud

Smallear

Mountainbird

Pinebark

Frostfur

Forest cats:

Leader:Forestcall

Deupty:Leafblossom

Healer:Leafbranch

Warriors:

Treeleaf

Pigeonflight

Mintshadow

Darkcloud

Nightfoot

Surefoot

Squirrelwhisker

Kestrelwood

Elmface

Dessert cats:

Leader:Dessertflower

Deupty:Cactuswater

Medicine cat:Cactusspine

Warriors:

Silversand

Sandstorm

Drystripe

Sunpelt

Birdsong

Oasisbird

Dustfur

Dunepelt

Stormbird

Drip.Drip.Drip. "Mother? What is this wet stuff? Pinekit asked. Snowbranch replied,"Well, it's water. Although we don't see much of it nowadays- Snowbranch stopped abruptly mid-sentence. She whispered "Oh no.............. This wasn't supposed to happen until newleaf! She raced out of her den and towards the Tallpine's branches and into the cozy den made for the leader of the clan. She raced straight into Snowdrift, the leader! "Whoa, Snowbranch! What has gotten into you today?" She replied,"This morning, Pinekit asked me what water was, and just as I answered, I remembered that water wasn't supposed to be in MountainClan!" Snowdrift instantly looked alarmed."What?!?! But the Great Melt wasn't supposed to happen until a well 63 moons after! Snowbranch replied worriedly,"That's what I thought.................." We need to move territory somewhere else safe from the risk of floods!" Snowdrift declared. But we have been living here since - FOREVER! Snowbranch protested. "But we have no choice.........."

Will you announce it to the Clan? Snowbranch asked. Soon enough...... Snowdrift replied. When Snowbranch went to her den at sunset, her mate, Drifttail, bounded across the camp from the fresh-kill pile to her. Is everything alright? He asked. Yes, I'm fine. I'm just- tired. I will have kits soon. Drifttail replied, That's great news! I'll be staying in the nursery. Make sure you keep our den warm! She gave him a cheeky smile. Will you? Of course! Just as long as I don't miss you and Pinekit too much! He returned the smile.

Snowbranch headed to the nursery to look for Pinekit. Pinekit? Are you there? Hello mother! Pinekit squeaked. I was just playing mossball. Will you join me? Of course dear.Snowbranch said affectionately. The hours seemed to fly by as quickly as the flick of a tail as the ball of soft, green moss passed between mother and kit. It was already dusk by the time the stopped their game of mossball.

Snowbranch and Pinekit got into their nests, and Pinekit nestled in the curve of his mother's rounded belly. He closed his eyes, and he drifted into a peaceful slumber. When he woke, his mother was gone. Mother? Mother? Mother, are you here? he wandered out to ask some of the warriors where his mother was. He wandered out and saw Smalltree lounging in a patch of sunlight on the grass. Hey Smalltree, did you see Snowbranch around here? Smalltree said well, I heard that she was kitting today, she's probably in the nursery.

Pinekit bounded over to Morningblossom's den, and Smalltree was right! he saw 3 tiny shapes nestled in the curve of Snowbranch's stomach, hungry for milk. he raced towards her, and said softly, Mother? are you alright? She opened her eyes wearily and smiled Yes, Pinekit, I'm alright. She looked up to Drifttail and said, the white kit with blue eyes will be Snowkit. She looked at the black tom. This one will be Fiercekit, he looks ready for battle! She looked at her last kit. She's so tiny, I'll name her Littlekit.

A few moons later, Pinekit soon become Pinepaw. On his first training session, he was eager to feed his clan. But unfortunately he was interrupted by Snowdrift calling out, All cats who can catch their own prey, come gather beneath the Highpine! I am sorry to say these words, but we need to move out of the mountains. A few cats murmured.

Why? a stray voice asked from the crowd. It was Pinepaw. He looked alarmed. Why? he repeated. Snowdrift sighed. The Great Melt is coming. The Twolegs are blowing more, and more of that acrid gray stuff every day. It smells like smoke, and smoke comes from fire. And if the fire melts our snow, no more prey will run in the mountains. We will be picked off , one by one by starvation. we must leave, Pinepaw, that is why.