Cloudtail himself had no idea he was a kittypet until Firestar had told him, back when he was a tiny kit. And really, he had no choice but to be here. Firestar had taken him when he was too young to make a decision.

But the new ThunderClan deputy hated the scorn he suffered under the other cats. Why was it that they only saw his fluffy white coat and not the ambitious and eager warrior he was? Couldn't they see that Graystar had made him deputy for a reason, and that was because he was a strong and loyal cat?

"Why do they call you a kittypet, Dad?"

"Who?" Cloudtail narrowed his bright blue eyes as he looked at his daughter, Whitepelt.

"Some of the other warriors." Whitepelt whispered as if she were ashamed. "Mudface, Reedclaw, Nightflame..."

"Did you know that I am Firestar's nephew?" Cloudtail revealed to his daughter at last. "No, Whitepelt, I am not a Clanborn cat. I was born to Firestar's sister, Princess. She used to live at a Twoleg farm around here, but her Twolegs moved away several moons ago."

"Wow. Firestar was one of the greatest leaders." Whitepelt's amber eyes were wide with wonder. "He was born with the Twolegs too, right?"

"He was." Cloudtail agreed. "And that never stopped him from being a strong leader. He did what he knew was right and he protected ThunderClan with his life. That's something I know I can be proud of."

"So Dad, what do you say to a cat who calls you a kittypet?" Whitepelt wondered aloud. "Some cats call me one too, because I'm your daughter."

"Just say 'thank you', Whitepelt." Cloudtail smiled. "Honestly, with the way some forest born cats act, I'd say it's a major compliment."