Welcome to the world of another OC of mine! And thank you guys so much for all your support on "Brackenfire's Death" as well as "The Brightest Sky", your support means a lot! So enjoy, and review please!

Pinefrost knew he was getting old. His bright calico fur had faded, his muzzle going from its natural black and gold to a fraying white. He had been HuntClan's medicine cat for moons upon countless moons. It took a very special cat to be a medicine cat, and StarClan would send medicine cats a sign when they found a cat to be their apprentice.

But Pinefrost hadn't had a sign. And he knew that his time in HuntClan was drawing to a close. Splashstar often asked if Pinefrost had heard anything. He even spent many nights at the Starpool, hoping and praying to StarClan for a sign—any sign would do!

So, as he lapped up the tansy leaves he had taken to eating every night for his sore joints, he sighed again as he thought about his desperate Clan, and what would happen to them if he left them without a medicine cat. And he settled down stiffly into his nest, tucked his nose under his paw, and prayed for a sign until he fell asleep.

He woke up at the Starpool. Pinefrost leapt to his paws. How had he gotten here?

"Relax, my dear."

Pinefrost's heart pounded as he turned around. Juniperberry stood there, her white and black fur shining in the moonlight. Her paws swirled with star shine, and her pelt was lean and sleek. Her ears were unmarked, and her shining blue eyes were clear and free of strife. Pinefrost's heart melted as he stared at his litter-sister.

"Juniperberry," he finally rasped, choked with emotion. The last time he had seen her was before she had died, fell underneath the claws of a badger. All because he had little battle training.

"Don't grieve, dear brother," she purred, coming forward and brushing muzzles with him. His body vibrated with the force of his own purring, and he had to struggle to focus on her words. StarClan, I missed you, he longed to say. I'm so sorry. I couldn't save you. I couldn't save myself. You're…

"Pinefrost." She pulled away far too soon and fixed him with a serious gaze. "Your time in HuntClan is drawing to a close."

His purr died in his throat. Hope rose like a bird. "Does this mean… Have you picked an apprentice for me?" he whispered, his fur bristling excitingly.

Juniperberry dipped her head. At the same time, a loud peal of thunder echoed over the Starpool. Pinefrost jerked his head up. Clouds were rolling in with unearthly speed, lightning flashing in them. The thing was—the lightning was green.

"You will know this kit when you see him," Juniperberry whispered. "Some storms are hard to forget."

Pinefrost turned to look to his sister, alarmed, but her outline was already fading.

"No! Juniperberry, please!" He leapt forward, pawing at her shape. His paw went through her like breaking through water. "Please don't leave me again!" His heart ached.

"I'll always be with you, brother," she whispered.

"Juniperberry!" he wailed like a kit, throwing himself forward. The stone under his paws disappeared and he yelped as he tripped into the Starpool.

"Pinefrost!"

He jerked awake, only to find himself belly-deep in the water pool in his own den, spluttering. He splashed out of it, shivering, as he shook out his wet pelt. With a hiss, he spun to see who had dared to interrupt his dream of Juniperberry.

Firefall was standing at the entrance to the den, looking concerned. "Why are you swimming?" he asked, then shook his head. "No time. Skyleap is kitting!"

His wet fur forgotten, Pinefrost immediately began to dig through his mind for what herbs he would need. He took a deep breath and shook himself out again. "Go tell Duskeyes to keep her kits out of the den. Take them to the apprentices' den, take them to Splashstar for all I care—I am going to need room to help Skyleap."

Firefall nodded and disappeared, the ferns swishing behind him. Pinefrost made a hasty leaf wrap—poppy seeds, borage, thyme, tansy just in case—and, snatching it up, darted out of the den.

The near-full moon floated high over the camp, the stars shining down in the endless Silverpelt sky. There were soft murmurings from the warriors' den. Splashstar was emerging from his den, likely roused by the low wailing that was echoing through the camp. As Pinefrost took a deep breath of night air, he saw Duskeyes gently urging her sleepy kits out of the nursery.

"Why do we have to get out of our nest, Mama?" Jaykit whined, his bright blue eyes fuzzy with sleep, and his long gray pelt sticking in every direction.

"I was having a really great dream," Aspenkit yawned, "and I was as big as a badger, and I was chasing a rabbit…" Her black pelt blended in with the shadows, and only her white paws showed where she was.

"I was warm!" tiny black and white Badgerkit wailed from where he was being carried by his mother. Firefall slipped out of the warriors' den and gently took Badgerkit from his mate.

"You can be nice and warm again here in a moment," Duskeyes promised. "We're going to go sleep with your father for a little bit so Skyleap can rest."

Skyleap. Pinefrost was so caught up in watching the family that he had almost forgotten about the queen. He limped across the clearing as fast as his stiff joints could carry him. Pushing into the nursery, he hurried to the back, where Skyleap was stretched out, moaning, with her mate Talonslash crouched by her head. He was licking her face and ears, whispering words of soft encouragement.

"Talonslash, I need you to be useful," Pinefrost growled. His everything ached and he was still wet and stiff, and although he knew what promise the new little kits held for the Clan, he was grouchy anyway. Couldn't these little bundles have waited until dawn? he thought grumpily. "I need you to get me a stick for Skyleap to bite down on, and have Splashstar get some water-soaked moss from my den."

Talonslash hesitated.

"She needs it!" Pinefrost growled, bristling. Talonslash dipped his head and darted out of the den. Pinefrost turned his attention to Skyleap, running one paw over her belly.

"Is it supposed to hurt this much?" Skyleap moaned. A rustle behind Pinefrost made his ear twitch, and before he could respond, Duskeyes was back, crouching by Skyleap.

"You won't remember the pain once you see your little bundles," Duskeyes murmured reassuringly. "Just focus on Pinefrost—he knows what he's doing."

"I think there's just two," Pinefrost muttered. "Now—listen to me very carefully—push, Skyleap!"

The queen yowled and trembled, and a tiny bundle slid out onto the moss. Duskeyes darted over and grabbed it, nipping the sac with her teeth. Tiny wails echoed through the den.

"That's one, Skyleap," Pinefrost urged. Talonslash returned with a stick, and laid it in front of his mate. "Bite down on that if the pain is too much," he instructed. "Talonslash, I need you to leave. Duskeyes and I have this taken care of."

"But—," he tried to protest. Pinefrost bared his teeth in a snarl.

"I can't work with you to trip over!" he barked. "Out! Splashstar!"

The leader, who had come in to drop off the bundle of soaking moss, dipped his head hastily and ushered Talonslash out of the den.

"I'll be back my love!" he called. "Stay strong!"

"Now—push!"

The stick splintered in Skyleap's jaws as she yowled again. Duskeyes ducked to grab the other kit, nudging the first one up to Skyleap's belly. Pinefrost ran his paw over her belly and was relieved to feel no more tiny bodies.

"One tom and one she-cat," Duskeyes purred. "They're beautiful!"

"You did well, Skyleap," he murmured, nudging the moss closer. She lapped up a few mouthfuls before turning her attention to her new kits. The she-kit was white, with black ears and paws like her father. The tom was solid gray, except the tip of his tail, which was black. Pinefrost pawed through the wrap and pushed the borage over to Skyleap. "Eat these, they'll help your milk come," he said softly before turning and padding slowly out.

StarClan, I'm too old for this.