Chapter 18

Squirrelflight's POV

Squirrelflight woke up to see Amberkit, Morningkit, Adderkit, and Leopardkit playing a game. She groaned and rolled over. She so couldn't wait to be a warrior again, even though she loved her kits, she missed hunting for her own food. Although, she thought, being a queen comes with its own perks, like getting to eat first and raising your kits, because the fathers sure aren't raising their kits. Though Brambleclaw is doing a good job with them.

Amberkit's cry broke her from her thoughts. Adderkit had jumped on her and was now squishing her. "Adderkit! Get off of Amberkit! Right now. What did your father say about hurting other kits, as well as your sister?"

Adderkit got off Amberkit and meekly made his way over to his mom. "That if they don't like it, then get off of them right away."

Leopardkit rolled her eyes. "I don't like his games. They're no fun."

Squirrelflight narrowed her eyes. Leopardkit was acting just like Tawnypelt when she was a kit. Thinking of Tawnypelt made her think of Tawnykit. Her eyes grew sad, but she shook herself. Her kits that made it needed her now. She glared at Leopardkit and her daughter stared back at her. "Leopardkit, don't talk like that. Seriously, what's with you two today? I thought you promised daddy you wouldn't give me anymore trouble? Well, he's certainly going to here about this. Now go off and listen to the elders. Why don't you take Amberkit and Morningkit? I'm sure the elders would love to see them and take them a piece of fresh-kill. That's good manners. Just be back before sunhigh." But the last words were wasted on her kits, as they were running for the fresh-kill pile. Amberkit and Morningkit nodded and said they'd get Leopardkit and Adderkit back before sunhigh. Squirrelflight blinked warmly at them and nodded her thanks.

Brambleclaw padded over to her, then stopped to watch his kits and Amberkit and Morningkit go to the elders' den, dragging a big fat rabbit in their mouths. He continued his journey over to her when they disappeared from view.

"Hey, Squirrelflight, did they give you any trouble?

"Yes, they did. They were acting like you and Tawnypelt did when you were kits. Leopardkit was complaining that Adderkit didn't have any fun games, and Adderkit had jumped on Amberkit and didn't let go until I reminded him that you told him to let go when someone squeals."

"Ah, yes. I remember that day. Mom didn't know what had gotten into us that day."

"That's exactly what I said to them and then of course I told them I was going to tell you."

"Well, don't worry, love. I'll straighten them out."

"Thank you."

Brambleclaw nodded and went to his deputy duties. Squirrelflight shook her head. She seriously didn't know what had gotten into her kits, but she shook her head and padded over to the fresh-kill pile to pick up something for Hazeltail. The small black-and-white queen should be kitting soon. She picked up a juicy mouse, padded back to the Nursery and laid it at Hazeltail's paws.

"Thanks, Squirrelflight. I was starving."

"I'm sure you are. It's natural." Squirrelflight yawned a huge yawn. "Well, I suppose I should get some sleep while the little ones are with the elders listening to stories."

"Yeah, you've been exhausted lately. Me and Sorreltail will take care of them so you can catch up on your sleep."

"Thanks, Hazeltail, I appreciate that. Let me know when the kits come. I'll be there to see them greet the world and-" she broke off with another yawn. When she finished, she shook her head, bid the black-and-white queen good day and found a sunny spot to lay in while she caught up on her sleep.

She awoke on the Island with Bluestar, Spottedleaf and Yellowfang in front of her. She sat up, dipped her head respectfully and asked, "What does StarClan have to tell me?"

"Your father will die on the eve of his youngest kits warrior ceremony," Yellowfang rasped.

"WHAT? NO! You must have him live longer!"

"He's getting old, Squirrelflight. He's lost two lives of natural cause, three in battle and one in sickness. He only has two lives left, but don't worry; he'll still be here during the Great War. The day after is when he'll leave with peace in his heart," Spottedleaf murmured.

"I can't go on without my father, please, let him live. At least until I name my kits after him and my mother, so they'll at least still walk on earth."

"It's set in stones, Squirrelflight. You won't forget them. Firestar has one more duty as leader before he joins StarClan," Bluestar soothed gently.

"And what's that?"

"Defeating Tigerstar once and for all."

"Is he strong enough? I mean his strength has failed a lot lately."

"He'll find the strength. He's strong enough. He'll right the wrong he was denied when Tigerstar died at the paws of Scourge."

Squirrelflight sighed sadly. "I can't change his fate, as I couldn't change Thistlekit, Flamekit, Oakkit and Tawnykit's fate."

"I know you still grieve for them, but have faith. They weren't meant to be yours, but they will be your kin," Spottedleaf mewed.

"What do you mean?"

"Look farther than your own Clan. There is a cat who shares your blood but is in the sky. They will be his kits. The storm of leaves will have your kits."

"Huh?"

"It will be clear to you at the next Gathering. Now go, Squirrelflight."

Squirrelflight's protests were drowned by the wind that picked up suddenly and she was left in darkness.

Squirrelflight's eyes shot open and she leaped to her paws, her ginger fur bristling in fear. She was back in the camp, Brambleclaw padding toward her, his amber eyes dark with worry.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just had a nightmare is all."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes! I just, I need to be alone for awhile."

"What about our kits?"

"Sorreltail can look after them for a little while. Besides, they're with the elders. Don't worry, Brambleclaw. I'm not going to dump them and leave them alone for months. Have some faith in me."

"I do, it's just that I worry."

"I know you do, but there is really no need. I'll be right back. I just need some air, stretch my legs, maybe hunt. I haven't done that in forever!"

Brambleclaw flinched at that, but nodded. Squirrelflight padded to the camp entrance and prepared to go out to hunt, but as she bunched her muscles to leap into the forest, a wail of pain came from the Nursery. Squirrelflight whipped around and raced to the source of the noise. She thrust her head in to see her sister struggling to her paws and padding over to Hazeltail. Her belly was really showing now and as she got to the black-and-white queen, Jayfeather pushed past his adopted mother to get to the distressed queen.

Squirrelflight made sure her kits weren't getting into trouble before she padded over to Hazeltail and laid by her head. Adderkit and Leopardkit scampered over to her to see what was happening, quickly followed by Amberkit and Morningkit. The dark ginger queen held them back by her fluffy tail.

"No, kits. Stay back. Hazeltail doesn't need an audience, except for her mate. Speaking of, where is Ashfur?"

Brambleclaw, who had pelted after her and came in unnoticed by Squirrelflight, who's attention was on the gray-and-white queen, meowed, "I've sent him on a hunting patrol with his apprentice."

"Well go and fetch him!"

"I can't."

"And why not?" Squirrelflight's pelt bristled angrily.

"Me and Mouseclaw are the only warriors in camp. Firestar wants two warriors in camp at all times. Besides, Ashfur's patrol is due back soon."

"Who went with him?"

"Cinderheart and Crowfeather."

Squirrelflight's tail flicked in annoyance. "Send him here as soon as he gets here, then."

"Okay." He backed out and his scent faded away.

Meanwhile, Hazeltail had started to get spasms through her body and she clenched her teeth to keep from screaming. Jayfeather and Leafpool were working together as they used to. Jayfeather was making sure the borage leaves were enough, while Leafpool was soothing the black-and-white she-cat. As the spasms became more powerful, Ashfur came in.

"Thank StarClan," Hazeltail gasped. "You're here. I thought you weren't coming."

Ashfur flicked his ears. "I was on patrol. Brambleclaw came to get me as soon as I came back."

"Well, good thing he did. I'm dying over here!"

Jayfeather looked at the gray tom and growled, "Get her some water."

Ashfur nodded and turned to go outside. Squirrelflight's gaze was averted to the black-and-gray queen when she screeched loudly and a kit popped out. Leafpool, though very pregnant herself, nipped the sack and licked it to make it breathe while Jayfeather waited for the next one to come out. It came with a powerful spasm. Jayfeather nipped the sack and quickly handed it to Leafpool to lick until it began to breathe. She had already put the other kit by its mother to suckle.

Ashfur came back with moss soaked in water as Hazeltail was breathing heavily. She purred in thanks and licked up the precious drops, but it was cut off as a spasm went through her. A third kit fell out and Jayfeather nipped and handed it over to Leafpool, who licked it until it was breathing and put it next to its littermates.

Jayfeather put his paw on the gray-and-white queens huge belly and mewed, "One more," as the final spasm went through her. The last kit came out and Jayfeather nipped it and licked it until it was breathing while Leafpool gave Hazeltail borage leaves. Sometimes it paid to have two cats in the Clan who were trained in the medicine cat ways. Although, how they were able to tell how many kits were in a queens belly, she would never know; something she admired about them.

"Congratulations, you have three she-cats and a tom. The smudgy gray kit is the tom. Now call me if you need me. Leafpool, you need to rest. Your kits should be coming soon." The gray medicine cat left.

Squirrelflight circled her tail around her two kit and Sorreltail's two kits while she drifted off to sleep. "So what are you going to name them?"

Hazeltail looked at her kits. The tom was exactly as Jayfeather described, one of the she-kits was black and white like her, another was a light gray with white spots, and the last one looked like her father with white paws and tail-tip. "The tom will be Smokekit, the light gray tabby will be Seedkit, the gray kit will be Hazekit and the last one will be Mosskit."

Squirrelflight looked at the new kits as knew they would be much loved by all the queens, though she knew they would bring trouble, that would make them all the more lovable. The only queen left who didn't have kits yet, was her sister, and the ginger queen had one question as she settled down with her own kits and Sorreltail's kits while she slept and let them suckle: what would she do when her sister gave birth to her kin? Would she stay angry or put aside her feelings for the kits? And if she didn't, what will happen for her to forgive her sister?

Sorry it took so long, guys. I just now got rid of it. I have more ideas now. Tell me if you like it please. Next up is Leafpool's birth and a surprise.