Note: I made up a few kits' names, so pleez don't reply in a mean way! Thanx!!! ;)
Brambleclaw yawned as he got up. It had been a long night; dreams flooded his sleep, woke him up, and put him back to sleep. It was a long night, but the warm fur of Squirrelflight kept him company. It made him feel better to be with her. He didn't want to leave the beautiful ginger she-cat, but he had to go on a dawn patrol.
He stretched his aching limbs out, feeling the wet rain on his pelt. It was cool and felt good after the long hot greenleaf. Now leaf-fall was starting and Brambleclaw was happy about it and felt a tingling in his muscles from excitement. He was going to get an apprentice, he was sure of it. Firestar had told him about a moon ago that he was going to have an apprentice soon. "Most likely in leaf-fall," he had said.
As the brown tabby neared the entrance to camp, he saw Graystripe, Sandstorm, Berrypaw, Rainwhisker, and Sorreltail join him. He was glad all of his friends could come with him. Next thing he knew was he saw a slender silver tabby pad up to Graystripe, whisper a few words in his ear, and lick his cheek. He nudged her muzzle back and she trotted off to get some fresh kill.
Brambleclaw's stomach did a flip. Oh great, it was Millie. Millie was the silver tabby she-cat that Graystripe had brought to ThunderClan. Brambleclaw wasn't sure about her, but he shrugged and leaped along after Rainwhisker.
The tabby tom bounded back into the camp with some fresh kill crammed into his mouth. The prey was plentiful today, and Brambleclaw gave thanks to StarClan for the plentiful prey. As he started to the fresh kill pile, he saw Firestar and Graystripe talking in hurried whispers. He tried to listen but couldn't get close enough within earshot, so he shrugged it off and hurried over to the fresh-kill pile where Squirrelflight waited for him.
"What took you so long, you big furball?" Teased his mate, swiping at his ear with sheathed claws. He chuckled and cuffed her on the ear. She purred and licked him on the cheek. He nuzzled her flank and she nuzzled his, but kept her face buried in her fur. He was happy that Squirrelflight loved him. Not long ago they had gotten in a fight and Squirrelflight had loved Ashfur. But they had apologized about a moon ago and now they were together. But Ashfur was still angry, though.
The two shared a rabbit for the rest of the morning, chatting about the last gathering. "The next one should be coming up," mewed Brambleclaw between chomps. "I think I'll ask Firestar if I can go." He swallowed another bite.
Squirrelflight nodded. "Yes, I want to see how WindClan are doing. News is going around that Crowfeather has a kit." She winked at him. Everybody knew that Leafpool, Squirrelflight's sister, and Crowfeather had once loved each other. But it had been a forbidden love, especially because Leafpool was in a different clan AND a medicine cat, which meant she couldn't have any kits.
The ginger she-cat's ears perked up. "I think Firestar wants us. Let's go see what it is…race ya!" and the two started off toward the rock, answering the call that Firestar usually yowled when he gathered a meeting.
When everybody was settled under the ledge where Firestar addressed his cats, he started. "Cats of ThunderClan, as we all know, we have quite too many kits. And I must inform you that the mothers can no longer take care of them all. It is just becoming too crowded in the nursery. So we have made the decision that a daycare center will be built, and the kits old enough will be watched over by a caretaker. Today I will appoint that caretaker and start construction on the daycare center."
Brambleclaw scoffed. Of all the hollow-headed ideas that Firestar had come up with, this was the most hollow-headed. Squirrelflight smiled. Apparently she thought this was a good idea. Then again, she always agreed with her father. The dark brown tabby rolled his eyes and listened for who the caretaker would be.
Firestar tried to talk through all of the whispers of, "I hope it's me!" or "What a stupid idea" and suddenly had to yowl. "QUIET!!!" he caterwauled. Everybody instantly shut up. "Graystripe and I have chosen the new caretaker carefully, and judging by the way that the cat acts around kits."
Graystripe stood up tall. As if, thought Brambleclaw. I hope he hasn't forgotten that I'm the deputy around here now.
Firestar shushed all the cats again. "The new caretaker is a cat that I have trusted for a long while, and I think that he is the best one to appoint. He has been a great friend to me, and I think that he is an excellent choice."
Suddenly everybody was quiet. Brambleclaw really didn't care. Who would want to watch a posse of babies all day? He sure wouldn't; Brambleclaw preferred catching prey for the Clan, or being a mentor more than watching a bunch of kits.
Firestar stood up straight and announced, "Cats of ThunderClan, the new caretaker of the new ThunderClan daycare is Brambleclaw."