Author's Note: Yes, I know Cinderheart's kits are Hollypaw, Fernpaw, and Sorrelpaw. Yes, I know that Foxleap and Rosepetal are related. Yes, I know that Dovewing and Bumblestripe aren't mates anymore. (Spoiler alert!)
Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors.
Bramblestar curled up in his den. It had been a long day, and Jayfeather assumed that Squirrelflight's kits would be coming at sunrise. He tucked his head under his tail and closed his eyes.
Suddenly a loud screech came from the nursery. Squirrelflight! Bramblestar shot out of his den and raced to the nursery. Inside, Squirrelflight whimpered with pain, Dovewing licking her head while Cinderheart kept Goldenkit, Blackkit, and Sweetkit away. Rosepetal was nowhere to be seen; Bramblestar hoped she was getting Jayfeather.
The Clan leader skirted across Blackkit and came to rest next to his mate. "Don't worry," he reassured her. "Jayfeather will be here anytime now."
Sure enough, the familiar gray pelt of Jayfeather appeared, holding a bundle of herbs unknown to Bramblestar. Leafpool appeared behind him, her tail twitching in anxiety.
Jayfeather knelt next to Squirrelflight. "Hold still," he warned. "The kits will be coming soon."
"Are they going to be alright?" Rosepetal padded into the nursery, her belly swollen with unborn kits. "Will Squirrelflight survive?"
Just then, Squirrelflight gave a loud yowl, and Bramblestar flinched. Jayfeather was deep in concentration, crushing an herb Bramblestar recognized as fennel. Leafpool sat besides her sister, calming her with gentle strokes of her tongue Through the worry, Bramblestar could hear Dovewing hiss to Jayfeather, "Can't you give her something for the pain?"
A small bundle of fur slid into the moss, and Leafpool licked the kit dry. "It's a she-cat," she purred. "Isn't it wonderful?"
Bramblestar looked at the little kit in wonder. Our first, actual kit! He wanted to yowl in joy. But Squirrelflight wasn't done yet. She shrieked as the second kit slid out – a brown tabby tom.
"They look just like you," Bramblestar promised Squirrelflight. He could see his own happiness reflected in her green eyes, and her exhaustion showed in her posture.
Jayfeather stiffened. "What?" Squirrelflight demanded.
"Star of dawn, your bloodline will continue, but if you fail, the golden sun will spread its rays down in murder."
Behind Squirrelflight, Dovewing looked breathless. "Another prophecy?" she gasped.
"I think so." Bramblestar nodded gravely. "And I think that prophecy was for our kits."