Chapter One
Bumbleberry padded back to camp with her pace fast. Her mind and heart were full of grief and she was determined to save the three helpless kits before they died too. Back at camp she hurried up to High-ledge where the leader's den was.
''Dovestar,'' she whispered urgently. A soft bustling came from inside the den.
''Come in.'' Bumbleberry padded inside the den. ''Dovestar,'' she began. ''I found Swanwing out in the forest just as the storm broke. She had just started her kitting…''
''Well, where is she now?''
Bumbleberry hesitated. ''She died giving birth. I need someone to help me bring back her body and…and her four kits.''
''I'll help.'' Bumbleberry jumped and turned to see who had spoken. Morningfrost stood there. Her face displayed that she was full of grief and mourning for her dead sister. Her belly was getting rounder from her kits, but she still worked in the camp.
''Okay, Bumbleberry, take Morningfrost, Sunstream, and Redclaw. I'll go too.'' Bumbleberry nodded and lead the way out of the den. The rain was still pouring, but the thunder and lightning had ceased. Red and orange streaks in the sky said that dawn was coming. Cats on the dawn patrol were just stirring. Bumbleberry watched as Hawkwillow, Swanwing's brother, emerged from the warriors den, his back arched in a stretch.
Morningfrost wobbled across the camp and into the warriors den. ''She needs to move to the nursery today,'' Bumbleberry told Dovestar. The pale cream leader nodded. Moments later, Morningfrost emerged with a shocked looking pair of sleepy warriors. They gathered together at the camp entrance.
''What happened?'' Redclaw asked as if he didn't believe Morningfrost.
''Swanwing died bearing her kits. Now they are out there in the rain. Any more questions?'' Sunstream looked as if she wanted to say something, but hearing Bumbleberry's tone, decided better of it.
''Lead us to her,'' Dovestar said. Bumbleberry gave a curt nod and lead the way out of camp. Out in the woods, the rain began to lighten up as the sun began to rise, casting shadows on the soaking ground. Bumbleberry tried to avoid mud, but failed. By the time they reached Swanwing, all the cats paws were covered in mud.
Swanwing's body lay below a large oak tree. Her kits were whimpering by their mother. All four were still there, trying to suckle, but Swanwing's body was cold as ice and had no more milk.
''I'll carry the body,'' Morningfrost whispered. Bumbleberry stepped back, giving the queen room to mourn over her littermate. Bumbleberry picked up the small tom-kit and waited as Dovestar, Sunstream, and Redclaw picked up the she-kits. Dovestar helped Morningfrost carry Swanwing as they began to pad back to camp.
In the camp clearing, Bayleaf, the Thunderclan deputy, was setting up patrols.
''…Acornfeather take Fawnwing and Coalpaw and go hunt by the old abandoned twoleg nest. And I want Goldenflame to take…'' Bayleaf noticed the cats coming in from the entrance. ''Hey, I was wondering where…''
''What happened!'' Raventail had just emerged from the elders den and came rushing over when she saw her kit's body. ''What happened to my kit?!'' The elderly she-cat pushed her way to the front of the now-gathered cats. Her face was covered in sheer horror.
''She died giving birth to her kits,'' Bumbleberry whispered. Raventail let out a yowl of pain and grief.
''Patrols will leave now,'' Dovestar ordered. ''Swanwing's vigil will be held tonight. Bayleaf finish setting up patrols. Take the body to the medicine den.'' Then she added, ''we have lost a noble warrior, but we need to stay strong. For Swanwing!''
''For Swanwing!'' the clan called loudly. Bumbleberry could swear Swanwing could hear them from Starclan.
Taking the dead queen into the nursery, she began to groom the queens ruffled fur. Her scent was just barely lingering. The medicine cat pushed down the lump forming in her throat as she took in the young warrior's scent for the last time.
''Bumbleberry!'' Bumbleberry recognized Dovestar's voice calling her from the clearing. She padded out and saw the small kits mewling at her paws. ''I need you to take these kits to the nursery. I have to go on border patrol. I'm sure Ashenflame will take care of them.'' Bumbleberry nodded, picking up the first kit and padding towards the nursery. Inside, she could make out the dark shapes of Darkmoon and Ashenflame.
''Have you heard the news?'' Bumbleberry asked quietly. Darkmoon's eyes opened to slits.
''Yes,'' she snapped. ''You should have saved her! How could you!'' Ashenflame sat up abruptly. Her kits wriggled closer to the queen's belly. Her eyes softened as she saw the kit.
''Whose is it?''
''Swanwing's.'' Darkmoon hissed through clenched teeth.
''What's so wrong with that?''
''She…''
''Darkmoon, leave.'' Bumbleberry ordered. The irritable queen glared at her, then stood up and squeezed out into the clearing. Bumbleberry turned her gaze to Ashenflame. ''Can you watch this kit a moment? I need to go get the others.'' Ashenflame nodded warily. She seemed to be putting the puzzle together.
Out in the clearing, Oceanpaw was looking at the kits with loving eyes. Chillpaw sat next to her. ''Would you help me take them to the nursery?'' Bumbleberry asked. The young apprentices turned.
''Oh,'' Oceanpaw said. Their eyes filled with sadness. ''Sure.'' She picked up the smallest kit and turned towards the nursery, Chillpaw followed silently. Bumbleberry grabbed the other and followed, her tail trailing in the dirt at the thought of the clans loss. Back inside the nursery, Swanwing's three kits were suckling at Ashenflame's belly. Bumbleberry placed the fourth kit down and studied her friends face. Her eyes were big and full of grief.
Her other two she-kits, Dewkit and Tigerkit, born two sunrises before, woke with startling mews. They pushed the other kits away in search of their mother's belly. ''Now now, don't fight. You will be doing that soon enough.'' Bumbleberry admired the young queen. These kits would grow up well.
''I need to go to the Moonpool,'' Bumbleberry told Dovestar after Swanwing's burial ceremony the next morning. Dovestar dipped her head.
''I understand. Be back as soon as you can.'' Bumbleberry nodded. She hurried to go tell Ashenflame.
Out in the forest, birds were chirping and the occasional puddles reflected the canopy of leaves. Bumbleberry sighed. No cat would ever forget Swanwing, but this perfect weather was like a curse. Everything should be dark, said a voice in the back of her head. No! she yelled at it. Then she said aloud, ''We just need to keep moving forward.''
At the Windclan border, the water gurgled softly as it flowed over the rocks. She could remember going to the elders den as a kit and hearing a story about a cat that had been murdered and fell into the water from when the clans had first come to the lake, many, many generations ago. The thought made her shiver.
''Hey! Who are you?'' Deep in thought, Bumbleberry had not heard the cat approach. She whipped her head around, wondering who in their right mind would challenge a medicine cat. A small black and brown striped apprentice was standing on his side of the border, his fur bristling. ''Who are you?'' he asked again.
''I am the Thunderclan medicine cat last time I checked.'' Another warrior approached from over the hill in the land.
''Hi Bumbleberry,'' he called. Bumbleberry recognized him as Gingerfur. ''On your way to the Moonpool?'' Bumbleberry nodded, giving the young apprentice a look of amusement. His fur began to lie flat. His mentor let out a purr. Thinking the same thoughts as Bumbleberry, he said, ''I'm sure if she was a warrior or rogue, she would have been long gone by now.'' Irritation came from the apprentice. ''Well, I'll tell Rabbitleaf I saw you, see you.'' Gingerfur and his apprentice bounded back over the hill, disappearing into their territory.
Up on the path to the Moonpool, Bumbleberry's feet slipped into the imprints of the ancient cats. As the Moonpool came into view, Bumbleberry's head was full of whispering. She thought she caught the faintest scent of Swanwing, but it was gone as soon as it came. She glanced up at the sky. It had grown dark over her travels and the moon was just visible over the tree tops. She sat down by the edge of the pool and lapped at the water. Immediately, her mind was filled with green fields and grasslands. Starry cats were everywhere. Then she appeared back at the Moonpool. Three cats sat around the edge on the far side. Bumbleberry let out a small gasp. The cat in the middle was Foxchaser, Swanwing's mate. Next to him was Bumbleberry's mentor, Tulipstorm. On the other side of Foxchaser was sitting a grief-stricken Swanwing.
Author's note
HA! Good ending huh? I'm sorry about any spelling I may have missed in the Prologue. This is my first fanfiction and I wish you could help me think of names. I welcome any suggestions and the first 10 names will be used so…thanks for reading! I should have Chapter Two up soon. :D
P.S. I fully welcome ideas for what should happen next, no promises though J