A/N- Thanks to all who reviewed! Okay, here is the most important chapter in the whole story. Not to mention it is also the fastest-moving and most exiting. Now, I'm going to shut up and let you read it for yourself. Enjoy!

Chapter 9

As he carried Sorrelpaw back to camp, Firestar's head spun with uncertainty and fear. He was worried about how Sandstorm would react to Sorrelpaw's accident and if that would affect her kitting.

"Rainpaw, go ahead and tell Cinderpelt what happened so that she can be ready when we get to camp." Firestar ordered. The apprentice nodded and dashed off. Still struggling with his fears, he knew that he had to get himself, Sandstorm, and especially Sorrelpaw through this. He pushed aside the negative thoughts and concentrated on carrying the unconscious apprentice.

Before he knew it, he was in the gorse tunnel that led into the camp. He dragged Sorrelpaw over to Cinderpelt's den, not even noticing the rest of the Clan standing in the clearing, all looking worried. As he entered the den, he saw Cinderpelt arranging the herbs Sorrelpaw needed.

"Good job Firestar," she meowed as he laid Sorrelpaw down.

"Will she live?" he asked.

"I think so," she replied, "but I won't know for sure until tomorrow."

"I just want to know what to tell Sandstorm and the Clan," Firestar meowed anxiously.

"You tell them that she will be fine, after all, I'm taking care of her," Cinderpelt replied seriously. "Now, I have to get to work, go tell them what I said."

"I will, thanks Cinderpelt." Firestar mewed and pushed out of her den. Rainpaw and Sootpaw were waiting for him outside.

"Will she be okay?" Rainpaw meowed nervously.

"Cinderpelt says she will be just fine." he replied, raising his voice so that the whole Clan could hear. "Now, can you tell me what happened?"

"Well, we were hunting after the Gathering and she chased a squirrel and ran onto the Thunderpath, but then there was that monster and..." Rainpaw shivered.

"She will be fine." Firestar reassured him.

Suddenly, Goldenflower ran out of the nursery and hurried over to Firestar. "Firestar," she mewed anxiously. "Sandstorm says the kits are coming right now!"

Firestar's heart skipped several beats. "Okay, go and get Cinderpelt, Graystripe, come with me." Graystripe nodded and ran to the nursery with Firestar as Goldenflower disappeared into Cinderpelt's den. He entered the nursery and skidded to a halt beside Sandstorm. She was laying on her side and was breathing heavily. Cinderpelt looked nervous. This would be one of the first times she'd be dealing with kits since Silverstream's death. Firestar nosed her gently. Trembling, Cinderpelt sniffed Sandstorm, then raced out of the den. Firestar moved forward and positioned himself close to his mate. Purring, he rubbed his cheek against hers.

"It's okay Sandstorm. Cinderpelt's coming, hang in there!" Sandstorms eyes were wide and she let out a pitiful squeak of pain and fear. Graystripe still sat, his yellow eyes hard and cold. Firestar remembered that Silverstream had been Graystripe's mate, this must be tearing his friend apart. It was hard to feel sorry for Graystripe just now. But he nodded at him, signaling that he could leave. Graystripe's eyes softened and he dashed away.

A crashing sound gestured that Cinderpelt was back. Out of nerves, Cinderpelt shoved Firestar aside. Narrowing his eyes, he opened his mouth, then realized that Cinderpelt was shaking violently. He closed his mouth and looked back at the gasping Sandstorm. Cinderpelt put her body in the way, and Firestar's vision was blocked. He shook his head, and followed Graystripe.

Outside of the den, he started pacing back and forth. He heard a startled hiss from the entrance, and he turned, only to see Ravenpaw, his close friend, meowing to the alarmed Sootpaw. Relieved, he went to greet his friend. "It's ok Sootpaw, this is a friend of mine."

Sootpaw nodded, and positioned himself once more at the entrance. Ravenpaw greeted Firestar with a friendly nudge.

He murmured, "I heard that Sandstorm is having kits." He looked up, his green eyes glittering with amusement. "Your kits! Honestly Firestar, last time I talked to you, both of you were arguing about trusting me!" He looked around. "Where's Graystripe? I want to talk to him."

Firestar, feeling slightly down that Ravenpaw did not want to talk to him, showed Ravenpaw to the warriors den. Graystripe was laying in his nest, his eyes wide, staring at something invisible to Firestar and Ravenpaw. Ravenpaw came over and murmured a few words. Firestar caught the word 'Silverstream' and thought that he had better go.

Outside, he chose a piece of fresh-kill and chewed on it, hardly tasting it. Cinderpelt dashed out of the den, her eyes wide. "Firestar! She's done it! She's done it, Firestar!" Cinderpelt gave a little skip and beckoned to him. Firestar, feeling light hearted, bounded to the nursery. Cinderpelt gave him a sly look. "I'll leave you two alone!" She waltzed off, her tail twitching happily. Firestar shook his head and proceeded into the nursery.

Sandstorm looked up, her green eyes looking weary. She yawned, but managed a strong, constant purring all the same. "They're wonderful, but I'm exhausted!" she exclaimed happily. Firestar moved forward, and sniffed the two bundles. One looked slightly like his kittypet sister, Princess, a brown bundle. The other looked like him. His heart leaped! A look-alike son or daughter!

Sandstorm purred, "Cinderpelt says that they're both she-kits." She gave the two kits a quick lick. Practically yowling for joy, Firestar left to tell his friends the news. Ravenpaw leapt up and padded over to Sandstorm's side, but Graystripe narrowed his eyes and did not move.

"Graystripe...?" Firestar asked. Graystripe stood up, looking furious. "I'm going hunting!" he snarled, and left the camp. Firestar felt bewildered. Then he remembered that Graystripe's own mate had died giving birth to her little ones. Was Graystripe upset because Sandstorm survived? He shrugged off his thoughts and went back to the nursery.

A/N- Yay! The kits finally arrive! And don't worry Graystripe fans, he doesn't really wish that Sandstorm had died, but I thought it made the story better to have some conflict. Life can't be all sunshine and daisies with everyone living happily together. It's a shame really, but makes for good stories! Next chap soon!