Chapter Eleven:

Poppyshade touched Tinyfoot's nose, "Congratulations. Your mother is ready to meet you now. Sorry for the long wait. I know you've been impatient, Tinyfoot."

"It's fine now, Poppyshade. Please, may we meet her?"

"Yes, come on out. They're ready to meet you."

Poppy took a step back near Cinderflame and Streamstar and Hawkglare and sat down. All seemed to hold their breath.

NightClan scent.

With teary eyes, Briarshine and Echovalley stepped forward. "Lilyflower," they mewed.

"M-My kits," whispered the cat's husky voice, "My beautiful kits."

Whirlwind took a step forward too, "Mother? Is this my mother?"

Hawkglare meowed, "This is your real mother. I'm sorry to have lied to you before."

Tinyfoot separated his siblings and walked all the way up to the dark brown NightClan deputy. His heart thumped painfully in his chest.

"Are you really?"

Lilyflower whispered tearfully, "Tinyfoot. My kit. You've all grown so much. I'm so proud of you all. Echovalley, Whirlwind. Both to become parents. Briarshine, you've been a great warrior. Loyal to those you love all the time. Tinyfoot, loyal to your siblings and your calling. Always helping others. I'm so proud."

"Poppyshade," Briarshine stood anxiously, scenting the air, "Kest-er, a SkyClan cat is coming."

"Yes, it's Kestrelclaw. Let him come. He'll understand."

Briar gave her chest fur a few nervous licks before sitting down again.

Lilyflower stepped closer to Tinyfoot and Echovalley. "Do you trust me?"

His chest bursting with relief, Tinyfoot nodded with purrs that caught in his throat and made his eyes water. She would save him and his siblings. They didn't have to die. Nobody did. The clans would be saved.

Echovalley purred too, and Whirlwind touched noses with Lilyflower a little anxiously, and his expression slightly bewildered.

"Briarshine! Poppyshade, Streamstar? Lilyflower, Cinderflame? Tinyfoot? My, what's going on?" Kestrelclaw pushed through to the little clearing.

"Kestrelclaw!" exclaimed Briarshine, jumping to her paws. The two stared at each other in a strange way for a long time.

Streamstar didn't appear to notice, for she talked as if Kestrel was giving her full attention. "Well, Kestrelclaw, what a surprise! It's great to see you. I'm sure you've heard all about my siblings and I, and how I've raised my sister's kits. Well, the kits are full-grown and meeting their mother at last! Isn't it wonderful?"

"Yes, very. Poppyshade, do LakeClan cats have to visit our territory constantly?"

Poppy purred at him. "I have many LakeClan friends and family that I like to see once in a while."

"Yes, I have many friends in the other clans, but it isn't like we're becoming one clan all the sudden, so try to calm these other clan visits. Not that I don't enjoy visits from you and your warriors, Streamstar."

Streamstar purred at him. "You are quite interesting to listen to, Kestrelclaw. I do think it is time for us to go. I'll be leaving now, but Tinyfoot, Briarshine, Whirlwind, and Echovalley are permitted to stay as long as they like, within reason."

"I'll be leaving too," Cinderflame dipped her head politely and left quickly.

Streamstar left in the other direction. Lilyflower stood slowly. "I must go. I hope to see you again, and I hope I haven't confused or ruined your lives."

Tinyfoot licked her cheek quickly before she left. "No, you've made it better."

Lily purred huskily and disappeared.

"Goodnight, Poppyshade," meowed Tinyfoot as his favorite family member began to make her exit.

"Goodnight to you all as well. I have my kits to tend to myself."

Tinyfoot, Echovalley, and Whirlwind left, but Briarshine and Kestrelclaw stayed.

"When do you plan on telling them?" murmured Kestrelclaw.

"I don't know. I love you so much, but they'll find out."

He sighed and sat closer to her. She pressed against him with a contented gusty exhale.

"Nothing makes me happier than being with you," he said softly.

"Good. Then we can plan on being together happily forever. We'll figure it out."

With a huge smile, he replied, "I know."

She smiled too, and neither left until dawn began to peak.