"Lionblaze, wake up."

Lionblaze's eyes fluttered open. "What?"

"Thistlekit's opened his eyes already!"

Thistlekit? Lionblaze thought for a moment, confused. Of course! His son! He was a father!

Cinderheart purred as Thistlekit stood up, blinking against the light. "Cinderheart?" he squeaked. Cinderheart nuzzled her kit. "And Lionblaze."

"Dad?" Thistlekit meowed sleepily.

"That's right." Cinderheart nudged Thistlekit towards Lionblaze.

Thistlekit looked up at Lionblaze, eyes wide. Then he twisted his head to get a good look at his pelt. "We look like each other." he announced.

"I'm your father. No wonder we look like each other." pride swelled inside Lionblaze.

A snowy head peeked from Brightheart's nest. "Thistlekit's awake!" Snowkit darted over to them. "Can I take him out to see the camp?"

Cinderheart shook her head and wrapped her tail around her kits. "I want them all to be together to experience the camp."

At that moment, Hollykit struggled out of the nest, her eyes still closed. Then, she slowly opened them. "It's so bright!" she wailed. She shut her eyes tight and dove back into the nest. Lionblaze felt a stab of pity for his tiny daughter.

Cinderheart nudged the black she-kit out of the nest. "You can't hide forever in the nest."

"You're going to have to open your eyes to be a warrior," Lionblaze meowed. Hollykit wriggled out of the nest. "A warrior!" she cried. "I'm going to be a warrior!" her eyes flew open without anymore hesitation. She blinked twice. "Cinderheart! I'm going to be a warrior!"

"We're both going to be warriors!" Thistlekit nudged his sister. "Lionblaze! Can we be warriors now?"

"You have to wait six moons to become an apprentice, and then you have to train for six more moons with your mentors. I hope Bramblestar chooses well for you."

"Who's Bramblestar?" Hollykit blinked.

Thistlekit lashed his tail. "He sounds important. Can I be important?" he asked Lionblaze.

"You're important to me, my son," he purred. "And you, too, Hollykit."

"What about Blazekit and Featherkit and Sunnykit?" asked Hollykit. "Are they special too?"

"Of course, precious." Cinderheart licked Hollykit.

At that moment, Sunnykit's eyes fluttered open. She blinked once, and then scrambled to her paws. "What were you guys saying about me?"

"You're all important." Lionblaze meowed.

"Can we go out now?" begged Thistlekit.

"What part of "I want them all to be together when they go to experience camp" do you not understand, Thistlekit?" Cinderheart purred.

Thistlekit blinked. "I know. But Blazekit and Featherkit are taking forever."

"Well, if you want to go out, you have to look presentable." Cinderheart swept Thistlekit toward her and began licking at his pelt.

Thistlekit cried, "I can do it myself!"

"I'm sure you can, but I'd like to do it." Cinderheart meowed between licks. "Lionblaze?"

Lionblaze pulled Hollykit towards him and licked her.

Sunnykit skipped around. "I don't have to be washed!"

"Oh, I'm not sure about that," purred Cinderheart, finishing with Thistlekit and starting on Sunnykit.

Blazekit shifted away from Cinderheart. He rolled over and opened his eyes. "Lionblaze!" he yelped happily. He scrambled into sitting position. "Can you wash me? I want to go outside quickly!"

Lionblaze purred. Blazekit would definitely be an easier kit to take care of. He released Hollykit and lapped at his son's flaming red pelt.

Featherkit wriggled from out of the nest. "Can I go outside?" she murmured. Her eyes fluttered open. She blinked twice, and looked up at her father. "Lionblaze?" she whispered. "You're so big!"

"I'm going to grow as big as him! In fact, I'm going to be bigger than him!" Thistlekit cried. "And I'll be bigger than you!"

As soon as Lionblaze released Blazekit, he ran towards his brother as Cinderheart pulled Featherkit towards her and lapped at her pelt.

By then, every kit in the nursery was awake.

"I'm going to be the one to show Cinderheart's kits the fresh-kill pile!" yelped Gingerkit.

Dewkit sprang from Brightheart's nest and bowled his denmate over. "Not if I get there first!" he cried.

Thistlekit purred as he watched the two older kits tussle. "I want to try that!" he yowled. He leaped on Blazekit.

"Oh dear." Cinderheart sighed, releasing Featherkit. "Could you watch them?" she asked Lionblaze. "It's their first time out, and who knows what type of things the older kits will get them into. I would, but I'm still rather tired."

"Of course." Lionblaze gave his mate's ear a quick lick as the older kits bounded out of the nursery, the younger ones scrambling after them.

"Are those our newest warriors?" Graystripe asked from where he lay, sharing a thrush with Millie in the shade of Highrock.

"They are." Lionblaze nodded.

"Hey guys! Look! It's Graystripe the Pigeon!" called Snowkit. Graystripe stood up and sat down, revealing a vast expanse of gray fluff.

"You? A pigeon?" Lionblaze asked in mock surprise. "No way!"

"I know, right?" Millie purred.

Featherkit tentatively padded up to the pair and sniffed them. "Are you really a pigeon?" she gasped.

"No, but he's got enough fluff to be one." Millie poked her mate. "Perhaps we should go hunting."

"It's just fluff!" retorted Graystripe.

"Oh, sure." Millie purred.

Jayfeather and Briarlight came from the fern tunnel. The kits scampered over to them. "Jayfeather!" Mosskit greeted him.

"Hi, Briarlight!" Amberkit purred, and raced over to her.

Hollykit gasped. "What happened to your hind legs?"

"They got crushed by a falling tree," Briarlight told her.

"Oh." Hollykit squeaked. "I'm sorry."

"But I'm fine now. I was at your kitting."

"Really?" Hollykit cocked her head.

"Really."

Lionblaze padded over to Jayfeather. "So, Jay, what do you think of your kin?"

"Inquisitive, that's for sure." Jayfeather nodded. "So, what are their names? I had to deal with Lilypaw when I went back. She had accidentally walked through brambles. Honestly, is she blind? Even I can avoid brambles, and I'm the blind one!"

"You need to relax. Honestly. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes."

And then Floss came in with Mosskit, who was wailing like it was the end of the world. She had a thorn in her pad. It was ridiculous! And then, after that, I fell asleep."

"You've been busy lately." Lionblaze commented. "The toms are Blazekit and Thistlekit, and the she-kits are Sunnykit, Featherkit, and Hollykit. She looks quite like Hollyleaf, you know."

"We've been busy lately. We need to talk soon. We never talked about our dream that we shared a moon ago." Jayfeather meowed.

"Yeah."

"Um, Lionblaze?" Jayfeather tapped his brother on the shoulder. "Your kits are being shown Bramblestar's den."

"Wha-" Lionblaze looked up to see the older kits helping the younger kits up Highrock. "Oh no you don't!" he called, charging after them. He climbed up on Highrock and stood in front of the entrance.

The kits slithered to a halt. "Why not?" questioned Thistlekit.

"You're not allowed in the leader's den without permission."

"But we've never been in there!" whined Snowkit.

"Come on, get down!" ordered Lionblaze. He picked up Sunnykit by the scruff and leaped down. He placed her on the ground and went for the rest.

"Come on, I'll show you guys the warriors den!" Dewkit called. The kits squealed with delight and pelted after him.

Lionblaze bounded after them. "Don't go-" he was interrupted when Bramblestar leaped up onto Highrock and yowled, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Highrock for a Clan meeting!"

"Ooh, a Clan meeting!" squeaked Blazekit. "Are we allowed to? We aren't old enough to catch our own prey, let alone eat it!"

"You can, but you have to be quiet," Lionblaze told them. The queens padded out of the nursery and collected their kits. Cinderheart wasn't among them. She must still be sleeping, Lionblaze thought.

Thistlekit leaped on Blazekit.

"And you have to be still!" Lionblaze chided gently, pulling them apart.

Blazekit scuffed the ground with his paws. "Sorry, Lionblaze."

"No matter." Lionblaze wrapped his tail around his kits. "Now shush, Bramblestar's about to speak."

"Firstly, let us welcome the newborn kits of Lionblaze and Cinderheart to the Clan. I'm sure they'll be fine, honorable warriors."

The whole Clan turned around to look at Lionblaze and the kits.

"And now, speaking of kits... kits will become apprentices, to either medicine cats or warriors. Apprentices become a medicine cats, but in our case today, it's warriors. Cherrypaw and Molepaw have trained for six moons and they are ready to become warriors. Smoky has trained with us for less than that, but he came to us with much skill, and he is ready to become a warrior. Cherrypaw, Molepaw, Smoky, step forward."

All three cats, their fur well-groomed, eyeess shining, obeyed .

"Cherrypaw, Molepaw, Smoky, are you ready to serve your Clan, ThunderClan, even with your life?"

"I do." they chorused.

"Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Cherrypaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Cherrytail. StarClan honors your courage and spirit, an they welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan.

"Molepaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Molefur. StarClan honors your strength and bravery, and they welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan.

"Smoky, I confirm your warrior name, Smoky. Although you do not wish to have a proper warrior name, you have the heart of a warrior, StarClan honors your devotion and loyalty to your new Clan, and they welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."

"Cherrytail! Molefur! Smoky!" cheered the Clan.

Bramblestar looked down at Squirrelflight. "Organize border patrols."

"Okay!" Squirrelflight waved her tail.

"Dustpelt, take Brackenfur, Mousewhisker, and Poppyfrost along the ShadowClan border. Make sure you re-mark the borders and sniff around for any ShadowClan scent. There have been reports of them straying over the border. Lionblaze, would you like to lead the patrol to the WindClan border?"

"Could I?" Lionblaze purred. "Oh, but the-"

"I'll take care of them." Daisy padded up behind him.

"Thank you." Lionblaze dipped his head to the queen.

"Good. Take Thornclaw, Seedpaw, and Spiderleg with you."

Lionblaze signaled to the patrol. "Let's go!" His patrol ran after him as he pelted out of the camp and into the forest.

"Slow down!" Thornclaw called.

Lionblaze skidded to a halt and turned around. "What?"

Thornclaw emerged from the undergrowth, Seedpaw and Spiderleg following. "Is your happiness and excitement energizing you?"

"How do you know?"

"You don't have to be Jayfeather to figure out how happy you are about your kits," Spiderleg snorted. "Plus, you're purring nonstop. You've been like that since you came out of the nursery with your kits this morning."

"Oh."

"You're still purring!" Seedpaw purred.

"I can't stop!" Lionblaze yelped in mock pain. "Happy-itis! I need a medicine cat!"

"For the leader of a patrol, you're not being very responsible," Thornclaw commented. A mischievous glint shone in his eyes. "Perhaps I should take the lead. Who knows what such an excited cat could do to us..."

"Not in your lifetime!" cried Lionblaze.

"Very well." Thornclaw purred.

Lionblaze led them to the WindClan border. "All right, Thornclaw and Spiderleg, go downstream and re-mark the borders. Seedpaw, start here. I'll go upstream."

"All right." Spiderleg meowed, and they separated.

Lionblaze padded along the stream, setting the occasional scent marker as he went. Suddenly, a dark gray pelt appeared on the other side of the stream.

"Crowfeather!" he meowed. "What are you doing here?"

"Taking a walk," Crowfeather mewed simply. "And you?"

"Patrolling."

"You don't look like a patrol."

"I sent the rest downstream."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"Why do you look so happy?" Crowfeather asked.

"Cinderheart had my kits last night."

"Congratulations." Crowfeather nodded. "Say... do any look like me?"

"Hollykit does."

"Hollykit?"

"After my sister."

"Of course."

Lionblaze stared at his father. He had just realized that Crowfeather seemed rather mad and grumpy. "What's wrong?"

"My disgrace of a son, that's what."

"What happened? Did Breezepelt come back?"

"That's what annoys me. He didn't."

"So?"

"Remember when Onestar announced that Heathertail had become a queen, about two moons ago?"

"Yes..." Lionblaze felt a lurch of guilt. He had met with Heathertail in secret in one of the tunnels that Hollyleaf had ran into to flee from the guilt of killing Ashfur, Lionblaze's former mentor. They had liked each other, but had to stop seeing each other when Breezepelt, Jayfeather, and Hollyleaf discovered the tunnels and found out their secret.

"Well, those were my son's kits. And she kitted earlier. Breezepelt's kits."

"Oh. How many?"

"Three."

"What are their names?"

"Why do you care?" Crowfeather eyed him suspiciously. Lionblaze shrugged, trying to seem like he was just asking for something to talk about. "Breezepelt's my brother, making these my kin."

"Very well. Heathertail called them Sagekit, Darkkit, and Sandykit. How about your kits?"

"Hollykit, Sunnykit, Featherkit, Blazekit, and Thistlekit."

"Was there a reason for Featherkit?"

"Cinderheart and I liked the name. Why?"

"Do you know how many 'feather's are in the past and present of the Clans?"

"No."

"There's the old medicine cat, Featherwhisker, from before the Clans left the forest, and his mentor, Goosefeather, and there's the current medicine cat, your very own brother, Jayfeather, and your father, me, Crowfeather. And there's Feathertail, Graystripe's kit, who died in the mountains saving me, Bramblestar, Squirrelflight, Stormfur, and Tawnypelt, and the Tribe from Sharptooth."

"I know that. That's like, a story that elders and queens tell kits and apprentices. And you know, I'm still rather ashamed that you're my father. So I really don't think I'd name a kit after you."

"I'm not ashamed that you're my son."

"Why? I'm ThunderClan, and you're WindClan."

"You've given me a lot more to be proud of than Breezepelt ever has."

How could that fox-heart have even given anything for Crowfeather to be proud of? Lionblaze thought.

There was a rustle of leaves from behind him and two black pelts slid out.

Crowfeather stared at them in disbelief. "Nightcloud and Breezepelt! Why are you on ThunderClan territory?"

"Yes, what are you doing?" Lionblaze bared his teeth at them.

"Just passing through." Nightcloud meowed calmly.

"Through ThunderClan territory? Are you really that mouse-brained?" Crowfeather snarled at them.

"Just taking the long way in." Breezepelt hissed at his father.

"ThunderClan will make sure you two pay for that, I'm sure of it." Crowfeather hissed. "And anyways, why'd you come back?"

"For Heathertail. And my to-be born kits." Breezepelt replied.

"They were born this morning, you rabbit-brain!" Crowfeather growled.

Breezepelt stiffened. "Has she named them yet?" he asked.

"She didn't think you'd come back, so she didn't wait. I wouldn't have either." Crowfeather snapped.

"What did she name them?" Breezepelt asked.

Lionblaze stalked behind them and thrust them toward the river. "Talk on your own territory."

Nightcloud and Breezepelt turned to him, teeth bared in a snarl. "Make us." challenged Breezepelt.

"Oh, I will." Lionblaze hissed. "But I invite you to make the first move."

"I'd love to." Breezepelt let out a yowl and bowled into Lionblaze. Lionblaze screeched in surprise, but thrust Breezepelt off. Breezepelt batted at Lionblaze, his claws unsheathed. Lionblaze growled and raked his claws down the tom's flank. Breezepelt retailiated with a lunge at Lionblaze's throat. Lionblaze yowled and batted him away before he could sink his teeth into his neck. How dare he use such a fox-hearted tactic! he thought, barreling into Breezepelt with such strength the black tom went flying into his mother, and they both tumbled into the stream.

"Don't fight battles you can't win, you fox-heart!" Lionblaze yowled angrily.

"You're the fox-heart!" Breezepelt flailed helplessly in the river and looked at his father. "How can you let him do this to me? I'm your son! By the name of the Dark Forest, help me!"

"Help you?" Crowfeather growled. "You're a traitor. You deserve to die. But I'll help you... a Clanmate for a Clanmate."

"Crowfeather! What in the name of StarClan are you doing?" Nightcloud screeched. "He's your son, not a Clanmate!" she scrambled onto the riverbank.

"I've got two sons, and a daughter. Breezepelt is not one of those sons." Crowfeather hissed. "I'm sorry, Nightcloud, I know you gave birth to my kits to help prove I was loyal to WindClan again, but this isn't a kit I can be proud of."

"Are you insane? Breezepelt is a better than that- that- filthy half-blood!" spat Nightcloud.

"Half-Clan or not, he had given me more to be proud of than Breezepelt. Your son has given me more to be disappointed of than be proud of."

"Hello! I'm still drowning here!" Breezepelt spluttered.

Crowfeather rolled his eyes, but grabbed his son by the scruff and pulled him onto the riverbank.

Nightcloud drew her lips back in a snarl. "We're mates! He's your son, too!"

Crowfeather shook his head. "We are most certainly not mates, Nightcloud. You encouraged Breezepelt to think that he was not loved by me, whenever we talk we spit insults at each other, and you decided to run away from your problems then face them. What type of Clan cat are you?"

"Not an honorable one, that's for sure." Lionblaze muttered.

Nightcloud hissed. "Fine. It's your loss, though."

"No, Nightcloud. It's yours." Crowfeather meowed coldly.

"What happened to your other kits? I thought that you two had had more than one kit?" Lionblaze meowed.

"Mottlekit and Driftkit died of Greencough," snapped Nightcloud. "And, do you have to meddle in what we have done with our lives?"

"I rather like my life, thank you!" snapped Crowfeather. "You better go, Lionblaze."

Breezepelt and Nightcloud have returned- BOO! But I felt that it would make the story a lot more interesting if they came back...

So, now you've met the CinderxLion kitties, who should be their mentors? I'm going to keep writing this story until the kits at least become warriors. I have some names in my head that I want to use!