Chapter 21: A Leader Arise/Birth of the kits

*Note: I am changing the birth order of Leafkit and Squirrelkit in this story from their original birth what the author originally wrote in the series*

The night drew on, as if StarClan is themselves are grieving for the death of Bluestar. Spottedleaf looks up as the dawn patrol is getting gathering up as they are going to head out after the final goodbye to Bluestar. She looks over at Fireheart who apparently had dose off during the night. The dawn light was seeping through the trees. Smallear and Dappletail are standing by to take Bluestar's body to the grave site.

Cinderpelt nudges Fireheart, with a stir he looks up at the medicine cat as he shook his head to clear it. Fireheart stretches his legs as he moves away from Spottedleaf and the dead leader. The rest of the Clan made two rows leading up to the entrance to the ThunderClan camp. Spottedleaf looks to her former apprentice as she gives the nod to Cinderpelt.

Fireheart presses close to Spottedleaf as Dappletail and Smaller picks up their leader and they begin to walk toward the entrance. She gave Fireheart a kiss goodbye as she follows close behind the two elders as well as Whitestorm. As Spottedleaf watches each one of her Clanmates, as Bluestar's body passes them, their heads bowed with respect as their tails curled around their paws.

Once at the gravesite, Spottedleaf stood beside Dappletail as Smallear and Whitestorm lowers Bluestar's body in the dirt. She is placed beside Sunstar's grave, the leader before her. Whitestorm helps Smallear out of the crave as he jumps out after him. Then Spottedleaf and Dappletail begins to cover dirt over Bluestar's body. Once the mound is completely covered, Whitestorm approaches the hedge stone, as he turns to face the three cats with him.

"Bluestar is more than just a leader to me. She was my aunt, my mother, my father, my friend, and my mentor. She has taught me so much after my own mother died, and care for me as her own. I greatly appreciated all the sacrifice she had endured, and the wiliness she had done to serve and protect her Clan. You are the greatest leader ThunderClan has ever had, and I truly thank you for your service of leading. I will miss you most of all. I love you, my dear aunt, Bluestar. May you hunt with my mother in StarClan." Whitestorm meows as tears fell from the old tom's eyes. He places his white paw on her grave and then retrieve to the other elders.

Spottedleaf watches as the elders pay their last respects, then waited until they and Whitestorm has gone. Spottedleaf then moves toward the fresh mound of dirt and places a small, yellow flower upon her grave. Then she meows to her, "I will never forget you my dear friend. You have taught me just as much as I taught you. I love you, Bluestar. May you be with your family and loved ones now." Spottedleaf drops the flower on her grave, and then turns to leave. Just before she leaves, she saw Sandstorm beside her mother's grave. She didn't even see her come in.

Spottedleaf makes it over to where Sandstorm was sobbing by her mother and father's grave. Sandstorm looks up at Spottedleaf. All of her resentment she had toward her melted away, and was replaced with despair.

Sandstorm turns back at her parents grave and a low wail came out of her. It was painful to see her niece to suffer like this. Then in a faint whisper she meows to Spottedleaf, "I'm, sorry."

Spottedleaf assumed she was talking to her parents grave, but actually she was speaking to her. "Sorry?"

Sandstorm sighs, "I'm sorry for being such a bitch to you., And for my anger toward you for thinking you stole Fireheart from me. It is clear that he loves you more then he will ever love me."

Spottedleaf looks at her niece as she is finally coming to reconcile with her. Spottedleaf then softly spoke to her, "He still loves you, you know. He cares for you to have a friendship at least."

Sandstorm nods. Then she cast a look back at Brindleface's grave. Spottedleaf looks at her and then meows softly to her, "Why did you to reconcile with me?"

Sandstorm sighs, as she tells her aunt the truth. "To be honest, it was the moment of me running from the pack. All I kept thinking about was my mother, how she was slain and killed. Also Longtail, how I didn't wanted to see him get killed too. When I saw the dogs as they chase me, I don't want to die and be remembered as the bitch who hated you for taking Fireheart. So I am truly sorry for ever hurting you. Just, so hard to let go of him when I too, love him as much as you do."

Spottedleaf acknowledges Sandstorm's testimony. "Well I greatly appreciated it. Thank you. I still love and care for you. You are still my brother's daughter, and we are still family."

Sandstorm gave a faint smile. Then her leaf green gaze fell onto her mother's grave again. In a sorrowful meow she lightly spoke as words chocked in her throat, "Why, aunt Spottedleaf. Why did Tigerstar had to slain my family. My entire family is dead."

Spottedleaf then moves forward to cradle Sandstorm, as she starts to sob again. Sandstorm then cries into Spottedleaf's shoulder at the loss of her parents. Spottedleaf didn't know how to answer her questions. All she knew is that Sandstorm's heart is grieving, and the only thing she needs now, is love from a family member. As soon as Sandstorm calms down Spottedleaf meows to her to soothe her, "Your family is not dead Sandstorm. You still have me, Frostfur, your brother and sisters, your cousins, my sister Willowpelt and Whitestorm. I don't know why Tigerstar target your father and mother in particular, but one thing I do know that he will never slain or destroy."

Sandstorm looks up at her, "And what is that?"

"Love, Sandstorm. Love. Love is what keeps you and I going. You have Longtail, who would give his life to you, just as Fireheart will give his life to save me." Spottedleaf meows. Sandstorm looks at her aunt and her anger came back slightly.

"How do you know Longtail loves me? How do you even know, that…" Sandstorm started.

"That you two are an item. I'm not an idiot Sandstorm. I know that look. That look is really transparent, and is not as hard to hide. " Spottedleaf meows, "I too had that look many times when I first….." Spottedleaf let her sentence trail off, when Sandstorm doesn't want to hear how Spottedleaf fell in love with Fireheart. Spottedleaf looks toward the direction of camp then she turns to look back at her niece, "Are you going to come back to camp, or wait a bit longer."

Sandstorm looks at her then back at her mother's grave. "I will head back a bit later. I want to stay a bit longer with my parents. Since I didn't get much of a chance yesterday do so."

"Do you want me to stay with you?" Spottedleaf asks.

"No. I want time alone. Besides, Fireheart will be leaving here soon to go to Highstones with Cinderpelt to receive his lives. I wouldn't want you to say with me, and then miss a chance to bid him farewell before he becomes leader. I'll be fine, really." Sandstorm meows.

"Okay. Just don't stay out here too long, there still is danger out in the forest." Spottedleaf advices. Sandstorm nods to her as she turns her gaze back onto her parents gravestones.

Spottedleaf left Sandstorm to mourn at the warriors' cemetery as she makes her way to camp. When she got there Fireheart and Cinderpelt were already making their way down the ravine. Spottedleaf dashes after her mate, as she calls out his name," Fireheart!"

Fireheart turns to look at her as she makes her way to the bottom of the ravine. He padded to her, "I got to go, Speckles."

"I know you do. I just want to say a goodbye from and to wish you luck." Spottedleaf meows.

Fireheart nuzzles his mate, "Just because that I will be leader now, doesn't me I won't be the same old me. I'll still be the same handsome tom that you fell in love with. I know I will have duties and such to the Clan, but I will always make time for you and our kits. Always." Then he puts his head to hers, "You'll always be important to me. You and Graystripe both. I love you."

"I love you too. And you will do fine Fireheart. I have faith in you and so did Bluestar. She wouldn't have chosen you to be second in command if she didn't feel that you will be a great leader." Spottedleaf purrs.

"Come on Romeo. StarClan won't wait all day on your romance. There will be plenty of time for you and Spottedleaf to make out and such, but we got to go." Cinderpelt orders.

"Better listen to her, honey. She is going to be with you for a long time now." Spottedleaf meows.

"You trained her well." Fireheart purrs. Then he bends down to give her a farewell kiss. Spottedleaf melted in his embrace in that moment. Fireheart pulls away from her lips and stares into her eyes one last time before he parts from her. Then he turns and joins Cinderpelt as they make their journey to Highstones where Fireheart will no longer be Fireheart, but Firestar, the new leader of ThunderClan.

…

That night Spottedleaf laid in her nest. She wishes she was still a medicine cat so she can accompany Fireheart on his journey to be leader, but in the same time she is glad she is not. Spottedleaf then felt sharp pain in her side. In agony she meows painfully to her sister.

"Willowpelt…Willowpelt!" Spottedleaf meows.

Willowpelt in a daze looks at her sister, "What?"

Spottedleaf felt cold liquid in her bedding and her paw turned red. "I think my kits are…" Spottedleaf let out a meow of pain.

Willowpelt sprang from her nest as she goes to her sister. Sootkit pokes his head up, "What is it mommy?"

Willowpelt turns back at him, "Get back with your siblings, Sootkit." Willowpelt looks at her sister, "Your kits are coming?"

"I think so." Spottedleaf meows.

"I'll go and fetch Cinderpelt." Willowpelt started to make her way out but Spottedleaf stops her.

"She is at Highstones with Fireheart. Fireheart is receiving his nine lives tonight." Spottedleaf clutches the edge of her nest with her claws as another contraction was happening.

"But we need her. She is our medicine cat." Willowpelt meows.

Spottedleaf looks at her at the look she gave her she knew that Willowpelt is asking her to deliver her kits. "You have to do it sis."

"But I can't. I'm not a medicine cat. I've never done anything that is.." Willowpelt started to protest when Spottedleaf yowls out in pain again.

In a weak voice Spottedleaf meows to her, "You have to. I'll walk you through the steps. Please I need you."

Willowpelt sighs, then she walks over to her nest and meows to her kits to stay where they are and don't move. Willowpelt looks to her then vanishes out of the nursery for a few moments. Spottedleaf clutches the nest as each of her contraction felt like her stomach was being torn apart. Willowpelt came back with reinforcements with Goldenflower, and Frostfur. "I came back with some queens who have done this before."

Frostfur went by Willowpelt's kits to comfort them as she nods for Willowpelt to help with Spottedleaf's kitting. Goldenflower goes to Spottedleaf and looks to see how far she is dilated. She looks at Willowpelt to go to her. "Willowpelt I need you to coach your sister. Spottedleaf, this is going to hurt like hell. You ready to push."

Spottedleaf looks at the golden warrior, "You…you know how to.."

"I done this many times with my own mother, as well as Frostfur's kitting. So yes, I know how to do this. You ready?"

Spottedleaf looks at her sister and Willowpelt gives her a lick, "She's ready."

Goldenflower nods as she looks to Spottedleaf, "Okay Spottedleaf, Push."

Spottedleaf pushes as she felt that claws where raking in her insides and tearing them apart. Spottedleaf lets out a yowl of pain as the severe pain escalated where a new life is being born. "Keep pushing," Spottedleaf heard Goldenflower say.

When the kit was out Goldenflower nudges her head for Frostfur to come over to her, "Lick, Frostfur."

Spottedleaf painted as if all of her energy escape from her. Weary she meows to her sister, "What is it? A male or female?"

Frostfur purrs, "It's a she-cat, Speckles."

Goldenflower turns back, "ready for another round."

Willowpelt nudges her. Spottedleaf pushes out another kit. When it came to the last kit, it felt the whole of LionClan and TigerClan were meeting in battle. There was a slight psychic connection between her giving birth to their last kit, and Fireheart receiving his last life as leader from Bluestar. Spottedleaf tremble as she pushes with all of her might. The pain was sharp and it turned her vision white, but soon it ebbed away as Goldenflower uncover the kit, Willowpelt pushes her muzzle into her sister's cheek and meows to her, "You did well sis. You can relax now."

Goldenflower and Frostfur brought the new born kits to Spottedleaf's belly. One she-cat looked a lot like Fireheart. With his fiery pelt, and his markets, and a tail that looks so much like a squirrels. Another she-cat looks like an image of Spottedleaf, but instead of spots, it is a stripes like Fireheart. And thirdly, a tom. Who was a mix of both of her and Fireheart. He had Spottedleaf's pelt, with dapple markings that is like a turtle, but also a flame like stripe from his head to his tail, and paws that were fire.

Goldenflower smiles at the three new kits to ThunderClan. Then she purrs warmly at the new mother, "Fireheart will be so proud of his kits."

Spottedleaf locks eyes with the golden warrior. Spottedleaf smiles to her as she licks Spottedleaf's face, "Congratulations you are now a mother. Sometimes it sucks and is disappointed at times, but there is joy in there as well."

"Especially when your kits become great noble warriors, and medicine cats." Frostfur meows, remembering her own daughter and son.

Spottedleaf looks at the two of them, "Thank you so much. Both of you."

Frostfur meows to her, "We are still a Clan. And Clan needs to help one another when others need our help. Willowpelt was right of sending us who know a thing or two about kitting, when Cinderpelt is not availed." Frostfur then stands up and turns to head back to the warriors' den, "We shall return to our den, and will wait for Fireheart."

"Firestar, remember he is our leader now." Goldenflower corrects her.

"Right. Firestar, comes back." Frostfur then dashes out of the nursery along with Goldenflower.

Willowpelt looks down at her sister's new kits. Then she purrs tenderly to her, 'Your kits are very beautiful sis. Firestar could not have ask for better kits, then the ones you have with you. I'm proud of you. Mother and father would be proud."

Spottedleaf presses her muzzle to her sister's flank. Then Spottedleaf's other niece and nephews started to meow, "What happened mommy?"

"Did aunt Spottedleaf had her kits?"

"Did she die?"

"Can re see tha kits?"

Willowpelt moves away from her sister's side to go back to her nest to answer the swarming kit's questions, "Yes you can see them, but not right now. It's in the middle of the night. Tomorrow morning you can see them. No Sootkit, she is not dead. Now come on you three lets get some rest."

Spottedleaf smiles to Willowpelt's kits, then she looks down at the three bundles beside her. She licks each one of them and softly meows to them, "Welcome my beloved ones. Your father will come here shortly." Spottedleaf looks out at the entrance to the nursery and sees the pale light of dawn beginning to come through. She can't wait to tell Firestar about his kits. Spottedleaf then lays her head down near her kits and their soft meows sound her to sleep.

When morning came, the news of Spottedleaf and Firestar's kits has been born has spread throughout the camp. Spottedleaf awoke as Willowpelt's kits came to her nest to see the new fur balls asleep beside Spottedleaf. Sorrellkit the tortoiseshell she cat looks at the kits. "Look mamma, that one looks like a ball of fire."

Graystripe came in to look at his best friends kits, Then he smiles to her, "Firestar would be proud."

Spottedleaf looks to him and smiles, "Did he and Cinderpelt returned?"

Graystripe shook his head, "Not yet."

Willowpelt moves away to have her son have some time alone with Spottedleaf's first litter. Graystripe press his nose to the male kit. He looks at him, "He looks so much like you, Spottedleaf. But yet at the same time, has a bit of Fireheart in him. Do you have names picked out?"

"Not yet." Spottedleaf smiles.

Graystripe looks at the male, and then back at her, "Can I make a suggestion then."

"Sure." Spottedleaf purrs.

"Can you call this one Ember. He looks so much like a burning ember in the ground." Then he looks at her, "But the choice is up to you."

"I'll think about it. I'm waiting for Fireheart to return from Highstones, before I make the decision. I want to name the kits with him. After all they are his too." Spottedleaf smiles.

"That's true. As soon as he returns I'll tell him about the good news." Graystripe smiles. "They are all so cute and precious."

Spottedleaf smiles. There was a hint of sadness in Graystripe's eyes as he looks upon Spottedleaf's kits. She looks at him and meows softly, "You miss your own kits, don't you." Graystripe nods as he closes his eyes, not saying a word back. Spottedleaf softly meows, "I know you left them back in RiverClan, but I know in my heart that they still adore and proud of you for being their father."

Graystripe looks at her as a uncertain look came in his amber gaze, "Are you sure? Mistyfoot and Stonefur disapprove of Bluestar at first, how can you be sure that my own kits won't do the same."

"Bluestar's kits forgave her in the end, didn't they. They still loved her just the same. Your kits will too." Spottedleaf reassured him.

Graystripe looks at her and dips his head. "Thank you. I got to go and do hunting with Mousefur and Sandstorm. I should be back by sunhigh."

He took one look at his best friend's kits then he turns to head out of the nursery. Spottedleaf stays in her nest until an apprentice brought her some food to eat. Frostfur came by and carries a leaf of water for her to drink as well as Willowpelt. Spottedleaf looks at Frostfur's fur, as she had water droplets forming at the end of her fur.

"Did you fall into a lake or something?" Spottedleaf ask.

"No. It's snow." Frostfur meows.

"Snow?" Spottedleaf echoes her words.

"Yeah. Leaf-bare is upon us now. I guess StarClan decided it to come early." Frostfur looks at outside. Then back at Spottedleaf, "keep those kits warm. It will be cold from here on out."

Spottedleaf nods. "Thanks Frostfur."

Frostfur dips her head as she makes it out of the nursery. By the time evening came around Willowpelt was alerted at the sound of cats calling out Firestar's name. Willowpelt turns to Spottedleaf, "Your mate is back."

Spottedleaf was delighted to hear that. Willowpelt gets up from her nest as Spottedleaf begins to do the same. Willowpelt eyes her, "You got to stay in that nest, sis until your kits are have their eyes open."

"Really? I can't go to the bathroom or be part of Clan meetings." Spottedleaf asks.

"Well, you are allow to go to the bathroom, but as a new mother, no you have to stay in the nest to make sure your kits are warm and safe. Especially now that leaf-bare is upon us." Willowpelt meows. "I'll tell Cinderpelt about your kittening, and have her take a look at them before Firestar comes in." Willowpelt disappears out of the nursery.

There was a few moment of delay as Willowpelt came back as Cinderpelt followed in shortly after. Spottedleaf lifts her head up as the medicine cat comes in to inspect Spottedleaf's new litter. Cinderpelt looks over all three kits and then looks back up at her former mentor. "All looks to be healthy. Who helped you with your kittening?"

Spottedleaf looks over at her sister, "Willowpelt, Frostfur, and Goldenflower."

"Well they did a fine job." Cinderpelt smiles. "I just wish.."

"You wish you were there to help me through this?" Spottedleaf asks.

"yes. I wish I was apart of it. You were my mentor, my leader, and I wanted to help bring yours and Firestar's kits into this world." Cinderpelt looks at her.

"There will always be kittening birthing in the Clan you know." Spottedleaf meows.

"Yes, but it is not you. Unless you and Firestar plan to get pregnant again." Cinderpelt mows.

Spottedleaf looks at her former apprentice, "You were meant to be with my mate and help guide him to be leader. I had to do the same with Bluestar, when I wanted to care for Willowpelt's kits. But StarClan wanted me with Bluestar, just as they wanted you with Firestar." Spottedleaf places her paw on hers, "There might be another chance for you to help me through my birth in the future."

Cinderpelt gave a nod to her and then turns her head to peer at the handsome tom entering in. Cinderpelt moves over to him and nods to see his new born kits. Firestar moves into the den and his eyes peered into Spottedleaf's, "The kits, are they?"

Spottedleaf smiles to him, "They're fine Firestar. All healthy. Well come closer, they don't bite."

Firestar peered at his kits. He looks over the three of them before him. One he could tell looks a lot like Spottedleaf, light brown fur with white on the paws and underbelly as well as the muzzle, and dark brown stripes instead of spots. And another one with her fur pattern, but with a brightly streak of fiery orange stripe at the top of the end to where the tail is, as well as fiery paws. The last kit was ginger like him with a bushy red tail, almost looks like a squirrel's tail than anything. The kit also had one white paw matching her mother's and the other two kits. Firestar then looks over at Spottedleaf and gave a tender nuzzle to her, "Oh, Spottedleaf they're, they're so beautiful. Just like you."

Spottedleaf let out a lovely purr to him as one of the kits meows. It was the fiery kit with the bushy squirrel like tail. Spottedleaf smiles to her as she looks into Firestar's eyes, "And you."

Firestar purrs as he nuzzles his mate once more, "Whitestorm told me that you gave birth last night while I was receiving my nine lives, and I know I have to make a choice at appointing the new deputy, but I had to come see, my kits before I make the decision. And to see you." He then looks once more at the kits, "Have you named them yet?"

"No I was waiting for you. We will name them later on tonight, but first you have to appoint the deputy." Spottedleaf smiles to that.

Firestar looks at his new family then to her, "I know this is a long shot, but any chance can you help me with my choice?"

Spottedleaf let out a chuckle and a teasing meow, "Oh no, Firestar, that is your decision to appoint the deputy. I can't help you to make the choice, it has to be you." Then in a soft whisper to reassure him she added in, "Listen to your heart, my love. The heart is the wisest thing you can learn from and follow it."

Firestar nods to her and licks her muzzle, "I should come back in after the announcement. Then we can discuss the names to our kits."

Spottedleaf felt his lips upon hers for a brief moment, then he pulls back and looks down upon his kits. He linger there for a few heartbeats to look upon his offspring. Then he turns and heads out of the nursery and makes his way to his den, the leader's den.

Willowpelt looks at her sister and shakes her head. Spottedleaf looks at her and meows, "What?"

"Nothing." Willowpelt chuckles even louder.

"Seriously what?" Spottedleaf asks.

Willowpelt meows across the nursery, "You. Your romance is so not obvious." Spottedleaf sticks her tongue out at her sister playfully mocking her, like they did when they were kits.

As evening came to close and sliver light pooled into the nursery Spottedleaf heard Firestar's call rang throughout the Clan. "Let all the cats young and old enough to catch their own pray join her beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting." Firestar knows that his mate, Spottedleaf, would not attend because of her giving birth to kits last night.

Willowpelt pushed her kits out as she stayed near the nursery to call out Firestar's choice of the new deputy to her sister, although Spottedleaf could still hear her mates words echo in the clearing. Spottedleaf listen as she lays inside the nursery with her new kits, "The time has come to appoint a new deputy." There was a moment of pause as he try to summon and remember the words that Bluestar used to do to appoint the new deputy. "I say these words before StarClan," he continued. "That the spirits of our ancestors may hear and approve of my choice."

There was anticipation in the air as the Clan awaited Firestar's choice. Spottedleaf said in her own mind, Listen to what your heart says, my love. It will lead you to your choice. Finally Firestar spoke the name of the new deputy, "Whitestorm. Whitestorm will be the new deputy of ThunderClan."

Spottedleaf heard Whitestorm's words, "I never expected to be given this honor. I swear by StarClan that I will do all I can to serve you." There was a moment of celebration from the Clan.

Willowpelt came bursting in the nursery as she danced around the den, "Spottedleaf! Spottedleaf! My mate has been chosen as second command!"

Spottedleaf couldn't help but to smile at her sister, she hasn't been this excited since she became a warrior, "I know I heard."

"I got to go praise him. Oh thank StarClan for giving your mate the right choice." Willowpelt dashes out to join her mate, and her three kits follows after her.

Spottedleaf smiles as she shakes her head at her sister's happiness. Then in her mind she stated, Well done, my love. You made the right choice. When the moon was high in the sky, Firestar came into the nursery to have some time with his mate and his kits. Firestar looks over to where Willowpelt's nest is at as he looks back at her. Spottedleaf smiles to him, "She will be with her mate for quite some time. It's alright."

Firestar stares at her and licks her muzzle and neck and breathe in her sweet scent. Her scar was still visible what Clawface did to her two seasons ago. Firestar nuzzles the scar as he kisses it tenderly. Spottedleaf melted when his lips touched her painful scar that could have ended her life. After a few moments of sharing some romance time with his mate, Firestar looks at his kits, "So what do you want to call our kits?"

Spottedleaf looks at the kit that looks so much like him, "Well, since this your daughter looks a lot like you, I was thinking Squirrelkit because of the…"

"Tail." Firestar finishes her thought.

"Yes." Spottedleaf meows.

"I like that name, and how about Leafkit, for the other she-cat. She looks so much like you, she should have the honor of bearing your beautiful name." Firestar meows.

Spottedleaf blushes at that as she looks down at the little she-cat that looks like her. Then her eyes fell on the tom who has qualities of both her and Firestar. Spottedleaf gaze then rest upon her mate, "That leaves the male. What do you think your son should be named?"

Firestar looks long and thoughtful at his son. He has his fiery marking on his back as well as his paws, as well as he shares Spottedleaf's beautiful tortoiseshell markings, and her brown fur. He was the name to honor both her and him. He then gazes up at her, "To be honest I don't know. I want him to be honor with both of us."

Spottedleaf then looks at her son, and Graystripe's words came to her. Ember. Spottedleaf then whispers it out loud, "Ember."

Firestar's ears prickled at her words, "What?"

Spottedleaf meows to him, "How about Emberkit."

Firestar looks at his son who is asleep in Spottedleaf's white paws. In the pale moonlight he shines as a burning ember in the night. Firestar echoes his son's name, "Emberkit. I love it. Emberkit."

Spottedleaf watches as Firestar puts his nose to his son's as he smiles and meows his name, "Welcome, my lovely Emberkit, Leafkit, and Squirrelkit." Being with them melted Firestar's troubles away for what lies ahead. The birth of his kits, is the good news that brought light upon this darken hour.

*** Little side note. I stated at the front of this chapter but I will state it again here at the end along with my explanation for this change. I know I am going to get tons of comments about this chapter for the birthing of Leafkit and Squirrelkit as to why they are born now and not after The Darkest Hour, and during Firestar's quest. Here is my explanation of this. First off, if you haven't been paying attention, this is NOT the same thing as the book. For one thing I made Spottedleaf bare these kits and not Sandstorm, so of course they will be born at a different time then what the author originally wrote for the two kits. And another thing, this is a FAN FIC of FIREXSPOTTED following the events of all 6 original books of WARRORS! Second of all, in real life, cats are only pregnant for roughly around 2 months, and not as long as human pregnancy (which is nice on cats end, and not so much with us) and I made Spottedleaf pregnant in the middle of the 5th book, A Dangerous Path. So logically she should be giving birth around this time. My original plan was to have the birthing be done during the final battle with BloodClan where Firestar loses his first life, but that goes way out of the time frame of Spottedleaf's pregnancy, so I bumped it to Firestar's leadership ceremony instead. So before you post anything saying that I got Leafkit and Suirrelkit's birthing order wrong, read this, and then comment what you think. ****

Also there will be a short delay for posting Chapter 22. I will be in Haiti on a Mission Trip the week of February 18-25, so I won't have time to write and get it posted before I leave. I will continue to write after I get back But PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH ME on this. When I leave, I will be without my computer the whole entire time while I am there, so I won't get to check my email for updated comments (because it is too expensive to use the internet while I'm there).