ScipioPB: Good for you for getting an account, Whitepaw will be in this Chapter YAY!

Chapter 19

Leopardheart and Goldenstripe where out hunting closer to the river this time. They wanted to get a water vole for Hawkwing, who would be having her kits any day now. Plus Goldenstripe wanted to make sure Stoneclaw wasn't hanging around the border.

A screech alerted Leopardheart that something was wrong; Goldenstripe emerged from the ferns, where she had buried a squirrel. Leopardheart looked at her quizzically, Goldenstripe shrugged and said, "It wasn't me"

'Then who was it?', Leopardheart thought. The sound sounded like it came from up river, maybe they should go check it out. "We should go chech it out", Leopardheart said, "Whoever it was might need help"

The two she-cats raced through the undergrowth beside the river until, they came to a small spot by the river that was completely made of stones, there they saw someone they hadn't expected to see…Hawkwing!

Hawkwing let out another scream, Stoneclaw was with her thank Starclan. When Stoneclaw saw them he said, "Help, the kits are coming!"

Turning to Goldenstripe she hissed, "Go get Blueclaw!" Nodding Goldenstripe raced back out into the undergrowth.

Leopardheart made her way next to Hawkwing saying, "It's alright, you're going to be fine, Blueclaw is coming, just hold on a little longer"

Leopardheart turned to Stoneclaw, who was staring at his mate in panic and ordered, "Go find some moss and get it wet, she'll be thirsty after this, and a stick, go find a stick for her to bite down on"

For a moment it seemed as if Stoneclaw hadn't heard her, but then he nodded and ran off into the forest to find what Leopardheart needed.

What seemed like hours passed before Goldenstripe returned, and Leopardheart now understood why it had taken so long. Whitepaw limped out of the undergrowth with herbs dangling from his mouth and went behind Hawkwing to get to work.

"What are you doing here?", Leopardheart said nervously, "Where's Blueclaw?"

Whitepaw glanced at her before turning back to Hawkwing, "Blueclaw is in Windclan helping Frostwind and Feathershine with a sickness, so I'm going to deliver these kits"

"But you've never delivered kits before", Leopardheart exclaimed. Whitepaw looked at her with determination, "I helped Blueclaw when Lionclaw had her kit, so I know what do"

That was true, Lionclaw had recently given birth to Brackenkit and Whitepaw had helped Blueclaw with that.

"Plus", Whitepaw said, "Someone has to give these kits a fighting chance"

Stoneclaw returned just as Whitepaw pressed a paw to Hawkwing convulsing stomach and said, "The first one is coming!"

Stoneclaw shoved the stick into Hawkwing's mouth just in time for the first kit to come tumbling out. Whitepaw grabbed the kit and thrust it towards Leopardheart ordering, "Lick"

Leopardheart did as she was told and licked the kit until it let out a squeal and nudged it towards Hawkwing. Hawkwing screamed again as the second kit; a large tom was born.

Goldenstripe had just nudged the tom towards Hawkwing's belly before the next kit was born.

Whitepaw thrust the kit at Stoneclaw, he stared at it in shock before licking it and putting it by Hawkwing.

Whitepaw suddenly looked up at them worried and said, "I'm all out of herbs at there still at least two left"

"What does that mean?", Goldenstripe asked. Whitepaw didn't say anything, just returned to Hawkwing, who was wailing pitifully.

The next kit; a she-cat this time came out sooner than Whitepaw expected, and not long after that kit was born, the last kit came tumbling out onto the stones.

As Stoneclaw licked the last kit, Whitepaw stepped away from Hawkwing, his paw drenched in blood. He yellow eyes filled with terror.

"What's wrong?", Leopardheart asked.

"No-no-no", Whitepaw muttered, "This shouldn't be happening"

"What's wrong Whitepaw?", Leopardheart said almost shrieking.

"She isn't going to make it", Whitepaw said covering his head with his bloodstained paws, "She's lost to much blood"

"What!", Stoneclaw said, his voice filled with grief.

Beside him Hawkwing purred, "My love, take care of our kits" Stoneclaw nodded fiercely, "I will, I promise I will"

Hawkwing turned her head slowly towards Leopardheart and Goldenstripe who where sitting in shock at what was happing, "My friends", Hawkwing rasped, "Come here and help me name my kits"

Leopardheart nudged Goldsntripe and the two walked quickly towards her.

Glancing at the first kit; a brown she-cat with a white underbelly, tail tip, and patch over her eyes was the spitting image of Hawkwing. Glancing at Goldenstripe they nodded and said, "Hawkkit"

Hawkwing purr grew fainter as Leopardheart look at the next kit; a large grey and brown tom, this kit in Leopardheart's mind was the reason her friend was dying, this kit was the large and would have made her lose the most blood.

"Fadingkit", Leopardheart almost spat, Hawkwing and Goldenstripe would think this name came from the grey in his fur, but Leopardheart would know the truth. This kit was named for the chances of Hawkwing iving fading away as the kit was born.

"Quickkit", Goldenstripe said pointing to a pale grey tabby tom. The name made Leopardhear purr. Hawkwing had told them moons ago that when she ad kits she'd want one of them to be named Quickkit.

"I want to name this one Tawnykit", Hawkwing rasped nodding to the light brown and brown colored she-cat.

"It's perfect", Goldenstripe said forcing a smile.

Lastly they looked at smallest kit; a little white she-cat with dark and light grey spots. Hawkwing looked at the tiny she-cat and whispered, "Ruekit"

Leopardheart looked at her friend, confused and asked, "Why Ruekit?"

"Because of the rue flowers growing over there", Hawkwing said struggling for breath, "Before I knew I was expecting kits, I would come here every night just to look at the flowers"

Hawkwing took one more shaky breath and then fell silent. Stoneclaw buried his nose into her fur muttering, "Don't leave me please, don't leave me"

The sat there in silence until the sun started to set, then shakily Stoneclaw stood up and said, "Come on lets go let's take the kits back to Thunderclan"

"You not coming with us", Leopardheart growled.

"Of course I am Hawkwing told me to look after my kits", Stoneclaw said strongly.

Leopardheart stood up, unsheathing her claws. Goldenstripe tried to block her path, but it was her turn to be angry now. But instead of attack him she gave a hysterical laugh, "These kits arnt yours"

"Of course they are", Stoneclaw protested.

"Never!", Leopardheart growled, "I'll before I'd let you go anywhere near these kits"

Turning to Goldenstripe and Whitepaw she said, "Get the kits, I'll get Hawkwing"

"I should be able to say goodbye at least", Stoneclaw said pushing his way towards Hawkwing's body. Leopardheart lashed out raking her claws across his muzzle hissing, "Go back to Riverclan, you foxheart!"

Stoneclaw took one last look and Hawkwing before sliding into the river and disappearing.

Leopardheart watched as when she got to camp the happy faces of her clan mates had turned into looks of horror. Leopardheart laid Hawkwing down in middle of camp. Nightstorm, Bramblepaw, and Blacksplash returned from hunting not moment later.

Blacksplash drooped her fresh kill and ran towards her sister, she pushed her nose into Hawkwing's fur and wailed for her dead sister.

Nightstorm brushed his pelt with Leopardheart's and asked, "Are you okay?"

Leopardheart shook her head and said, "No, I don't think so", then she buried her head into Nightstorm shoulder and wept.

Goldenstripe dropped Hawkkit and Leopardheart's feet and said, "We have to get them to Lionclaw, she's the only one who can feed them"

Leopardheart picked up Hawkki and followed her friend into the nursery. Ruekit and Tawnykit were already sleeping beside Lionclaw. When Lionclaw saw them she scowled, "There are more of them?"

"Yes", Goldenstripe growled. She laid Fadingkit and Quickkit down next to Tawnykit and Ruekit and said, "These are Fadingkit and Quickkit"

Leopardheart laid Hawkkit down beside her littermates and said, "And this is Hawkkit"

Lionclaw muttered, "Whatever, I shouldn't have to feed these half-clan kits. I don't what the kits I have"

Leopardheart looked to see if Goldenstripe had heard, the look on her face told Leopardheart that she had.

As they exited the nursery Goldenstripe said, "I'm going to go get ready for the vigil"

Leopardheart nodded. Spottedstar noticed her and came up to her and asked, "Can you come with me please?"

"Yes, of course", Leopardhear said irritated.

Leopardheart followed Spottedstar into his den, he studied Leopardheart deeply before saying, "The father is from a different clan, isn't he?"

"Yes", Leopardheart said, "Riverclan, why?"

"I was afraid of that", Spottedstar said to himself. Turning back to Leopardheart he said, "I'm afraid Riverclan might try to take Hawkwing's kits"

"Never!", Leopardheart growled.

"I'm glad you'll be willing to fight", Spottedstar said, "But how many will fight for kit that are half Riverclan?"

"How many will fight just for the honor of saying Riverclan didn't defeat them?", Leopardheart shot back.

"You have a point there", Spottedstar said, "If it is to come to a battle, then there is something I must do"

Spottedstar stepped out of his den and yowled, "All cats agther beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting"

Once the cats gathered Spottedstar said, "Today as you all know, we lost Hawkwing, a brave and honest cat. But yet her kits survive. Hawkkit, Fadingkit, Quickkit, Tawnykit, and Ruekit sit in the nursery with Lionclaw now. And to stop all rumors, yes her kits are half-clan"

Murmurs swept through the clan. Spottedstar shouted, "Silence!" once the cats had quieted Spottedstar said, "Riverclan might try to take these kits from us. I ask that if it comes to a fight, will you fight?"

"I will", Leopardheart said strongly, "And I'll rip the pet off any Riverclan cat I see"

"As will I", Leopardheart heard Goldenstripe add.

Nightstorm stood up from beside her and shouted, "I will defend those kits with my life"

"I will avenge my sister's death!", Blacksplash called out. Blacksplash's shouting seemed to have cats agreeing with fight for the half-clan kits.

"Good", Spottedstar said, "Bramblepaw will you come forward?"

Bramblepaw nodded and tentatively came forward, "Bramblepaw, Hawkwing was your mentor, will you fight for her kits?"

"Always", Bramblepaw promised. Spottedstar looked at the young tom with satisfaction and said, "Then we have a new warrior here among us tonight"

"I, Spottedstar, leader of Thunderclan, look down on this apprentice. His has learned the ways of Starclan's noble code and I make a warrior in return. Bramblepaw, do you promise to defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do"

"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. Bramblepaw, from this moment forth you shall be known as Bramblepelt. Starclan honors your loyalty and your bravery as we welcome you as a full warrior of Thunderclan", Spottedstar said.

"Bramblepelt, Bramblpelt, Bramblepelt!", the clan shouted.

Bramblepelt then went to sit down beside Hawkwing for not only his warrior vigil, but his vigil for Hawkwing as well.

Leopardheart, Blacksplash, Goldenstripe, and Nightstorm all followed Bramblepelt and surrounded Hawkwing's body. Burying her nose into Hawkwing's fur she promised, "I'll love your kits as if they were my own"

So now Hawkwing's had her kits, but at a terrible price. We also got to see a bit more of Leopardheart's mean streak which we will defiantly be seeing more of.

And here are the kits in order of oldest to youngest:

Hawkkit- Brown she-cat with a white underbelly, a white tail tip, and a white patch over her eyes; with green eyes

Fadingkit- Brown and grey tom with green eyes

Quickkit- Pale grey tabby tom with blue eyes

Tawnykit- Light brown and brown she-cat with blue eyes

Ruekit- Small white she-cat with dark and light grey spots and green eyes

And I figured since I mentioned Lionclaw's kit; Brackenkit, I guess I'll add her in too:

Brackenkit- Ginger she-cat with green eyes