Alright here's chapter 20! Don't forget to review/fav/follow...or just one thx!

Chapter 20

Swiftheart paced in the camp. Shadowflight was kitting, and he still had Luna's kits on the brain. She said she would give birth the same day, and Swiftheart needed to find a way of getting them to the camp. Webtail popped his head out, and called, "It's official Swiftheart, you have four kits! Three toms and a she-cat!"

Swiftheart nodded kindly at him, and gently padded into the nursery. Shadowflight lay, four kits suckling at the curve of her belly. One tom had the same dark markings of Shadowflight, while his brother was pale gray, almost white. The third tom had the same light gray and white fur as Swiftheart. Swiftheart noticed his daughter's beautiful dark red fur. Shadowflight rasped, "I've thought of a couple names. How about we call the little black one Alderkit, and the one that looks like you Ivykit."

Swiftheart beamed, "Yes, I like those. How about we call the almost white one Hailkit, and our little she-cat can be Flamekit."

Shadowflight purred, and closed her eyes. Swiftheart brightened, and padded outside. He headed to the secret entrance, where Luna had promised to leave her kits. Swiftheart looked around, before rushing to the entrance. A pair of gray tabby kits, one tom and one she-cat, lay mewling softly. Swiftheart grabbed them, and padded into the camp. He easily slipped into the nursery, and hissed, "Shadowflight, I need you to do something for me."

Shadowflight listened intently as Swiftheart explained a rouge he met dropped them and left. After a moment, she nodded slowly, "Alright, these are kits I've birthed."

Without another word, she let out a sharp wailing. Webtail appeared a moment later, and gasped, "What's wrong?"

"She had two more." Swiftheart explained hurriedly.

Webtail widened his eyes, and Poppyleaf scolded him, "Careless tom! She could've died!"

Shadowflight decided, "I'll call the tom Rainkit, and the she-cat Bluekit."

Swiftheart nosed the two new kits to their new mother, and noticed with relief that there was just enough room for two more. A new thought struck him, how will I father six kits? Stoneclaw purred, "Congratulations! They'll be fine new additions."

"Yes, little warriors before you know it!" purred Pebblefall.

Swiftheart nodded, and headed out. The mountain seemed predictable, and the forest was too dense. I'll go to the river, he decided. The river wasn't too far away, and when Swiftheart arrived, he saw a she-cat was there too. Luna. She was crouched nest to the stream, weeping. Swiftheart meowed, "Your kits are safe."

Luna whipped around, and then gasped, "Oh Swiftheart, how could I have given up my kits?"

"Luna, you and I both know they'll have better lives in Moonclan." Swiftheart pointed out.

Luna choked out, "I know, but it still doesn't seem right. Still, will you name them?"

Swiftheart gulped, "We have, Rainkit and Bluekit."

Luna closed her eyes, as if picturing the tiny scraps. She replied at last, "Those are good names. I always knew I could trust you. Please know, I was forced to betray you. If I didn't Leopard would have killed Pepper."

Swiftheart sighed. He knew he couldn't fight the fact that he still had feelings for Luna, but they weren't strong. Luna sighed, "You deserve, so much more than my trust. I-I want to give you something, anything!"

"You've done enough Luna. You can't give up anymore than what you already have."

"I know! I'll make you deputy! You just need to hunt in the forest right?"

"It's not that simple, I need to earn the loyalty of my clan too." Swiftheart spluttered.

Luna rested her paw on his, and told him, "Come here tomorrow, and I promise I'll teach you."

Swiftheart felt his heart burning, but he didn't want to leave Flowerpaw. "No, I'll meet you here a moon from now."

-One moon later-

"Flowerpaw! Your kicks should fly higher." Swiftheart scolded.

Flowerpaw leapt as far as she could, and broke the stick Swiftheart had shown her. Swiftheart nodded approvingly, "Well done, a few more moons, and you'll be halfway to becoming a warrior."

Flowerpaw gaped, and then begged, "Can I go play with the kits now? I promised I'd show them my new fighting move!"

Swiftheart purred, "Go on then."

He followed his apprentice back to the camp, happy that his kits were good-natured. Alderkit and Flamekit had his eyes, while Hailkit's eyes were dark amber, and Ivykit's had dark blue eyes. Rainkit had broad shoulders, and yellow eyes, just like Clayfoot. Bluekit had much gentler heather-blue eyes, and the same markings as Luna. Swiftheart padded into the camp, and was immediately attacked. Alderkit mewed, "Attack!"

He was the oldest, and always had the most mischief. The youngest, Bluekit, was much more sensible, and hung around the medicine den much more than the others. "Ha, got you now!" Ivykit squeaked.

Swiftheart grinned, and heaved himself t his paws. The kits instantly lost interest, and began to practice their hunting skills. Swiftheart sighed, how am I going to do this everyday? Shadowflight watched fondly from outside the nursery, gazing at each kit equally. Swiftheart sighed with relief. He knew the other warriors had their doubts, especially Webtail. Swiftheart shook the thought away, and turned his attention to Lightningfang. The deputy definitely hadn't been acting herself lately, and had been lazier. She sat now, her tired eyes flashing uncomfortably. Skystar sat on the Meetingstone, watching the kits with amusement. Then the leader looked at his deputy. His eyes narrowed, and he called, "Poppyleaf, I'd like a word with you."

The medicine cat padded up to her leader, and the two whispered together. After a moment, Skystar yowled, "Let all cats old enough to catch birds in trees gather beneath the Meetingstone for a clan meeting!"

The warriors gathered, Shadowflight rounding up her litter. Skystar waited, before yowling, "Lightningfang, you are to resign as deputy."

The clan gasped, and Lightningfang snarled, "Why should I? No cat has ever doubted my loyalty, never questioned my position. What changed?"

"You are pregnant. It's against the warrior code for you to remain a deputy," Skystar answered coldly.

Lightningfang's eyes grew round with fear, and she wailed, "I can still care for the clan and my kits! Please don't do this!"

Skystar closed his eyes, and replied, "I have no choice. You are no longer the deputy of Moonclan."

Lightningfang sank to her haunches, and then replied slowly, "Very well. Then I wish to be a full time queen, and care for all the kits. There is nothing left for me as a warrior."

"Are you sure? You might regain the position." Skystar warned her.

Lightningfang didn't flinch, but turned and stepped down from the Deputy-rock. "Can I be deputy now?"

The squeak came from Rainkit. Shadowflight hissed, "Hush! It's disrespectful!"

Skystar purred, and padded back to his den. Swiftheart headed out of the camp, when a cat hauled him to one side. Swiftheart met the fierce eyes of Luna, and she hissed, "Hurry! You have to kill Adam!"

"Who?"

"He's a rouge out for blood, he's about to kill your kits and Shadowflight! Kill him!"

Swiftheart spotted the huge brown rouge, and broke into a run. A moment later, Shadowflight screeched, "Leave my kits alone!"

Swiftheart threw himself on the rouge, and hauled him backwards. Adam turned and aimed a blow at Swiftheart. The clan made a circle around the two cats, Skystar calling out, "Leave him, this is Swiftheart's fight!"

Swiftheart slammed into Adam, forcing him to fall. Adam was out of breath, and Swiftheart took the advantage. He pierced his claws on the rouge's throat, and dragged them down. Adam watched blood flow freely from his wound, and choked, "It's all dark…there's nothing left!"

Slumping to the ground, Adam's eyes glazed and he let out a final shaky breath. Flowerpaw gasped, "Swiftheart saved Shadowflight and the kits!"

"He's a hero!" Chorused Leafpool.

The clan broke into a cheer, and Shadowflight twined her tail with him whispering, "You saved me again! I knew I needed you!"

"No!" shrieked a horrified voice.

The clan parted as Webtail dragged a body into the camp. Poppyleaf! There were gasps of distress and sadness, especially from Ryepaw. Skystar padded to her side, and murmured, "Your death was not in vein my friend."

He leapt back onto the Meetingstone, and called out, "Poppyleaf's death was avenged. It is a sign. I say these words before Starclan, so that the spirits of our ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. Swiftheart is the new deputy of Moonclan."