Rising Moon

Jedi Goat

Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors.

Author's Note: After a long case of Writer's Block, I'm finally back!

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Chapter 23

Moonpaw lifted her head, shaking droplets of water from her muzzle. The dream StarClan had sent puzzled her, but she could see the other apprentices rising, excitement glittering in their gazes.

No, not apprentices, Moonpaw corrected herself. They're full medicine cats now.

"You should have seen it, Moonpaw!" Cinderpaw squealed, bounding up to her. Willowpaw was only a step behind, looking curious.

Cinderpaw nosed Moonpaw gently, before drawing herself up to her full height. "I'm Cindercloud now," she smiled.

Willowpaw bounced up and down with as much energy as a kit. "And I'm Willowtail!" She paused, some of the light fading from her eyes. "Why weren't you there? Why didn't you get your name, too?"

Moonpaw scuffled at the ground, ears drooping. "I-I'm in trouble with Leafpool."

"Aw, don't worry," Willowtail reassured her, "you'll be chosen soon." She flicked her tail over Moonpaw's head.

Cougarpelt padded up, and the two new medicine cats were quick to inform him of their new names. "Congrats, you guys," he purred.

Leafpool signaled to the cats, and together they started up the slope from the Moonpool.

The medicine cats split up at the ThunderClan and WindClan border. Mewing their goodbyes, Mothwing and Willowtail darted away down the river's edge. Littlecloud set off in the other direction.

Cougarpelt gave Moonpaw's ear a friendly lick. "I'll see you later."

"You too." Moonpaw watched him splash across the stream, and then turned to face into the forest. Her heart started beating faster at the thought of seeing Oakheart again. Maybe if he's on hunting patrol I can go out with him…

"Let's go," Leafpool announced. "Cindercloud, would you like to lead?"

"Certainly!" Cindercloud plowed into the bushes, running off toward camp. Moonpaw leaped after her, allowing her paws to carry her onward as her mind raced alongside them.

She broke even with Cindercloud and the gray she-cat looked over at her, grinning. Cindercloud veered off course to fly over a fallen log; laughing for the first time in a while, Moonpaw followed suit.

The two cats instantly knew something was wrong when they met up with Brackenfur a little ways from the camp entrance. Cindercloud slid to a stop and Moonpaw nearly rammed into her.

"Father!" Cindercloud gasped.

Brackenfur stood, stretching his legs as Leafpool caught up with them, panting. "I've been waiting for you," he stated grimly. "Squirrelflight's kitting. We need help."
"Squirrelflight!" Leafpool sprang back up, new fire in her eyes despite her exhaustion. "Come on!"

The four cats burst into camp as dawn's first light tentatively touched the sky. Warriors poured out of their dens, eyes sleepy. The first patrol was just preparing to leave. The only sign of abnormality was a loud shrieking.

Leafpool headed straight for the nursery. "Cindercloud! Herbs!" she shouted over her shoulder.

Cindercloud nodded to Moonpaw and the two she-cats ran for the medicine cats' den. Moonpaw burst through the fern curtain, all her focus on the emergency.

"We'll need borage leaves!" Cindercloud called, rummaging through the collection of herbs.

Moonpaw picked up the leaves and waited until Cindercloud arrived at her side, a bundle clamped in her jaw. They bounded across camp together, squeezing into the bush that served as the nursery.

Inside, Moonpaw blinked to adjust her eyes to the dim lighting. She could see a ginger she-cat sprawled out on her side, flanks heaving. Leafpool crouched beside her, murmuring soft, soothing words. On Squirrelflight's other side, Brambleclaw lay, pressing his fur comfortingly against her. His good eye was filled with concern.

"That's good," Leafpool encouraged. "Push, Squirrelflight, push!"

Squirrelflight yowled in pain.

"I can see the first one." Leafpool whirled around. "Moonpaw! Come over here!"

Obediently, Moonpaw stepped forward. "Yes?"

"Help the kits out." Grunting, Leafpool placed her paws up on Squirrelflight's stomach. "C'mon, push!"

The she-cat's sides contracted under her paws, and Moonpaw saw a small brown kit sliding out.

"A bit farther!" she offered, bending and giving the kit a few vigorous licks. The kit opened its mouth wide, mewling.

Squirrelflight gave one final effort and the kit plopped down on the mossy bedding, crying. Her mother gasped, lying back.

"Take that one," ordered Leafpool. Moonpaw gingerly picked up the kit and carried it over to a corner. Cindercloud took her place.

Moonpaw knelt by the kit, licking first its face, then its small body. She steadied the kit with one paw as it wriggled under her touch. "You're fine now," she murmured, turning the kit over. It was a she-cat.

Leafpool's voice rose over the ruckus. "There's number two!" A second small voice added itself to the clamor.

Moonpaw flicked her ears back, concentrating on the kit she was safe-keeping. She continued to lick her, rasping comfortingly over the kit's brown tabby head.

A warm breath touched her ear. "Hi."

Moonpaw jerked up, feeling a hot wave rushing over her pelt. "Oakheart!"

The tom flicked his tail over her mouth. Moonpaw glanced over at the other medicine cats. They were too busy to notice his arrival.

"It's good too see you," she whispered, licking his cheek.

"I was waiting for you," he whispered back. Oakheart gazed down at the small kit, now whimpering pitifully for attention. "Who's this?"

"Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw's kit." Moonpaw bent her head to give the kit another lick.

"She's cute," commented Oakheart. He met Moonpaw's gaze, smiling slightly. "In six moons she'll make a fine apprentice, don't you think?"

Moonpaw giggled, nosing his shoulder. "And you'll make a fine mentor."

Oakheart laughed softly. He looked down at the kit questioningly. "May I?"

Moonpaw nodded, and Oakheart licked the kit gently. Silent, Moonpaw sat back and watched him. His rhythmic movements were almost hypnotizing.

"That's the third one!" Leafpool suddenly yowled. "It's over, Squirrelflight. You can rest now."

Squirrelflight flopped down with a sigh. "My kits?" she inquired weakly.

"Gotta go," Oakheart hissed, giving Moonpaw's ear a last, quick lick. He turned and disappeared through the entrance.

Moonpaw blinked, already missing his warmth. She shook herself, reminding herself of her medicine cat duties. Grasping the kit by the scruff, she padded forward.

"Here's the first one," Brambleclaw mumbled, propping Squirrelflight's head up on his paw.

Squirrelflight blinked sleepily upward. "She looks just like you!" she purred. "Why don't you name her?" She closed her green eyes. Flicking her tail at Moonpaw, she indicated for her to let her nurse the kit.

Moonpaw set the brown tabby down, nudging her closer to her mother's belly.

"How about Rabbitkit?" Brambleclaw suggested.

"Rabbitkit…" Squirrelflight peered out at the little she-cat. "I like it."

Moonpaw backed up, taking a seat beside Leafpool as Cindercloud approached with a squirming brown tom.

"Briarkit," Squirrelflight decided. Cindercloud placed the kit at her side.

"And your third kit?" Leafpool probed, picking up a small, fluffy ginger tom and setting him down in front of his mother. He raised his head, eyes still tightly shut. Moonpaw could see speckles of white on his face, between his ears, and down the back of his neck.

"Blazekit?" Brambleclaw offered.

"Blazekit," Squirrelflight agreed, tucking the last kit against her belly.

To be continued...

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