Aurorastar starred at Starwhisper, too dumbfounded to say anything.

"I thought you knew," Starwhisper told her. "I noticed it a few sunrises after the conflict with StormClan."

I've been noticeably expecting kits that long?

"Have you told anyone?" Aurorastar managed to say.

Starwhisper shook her head. "It's not my responsibility to tell others of a queen's pregnancy."

I'm expecting kits! Aurorastar thought. Excitement and love coursed through her. I'm going to be a mother, and Nightsun is going to be a father! She then realized Starwhisper's concern. Being sick during the pregnancy could be life threatening to the queen and kits.

I will have to try to be as healthy as possible and make sure I heal fast, for both my kits and my Clan.

"Should I move into the nursery?"

"Actually, I want you to stay in here. You have greencough and I need to keep an eye on you as well as help you heal," replied Starwhisper.

Nightsun appeared at the entrance. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes," Aurorastar answered.

"Nightsun," called Starwhisper. "Can you actually join us? We have a few things to discuss with you."

Nightsun padded inside, his tail flicking in a fast pace. "Is something wrong?"

Starwhisper motioned to Aurorastar as if to say, "tell him."

"Nightsun," Aurorastar started, "I'm expecting kits."

Nightsun's eyes shined brighter than Silverpelt on a clear, greenleaf night. "Really?" He rushed forward, licking her muzzle warmly. "That's fantastic! You're going to be an amazing mother."

Aurorastar let out another ragged cough, gagging on another clot of mucus in her throat. Nightsun gazed at her with concern.

"That's the other thing we have to talk about," Starwhisper said to Nightsun. "Aurorastar has greencough."

Nightsun lashed his tail back and forth, though Aurorastar could not read his facial expression.

"She has to stay in here so I can help her heal and recover," the medicine cat continued. "It is vital for your safety and the kits for you step down from your duties as leader." Starwhisper now spoke to Aurorastar.

The SunClan leader was about to protest until Starwhisper added,"this is only temporary. After your kits are born and are a couple moons old, you can return to your normal leader duties as well as being a mother. Nightglow can take over while you are unavailable to lead."

Aurorastar somehow didn't like the idea of Nightglow leading SunClan while she stepped down temporarily as leader.

"What's wrong?" Starwhisper asked.

"I just... I guess I don't feel completely comfortable with Nightglow taking over SunClan. She has been acting rather odd lately."

"I will make sure things don't get out of control," Nightsun promised.

Aurorastar nodded, feeling a bit more satisfied. There are many cats in the Clan that will make sure Nightglow doesn't create havoc.

"Rest now, Aurorastar," Starwhisper told her. "I will make the announcement."

The leader nodded, lying down in one the empty moss nests with Nightsun curled around her.

Aurorastar flicked an ear, awakening from voices outside Starwhisper's den. It was nighttime now, and Aurorastar had been moved to the nest in Starwhisper's den closest to the entrance so she wouldn't be too close to the terribly sick cats. Nightsun had been asked to leave so he didn't get infected.

She heard the voice again. She kept her eyes closed, but pricked one ear. She recognized the voices to be Bluefire and Rainfall. They were guarding the camp that night.

"But do you really believe she is making all the right choices?" That was Bluefire's deep voice.

"Of course. I have complete faith in my leader." Aurorastar became more alert when she realized the two toms were talking about her.

"What about letting those other rogues join the Clan so quickly during Darkstar's rule? Don't tell me you think that was a good decision," Bluefire challenged Rainfall again.

Rainfall was silent for a moment before answering, "it was a little abrupt, but Falconstrike, Cherryflight, and Stormsky have turned out to be great warriors."

"But it could have endangered the Clan. You see, this is exactly what Nightglow wants to prevent. She is getting more power over SunClan, and soon, cats will have to pick a side."

What?

"I don't understand," came Rainfall's quiet reply.

"Cats will have have to choose between following Nightglow's strong leadership or Aurorastar's weak one. I will follow my sister until the end."

"This is not a good idea. You shouldn't be planning something behind your leader's back," Rainfall growled.

"Aurorastar is not my leader," Bluefire hissed. "Ever since she became leader, we have had so many problems. We never had this much trouble in the Clan when Froststar was leader. Now she is expecting kits, but she has grown very sick. Maybe it's a sign that she isn't meant to be our true leader."

Do some cats really believe I shouldn't be leader? Aurorastar thought with disbelief.

"Times change," Rainfall hissed.

Bluefire snorted. "SunClan is a big, strong Clan, and it is full of potential. Aurorastar hasn't and never will lead us to that potential, but Nightglow will. If you want to do yourself and your Clan some good, follow her."

Rainfall didn't answer, yet the silence was deafening.

Is Nightglow planning to overthrow me as leader?

A/N: Here is the next, kind of short chapter for the day! :) I hope you enjoyed it, and I definitely enjoyed writing it, especially the part with Rainfall and Bluefire. Though he may be a jerk, I love writing about him. ^.^ This is just the beginning of the plot twists, and I hope you're liking it so far! :3

Silverdapple: Thank you sooo much! :D Aurorastar's name is pretty out there, though it isn't exactly Clan-like and realistic for a warrior name, but whatever, this story is based in the future anyway. I'm glad you like the name and the story! ^.^

Thanks everyone!

~Lunar