Hey guys. I feel really bad I made you wait so long. But honestly the only reason why I'm updating is because we got a day off of school thanks to tropical storm Isaac. Or is it a hurricane? Last time a checked it was a tropical storm.

Anyway school this year is going to be about a million times harder than last year. I might just update once a week, or maybe every other week because were low on chapters (Only three left written) and I haven't heard from Echo. I'm sorry that it will slow down, but school has to come first for me.

Thanks for sticking with us, and I hope you can stay with us=)

Arianna Flamepelt- Interesting theory, we'll see. Thanks that was a hard chapter to write=) And yeah why do you only get one review? Not cool! I feel for ya=) hope you enjoyed this=)

Spottedmask12- Thanks so much! And I'm not sure, I haven't heard from her, but I'm sure she's okay. Sorry this took so long but I hope you enjoy this=)

WildCroconaw- You'll have to see if Lilac's okay! Glad you like the PJO reference=) Love that series, Heroes of Olympus not so much, but most cause it changes stuff=) hope you enjoy this!

Sunny- Thanks! Yeah that does make sense, but she's just scary to me=) Glad you enjoyed the chapter! And it's okay this way we get two reviews!=) Oh and Medicine cats are pretty cool=) Hope you enjoy this!=)

Chapter Thirty Six

"So Blazefeather anything to report?" I ask, scanning the hollow from our perch on Highledge. Ever since the "warning" I've been on edge. Dad says it's bad for the kits and that stress can make you kit early but I can't help it.

"Nothing. But I mean we don't really expect there to be anything, do we?" Blazefeather replies, a touch of weariness in his voice.

"No… oh what are we going to do?" I ask heavily.

"What we always do. The Clan is ready for an attack we are ready to fight…"

"Go on say it." I mutter knowing what is on my friends mind.

"I'd rather not." Blazefeather replies edgily.

"Blazefeather! Now is not the best time to test me." I snap, with a half glare in his direction.

"Pleaaaaaaase go to the nursery. Please! Pretty, pretty please." Blazefeather begs, concern in his amber eyes.

"Wow you really drew out that please." I mew, vaguely surprised.

"Yeah uh-huh focus." He mews firmly.

"No." I mew shaking my head.

"Come on! You're going to kit any day now! You need to be in the nursery!" Blazefeather insists.

"I can't! As soon as I show one sign of weakness they will attack." I reply sharply.

"You are weak right now. They could kill you right now." Blazefeather hisses, and the worst thing is that it's true.

"Oh gee thanks for that pep talk!" I snap sarcastically.

"I care about you! You're like a sister to me and you're being stupid!" He growls in annoyance.

"It takes one to know one!" I shoot back.

"Ugh! You are so –"

"So what?!"

"So FRUSTRATING!" Blazefeather explodes, causing the entire camp to stop what they're doing and look at us.

"Heh…" I laugh awkwardly.

"Uh….." Blazefeather groans.

"Just a little argument, nothing to see here." I catch a few eyes rolls but most cats just shrug and go back to what they're doing.

"Well this is awkward." Blazefeather mutters. I shoulder nudge him.

"Thanks for caring bro but I'll be fine."

"You sure about that?" he asks shrewdly.

"No." I reply and walk slowly back into my den.

"Uh-oh." I hear from outside and then, "Midnightstar!"

"What?" I call back in annoyance.

"Yeah they're attacking!" Blazefeather yells in response.

"Oh you have got to be kidding me!" I growl and Blazefeather rushes in shoving me farther in the den.

"You stay here, I'll be right back!" he yells.

"Are you kidding?!" I screech at him, "I have to fight!"

"Are you kidding? You'd die!" He snarls.

"Blazefeather!" I cry but he's too busying running.

*Blazefeather*

I race down the ledge as the dark mist that blots out the sun transforms into legions of cats. I'm cursing pretty much everything under the sun but it doesn't help.

I hear a scream from Midnightstar's den and I bite my lip. I find Nightwhisper shoving Snakepaw away from a warrior and hiss, "Midnightstar needs you now!"

"What's happening?!" Nightwhisper growls frantically.

"Figure it out!" I reply as I leap over yet another warrior, clawing him. I race to the medicine den and call, "Jayfeather Dark Forest attacking, Midnightstar possibly kitting, need help!" Then I roll away from the entrance and grapple with an ugly small brown she-cat who has some major issues.

Somehow I manage to fight my way to the nursery and I see Jaggedwind guarding the entrance.

"Status report!" he growls.

"Major foxdung going down!" I reply.

"Yeah that's what I was afraid of." My brother mutters

"Midnightstar's possibly kitting." I continue.

"You're kidding." He mews looking like he wants to run into the hollow wall.

"Wish I was! Gotta go, tell Raven!" I call over my shoulder.

"You crazy?!" I hear Jaggedwind yelp as I dive away pulling a hulking warrior off of Tinypaw.

"Where's Hollyleaf?!" I yowl.

"I don't know!" Tinypaw shrieks. Poor thing looks straight up terrified.

"Go, elders! Now!" Instruct and he nods, running off.

I hear something behind me and I whip around. A cream cat with and black splotches is sitting in front of me.

"Hello," she mews green eyes glittering, "Blazefeather is it?"

I growl, fluffing my fur out, "I don't believe I've had a chance to meet you."

"Oh no," she mews with a small laugh, "But your sisters and I are good chums." Suddenly I flash back to the conversation Midnightstar and I had a day ago:

"Your sister, she's not- normal." Midnightstar mews looking apprehensive.

"Yeah funnily enough I figured that out for myself." I laughed.

"No I mean she has a-a power."

"A what now?" I ask completely shocked.

"She can see the future." Midnightstar explains. I freeze thinking of all the odd moments with her, when she'd just know something was about to happen.

"Why did you keep this… a secret?" I ask softly.

"We'd thought it be safest. But she had a vision of a battle…. And a Dark Forest cat told her that they were going to… kill her brothers. Her name is Lillywinter and she's cream with black splotches and green eyes."

"Do you think we're in danger?" I ask.

"Lillywinter killed Echo's mate. Yes I think you're danger. I think we're all in danger." Midnightstar replies seriously.

I snap out of it and growl at the cat in front of me. I may not approve of what Echosong had done but this-this-this thing had left four kits fatherless. That is not cool.

"You –"

"Let's save the small talk for later shall we?" Lillywinter mews and springs. I roll away and grab her scruff, slamming her into the hollow wall.

She whimpers, but it's more of shocked whimper like she can't believe she's been hurt. "You'll pay for this!" she snarls, managing to claw my flank before disappearing.

"Uh-huh." I mutter and then dive back into battle.

*Nightwhisper*

Blazefeather leaps away from me and I feel only fear. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, this cannot be happing!

"Um… Uncle Nightwhisper?" I hear Snakepaw's voice from far away I force myself to look at him.

"What?" I ask, still in a daze.

"If Auntie Midnight's actually kitting then we're going to need Jayfeather." Snakepaw mews, guiding me toward the Medicine den.

"Right… Jayfeather." I snap out of the daze and grab him, running to the den.

Just before we reach it, Jayfeather comes flying out, herbs in his mouth. "Go to the nursery!" he says to Snakepaw.

"What?" he yelps.

"Someone needs to watch Ravenclaw!" Snakepaw nods and runs off. I race alongside Jayfeather, letting him go up the ledge before me. When we reach the entrance we see it's blocked by two cats.

"Oh I don't think so!" I snarl and leap over Jayfeather, landing and clawing with all my might. I'm yowling so loud it blocks everything else out. The cats whimper and are gone from under my paws. I have no idea what just happened but we race inside anyways.

My heart stops.

"Midnight –" my voice chokes. She's lying on her side breathing heavily and her eyes are half closed. Her ear flicks when she hears my voice. I break inside, fear clawing its way up my throat.

I feel something hit me, it's Jayfeather.

"STAND GUARD!" He screams I race off and stand at the entrance shaking, trying to get the image of the best thing that's ever happened to me looking like she's about to die out of my head.

"No, no, no, no, no, no!" I whisper, closing my eyes, letting the tears fall.

*Midnightstar*

I hit the wall as Blazefeather disappears feeling like I'm about to throw up. My vision is hazy and I feel pain shoot through me.

What's happening?! I see two silvery shapes appear. I taste the air and recognize the faint scent of Silverstream and Feathertail.

"What's happening to me?" I gasp.

"You're kitting dear." Silverstream replies, her voice far away. I scream as the pain starts. She touches a paw to my side and I feel the pain reduce.

"The other's will they –?"

"We are a part of you," Feathertail mews, "No one will see us. Not even your father." She helps me lay down and guides my eyes closed.

"Try to rest."

"How can I?" I gasp, "My Clan…"

"Hush," Silverstream mews, licking my forehead.

My eyes close more.

I hear pawsteps racing up the path. Then I hear yowling and spitting. I strain my nose and smell Jayfeather and Nightwhisper. They enter the den and I hear, "Midnight," Nightwhisper's voice sends a shock through me. He sounds so afraid…. I flick my ear in response to his voice hoping he will understand.

Feathertail… I call in my mind, too weak to speak.

What love? She replies.

Send someone to him… keep him safe… let him know that I am…

I will. Your father is here, open your eyes. Feathertail instructs.

I try to force my eyes open and see my father's blind blue ones hovering over me. "Here! This, eat this!" he snaps, shaking all over. I lap at the herbs and find that they clear my mind. Silverstream's paw is still on me, keeping the pain at bay for now.

Thank you…

Do not thank us yet. Silverstream warns seriously.

*Jaggedwind*

I gape after my brother as he runs away, seriously? He wants me to tell Ravenclaw that her best friend is kitting? Funny joke! She'd probably burst out of the den and try to fight up to Midnightstar's den. Um no that's kind of why I'm standing here – to prevent that.

Suddenly Snakepaw bursts out of the battle, he looks somewhat battered but mostly okay. "I need to monitor Ravenclaw!" he declares and I stare at him for a moment. He just sounded so official there and so not in the moment.

"Uh okay… erm why?" I ask.

Snakepaw gives me a slightly patronizing look which I can forgive seeing as we're all about to die here. Otherwise I'd be pretty ticked at him, "Stress causes early kitting. Don't you think that she might be stressing a little bit? We do not need a kitting right now especially with –"

"Shush!" I hiss.

"What?" he yelps.

"You want her to stress? Finish that sentence." I mew sarcastically and Snakepaw frowns but slips past me, carrying herbs.

As soon as he's gone an ugly she-cat with amber eyes appears. I cock my head and then I remember – the battle at the Gathering! She almost killed me, and then she almost killed Ravenclaw!

"I remember you!" I hiss slipping down and tensing to spring.

"Oh right… we have unfinished business," she mews lazily, "I'm supposed to kill you."

We spring at the same time and hit in midair. I bounce back but she falls like a stone to the ground. I run forward screaming caterwauls. I slash and fight and claw, but she keeps it up and manages to bite my shoulder, making me scream.

"Awww little kitty doesn't like that?" she hisses. And then she's thrown from me. She lands sprawled a foxlength away. I prepare to jump but she disappears. I turn around to see Dusk looking at me awkwardly. If I didn't recognize her scent I would've mistaken her for someone else.

She's gained muscle and right now she has several gashes and her pelt is half covered in blood. But her eyes are widely alive.

"I couldn't let her kill you." Dusk mews softly.

"Yeah… thanks." I mew with a smile. She returns my smile and then disappears back into the battle.

I run into the nursery to see my sister stiff and shaking, her eyes glassed over.

Snakepaw looks apprehensive, but not totally surprised.

"What the heck?" I gasp in surprise.

"I don't really know what it is, but it happens quite often to her." he mews, nudging her gently.

Then she sits straight up her eyes flying open. "Midnightstar's kitting!" Ravenclaw gasps.

"Little behind the times sis." I mew.

"They've run out of herbs." She gasps.

"How the heck do you know?" I demand but she just grabs Snakepaw's herbs and pushes past me, running out into the battle.

"What are you doing?!" I screech but she's gone and Miss. Ugly is back so I have to fight her and pray my sister will be all right.

*Ravenclaw*

I run as hard as I can, which is unfortunately not very fast.

I see Jaggedwind rolling through the fray and I leap, dragging the cat off of him like in my vision. I'd had a repeat vision earlier but this time it showed me Midnightstar's den, and how the kitting wasn't really going well. I keep running praying that my friends will be all right.

I memorized the vision so I weave thorough the cats fighting and make it up to the den without much incident.

I attack the cats like I did before and Nightwhisper joins me his eyes dark with hate. I make it into the den and almost pass out. She looks horrible! I run to Jayfeather and he takes the herbs gratefully.

"Thank you..." he mews.

Midnight! I scream in my mind.

I'm here…. She replies, Her voice is weak, conserving energy. Where's Echosong?

I don't know…. I reply, staring down at my friend in shock and fear.

Find her….. Midnightstar begs.

Okay.

I turn and run from the den and look out into the mass, searching for Echosong's spotted pelt. There protecting the elders! And all the paws…. I hesitate. Midnight wants her but it's just her and the paws. Then I see my mother.

"Mom!" I grab her and run over to the elders den.

"What are you doing!?" Hollyleaf shrieks.

"Midnightstar's kiting mom! I need you to take Echosong's place so we can be with her!"

"All right! Oh good there's Tinypaw! I was so worried!" She mews in relief.

"Later mom!" she slips next to Echosong and I scream in Echo's mind Midnight's kitting and she wants you!

Where's Snakepaw?! Echosong demands, eyes wide.

In the nursery! I reply.

Frozenpaw?!

I haven't seen him. Echosong's eyes fill with pain and her face seem to collapse.

"Girls!" she cries into the den she's protecting, "Do not leave! Unless you are under attack! I will be right back!"

We keep running and I see my brother and Frozenpaw through the crowd fighting hard.

"Frozenpaw's okay!" I scream to Echosong.

"How do you know?" she cries.

"Blazefeather's got him!" I reply and she sighs in relief so we keep climbing.

A scream ricochets from the den. We exchange scared looks and climb faster.

*Midnightstar*

As soon as Ravenclaw leaves I moan slightly. Silverstream may be erasing the pain, but it's making me incredibly weak.

I don't think I can do this…

You can! You will! Just stay strong. Feathertail insists. Silverstream removes her paw from my side and waves of pain wash over me. I scream, wanting it to end. Even my leader ceremony hadn't been this painful.

My eyes are about to roll back in my head when Jayfeather hits me.

"NO! You cannot pass out!" he puts some water filled moss next to me and I lap at it desperately.

"Dad…" I try to speak but he cuts me off.

"The contractions are coming!"

"That doesn't make me feel better!" I scream.

"It should! The kits are coming!" Jayfeather replies and suddenly Nightwhisper's by my side and Silverstream and Feathertail are glowing even brighter.

I feel the pain increase and I gasp. Silverstream places her paw on my flank and the pain decreases to where it's bearable.

Ravenclaw and Echosong burst into the den clustering around me. Nightwhisper buries his face in his sister's fur, whimpering.

A wave of nausea floods me. The first one is coming, Feathertail mews, keep a steady head.

Pain racks me again and Jayfeather is screaming to push. I push with all my might and feel the wave of pain end.

Jayfeather's licking at a kit and then he places it next to me. "She-kit…" Ravenclaw mews gently. She's small and black, but on her forehead is a small white crescent moon shape. I smile and lick her head. She starts nursing and the pain comes back.

Hold on! Hold on!

Once again Jayfeather screams at me and then the pain ends. "Another she-kit." He mews softly. I look down at the fluffy kit; her fur is a soft gray. I shoot Silverstream and Feathertail a half look. Feathertail shakes her head, answering my unasked question. The little kit snuggles next to her sister and the pain starts again for hopefully the last time.

This time when the pain leaves it pretty much disappears except for a dull aching that is gone when Silverstream places her paw on my side again.

"It's a tom." Jayfeather mews.

I hear Nightwhisper laugh and Ravenclaw ask, "Where did you come from?" I look down and see the white kit.

I giggle and mew "My mother and my sister have white fur, I carry the gene."

Ravenclaw sighs and mews, "Must you always be so smart?"

"Yes." I reply as I start to lick the tom. I notice on his left flank a black mark that looks like a bolt of lightning. I grin as I lick them dry.

"Names?" Echosong whispers. I give Nightwhisper a half look.

He laughs and mews, "Go ahead."

"Moonkit for the black she-kit," I mew, licking her forehead to show off the crescent moon, "Featherkit for the gray she-kit," I mew watching Feathertail beam at me, "And Lightingkit for the tom." I mew laying him on his side so they can see the lighting mark.

"They're beautiful," Nightwhisper mews, bending down and licking my cheek and each of his kits. He sits next to me wrapping a protective tail around his new family.

As we relax I hear a new kind of yowling. "Is that –?"

"An owl?" Echosong cuts in, "Yup. They showed up like five minutes after the Dark Forest. They rock!"

I smile gently but I feel worried. Echosong looks at Ravenclaw. "We should really get you back to the nursery."

"Yeah okay." Raven replies like she's too tired to argue. They leave with Ravenclaw leaning heavily on Echosong.

"The battle…" I mew as Jayfeather sits down.

"Don't worry about that okay? Just worry about the kits." Nightwhisper meows.

"But the Clan…"

"Will be all right." He insists licking my ear. I nod and Jayfeather comes over, rechecking the kits.

I'm just starting to relax when two cats slip in through the entrance. Tigerstar and Breezepelt.

I start growling. Nightwhisper whips around and stands in front of us, hissing, his fur fluffed up.

Tigerstar laughs, "Oh sweet naïve cats."

*Echosong*

I run through the battle, covering Ravenclaw. I look frantically around for my kits, but I don't see them. Graystripe rolls by clawing and hissing fiercely. Sandstorm fights three at once, Firestar glittering at her side.

I fight through all of that, my only goal to protect my friend. We reach the nursery and my dear Snakepaw is inside.

"Jaggedwind rolled away fighting a while ago and hasn't come back!" he whimpers his eyes wide. I look out and search for a cat that's not fighting.

"Molewhisker!" I cry and he heads over to me. "Guard them for me, please?" Molewhisker nods and I rush off, heading straight for the Elders den.

No one is attacking it when I reach it and the paws and Hollyleaf look at me with wide eyes. I suppose in the scheme of things the Dark Forest wants a bigger prize than some elders.

I scan the group and see Frozenpaw with my daughters.

"Midnightstar?" Hollyleaf inquires.

"Fine," I mew watching an owl dive bomb a D.F. warrior, "Three healthy kits." Hollyleaf smiles gently and then turns back to the paws.

I sigh half wanting to jump out and start fighting. This needs to end. Soon.

"Mom?" I look around at Fallenpaw, "Can we go see Auntie Midnight's kits?" I look out at the battle about to say no.

"Please?" it's Silverpaw, her eyes begging.

"All right." I sigh, "But you have to promise to be careful."

They nod and I bite my lip, feeling like I'm making a huge mistake.

*Nightwhisper*

They spring and I try to take both. Sadly, though unsurprisingly, it doesn't work. I growl and start shredding Tigerstar, believing him to be the bigger threat.

Out of the corner of my eye I see Midnightstar shove our kits at Jayfeather and engage Breezepelt. I don't know how she has the strength but I pray it doesn't wear off.

A shimmering ginger pelt joins me. The cat that had appeared before, when I thought all hope was lost. He won't tell me his name but I know who he is.

"Where did you go?" I cry for he had disappeared during the kiting.

"I was trying to get reinforcements." He replies briskly.

"Did it work?" I ask.

"We'll find out." He answers ducking a crushing blow. I hear pawsteps and I see my sister with Fallenpaw, Frozenpaw and Silverpaw. More Dark Forest warriors appear. Fear and fury race through me in equal measures, I growl and shove Tigerstar against the wall.

"Leave." I growl, Flametail helping me hold him, "Leave and take your friends with you. Now!"

Tigerstar laughs, but it's a nervous laugh. "I – uh – think we need to calm down –"

I put my teeth against his throat, "Leave!" I snarl and Tigerstar disappears.

I turn around and see Midnightstar pinning Breezepelt, her paw coming down. But then he too vanishes and her face twists in anger. The Dark Forest warriors go poof and I chance a glance outside. The sun has returned.

I pant slightly, looking at Midnightstar who just shakes slightly.

*Midnightstar*

They spring and dear Nightwhisper tries to stop them, attempting to take both. Gently I scoop up my kits and push them to Jayfeather. My father covers them and I turn and attack Breezepelt, Feathertail and Silverstream fighting hard at my side.

He growls and hisses and I seriously just want to kill him for all he's done.

I get him down with Silverstream and Feathertail pinning him, my paw coming down for a blow. I haven't decided whether it will be fatal or not when he disappears. I hiss quietly in anger.

I look up and see Nightwhisper panting slightly, and Echosong and her kits (minus Snakepaw) in the entrance. They sky behind them is clear.

I wait until I stop shaking then I walk over and look out into the hollow. It's a mess. I sigh and feel somewhat lightheaded.

Once again Silverstream and Feathertail guide me, leading me back to my kits. I lay down and Jayfeather places them with me.

Silverpaw comes over trailed by Fallenpaw and Frozenpaw. "They're so cute!" Silverpaw coos.

Fallenpaw asks, "What are their names?" At the same time Frozenpaw exclaims, "That was some wicked fighting!"

I laugh and mew, "Thanks. This is Moonkit, Featherkit, and Lightingkit." I point my tail at each kit when I say their names.

"Awwww!" the girls exclaim and they all huddle closer, their eyes wide in wonder. I smile slightly, though exhaustedly.

What'd ya think? It's thirteen pages! I tried to show everyone's point of view on the battle so did I do good?

Um…. Yup I think that's all? You like the kits? Oh and Lightingkit's not Harry Potter it's just a coincidence, I thought it'd be cool and then…. I realized that happened.

Well bye guys. Review please=)

~Midnight