Hey hi hello, it's me Arrayave and WOW YALL ARE GREAT

I had absolutely NO IDEA that all yall were still sticking with the story after all this time; I am SO sorry it took as long as it did to upload but I am making it up to you with another WHOLE HECKIN chapter, fresh outta the writing lab.

Again I'm soooooooooooo happy you all are still invested in this story, we got some exciting new content in this chapter so please enjoy! And thanks to anyone who followed or favorited the story while I was gone; your support is about to pay off!

Chapter 12

The next moon passes like a blur. Maverick stays with us the whole time, but doesn't confirm or deny whether or not he wants to join the clan. All the same, he fits in well. Cedarstar makes three new warriors; Smokestream, Redleaf, and Lightfur. Maverick stays up and watches their vigil the whole night, wanting to soak up as much clan life as he can. I manage to avoid the other medicine cat's comments on my increasing belly size, but I know I won't be able to hide it forever.

It's only a few days before the next gathering when Rushstorm comes into my den, frantic.

"Waterswift! She's kitting!" he gasps.

"Now?" The sun's barely come up. "Go get her water! I'll gather herbs!" I order. He nods and bolts from the door. I choose my herbs carefully, realizing that this is my first kitting.

"It won't be your last," says Brambleberry, materializing at my side. "You'll do fine."

"I certainly hope so," I mutter, gathering my herbs in a bundle and leaving the den.

When I leave, I notice that the dawn patrol is about to go, but Fletchleap looks hesitant to leave. "Will you be fine?" he asks.

"Yes, Mapleheart will help me," I tell him. He nods and takes the patrol out.

Sure enough, Mapleheart is already in the nursery, soothing a pained Waterswift. Rushstorm looks panicked, so I send him out of the den.

"I'll take him," says Cedarstar, who's looking from the entrance. They leave together, but Rushstorm looks reluctant to go.

"She'll be fine," I tell him. He doesn't looked convinced, but he nods and pads off.

It takes the whole morning to stabilize Waterswift. Brambleberry helps me all the way, but my heart still races and my fur stands on end. Mapleheart turns out to be a bigger help than I am, seeing as though she's birthed kits before.

At just before sunhigh, the first kit starts to come. Mapleheart licks it to get it's blood flowing, and I focus on keeping Waterswift in good health.

"There's one more!" I announce as it slithers out. She takes that one too, and I clean the blood from Waterswift's fur.

"Am I – Am I done?" she gasps.

"Yes, you're finished." I check her over, and she seems to be in perfect health.

"A tom and a she-kit," says Mapleheart.

Rushstorm comes bounding in. "Did I hear you right? Two kits?"

"Yes," I giggle. "And Waterswift is fine."

He licks her repeatedly and she smiles and settles in her nest, needing a good nap. He curls up around her, and Mapleheart places the kits next to her side so they can suckle. They mew and tumble over each other, making me smile.

"They're so cute!" I comment. The she-cat looks just like Waterswift, while the tom is grey with white splotches. "I'll go tell the clan."

"Yes, we should leave them in peace," says Mapleheart. We exit the Nursery, finding that the whole clan has gathered in the clearing.

"Two healthy kits, and the mother is fine," she tells them. The clan breathes a collective sigh of relief, and many of them break off to talk about our new members. I eat with Fletchleap by the elders, who are speculating what their abilities will be like.

"I'm sure the tom will be just like his father," says Beechshine. "Kind and a good climber."

"You know that usually in a set of two, the personalities are switched," retorts Creekberry. "The she-cat will be the climber. The tom will be the more ferocious one."

"I think they'll both be good climbers," says Stoneleaf. "After all, Waterswift isn't a bad climber herself."

"Yes, but she's a faster runner than he is, so I think the tom will prefer the ground," Creekberry responds. "I don't think they'll be exactly the same."

"I guess we'll just have to wait," says Larchwhisper, digging into a mouse.

Fletchleap turns his head to me, swallowing a bite of squirrel. "I wonder what our kits will be like."

"I'll bet they turn out just like you," I say. "Strong, happy, and protective."

"They'll have your skills and heart, though," he purrs. I bury my head against his shoulder.

"I love you Fletchleap."

He licks the top of my head. "I love you too, Starsong."

I close my eyes, feeling as though I could sleep for a moon. But there's still work to be done. I spend the rest of the day gathering herbs outside the camp, and Fletchleap accompanies me and hunts. When we get back, it's nearly evening, and so I check in on Waterswift. She seems to be doing fine, but all the same I give her some Borage for her milk. She eats it gratefully and sleeps. I tell Rushstorm to let her rest, but he refuses to leave.

"What if something happens in the middle of the night?" he cries.

"Nothing will happen. She'll be fine."

"All the same, I'll stay with her," he says, placing his head on hers.

"Alright. But don't disturb her when you wake for the dawn patrol," I tell him.

"I won't," he promises.

When I leave, I catch Maverick talking to Cedarstar. I don't intrude, but I think I can tell by the glee on Cedarstar's face what they're discussing. The next day, when Cedarstar pulls me aside to his den, he confirms my suspicions.

"Maverick has asked to join the clan," he tells us.

Fletchleap, who was already waiting for us, purrs. "He'll be a great addition; everyone already loves him."

"He has also asked to keep his name. Do you think we should let him?" he continues.

"Yes; there's no reason why not," I respond. "Plus, we've known him as Maverick for so long, I think it would confuse us all if we decided to call him something different."

"Yes," Cedarstar agrees. "He has never stayed with a group of cats for lengthy periods of time before. But he told me last night that our clan was different, and he didn't want to leave us."

"We will be grateful to have him," I nod.

"Then it's decided." He exits the den, and we follow. The clan is already all in the clearing, but he assembles them formally anyway. "Let all cats assemble in the clearing for a clan meeting."

Maverick, knowing what's coming, gives his ears a final wash before padding up to Cedarstar.

"A couple moons ago, a cat helped our warriors and queens escape a wolf on the border," says Cedarstar. "This cat has stayed with us ever since, and has proven himself to be a loyal member of the clan in his own right. But now I would like to ask him to join us officially. Maverick, please step forward."

He obeys, and some of the clan gasp. They obviously didn't see this coming.

"Maverick, is it your wish to uphold the Warriors Code, even with your life, and to protect and help the clan to the best of your ability?" asks Cedarstar.

"It is," says Maverick with confidence.

"Then by the powers invested in me by StarClan, I name you a warrior of CedarClan. Tonight you will sit vigil in accordance with ancient tradition."

"Maverick! Maverick!" calls the cats of the clan. They all rush up to congratulate him, and I notice that Lightfur is especially pleased with his arrival. I smile.

"We've named a kit after our encounter," says Rushstorm, partially to the whole clan. "Their names are Wolfkit and Flutterkit."

Maverick nods a thanks, and then he pads up to Fletchleap. "How soon can I go on patrol?" he asks.

"Right now. Dewpelt, take Maverick, Nectarpaw, Hillfrond, and Lightfur to hunt," he instructs. It appears that I'm not the only one that noticed the warrior's interest in our new recruit. They exit the camp, and as the clan breaks up I go to check on Waterswift. She is doing just fine, and the kits are healthy, too.

"The names you picked are beautiful," I tell her.

"Thanks; they were mostly Rushstorm's ideas," she responds. "He's very creative."

"Yes he is. Enjoy your nap." I leave her in peace and head back to my own den to sort through herbs.

At the Gathering, most of the other clan cats are pleased with Maverick's arrival. Cypresstar congratulates us, and other than that not much news is shared. He settles in well, and our clan lives in peace until the half-moon. That's when it happens.

Us medicine cats travel to the Starstone mostly in peace, talking about mundane interests like the onset of Greenleaf and prey shortages and new warriors. But then, when we descend into the cave, Shadefire looks at the others and then at me.

"Starsong, I think we need to have a bit of a discussion," he says. The other medicine cats form a half circle around me, standing on the stone.

My heart speeds up and nervousness overtakes me. "I know what you're going to say, and I know I made a mistake," I interrupt before they can say anything more. "But Cedarstar has stated that he is fine with it, and that since we are new clans we should have new rules."

"All the same, we swore an oath to uphold the warrior code," says Mistypetal. "And the rules are in place for a reason. Who is the father?"

"Fletchleap," I tell them. I can see angered shock on their faces, so I continue talking. "He's carrying on with his deputy duties just fine! We're both working fine."

"For now," says Thrushtail, the only medicine cat who wasn't surprised at the revelation, seeing as though he knew us both. "But what happens when you have kits? You won't be able to care for the clan and your kits at the same time."

"I will! I'll make it work!" I respond angrily.

"Still, we should consult StarClan for a solution on this," reasons Ashpuddle. He lays down next to the Starstone, and we all do the same. I'm nervous about what I'm walking into, but Crookedstar promised me I could raise the kits, so I trust him.

I feel the familiar falling sensation, followed by the rising motion, and this time all five of us medicine cats are gathered together. Crookedstar stands behind another cat, one I don't recognize. She steps forward, nodding to us and blinking her clear green eyes.

"I am Moth Flight, the first medicine cat," she says. We gasp. "I know you are looking for answers, and so I am here to give you some."

"Why did you let her mate and have kits?" asks Shadefire.

"StarClan knew she would have her kits when we chose her; and we didn't make the decision lightly," she responds. "But we knew that they would be important, just as their mother is. The will have a special purpose of further unifying the clans when more troubles arise."

"Are there problems in our future?" asks Mistypetal.

"There will always be problems in the future," says Crookedstar. "Beyond that, we cannot say anything else."

"So will we let her keep her kits?" asks Ashpuddle.

"That is not for us to decide, it is for your leaders," says Moth Flight. With that, the dream ends, and we wake next to the Starstone.

"StarClan has spoken," says Shadefire. "We will consult our leaders and speak about this at the next Gathering."

Terror flashes through me at the thought of all the clans knowing my secret. But the others don't seem much for debating it, as they all leave and part their separate ways, taking their own paths to reach their camps. However, Thrushtail stays behind with me, walking me home to my border.

"I will do everything I can to help Firstar see reason," he tells me. "I am genuinely pleased for you and Fletchleap."

"Thank you Thrushtail," I mutter. "But it's not Firstar I'm worried about."

"Cypresstar," he says, following my train of thought.

"She's such a stickler for the Warrior Code. This'll put her over the edge. We haven't even been here a year and already a medicine cat has slipped!"

He gives me a quick lick on the ear. "StarClan will work everything out in the end." With that, he leaves and I head for my own camp.

It's early morning when I reach it. The dawn patrol leaves as I come in, and Fletchleap can tell something's wrong, so he sends them ahead without him. I take him to Cedarstar's den, where our leader is just waking up.

"Fletchleap, Starsong. Good news?" he yawns.

"No, not really," I whisper to both of them. "The other medicine cats have found out, and StarClan says they're to ask their leaders what they're to do about my kits."

This wakes Cedarstar up and he sits bolt upright. "It's not their business what I choose for my clan!"

"Yes I know, but they don't see it that way. They see it as a violation of the Warrior Code and they're worried about how that'll effect my duties as a medicine cat."

"It won't!" says Fletchleap, visibly tense.

"I told them that, but they didn't care!" I cry. Suddenly, I feel a sharp pain inside me, and then another. I gasp for air.

"Starsong?! What's wrong?" Fletchleap asks with worry.

I take a deep breath, and then wince. "I think the kits are coming!"

CLIFFHANGERS B LIKE

So YES we finally get Maverick apart of the clan, and yes I'm preparing a new ship and I'm not sorry. MaverickxLightfur, anyone?

The name Flutterkit was requested by Ice that falls like snow, and I decided to use that name over Songkit because I already have a lot of song-related names in the fanfic and it's upcoming sequels. Plus, Flutterkit is cute as heck so i think it works.

WHAT WILL THE CLANS DECIDE?! I already have a resolution planned for Starsong's kits but I'm worried it won't go over well with yall. But it pays off in the sequels, I promise.

And yes in the next chapter, you know what's coming. Get ready!

And once again THANK YOU ALL for continuing to support it means SO MUCH

- Arrayave :D