Squirrelflight left a bundle of dandelions at the base of the cave, and padded away. It had been a quarter-moon; this was a tradition that felt right to keep. Already, fresh scents of decaying petals were prominent on the breeze; she supposed this was her own type of scent marker to warn away the others. She paced down to the lake and silently sat by the water, occasionally flicking a paw out to entrap a curious or oblivious fish. Brambleclaw had been a gift from StarClan during this time – he got her involved with the practicalities of deputyship whenever she started to spiral into guilt. Leafpool had gone to the Moonpool last night, bearing a cryptic warning from Cinderpelt that she had confided in them – and presumably Mothwing, too.

Before there is peace, blood will spill blood, and the lake will run red.

It sounded ominous, but Squirrelflight had faith that the Clans would come through. Why would peace be mentioned if there were no Clans to enjoy it? Hawkfrost hadn't shown his face - but knowing the crafty tabby, he already was plotting his next attempt at a coup. Squirrelflight flicked the water with her tail, causing ripples to emanate from the lakeshore and travel into the distance.

Last night, she and Brambleclaw had gotten together in a small nook just outside of camp and swapped stories of Hollyshade – Brightheart, Ferncloud, Larchnose and Birchfall had joined, and soon Dustpelt was talking as well. Throughout the whole thing, Squirrelflight had felt slightly ill – as if her very insides were revolting every time someone used the word 'was'.

She knew she'd need to come back soon, lest anyone worried about her. Usually, she'd tell them that she was fine, but she wasn't so sure at the moment.

Brambleclaw pushed his way through the undergrowth near the shore – cattails, mostly – and sat down beside her.

"You've had a good haul." Brambleclaw rumbled.

"I needed something to do."

"I know." He said and sat quietly beside her until she turned to go.

"D'you want some help carrying these?" He asked.

"Thank you." She said. She picked the larger fish up, feeling her stomach protest as she took up the pike, but didn't bite down. She kept concentrating on putting one paw in front of the other, slowly but surely making her way to camp.

Squirrelflight woke up in the medicine den in a nest of moss, with Leafpool peering concernedly down at her.

"I fainted, didn't I?" Squirrelflight asked, trying to push herself to her paws.

"Yup. Had to kick Brambleclaw out because he wouldn't stop pacing." She paused, placing a paw on her forehead, looking into her sister's ears and eyes. Finally, she nodded.

"You're not ill, so I'll ask – when did you last eat?"

"Last night." She replied.

"What, that shrew?"

"That's the one."

"You probably fainted because of lack of energy. Let me just make sure-" Leafpool broke off with a startled hiss as she touched her stomach.

"What's wrong?" Squirrelflight asked.

"I thought I heard something. Hang on." She pushed her paw to the same space again and nodded.

"Any illness?"

"Some, but I think it's just the grief."

Her sister gave her a glance.

"Cravings?" She asked.

"Not really, though I've been eating more birds recently."

"Okay, Squirrelflight. You're going to have more reason to eat well; you're having kits."

"What?" She blurted, causing Brambleclaw to come running.

"How are you?" Brambleclaw asked.

"I'm a bit shocked. Especially since I've just been told that I'm going to be a mother-"

"Wait, you're pregnant?" Brambleclaw asked.

"Yeah, you're going to be a father."

"I'm going to be a father!" Brambleclaw yowled. "Oh, this is so great, and-" He cut off suddenly.

"You won't be like him." Squirrelflight said.

"How do you know that?"

"First of all, the fact that you worry about that. Secondly, the fact that you gave up your birth-Clan, where you'd have a strong contest on being leader, for this one. Finally, the way you interacted with Birchfall. You're going to be a great father."

"And I have no doubt that you'll be a great mother." Squirrelflight purred for the first time since Hollyshade died and went into the clearing.

"Mum! Dad!" Squirrelflight yowled, summoning the pair who were sharing tongues on one of the many flat stones in the clearing.

"What's going on? Is something wrong?" Firestar asked.

"Or do you just want to spend some time with your old parents?" Sandstorm teased.

"Nothing's wrong. In fact, something's right. You're going to be grandparents – I found out that I'm expecting." Squirrelflight said.

"I'm going to be a grandfather?" Firestar whispered.

"I'M GOING TO BE A GRANDFATHER!" Firestar yowled.

"Yeah, congratulations and all, but everyone who wasn't Snowflight now has bleeding ears." Cloudtail flicked his uncle on the ear with his tail. "Congrats, Squirrelflight, Brambleclaw. StarClan knows we needed some happy news around the place."

Squirrelflight's stomach growled again. "That's my cue." Squirrelflight said, taking a robin from the fresh-kill pile and practically inhaling it. When only gleaming bones were left, she looked up to find that Brambleclaw was gone.

"Probably went to tell the prey in the forest." She chuckled, burying the bones in the dirtplace. After a while, Brambleclaw came back, beaming from ear to ear.

"I can't believe it!" Brambleclaw enthused.

"Wait until they're trying to wake you up in the middle of the night. Then you'll believe it." Ferncloud commented.

"I'm going to go on a walk." Squirrelflight told him.

"Hollyshade?" He asked.

"Yeah."

She wandered through the now familiar path to the tunnel, where the day's flowers still lay fresh.

"Hi, Hollyshade." She mewed into the cavern. "I've found out that I'll be having kits. I won't be able to stop by like I used to anymore - I hope that's okay. If StarClan gets lonely, you can find me if you'd like."

She padded away to the trees beyond, where Brambleclaw silently waited for her.

"One of these kits is going to be called Hollykit. I don't care if they're all pure white – one of them will be."

"That's fitting. In more ways than one – I have a feeling that one of these kittens was destined from the start to be called Hollykit."

"Our little miracles." Brambleclaw touched his muzzle to her stomach fondly, and they both made to go.

"Do you hear that, Hollyshade? One of them is going to be named after you." Squirrelflight spoke.

A warm wind ruffled her fur; she padded back to camp with spirits lifted.

Squirrelflight: I'm pregnant.

Brambleclaw and Firestar: I'M GOING TO BE A (GRAND)FATHER! LET ME TELL THIS STONE, ALL 5 CLANS, THE FISH, THE LAND PREY...

Leafpool: Well, you know they're going to be supportive.