Lionfang was a great deputy. He got patrols ordered, watched the clan with proud eyes, didn't let his feelings get in the way of anything, and most of all, he did most of the leading, for Brightstar was aging and soon would have to retire from being the clan leader. She would go to the elder's den from then on out and forever.
"Vixonpelt, when do you think the kits will be born?" Lionfang asked one night. Vixonpelt had already moved into the nursery as her belly began sagging more and more. "I'm not sure but maybe in two or three weeks." She replied. Lionfang smiled with anticipation. He licked her and walked out of the nursery.
The next day Vixonpelt walked slowly towards the river, where she had used to always meet Braveheart. When she finally got close enough to take a gulp of water she stuck her muzzle into the cool liquid. It replenished her tired body. Another cat's reflection appeared. Vixonpelt hardly noticed it. She was so absorbed in the sweet water. But when she finally lifted her head she jumped backwards. It was Braveheart. She nearly landed in the river, but Braveheart had reached over and pulled her back on balance with his jaws. She turned away coldly.
"Vixonpelt, can't things go back to how they were?" Braveheart said after a minutes pause. Vixonpelt was outraged. "Obviously not Braveheart! Can't you see I'm carrying Lionfang's kits? Besides, you have Morningfur, she is your responsibility." Vixonpelt searched his eyes, they looked sincere but how could she trust him? He had betrayed her before, what proved he wouldn't do it again? "But…after the kits are born…" he drifted off. Vixonpelt shook her head. Something wasn't right. "Vixonpelt, Morningfur isn't going to have my kits. She's having Rainsky's kits." Braveheart meowed. "What? Why did you tell me she was having your kits?" Vixonpelt yowled. "Because, she said she loved me and wished that they were my kits. Rainsky doesn't want to be the father anymore." Vixonpelt shook her head, "We still can't be together, that is just another lie to prove I can't trust you. Sorry Braveheart, but I think I really am starting to love Lionfang, it's obvious he loves me, and he is deserving of it, unlike you." Vixonpelt replied. She started her way back to camp, leaving Braveheart to ponder by the river. She couldn't go back to him; this was his own fault, and his own payment.
In camp all the cats were circled around the High Rock. Brightstar was announcing something. Vixonpelt inched beside Lionfang to listen.
"As you know, I am aging more everyday and losing strength. I believe it is time for me to retire." The cats hung their heads. "Lionfang, you are now the leader of Thunder Clan." Brightstar said, glancing down out him. "My name is now Brighteyes, and Lionfang is now known as Lionstar." Brighteyes said, jumping down from High Rock and nudging Lionstar forward. Lionstar reluctantly got up and leaped onto High Rock.
"We are all sad that Brighst- I mean Brighteyes, is retiring. But I will do my best to lead the clan through hardships and times of crisis." The cats of the clan started chanting "Lionstar, Lionstar, Lionstar!" Lionstar nodded his thanks and continued, "I will go to Moonstones tomorrow to receive my nine lives. I will leave Brighteyes and Silvermoon in charge." The cats nodded and he jumped down. The cats began clearing away.
Vixonpelt was overwhelmed. Now she was carrying the kits of the leader of Thunder Clan! Luckily, since he was a tom, he was allowed to have kits. She wondered what they would do if he wasn't allowed to have kits…she dropped the thought when Lionstar came over and licked her happily. She licked him back and then wondered back to the nursery.
Lionstar, Wolfclaw, and Rainsky left for Moonstones the next morning. Vixonpelt watched them leave happy they were going and sad they were going. She couldn't tell if she was more happy or sad.
She reluctantly returned to her sleeping spot in the nursery. Morningfur was sleeping close by, with three fluffy kits beside her. Despite what Braveheart had said, one looked just like him. Vixonpelt sighed, she would never know if he told the truth the other day or not. She laid her head down to sleep.
She dreamed of hers and Lionstar's kits. They were beautiful and healthy. Lionstar was beside her and the whole family was sleeping together.
Suddenly Vixonpelt woke up and realized she was having her kits! The pain seared and seemed to paralyze her body. But she pushed out two kits anyways. One was gray with black stripes, a boy. The other was cream, like Lionstar, and a girl. The girl had Vixonpelt's blue eyes, while the boy had Lionstar's green eyes. Vixonpelt went back to sleep while the two kits nursed.
When she woke up and had decided on their names. The girl would be Creamkit, and the boy Lynxkit, for his bizarre colorings.
The next day when Vixonpelt was still sleeping, Lionstar returned, now with nine lives. Braveheart told him that his kits had been born and he had hurried into the nursery.
Vixonpelt had picked up his scent and woken up just as he was walking through the entrance. She yawned as he bent over and sniffed the two bundles. He smiled warmly at Vixonpelt.
"I have named them Creamkit and Lynxkit." Vixonpelt announced.
Lionstar nodded his head, "Perfect names for our lovely little kits."
