Chapter 23: Moon Two.

It had been two moons since Toaststar had become leader. Everything was peaceful, like Brightlight said. It was that thought that made Toaststar eternally grateful for the next six moons. Still, it scared him of what would happen when the clock came to a stop and everything started to go wrong. Everything has gone wrong, what could it be now..?
He shivered at the thought as he looked over at his mate, Normaltail, her belly swelled up with kits. Beside the she-cat, Heartburn's three kits played around. Bootkit, a red tabby tom, and Dancingkit, a pale ginger she-kit with red spots, wrestled in the dirt. Tanglekit, a ginger she-cat, was telling jokes to Normaltail, trying to make her laugh. The grey queen did chuckle at some of them, but they weren't funny enough to make her explode in laughter. Toaststar smiled at the kits, and stood up on the leaders rock, looking down at his clanmates. Today was the day warriors were made.

"May all cats that can catch their own prey gather under the large rock for a Thunderclan meeting!"

Suddenly everyone in the clan, even the kits, appeared below him. He felt awkward being there instead of Goodstar. Ricetooth stood beside him and muttered for him to continue. The leader slowly nodded. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the naming of four warriors. Timberpaw, Wafflepaw, Maplepaw, and Axpaw, step forwards. Toaststar shared the apprentice's pride, smiling down at his son and apprentice. "Timberpaw, step forwards. You have trained and hard, I believe it is time you become a warrior. Do you promise to dedicate your life and loyalty to the clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"... I do."
"Then my the powers invested in me by Starclan, I name you Timberwolf. I hope you live a long and happy life."
The ceremonies came and went. Wafflepaw became Waffletooth, Maplepaw became Mapleshadow, and Axpaw became Axtail. As everyone was congratulating and Toaststar was about to leave, a voice rose among the crowd. "Excuse me, Toaststar!"
Moonshine struggled out of the crowd, Budlight by her side. Despite her age, the grey she-cat still had enough energy in her voice to knock down trees. Budlight looked at his mate, and she nodded. Budlight nodded as well and looked up at the new leader. "Moonshine and I would like to request that we retire and become elders. I don't think-"
"No, it's alright. Budlight, Moonshine, step forwards."
When the couple stepped up, Toaststar could just feel the years of memories and history around them. The two warriors had been through so much, and they had delayed their earlier ceremony because they wanted to provide for their clan during these times. Now, as the dust settled for now, the two were ready for rest. Toaststar felt a rush of emotions in him as he shouted out.
"Budlight, Moonshine! Is it your wish to give up your names as warriors and go join the elders?"
Both agreed in unison. "It is."
Toaststar took a deep breath. "Your clan honors you and all the service you have given us. I call upon Starclan to give you many moons of rest."
Everyone cheered, and the new elder's family came to congratulate them. Waffletooth and Mapleshadow nagged their grandparents to tell them a story someday, a childish ring in their voices. Heartburn laughed as she congratulated her in-laws, her three kits running around the family. Hardwhisker, Scotchdrink, and Salmoncreek smiled in pride for their parents. Toaststar smiled at the sight, and went to join his mate.

Days passed, and Toaststar started to see some chemistry within the clan, specifically his son. Timberwolf had asked Ricetooth if he could join more patrols with Axtail, and the leader constantly found them laughing and talking together. The father both felt uneasy and happy for the two. Bluelightning seemed to be slightly overprotective against his daughter of it, but mentioned that Timberwolf was the only tom he'd accept to date his daughter. Toaststar laughed slightly as his friend mentioned it.
The Sun was high in the sky, and Normaltail and Toaststar were sunbathing in the middle of camp. They were curled up against each other, happy to finally be able to hang out with each other. With all the drama that had happened, the medicine cat and former deputy couldn't hang out much. Now, it was peaceful. Until a sudden whimper from Normaltail sounded and she backed away from her mate. She started breathing heavily. "Wait, wait, wait! Norma, what's wrong." The leader immediately stood up and comforted his lover, the she-cat nudging him away. "I'm having the kits, stupid." She hissed, running off into a bush. Toaststar wanted to follow her, but he didn't want to witness what happened last time Normaltail gave birth.
He shuttered, and waited.

The process took longer this time, an hour passing before Normaltail returned with two kits. She smiled weakly and set the two kits down. Toaststar's eyes widened in pride, and he gently nudged the dark grey speckled she-kit. The white tom-kit mewled and Normaltail nuzzled her son. "So... What do we name these beauties..?" He murmured. Normaltail blinked, and turned to her oldest son, who seemed to be flirting with Axtail, the ax on her tail chopping plants as she swayed her tail. "Timberwolf, you need to see your new siblings!" She yowled, and the brown and grey tom burst towards them. His eyes widened as he look at the kittens. "I'm a big brother... I'll protect these with my life." He murmured, crouching down to nuzzle his brother and sister. "We still need to name them." The father smiled.
Timberwolf flicked his ears and pointed his tail to the white tom. "What about Whitekit for this one? Pretty creative, right?" The warrior seemed so proud of himself, so Normaltail and Toaststar stuck with it. Normaltail pointed to the speckled she-kit. "How about Sootkit for this one?" Toaststar thought over it, and shook his head. "What about Pantherkit?" He suggested. Normaltail's eyes went wide and nuzzled her kittens. "Why hello, Pantherkit and Whitekit... Say hello to your new family." She smiled in glee.
The whole family stayed in the nursery that night, despite Heartburn's complaining. It was nice. Toaststar liked this new life with his children and mate and clan.