Chapter 11

...

After the vigil, Leafpool returned to her den, not really wanting to do anything. Jayfeather came too.

After a while of silence Leafpool felt a sharp pain. She needed to get Jayfeather out of the camp.

"Jayfeather, we're low on tansy. Will you collect some?"

Jayfeather got up and left, glad to have something to do other than mourn the death of his sister.

Immediately Leafpool staggered behind the elders' den and clawed a small hole in the wall by Mousefur's nest. Moisefur noticed.

"My kits are coming," Leafpool whispered painfully. "Pretend you're kitting." She ran back around front.

"I'd better get Leafpool," Longtail muttered.

"I'm right here!" Leafpool called in. She was struggling to stay on her paws.

Squirrelflight noticed her and darted over.

Leafpool entered the den. "Yep, they're definitely coming. Longtail you need to stay out," Leafpool mewed, gritting her teeth.

Squirrelflight sent Longtail out, then blocked the way. "I'll make sure he stays out," she muttered.

"Good."

Mousefur watched Leafpool struggle.

"Okay, Mousefur...as each...kit...arrives, you need to lick...its fur...backward..."

"Got it."

It definitely hurt more the second time.

Leafpool felt as the first kit was born. She could hear Mousefur licking it.

"Put it against your belly," Leafpool instructed.

She gritted her teeth as the second kit was born. Mousefur repeated the process.

The third and final kit took forever. Squirrelflight had to struggle to keep Longtail out.

Then it was over. Two she-cats and a tom.

"Don't let Longtail in yet," Leafpool whispered. She turned to Mousefur and her kits.

She touched a pale brown kit with white stripes on her face. "Heatherkit."

She touched the white tom. "Snowkit."

Then the smallest, a pale ginger she-cat. "Gingerkit."

Mousefur nodded.

Squirrelflight let Longtail in as Leafpool hurried out of the camp to wash herself.

...

I'm very sorry if I didn't use one of your names. They will come in handy later, I promise.