Chapter 9

Brambleclaw's P.O.V.

Brambleclaw followed Squirrelflight as she stalked out of the den, furious at what her mother had just said. He couldn't blame her; if any cat compared to how much he looked like his father, he'd shred them. Brambleclaw knew if it hadn't been her family, she would have shredded them right then and there, no questions asked.

Brambleclaw found her by the lake again, staring furiously at her reflection. He slowly padded up to her. She was so absorbed in her anger, she didn't notice him until her brushed the tip of his tail lightly over her pelt and she jumped a foot in the air. Brambleclaw stiffled a purr of amusement; he didn't want to star an argument.

"Hey, it's okay. She didn't mean anything by it. She was just as angry as you are and she didn't think."

"But you said 'like mother like daughter'! Why did you say that?"

"Because it's true. And I was only teasing."

"Yeah, I know."

"So, tell me. What did you say that made Ashfur claw your belly?"

Squirrelflight looked up at him, her green eyes dark and distant as she remembered what happened.

"Well, I was going to Firestar's den to talk to him about having Foxpaw and Icepaw being made warriors and I saw Ashfur following me with his dark blue gaze, so I turned direction to go over to him. I said to him, 'Ashfur, something came up. I can't go hunting with you when I'm better.' His face fell so I added, 'But not because of Brambleclaw. It's because I'm expecting kits.' Don't worry; I'm not."

Brambleclaw breathed a sigh of relief and disappointment. He wanted Squirrelflight to be pregnant, but now was not the time.

Squirrelflight seemed lost in her memory as she continued, "Ashfur narrowed his eyes. He said, 'His kits I suppose?' I nodded and he growled. 'Why are you his mate, Squirrelflight? His father killed my mother! In my eyes, he's everything like his father; his greed for power will only turn him into a murderer like Tigerstar. Be my mate instead. I'll make you happy. Happier than you've ever had.' He glanced at my belly, stood up and stalked over to me. He unsheathed his claws and clawed my belly, deep."

Brambleclaw tensed. He would hurt Ashfur. "And what do you say?"

"I love you. I never loved him."

Brambleclaw relaxed. "So after he clawed your belly, StarClan called you to give you the prophecy?" She nodded. "Hmm. Interesting." Brambleclaw thought about this and then meowed, "Come on, lets tell Firestar Icepaw and Foxpaw are ready to become warriors."

Squirrelflight nodded and limped her way back to camp. Brambleclaw followed her. When they emerged into camp, Firestar bounded over to her. "Sandstorm is sorry for what she said. She didn't know you hated looking like me."

Squirrelflight shook her head. "I don't daddy. I was just angry. I love looking like you. I just wish the Clan would stop expecting me to be just like you. Clan deputy, then leader. I'm content as a queen. I will serve my Clan by giving it loyal kit and fighting and hunting though the life of a warrior." Firestar purred. "Daddy, I think Foxpaw and Icepaw are ready to become a warrior. I've been trying to tell you all day. Until that happened." She flicked her tail angrily at Ashfur. He flinched and backed away.

"I agree. I've already told Icepaw to expect an apprentice. She maybe new, but her mentor was brilliant. Oh, and I've changed the names Brambleclaw. You'll hear them when I announce them."

Firestar bounded across the clearing and leaped onto the Highledge. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!"

The Clan emerged from their dens and Squirrelflight raced over to Icepaw and hissed, "Quick, wash! You, too Foxpaw! Cloudtail get over here!"

The white warrior narrowed his eyes and flattened his ears, but padded over to stand beside Foxpaw.

The Clan waited as the last rays of sun died down and Silverpelt came out. "I, Firestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn." Firestar leaped down from the Highledge and turned his gaze on Icepaw and Foxpaw. "Icepaw, Foxpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Icepaw raised her chin and replied clearly, with no trace of doubt in her voice. "I do."

Foxpaw twitched his tail in excitement, but meowed firmly, "I do."

"Then with the power of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Foxpaw, from this moment on, you'll be known as Foxleap. StarClan honors your bravery and your intelligence and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." Firestar placed his muzzle on Foxleaps's head and Foxleap in return, licked Firestar's shoulder respectfully. Foxleap padded to stand beside Cloudtail, his green eyes gleaming.

"Icepaw, from this moment on you'll be known as Icecloud. StarClan honors you courage and your intelligence and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." Firestar place his muzzle on Icecloud's head and Icecloud licked his shoulder respectfully. Icecloud went to stand beside Squirrelflight , her pale blue eyes lit up with excitement.

"Icecloud! Foxleap! Icecloud! Foxleap!" the Clan yowled their name to StarClan.

Firestar flicked his tail for silence and announced, "I have on more duty to perform. Badgerkit, Snowkit, come here."

Badgerkit scampered over to the Highledge, tail up, while Snowkit calmly walked over, only her blue eyes betrayed how excited she was.

"From this moment on, until she has earned her warrior name, this apprentice shall be called Snowpaw. Honeycloud, you are ready for an apprentice. I expect you to teach this young apprentice all you know. Show her your wisdom and fairness." The light ginger she-cat dipped her head and padded up to touch Snowpaw's nose with her own. "From this day forward, until he has earned his warrior name, he shall be known as Badgerpaw. Icecloud, though you are a new warrior, Squirrelflight taught you well. Teach this young apprentice all you have learned from Squirrelflight." The white she-cat dipped her head, and padded up to Badgerpaw and touched his nose with her own. "In honor of their warrior ancestors, Icecloud and Foxleap must sit vigil in silence while we all sleep. That is all. The meeting is over."

Brambleclaw went over to congratulate the apprentices when he saw Squirrelflight beaming at her former apprentice. He congratulated them after Squirrelflight did. When he finished he saw her tail disappear through the entrance to the camp. Curious, Brambleclaw followed her.

He found her at her spot by the lake, looking up at Silverpelt with anguished green eyes. Brambleclaw felt his stomach twist. He quietly padded up to her and stoked her flank softly. She jumped and looked at Brambleclaw with her beautiful green eyes.

"Oh, Brambleclaw, you scared me. I didn't know you were there. "

"What are you doing?"

"I was just thinking. Thinking about Thistlekit, Oakkit and Flamekit. Wondering what they're doing now in StarClan."

Brambleclaw stroked her flank with his tail lightly. "I wonder too. But that's the past. We need to look forward to the future. We'll have kits soon. Maybe tomorrow you'll be expecting, or not. It all depends."

Squirrelflight's green eyes instantly went from sad to excited. "Really?" Brambleclaw nodded. Squirrelflight squealed like a kit and leaped to her paws. "Now?"

Brambleclaw hesitated. "If you want to," he meowed slowly. He could see Squirrelflight was excited about becoming a mom and he didn't want to crush her spirits.

Squirrelflight mewed in happiness and streaked across the floor to a hidden spot. Brambleclaw followed her.

Brambleclaw woke up to find Squirrelflight stirring beside him. They got up and padded back to camp, tails twined together. Brambleclaw shot Squirrelflight a longing glance and padded off to organize the patrols for the day. "Cloudtail, you'll lead the hunting patrol. Take Poppycloud, Sorreltail, and Hazeltail. Dustpelt, you lead the Dawn patrol. Take Mouseclaw, Ashfur, and Thornclaw. Brackenfur you'll lead another hunting patrol. Take Ferncloud, Graystripe, and Cinderheart. Finally, Birchfall will lead the Dusk patrol. Take with you Hollyleaf, Spiderleg, Lionblaze and Whitewing. Lionblaze, guard the entrance." The cats nodded and the hunting patrols left, including the Dawn patrol and Lionblaze, off to guard the camp entrance.

Brambleclaw looked around to see where Squirrelflight went off to. He saw her coming out of the medicine cat's den, her tail curled in delight, and her green eyes sparkling in excitement.

Brambleclaw padded up to her. "What is it, Squirrelflight?"

Squirrelflight lifted her green gaze to his amber ones. "I want to find Sandstorm first and tell her." Squirrelflight padded off to where Sandstorm was talking to Firestar.

Squirrelflight's P.O.V.

Squirrelflight had been thrilled when Leafpool told her she was expecting kits. Now she padded off to where Firestar and Sandstorm were. They stopped talking and gazed at her with their green gazes, pale and dark green.

"What is it, Squirrelflight? You looked pretty excited."

Squirrelflight looked from her mother to her father, beaming the whole time. "Mom, Dad, I'm…expecting kits!"

Sandstorm squealed and licked her youngest daughter and Firestar purred. "Finally. Leafpool told you?" Squirrelflight nodded. "She a talented medicine cat. She's always been able to guess when she-cats are expecting. So does Jayfeather."

Squirrelflight looked at her mother in delight and purred.

"Congrats to you. You finally get to have kits that you can keep, instead of having them killed by someone!."

Squirrelflight narrowed her eyes in affection and purred louder. "I know. It's been what, like, two tries and they died?"

Firestar and Sandstorm shrugged. "Have you told Brambleclaw yet?" Squirrelflight shook her head. "Then you should tell him and remind him that Sandstorm is expecting so she can rest while she not showing yet."

Squirrelflight dipped her head and padded off to find Brambleclaw. On the way, there, however, Ashfur padded up to her. Squirrelflight flattened her ears and narrowed her eyes.

Ashfur stood in front of her and meowed, "I'm sorry, Squirrelflight. I just want you to my mate instead of Brambleclaw's. His father was a murderer and its only a matter of time before he's a murderer too. His father killed my mother."

"Ashfur, I don't love you. I love Brambleclaw. I don't want to be with you. Get that in your head and leave me alone about being your mate. We're friends, nothing more." Ashfur's head dropped, but Squirrelflight didn't feel guilty; she loved Brambleclaw and that was that.

She padded over to Brambleclaw, her previous enthusiasm restored. "Brambleclaw, guess what?"

"What?"

Squirrelflight gave a squeal. "I'm expecting our kits!" Brambleclaw's amber eyes looked surprise and then he leaped to his paws and bowled her over, purring and licking her face frantically. "And that's not all. Sandstorm is too, remember?." Brambleclaw stopped and saw Squirrelflight's eyes shining with pride and excitement and nodded. "I finally get to be an older sibling! I hated being younger. Now I get to role model."

Brambleclaw's eyes widened. As much as he loved Squirrelflight, he couldn't help but be worried. When Squirrelflight was an apprentice, all she would do is chatter. She was a lot better now, but at times, he saw her old self in her and Brambleclaw missed the old Squirrelflight, but knew she had changed as she grew up. He missed the Squirrelflight who wouldn't stop chattering. Granted, it was annoying, but Brambleclaw had come to love that. He still saw her anger and that was a relief, but not at the time. Later he would be glad he saw the old Squirrelflight. Her tongue wasn't as sharp as her tongue, but her tongue would be sharp enough when she was angry. Brambleclaw loved her inside and out; anger, chatter, you name it, her loved it about her.

Brambleclaw shook his head. Squirrelflight would be an excellent role model. She had learned so much since she was an apprentice.

"I'm glad you get some more siblings, besides Leafpool."

Squirrelflight saw a flash of silver and looked to see Millie anxiously padding up to them.

"Squirrelflight, have you seen Graystripe?"

"I think Brambleclaw sent him on a patrol."

Millie huffed. "But I need him here."

"Why?"

"I can't tell you with a tom here. The only tom I want to tell is Graystripe."

Squirrelflight nodded, flicked her tail, which sent Brambleclaw to head over to the Dawn patrol as they returned, and asked, "What is it?"

"I'm expecting kits. It won't be long until I show."

Squirrelflight squealed. Her mom, her and now Millie, who really needed a warrior name.

"That's great, Millie. So are me and my mom. Now Firestar has to give you your warrior name!'

Millie's blue eyes shone with excitement. "Yeah, I've waited a long time for that! Now I got a reason!"

"Come on, let's go tell Firestar." Squirrelflight padded away with her tail held high. She stood in front of Firestar, and looked behind her to make sure Millie followed. "Firestar, Millie wants to receive her warrior name."

Firestar nodded and meowed, "We'll have the ceremony at Sundown. Is there a reason why?"

Millie quickly shook her head and Firestar narrowed his eyes but said nothing. Millie looked around, aw no cat out here, except Squirrelflight, and pushed her way into the Nursery.

Squirrelflight saw her mom and padded up to her, whispering, "Millie is expecting kits and she's getting her warrior name at Sundown. don't tell any other cat. The only tom she wants to know she's having kits is Graystripe." Sandstorm nodded in understanding. "Let's pray to StarClan Millie doesn't die of bearing kits. StarClan knows his grief for Silverstream was bad enough, but losing Millie as well? Great StarClan, he would be a disaster!"

"Yes. StarClan, help Millie bear her kits and be alive." She padded away.

Squirrelflight padded to the fresh-kill pile and chose a plump mouse. She padded over to the bramble bush. She ate it and washed her pelt until the sun went down.

Then she heard Firestar calling, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting."

Squirrelflight padded over to the Highledge and sat with Millie, Graystripe, whose amber eyes gleamed with excitement, her mom, Leafpool, her adopted kits, and Brambleclaw.

"Millie, come forth." The silver tabby rose and sat near Firestar, who leaped down and padded over to her, looking up at the stars. "I, Firestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this cat. She has a true desire to commit herself to the ways of your noble code and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn." Firestar looked at Millie. "Millie, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Millie raised her head proudly, and meowed clearly and strongly, "I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name: Mille, from this moment you'll be known as Silverflower. StarClan honors your intelligence and your bravery and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." Firestar rested his muzzle on the newly named Silverflower's head. Silverflower licked his shoulder respectfully and padded to stand beside Graystripe.

"Silverflower! Silverflower!" The Clan yowled Millie's new name to StarClan.

"In honor of her warrior ancestors, she must sit in silent vigil until dawn while we all sleep."

Silverflower nodded and sat at the entrance to the camp, alert, her ears pricked, swiveling back from time to time.

Squirrelflight yawned. She was tired…and hungry. Her eyes widened in surprise. She was hungry? Then she remembered she was expecting kits.

Firestar came over to her and Sandstorm. "I want you two to go to the Nursery."

Both she-cats nodded. Squirrelflight and Sandstorm padded off to the Nursery. Squirrelflight picked the nest by the entrance, but near the middle so her kits wouldn't freeze. Sandstorm did the same. Squirrelflight circled her nest and laid down, falling asleep instantly.