Chapter 11

Squirrelflight's P.O.V

Squirrelflight padded over to Brambleclaw and sat down as the leaders gave the signal to start the Gathering. She was surprised to see Mistyfoot with them. Squirrelflight licked one paw and drew it over her ear nervously.

Blackstar spoke first. "All is well in ShadowClan. Russetfur is no longer my deputy. Dawncloud is ShadowClan's new deputy."

Squirrelflight flicked her ears in satisfaction and she growled at Russetfur. The other cats noticed this and began to murmur anxiously.

"I don't have to justify myself to you, fox dung!" Russetfur snarled at Squirrelflight.

Squirrelflight sprang to her paw as fast as her swollen belly would allow her, flattened her ears and hissed, "Well I think you should! You killed my kits! Catnapped me from my own territory and treated me harshly! You can't do that to a Clan leader's kit! And you went against the warrior code! Justify yourself to that, you piece of fox dung!"

The cats in RiverClan and WindClan gasped and the queens glared at Russetfur. All of them hissed and growled.

Blackstar flicked his tail for silence. "I agree that what Russetfur did was wrong. I was furious at her for what she did. Tawnypelt is going to watch over her until I can be sure that she won't ever do that again. She was confined to the camp, but begged me to attend to this Gathering. I agreed, but for this time only. But we have a new litter of kits. Applefur gave birth to them. ShadowClan is doing fine, despite that incident." Blackstar flicked his tail at Onestar.

Onestar padded up. "We have a new warrior. Heatherpaw is now Heathertail. And she has had her first litter of kits. Just today as a matter of fact. The prey is running well in WindClan." Onestar stepped back and flicked his to Mistyfoot.

Mistyfoot stepped forward. "Leopardstar died a few dawns ago. I am the new leader of RiverClan. I have already traveled to the Moonpool and received my name and my nine lives. My deputy is Reedwhisker. We have a new litter of kits. And Dapplepaw is now Dappleshine. Mosspelt also has a new litter of kits. Willowpaw is now Willowshine. All is well in RiverClan." Mistystar flicked her tail at Firestar.

Firestar stepped forward. "We have two new warriors. Icepaw and Foxpaw are now warriors. They will be known as Icecloud and Foxleap. Three of our queens have moved to the Nursery and are expecting kits. They should be giving birth anytime now. Also, Millie is now Silverflower. We have two new apprentices. Badgerpaw and Snowpaw." Firestar paused. "I have an announcement to make. One of our warriors has had a dream sent to them by StarClan and StarClan have prophesized doom. Squirrelflight, recite the prophecy." Firestar flicked his tail, signaling Squirrelflight to speak.

Squirrelflight rose to her paws. Some of the other cats were muttering to each other, casting suspicious glances at Squirrelflight.

"StarClan came to me in a dream. They have told me doom is upon us all. They said:

As darkness fills the skies,

the stars need help from sky,

river, thunder, wind, shadow,

and water. Together they must

unite and fight as one. Fire and

tiger must help the forest once more

as darkness spread over the stars. "

"Then they told me all the leaders, the Sun-Drown-Place cats, Sandstorm, Lionblaze, Jayfeather, and Hollyleaf must make this journey."

The cats yowled their protests and disbelief. Squirrelflight crouched, ears flattened, under their hostility. Thunder, River, Wind, Shadow, and Skywatcher, where are you?

Then five starry cats appeared on the tree, and Squirrelflight sprang to her paws. "There you are! I was beginning to think you wouldn't come. Skywatcher, it's nice to see you again. River, Shadow, Wind, and Thunder, the same goes to you as well." She dipped her head.

Thunder, River, Shadow, Wind and Skywatcher dipped their head in return. Firestar stared at Skywatcher in astonishment.

"Skywatcher? Is that really you? How's SkyClan?"

Skywatcher's starry figure purred. "Very well. It's bigger than when you last saw it. Leafstar leads it well."

"I'm glad to hear it. Have the rats been any trouble? Is there another one that speaks cat?"

"No. The rats are gone for good. In fact, Sparrowpelt and Cherrytail killed the last if them. And Cherrytail has kits of her own now."

Firestar purred. Then some cat called out, "Will somebody please tell us what's going on?"

Skywatcher and the other cats beckoned Squirrelflight forward. She weaved her way through the cats until she stood under them. They leaped down from the rock. "This cat is telling the truth. StarClan did come to her. What she said was true. Listen to her, for the future of the lake rest in hers and the Bramble's paws. Doom is coming. All leaders must make this journey, along with all the cats Squirrelflight said. The journey will begin on the half-moon. The Gathering is over, by the will of StarClan. All Clans must prepare themselves. Go now."

The five ancient leaders disappeared. The cats began to disperse. The leaders leaped down from the tree and padded over to Squirrelflight. "Is it true? The lake is doomed?"

"Not unless the Ivy joins the Dark Forest, but that is why we must make this journey before she is born. That way we can have the cats we need in order to fight. But I fear we will be too late. For I know who will give birth to the Ivy."

"Who?"

"Me, along with the Dove."

Blackstar, Onestar, and Mistystar flicked their tail and left. Firestar stared at Squirrelflight and meowed, "Tell me. I know you know."

Squirrelflight sighed. "Tomorrow. Get Brambleclaw in there as well. No other cat. I'm only allowed to tell you and him. Not even mom."

Firestar nodded and flicked his tail to gather his cats. He led the way out of The Island and back to camp.

Squirrelflight woke up in the Nursery and stretched her limbs. She heard a mew of distress and looked over to see Sandstorm twitching and panting. Squirrelflight immediately sprang to her paws and raced to Leafpool's den as fast as her belly would allow her.

She reached her sister's den, panting. "Leafpool! Sandstorm! Kits! I think they're coming!"

Leafpool got the herbs she would need and sprinted to the Nursery. Squirrelflight was hard on her heels. Sandstorm was wailing in pain by the time they arrived. Leafpool set off to work.

Squirrelflight laid down on her mother's other side since Silverflower was by her giving her words of comfort. Squirrelflight laid her tail on her mom's head reassuringly.

"It's gonna be okay, Sandstorm. You're doing fine."

"How would you know? This is my second litter! You've never had one! You're just starting as queen! I've been through this before! You haven't! Oh, StarClan, get this over with."

Squirrelflight brushed the tip of her tail gently over her mother's forehead. She didn't say anything, just brushed her tail-tip lightly across Sandstorm's flank.

"You're doing fine, mom. The first one is almost out. Okay. Push!" Leafpool gently told Sandstorm.

Sandstorm grunted as a spasm came over her and pushed. The first kit popped out and Leafpool nipped the sack and licked it until it started breathing, then she placed the kit at Sandstorm's belly. Another spasm came over Sandstorm and another plopped out. Leafpool nipped the sack and licked it like the first. Leafpool placed her paw on Sandstorm's belly gently and one final spasm came over Sandstorm as a third kit popped out. Leafpool nipped the sack and licked it, then placed by it littermates.

"Two she-kits and a tom," Leafpool announced.

Sandstorm purred tiredly as the kits began to suckle and knead her belly.

Squirrelflight gazed down at her brother and sisters warmly. "What will you name them?"

As she asked that question, Firestar came in. He looked down at his kits lovingly and padded over to Sandstorm. "Have you thought of some names?"

Sandstorm shook her head. She looked down at her kits. One of the she-kits were a dark ginger, the other was a creamy brown tabby with white chest and paws, and the tom was a dark gray kit.

"I'll think about them and let you know soon. But I think I have a name for the ginger she-kit. Either Sunkit or Robinkit?"

"How about both? The ginger can be Sunkit and the tabby can be Robinkit?"

Sandstorm's tired eyes brightened. "Yeah! And the tom can be Stonekit or Pebblekit."

"Let's do Stonekit. Pebblekit sounds like a RiverClan name."

Sandstorm nodded. "So Sunkit, Robinkit, and Stonekit." She licked their tiny heads and glanced up, her eyes warm. "They're perfect names."

Squirrelflight sighed. "I'm sorry, but you two are determined to name one of you're kits after prey. I mean, I'm named after a squirrel." Squirrelflight shook her head.

Sandstorm looked at her youngest daughter of her first litter. "That's because it suits you. You have a fluffy tail like a squirrel, so I named you Squirrelkit. Now you're about to have kits of your own."

Squirrelflight flicked her ears. "Yeah, okay. They're good names."

Sandstorm and Firestar nodded and Firestar turned to leave. Squirrelflight followed him out. She went to a sunny patch and laid down, her eyes closed to slits. Her eyes snapped open as she heard a rustle. She sprang to her paws and raced to the Nursery entrance. She whirled around and crouched there, her tail lashing and ears flat, hissing.

Then a fox came in, saw Squirrelflight at the Nursery entrance and snarled at her, and ran to her. Squirrelflight let out a squeal as the fox's jaws picked her up by the scruff and shook her. Squirrelflight lashed out, clawing the fox's shoulder and chest.

Squirrelflight whimpered as the fox threw her halfway across the clearing. Cats came out crashing down as the fox loomed over Squirrelflight and bit her shoulder. Squirrelflight wailed in pain, but staggered to her paws, leaped at the fox and tumbled in a tussle, tails and claws. Squirrelflight sprang away from the fox and hissed.

Ashfur and Brambleclaw started to come forward to help her, but Squirrelflight halted them with a flick of her tail. "He's mine," she snarled, tail lashing. Squirrelflight saw them exchange a look of doubt, but she ignored it.

Squirrelflight leaped at the fox again and landed on its shoulders and bit down hard, but the fox rolled onto it back, almost squishing her kits if Squirrelflight hadn't used her hindquarters to push it off as hard as she could. Squirrelflight quickly got to her paw and this time, both the fox and Squirrelflight sprang at each other. They ended in a tussle of claws, furs, hisses and growls. Finally, Squirrelflight pinned the fox down and bit into its throat. The fox gave one last jerk and it lay still, dead.

Squirrelflight staggered off the fox and collapsed onto the ground. Her body twitched and

she mewed in distress.

Leafpool gasped. "The kits are coming. Jayfeather! Bring me the supplies. Silverflower might be having kits too right about now."

As she spoke, they heard a wail a pain from the Nursery. Leafpool flicked her tail urgently at Jayfeather and he sprang away and raced to the den. He came back moments after and raced into the Nursery.

"Brambleclaw, help me get Squirrelflight back into the Nursery so we can deliver her kits." Leafpool gently picked up Squirrelflight with Brambleclaw's help and carried her to the Nursery. She put Squirrelflight in her nest and, just as the first spasm hit, she got into position.

Squirrelflight looked frantically around and saw Jayfeather working on Silverflower. She gasped as the more spasms hit her and the first kit popped out. Leafpool nipped the sack and licked the kit until it was breathing. Squirrelflight barely had time to glance at her kit before the second wave appeared. Squirrelflight screeched in pain.

"Can't we do something? I don't like her in pain." Brambleclaw asked.

Leafpool shook her head. "No, this is for Squirrelflight to fight on her own. She has to endure it. The first litter is always more painful."

Squirrelflight wailed out as a second kit popped out. Leafpool nipped the sack and licked it. She placed it by its littermate and pressed her paw to her belly.

"You should know how many more kits there are! You mind-linked me!" Squirrelflight hissed through clenched teeth.

"Why is she more angry than usual?"

"She-cats giving birth are usually cranky." Leafpool glared at her sister. "Some are crankier than others."

"Yeah, you would be cranky if you've been kitting for what seems like moons!" Squirrelkit hissed. She wailed as another spasm went through her and a third kit popped out. Leafpool nipped the sack and licked it until it started breathing. Squirrelflight screeched at the top of her lungs in pain as a fourth kit came out. Leafpool nipped the sack and licked then placed it next to its three littermates.

Squirrelflight's breathing was ragged, but her gaze was soft as she looked at her four beautiful kits.

"Congratulations, you have three she-kits and a tom." They were suckling and kneading against her belly. "Here, eat some borage. It'll help your milk to come. You, too Sandstorm. And you, Silverflower."

Squirrelflight ate the borage leaves, and gazed down at her kits. The tom was a ginger, and one of the she-kits was blue-gray, another was a tortoishell she-kit, and the last was a soft gray she-kit.

"How about Oakkit, Bluekit, Ivykit, and Dovekit?"

Brambleclaw's amber eyes gleamed with pride and excitement. "They're perfect names. Shall I get Lionblaze, and Hollyleaf?"

Squirrelflight nodded and nuzzled her kits as Brambleclaw went out of the Nursery. Jayfeather turned back to Leafpool and announced, "Silverflower has a tom and a she-kit. Can you go get Graystripe?" Leafpool nodded and left.

Squirrelflight drowsily raised her head at her mother. Her eyes were glazed with tiredness, but there was also pride on her green depths. Squirrelflight glanced at Silverflower. "What did you name them?"

"I don't know yet. They're both gray, but the tom is more like Graystripe than me and the she-kit is more like me. I'll let Graystripe decide. What are your kits' names? Both of yours?"

Squirrelflight signaled her mom could go first, so Sandstorm looked at Silverflower and replied, "Sunkit, Robinkit, and Stonekit."

"Mine are Oakkit, Bluekit, Ivykit and Dovekit."

Graystripe came in then and looked at Silverflower anxiously and relief came over his eyes as well as pride and softness. "Did you decide on names for them?"

Silverflower shook her head. "But how about, since your daughter is dead and your son is not here, we name them Stormkit and Featherkit?"

Graystripe's eyes brightened and he nodded. "Those are perfect."

Silverflower drew her kits closer to her belly with her tail and put her head down on her paws, where she fell asleep. Sandstorm did the same and fell asleep. Squirrelflight looked at Jayfeather and meowed tiredly, "What are we going to do about me and Sandstorm going on the journey? We can't wait six months to get going on our journey. We're just going to have to take them, right?"

"As long as we wait until they're strong enough then, yeah."

"I sure hope so."

Then Brambleclaw came back with Hollyleaf and Lionblaze. They looked at Squirrelflight's kits with softness in their eyes. "Lionblaze, Jayfeather and Hollyleaf, meet Oakkit, Bluekit, Ivykit, and Dovekit."

Jayfeather, Lionblaze, Hollyleaf and Squirrelflight exchanged a glance. They knew what would come of Ivykit and Dovekit, but they just had to hope that it wouldn't come to that. StarClan, please protect my daughters from this horrible prophecy!