Chapter 17

Brambleclaw's PoV

Brambleclaw woke up in the warrior's den, missing Squirrelflight's soft fur pressed against him. He rose to his paws and padded out of the den to see Squirrelflight watching their kits play. He looked over to the Highledge with warriors waiting for him to set the patrols. He padded over to them, wanting to be over with his mate and his kits, watching them play, but he couldn't do that; he was Clan deputy. He padded over to the warriors under the Highledge.

"Hey, where's Hazeltail and Sorreltail?"

Brackenfur looked at him like he was stupid. "Uh, over there by Squirrelflight. They're expecting kits." He flicked his tail in the direction of the Nursery.

Brambleclaw looked back at Squirrelflight and his kits, and indeed saw Sorreltail and Hazeltail by his kits, watching them play. He looked back at the warriors to see that all of their expressions were amused. He flicked his tail in embarrassment. "Right, uh, back to the patrols. Birchfall, you'll lead the dawn patrol. Take Berrynose, Icecloud, and Badgerfang." The chosen cats left. "Hollyleaf, you'll lead a hunting patrol. Take Cloudtail, Brightheart, and Poppycloud. And Snowcloud and Honeycloud will guard the camp." The six cats left, leaving Snowcloud and Honeycloud to guard the camp. "Foxleap, take Ravenpaw and practice battle moves. Ashfur, and Sandstorm, take your apprentices and go with him." The six cats left. "And finally, Cinderheart and Lionblaze, take your apprentices, and go hunting." The cats left, leaving the rest of the mentors, apprentices, and Crowfeather in camp. "The rest of you, including Crowfeather and Leafpool, need to make sure there are no patches in camp. Fix them if you find anything. Also, extend the warriors den." The warriors and apprentices went off to find if there were any holes in the camp and extend the warriors den.

Brambleclaw looked around and saw Firestar padding toward him. "Where's Sandstorm, and why aren't you giving your apprentice the tour of the territory? In fact, take the rest of the apprentices that are here and give them a tour."

"Sandstorm is with Ashfur and Foxleap and their apprentices practicing battle moves."

"Oh, okay. Ravenpaw was in the Clan before, so his warrior ceremony shouldn't be long. Tell Sandstorm to watch her temper around Cloverpaw. She is used to being pampered and getting her food at a certain time. It'll take time for her to get used to our ways. It only took me a night to get used to the ThunderClan smells and I hope it goes for Cloverpaw as well. Anyways, watch out for Snakepaw's training."

Brambleclaw nodded. "Will do, Firestar. I'll take the apprentices out on the tour."

Firestar looked thoughtful. "On second thought, I'll take them on the tour. I haven't done that in a long time. Since I gave you the tour. You go play with your kits."

Brambleclaw gaped at him as he made his over to the apprentices, had a word with them and their mentors, and took them on a tour of the territory. Brambleclaw shook his head and padded toward his mate and his kits. When he got over there, Adderkit and Leopardkit sprang at him and he rolled over, laughing. "Hey, you two. I hope you aren't giving your mother any trouble." He looked over at Squirrelflight, his amber eyes questioning.

Squirrelflight rolled her eyes. "They are always giving me trouble. Why is today any different, Brambleclaw? But I love them."

"I know you do. I still don't understand how queens can fiercely protect the reason for their exhaustion."

"Do you want me to let our kits die?" Squirrelflight flattened her ears.

Brambleclaw's eyes widened. "No! I just don't understand it."

"We would do anything to protect our kits, Brambleclaw, even give up our lives. Think of it this way: would you do anything to protect me?"

"Yes."

"Then think of me as your kit and you're a she-cat."

"But I'm n-"

"Just pretend. You would do anything to protect me, right?" He nodded. "Then I could be like your kit. Get it, now?"

"I guess, sort of."

Squirrelflight rolled her eyes. "Honestly, sometimes I think toms are stupid furballs," she mumbles.

Brambleclaw rolled his eyes. "Whatever, Squirrelflight. You know you love me. I mean, how can you not?" He teased.

Squirrelflight fixed him with her green stare and he shut up. He padded over to her, licked her ear affectionately, and laid down beside her to watch his kits play. When Adderkit made Leopardkit squeal, Brambleclaw leaped to his paws and padded quickly over to his kits. "Adderkit, what did I say about making your sister squeal?"

Adderkit hung his head. "To not to and to let go of her immediately."

Brambleclaw nodded. "That's right. Now get back in the Nursery. Your mother is very tired." He said that just as Squirrelflight yawned, and he purred in amusement. "Time to get into the Nursery."

Squirrelflight nodded and got up, calling to her kits and took them to the Nursery, without arguing back. She probably too tired to argue and fight back, he thought. Brambleclaw watched them go. He still couldn't believe he had gotten a wonderful mate, a mother to two litters, and friend.

He turned to see Graystripe behind him, amber eyes glimmering with amusement. "You have your hands full with them. I wouldn't be surprised if in the morning she sought you out and told you off for ordering her around."

"Yes, I know. Hey, could you lead a patrol to the ShadowClan side and renew the scent marking when the patrols return. I'll get Foxleap to lead another on the WindClan side of the border when he returns from training Ravenpaw."

"Yeah, sure. Who do you want me to take?"

Brambleclaw thought about it and mewed, "Cloudtail, Mouseclaw, and Ravenpaw. He should remember how to fight, considering he fought like a warrior in the BloodClan battle. When Foxleap returns, can you tell him he is to take Whitewing, Brackenfur, and Stonepaw?"

"Right, I'll do that."

"Good. For now, you can eat and rest." The gray warrior nodded and padded away toward the fresh-kill pile. Brambleclaw looked around and realized he had one more thin he had to do. He padded toward the medicine cats den and found Jayfeather sorting through his herbs, but he looked up as the dark tabby padded in. The medicine cat gave Brambleclaw a look that said, 'What do you want, are you okay, and what do you need?' The dark tabby, answering the medicine cat's unspoken question, meowed, "Do you have anything to help Squirrelflight with her sleep? Not to make her go to sleep, just to help her. She seems really tired, and it doesn't help that she has kits to look after and kits are on the way."

Jayfeather nodded. "I'll see what I can do. Though the natural cure is to get someone else to watch her kits so she can catch up on her sleep."

Brambleclaw nodded. "Right. See, it's just I think she's still grieving for Tawnykit and that just makes it even worse that she's straining herself to take care of the two remaining kits. And I know she's still grieving for Flamekit, Thistlekit, and Oakkit that she lost twice. I also think she's worried for Firestar and Leafpool."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because Squirrelflight is worried her father will die soon, and she says she can feel her stomach getting kicked, but she says she's not pregnant. Is she?"

Jayfeather shook his head. "No, she's not, but Leafpool is."

"Does Leafpool know she's pregnant?"

"I don't think so. She thinks Squirrelflight is pregnant again and she's getting agitated. She can't figure out why she's slower and hungrier all of sudden. And yes, before you ask, they're Crowfeather's."

"Hmm. Should I tell her to go to the Nursery?"

"Yes, and reassure Crowfeather they are his."

"I just can't believe he's the one who started this mess."

"Me too. He's your friend from the Great Journey, right?"

"Yes, he was one of the chosen ones that StarClan chose, but Stormfur and Squirrelflight went with us, but back then Crowfeather and Squirrelflight were know as Crowpaw and Squirrelpaw."

"Right, well as I heard it from Leafpool, you two used to fight a lot, and now look at you: mates and has kits and adopted kits."

"Yeah, anyway, I'll tell Leafpool."

"Yeah, you do that."

Brambleclaw padded over to where Leafpool was struggling with putting sticks on places where there were holes, with Crowfeather asking her anxiously if she was alright. Crowfeather and Leafpool looked up as he padded across. The deputy looked between them, then meowed to Leafpool, "You need to go to the Nursery. No more warrior duties for you until yours and Crowfeather's kits are apprentices."

Leafpool's amber eyes widened. "I-I'm pregnant? I thought Squirrelflight was pregnant again."

"No, Jayfeather says your pregnant. You knew last time. How could you not know this time?"

"Well, last time, me and Crowfeather weren't so near Squirrelflight. Now that I am, it's really confusing, but the kicks are so real, I guess I should've known. When ever Squirrelflight is pregnant, the kicks are faint. These hurt, like last time. I guess it's just been so long, I've forgotten what it feels like."

"Right, well off to the Nursery with you. You should be along after Hazeltail and Sorreltail."

"Right, thanks Brambleclaw." Leafpool dashed off as fast as she could to the Nursery.

Brambleclaw saw his mate's sister padding across the clearing and told Squirrelflight the good news, but it didn't look like good news to Squirrelflight. She hissed and growled something at Leafpool that he couldn't hear. Brambleclaw flicked his tail at Crowfeather. "Don't take Squirrelflight's hostility personally. She's still a little sore from loosing seven kits. Three of which were killed twice; once by Leafpool and the other by Russetfur. And another died from being blind and deaf. She's still grieving and she's worried about Firestar, her father."

"Why is she worried about Firestar?"

"She's worried that her father will die soon. And she doesn't want him to die; she wants him to join the elders before he dies but he can't do that because he's committed to leading the Clan."

"Why is she afraid he'll die? It's apart of life."

"Yeah, but she and Firestar have a very close bond, more so than she does with her sister. She says she wants to name one of our children after him and her mom. Her mom will join the elders soon as well, her having the chance to do so, but Squirrelflight knows she won't do that until either she or Firestar dies."

"Yeah, I know. Firestar is getting old, no offense, because I know he was your former mentor."

"Right. Anyway, get to work. Firestar won't be happy if our warriors are dilly dallying around."

"Yeah, I know. And he would be angry if his deputy were not working and just talking. Oh! You might want to send Sandstorm and Ashfur with their apprentices, seeing as they're back."

Brambleclaw turned and saw the pale ginger warrior and the gray warrior with their apprentices coming back. Brambleclaw padded toward them. They looked up as he came over, well Sandstorm did; Ashfur glared at him. Squirrelflight told him about Hazeltail expecting his kits, but she suspected it was to get her jealous, and come running back to him, and when he asked her if she was jealous, her green gaze grew hard and defiant and told him she wasn't jealous, not one little bit. Brambleclaw looked from one to the other. "Firestar wants you two to take your apprentices on a your of the territory. I just wanted to speed up the training a little bit, but he's right, first we need them to know the territory. Anyway, after you eat, take them on a tour, then you can turn in for the night." They all nodded and Brambleclaw added, "Oh, and Sandstorm, Firestar wants me to tell you, cool it with your temper, seeing as Cloverpaw is used to being pampered."

"Alright, I know. I already like her. Besides, Firestar was used to us after the first night he was here."

"I know; he told me. Anyways, he said just to watch it until she used to us."

"I will. Don't worry, Brambleclaw. It's all under control. I've done this two times."

"I know, but you know Firestar, if it's to do with the Clan, he worries about it. Plus, this is his sister, so he's even more worried than usual."

"True, but he has no need to worry. Cloverpaw is getting on very well. Not as good as Firestar, but close enough."

"Right, well, take them on a tour and come back. I'll be taking Featherpaw out for battle training, and then for a little hunting practice tomorrow. Right now there's just so much work to be done in the camp, I'm going to put Cloudtail in charge of it."

"Alright, well we'll go and eat. Wait, where's Firestar?"

"He went to take the remaining apprentices in camp on a tour of the territory. He should be back soon."

Firestar came in with all the other apprentices. His own apprentice was walking calmly while her brother, Stormpaw, Graystripe's apprentice and son, was bouncing up and down on his paws. She walked over to the fresh kill pile after being dismissed by her leader and picked up a mouse. Her brother picked up a big, juicy vole and went to eat with his sister. Firestar padded over to his deputy while his mater, her apprentice, Ashfur, and his apprentice went to the fresh kill pile. Firestar reached his deputy then.

"Brambleclaw, I need you to organize another hunting patrol straight away."

"Well, Sandstorm, Cloverpaw, Ashfur, and Snakepaw are going to patrol the territory; should I tell them to keep an eye out for prey as well? Then there's Graystripe, Cloudtail, Ravenpaw, Mouseclaw, Foxleap, Brackenfur, Whitewing, and Stonepaw are going to renew the scent on each side of the border. Should I tell each of them to look out for prey? Tell me what patrol I should tell and I'll do it."

"Hmm. Tell Graystripe's and Foxleap's patrols to look out for prey. Sandstorm's patrol just needs to show the apprentices the territory."

"Yes, Firestar. I'm on it."

"Good." He padded away to his den.

The ThunderClan deputy saw his leaders' best friend and he padded up to the gray warrior and told him to watch for prey and to tell Foxleap to watch for prey as well. The gray warrior nodded and went of to the fresh kill pile before he went out on patrol. Sandstorm, Ashfur and the apprentices just finished their meal and were heading out to patrol the territory as well as introduce it to them.

Brambleclaw padded toward the fresh kill pile to get the himself a piece of prey, just a small mouse. Then he grabbed the biggest, most juiciest vole, mouse, and thrush. He padded toward the queens and put the prey down. He laid next to Squirrelflight and shared tongues with her while also watching his kits.

"You know Brambleclaw, I'm worried about the death of my father, but I know one day, you'll make a great leader. I know it."

He wasn't expecting that one, so he just purred. "What make you say that?" he finally manages.

"Because of your leadership on the Great Journey."

"Well, thanks."

"It's nothing. Just remember me and the kits, adopted and birth kits, love you very much. You'll make a great leader, just don't follow Hawkfrost's idea."

"Wouldn't dream of it. Firestar is the one who raised me and mentored me. O wouldn't dream of turning on him. He's like my father."

"Oh, yeah, I forgot he mentored you. Sorry. Anyway, what did you want? Just to hang out with your family? Or what?"

"I want to hang out with you."

"Oh, me?" Brambleclaw nodded. "Mm-hmm, and what about your kits?"

Brambleclaw jumped. "Um, I'll hang out with them too."

"Good. Now why don't you get some sleep, my love."

"Why do you want to get rid of me?"

"I don't. I just want you to rest?"

"If anyone needs rest, it's you, love. You're straining yourself to hard. Relax and let Hazeltail or Sorreltail take them and catch up on your sleep."

"Okay. I'll do it tomorrow."

"Good, I'll leave you to it." He turned to his kits, Leopardkit, and Adderkit. "Now, don't give your mother trouble, you hear? She's very tired, so give her a break, please."

"Yes, daddy," Leopardkit mewed.

"Yes, dad," Adderkit meowed.

"Good, if I ask you mother tomorrow if you gave her trouble, will she say 'no'?" His kits nodded. "Good." He turned to his mate. "I'll see you tomorrow. I'm taking Featherpaw out for some hunting and battle practice, alright?" His mate nodded. "Goodnight, love."

He licked her on the cheek and left to tell Thornclaw he'll lead the dawn patrol, and to choose who he wants to take to expect it, except Crowfeather and Whitewing, who are guarding the camp tonight. Then he went to the warriors den and fell, exhausted into his nest.

Brambleclaw woke up to painful wailing and his first thought was Squirrelflight! He leaped to his paws and raced toward the Nursery, but when he got there, it was Sorreltail who was in pain, giving birth. Jayfeather was already there.

The first kit came out within a few heartbeats and the medicine cat nipped the sack and ordered Squirrelflight to lick it, which she did. The second kit came out and the medicine cat nipped the sack and ordered Leafpool to lick it. Jayfeather put a paw on her stomach. He got up and checked that the two kits were breathing and put them next to their mother.

"Hey, what about the other kits?" Brambleclaw asked.

Jayfeather looked up. "Oh! Brambleclaw, I didn't see you there. There were only two kits. Two she-cats."

One she-cat was a tortoishell with white paws and the other she-cat was golden brown with white tail-tip and paws. Brambleclaw looked at Sorreltail. "What are you going to name them?"

Sorreltail looked at them. "The tom will be Morningkit, and the she-cat will be Amberkit." Brambleclaw look at the she-kits and thought, More warriors for ThunderClan. We'll be the biggest Clan yet!

The dark brown tabby looked at his dark ginger mate and noticed she was still exhausted. Making a mental note to get one of the queens to watch their kits for her, Brambleclaw licked her cheek before padding toward the warriors den to go back to sleep. He sank into his nest and fell asleep quickly.

Here's the next chapter. Sorry it took so long. Major writers' block. If you guys could give me ideas, that'd be great. And should I email this my book to Erin Hunter to give her some ideas? Review please. Hmm. Lets say 10 reviews and I'll ge the next chapter up as soon as I can. i need kits names for Hazeltail and Leafpool. Can you guys give me ideas? Remember Hazeltail and Ashfur are having kits, even if Ashfur is trying to make Squirrelfight jealous, Ashfur will try to be the best father, and Crowfeather and Leafpool are having kits. Please try to be realistic. Use their parent appearance history and their appearance to create the kits. Also still having writers' block, so if i don't update soon, please don't hate me.