Chapter 16

Scourgeclaw padded toward camp with a plump squirrel in his jaws. He thought briefly about his conversation with Brick. He had given her instructions and knew it wouldn't be long before he was ready to execute his plan. 'He'll be ready by that time and then he'll make his choice.' He thought briefly.

He was almost to the camp entrance when Goldenclaw came rushing out, almost barreling into him. He jumped back to keep himself from being toppled over by the large warrior, and glanced at him irritably. Goldenclaw glanced back mewled a quick apology, before taking off into the forest without an explanation. Scourgeclaw snorted softly rolling his eyes, then quickly padding through the gorse tunnel. His eyes quickly spotted Runningwind pacing restlessly outside of the nursery, his tail twitching nervously behind them. Dropping his squirrel into the fresh-kill pile he padded up to the swift tabby warrior.

"What's going on? Why are you so fidgety?" meowed Scourgeclaw curiously, he had never seen the tom so nervous. Runningwind looked at him worriedly.

"We can't find Yellowfang." He meowed softly. Scourgeclaw gave him an even more confused look.

"Is one of the queens or one of the kits sick?" Runningwind shook his head.

"No its Mossflower," he meowed softly. "She's in labor."

Mossflower hissed lowly under her breath as she felt another pain in her abdomen. She could almost imagine the little lives inside her trying to push their way out of her. She felt the pain again and hissed once more. Frostfur licked her head gently in support, telling her she was doing fine. She felt a stick being pushed against her muzzle. She looked up to see Bluestar gently prodding her with the stick, Mossflower quickly understood that it was for her to bite onto to help with the pain. She quickly latched onto the stick with her teeth biting it hard whenever the sharp pain racked her body. She could only hope that Yellowfang came soon, to help her through the ordeal, though she felt more at ease with Bluestar and Frostfur beside her. She hissed again with another pain and felt the cool tongue of Bluestar gently lick her head. Suddenly a familiar ragged pelt of gray fur entered her vision. She would have sighed with relief just then if another pain hadn't racked her body. She felt Yellowfang gently touch her abdomen with her paws, gently prodding her, causing Mossflower to hiss a little in discomfort glaring fiercely at Yellowfang.

"Can't you be a little gentler?" she growled. Yellewfang rolled her eyes.

"Honestly you queens act as though you can't deal with a little pain." She scoffed. Mossflower almost retorted that Yellowfang wouldn't have to go through this kind of pain, but instead settled for biting onto the stick once more.

"Okay now I want you push when you feel the pain." rasped Yellowfang gently pressing her paws onto Mossflowers abdomen again. Mossflower pushed through the pain, biting fiercely onto the stick, as Frostfur and Bluestar meowed encouragingly. She breathed heavily in exhaustion from pushing out the first small bundle.

"It's a she-kit, she's completely healthy," rasped Yellowfang softly. Mossflower purred softly. 'My little she-kit.' She thought briefly before another pain racked her body. "You're not done yet you have another one that needs to come out." Yellowfang meowed after passing the tiny kit to Frostfur. Mossflower feeling her seconded wind, pushed against the pain to deposit another slightly, bigger bundle at Yellowfang's paws. Mossflower sighed and panted a little softly.

"This one's a tom, and he's just as healthy as the first." Yellowfang announced. Mossflower felt a deep purr leave her chest. 'My strong little tom'. She looked up to see Bluestar looking at her with pride, she felt warm and happy. She felt Yellowfang and Frostfur place her precious kits next to her; she looked down to get a better look at the kits. The she-kit she saw looked just like her with the exception that instead of gray patches, she had brown tabby patches, but the tom was the one that surprised her most, he had blue-gray fur that covered his body everywhere, with the exception of his chest which was light gray and his paws which were a darker gray. 'He looks just like Bluestar' she thought glancing up to look at Bluestar, who seemed to share her thoughts. She felt a warm tongue brush against her ear softly and saw a familiar tabby pelt come into her line a vision.

"Their beautiful," Runningwind purred softly. She purred back moving her tail a little to give Runningwind a better view of their kits. She watched him gently lick the two squirming kits that were currently suckling their mother's milk. "What shall we name them?" Mossflower looked at her kits and began to think of names. Almost immediately the name for the tom came to her, but she couldn't think of a name for the she-kit.

"Her fur is as soft as a bird's feathers," Runningwind purred gently. "I think we should call her Birdkit." Mossflower purred and looked down at the little she-kit.

"Yes it's perfect, she'll be Birdkit."She purred happily turning her deep blue gaze to the blue-gray tom beside his sister. "I think the tom's name should be Bluekit." She looked at Bluestar as she spoke, who stared back at her in surprise. 'Yes it's the only name that fits him.' Runningwind nodded his head in agreement.

"Bluekit, it is then," he meowed warmly looking fondly at the tom. Bluestar stepped forward looking warmly at the two kits and then Mossflower.

"Have you chosen their names?" Mossflower and Runningwind nodded.

"Yes Birdkit and Bluekit." Bluestar purred softly.

"Those are fine names for such beautiful kits." Bluestar meowed softly, sitting in front of Mossflower, with her tail tucked around her paws. "I, Bluestar, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon these two kits, and to welcome their new arrival into ThunderClan. They are strong, and will someday become fine warriors, of this Clan. I hereby name this she-kit, Birdkit" Bluestar mewled softly touching her tail to Birdkit's skull. "And I hereby name this tom Bluekit" also gently touching Bluekit's head. "May StarClan light their paths for many seasons to come." Bluestar mewled, she then rose slowly to her paws and padded out of the nursery. Yellowfang stepped forward, giving Runningwind and Mossflower fierce looks.

"Mossflower, you need to rest, so no moving around, Runningwind make sure she doesn't exhaust herself. I'll bring you more borage later to keep your milk supply up." Yellowfang rasped softly. "And Runningwind make sure she isn't overwhelmed with visitors." Runningwind nodded in understanding as, Yellowfang padded toward the entrance to the nursery. Runningwind brushed his pelt against Mossflower, once more purring softly as he padded out of the nursery to stand guard at the entrance. Mossflower looked back down at her two kits with a fond expression on her face. She could hear the other queens congratulating her, but her focus was on the two precious bundles gently nursing against her belly. She purred contently and gave both kits a gentle lick on their heads.

"Well I certainly didn't expect to return from hunting and find two more kits in the nursery." A familiar voice mewled as she looked up. Scourgeclaw was examining the kits, he leaned in to get a good look at them gently taking in their scent.

"What have you named them?"

"The tom is Bluekit and the she-kit Birdkit." Scourgeclaw blinked slowly, his face not giving away the surprise that Mossflower knew he was probably feeling. Scourgeclaw leaned in close and meowed lowly so none of the other queens could hear him.

"Are you sure that is wise? It might be risky to name him that." Mossflower discreetly shook her head.

"No it isn't, everyone thinks he was named after his pelt, no one thinks I named him after her." She meowed calmly. Scourgeclaw sighed and turned to leave the nursery.

"Just be careful." Scourgeclaw meowed so softly that Mossflower felt she may have imagined, him saying it.

Scourgeclaw slithered out of the nursery congratulating Runningwind once more as he passed the swift looking tabby. He decided that he would find his apprentice and practice the young tom's hunting technique. As he headed for the apprentice den, he spotted Mousefur emerging from the camp entrance with a look of confusion on her face. She spotted him and head over to him.

"What's going on?" she asked quietly giving him a curious look.

"Mossflower had her kits." He replied softly. Mousefur's eyes widened a little before a look of happiness crossed her face.

"Runningwind must be so proud; I'll go congratulate him and Mossflower." She meowed quickly. She thanked Scourgeclaw quickly then dashed off to the nursery. Scourgeclaw watched her go then continued toward the apprentice den. Falconpaw had just left the elder's den and was grooming his fur in front of the apprentice den. He looked up from his wash as Scourgeclaw approached him.

"Come it's time to work on your hunting technique" Scourgeclaw meowed quietly to Falconpaw, who nodded and followed Scourgeclaw out of the gorse tunnel.

Scourgeclaw pounced onto an unsuspecting vole, quickly delivering a fierce bite into its neck then swiftly burying it into the ground. He sighed and looked up at the sky. It wasn't too early in the morning but it wasn't yet sunhigh. It was the third day since Graystripe and Fireheart had gone on their mission to find WindClan and he briefly wondered if he would ever see his brother again, then just as quickly dismissed the thought, knowing that his brother wasn't a weakling and would find his way back in one piece. 'I just need to be patient; he'll return soon I'm certain of it.' He decided to focus more on hunting. He looked around and spotted Falconpaw several tail-lengths away stalking a sparrow, he watched quietly urging his apprentice forward as Falconpaw got within pouncing range of the sparrow and a heartbeat later the sparrow was caught and hung limply from Falconpaw's jaws. Scourgeclaw gave the young tom a nod before motioning for him to bury the piece of prey to retrieve later. Falconpaw buried the bird and followed Scourgeclaw toward the Owl Tree.

Once the two had reached the Owl Tree they began to hunt once more, Scourgeclaw caught the scent of a mouse scurrying around a group of bushes. He stalked forward cautiously being mindful to pad gently forward. He was almost within reach of the juicy mouse, when suddenly a loud yowling broke out in the air startling the mouse into a hole. 'Mousedung' Scourgeclaw thought crossly, siting up from his hunting crouch and lashing his tail angrily. Scourgeclaw glanced over at Falconpaw who wore a startled look on his face before quickly changing it to a look of indifference. Scourgeclaw could still here the yowling and started to listen to where it was coming from.

"It sounds like it's coming from the gorge."Falconpaw meowed quickly. Scourgeclaw nodded his agreement and the two charged off toward the gorge to investigate.

When they had reached the gorge Scourgeclaw was surprised to see RiverClan fighting with some unfamiliar cats and to see a familiar ginger pelt fighting among them. 'Fireheart must have succeeded in finding WindClan' he thought briefly before racing forward to help his brother and Graystripe. Falconpaw raced forward with him, he kept a close eye on his apprentice as he leaped onto the back of a RiverClan warrior. Scourgeclaw sank his teeth into a dark mottle gray pelt and began scratching and clawing at the toms back. The RiverClan tom turned around trying to score Scourgeclaw's pelt with his claws. Scourgeclaw released his hold on the tom's back and slashed at the tom's face. The tom leaped back to avoid Scourgeclaw's claws. Scourgeclaw immediately recognized the tom as Pebblestorm, one of the RiverClan warriors he had seen at the gathering. He moved out of the way of Pebblestorm's next attack and scored Pebblestorm's pelt with his claws. A familiar battle cry sounded in the air. Scourgeclaw whipped around and saw Tigerclaw, Willowpelt, Whitestorm and Sandpaw charge toward the battle. Pebblestorm screeched loudly and whirled around leaped at Scourgeclaw pinning the dark warrior beneath him. Scourgeclaw wriggled like an adder slipping from the tom's grip with ease and delivering a blow to the side of Pebblestorm's head causing the tom to roll with the impact. Scourgeclaw quickly raked his claws on the tom's exposed belly. A second set of claws began to score the RiverClan tom's belly. Scourgeclaw looked up to see Falconpaw delivering the tom fierce blows as Pebblestorm screeched in pain wrenching away from the two and racing away from the battle. Scourgeclaw glanced into the battle and spotted a familiar spotted pelt. Scourgeclaw charged toward Leopardfur slashing into her shoulder with his claws, the RiverClan deputy whipped around to slash him with her claws, but Scourgeclaw leaped away and leaped forward again to score her pelt with his claws. Falconpaw slashed at her flank, leaping away when the RiverClan deputy attempted to deliver a blow the apprentice's head. Scourgeclaw seized her scruff in his jaws, trying to keep her still as Falconpaw leaped to rake his claws down her belly. Leopardfur tried to wriggle free from Scourgeclaw's grip and managed to kick Falconpaw away from her, she struggled to regain her footing so she could wrench free of Scourgeclaw. Scourgeclaw abruptly released Leopardfur and struck a blow to her head as Falconpaw leaped onto her back grabbing her scruff and raking his claws down her back. Leopardfur rolled onto her back trapping Falconpaw beneath her but leaving her belly exposed to Scourgeclaw's claws. Leopardfur rolled off of Falconpaw quickly getting onto her feet facing the two ThunderClan toms just as she was about to leap on them a loud wail of distress rose into the air. The three cats turned to face the gorge and spotted Graystripe reaching out over the edge to a RiverClan warrior who was dangling on the side of the cliff. Leopardfur raced toward the gorge to help, but a loud wail from Graystripe and the tom falling told Scourgeclaw she was too late. Scourgeclaw looked around and saw that every cat had stopped fighting. Leopardfur turned to face the other cats that were present. She looked directly at Tigerclaw as she spoke.

"This has gone beyond a border fight. We will be leaving but this will be settled at another time." She growled fiercely and signaled for her cats to follow her as she led them back toward the RiverClan camp. Scourgeclaw turned to see his brother looking at Sandpaw who was glancing down at the edge of the gorge in horror as if she just realized something. 'We just won, so why is everyone distressed?.' he thought in confusion. Tigerclaw glared heatedly at Fireheart as he approached him and the two WindClan warriors thanked ThunderClan once more before racing off to their Clan. Tigerclaw growled lowly at Fireheart. He growled for all the cats to follow him, and began to lead them back to ThunderClan territory. Scourgeclaw followed after the patrol with Falconpaw padding along beside him and Fireheart bringing up the rear with Graystripe dragging his paws beside him looking very distressed. 'Why is he so depressed? it wasn't one of our warriors that went over the edge.' Scourgeclaw thought briefly. He felt Falconpaw's gaze on him. 'He did well but he has a long way to go.'

"Well done for your first battle, but there is more we need to work on." Scourgeclaw meowed quietly to the light-brown tom. Falconpaw seemed to lift his head higher after hearing Scourgeclaw's praise. Once they had reached the ThunderClan border Tigerclaw stopped and turned around waiting for Fireheart and Graystripe to catch up to the patrol, once they had. Tigerclaw growled for them to stay with the group and then continued toward the camp picking up his pace.

Once they reached the camp, Their Clanmates rushed up to them asking if WindClan had been found, but kept their distance once they saw the serious looks on the faces of all the cats on the patrol. Tigerclaw growled for Fireheart and Graystripe to follow him into Bluestar's den. Scourgeclaw touched his tail to Fireheart's shoulder as his brother padded toward the leader's den. Scourgeclaw turned to Falconpaw who was sitting quietly next to him.

"Go gather the prey we caught earlier, then you can eat and rest." Scourgeclaw meowed softly. Falconpaw nodded and raced out of the gorse tunnel to the place they had left the prey. Scourgeclaw headed for the nursery. He figured that Fireheart and Graystripe would be in Blustar's den for a while and decided to visit Mossflower to tell her that Fireheart and Graystripe had safely returned and had succeeded in finding WindClan and bringing them home. He slipped silently into the nursery, he gave a nod to Brindleface who purred softly as he passed her.

"Scourgeclaw, what brings you to the nursery?" asked Mossflower gently as she licked the heads of her two kits. Scourgeclaw saw the two kits quietly nursing and squirming.

"Fireheart and Graystripe have returned." Scourgeclaw gently meowed. "They found WindClan and brought them home safely, however, apparently they decided to come back to camp with an WindClan escort through RiverClan territory, where the gorge is, and were attacked by a RiverClan patrol and during the fight a RiverClan warrior fell over the side of the gorge." Mossflower's eyes widened in shock, as she listened to Scourgeclaw explain what had occurred at the gorge.

"They're both alright, aren't they?" Mossflower asked softly; trying not to startle her kits that were now currently sleeping. Scourgeclaw nodded.

"Yes they are fine, I will see if FIreheart has left Bluestar's den so that I can bring him down to see you and the kits." Scourgeclaw meowed quietly, he turned and left the nursery pausing to slightly to watch Brindleface's three kits wrestling with each other. He watched as Ashkit pounced onto his smaller brother Smokekit, squealing in delight. Fernkit lay napping beside her mother. Scourgeclaw felt slight confusion and he waited to see if Ashkit would say something hurtful to Smokekit for being a small helpless kit, but to his confusion and surprise Ashkit didn't say anything to Smokekit only chased his brother around the their mother squealing in delight.

~"We don't want to play with him; he's too weak to keep up."

"He doesn't play right. He's useless."

"No one will ever want you, and unwanted cats are drowned in the river."~ Scourgeclaw hissed lowly in his breath and for a moment he thought he thought he could see his siblings taunting him.

"I'll show them just how 'weak' I am" he growled low enough to be unheard. He padded outside the nursery and looked around to see, Fireheart and Graystripe heading for the warrior's den. Graystripe still looked sullen, while Firepaw seemed both excited and worried.

"Fireheart come here." Scourgeclaw called out to his brother. He watched Fireheart quickly meow something to Graystripe, and then raced over to Scourgeclaw.

"Hi, Scourgeclaw it's good to see you, I meant to say something earlier, but I didn't think the time was appropriate." Fireheart meowed sadly with a glance back at Graystripe.

"Yes well, Mossflower wishes to see you. She has a bit of a surprise for you." Fireheart blinked slowly in confusion as he followed his brother into the nursery. He gave each queen a gentle greeting. When he reached Mossflower his jaw dropped in shock. His eyes softened as he took in the two sleeping bundles nuzzled into Mossflower's belly. He purred gentle glancing at Scourgeclaw who he noticed seemed to have a fond look in his eyes as he gazed at the kits. 'They're beautiful' Fireheart thought as he examined each kit. He noted that one looked very similar to Mossflower with the exception of brown patches and the other he saw looked very much like Bluestar.

"Their names are Birdkit and Bluekit." Mossflower purred softly as she watched Fireheart gazing gently at her kits. Fireheart stared at her in surprise.

"Are you sure?" Fireheart meowed softly. Mossflower nodded to the unspoken part of the question that she knew Fireheart wanted to ask. "They're beautiful Mossflower, congratulations." Fireheat purred.

"Thank you Fireheart and welcome back." She meowed softly. "Are you alright? Scourgeclaw told me about what happened at the gorge." Fireheart lowered his head and let his ears flatten against his skull.

"I suggested that we go that way but…"

"No, don't blame yourself for anything, that cat knew the risks as well as you." Scourgeclaw growled. "You aren't responsible for the actions of others." Fireheart blinked gratefully at his brother knowing that he was only trying to make him feel better. He sighed but remembered something that he wanted to tell them both.

"There's one more thing. Bluestar has decided to make Graystripe and I mentors." Mossflower looked at him in surprise.

"But none of the kits in the nursery are old enough yet to become apprentices."

"Frostfur says two of her kits are ready. I know how you feel about kits being trained early but I promise I won't push my apprentice too hard." Mossflower looked at him before nodding gently. She gave Scourgeclaw a look who nodded in understanding.

"When is the ceremony?" Mossflower asked softly.

"The ceremony is at moonhigh. It will give Graystripe and I some time to rest."Mossflower nodded looking pensive for a moment. Scourgeclaw rose to his paws and nudged Fireheart toward the entrance to the nursery.

"Come let's give Mossflower some peace and quiet, while her kits are still asleep." Scourgeclaw murmured leading Fireheart out of the nursery. Fireheart meowed a quick goodbye to Mossflower then quickly padded out of the nursery.

"From this moment on, until she has earned her warrior name, this apprentice will be known as Cinderpaw." Bluestar meowed.

"Fireheart, you are now ready to take on an apprentice. You will be mentor to Cinderpaw, you have shown yourself to be a strong warrior and have been fortunate to have had more than one mentor. I'm sure you will pass on all you know to this apprentice." Fireheart nodded coming up to stand beside the little gray she-kit that was his new apprentice. Scourgeclaw stared expectantly at him glancing between him and Cinderpaw. Fireheart's eyes widen in realization and he quickly bent his head to touch noses with Cinderpaw who stretched out eagerly. They turned to watch Bluestar give her brother his warrior name.

"From this moment on, until he has earned his warrior name, this apprentice will be known as Brackenpaw, Graystripe you are now ready to take on an apprentice. You will be mentor to Brakenpaw, are fallen clanmate Lionheart was your mentor, may you pass his wisdom onto this apprentice." Graystripe quietly touched noses with Brackenpaw. Fireheart felt happiness for his friend. He was glad they were both mentors now and was eager to teach Cinderpaw all he knew. Cats began to come up and congratulate the pair on their new apprentice. Fireheart was so distracted he didn't notice the cold eyes staring at Cinderpaw, who was sitting excitedly beside him.

Yep that's right Mossflower's kits are here, I glad I have this chapter done. What do you think of the little kits?

Yes I know that Brindleface's third kit the solid gray tom didn't have a name but I decided to give him one.

Also I don't mean to make Scourgeclaw seem invincible in battle, I've been trying to make him seem like it's hard to land a blow on him. In the books that Scourge has been in the only time I ever hear of him being badly injured is the one scene mentioned in Rise of Scourge and Bluestar's Prophecy and the battle in the Darkest Hour. Even Tigerstar who was apparently the strongest warrior in the forest at the time wasn't able to injure him. So I've been trying show that in some way, though I do to let him get a few scratches here and there.

So that's all for this chapter let me know what you think of it.