-1See as I promised this chapter is a lot longer than the last and as I said I'm sorry the prologue was so short.
A she-cat with long gray fur walked into the dark, shady, cool den to wake her leader. "Groundstar. Wake up." she mewed softly as her paws pounded the sandy ground.
He opened his eyes and lifted his head from his. Paws. "What is it Graycloud?" he asked with a small yawn.
"It's Dovesong, she has a started her kitting." she mewed excitedly.
"She told you to tell me"he replied a little confused.
"Well actually Brookfur told me to come tell you. Dovesong didn't want you to know because you would worry about her." she rambled off quickly and started out of the den as Groundstar stood up.
Groundstar headed out of the den into the light outside. He saw most of the clan hanging around the nursery. The elders were sitting outside letting their pelts soak up the sun. The apprentices were loafing around looking bored but had an excited look in their eyes. Groundstar jumped off the high ledge and walked over to the nursery. "Rowanclaw send out a patrol and a hunting patrol out at least to keep the apprentices awake at least." he mewed. She nodded and pulled several warriors aside and set out on a patrol her self. Groundstar entered the warm milky scented nursery. Dovesong noticed him and her soft tired looked changed into a strong proud look in an instant. "Relax Dovesong." he mewed softly. He stared at the kits as the last one was just born she was the smallest of them but seemed vaguely familiar.
"What is the matter Groundstar?" she asked calmly.
"Nothing." he mewed and shook his head. "Have you chose their names yet?" he asked.
"No I wanted you to choose them." she replied.
Groundstar laid down beside her and licked her cheek. "How about Pebblekit" he mewed as he nosed the little gray speckled she-cat. "Ivykit" he mewed as he looked at the creamy white she-cat. "How about Coalkit" he mewed and licked the black tom's forehead. "And…" he trailed off as he looked at the golden gray speckled kit. "Rainkit."
"I love them Groundstar" she mewed with a loud soft purr.
Twitchclaw walked up to Groundstar as he came back into the clearing from the nursery. "Congratulations Groundstar. I hear Dovesong had a tom and three she-cats." he mewed as his tail and nose twitched.
"Thank you. You and your apprentice will be going to the gathering tonight." he mewed as he saw the patrol come in with the River Clan deputy Silverclaw and her apprentice Tallypaw and his ears twitched in a small annoyance. "Silverclaw why are you so far from your territory." he mewed as her apprentice took a seat beside her.
"Groundstar." she mewed and bowed her head in in respect "May we talk in private?" she asked calmly.
Groundstar dipped his head and went to walk towards his den as the two River Clan cats followed him. He made himself comfortable on patch of moss in the den as he waited for them to sit . "Now will you go on Silverclaw."
"River Clan has came down with horrible sickness. If you would let us have them we would really appreciate some herbs." she explained.
"How many are sick? Silverclaw." he mewed with a sigh.
"Seven. Two apprentices, one queen, three elders, and one warrior. Plus Brackenclaw was coughing when we left. Darkreed couldn't come because Bubblepaw is sisck and cant help the others while he would be gone." mewed the small apprentice with worry.
"Bubblepaw is with your sister isn't she" he mewed to Tallypaw. The apprentice just nodded. "Wait here."he mewed and walked out of the den. He walked across the clearing to the medicine cats den. "Brookfur, can we spare any herbs?" asked Groundstar.
"Of course, Willowpaw collected some for me I can have her get more for me." he answered.
"Willowpaw you may go with the River Clan warrior and help them if they want it. Just don't get yourself sick." mewed Groundstar. Willowpaw nodded her head. "Will you go get the River Clan cats from my den." he mewed and Willowpaw nodded and left the den. Brook fur glared at Groundstar. "Yes, Brookfur."
"She isn't ready for that yet Groundstar." Brookfur replied.
"Then when will she be she's over 12 moons old Brookfur. Other than Stripepaw she is the oldest of the apprentices. They may be your kits but they don't know that and they will never unless you tell them. As your brother I promised I would take care of them and not tell." he finished as Willowpaw walked in with the two cats.
The two cats behind her had stopped; feeling the tention between her mentor and leader. "Is something the matter we can wait outside then den?" she mewed cautiously.
"No we are done talking." he mewed and looked at Silverclaw. "Willowpaw is to help you carry herbs to your camp and if its alright with Icestar she may stay to help since Bubblepaw is ill." he finished.
Silverclaw nodded her head. "Thank you Groundstar I'll see to it my self she is taken care of and has an escort back here." she replied.