Chapter 5

Lionblaze heard the rustle of mouse in the bushes. It had been 5 moons since the fox attack. He crouched down and carefully placing his paws stalked the mouse The mouse came in sight, it's pink nose twitching. Lionblaze leaped forwards and with a quick bite killed it. He thanked StarClan for the mouse and picked it up with his mouth. He padded back to camp. Lionblaze uncovered the fresh kill he had buried along the way. Lionblaze thought about how surprised he'd been when Jayfeather had told him that Cinderheart was expecting kits. He then remembered that he would be the only one of his littermates to have a mate and kits. Because Hollyleaf was dead and Jayfeather was a medicine cat. Lionblaze padded into camp and noticed that there was lots of commotion. There was an air of excitement in the camp. Suddenly Dovewing, his former apprentice, came bounding up to him.

Puffing she meowed. " Cinderheart is in the nursery with Jayfeather and Briarlight, her kits are coming now!" Lionblaze was taken aback with surprise.

"Thanks Dovewing!" he mewed as he raced towards the nursery. Lionblaze padded quietly into the nursery. Cinderheart's gray pelt was heaving with exhaustion and effort. Jayfeather crouched next to her with Briarlight at his side.

" Briarlight! Go get some moss soaked in water!" Jayfeather commanded. Briarlight ran to get some. Cinderheart shrieked in pain.

"Lionblaze, go get a good, strong stick!" Jayfeather mewed. Lionblaze raced outside and searched for a stick. He spotted a strong stick and grabbed it with his teeth. He went back to the nursery and gave it to Cinderheart. She tried to mew thank you but her body convulsed in pain.

"You're doing great" mewed Lionblaze gently.

"Ow, ow ow!' shrieked Cinderheart. She bit down hard on the stick. It splintered as she writhed.

"Try to keep still" mewed Jayfeather. As another shriek burst from Cinderheart a wet bundle slid out. At that moment Briarlight raced in with some wet moss. She slowly trickled it into Cinderheart's mouth.

"How many more are there?" gasped Cinderheart. Jayfeather pressed his paws onto her belly.

"Two more" he mewed briskly. Another spasm of pain ripped through Cinderheart as another bundle slid out. Lastly Cinderheart bit down so hard on the stick that it split in two. The last bundle slid out. Cinderheart started to lick her kits frantically.

"Two she-cats and a tom." Said Jayfeather. Lionblaze purred fondly as he looked down on his kits.

"What will you name them?" he purred gently.

"Icekit" Cinderheart mewed pointing to a gray she-cat. "Ashkit" she said pointing to a fluffy, gray she-cat. Lastly Cinderheart pointed to a golden tabby tom. "Sunkit" she mewed. Lionblaze's eyes glowed with pride.

"They're perfect," he purred, nuzzling his muzzle into Cinderhearts fur. Icekit, Ashkit and Sunkit scrambled towards Cinderheart for milk.

"What beautiful kits!" said Brightheart. "Well done, Cinderheart!' she mewed. Amberkit, Dewkit and Snowkit looked at the new additions to the nursery.

"Can they come outside and play, mum?" asked Snowkit.

Brightheart chuckled. "Not yet, Snowkit! They haven't even opened their eyes" she mewed. Amberkit and Dewkit silently crept up on Snowkit. Yowling they both flung themselves onto Snowkit.

"Hey, no fair!" protested Snowkit as he tussled with his brother and sister. Lionblaze looked on amused.

" Kits" mewed Brightheart. " Be a bit more gentle!" she chided firmly. Lionblaze felt his stomach rumble yet he could not bring himself to leave Cinderheart. Cinderheart looked sympathetically at him for a moment.

" Go get some fresh kill, mouse-brain!" she mewed playfully.

"Ok" Lionblaze replied. He went outside and padded over to the fresh kill pile. He grabbed a squirrel for Cinderheart and a mouse for himself.

"You'll make a great father" mewed a voice behind Lionblaze. He spun around and saw the unmistakable brown pelt of Leafpool his mother. Instantly he thought of how Leafpool had lied to him and his littermates. Yet the death of Hollyleaf had forced Lionblaze to realize that Leafpool was a kind, caring mother who had made many mistakes in her life. Lionblaze also thought about how Squirrelflight had been his foster mother. He had been angry at her as well. Yet if Jayfeather had done the same as Leafpool he would have protected him.

"Umm, thanks" Lionblaze mewed uncertainly. Leafpool nodded her head slightly to indicate that she knew Lionblaze had forgave her, but was finding it hard to process the information. There was an awkward silence.

Then Leafpool said. "Cinderheart may need some borage leaves, you should go and ask Jayfeather for some." Lionblaze nodded. He headed towards the medicine cat den. Once inside Lionblaze looked around and saw Briarlight sorting out herbs. Jayfeather was watching to make sure she was doing a good job.

How's Cinderheart?" Jayfeather asked.

"Good, but Leafpool suggested that I get her some borage leaves" Lionblaze replied.

"Ok, I'll just get…"

"No, I mean wait. I want to try" interrupted Brarlight.

"Fine!" mewed Jayfeather grumpily. Briarlight searched through the herb stores. She carefully removed some borage leaves.

"Tell Cinderheart to chew this" mewed Briarlight.

"Thanks Briarlight, you're going to be a great medicine cat." Lionblaze said. Then he leaned close to Briarlight and mewed softly. "Be careful of Jayfeather when he's grumpy"

Brirlight giggled then said cheekily "But he's always grumpy!" Lionblaze chuckled as Jayfeather glared at him angrily with his sightless eyes.

"Stop filling my apprentices head with nonsense and get out of here!" Jayfeather growled. Lionblaze held his gaze calmly and defiantly. "GET OUT OF HERE NOW BEFORE I PERSONALLY CLAW YOUR FUR OFF!" Jayfeather roared angrily. Lionblaze raced out. He bumped into Bramblestar.

"Why is Jayfeather angry?" mewed Bramblestar.

"I dunno" mewed Lionblaze guiltily. Bramblestar padded away. Lionblaze returned to the nursery. He gave the squirrel to Cinderheart.

'I got you this and Leafpool suggested you eat some borage leaves" he mewed. Lionblaze then settled down to tuck into his own mouse. Icekit, Ashkit and Sunkit lay curled up in a nest with their mother. Suddenly Ashkit opened her eyes, which were a faint green. She crouched down next to her brother and sister.

"Wake up there's so much to see" mewed Ashkit unsteadily as she looked around. She suddenly noticed Lionblaze. Ashkit looked curiously at him. "Who is that mum?" mewed Ashkit excitedly. The golden tabby tom purred, he thought about how perky this she-cat was. Cinderheart nodded at Lionblaze.

'I'm your dad, welcome to ThunderClan!" Lionblaze mewed.

"Hi dad! Look Icekit and Sunkit are opening their eyes!" Ashkit squealed gleefully. Icekit's eyes fluttered open; they were an icy, blue. Lastly Sunkit opened his eyes; they were intensely blue.

Cinderheart purred and said, "Welcome little ones!"

"Icekit and Sunkit have your eyes" mewed Lionblaze.

Snowkit watched curiously his fluffy white fur bristling with anticipation. His amber eyes looked at Brightheart hopefully. Snowkit then said. "Now can they play?"

Icekit belongs to Icefang of ThunderClan and Ashkit belongs to The Ghostly Raven. Thanks for reading and keep reviewing.

Icyclaws:D