Chapter ten: Surprises...

Owlstar padded out of her den, yawning. She opened her wings in a heartbeat then called to Ashtalon, "Your in charge!" Then she flew out of camp swiftly.

"Hmph... Hailpaw or whatever his warrior name is, is probably waiting still..." Landing at the Silver Birch, she saw a grey figure pacing in front of the large tree.

"Hey! Hailpaw!" The young leader said as she landed. "What did you need to tell me?" Owlstar asked. "Ugh... Owlpaw?" The tom asked groggily.

"Hailpaw, its Owlstar now. Anyways, did you recive your warrior name yet?" She asked again. "Ok... Owlstar, I'm now Hailstorm, and... I was accused of killing a kit... But.. I didn't do it! They said I wasn't aloud to return to camp until the next full moon... That is why I ran into you during your assessment..." Hailstorm said as he looked up.

"Horrible! Who would kill a kit!?" The winged leader exclaimed. "It... I-It was... Mudsplash, the Medicine cat apprentice..." He said, then burst into a coughing fit. "I was, and still am, very ill... Mudsplash brought in a kit with a torn ear, and slashed throat.. Then dropped it next to me..."

"THAT MONSTER! KILL HER!" Owlstar screeched. "Continue..." She then said calmly. The tom lied down, then continued, "Beetlestar then came in to see a crying Mudsplash, and a dead kit. He asked what happened then she said, 'I saw little Grasskit come into the den when I was outside then when I came in, he was dead, next to Hailstorm!' is what she said. I was asleep, and sick. I could be no match for a five moon kit..."

Hailstorm sighed. "Hey, Hailstorm? If you need anything until the next gathering, just come to me..." Owlstar yawned, then curled up next to him.

Crowtalon

The black, winged tom felt a chill race down his spine. He padded out of camp, then flew to Moonlight Hallow. Squeezing through the entrance, then the rest of the way, he saw Raincloud scrambling out of the roof opening.

"Raincloud! What are you doing?" He called. The blue grey she-cat squeaked then climbed all the way through. Following her through, he saw her throwing up in a small ditch.

"Raincloud? Are you ok...?" The tom asked cautiously. "Crowtalon..? Urg... I don't know how to say this but... I-I..." She then collapsed. "RAINCLOUD!" He screeched, put her on his back, then flew to camp.

Rushing her into the medicine cat den, he quickly put her in a moss bed, then was ushered out by Winterstorm. Seconds passed, minutes, even hours. Then finally Winterstorm came out, a grin on his muzzle.

"What is it, Winterstorm? I-is she sick? Hurt?" The medicine cat shook his head. "None of what you would expect. But, I am too surprised." He said, still grinning.

"What is it!?" Crowtalon impatiently said. "Well... It seems that you and Raincloud are mates..." Winterstorm said. The black tom just blinked unknowingly. The medicine cat face pawed. "She pregnant! She is going to have kits!" The white tom said.