Chapter 22

"All dead but two."

Archstorm gasped and ran to the nursery.

Nosewhisker, exhausted, winced as a low moan came from the entrance.

"And….. Swallowflight?" Moonbeam asked softly, dreading the answer.

Nosewhisker shook her head. "Dead." She whispered. "There are two she-kits alive, and two toms dead."

Archstorm staggered out of the nursery, eyes glazed with pain. He collapsed next to Thornblaze.

Timberstripe padded into the nursery, followed by Fallowgrass.

"Moonbeam." Amberstar called. "We must hold vigil for Hollowfoot and Swallowflight, and the two kits before it gets too dark.

Nodding mutely, Moonbeam helped Timberstripe and Fallowgrass lay Swallowflight's body in the middle of the clearing, next to Hollowfoot. Two small motionless bodies, one black and one gray, accompanied their mother.

"Blackkit and Fangkit." Archstorm said softly, tears in his eyes. "Who will take care of Oakkit and Leafkit?"

Nosewhisker stepped up to whisper in Amberstar's ear.

The ShadowClan leader frowned. "We have a situation. ShadowClan has no queens in the nursery and that means Oakkit and Leafkit have no one to milk them."

"What do we do?" Pebbleclaw called out.

Moonbeam stepped up. "Skyflower, a WindClan queen, has recently kitted. We-"

"Are you seriously suggesting we have over two ShadowClan kits-future warriors- to WindClan to raise?" Wolfheart snarled.

"Would you rather these future warriors die from lack of milk?" Moonbeam hissed.

"Quiet!" Amberstar yowled. "Wolfheart, you do not question my deputy like that. Moonbeam, how did you come by this information?"

"Um-I heard it at a Gathering." Moonbeam lied. "Her kits also died of sickness."

Archstorm moaned.

Actually, Lonepath told me. Jagstep is hearbroken.

"It's a good plan." Nosewhisker mewed suddenly.

Wolfheart glared at her.

"It's Archstorm's decision." Amberstar announced.

Archstorm, still staring at his mate's motionless body, nodded.

"I also have something to say." Gingerfur stepped forwards. "I am expecting kits, in two moons. We could see if Skyflower would take care of Oakkit and Leafkit until I could tak them in. They'd need only one moon of milk, though, so they'd spend one moon with WindClan."

Amberstar slowly nodded. "It's decided, then."

Moonbeam frowned. If Gingerfur is expecting kits, whose kits are they?

Then it came to her.

Shadeclaws.