Chapter 22

Jaysong had anticipated yowls of outrage, but some of the cats who rose to their paws shocked her. Bumblethroat was yowling 'traitor' while Blossomwhisker and Foxfang screeched in agreement. Dustpelt's ears were flat against his head and Sandstorm's green eyes were narrowed. Brambleclaw was trying to stay biased for he was deputy, but Jaysong could see the anger in his amber eyes.

But with the cats who were angry with Jaysong, some took her side. Graystripe and Mousewhisker got to their paws and brushed their pelts comfortingly against Jaysong's in a silent sign of support. Lionblaze stalked up to Dustpelt and Sandstorm, his fur bristling as he growled to the senior warriors, "Jaysong had been nothing, but loyal to her Clan and because of this one mistake, you shun her from the Clan."

Although Jaysong was glad of Lionblaze's support, she felt her fur begin to bristle at his choice of words. Mistake? Was that what she and Blackstar were? Their love was a mistake? Jaysong always knew that it was wrong to love the ShadowClan leader, but she never once thought it as a mistake. Did that mean that her kits- Rabbitkit and Rushkit- were a mistake too? Would ThunderClan accept them?

Graystripe felt Jaysong's bristling fur and the gray warrior bent down to lick her head, whispering gently, "The Clan doesn't really mean what they say. I remember how much Longtail shunned me when I came clean about my love for Silverstream. Now Longtail is a good friend. Look at Sandstorm." Jaysong glanced at Sandstorm and saw that the ginger warrior's eyes were softening. Catching Jaysong's eye, Sandstorm gave the golden brown queen a gentle blink of her eyes.

"What are we going to do about this?" Ashpaw growled and Jaysong looked into the white apprentice's green eyes, unable to tell if she was for or against her. Ashpaw's words caused a reaction among the cats. Cloudtail's lips were drawn into a snarl while Thornclaw was raking the ground with his claws, his blue eyes like fire. It was now as Jaysong stared at Thornclaw, she remembered Brackenfur and wondered if her father was safe in StarClan.

"Whatever the decision is, it's Firestar's to make!" A voice yowled louder than the others. Jaysong recognized Brightheart's tortoiseshell pelt where she sat beside Spiderleg and Whitewing. Cloudtail met Brightheart's one good eye and stalked over to stand beside his mate. Jaysong wondered if that was the group of cats who supported her. Whitewing looked like her usual calm self while Spiderleg showed no emotion except for anxiety as he kept glancing at the nursery.

Firestar pushed through Icestorm and Birchfall and Jaysong anxiously glanced at the ThunderClan leader, but he wasn't even looking at her. Firestar was sharing a glance with Graystripe and a silent understanding passed between them. Turning to Jaysong, Firestar meowed, "Amberkit died. This is enough punishment for any cat to deal with." Before Firestar was even finished the whole cat was in roars.

Millie got to her paws and curiousity- not anger- flashed in her eyes, "But Jaysong broke the warrior code?" Millie flashed a glance at Jaysong and the golden brown queen dipped her head in a sign of now anger. Jaysong was surprised that a non-Clan cat- a kittypet- could ask such a wise question. Jaysong knew that she would be repeating Millie's words if it had been a different cat.

"I know, Millie, but while I'm Clan leader, this isn't against the warrior code. Jaysong's relationship with Blackstar must end, but there should be no punishment for her acts. StarClan shared no signs with Leafpool or Applepaw so I assume they are not angry with our Clan. A cat died today so if there were to be any punishments for Jaysong that is the worse one." Jaysong dipped her head even understanding that she wasn't allowed to meet with Blackstar again.

"But," Millie began, but another cat growled, "Enough! Jaysong has kits to feed! We can finish this meeting later! Also, we are being disrespectful to Brackenfur for yowling at his vigil. I don't know about the rest of you mousebrains, but I'm going to sit with Brackenfur for his final night." Ferncloud finished and stalked past the group of cats to sit next to Brackenfur. Dustpelt followed Ferncloud and soon more cats followed: Sorreltail and her daughters, Graystripe, Whitewing, Hollyleaf, and Berrynose among them. Firestar dismissed his cats with a flick of his tail and settled inbetween Ferncloud and Hollyleaf.

Jaysong longed to follow, but she had something more important: her two kits. I'm sorry Brackenfur, but they need me.

Jaysong pushed through the nursery and saw Daisy and Icestorm curled up next to each other, both asleep. Stripepool was licking three kits, all who were suckling at her belly: Rabbitkit, Rushkit, and a black kit who looked like Spiderleg. Looking up at Jaysong, Stripepool blinked sad amber eyes and whispered, "I heard what everyone said. Brackenfur, is really dead?" Jaysong dipped her head and Stripepool continued more briskly, "StarClan have received one of the best warriors in the Clans. Now come over here and take care of your kits."

Jaysong padded over and nudged her kits towards her belly. Rabbitkit and Rushkit both began suckling at Jaysong felt all her troubles sweep away from her. Turning to look at Stripepool, Jaysong meowed, "Thank you for taking care of them. Your kit is beautiful. Have you thought of a name?" Stripepool looked at her kit and then mewed, "I've decided on Brackenkit, in honor of Brackenfur."

"That's a brilliant name," Jaysong murmured, just as Daisy growled gently, "Will you two be quiet. Some of us are trying to sleep." Chuckling, Jaysong drifted into a nice sleep, glad for the darkness to come and save her.