Hey guys, long time no update; I do apologize for not getting this chapter done earlier! Well I hope you enjoy it…
And P.S- Reviews would be much appreciated, I don't get a lot of them but I think if I got more I'd write for you faster! Special thanks to Brightsun (even though I haven't heard from you in forever…) for really keeping this story going. THANKYOU! =D

Chapter 30

Storm clouds rolled in on a chilling breeze. Thunder rumbled in the distance as Ashwinter's body convulsed and a fresh wave of pain wafted over her.

"Not long now," Burtail soothed.

"What, the kits or the storm?" Ashwinter muttered.

Burtail didn't justify her snide remark with an answer. It annoyed her that Ashwinter insisted on kitting with little to no help, but it wasn't going to help by arguing with a headstrong queen. Honeymallow and Smoketail had bundled their kits off for a tour of the camp in an attempt to keep them out of her and the queen's fur, but with a storm of such magnitude approaching so swiftly, Burtail doubted the solitude would last long.

Outside, Burtail could faintly hear Dustrise breathing shallowly. Of course he had insisted on hobbling his way out of the medicine den to experience the arrival of his kits.

Just as well, she thought, You never know; his condition could get worse.

Burtail's attention was drawn back to the queen when Ashwinter let out a pained grunt.

"Why is this taking so long?" she choked out.

Burtail couldn't rightly say, so she kept silent. Peering out the nursery entrance from her position within, Burtail watched the approaching clouds. A large clap of thunder threatened to deafen her while lightning sliced through the clouds like a claw. The wind carried the terrified shrieks of kits outside accompanied by Smoketail's soothing voice.

Ashwinter's body rippled once more. The she-cat gasped as the first of her kits fell gently to the ground in a wet, furry mass.

"Congratulations, you have a very strong son," Burtail purred.

Ashwinter purred in reply as the medicine cat busied herself with licking the tom into consciousness. A moment of uneasiness passed through her mind—she wondered if it was a mistake to let the other queens leave.

StarClan, I can't do this all by myself!

Ashwinter squeezed her eyes shut as another kit snaked its way out to join its brother.

"What…" Ashwinter mumbled, her strength so sapped she could hardly part her jaws.

"A little she-cat…she's beautiful," Burtail reported.

Burtail busily licked the she-kit over, trying to be as delicate as possible. She decided not to tell Ashwinter her new daughter was so fragile and weak—for a moment, Burtail was afraid this kit hadn't made it, but let out a relieved sigh when she let out a frail mew. Dustrise paced nervously and unevenly back and forth outside.

Burtail rested a paw over the queen's belly. "One more," she promised.

Ashwinter gritted her teeth as one final spasm overtook her body. Her final kit left her and joined the world with a final sigh from Ashwinter. Burtail didn't need to be asked twice.

"Another she-cat. Congratulations—this one's a fighter!" Burtail exclaimed as the she-kit gave out a startled squeak.

Burtail was guiding the last kit to her mother when Dustrise stuck his head in.

"Can I come in now?"

Burtail nodded, "Of course."

Dustrise limped his way into the nursery and buried his muzzle into his mate's fur.

"Congratulations," Burtail meowed warmly as she squeezed her way out into the camp's clearing.

Rain spattered the ground lightly as another streak of lightning lit up the sky. Smoketail and Honeymallow ushered their kits back into the nursery.

Surefire way to annoy Ashwinter… Burtail mused.

A howling wind picked up. It pierced through her pelt, clawing at her skin. Burtail shivered. She picked up her pace a little bit—a sick medicine cat would be no use to the Clan. Outside her den, Burtail paused. The wind sounded eerier than usual. For a few heartbeats she thought she could hear a voice mingled with the screaming wind. Straining her ears, Burtail found this thought to be true. She squeezed her eyes shut in an attempt to hear what was trying to be said. The wind threatened to knock her off her own paws, sending leaf and dirt particles swirling and spiraling around her. The voice caressed her ears and what was whispered to her Burtail found little ways to comprehend— "Love will kill the Gray Warrior…"