Chapter 26

Six moons passed quickly for Darkshadow who was busy with Lakesky and Thunderpaw. Lakesky was due to give birth to his kits any day now and Thunderpaw's training left him exhausted at night so all he could do was curl up against his siblings who seemed rather distant lately. Airstorm was almost always gone and no cat ever knew where he went while Waterdrop went off hunting on her own. Darkshadow always found her scent near ThunderClan's old territory mingled with another cat's. But Darkshadow couldn't even feel suspicion towards his younger siblings' activities because he had his paws full with his mate and apprentice.

"Darkshadow, you coming?" Darkshadow glanced at Thunderpaw who was leading the way through RiverClan territory, Reedtail and Maroonfeather walking beside the ginger tom. Darkshadow had offered to lead the sunhigh patrol despite the exhaustion he felt crashing over him. To other cats he said he was making up for lost time, but Darkshadow knew the truth behind his busy schedule.

He was scared of becoming a father.

Technically, Darkshadow knew he was already a father, but he couldn't even picture Birdheart's kits as his own. He didn't know who they were or what they were like. Were they brown tabbies like their mother or did they resemble their sleek, dark father? Were they brave, courageous warriors or calmer cats, but good friends? Was there even a they? Or was it a he? Or a she?

Darkshadow knew he probably wouldn't ever know, but that's what made him nervous about this new litter of kits being born. These kits he would know and it would be up to him to raise them to be smart, reliable warriors.

Don't forget everyone else, Darkshadow thought to himself, knowing that he wouldn't have to be a parent on his own. Lakesky would be their mother and would teach them as well. So would Darkshadow's parents: Woodstar and Gingereye. Darkshadow wasn't so sure about Reedtail, Lakesky's parents. The black tom barely acknowledged his daughter, but maybe he would love his grandkits? There was also Airstorm, Waterdrop, and Thunderpaw, Darkshadow's siblings, and Orangepelt, Darkshadow's aunt. Orangepelt's kit, Flamepaw, Darkshadow's cousin, probably wouldn't be around much for the kits, but Darkshadow realized that the aggressive tom might be his kits' mentor one day. He would be an experienced warrior by then.

"Okay," Darkshadow meowed, catching up to his fellow Clanmates, "Let's head towards the WindClan border and then double back."

"Okay and Darkshadow-" Maroonfeather began, but he was cut off.

"Darkshadow! Darkshadow!" Flamepaw streaked towards them, his belly flat on the ground.

Maroonfeather instantly stepped forward, concern for his son flashing in his violet eyes, "Flamepaw, what is it?"

"Darkshadow!" Flamepaw exclaimed, ignoring his father, "Lakesky is giving birth!"

"What?" Darkshadow practically snarled at the apprentice, his fur bristling with fear.

"Go Darkshadow," Maroonfeather meowed, "Thunderpaw, Flamepaw, and I can continue the patrol."

"What about me?" Reedtail growled.

"Lakesky is your daughter," Maroonfeather snapped, "You should be by her side."

Reedtail stood silent and Maroonfeather added, "Her mother would've wanted that."

Reedtail snarled and then meowed quietly, "Come on, Darkshadow."

Darkshadow followed the elder warrior obediently.

One hour later... (yeah im not going into the whole birthing scene, not really my thing haha)

Darkshadow had never seen anything as beautiful as the two gray kits sleeping next to their mother. He stretched his neck and gave Lakesky a gentle lick on the ear before looking at his two perfect daughters.

Dawnkit was the firstborn and had a thick gray pelt, long just like Darkshadow's. She was the larger and had the loudest mew that surprised everyone when they realized how small her lungs were.

Featherkit was much smaller than her sister and quieter, preferring to sleep in the warmth of her thick-furred littermate. Featherkit, like Lakesky, had short fur the same shade as Dawnkit's.

"They're beautiful," Reedtail meowed suddenly and Darkshadow glanced at Lakesky's father whose dark eyes never left his grandkits. He was actually surprised that the silent tom was still sitting next to his estranged daughter, but Darkshadow had a feeling Reedtail would never leave the newborn kits. "Are you sure they're getting enough milk?"

"Yes, they are," Talonclaw mewed, flicking the tom on the shoulder. Talonclaw, other than Reedtail, had been around Darkshadow and Lakesky the most. It made sense to Darkshadow though. After all, he was the medicine cat. "Lakesky is doing a great job."

"Oh Darkshadow, Lakesky, they're beautiful," Darkshadow turned to look at Gingereye who was pushing her way into the nursery, flanked by Woodstar, Airstorm, Waterdrop, and Thunderpaw.

"Hello Gingereye," Talonclaw meowed, "Come now, Reedtail, let's leave them all alone. The nursery is getting crowded."

Reedtail looked like he wanted to shred Talonclaw's ears, but he followed the medicine cat obediently.

"It's a fine litter, son," Woodstar meowed, flicking his tail on Darkshadow's shoulder.

"They're my nieces," Airstorm mewed proudly, seeming to have forgotten all about Birdheart and her children.

"And mine too," Waterdrop added.

"Have you thought of any names?" Thunderpaw squeaked quietly.

Lakesky nodded, "The larger of the two is Dawnkit and the smaller one is Featherkit."

"Good names," Woodstar meowed with a curt nod.

Darkshadow purred his thanks and glanced at his two daughters, wondering where their paws would take them.

Author's Note: Not my best, but I wanted to introduce Dawnkit and Featherkit. They're important later on.