Aurorastar stood underneath Brightledge, watching her Clan. They had grown thinner with the coming of leaf-bare. However, their eyes were still bright with hope and determination, and SunClan still grew in strength. They had recently passed Berrypaw as a warrior, and Aurorastar gave her the name of Berryheart.
Honeysplash and Wolfsong's kits were playing in the snow outside the nursery. Dustykit was with them, along with Jewelkit.
A moon had passed since SunClan had reclaimed the catmint from StormClan. Some cats had recovered, like Jewelkit, but some cats had grown worse, like Waterfall. Starwhisper's den now held Searose, Waterfall, Thunderpaw, and Tigerstreak. Many other cats seemed to have small cases of whitecough.
Aurorastar padded over to the nursery. She moved slower than usual, and her muscles ached. She let out a ragged cough as she breathed in the dry air. Seems like the leaf-bare cold is getting to me, Aurorastar thought.
"Greetings, Aurorastar!" Honeysplash mewed. Her amber eyes were warm. Wolfsong waved her tail in a friendly greeting.
"Greetings!" mewed Aurorastar. She sat down next to Wolfsong on a patch of ground where the snow had been cleared. "How are the kits?"
"A pawful," Wolfsong answered. She watched as Adderkit kicked a lump of snow at Shadowkit, and the queen's blue eyes shone with love. "But it's worth it."
"I love them so much," Honeysplash added. "It really brings out the young cat in me."
Aurorastar nodded, gazing at the kits.
She jumped in surprise when Flowerheart and Petalblossom's kits charged out of the nursery, plowing into the snow with excited squeals. Aurorastar purred warmly. Crystalclaw, Petalblossom, and Flowerheart moved over to join them. Their pelts were fluffed out in the cold.
"I don't know how they can cope with playing in the freezing snow," Crystalclaw meowed, watching Dustykit, Jewelkit, and Redkit. Though she had mostly returned to her enthusiastic self, her eyes were still glazed with sorrow for the loss of Iriskit.
Aurorastar turned to the white queen. "I have been meaning to speak with you lately. Dustykit, Jewelkit, and Redkit will become apprentices in about a half moon. I was wondering if you had any preferences in mentors."
"Isn't that your job?" Crystalclaw asked.
"Yes, but I always want to make sure the mothers are satisfied with the choices."
Crystalclaw nodded. "Well, I've noticed lately that Jewelkit and Leopardsun have been getting along quite well. She may be a good choice if you approve of it."
Aurorastar nodded in satisfaction, though secretly wondered if Leopardsun was feeding Jewelkit any negative comments on Icepaw. Leopardsun was one of the cats that hated Icepaw the most.
You should have more trust in your warriors, Aurorastar scolded herself.
"I wanted to give Dustykit to Nightheart," stated Aurorastar. "She has been lost without Skypaw, and will enjoy Dustykit's similar spirit."
"Nightheart is a good cat." Crystalclaw seemed satisfied. "I don't know about Redkit though. He is such a friendly tom, but I don't know how he really feels about living in SunClan. He has no kin here."
"I was thinking the same," meowed Aurorastar. "That's why I thought maybe Falconstrike would be a good choice. He was a rogue, but now he has true warrior skill and loyalty to SunClan. He will know how it feels to feel like a bit of an... outcast."
Crystalclaw's eyes were shining. "I like that choice. Thank you for letting me help choose their mentors."
"No problem, it's-" Aurorastar stopped as a she felt a sudden pain in her stomach.
"Are you alright?" Flowerheart asked, her light green eyes wide with concern.
"My... stomach..." Aurorastar was now having a hard time breathing, and her stomach was cramping painfully.
"Great StarClan, let me help you to Starwhisper's den." Petalblossom got up, but Aurorastar flicked her tail dismissively.
"No, I'm fine. I can get there myself." She got up slowly, her vision blurring and her head dizzy. She ambled towards the medicine cat's den, stumbling to the ground only a couple fox lengths away.
"What's wrong?" Nightsun was at her side immediately.
"I'm fine, really," Aurorastar said, licking his cheek. "I'm just going to check in with Starwhisper. I'll meet you out in a moment."
"Alright," Nightsun meowed, though he still looked concerned.
Aurorastar slowly padded in. When Starwhisper came to her side, the leader's paws collapsed under her.
What's wrong with me?
"Oh my Stars, what happened?" Starwhisper asked anxiously. She began to check over her leader's pelt for any wounds.
"I don't know, I was just at the nursery and then-" Aurorastar stopped as a hacking cough racked her body. She gagged as a clot of mucus shot out of her mouth, hitting the floor with a splat.
"I'm so sorry," she rasped, trying to clean it up, but Starwhisper stopped her with one paw.
"Aurorastar, stop. You have greencough," she said firmly.
Aurorastar wanted to growl with annoyance. Not now! I have to lead my Clan through this hard season, and there's so much tension already. I can't have greencough!
"This isn't good, given your condition," Starwhisper murmured. She looked quite worried, and Aurorastar wondered what was so upsetting.
Wait, I have a condition?
"What do you mean?"
Starwhisper gazed at Aurorastar in shock. "You don't know?"
The SunClan leader shook her head.
"Aurorastar, you're expecting kits."
A/N: Hi everyone! :) I'm sorry for not updating sooner, I have been very busy lately. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Because I haven't been updating lately, I will try to post another chapter today, so keep in touch! The story is really about to change and there are going to be some big plot twists. ^.^ I also wanted to say thank you again to everyone who has viewed this story. It has over 500 views already! Like I said before, it probably isn't much, but it means a lot to me. Thank you!
Leafsoul: Thank you! :) Like I said, I have been busy lately, but I hope to continue to post daily chapters as best as I can, and I hope you continue to enjoy it ^.^
williamcornett2: Thank you for Following and Favoriting! :D
~Lunar