It's been a while since I did a a chapter on SkyClan. I particularly like writing about them because, since there isn't much info/books on SkyClan, I can twist the characters into what their personality should be like and who should be together, etc etc. Anyways, enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 44

Leafstar's POV

"How is your leg, Lavenderpaw?" Leafstar asked.

"It only hurts a little bit," Lavenderpaw replied. "Do you know when I can go back to training?"

"Broken legs take time to heal," Frecklewish mewed. "You'll be back in traning in about a half-moon."

"Aww that's such a long time!" Lavenderpaw exclaimed, disappointed. "Peanutpaw will be better than me, and I won't be able to catch up!"

"Don't worry, Lavenderpaw," Dustypaw said. "You're a fast learner; I'm sure you and Peanutpaw will be even."

"I hope so," Lavenderpaw said.

Suddenly, a piercing scream broke the peacefulness of the sunset outside. Leafstar bolted outside, knowing immediately who had screamed.

Firecloud! Leafstar thought. Hang on!

Leafstar rushed towards the nursery and stopped at the entrance of the den. "Firecloud, it's all right. Frecklewish and Dustypaw will be here in a moment."

In a few heartbeats, Frecklewish and Dustypaw raced by with herbs in their mouth. They quickly entered the den. Soon enough, Billystorm, Harryfur, and Stormblaze had come.

"Will she be all right?" Harryfur asked, concern in his gaze for his sister.

"She'll be fine," Leafstar reassured him. "Queens are meant to do this. And once it's over, we'll have beautiful grandchildren."

"I can't believe we're grandparents already," Billystorm asked. "I hope she'll be okay."

Another agonized shriek rose from the nursery. Billystorm winced.

"She's got this," Leafstar said.

Leafstar spotted Sandywind hurrying towards the nursery. "I heard Firecloud's scream," Sandywind said, panting.

Frecklewish poked her head out of the den. "Billystorm, get me some sticks. Sandywind and Harryfur, get me some soaked moss."

Billystorm, Harryfur, and Sandywind raced off to find the necessary supplies for Firecloud. Leafstar inched closer to the mouth of the den.

"It's okay, Firecloud, take deep breaths," Frecklewish said. "This will all be over in a few heartbeats."

"Are you sure she's okay?" Leafstar heard Dustypaw ask. "She's in so much pain."

"This is what all queens must go through," Frecklewish replied. "But once the kitting is over, SkyClan will have brand new warriors. Now, feel her belly, Dustypaw. Can you tell how many kits are there?"

After a pause, Dustypaw mewed, "I think there's three. I can feel them squirming."

"Very good, Dustypaw," Frecklewish mewed.

Leafstar turned to see Billystorm and Sandywind rushing back with the supplies. She noticed that the Clan had come out of their dens and were listening to what was happening inside the nursery.

"Frecklewish! Dustypaw! The toms are back with your stuff," Leafstar mewed.

Dustypaw poked his head out of the nursery. "Bring them right inside, then go back outside," he said. "Leafstar, Stormblaze, please come inside."

Billystorm, Harryfur, and Sandywind dropped the supplies. After Dustypaw collected them, Leafstar and Stormblaze followed him inside. A stick was already clenched between Firecloud's jaws, and Frecklewish was by her side, encouraging her.

"Now!" Frecklewish exclaimed. "Push!"

Firecloud heaved, and a ginger and white she-kit slid out. Frecklewish bit the transparent layer off of the kit, and nudged her towards Dustypaw, "Lick her fur," Frecklewish commanded.

Dustypaw bent his head to lick the small kit, and Leafstar focused her attention back on Firecloud. "It's going to be over soon," she soothed.

"Here comes another one!" Frecklewish exclaimed. Firecloud's belly rippled, and a little pale ginger tabby she-kit came out. Leafstar bent over, removed the transparent layer, and started to lick her fur.

"And the last one!" Frecklewish said. Out of the corner of her eye, Leafstar saw a gray tom with white paws. Frecklewish motioned for Stormblaze to lick the tom, and she then proceeded to nudge the water soaked moss towards Firecloud.

"You did very well," Frecklewish said. "Three healthy kits! Congratulations."

Leafstar nudged the tiny pale ginger tabby she-kit over to Firecloud, then proceeded to get the other kits near Firecloud's belly. The three kits squirmed, then started to nurse from Firecloud.

"Good work, Dustypaw," Frecklewish mewed. "Even I didn't do that well during my first time at a kitting."

Dustypaw beamed. Leafstar looked over at the apprentice. He has so much potential, Leafstar thought. He'll become one of SkyClan's greatest medicine cats.

"You can come in now, Billystorm and Sandywind," Frecklewish called. Then she turned toward her apprentice, "Let's go now. You can bring Firecloud some borage later."

Frecklewish and Dustypaw left, and Billystorm, Harryfur, and Sandywind came to take their place. Sandywind rushed to Firecloud's side. "We have the most beautiful kits in the world," Sandywind mewed. "You can name the first one right there," he said, pointing to the ginger and white she-kit.

"What about Cedarkit?" Firecloud suggested tiredly. "She'll grow as big and strong as a cedar tree."

"That's a good name," Billystorm mewed. "What about that pale ginger she-kit?"

"She seems smaller than the rest," Harryfur commented.

"What about Littlekit?" Stormblaze asked.

"I don't know. What if other kits tease her about it?" Firecloud fretted.

"Well, Tinycloud has a name like that, but other warriors respect her," Leafstar commented. "Maybe if she has a name like Littlekit, she'll work harder and earn more respect from others. It's not the name that counts, it's the courage and spirit."

"Well, all right then," Firecloud said. "Littlekit it is."

"And what about that gray tom with white paws?" Sandywind asked. "I think Icekit would be a good name for him."

"Yes, Icekit is perfect," Firecloud murmered.

"Congratulations, Firecloud," Harryfur mewed. Others quickly added their compliments and best wishes towards the kits and then filed out.

"It wasn't so bad wasn't it?" Leafstar teased.

"The pain is worth it," Firecloud said. "These kits are going to be the perfect warriors."

"Yes they will be," Sandywind said, licking her shoulder.

"Get some rest," Leafstar said. "I'll come visit soon."

With that, Leafstar padded out of the nursery. Thank StarClan that went well, Leafstar thought. But she couldn't shake off one thing, If what Sharpclaw said was true, then what is going to happen? More cats will come, and he says they are friendly, but why are they coming? SkyClan has more than enough warriors, and we've just added Copperpelt, Icicletail, and Rocky to the Clan, and before them, Bellastripe and Rileyclaw. I must talk to StarClan. I must know what will happen.