Chapter 54
Squirrelflight's POV
"All cats who are old enough to catch their own prey meet me at Highrock for a Clan meeting!" Squirrelflight announced.
In the blink of an eye, the Clan was gathered around Highrock. Squirrelflight's kits were standing nearby, their eyes shining, their tails twitching nervously.
"Today is the day that ThunderClan is proud to announce four new warriors! Their mentors have agreed that they are ready, and StarClan has approved of me doing warrior ceremonies. Ravenpaw, Featherpaw, Ashpaw, and Sparrowpaw! Please come forward!" Squirrelflight exclaimed. Although she tried to cover it, it was clear that she was beaming with pride.
My kits are going to become warriors! Bramblestar would be so proud of how much they have learned! I think he's going to be quite happy with the names I picked.
She watched as her kits bounded up to the front of the crowd, eager to receive their warrior names. Their mentors stood off to one side, cheering them on silently with their eyes.
"I, Squirrelflight, deputy of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn.
"Sparrowpaw, Featherpaw, Ashpaw, and Ravenpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Squirrelflight asked.
"I do," the four apprentices mewed solemnly.
"Then by the power of StarClan I give you your warrior names. Ashpaw, from this moment you will be known as Ashpelt. StarClan honors your skill and patience, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan!
"Featherpaw, from this moment you will be known as Featherstream. StarClan honors your fighting skill and speed, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan!
"Sparrowpaw, from this moment you will be known as Sparrowfall. StarClan honors your skill in battle and forethought, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan!
"Ravenpaw, from this moment you will be known as Ravenheart. StarClan honors your energy and honesty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan!"
"Ashpelt! Featherstream! Sparrowfall! Ravenheart!" ThunderClan cheered for their new warriors as Squirrelflight went down to congratulate her kits.
"Well done! I'm so proud of you!" Squirrelflight mewed.
"Thanks! But I'm worried about the vigil," Ravenheart admitted.
"What, too scared that a fox is going to come and tear you apart?" Sparrowfall mewed.
"Yeah, or too scared that the Dark Forest is going to come and take over ThunderClan?" Featherstream added.
"Or too scared of the cold?" Ashpelt asked.
"No, none of that!" Ravenheart exclaimed. "I'm just worried about falling asleep, that's all."
"And that's no way to talk to your littermate," Squirrelflight chided. "Don't tease your sister like that."
Ashpelt, Featherstream, and Sparrowfall exchanged glances quickly before Ashpelt replied. "Sorry sister, but we couldn't help it."
"All in good fun, right?" Featherstream added.
"Yep!" Ravenheart mewed. "I'm so glad that I'm finally a warrior."
"Go and eat some fresh-kill," Squirrelflight suggested. "You're going to need all the energy you can get."
I wonder why Ashpelt, Flowerstream, and Sparrowfall were talking to their sister like that? They know that Ravenheart is a little sensitive! I hope they're not serious about the Dark Forest threats!
"Hey mom! Is it cold during the vigil?" Ravenheart asked, snapping Squirrelflight out of her thoughts.
"No, it's going to be fine, since it's newleaf. Just don't wake up the sleeping cats and you'll do fine! Unless there's an emergency," Squirrelflight mewed. "Also, how long have your siblings been talking to you like that?"
"A while. I think that they just picked up an attitude or something while they were apprentices," Ravenheart responded.
Just then, Snowpelt burst out of the nursery, screaming, "Lilyheart's kitting!"
"What?! That's not supposed to happen until another quarter-moon! The kits could die!" Leafpool mewed as she ran out of the medicine den and into the nursery, followed by Jayfeather with a bunch of herbs in his mouth.
"Ravenheart, go get a strong stick Lilyheart can bite down on now!" Squirrelflight cried. "Sandstorm!"
"I'm right here," Sandstorm mewed, padding towards her daughter.
"Lilyheart's kits are coming a bit early! I need someone with experience in there! Now!" Squirrelflight mewed.
"I'll be there," Sandstorm mewed as she raced into the den with Ravenheart, who had found a few sticks. A loud shriek came from the nursery.
"I need some ragwort leaves and fennel!" Jayfeather exclaimed.
"I got it!" Brightheart yelled as she ran to Jayfeather, holding the herbs.
StarClan help us! Squirrelflight thought. Don't let anything bad happen to her!
The Clan waited outside in tense silence. The only sounds that were made were Lilyheart's shrieks and Leafpool's calm orders. Snowpelt stood anxiously outside the nursery, cringing every time he heard Lilyheart scream in pain. After a few more heartbeats, the shrieking ceased, and mewls could be heard from the nursery.
"Lilyheart has four kits. Two she-kits and two tom-kits," Leafpool mewed. After a pause, she added, "One of the tom-kits is sick."
"No!" Snowpelt exclaimed. With that news, he immediately raced into the nursery.
"Leafpool! I need the feverfew!" Jayfeather yowled.
"Coming!" Leafpool mewed. As Leafpool raced off, the dusk patrol came back.
"What's going on?" Whitewing asked, glancing at the concerned faces around camp.
"Lilyheart's kitted," Squirrelflight heard Cinderheart as she came out of the nursery. Her belly was swollen, and her kits were due in another half-moon.
"But it is too early!" Whitewing gasped.
"Snowpelt and Jayfeather are with her now, and Leafpool just went to get some herbs," Cinderheart said. "One of the four kits are sick and they are trying to help," she said as she looked over to the nursery. Squirrelflight followed Cinderheart's line of view.
Should I stop and see the kits? she thought. Maybe they could use my help. Finally, self-convinced after Leafpool rushed back in, she strolled over to the nursery. There was moaning, and she could hear the medicine cats working tirelessly to help the kits. Then suddenly, Jayfeather barged out and bumped into Squirrelflight.
"Watch out! Can't you see we're busy?" Jayfeather snapped.
Squirrelflight did not react, as she was normal to Jayfeather's usual attitude.
"May I go in?" Squirrelflight said quickly, looking at Jayfeather intently.
"Fine, but be quiet and don't get in the way," Jayfeather grumbled as he walked away.
Squirrelflight walked into the nursery. Lilyheart was lying on the back of the den wall; she looked exhausted, but happy. Four kits were squirming at her belly. One of the she-kits was a tortoiseshell; she looked like the strongest of them all. The other she-kit was a lovely white she-kit with unusually long front fangs , but she was still and looked peaceful. The tortoiseshell she-kit yawned. A voice squealed, which belonged to a black tom-kit. Leafpool came to push him closer to his mother.
"Oh, hello Squirrelflight," Leafpool said, tucking in the squealing tom.
"Am I being bothersome? I could leave you here," Squirrelflight said, embarrassed.
"No, you can stay," Leafpool said to her sister. "I would like the company." Snowpelt was near Lilyheart's head, coaxing her.
"You and your kits are fine," he whispered to his mate.
"Hello? I don't mean to interrupt, but, you have very beautiful kits," Squirrelflight mewed.
"Oh, I didn't notice you, Squirrelflight! Yes they are the best I have ever seen," Snowpelt said, staring at his kits. "Now all we have to do is give them names."
"May I name the white she-kit with yellow splotches? If you don't mind, I have the perfect name for her."
"Yes, you may. We will be honored for one of our kits be named by the deputy," Lilyheart mewed.
"Honeykit," Squirrelflight whispered. "I named her after your sister, Lilyheart. I feel that it fits her. I can see her being a strong warrior now, just like Honeyfern," she said proudly.
"I understand, and it is a good choice. Her name will be Honeykit, from now to her apprenticeship," Snowpelt vowed.
"I think I have picked names for the other three kits, but I have to discuss with Lilyheart first," Snowpelt said before he started whispering to Lilyheart again.
"The white she-kit will be named Snowkit," Lilyheart mewed as she licked the top of Snowkit's fur. "The black tom-kit will be called Larkkit. And the gray tom will be Stormkit."
"Those are beautiful names," Leafpool mewed.
"Will Larkkit be okay?" Snowpelt asked, motioning to the coughing kit.
"Yes, he will be fine, but he will need proper treatment, of course," Leafpool said.
Jayfeather entered the nursery with bundles of lavender and borage and dropped them at Lilyheart's side. "This should help the tom-kit."
"I'll be leaving now," Squirrelflight mewed as she backed out of the den. The nursery smelled of herbs and was starting to bother her.
"Thank you for Honeykit's name," Snowpelt said.
"Hey, Squirrelflight!" Featherstream called as Squirrelflight exited the nursery, "Will we go to the Gathering today?"
"We will," Squirrelflight mewed. "It's not quite sundown yet."
"Also, Thornclaw is asking when will you assign patrols. He wants to go hunting. And of course, Snowpelt wants to get food for his mate," Featherstream added.
"Oh of course, I almost forgot! Fetch your siblings. I bet they want to go out on their first patrol as a warrior. Thornclaw will be the leader of your patrol," Squirrelflight announced.
"All right! Ravenheart! Sparrowfall! Ashpelt! Thornclaw! We're going to go on a patrol!" Featherstream called.
"Is it a hunting patrol or a border patrol?" Ashpelt asked.
"Ummm…. I forgot. let's check with Squirrelflight," Featherstream replied.
"It's a hunting patrol. Don't go hunting outside of the territory!" Squirrelflight mewed from behind Featherstream's back.
"We know that! Every single cat here knows that, Squirrelflight!" Featherstream mewed over her shoulder as she went into the woods with her siblings.
"It's just a precaution," Squirrelflight said, and when they were out of her sight she narrowed her eyes.
Ravenheart, make sure they don't do anything stupid. I am counting on you, Squirrelflight thought as she walked away.