Yet another chapter. This is getting boring. Oh, no, wait. This is a somewhat crazy chapter. I don't know what I was thinking.
Chapter Ten
Lionblaze squeezed into the nursery. Millie's new kits were squirming and mewling.
"Aww," cooed Cinderheart, "They're so cute! I can't wait until ours come!" Lionblaze nodded half-heartedly. They were cute, but they seemed like a lot of responsibility.
"What are you going to name them?" asked Lionblaze curiously. Millie stretched.
"We're thinking Shadekit and Fernkit." Cinderheart purred.
"Those are great names! Fernkit after Ferncloud?"
"Yes, after Ferncloud, do you think Dustpelt will mind?" Cinderheart shook her head.
"No, in fact, I think he'll be pleased." Lionblaze nodded in agreement.
"I should go. Maybe I'll go hunting." He waved his tail in farewell and padded into the clearing. Bramblestar was just calling a Clan meeting when he arrived.
"Cats of ThunderClan!" he called, "We are proud to welcome two new kits to ThunderClan, Shadekit and Fernkit!" His words were met with yowls of approval; Graystripe's was the loudest. Lionblaze padded up to high rock.
"Bramblestar, I would like to go hunting, is that okay?" Bramblestar paused,
"If you don't mind Lionblaze, I would like to take you to the gathering tonight, so you should get some rest." Lionblaze dipped his head and padded away. He didn't feel tired enough to sleep, so he tried to decide on something to do. He wouldn't visit Jayfeather; he would still be tired from helping Millie. Maybe Millie would like some help, after all, she'll be tired as well. Lionblaze padded back into the nursery. Millie was resting, her kits' paws kneading at her belly. Cinderheart glanced up,
"Back so soon?" she meowed. Lionblaze shrugged.
"I'm going to the gathering." Cinderheart's eyes lit up.
"Me too! It'll be my last one until our kits are born and apprenticed. Anyway, what are you doing in here?'
"I thought I could help watch Millie's kits, it'll be good practice."
Dovewing was tired. She'd been kept up half the night with Millie's yowling. She felt terrible, thinking that. Dovewing knew it was much worse for Millie than it was for her, but she was still tired.
"Cinderheart?" she whispered, the gray queen turned towards her,
"Yes Dovewing?"
"Are you going to the gathering tonight?" Cinderheart nodded eagerly.
"Yep, it'll be my last one."
"Same." Replied Dovewing. "I think it's time to go." She stood up and shook her fur out. Cinderheart followed her out into the clearing. Bumblestripe brushed his pelt against hers. Together, they joined the patrol and headed out of camp. It was nearing moonhigh when they reached the tree-bridge. Dovewing bounded across it. The scents of RiverClan and ShadowClan washed over her tongue.
"I guess WindClan isn't here yet. So we have some time to talk to the other Clans." She whispered to Bumblestripe. He nodded.
"See you later." Dovewing padded into the clearing, and was about to walk over to Cinderheart and Hazeltail, when a tabby shape intercepted her.
"Hello Dovewing," Tigerheart's voice was cool. Dovewing was about to ask him what he was doing, when she noticed a black and white tortoiseshell she-cat standing beside him. "This is my mate, Ivytail." Tigerheart nodded to the cat at his side. Dovewing's heart sank. Can't we still be friends? But as she glanced at Tigerheart, he smirked at her, daring her to comment on his relationship. Oh really? I can do better than that. She thought.
"That's great." She mewed coolly. "My mate is over there. As you can see, I'm expecting kits, so if you don't see me around for a while, you'll know where I am." Dovewing said, undaunted. Tigerheart scowled for a moment, then regained his composure.
"Good luck with that." He snarled, before stalking off with Ivytail.
"What was that?" meowed Poppyfrost thoughtfully, Dovewing pretended to be as confused as Poppyfrost was,
"Um, I don't know. I think he's in ShadowClan." Dovewing tried to play dumb. Poppyfrost continued staring at her doubtfully.
"If you're sure you don't know. The Gathering is starting, let's sit down." Dovewing settled near Poppyfrost and Cinderheart.
"Wait, we can't start yet, WindClan isn't here.'" She whispered in Cinderheart's ear.
Ivypool was curled up in her nest, trying to get some sleep while the others were at the Gathering. Seedpaw and Lilypaw were chattering like starlings. Ivypool put her paws over her ears, but it didn't seem to drown them out.
"Do you think Blackstar died?" hissed Seedpaw. Ivypool stood up and walked out of the den. She wanted to hear what was going on at the Gathering. She padded past Cloudtail, who was guarding the entrance.
"I'm going for a walk." She meowed, Cloudtail nodded. Ivypool broke into a run and tore through the forest. Before long, she had reached the WindClan border. She scented the air; she didn't smell any cats or patrols. Ivypool crept across the border, and silently crouched along the shore or the lake. She inched quietly to the tree-bridge. Ivypool bounded onto the tree. She gripped the bark with her claws, and pulled herself across. She slipped into the bushes around the island. She felt horrible; she should have just gone with the patrol.
Blackstar's yowl signaled the start of the Gathering. Ivypool listened carefully.
"ShadowClan is doing well! Ratscar and Rowanclaw have chased a badger off our territory, and although we have a shortage of apprentices, prey is plentiful. Our Clan is also blessed to have three litters of kits on the way. That is all we have to report." Ivypool peered through the holly bush she was hiding in, and saw Mistystar step forward.
"The twolegs have finally left our territory for Leafbare, and the river is full of fish. RiverClan is eating well. We have two new warriors, Rushfur and Mossyleaf!" All the Clans began to cheer for the new warriors. Ivypool scented RiverClan, ShadowClan, and of course, ThunderClan. Wait. Is WindClan not here yet? Ivypool asked herself with a jolt. Ivypool glanced around the clearing, trying to spot any WindClan cats, but Mistystar continued talking. "Mosspelt has recently moved to the nursery, and one of our elders has caught a cough. Mothwing has said that it's not Greencough or Whitecough, but I bid you all, be careful." A murmuring rippled through the clearing, but Bramblestar silenced them.
"ThunderClan's prey is running well. We are hunting and eating well. We have three new apprentices, Amberpaw, Snowpaw, and Dewpaw!" The cats in the clearing yowled the apprentice's names. "We also welcome Millie's new litter of kits, named Fernkit and Shadekit!" The Clans yowled once more. "And finally, our deputy, Squirrelflight, is moving to the nursery. Lionblaze will take her place as deputy!" ThunderClan froze as the other Clans erupted into cheers.
Welcome Shadekit and Fernkit! A lot of people had the same names, but if either of these were on your list, you can either say everyone came up with it, or I came up with it. Both statements are true. Also, congrats Lionblaze. Like I said, kind of stupid.