Hey people I'm back with a new chapter. Things are a bit slow in this Chapter but I hope you like it anyway.

Chapter 21

Firestorm was carrying the little white tom kit in his jaws as he walked beside his sister letting her lean on him as they walked. She was a little stronger but still very tired from the kitting and she was carrying one of her daughters, the tiny silver and white tabby in her jaws. Thrushfur, Silverwind and Fallowpelt carried the other three kits in their jaws. Goldenstar was leading the group back to camp.

It was already long after sunhigh, before the patrol reached the camp. The cats in the clearing looked on with great surprise as they stared at the group entering the clearing. They murmured to each other as they stared at the new queen and the little bundles carried by the patrol. Goldenstar turned to face the group.

"Take the kits to the nursery, I'll call a Clan meeting." Goldenstar ordered them and then headed for the High Branch to call for a Clan meeting. The warriors and medicine cat, nodded in understanding and headed for the nursery, Firestorm guided Princess toward the nursery. When they entered they found Sunpaw already finishing a nest for Princess. Firestorm was surprised, wondering when Sunpaw had started. He blinked gratefully at his apprentice then nodded for his sister to settle into the nest. Princess glanced at the other three queens, lying in their respective nests, nervously before lying down in the nest prepared for her. She gave Sunpaw a grateful look as she settled and accepted her kits being placed down beside her. She purred softly as her kits latched onto her to nurse. Fallowpelt proceeded to look over the kits while they nursed while Silverwind, and Thrushfur headed out of the nursery after giving Princess her kits. 'Probably to find a place for the Clan meeting.' Firestorm thought briefly. He gave a quick glance around the nursery and saw Blackfower looking at Princess with hard narrowed eyes. She was close to giving birth to her own kits and Firestorm wondered if she felt threatened by Princess' litter. Snowfall and Squirrelfur stared warily at Princess, though their eyes softened a little at the sight of the helpless kits. They had watched the group with a questioning gaze as they had helped Princess and her kits, get settled in the nursery. The two queens had herded their kits to their nests, while the kits looked on silently in awe.

"This is my sister Princess," Firestorm mewed to the queens soothingly. "She isn't a threat."

"That's for Goldenstar to decide." Blackflower spoke sternly fixing her cold emerald gaze on Firestorm. Before Firestorm could speak again, Goldenstar's voice could be heard from outside the den.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath the High Branch for a Clan meeting." Called Goldenstar. Snowfall murmured quietly to Squirrelfur as she ushered her kits into Squirrelfur's nest then headed out of the nursery. Blackflower gave another hard look at Princess before following Snowfall out of the nursery. Firestorm wondered if he should go to the meeting since he knew what Goldenstar would be announcing and he didn't want to leave Princess alone. Fallowpelt seemed to read his mind and provided the answer for him.

"Go on to the meeting Firestorm, you will need to be there." Fallowpelt mewled softly. "I need to double check the kits and Princess." Firestorm wanted to protest but Princess reassured him she'd be fine. Reluctantly Firestorm left the nursery. As he looked around the clearing he saw that most of the Clan were out and waiting for Goldenstar to speak. Blackflower had gone to sit by Sootpelt and Owltalon. Silverwind was sitting beside Smokecloud murmuring in his ear. Thrushfur was sitting with Mapletail and Grayfeather they seemed to be looking at her with a questioning glance. Near them sat Spiderfang and Lightningstrike. Moonwatcher, Ivyclaw and Toadleg had emerged from the elders den and were talking quietly with each other. Firestorm went to sit beside Longclaw, Runningstream and Dovefeather. As he approached Dovefeather stood and walked off to sit beside Lightningstrike. Firestorm felt hurt, wondering why she was angry with him now. He looked to Runningstream who just gave him a curious look. He padded over to Longclaw and sat down beside him. He could see Sunpaw sitting by herself and beckoned her to sit with him. She bounded over and happily sat with him. He saw Dovefeather looking in his direction with a glare before ignoring him all together. Firestorm blinked at her, then leaned into Longclaw to ask him a question.

"What's with Dovefeather?" he asked quietly. Longclaw leaned in closer and murmured just as quietly into his ear.

"What's with the she-cat and those kits we saw?" Firestorm blinked rapidly in confusion and gave his friend a questioning glance.

"What does that have to do with Dovefeather?" he hissed back under his breath. Longclaw subtly rolled his eyes.

"I think she's upset that you and that she-cat have had kits together." murmured Longclaw. Giving Firestorm a look. "I mean that's why she was leaning so close to you right?" Firestorm's eyes widened in surprise and shook his head.

"No," he protested insistently "It's not what it looks like…she's my-"

"Shh, Goldenstar is trying to speak." hissed Sootpelt as he looked back at the two of them irritably. Firestorm sighed at his friend and glanced at Dovefeather before turning his attention to Goldenstar who was perched on the High Branch. Goldenstar waited for the Clan to quiet down their murmuring.

"Earlier there was a disturbance on our boundary …" Goldenstar started to speak, the paused for a moment and looked down at the gathered cats. Her bright amber gaze landed on Firestorm when she spoke again. "Firestorm, come up here and tell everyone what happened." She called out. Firestorm blinked rapidly, in shock for a few moments then quickly got to his feet and made his way rapidly through his murmuring Clanmates to join Goldenstar on the High Branch. He leaped up and paused briefly to look down at his fellow Clanmates, he could see some of them watching him with a look of curiosity and confusion. He glanced at Goldenstar who nodded to him to speak.

"Earlier today, I had taken Sunpaw out for a hunting lesson, and while we were out she alerted me to smoke in the distance." Firestorm paused as his Clanmates started to mutter worriedly,

"Smoke? In the forest?"

"Fire? Have the trees begun to burn?" Goldenstar raised her tail for silence and Firestorm waited for them to quiet down before speaking again. "I sent her back to camp and went to see for myself if the forest had caught fire. I discovered as I grew closer to our boundary that the fire was coming from the twolegplace…" A loud voice cut off Firestorm.

"So who is that cat in the nursery?" Yowled Lightningstrike loudly,

"And those kits?" added Sootpelt inquisitively other cats began to meow in agreement.

"Silence," hissed Goldenstar as she looked down on her Clanmates. "I want no more interruption, let Firestorm finish his story then ask your questions." Firestorm glared angrily at Lightningstrike briefly a moment before continuing his story.

"As I got closer I found the cat…my sister in our territory. She had gone into labor and her coat was singed I believe she had fled here to escape the fire." Immediately everyone began to yowl, in hadn't taken them long to figure out who the new occupant of the nursery was.

"More? More kittypets?" yowled Spiderfang above the noise. "Isn't one enough?" Mapletail who was sitting near him gave him a fierce glare.

"Firestorm is a good warrior," hissed Mapletail back at him, "He earned his place here." Goldenstar took over and lifted her tail up for silence.

"Our Clan is going to be overrun with kittypets before we know it." Yowled Toadleg aloud in anger. Firestorm felt his hackles begin to rise in anger. Goldenstar placed her tail upon his shoulder in an effort to relax him. She called for silence once more and turned her fierce amber glare onto her Clanmates. Her tone was hard and she spoke with a sense of finality.

"I am allowing Princess, Firestorm's sister, to stay with us temporarily until she and her kits are stronger…what happens after will be left up for discussion later." Goldenstar once more raised her tail as more cats began to talk, until she could speak over them. "That's enough, this will be discussed later. Everyone is dismissed." And with that said, Goldenstar leaped off the High Branch heading for her den with Firestorm following closely behind her. As she sat in her nest, Firestorm sighed softly and lowered his head.

"I'm sorry Goldenstar," he meowed looking down at his paws. She looked at him in surprise over his words.

"Whatever for?" she asked gently, her amber eyes flashing with genuine curiosity.

"For having to bring Princess here to SkyClan," Firestorm told her, "I know it must be a burden…"

"She is your kin and she needed help, I'm not going to let her blood or way of life stop me from doing what is right." Goldenstar told him gently.

"Thank you Goldenstar," Firestorm meowed as he blinked gratefully at her.

"Now I'm going to have someone keep an eye on your sister and make sure she's well fed. It's rare to see a queen with five healthy kits hopefully we can keep them that way." Firestorm could almost hear a wistful tone in her voice. "You may go now Firestorm." Firestorm thanked her once more than headed straight for the nursery. He could here faint murmurings from some of his Clanmates as he walked past but he ignored them. As he entered the nursery, saw that Fallowpelt was gone and that Spottedkit, Cloverkit, Rainkit and Stormkit were trying to see Princess' new kits, from their confined spots in their nests. Blackflower apparently had decided to have a nap and was curled up sleeping quietly in her nest. Snowfall gave a slight tail wave to Firestorm as he entered. He gave her a nod and did the same to Squirrelfur who returned one to him. He came over to Princess' nest. She still looked a little tired but was still awake and purred as he drew nearer.

"Firestorm," she murmured softly. Firestorm purred gently at her and the kits

"Its fine Goldenstar is going to have someone look after you while you're here." He told her gently. "Goldenstar has allowed you to stay until you and the kits are stronger." Princess gave him a nervous look. "You safe here, don't worry."

"But I'm not welcome here am I?" Princess murmured softly. "I heard the yelling outside."

"You are safe here," Firestorm repeated firmly. "I wasn't exactly welcomed by everyone when I first joined either, but the Clan got use to my presence and they'll get use to yours. No one will harm you." Princess looked at him for another moment, with another nervous look, than nodded in acceptance.

"Okay," Princess meowed back as she let her gaze sweep over the kits. Firestorm looked them over as well and continued to bask in their beauty.

"Have you named them yet?" he asked her softly. Princess shook her head.

"I haven't had the chance to yet," she told him softly. "I haven't taken a good look at them."

"There's no rush you can name them later, "Princess shook her head

"No I'll do it now," Princess told him with a little firmness in her voice. Firestorm purred as he looked at the young kits sleeping soundly beside their mother. Princess purred as well giving each of her kits a little lick on the head. She looked fondly at her first born, a solid white tom. "What would you name him?" she asked as she placed her tail on the little white tom's head. Firestar looked at the tom and noticed his fur appeared longer and thicker than other cats. To Firestorm it reminded him of a cloud.

"Well, he kind of reminds me of a little cloud. So I would call him Cloudkit," Firestorm explained to her, "That's how he'd be named in the Clan." Princess purred softly her eyes lighting up gently. "That's a wonderful name. Cloudkit," she meowed softly. She gently licked his head and turned her attention to the tortoiseshell-she-cat right beside him. She had soft dark tortoiseshell fur, her legs were white and she had a ginger chest. To Firestorm she looked like a little robin.

"This one," Firestorm mewled as he touched his tail to the little she-kit's head. "She reminds me of a little robin, so maybe her name should be Robinkit." Princess purred at the name.

"She does look like a robin. Doesn't she?" she meowed letting her licking her head gently. "My little robin." Princess looked closely at the next kit beside it. A dark gray tom with fur that looked thick around his neck and tail.

"This one reminds me of this dog that use to come to my housefolk's nest. He smelt wild and had fur that was thick a gray like this. He was large, strong and looked very threatening but he was gentle. His name was Wolf. I think this one should be Wolfkit." Firestorm was surprised by the name. It sounded very warrior-like name and he wondered how his sister had befriended a dog. Princess looked at the little light brown tabby with white legs. The little tabby she-cat had fur that was almost golden-brown in color and her stripes were darker than her pelt. Princess ran her nose along the little tabby's fur and gently licked her head.

"I will name this one Honeykit for her soft delicate golden-brown fur." Princess purred. Firestorm nodded and looked down at Honeykit, purring gently. Finally Princess turned her attention to the silver-tabby and white she-cat. She nuzzled the little kit. The way her fur shimmered it looked like it was covered in fresh dew.

"I think she should be called Dewkit." meowed Firestorm softly. Princess nodded and licked her smallest kit on the head. "My little dewdrop, Princess purred softly. Firestorm looked over every kit. 'Cloudkit, Robinkit, Wolfkit, Honeykit and Dewkit' he thought with a swell of pride.

"Can we see them please?" called a voice. Firestorm looked over and saw Cloverkit looking expectantly at her mother Spottedkit too looked pleadingly up at Snowfall. Squirrelfur had her own kits pleading with their own wide gazes. Snowfall looked over at Princess for a moment and shared a look with Squirrelfur, before looking back down at her kits.

"Maybe later, let Princess rest." Meowed Snowfall quietly, "She's been though quite a bit today already. Let her have a rest right now." Firestorm blinked gratefully at her and settled down beside his sister. Princess turned her attention to her flame furred brother touching her tail gently to his shoulder.

"Firestorm you should go and do your duties, I don't want you to have to stay here because of me." Princess murmured softly as she started to doze a little. Firestorm turn his bright emerald green eyes on his sister.

"Are you sure? Goldenstar said it was okay for me to stay with you." Princess gave him a little nod.

"It's fine, go on." She mewled softly as she curled herself close to her kits and rested her head on her paws, within moments her breathing evened out to the soft sounds of sleep. Firestorm looked her worriedly torn between leaving her on her own and going to talk with his friends.

"It's okay Firestorm we'll watch her." Mewled Snowfall softly giving him a reassuring look. Squirrelfur nodded from her nest. Firestorm dipped his head to them in gratitude.

"Thank you, I'll stop by again before nightfall." Firestorm promised them as they shooed him out of the nursery. As he exited the den he looked around and spotted Runningstream, Ravenpaw and Longclaw talking to each other just out in front of the warrior's den. He hurried over to them.

"Hey, Firestorm, Longclaw and Runningstream just filled me in about your sister." Ravenpaw meowed to him gently. "She's pretty brave to have run out here."

"I'm surprised she gave birth to five kits," Runningstream breathed in awe. "I can't imagine what it will be like to care for so many kits."

"SkyClan has grown that's for sure." Longclaw meowed confidently. "Those kits will be such an asset to our Clan."

"We don't even know if they'll be staying." Runningstream pointed out. "They may leave, and not come back." Firestorm felt a little cold suddenly at the thought of Princess and her kits leaving. He had momentarily forgotten that his sister was use to the soft gentle life of a kittypet and he felt sad at the thought of her taking her kits and leaving.

"But they should stay, the kits would make great warriors." Longclaw insisted. "SkyClan has lost so many good warriors these last few seasons. Those kits are a gift from StarClan."

"It's not that I don't think they would make great warriors," Runningstream explained softly, letting her tail rest gently on the tabby warrior's shoulder. "But Princess is a kittypet, and she is their mother, she decides where they go and what they do. If Princess decides to leave…"

"The kits go with her," finished Ravenpaw, as he glanced over toward the nursery. "Hey Firestorm is it okay if we see the kits?" Firestorm shook his head.

"No not today, Princess needs a rest. It's been a long day for her, since she escaped her twoleg's nest that was on fire and gave birth to five kits. She needs the rest. But you can visit her tomorrow." Ravenpaw nodded in understanding.

"Has she named her kits yet?" Longclaw asked curiously. Firestorm nodded to him in confirmation

"Yes she has, "Firestorm purred softly as he thought of the little kits. " Their names are: Cloudkit, Robinkit, Wolfkit, Honeykit and Dewkit" Longclaw purred happily at the news of the kits being named.

"She's given them warrior names," Longclaw breathed, "Maybe that means she's thinking about staying."

"Maybe," meowed Runningstream. "But I won't get your hopes up." Firestorm couldn't help but feel a little anxious because of her words. He knew she was right and that Princess might not want to stay. He could only hope that maybe she'd be willing to stay in the Clan with him and that her kits would feel the same way.

Firestorm stretched himself outside of the warriors den. Debating whether he should head to the nursery to see Princess. He had visited her just before heading to the warrior's den for the night. He spotted Goldenstar exiting her den and decided to speak to her so he could ask her who was to look after Princess. He made his way toward her calling out a greeting to her.

"Good morning Goldenstar," meowed Firestorm to the golden leader.

"Good morning Firestorm," she meowed briskly. "Was there something you needed?"

"Can I speak with you a minute?" Goldenstar nodded and lead Firestorm into her den. When they were both settled Goldenstar gave Firestorm an expectant look.

"I was just wondering who you had in mind to look after my sister." Firestorm explained. Goldenstar looked curiously at him. "I thought it might be better if I watch over her." He added noticing her questioning glance.

"No, "Goldenstar told him almost immediately, Firestorm cocked his head slightly in confusion.

"May I ask why?" He mewled with undisguised disappointment.

"You have Sunpaw that you need to focus on." Goldenstar explained to him. "Five kits are a lot to look after." Goldenstar paused as if to gather her thoughts. "SkyClan has never had this many kits in the nursery at once. We currently have nine kits in the nursery with Blackflower's litter due any day now, the queens will have their paws full and SkyClan needs new warriors. I need you training Sunpaw. One of the other cats will look after your sister. Do you understand?" Firestorm nodded reluctantly.

"Can I still ask who you have in mind?" Goldenstar whisker's twitched in slight amusement.

"Lightningstrike," Firestorm looked at Goldenstar as if she had grown a second head in front of his eyes and had breathed fire.

"But he hates kittypets" Firestorm protested, "He still doesn't like me and I've been here for several moons now."

"Yes but I've been listening to him lately and he seems to believe that the queens are lazy and do nothing all day. I want him to relearn the importance of queens." Goldenstar explained with a slightly mischievous look in her eye. "And what better queen to have him care for than the one with the most kits?" Firestorm almost felt bad for the other ginger tabby, though he still held a bit of worry in his gaze.

"Do not worry Firestorm," Goldenstar purred soothingly. "Snowfall and Fallowpelt are to tell me if he has been mistreating or slacking on the care of your sister and her kits." Firestorm felt a little better after hearing that, but he still planned to see his sister and talk to her before he took out Sunpaw for the day.

"Okay Goldenstar," Firestorm meowed with slight reluctance.

"Was that all?" Goldenstar asked him gently. "If so I would like for you to send Lightningstrike to my den." Firestorm looked at her with slight alarm.

"Right now?"

"Yes, the sooner the better." Goldenstar told him with slight impatience.

"Yes Goldenstar, I'll go get him." Firestar dipped his head respectively to her than backed out of her den. He looked out in the clearing and saw Ashstorm telling the dawn patrol where they would be patrolling. Lightningstrike getting ready to go on patrol with Sootpelt and Owltalon. Firestorm bounded up to them quickly while Ashstorm was in the middle of explaining their route.

"...You will head down along the RiverClan border and check the Sand Shore again…" Ashstorm trailed off as Firestorm bounded up. "Is there something you need Firestorm? We have enough for this patrol."

"Actually, Goldenstar wants to speak to Lightningstrike in his den." Lightningstrike glared questioningly at Firestorm, but Firestorm kept his jaws tightly closed, refused to say anything to the ginger warrior. Ashstorm looked questioningly at Firestorm before looking over at Lightningstrike.

"Go ahead Lightnigstrike and see what Goldenstar wants" meowed Sootpelt. "We'll wait for you to come back." 'I doubt he'll be coming back' Firestorm thought to himself. Lightningstrike nodded to the black and white warrior, and headed over to Goldenstar's den.

"Well I'm heading to the nursery real quick before taking Sunpaw out." Firestorm told the patrol before he bounded over to the nursery. When he entered he was surprised to see Sunpaw, sitting with his sister purring gently at her kits.

"Firestorm good morning," purred Princess warmly, as she waved her tail at him in greeting.

"Good morning Princess," Firestorm meowed warmly to his sister. "Good morning to you too, Sunpaw."

"Good morning Firestorm," purred Sunpaw softly. "I was just…"

"She let me try my first piece of fresh-kill," Princess meowed showing him the dove that was mostly eaten. "I didn't think I would like it at first. But it wasn't that bad. She's a marvelous help." Sunpaw looked a little embarrassed as she looked down at her paws, shyly glancing up at Firestorm every few moments. He blinked gratefully at her, before turning his attention to Princess.

"I'm glad she's been helping you get comfortable." Firestorm told her. "She's my apprentice and I have to take her out for training now." Princess looked a little upset.

"I thought she would be my helper…" Princess mewl a little. Firestorm shook his head sadly.

"No, your helper is Lightningstrike, he's one of SkyClan's younger warriors." Firestorm explained a little nervously, "He isn't fond of kittypets…If he upsets you let me know," Firestorm told her gently. Princess looked nervous but nodded her head in understanding. Firestorm licked her head gently. Sunpaw meowed a quiet goodbye to Princess before following Firestorm out of the nursery. Just as they exited the nursery they heard a loud screech come from Goldenstar's den.

"WHAT?" yowled a voice from within Goldenstar's den which Firestorm recognized was Lightningstrike's voice. Despite the fact that he didn't really want Lightningstrike anywhere near his sister. He found a lot of humor in Lightningstrike having to take care of her. He heard a soft mrrow or laughter from Sunpaw, who also seemed to be enjoying Lightningstrike's misfortune as well.

"Hey Firestorm," Firestorm looked over and saw Longclaw, Runnningstream and Ravenpaw heading over to him and Sunpaw.

"Hi, everyone what's going on?" Firestorm asked curiously. Ravenpaw's tail twitched in excitement.

"My warrior assessment is today." Meowed Ravenpaw gently, Firestorm could see his excitement but also his nervousness. Firestorm touched his tail to Ravenpaw's shoulder gently.

"Good luck, you'll do fine." Firestorm meowed comfortingly. Ravenpaw blinked gratefully at him.

"Yes good luck Ravenpaw," meowed Sunpaw quietly

"Thank you Firestorm, you too Sunpaw" Ravenpaw meowed.

"We wanted to see your sister's kits before we went out on our duties today." Meowed Longclaw, glancing purposefully at the nursery.

"Well I'd go now before Lightningstrike keeps you from going into the nursery." They all looked at him as if he had lost his mind. "I can't explain now but go, just tell my sister you're my friends she'll let you see them." The three still didn't seem to understand what Lightningstrike had to do with visiting the kits, but nodded anyway and the three headed into the nursery. Firestorm started heading toward the camp entrance, mentally deciding what he was going to teach Sunpaw that day.

"Let's hunt today, the fresh-kill pile is looking a little low," Firestorm decided, after getting a good glimpse of the meager pile. "Now where would be the best place for us to hunt today?" Sunpaw paused a moment thinking carefully.

"How about near the Sand Shore?" she asked.

"Maybe, but I overheard that RiverClan have been scented in that area," Firestorm told her. Sunpaw looked alarmed at Firestorm.

"They're not trying to take the Sand Shore from us are they?"

"They might be, but until we know for sure let's steer clear of that area," Firestorm told her, "But it was a good suggestion, we'll try near the feeders today."

After spending most of the morning around the feeders they managed to catch: two bramblings, two wrens and a sparrow. They enter the camp nodding there greetings to Mapletail and Finchflight as the two passed on the way out to do hunting of their own. They placed their catches into still small pile and decided that they should probably head back out. They paused as they heard a voice call out to him as he approached the camp entrance.

"Firestorm hold on a moment." Called Fallowpelt as she ran to catch up with him.

"What's wrong Fallowpelt?" Firestorm asked with slight worry.

"I'm afraid that Blackbird has whitecough," Fallowpelt explained sadly, "I heard Grayfeather coughing a while ago and moved her into my den. I'm worried that greencough may be coming soon." Firestorm stiffened nervously. He knew greencough was a deadly disease and that plenty of cats had died from it in the past. He dreaded what could happen to his fellow Clanmates if the disease ravaged the camp.

"What can I do?" Firestorm asked her patiently.

"Do you happen to know where some catmint grows?" she asked him. Firestorm paused to think.

"Catmint? Echoed Firestorm

"Yes it has soft leaves and an irresistible scent…" Firestorm stopped her from finishing.

"Yes I know where some grows." Firestorm told her.

"Good it will help with greencough if it comes to the Clan." She murmured gently. "Can you go and get some?"

"Yes, I'll take Sunpaw with me so it moves faster." Sunpaw nodded in agreement, with a look of determination on her face.

"Good thinking, I'm keeping a close eye on the nursery; the last thing I want is for the kits to start getting sick." Fallowpelt mewled determinedly.

"We'll go now," meowed Firestorm, "Come on Sunpaw." The two raced out of the warrior den and headed for the twolegplace.

They arrived at Firestorm's old twoleg nest, sometime before sunhigh. Firestorm leaped onto the fence and into his old garden. Sunpaw nervously followed him, Firestorm led her over to some irresistible smelling plants.

"This was where you use to live?" Sunpaw asked softly as she looked around. Firestorm nodded.

"Yes I use to sit on the fence and stare into the forest, wondering what it would be like to into it." He told her with a wistful tone in his voice. They reached the area in the garden where the catmint grew,

"This is it take as much as you can carry." Firestorm told her as he started to pull off some of the leaves. Sunpaw followed his example and took in a mouth full of the tasty leaves. Firestorm motioned for her to follow him. They leaped onto and off the fence heading back to the forest.

(Okay I think I'm going to end it here…)

(Just kidding!)

By the time they had reached the camp it was sunhigh. Walking into the camp, where they ran into an irritated Lightningstrike who glared fiercely at Firestorm as he walked by on his way out into the forest. Firestorm decided he would drop the catmint off first than go to check on Princess. He headed toward Fallpwpelt's den, but paused when he saw her exiting the nursery looking a little tired. Noticed the two waiting for her, heading for her den to take their catmint. As they followed her into her den, he spotted Grayfeather trying to rest in a nest. Blackbird looked frailer than he had seen him in the past. Firestorm hoped the old tom pulled through.

"Is something wrong with the kits or queens?" asked Sunpaw after giving up her bundle of catmint. Her gaze was full of worry, "None of them are sick are they?" Fallowpelt shook her head.

"No Blackflower's kits are here," Fallowpelt mewed warmly. "She had gone into labor in the night and in the she birthed them not long after you left."

"But I was just in the nursery this morning." Firestorm meowed incredulously, "She wasn't behaving like she was going into labor." Fallowpelt mrrowed in amusement.

"You don't know Blackflower, she bares her pain in silence and refuses to let others fuss over her." Fallowpelt told them, "I only knew because I saw the signs," Sunpaw's eyes flashed in excitement.

"Can we see them? How many are there?" She meowed excitedly, her body squirming restlessly, as if she couldn't see the new kits fast enough.

"You may if your quiet and only one at a time." Fallowpelt told them. "And there are three kits in her litter." Sunpaw wiggled in excitement and raced out of the medicine den to go to the nursery. Firestorm watched Fallowpelt a moment.

"How's Blackbird?" Firestorm asked her quietly, the old tom has been one he held great respect for. He felt still he had a lot to learn from the wise old elder. Fallowpelt sighed as she looked over at the frail old tom.

"He hasn't gotten any worse, but he hasn't gotten better either." She told Firestorm as she started to sort the catmint with the rest of the herbs in her stores. She saw the worried look on his face. "Blackbird is a tough old tom, he has even outlived his own kits. I'm sure he has another three or four seasons before StarClan calls him home."

"I'll keep that in mind." Firestorm told her, "Let me know if you run low on catmint again, I'll be glad to fetch some more for you."

"Thank you, I may have to take you up on that offer." She told him softly. He dipped his head to her respectively once more than exited her den. Heading to the nursery to check on his sister. As he made his way to the nursery a familiar brown tabby padded toward him.

"Hey Firestorm," meowed Longclaw as he came up to him. "Have you seen Blackflower's new kits yet?" Firestorm shook his head.

"No I haven't gotten the chance yet, Sunpaw's in there with them now I'm waiting for her to come out." Longclaw shook with excitement.

"Can you believe it? Twelve kits!" he meowed "SkyClan is growing, I can't wait, Snowfall and Squirrelfur's kits will be apprenticed soon. I hope I get to mentor one." Firestorm touched his tail to his friends shoulder.

"I'm sure you will," Firestorm told him as he watched Sunpaw emerge out of the nursery with a wistful look.

"They're beautiful," she breathed, "You should go see them now Firestorm."

"Okay, I'll be out in a moment." Firestorm turned and headed into the nursery. He looked around and spotted Squirrelfur napping in her nest. Her kits were play fighting with Snowfall's kits, Princess' eyes lit up as she saw him and beckoned him over to her with her tail. Firestorm nodded to her and motioned toward Blackflower. Princess blinked silently in understanding, watching as Firestorm approached Blackflower. Firestorm paused seeing Blackflower tiredly watching him as he approached her.

"Hello, Blackflower," he breathed quietly, "I was wondering if I could see your kits, If you're not too tired." Blackflower blinked drowsily at him then moved her tail to let her see the three kits. One was black, the next was a black-and-white kit and the third kit was a dark, almost black, gray. "They're lovely" Firestorm purred to her. Blackflower blinked gratefully at him, as she curled her tail around her kits again, lying down her head and began to sleep. Firestorm moved over to Princess and looked down at her sleeping kits.

"Hi Princess," he purred softly as he brushed his tail over their ears. "How have you been? Lightningstrike hasn't done anything has he?"

"No, he's been a great help." Princess told him, "He's gone out to get some fresh bedding for my nest." Firestorm was surprised to hear that Lightningstrike had been taking good care of his sister. 'Goldenstar must have seriously threatened him' He thought to himself, 'and it must be a severe punishment if he hasn't done anything to Princess'

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath the High Branch for a Clan meeting." Called Goldenstar. Firestorm blinked slowly in surprise.

"I wonder why Goldenstar..." Firestorm meowed happily, "Ravenpaw… He must have passed his warrior's assessment." Squirrelfur had awaken and started to head out for the ceremony, leaving her kits with Snowfall. Firestorm told his sister goodbye and headed out of the nursery. He looked around and found other cats already settled down for the ceremony. He decided to sit with Sunpaw and Redflower who were looking on in great interest.

Ravenpaw sat in the front of everyone with his mentor, Hawkwing. His black fur was freshly groomed, his white chest and tail tip, stood out as bright as snow. His amber eyes gleamed with pride and suppressed excitement as he sat beside his mentor. Hawkwing looked just as proud; Firestorm knew how much Ravenpaw had been waiting for this day. The Day he could proudly call himself a SkyClan warrior.

"The time has come, once more to name another warrior." meowed Goldenstar.

Goldenstar sprang down from the Highrock to meet the apprentice and his mentor. "Hawkwing" he began using formal words handled down from all the Clans, "are you satisfied that this apprentice is ready to become a warrior of SkyClan?"

Hawkwing inclined his head. "He will be a warrior the Clan can be proud of," he replied.

Goldenstar raised her eyes to the evening sky. "I Goldenstar, leader of SkyClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice." The Clan hushed as her voice rang strongly across the clearing. "He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn." She turned to Ravenpaw, locking his gaze with hers. "Ravenpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?" Ravenpaw's whole body quiver with anticipation as he lifted his chin and replied clearly "I do"

"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name. Ravenpaw, from this moment, you will be known as Ravenfeather. StarClan honors your courage and patience and we welcome you as a full warrior of SkyClan"

Okay that's it this chapter is way longer than it's supposed to be …oh well anyway review and let me know what you think.

Also I have a new Poll for Fire in the Sky in my profile. Let me know what you think I should do.