CHAPTER TEN

"Whiteeyes, did you know there's a dip in the ground over here?" I called to the blind tom who followed my voice and padded over to me, looking at me with his creepy blue eyes. "I think it's a hole of some sort. Should I explore?" We'd been out in unknown territory all day. Whiteeyes, Cloudpaw, Strikefang, and I. The Gathering a quarter moon ago didn't smooth over well. RiverClan went back to their old tricks, moving the border and crossing it to provoke us but Rowanstar wouldn't attack.

"Yes, Beestripe. Because I can see that," Whiteeyes replied sarcastically and searched the ground for it. "Go ahead. If something seems wrong do not hesitate to get out of there," he ordered and padded away to where Cloudpaw was struggling with some brambles.

I didn't like Whiteeyes telling me what to do since I was the leader of the outgoers but it wasn't too bad, he was a kind, gentle, and intelligent cat. I dived down into the hole, wiggling through it. It didn't feel like a cat had made this, maybe a shrew or something.

As I wiggled through I caught scent of something over the rabbit that was choking me. Fox! Cloudpaw's first day out here she'd mentioned she smelled fox but I didn't think anything of it since we were on the other side of the Thunderpath. Fear struck me as I backed out quickly, struggling and squealing in fear but managing. I saw his eyes glint in the darkness.

"Fox!" I screeched to the others, panic rising. "There's a fox!" I crouched down low, waiting for it to explode from the hole and attack me.

Fur brushed beside me and I turned my head to see Cloudpaw down in a skillful crouch, her teeth bared. My fake mate, Strikefang, and Whiteeyes stood beside me, getting ready.

And then, it bursted out, snarling and growling. It looked angry.

"Surround it, quickly!" Whiteeyes ordered and slipped behind it while Cloudpaw went to it's right side and Strikefang it's left. I swiped at it's nose and it growled as Cloudpaw and Strikefang dragged their claws along it's side. Whiteeyes chomped down on it's tail and it looked around blindly. We were too much for it.

I nipped at its paw and the others did too, letting it run through a hole in between Strikefang and I, away from the camp. "Cloudpaw, cover that hole," I ordered her and turned away, feeling relief. In all my days, I'd never faced a fox.

Secretly, I was hoping we'd find a base soon. I'd spent every day either training Cloudpaw or out here making a path to this magical new camp we were going to find. I highly doubted that we'd find one so close to our camp but the feud between outgoers and pine hunters was getting bigger, especially since Needleflower joined the nursery. Everyone was saying she'd make her kits become pine hunters. We needed to make our job seem important but I knew we really just needed the prey.

Snow still hadn't begun to fall yet, despite my kits desperate attempts to make it snow with their weird chants Oakfur and Kinkfur had been teaching them. Oakfur was passing quickly. Puddleheart said he had a noncontagious disease that was shutting down his body and before the snow came, he'd be gone. I feared that day. Lightkit and Shadowkit would be so destroyed.

I pushed a bramble out of the way and glanced at my apprentice. She enjoyed training with Slatepaw and they'd become very close over the last quarter-moon. He wasn't like Lionpaw and Birchpaw. It was sad to think soon she'd be the only one in the apprentice's den until my kits were apprentices, but even then she might be a warrior already.

"Oh my StarClan… Beestripe…" Strikefang whispered, standing beside me and looking down. "Come look."

"What is it?" I padded over to him and looked down, my mouth opening wide. It was a camp! An empty camp, but still a camp! Kind of. There was moss and grass growing down the side and brambles covered the clearing. I could see the entrances to dens. "Cloudpaw," I turned to my apprentice with shining eyes, "run back to camp, get all the outgoers and Puddleheart. Tell no pine hunter what we've found. Bring them here. Hurry!" I ordered and she took off running without another word, spraying grass all over the ground. She was a fast runner, like a WindClan cat.

Strikefang put his paw on a ledge and slowly made his way down while I helped Whiteeyes down, slowly following after him. We had to make sure there was nothing dangerous down there before the others came.

Once we'd reached the bottom I instantly scented the air. There was a very faint scent of fox and I quickly darted to the nearest den and sniffed it. "Clear!" I called.

"Clear!"

"Clear!"

We checked five out of six dens within seconds and when we entered the last den, I could already smell the herbs.

"Puddleheart will love this," Whiteeyes purred, sniffing through the herbs. "Catmint, borage leaves, chervil, maybe dock," he purred and looked at me with his blind blue eyes. "The others are here!" He darted out of the den and we followed. Since he lost one of his senses, the other's followed after him and looked up, seeing Cloudpaw appeared with Spikefur, Tigerheart, Slatepaw, Yarrowfur, and Puddleheart.

"Come on down, we checked all the dens. It's safe," Whiteeyes called with a smile. He seemed proud of himself. He was getting along well in ShadowClan.

The cats slowly came down the ledges we went down and Strikefang led Puddleheart over to the den with the herbs while the rest of them looked around at the dens and the camp. We needed to clear the brambles, grass, and moss, reinforce the dens, and clean the dens before we told any pine hunters about the new camp.

"Alright guys!" I mewed and they all turned to me. "Spikefur and Cloudpaw, you start clearing out of the dens, Tigerheart and Slatepaw you start clearing the brambles, grass, and moss from the walls and ground, and Yarrowfur and Strikefang you start reinforcing the dens with the brambles. I'll start working on the entrance of the camp." I padded to the entrance of the new camp and slipped outside, seeing it was overrun by grass and I walked all over it, smashing it down and continuing to do that until I could see over the new camp and the path leading to it.

I nodded to myself and padded back to the entrance, bushes guarded it, making the entrance seem like just more rubble. It was hidden perfectly. However, the brambles had grass and moss stuffed in it, making it less effective. I began to pull out the grass bit by bit and the moss and threw it out behind me. This camp would be as great as ShadowClan's camp!

We all worked hard that day until finally, the sun was sinking in the sky and we all agreed it was time to get back to camp. It looked nice: The dens were large and reinforced, we'd made nests with the brambles in the camp and the moss on the walls, you could clearly see the Flat Stone, as we called it, underneath was a dip in the earth, or a hollowed out den for the leader to sleep. The medicine den was by the entrance of camp, hidden by brambles, the warrior and apprentice's den were on the other side of the camp by the entrance, separated by a wall of stone, the nursery was right next to them, hidden by grass and weeds and the inside was large and nests everywhere, and the elder's den was on the other side of the clearing. It was just like the one back home.

As we exited the new camp and padded along the trail that connected to the original trail and led us back home, over to the Thunderpath and through the pines. I was glad it was still pine trees surrounding us, too.

Back in camp, through the secret entrance, Rowanstar was waiting for us and signed in relief. "I was going to send out a patrol to find you! But no one knows the trail!" He turned to Puddleheart who was carrying herbs in his jaws. "Where have you been?"

"We found a new camp," I whispered to him, eyes shining. "We've tidied it up and it's prepared for living if needed," I explained to him. I was excited to tell everyone but I knew it was best for us to keep it a secret. "I mean, there's a few things still need fixing like we need to finish the nests and there are some drafts in the den, plus the path isn't trampled down enough…"

Rowanstar was smiling wide. "You really found a camp?" He glanced at the rest of the outgoers who were nodding. "Just keep it well prepared and well stocked." He dipped his head and padded away while Cloudpaw helped Puddleheart with his herbs and brought them to his den.

I wanted to speak with my apprentice. Tomorrow I'd send out a patrol and we'd be on the dawn patrol. She needed more training, not just exploring unknown territory. That wouldn't help her in battle!

"Cloudpaw," I purred as she padded up to me. "Get something to eat and get some rest. I'm putting us on the dawn patrol," I told her and nodded to the prey pile that was hardly full. It looked like a mouse, a sparrow and robin, and a soggy lizard. My apprentice padded over to it.

"Mom!" two squealing voices yowled and I saw eight paws tackling me and bringing me to the ground. My two beautiful kits were trampling me. "We miss you so much!" Lightkit purred.

Shadowkit was rubbing against me now. "We really did! The elders were telling us about a badger attack, I was scared you'd been attacked by a badger." He looked at me with sides eyes and suddenly puffed out his fur, tackling his sister playfully. "I'd teach that badger a lesson!"

I had to stifle a giggle at my kit. "Not until you're older," I told him and grabbed him by the scruff, setting him down. "Come on, let's get you to the nursery." I nudged them to the nursery gently and they raced their while I trotted after, catching Strikefang's warm gaze and stopping myself from shuddering.

Mine! I thought but forced a smile, quickly slipping into the nursery after them. They were already settled into their nest and Needleflower was picking at the sparrow from the pile. She looked up at me with guilt.

"Beestripe… They aren't Strikefang's, are they?" she mumbled, too quiet for my half-asleep kits to hear. "I mean they look nothing like him…"

Now I felt uncomfortable. She knew! Did others suspect it too? "No, they aren't his… But you mustn't tell anyone!" I looked at her belly that was swollen with kits. "I did it to protect them."

She was nodding, smiling down at the bird. "You also don't like the outgoers, do you? I mean they're pointless."

Excuse me? I wanted to hiss but kept myself calm, lashing my tail. "Watch your mouth," I snapped and turned away from her, getting in my nest with my kits and curling my tail around them protectively. She can talk about anything else but my duty to this Clan! I sent her a glare and then put my head down, letting my thoughts run free.

Cloudpaw lashed out at Slatepaw's nose and missed by a hair but the unexpecting apprentice lost his balance and fell to his side and Cloudpaw jumped on him, smiling in triumph. This was her first time winning against the older apprentice.

"I did it!" she purred and jumped off him, looking at Tigerheart who smiled and shook his head slowly. She did do it, very good too. "Yes! In your face, Slatepaw!" She jumped around excitedly.

"A true warrior doesn't brag," I mewed to her and she froze, looking at me with a hot pelt. It had only been a few days since Needleflower figured out about my kit's father. Cloudpaw and I had done nothing but train, I hadn't even let her return to the new camp. I wanted her to be a skilled warrior, I was teaching her everything my mentors had taught me.

Snow had begun to fall from the sky lightly and covered the ground. Every day the outgoers on patrol reported they had to clear a path from our camp to the new camp which took at least until sunhigh and they returned at dusk. I was half-tempted to just let them stay there but I knew it would be dangerous since the pine hunters still didn't know about the new camp.

Tigerheart was gazing at me curiously. "Shall we head back to camp? It's too cold for Cloudpaw and Slatepaw to stay out much longer." He glanced up and a flake of snow landed on his nose and melted.

He and I had grown close over the last few days. Nothing like mine and Cloudpaw's connection but he was a good friend.

"Yes, let's get back." I turned away and padded side by side next to the warrior while the other two trailed after us, chatting happily. Slatepaw had definitely brought out a less shy, more happy side of Cloudpaw. After she faced the dogs something in her changed. I think she got her revenge from when she was a kit.

"...and so when you jump up in the air to meet them your weight really matters!" Slatepaw was saying and I could picture Cloudpaw nodding in agreement. "If they're bigger than you, never charge them either!"

Cloudpaw replied cheerfully, "Thanks for the advice, Slatepaw!" I could practically see the happiness in her voice. She was glad to be alive and living in the Clan with so many friends. "Hey Beestripe? Tomorrow can we hunt? I want to try and see if my pelt really blends in well with the snow like everyone says it does!"

"Of course," I purred back at her. My kits were so excited to see the snow. They'd practically clawed my ears off to get out of the nursery to see it, since it was the only thing keeping their mind off Oakfur who'd come down with greencough and was hiding in the medicine den to keep from getting other's sick, especially Needleflower who was due any day now.

In camp, everyone was buzzing, well the outgoers were at least. They couldn't wait for the announcement of the new camp but we wouldn't let Rowanstar tell any pine hunters until it was completed. Without Cloudpaw and I the patrols were slower than usual.

"Beestripe!" Rowanstar mewed, padding over to me with shining eyes. "Good news. The outgoers patrol just returned and they say they've found a way to block the snow. When they go out tomorrow they want you and Cloudpaw to go."

My eyes shifted to my apprentice who instantly looked disappointed at the thought of not being able to hunt. "Of course. I'll take them hunting before we come back as well," I added, seeing her face light up in excitement.

The leader noticed this with amusement. "Please, do that." He dipped his head and padded away with a grin, laying next to Tawnypelt who was nibbling at a lizard.

Cloudpaw looked at me. "Thank you so much, Beestripe!" I could tell she was being completely sincere and her sparkling light blue eyes made me fill with warmth. Whatever this she-cat was doing, she would be bringing joy with her.

Excitement tingled in my paws as I dipped my head to her and smiled warmly, about to speak but a voice interrupted me, "Beestripe, may we speak in private?"

Strikefang! My heart lurched and my kits popped into my head but instead of panicking I turned around to face my former mentor. "Of course!" I purred softly, keeping on my happy face. "Cloudpaw, go get something to eat," I ordered and then followed the tom through camp and we slipped outside, going to the side.

He stopped suddenly and faced me with dark eyes. "Shadowkit and Lightkit… They aren't actually mine, are they?" Strikefang forced me to meet his gaze, his eyes full of pain. He'd obviously been paying a lot more attention.

"Please don't tell Rowanstar! I'm scared he'll make us leave…" I blurted and searched his eyes for compassion and found it, as well as sympathy but mostly sadness was coming from the tomcat. "I'm so sorry, I mean we connect deeply and I know you've been mooning over me since we were apprentices-" I cut myself off with a frustrated huff, unable to contain myself much longer.

The warrior closed this eyes for a moment. I could practically see his mind thinking. "I'm not going to tell Rowanstar, Beestripe," he promised and then his eyes flickered open. "I will, however, continue to be apart of their lives. They need a father, and I will be theirs." This is where I knew something bad was about to happen. "But you and I are no longer friends, or mates… Or whatever we were to you before." His tail lashed and he padded around me and slipped back into camp.

I felt my whole body freeze. No longer friends? We'd been friends since we were kits and beyond. And because of something I did… That was over? I could feel my heart burn in pain and I struggled to swallow, pressure building up in my throat. I wanted to run. Stonetooth, Wasptail, Bluekit. I was dead to Strikefang.

Everything inside me told me to run by my paws turned straight to camp and I entered, feeling numb. Snow was falling lightly but I barely noticed as I numbly padded to the warrior's den and slipped inside. It was empty inside and I flopped in my nest, curling up tightly and shutting my eyes. I just wanted to sleep…

Yarrowfur led the way through the clear path that had branch placed over it skillfully. There was something at the new camp that was urgent for me to see. Strikefang and Spikefur were both there waiting for us while Tigerheart and Slatepaw trained. Whiteeyes was trailing after us and Cloudpaw was happily bouncing in front of me.

Since yesterday when Strikefang told me we weren't friends anymore I'd been distancing myself. This would be the first time we were near each other and my paws tingled in fear but I didn't let it show.

"There's just… Something we aren't sure how to fix and we could use your advice," Yarrowfur was saying and glanced back at me.

I nodded slowly, as if I was listening. "I understand," I mumbled and pushed my thoughts away. The outgoers needed me. "Let's have a look."

We crossed the Thunderpath easily and then I came upon the camp, noticing instantly that the elder's den had fallen right into the middle of camp. "Fix it," I told him instantly with a confused face. "What do you need advice for?"

"Well... Just come down into the camp," he mewed uncomfortable and climbed down and we followed after, rounding around the den where Strikefang and Spikefur were waiting.

An unfamiliar voice suddenly let out a snort, "Oh finally! You must be their leader! Help me!"

I looked down and stuck under the den was a black tom, his eyes full of fury. He smelled of rogue and there was no doubt he'd caused the falling of the den. Now he was stuck under it. "Oh dear StarClan," I whispered. "Help me lift up the den!" I ordered and leaned against it, the other warrior's copying and we heaved it up just enough for him to squeeze out.

"Thank you!" he growled and shook out his fur. His paws and tail tip were white. "These furballs insisted that Beestripe come help and all this nonsense!" He rolled his brown eyes and lashed his tail, looking at us curiously. "Are you… Part of one of the Clans?"

I dipped my head. "Yes, we are. We're ShadowClan cats. Don't fear us, though."

The black tom broke into laughter. "What're you doing out here? The Clan cats don't go past their borders…" He looked around at the camp and looked back to me. "This is clearly outside your borders. You know that." He seemed rather calm that he was outnumbered and surrounded. Perhaps he lived here before. Maybe he could show us tricks and such of the camp.

"We're exploring territory," I mewed simply, seeing the others getting uneasy with his questions. "This is our extra camp." My tail flicked at him. "You should get out of here before Rowanstar comes along," I warned.

He smiled and his eyes flickered to Whiteeyes. "Hiss? Is that you, here, with these Clan cats?" He seemed very concerned for him.

Whiteeyes smiled at him. "Comet. I knew I recognized that voice." His blind eyes shone in happiness. "Dandelion and I have both joined ShadowClan," he told him uneasily. "I am Whiteeyes and she is Flowerstem now.¨ He gave a small smile and then pawed at the ground. "Good to see the dogs haven't tore you apart."

Comet laughed loudly. "You know me, Hiss. Dogs don't scare me." Suddenly he realized he was surrounded by us and he turned hostile again. "I suppose I should go off and warn the others that the Clans are invading." He turned away from us. "I'll catch you later, Whiteeyes," he growled lowly and pushed past Strikefang and Spikefur.

I could feel his longing for his old friend and I could tell he was going to race after him but his loyalty shone through and he watched Comet slip through the entrance and disappear. I could smell the sadness coming off him.

"Let's get to fixing this den," I told them and watched as they sent to work, getting brambles and getting the den set up again. Comet was a strong tomcat although he had an attitude. He seemed intelligent, knowing about the Clans and going to warn 'the others' about our coming into unknown territory. He had leadership as well if he was planning to help move 'the others'. Perhaps if I saw him again I could convince him to come to ShadowClan camp and consider joining.

While everyone worked, I observed, watching and giving pointers to the cats fixing the den. They'd completed quite a lot in the time we were here but with the sun sinking in the sky I knew that if we were to hunt before heading back to camp, we'd have to do it now.

"All right, let's head back to camp!" I yowled and they gathered around, Strikefang shuffled his paws awkwardly. "Cloudpaw and I are going to hunt, you all may hunt as well." I led Cloudpaw out of the new camp and we padded along the trail silently.

Cloudpaw's tail was flicking back and forth and I knew she was wanting to break the silence but I didn't want to talk about Strikefang or my kits or Nightfur right now.

"You go ahead, I'll monitor your skills," I told her with a smile and she excitedly darted away, heading to where I could smell a thrush. She should catch that easy.

Shadowkit and Lightkit treated the small white she-cat like she was their littermate. They looked up to her and I was glad for it. I hoped Strikefang would never tell the kits that he wasn't their father. It would break their hearts and I didn't know if I could handle someone else being furious with me.

I wonder how Nightfur is doing… I haven't seen him since the Gathering, I thought and glanced around, hearing a branch crunch and I pricked my ears and dropped down, looking around. Everything was quiet now.

"Hello?" I whispered, my eyes darting around curiously. "Who's there?" I paused, seeing white fur in the bushes. "Cloudpaw?"

The apprentice bursted through the bushes and tackled me, laughing loudly. "I thought I was quiet enough!" she growled.

I threw her off me. "You stepped on a branch! I could hear you!" I laughed at her and jumped to my paws, watching her shake snow out of her fur.

She glared at me playfully and pulled a thrush out of the bushes. "We should get back before dusk!" Cloudpaw purred through the thrush's feathers and led the way to the Thunderpath.

We got down low and darted across when there was a gap, padding along under the pine branches. We were making progress. It should be done in the next few sunrises and ready to be used when needed. Hopefully we'd never need it.

After we entered the camp I sent Cloudpaw to sleep and glanced at Puddleheart's den. I could definitely hear him cleaning and muttering to himself and I slipped into his den, seeing his holding catmint in his jaws. He didn't look up at me when I entered.

"Hello, Beestripe," he purred softly and put the catmint down, moving another pile of herbs. "How may I help you? Is it your kits?"

I blinked a few times. "No, my kits are fine. I just wanted to say goodnight." I dipped my head and backed out of the den, padding to the nursery and seeing my kits were sleeping soundlessly in our nest and Needleflower was sleeping in her nest. I slipped in behind them and wrapped my tail around them protectively and drifted to sleep, enjoying their warmth.

"Beestripe! We have a visitor!" Slatepaw called and I pricked my ears, slipping out of the rebuilt elder's den and into the new camp's clearing. Everything was shaping up nicely. We'd moved all the extra brambles to the edge of camp and we'd made a prey pile.

In the middle of the clearing, Comet stood next to Slatepaw, looking around with interest. "Beestripe!" he purred, his eyes landing on me, his interest growing. "You don't suppose that your leader would talk to me, would he?"

My eyes flickered to Slatepaw who shrugged and trotted over to Cloudpaw who was struggling with a bramble. "Why would you like to speak to him?" To join us? The question echoed through my mind.

Comet smiled at me, his head tilted slightly to the right. "Just your leader, please." He seemed way too eager to speak to Rowanstar. I felt uncomfortable leading him right into ShadowClan camp but what was I to do?

"Cloudpaw," I mewed, turning to my apprentice, "fetch Rowanstar. Tell him it's urgent." I watched her dart away with speed. She was probably the fastest cat in ShadowClan. "He's on his way," I purred to Comet and turned away, catching Strikefang's gaze. He looked away quickly.

Silence set in the camp as Tigerheart and Yarrowfur padded in, eyeing Comet but putting their prey on the prey pile and padded over to me.

"Why is Comet here?" Tigerheart hissed, his fur bristling.

I gave him a smell glare. "He is a guest, respect him," I ordered and sighed, looking at the black tom. "He requested to see Rowanstar. Cloudpaw has gone to fetch him."

Yarrowfur's eyes widened. "Has he come to try and kick us out of our new camp?" His tail lashed and his claws dug into the ground. "I'll rip him to shreds if I have to!"

Now I swiped his ears angrily. "You'll do no such thing!" I scolded and then turned to the entrance just as Rowanstar and Cloudpaw bursted in and Comet jumped to his paws. "Rowanstar!" I mewed, padding up to him. "This is Comet, he wishes to speak with you in private."

Our leader eyed the rogue. "Beestripe comes with us or there will be no chatting," he mewed and led the tom into the elder's den and I followed after.

As soon as we settled down Comet began talking, "This camp has been here a long time, I've known and lived in it all my life. As well as the territory around it. The Thunderpath, the pines, a little bit further you would've hit a meadow with some nofur dens in it…" He paused to take a breath and read Rowanstar's facial reaction. "The point is, if I can prove myself, would you consider letting me join ShadowClan?"

Rowanstar's eyes widened in surprise. "W-Well of course. You're going to work under Beestripe. If you fail to do as she says, we'll run you out. Within the next few sunrises, if you've proved yourself, you may become a full warrior of ShadowClan." He slipped out of the den without another word.

Comet dipped his head to me respectfully. "Tell me what to do, Beestripe, and I'll do it." His brown eyes shone with content. He seemed happy to be here.

"Right…" I mumbled and shook my head, focusing. "We need to hunt so get Tigerheart, the dark brown tabby, and have him make a patrol," I ordered and watched him slip out of the den without another word and I followed after him, seeing him already speaking to the warrior who looked at me with wide, surprised eyes but he grabbed his apprentice and padded out of the camp.

Strikefang approached me hesitantly, his eyes glistening in pain. "B-Beestripe," he mumbled, pawing the ground and avoiding eye contact, "do you-" He was cut off by paws pounding on the ground and a black-and-white tom bursted into the camp.

I easily recognized Crowfrost, his eyes wide in worry. "Beestripe, it's Needleflower! Her kits are coming!" he mewed and flicked his tail. "Come with me!" he ordered and raced away.

"Keep watch of the camp," I ordered Strikefang and darted after him, panic in my paws. Needleflower was having her kits! Excitement soared through my paws as I followed Crowfrost along the very path I created, making sure he stayed on it himself and didn't get lost since he'd only been in the new camp once before.

We darted across the Thunderpath and raced into camp. I could hear her grunting and moaning in pain from outside camp and when I entered, I could tell something was wrong.

Puddleheart had posted Tawnypelt in front of the nursery, making sure no one entered and everyone appeared worried and Junipernose was pacing back and forth, every time she yowled in pain he pressed his ears down on his head and closed his eyes tightly.

Rowanstar was out in the clearing next to Dawnpelt. He had his tail wrapped around his kit and his eyes were closed. He was worried too.

"Let me through!" I growled at Tawnypelt and she moved and I slipped inside. I wish I hadn't of entered the den though. Blood was everywhere: All over the ground, her two kits, Puddleheart, and Needleflower.

"Only one more, Needleflower, you can do it!" Puddleheart purred as the last kit slipped out and he nipped the sac.

My sister looked at her kits with a smile and then looked up at me with wide eyes. "Beestripe… Watch after them, please. Don't let any harm come to them..." Her eyes closed and I heard Puddleheart growling and I turned to him to see he was struggling with all the blood.

"There's too much blood, Beestripe!" he growled and was chewing up an herb.

Needleflower, however, had stopped breathing and I felt my whole body just freeze as I gazed at her. "No!" I screeched and darted forward, licking her ear and cheek. "No, Needleflower. Please don't leave me! Not you too, please!" I pleaded and tears fell from my eyes. "Come back, please. Please…" I looked at her face to see her eyes weren't opening and I buried my face in her bloody pelt. "No, no, no."

Mewling made me sit up and I gazed at her three kits. A silver-and-black she-kit, a black tom, and a silver she-kit.

Junipernose barged in, his eyes wide as he gazed around, his eyes landing on his mate. "No!" he wailed and tears fell from his face as he pushed me out of the way and sniffed her, smelling the death. "Dear StarClan, no!" He let out a loud wail.

"Junipernose, meet your kits," Puddleheart mummered, looking at our sister with great sadness. He watched as the kits tried to nuzzle into the she-cat's stomach, searching for milk and mewling when they couldn't find any.

The black warrior looked at his kits, his eyes full of tears. He licked the she-kit's head gently and smiled. "Don't worry kits, I'm here. I have you…" Junipernose looked up at me with wide eyes. "You still have milk, don't you Beestripe? They need you too." He swept his tail around his kits.

I nodded numbly, feeling his pain too. "Of course, Junipernose." I laid down on my side, feeling two kits nuzzling into my belly. Where was the third one?

The kit that looked just like Junipernose had fallen out of the nest and was on his back, struggling to his paws. Junipernose purred in amusement, picking him up and set him down beside my stomach. "Clumsykit." The she-kit looked most like Needleflower and he smiled. "Featherkit and Stonekit." Junipernose looked at Puddleheart was the medicine cat began dragging Needleflower gently into the clearing for vigil.

"Don't worry, Junipernose. I'll watch them," I promised and then he slipped out after Puddleheart and his mate. I looked at the three kits, purring in excitement. They were all beautiful and Junipernose did well naming them.

My kit's scent washed over me and I looked up to see them entering the nursery. "Puddleheart said it was okay to come see you now," Lightkit mewed and bounced over to me and my sister's kits. "Wow! They're beautiful! What're their names?"

Shadowkit inched over, eyeing the kits as I responded, "Featherkit, Stonekit, and Clumsykit."

My kits purred in delight and Shadowkit licked Clumsykit who stopping suckling to sniff him curiously. "I can't wait until they're older!"

I looked down at Needleflower's kits. I couldn't wait until they were older either, that way my kits wouldn't be alone anymore.

"Beestripe!" Puddleheart bursted into the den once more, his eyes wide and full of pain. "It's Oakfur! He's moved on to StarClan!"