AN: Hello all! I would just like to note that I have officially put "The Fifth Clan" into the fanfiction website, and I'm glad to say all the OC's sent in were used! Head over to my profile and check out the new story! Well, after you read this new chapter, that is :)
Enjoy chapter 26 of "Born into Stars"!
Sparrowsong was writhing in her nest uncomfortably. Only half a moon had passed since she realized she was having kits, and though no other cats seemed to notice yet, she was getting sidelong glances from she-cats who have had kits before. Who to tell, and who not to tell? She knew if she told anyone, she would be confined to the nursery as a queen, and she wanted to be a warrior for at least another quarter moon or so.
She felt someone whack their tail against her, grumbling, so she took the hint as to be quiet and not to move. The longer she stayed still, the more uncomfortable she grew. Eventually, she couldn't stand it any longer, so she got up, and padded out, weaving around her sleeping clanmates gingerly.
When she finally exited the den into the crisp Leaffall temperature, she let herself fall into a sitting position. A cold wind blew and ruffled Sparrowsong's fur, and she basked in the fresh air.
Just a few heartbeats later, she was aware of another cat in her presence. She fixed her gaze to her side to see Oakfur, padding out of the den and falling to the ground beside her. His eyelids were drooping with sleepiness, but he manged to suppress a small smile.
"Sparrowsong," He mewed, concern filling her gentle gaze, "You seem a little off, is something bothering you?"
Sparrowsong hesitated. She didn't know whether or not to tell Oakfur the news. He's my mate, he deserves to know, thought Sparrowsong, and she stifled a sigh. "There is, something," She meowed, her eyes glimmering nervously, "It was only a half moon ago, do you remember that night?"
Oakfur was still looking confused, so Sparrowsong forced herself to go on; "It was after that night when I realized," She gulped anxiously, "When I realized I was expecting your kits."
Oakfur looked surprised for a second, and then broke into a deep purr. "That's great news," He said delightedly, "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Sparrowsong shuffled her paws like a nervous apprentice, "I guess it was because I wanted to stay a warrior for longer, and I still do!"
Oakfur gave his head a disapproving shake, making Sparrowsong wrinkle her nose. "What?" She demanded, narrowing her eyes at Oakfur.
"Sparrowsong, I don't want to tell you what to do, or anything like that" He mused, looking at his mate thoughtfully, "But you need to think of your kits, rather than yourself. What if you were to get injured? Our kits could die!"
Sparrowsong flinched, realizing he had a fair point. "I suppose you are right," She sighed, "I'll think for the kits, rather than myself."
Oakfur nodded and nuzzled his mate. "I will announce this to the clan in the morning," He meowed.
Sparrowsong gave a nod. "I'm ready to be a queen."
…
Next thing Sparrowsong knew, she was waking up to the bright daylight. When did I fall asleep? She wondered, but she decided it wasn't important. She got up; ready to get the announcing of her kits over with, when she heard a voice.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the highrock for a clan meeting!"
Normally this was Pricklestar's voice, but she and her clanmates were surprised to see Oakfur standing tall on the rock. Sparrowsong knew what this was about, and shot her mate a glare, as if saying 'what are you doing?', but he ignored her and began talking.
"I have an announcement to make," He called out, puffing with pride, "Sparrowsong is now expecting my kits!"
It didn't take long for joyful murmurs to rumble through the clan, and Sparrowsong nearly shrunk with embarrassment. I hate it when the whole clan is talking about me, she grumbled to herself, but she decided to stand tall and accept the 'congratulations' from other cats.
"You're pregnant?" Bubblecloud exclaimed, rushing over to her sister, joy plastered all over her face, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I haven't told anyone, honestly," Replied Sparrowsong casually, with a dismissive flick of her tail. Apparently Bubblecloud didn't see or care for the signal, "You must be moving to the nursery, and have Mintwillow and I care for you!"
"No, no, I'm fine, I can still hunt!" Sparrowsong protested, but shut her mouth as she saw Oakfur, shaking his head, and his words rang back in her ears; "Our kits could die!"
"You are not capable of hunting anymore, and neither am I," mewed Leafmist, the queen who had only been expecting a quarter moon longer than her. Sparrowsong gave an agreeing nod of her head. "I guess so, I'll have to find a new nest in the nursery, though." Her great nest in the warriors den came to her mind, and she wished she didn't have to leave it. Though, there is Oakfur who can use my nest until I get back…
She suddenly saw her apprentice, Sandpaw, scamper up to her. "I can help make your nest!" She offered, staring fondly at her former mentor.
"That would be very sweet of you," purred Sparrowsong, "And I'm sure you will be a warrior soon, under the watch of your new mentor!"
Sandpaw beamed at the praise, "Thank you!" she mewed, "Oh, and Rileyheart will be finishing my training."
"I thought so," Sparrowsong meowed, and not long after Smudgepaw came up slightly ahead of his sister.
"Will I be a warrior soon too?" He asked, obviously wanting the same answer as she gave Sandpaw. Before Sparrowsong could answer, Sandpaw butted her brother and gave a look of annoyance. "She told me, and I'm helping her with the nest!"
Smudgepaw looked indignant. "I can help with the nest too!" He protested, and he turned back to the new queen, still expecting his answer.
"I'm sure you both will become warriors very soon," She replied, gaining the sparkle of pride from Smudgepaw's eyes. The young tom gave Sandpaw a look that said 'I told you so' and he began trotting off.
"I'm going to go find moss for that nest!" He called behind himself, and Sandpaw sprinted up to him. "I'm going to find more moss than you!" She challenged, as she grew to be ahead of Smudgepaw.
"Oh no you won't," He growled playfully. And soon, both apprentices were racing as fast as they could to the forest, ready to show each other up.
"Young cats have so much energy," Thrushpelt meowed beside her with her soft, raspy voice, "It felt like only dawns ago that I was that energetic!"
Sparrowsong gave a nod of agreement, and Thrushpelt snorted with amusement. "You still are young, and you need to treasure that. Many seasons will pass before you became old like me!"
Sparrowsong let out a faint mrrow of amusement at the elder, and decided she was indeed correct.
She soon settled down to bask in the warm sun, though every so often a cold leaf-fall breeze would blow and chill the cats outside. It wasn't long until she saw Mintwillow, the nearly forgotten medicine cat, pelt up to her, eyes widened with fear.
This can't be good, Sparrowsong thought, standing to meet the medicine cat. "Sparrowsong, you need to come with me," Mintwillow said, her voice edged with worry. The young queen didn't hesitate, and let Mintwillow guide her to the medicine den.
"So, what is it?" Sparrowsong asked, hoping for the best, though she knew what was to come would not be something to cheer about. Mintwillow checked around the den, as if making sure no cats were around to hear, and answered solemnly, "I had a dream, a bad one. There was a battle, with many faceless cats. I couldn't see clearly, and I felt certain it was my imagination, but some of the cats looked paler than others…"
"What do you mean by paler?" Sparrowsong interrupted, "As in, starry?"
Mintwillow looked surprised, but nodded quickly, "Yes, starry," She mewed, and went on, "There was a Sparrow, and out of the blue it began singing, despite the chaos below it. I knew it was meant to stand for you, so that is why I'm telling you this. Anyway, the singing dazed the cats, and they suddenly began falling even faster than before. Then suddenly, the sparrow disappeared, leaving nothing but transparent feathers. The feathers were about to do something… but I was woken up."
The medicine cat looked scared, yet Sparrowsong didn't know what to think of the dream. "Do you think Starclan sent it to you?" Sparrowsong queried, still trying to decide how to feel about the news.
"Well, of course it's from Starclan," Mintwillow exclaimed with disbelief, "Don't be a mousebrain!"
"What do you think it means, then?"
"Nothing good, I'm certain of that," Mintwillow grumbled, and she suddenly grew stiff and unmoving. "Are you okay, Mintwillow?" Sparrowsong asked.
Mintwillow turned, her body twisted in awkward angles, her eyes rolled back far in her head. "Mintwillow?!" Sparrowsong repeated, frightened.
"You will die Sparrowsong, die. And you cannot stop it. Don't try to escape destiny… you are the bridge of death."
AN: Creepy, yes? Anyway, I wrote the first half of this on Tuesday, and the second half on Friday… and guess what, it got deleted! So forgive me for taking too long, I hate my computer sometimes. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed!