AN:

This chapter is...something. I'm not the best with trigger warnings, but I'm gonna go down a bit and put them. So, scroll quickly for those who don't care

Tw: first-person perspective of giving birth. Realized I should've included a warning for Petalnose's and I do apologize for that. I just thought of it because I know, depending on the context, this could trigger me. And a warning for a stillbirth. To avoid them both happening, but to get the context and conversation post I would say from "He licked her, purring as he settled around her head. " onward is safe.

To altogether avoid it, skip to the next scene

Mothwing took another lap around the den, her tail lashing.

"Why don't you lay down?" Tawnyclaw suggested. "You're exhausting yourself."

"No." Mothwing's response was instant. She did not want to rest. It was nearing dawn now; she had begun to feel strange on her way back from meeting with Leafpaw. The kits were coming.

Tawnyclaw slowly nodded. "How long until they come?" Mothwing asked. Petalnose's seemed to come quicker. Was there something wrong? Her breath tightened. She did not know anything about this, but Tawnyclaw might.

"Goldenflower told me that sometimes you feel it before they're actually ready," Tawnyclaw responded slowly. "I believe they'll come within the day." Mothwing gritted her teeth. Neither of them truly knew what they were talking about. She did not want to feel like this all day!

"Tawnyclaw." Both she-cats turned at Tigerstar's voice. He did not bother to look at Mothwing. "Come on – you need to assign patrols." Fear engulfed Mothwing.

"Don't leave – please!" She pressed her forehead into her half-sister's chest.

"Someone else can assign patrols," Tawnyclaw meowed. "You or Leopardstar can."

"They aren't coming yet," Their father replied. "No one needs to be with her right now."

"Tell Mudclaw to assign patrols," A much more serious tone had come to Tawnyclaw's voice. Mothwing's chest tightened. How would Tigerstar respond to this?

She heard him sigh before paw steps moved away.

"You didn't need to stay." With the deputy status being up for grabs, Tawnyclaw should have listened.

"I'm staying here as long as you want me to," Tawnyclaw licked her ear. "Do you want to lay?" Mothwing nodded and they settled into the nest.

She did not know how much time had passed before a dull pain overcame her. Mothwing gasped as a spasm ran through her.

Tawnyclaw's eyes widened. She pushed herself to her feet. Mothwing's mouth opened and the tortoiseshell spoke quickly, "I'm going to get Runningnose – I'll be quick." She rushed to the entrance.

Tawnyclaw returned, Runningnose with her. The warrior settled along Mothwing's back, the queen resting her head on her older sister's haunch as Runningnose put his paw on her side.

"One will be coming soon," he said, pushing a stick toward her head. "Bite that when you need to." Mothwing nodded, mewing her thanks.

She grasped it in her jaws at a particularly painful spasm. Her heartbeat quickened; Mothwing could feel something coming. She shifted, pushing it out.

That…wasn't as bad as she thought it was going to be. Surprise jolted through her as she settled back down, leaning against Tawnyclaw. She could feel Runningnose working below her. Mothwing rested her head on Tawnyclaw's side, panting as she waited to hear its cry.

Nothing came. Mothwing began to turn as she felt Runningnose step away. Tawnyclaw's paw went to her shoulder, pushing her down. It did not feel real as the medicine cat say, "We can't let her see it."

Her breath stuttered as horror engulfed her. She never wanted this but she had never wished ill on them. Tawnyclaw put her foreleg over Mothwing, shushing as she began to groom her. "There's going to be more," She meowed. "Mothwing, we need to focus on them."

Runningnose reappeared. It did not take long for the pain to start up again. This time was worse.

Mothwing kept her head on Tawnyclaw's haunch as the mewls came. She did not want to see.

"Mothwing," Runningnose meowed as he nosed it against her belly. "You need to lick him." She shook her head. The medicine cat began again, "Mothwing –"

"She can do it later," Tawnyclaw interrupted. "He's clean and can eat. Mothwing can do it after they've all come."

"Well, I believe there's one more," Runningnose replied. The queen closed her eyes as the pain began again. This one cried, too. "Mothwing," the medicine cat meowed. "You need to look at them."

"Give her a second," Tawnyclaw meowed. She licked her sister's side. "They're healthy – they've got their tails and everything." Tawnyclaw's voice was surprisingly soft.

"I'm going to go get Tigerstar." The medicine cat stepped away.

What do they look like?" Mothwing asked after a pause.

"As I've said, they've got their tails –"

"No, what colors are their pelts?" She interrupted.

"Well, the tom's all white," Tawnyclaw began. "And the she-cat's a tabby tortoiseshell. She's got the same striping as our brothers, actually."

"And the first one?"

"It doesn't matter." Tawnyclaw shifted, "It wasn't alive. It didn't come into this world suffering." Mothwing slowly nodded. She forced herself to turn. She should see them before Tigerstar came, she figured.

She was not sure how she was supposed to feel as she looked at the kits. All she felt was tired. The tom was white but Mothwing knew she and Hawktalon were born white. He would probably change color as he got older. She forced herself to lick each in turn.

She eyed the she-cat's ginger and gray pelt as she pulled back. "Her patching is similar to yours," She murmured. It could be like Sorreltail's too, though, she reflected. Tawnyclaw chuckled.

"You think?"

"It is."

Both looked up at movement at the cave entrance. Tigerstar's eyes were locked onto the kits as he entered, Runningnose following after. "At least some of them survived," He commented. Mothwing's stomach sank.

"It's been a stressful few moons," Runningnose meowed, dipping his head to the leader. "That can affect kits."

"That rogue's kits survived the journey," He glared at the medicine cat. "Mothwing's my daughter – she's certainly stronger than any rogue."

"We did what we could," Runningnose replied.

"Father, it's no one's fault." Tawnyclaw looked up at him, "No one could have known." Tigerstar snorted, sniffing each kitten in turn.

"They look healthy," he said. "And I expect them to stay that way." Runningnose lowered his head in acknowledgment. Tigerstar looked to Mothwing after he dismissed the medicine cat. Her chest tightened.

He licked her, purring as he settled around her head. "We'll have to send for your brother," Tigerstar meowed. "Have you thought of names yet?" Mothwing blinked. She had not given it much thought.

"We should send for Rainfoot, too," she said. "He should name one." Tigerstar scoffed.

"You don't need him," Mothwing looked to her father. "He's never had kits before – he would not be a good father, being inexperienced like that." He spoke like it was obvious. "I've had two litters – and I would have been there for you had your mother told me," He licked behind Mothwing's ear. "I know how to raise kittens. They don't need a father." Mothwing looked to the kits, not knowing what to say. His head rested on her neck.

"She's got wonderful striping." Mothwing followed his gaze to the tortoiseshell. "It's similar to mine, is it not?" There was an air of expectation in his voice. Mothwing looked at her father.

Tawnyclaw had been right, she did have the same striping as Hawktalon and Brambleheart. Which they got from Tigerstar. Amber eyes looked at her and she knew what he wanted.

"Tigerkit," She mewed. Tigerstar's purr grew as he leaned over her, licking the tortoiseshell. Tigerkit mewled at his touch.

"One day, she'll be honored to have that name," he said. "And what do you want to name the tom?"

Tadpole filled Mothwing's mind as she stared at the little white tom. He was sleeping now, breathing steadily against her belly. Guilt seemed to grip her; she should name him after her brother but she did not want to. It would feel like she was replacing his memory.

"Falconkit," She finally said. That should work, even if he gained coloration.

"Strong names," Tawnyclaw remarked. Tigerstar mewed his agreement, licking Mothwing's cheek as he rose.

"And I am sure they will become suited to those names." He stepped away, his gaze going to Tawnyclaw. "Let's hope all of yours survive." Shock hit Mothwing and she looked to her sister as their father left.

"Are you…?" She trailed off, sniffing the other cat. Her scent did not smell any different.

"I don't believe so," Tawnyclaw responded.

"But why…" She had done this so Tawnyclaw and Hawktalon did not have to.

"I don't think he had the same talk with Hawktalon again," She muttered. "I need to prove my loyalty though." Tawnyclaw licked Mothwing, "I told you I'd take care of it. You shouldn't worry about me."

"You shouldn't have to do this," She replied. None of them should have.

"There's no use thinking that over," Tawnyclaw muttered. She nudged her younger sister. "Rest, you'll feel better later." Mothwing hesitantly nodded, resting her head down.

"Cool," Hawktalon eyed the kits, sleeping against Mothwing. "They're – cool." Mothwing shot her brother a look.

"That's what you've got to say on them?" She asked. Hawktalon shrugged.

"They are," He leaned against her. "Sorry I couldn't be here until today, we have some things going on in our part of the territory." It was the next day, and Hawktalon had appeared not long before sunhigh.

"What's going on?"

"There's this Twoleg nest between us and the ShadowClan camp," Hawktalon explained. "Some kittypets live there – they aren't normal ones, though. They killed a ShadowClan apprentice." Mothwing's eyes widened as Hawktalon's tail lashed.

"What are you planning to do with them?" She asked.

"I think we might discuss it today," The tom replied. "Tigerstar asked me to come today for a meeting – though I know he wants to take the hills as well."

"Should we be doing that right now?" With these kittypets and them only recently arriving in these territories, was that truly what they should be focusing on?

"It's your warriors that want them," Hawktalon shot her a look. "Leopardstar keeps resisting Tigerstar on this – you wouldn't want to sound like her, would you? After what she did to our brother?" Mothwing's ears went back and she opened her mouth but Hawktalon continued.

"They're keeping him away from us, you know. I've been keeping an eye out on the border – haven't seen him." Hawktalon shifted, "Who knows what that kittypet is doing with him!"

"You've been watching the border?"

"Of course," He turned to the golden tabby. "He's our brother – we're obliged to have contact with him and he is denying that." Hawktalon muttered, "I still don't understand how Leopardstar could through him to them." He hissed.

Attention went to the cave entrance as a commotion sounded from outside. Hawktalon scrambled to his paws, leaving the den behind. Mothwing rose to follow, pausing briefly as the kits mewled at the disturbance.

As they settled, she darted out of the den.

Crowpaw's ears flattened as Tigerstar shifted the body off of his back and to the stone ground. Anxious meows were rising from the crowd as Littlecloud and Runningnose rushed to Leopardstar's side. Both leaders looked like they had been in a fight.

"What happened?" Asked Runningbrook, her tail twitching.

"We ran into those kittypets," He looked more annoyed than anything as he looked down at his fellow leader. "They killed her." Crowpaw looked at the spotted she-cat, letting out a breath as her side moved. It was not too long ago since Leopardstar had lost her previous life.

"How did she die?" Littlecloud asked. Tigerstar glanced at his medicine cat.

"She got thrown against a boulder – I believe it had something to do with her neck or spine." A much more troubled look came across the medicine cat's face.

"What do you want to do with them?" Jaggedtooth's tail lashed as he eyed the fallen warrior.

"We will take care of them, of course." Tigerstar turned to Hawktalon, who had gone to his side. "Gather everyone up – we'll have a meeting in my den shortly." The brown and white tom dipped his head, stepping away. Tigerstar turned to address the Clan.

"TigerClan is strong," he said. "We will not allow anyone who threatens us to get away with it. For that reason, not only will we be dealing with these kittypets but shortly, we will be taking the hills." Excited meows rose from the gathered camp. Crowpaw stepped closer to Leopardstar as Tigerstar turned away, heading toward the cliff wall.

Tawnyclaw padded up to Leopardstar, glancing at Tigerstar as the crowd began to move away. "How is she?" She asked.

"She's awake," Runningnose replied.

"Leopardstar, tell me if you feel this." Littlecloud lowered his muzzle. Crowpaw's eyes rounded as he nipped her spine.

"I can feel that," the leader answered. Littlecloud continued and the medicine cats looked less concerned as she confirmed each one.

"Whatever injury you had, StarClan has thankfully healed," Runningnose meowed. "But you will need to rest."

"Let me go to my den," The leader began to push herself up. Both medicine cats' eyes rounded.

"No, you're coming to our den," Littlecloud said. Tawnyclaw moved to the leader's side, supporting her.

"Crowpaw," The tortoiseshell looked at him. "Support her other side."

"Yes, Tawnyclaw," He moved to the leader's side. Leopardstar was tense as they slowly moved to the medicine den.

Littlecloud came with them, moving further into the den as they set Leopardstar into a nest. Crowpaw stepped back, tail twitching. How could kittypets do something like this? He had heard of the issues with them before but to kill a leader?

Tawnyclaw lowered her head, nosing the leader's paws into the nest. There was a pause and Tawnyclaw pulled some fur out of Leopardstar's claws. The warrior sniffed the brown tuft, raising her muzzle to the leader's ear. They spoke to each other, too quiet for Crowpaw to hear. Tawnyclaw pulled away as Littlecloud returned.

She flicked her tail at Crowpaw as she started toward the entrance. Leopardstar spoke.

"Tawnyclaw," The pain was obvious in her voice. "Do not do anything rash." Tawnyclaw dipped her head.

"Yes, Leopardstar." She led the way out of the den.

"Crowpaw," Tawnyclaw's voice was quiet. She did not look at him. "You'd stand behind me, right?" Crowpaw was puzzled, what did she mean?

However, Tawnyclaw was his way to stay here. "I would."

"Good." She started across camp.

Mothwing looked up as Tawnyclaw stepped into the den. Tigerstar glanced at her.

"Has Hawktalon spoken with you?" He asked. "We're having a meeting shortly in my den – why don't you head up?"

"What's the meeting for?" Tawnyclaw asked.

"We'll be talking about dealing with those kittypets," Tigerstar shook his head. "Cannot believe that Leopardstar got herself killed by them – an apprentice is one thing! And we will be discussing getting the hills and your brother." He looked at the kits again. Tawnyclaw eyed him.

"She's against taking the hills, isn't she?" Tawnyclaw sat, "Is that why you killed her?" Mothwing tensed, looking at Tawnyclaw in surprise. Where did she get that idea from? Tigerstar slowly looked up. He blinked.

"I told you; it was those kittypets that killed her."

"There's brown fur between her claws," Tawnyclaw responded. "And she says it was you." The leader sighed, shaking his head.

"She's mistaken, Tawnyclaw," He answered. "She hurt herself badly. One of the kittypets was a tabby."

"It smelled of you."

"I was carrying Leopardstar," Tigerstar meowed. "I'm sure I smell of her." His voice was gentle. It was almost unnerving how calm he was. "You're confusing yourself, Tawnyclaw."

"I reckon if I followed your scents, it would not lead to the Twoleg nest." Tawnyclaw held her father's gaze. "She's one of our leaders. You've taught me to give our leaders the utmost respect."

Something shifted in the leader as he rose to his paws. "We deserve respect," His voice was low. "Our blood – which is why what she did to your brother is despicable. She has no real claim. Her father was a medicine cat for StarClan's sake."

"There was a reason she was appointed deputy," Tawnyclaw leered at her father. "She earned her Clans respect." Mothwing shifted into a crouch, tense. The kittens cried as she went over them.

"And there's a reason Hawktalon is deputy," Tigerstar replied. "Head up to my den – you're disturbing the kits. Leopardstar is mistaken as much as you are. We can sort this out later." The tortoiseshell shook her head.

"I want to talk about this now – or, I could go see where you two went." She turned and the leader sprang.

Tawnyclaw was slammed against the wall and Mothwing hissed. She did not know who she was hissing at. Tigerstar held his eldest daughter down, one paw on her muzzle and another on her chest. The kits mewed louder.

"You are disturbing your sister's kits," Tigerstar clicked his tongue. "What have I told you? You are supposed to help your siblings." Tawnyclaw hissed, digging her claws into his shoulders.

Mothwing looked between them, unsure who to help as Tawnyclaw's claws went down his legs. Tigerstar snarled, moving to slam her head back again.

As he lifted his paw, Tawnyclaw's rear paws shoved into his gut hard enough to topple him. She flipped over, jumping at the tom and forcing him outside. Mothwing followed, letting out another hiss. This time her gaze shifted to Tigerstar.

Snarls and growls rose from the camp and Mothwing was surprised as Clanmate turned on Clanmate. Backs arched and claws extended but there was no fighting, however. Their attentions were still on the two originally brawling warriors. Tawnyclaw and Tigerstar had broken apart. He stood over her and she crouched at his feet, growling.

Fury lit up Tawnyclaw's eyes. To Mothwing's surprise, she rested her head on the ground, lowering herself to the dark tabby. Tigerstar's gaze drifted to Mothwing.

"Your sister is mistaken – this is why we do not interact with outsiders. You would do better than to follow her lead when she's like this." He looked to the rest of the Clan. They watched on, more relaxed than they had been when the two had been postering. Tigerstar forced his daughter onto her side. Snarls rose again.

"Stand down!" Tawnyclaw ordered. Tigerstar paused as silence fell over the camp.

"This is what happens when you disobey," He tore open her side. Tawnyclaw made no sound.

Jaggedtooth, Hawktalon – bring her to my den." The warriors moved forward quickly. Hawktalon shot Mothwing a look as they hoisted the tortoiseshell between them. Mothwing did not pay attention, however, her gaze remained on Tawnyclaw.

Tawnyclaw's eyes still burned. She might have restrained herself now, but this was not over.