Meadowclaw looked to Stormblaze, surprised at his admittance. Her yellow eyes blinked.

"There was never a doubt in my mind," she said softly, turning to Jayflower without a second word.

Stormblaze, pushed aside by Meadowclaw, offered her a smile. He wondered if the she-cat remembered him. They'd only had a few encounters, nonetheless, he still admired her. Awkward as he was, he knew she was only teasing. The grey and white tom, not knowing much of boundaries and only believing in family. Pulled Meadowclaw into a makeshift hug. "Stormrose is amazing and I will take good care of her. I hope you approve." He smiled.

Hiddenstrike stayed put, knowing that the nursery was no place for him. He may be a father, but Tidebreaker needed to have this moment. Alone with his kits. He remembered the first time he laid eyes on his three girls. From that day on, he knew he was a goner. His girls.

Willowkit tried to flea the scene, but Mapletail got a hold of her before she could run, "Mom!" She squealed, struggled in her death grip. "dad help meeee." She reached out to her father, but Hiddenstrike shot his daughter an evil grin and shook his head. "Traiter." She pouted.

Hiddenstrike did something so out of character, it shocked willowkit to the bone. "Imma join you." He scooped Inkkit and Hyzenthlay into their family huddle and snuggled together.

Ripplestream and Fadewhisker left the nursery to join up with Blacknose and Blizzardkit while Tidebreaker stayed behind and curled himself around his new family. Ocean eyes wide with amazement and love. "They're beautiful. And you, my love, did amazing." He licked her cheek before he looked down at his children. "All bengals, just like their mother." It warmed his heart.

Ocelotstride managed to follow Tidebreaker and his family into the nursery, her heart was pounding a mile each second as so many terrible thoughts began to tumble into her mind. She found herself in tears, wondering if her kits would end up like Fadewhisker's with no life to live or what if it was the opposite, with no mother to hold and care for them under her wing. Her glistening blue-green found itself looking up at Ripplestream and it seemed as though she were speaking, however Ocelotstride could only make out so much. "Ripplestream...W-what if-..." The Bengal hesitated, her eyes wandering toward the entrance where Tidebreaker's sister had left. She couldn't say anything, but a lingering cry escaped her muzzle as pain flooded over her until she couldn't stand it any longer.

And there lay at her stomach, four beautiful kits of different shades of Bengal colors. Ocelotstride was exhausted, however she lifted her head to stare at them with such awe. 'How could something so small, mean so much?'

Mapletail looked to Hiddenstrike as Ripplestream rushed off, knowing Ocelotstride's dilemma perfectly but feeling it was not her place. Jayflower was going to speak, but they were already in the clearing. She sighed, letting the pomp of the encounter overcome her.

"You know, I can hear everything you three are saying," she said in accusation to Hyzenthlay and Willowkit, "And I do not, in fact, conform to any of your opinions of me. In fact, I think I'll PDA you all three right now!" she said, coming down on the three kittens with the strength of a thousand suns, lips pursed to blow across their heads in a game of her own making: avoid mama's breath.

Hyznethlay squealed, scattered.

Meadowclaw sidled into Crimsonfox's ear, "You know, I always expected you to be the first one to find a mate. You're falling behind," she whispered.

The black and white tom almost passed out, his breath taken from him by her words. He was just about to freak out when he realized something. This was ocelotstride. His rock and now she needed him. Tidebreaker couldn't imagine how painful giving birth would be, but he was determined to sit it out with her, by her side. He needed to make sure that he was her crutch like she had been for him. A determined fire lit up his blue eyes. "I apologize Jayflower, but Ocelotstride and I have to remove ourselves from this meeting." He stated to his leader, hoping she'd understand the importance of the situation. He turned away, catching his sister's and mother's gaze. A silent message passed between the cats and they were off, helping the Bengal queen to the nursery.

Ripplestream curled herself up beside Ocelotstride's face, blue eyes gleaming with pride. "You are strong Ocelotstride and before you know it, you'll have beautiful bundles of joy beside you. Tidebreaker, I need you you to grab fresh moss, Fadewhisker water and possibly anyone else out there willing to lend a helping paw." And with that they were off."

Tidebreaker was back in a flash, knowing he shouldn't be too far away from his mate.

Marshmumble padded into the MoonClan camp, relieving the queen who had nursed her litter in her absence. She stood over the small lifeforms- Hollykit, Cinnamonkit, Amarylliskit, Mistletoekit, Redkit, Pinekit, Evergreenkit. They were just starting out. It saddened the starcat greatly that they would only know her affections fleetingly.

"I love you all so much," she whispered, giving them all a comforting lick. "May the sun always be to your back to warm your pelt, may your endeavors always succeed, and I hope- pray- that the day we meet again is many seasons away."

She leaned back, a sniffle in her gaze, and closed her eyes, shifting back to StarClan, where the dead belonged.

InkKit laid down next to her two chatty sisters, Hyzenthlay and WillowKit. Although the three received constant attention from family members and clanmates, they all had a particularly close bond. InkKit was by far the quietest, but had similar fascinations to the other two. WillowKit and Hyzenthlay were commenting on their clanmates as she thumped her fluffy tail on the ground rhythmically.

Crimsonfox raised his brows, wondering what had been so funny, but then a cool grin flashed onto his muzzle when his yellow eyes flashed toward his sister. "Wow, you know, somehow I expected that eventually," he meowed with a small purr as the fellow found his way to Stormrose.

Singingjay smiled and took a step back from the molly to watch her bound off onto the High Rock.

"No-no I'm...er.. j-just joking..." Ocelotstride's voice grew sarcastic and she flashed Tidebreaker the 'are you kidding me?' look that any molly could give when she was obviously serious. She felt as though she wanted to curl up into a ball and never be seen. Discomfort crawled onto her pretty face, her ears flattening as another couple of strong contractions came upon her. "I can't believe....Ugh-Fadew-whisker...felt-t this....N-never again will I-I." The molly groan quietly, her tail beginning to lash.

Milfoilcloud sobbed onto her sister's shoulder as the cat passed away, the dull scent of death filling the nursery and settling into her own pelt as she allowed her grief to poor out. The kits; mewling broke her from this state.

"You will need someone to look after you now..." She miserably meowed, sniffing as she looked down at them. StarClan, light our paths, she thought, and searched for the strength to get up. She could grieve when the others had been cared for and the kits desperately needed a nursing queen.

Meadowclaw looked to Crimsonfox, surprised at his common sense. "O-oh," she said, before laughing.

"Let's go find our family then- Valleystorm- there's Stormrose. Hey! Who's she leaning on!" Meadowclaw's smile widened and she chuckled. The first of her children to have a mate!

A lifetime of training led her to this moment.

The queen walked up and promptly wedged herself between the two cats, calling over her shoulder. "Crimsonfox, Valleystorm, over here!" she said, giving Stormrose a knowing grin. "Leave room for StarClan," she whispered in her ear. Mapletail's heart skipped a beat at the proclomation. She'd never felt like a part of the mega-litter she was born into- Ripplestream's confirmation comforted her very soul.

"Th-thank you," she said wondrously, as her ear twitched at Jayflower's announcement. She turned, "Sh-should we?" she pondered aloud, wondering if anything could be more important than the scene she took part in.

Hyzenthlay agreed with Willowkit, watching the three cats. "She's twitterpated."

Hiddenstrike let a smile appear, leaning into her side. The warmth radiating from her seemed to calm him.

“Thanks.” Willowkit mewed, stepping a side to huddle beside her sister. “I’ve never seen mom show that much affection before. I thought she hated pda.” She whispered, glancing between her parents.

Ripplestream beamed at them- Hiddenstrike now knowing where Stormblaze gets his personality from. “I’m so happy for you both. My love stretches to you too, Mapletail. You’re apart of the family.” The silver tabby confirmed.

Stormblaze sat beside Stormrose, gazing up at Jayflower expectantly. He would need to get used to displaying his affection but for now, he brushed his own pelt against hers.

Blacknose motioned for Tidebreaker and Fadewhisker to follow him, Blizzardkit on their heels. Tidebreaker hung back to sit beside Ocelotstride and her family. Ocean blue eyes widened, glancing between his mate’s face and her belly. “Are you serious?” Oh starclan, help this poor boy.

Stormrose watched as Stormblaze ran all over the camp sharing the news. She laughed, one of the reasons she loved him so much was because of his kit-like behavior on occasions. While she was a tad embarrassed, her happiness took over and made her forget about all that. She leaned her head against Stormblaze, taking in a breath of cold air to relax herself from all of the excitement. She wished she could stay like this forever.

Ocleotstride felt her whole stomach roll when she began to watch Tidebreaker play with her sister. Her claws scratched at the ground with a small groan towards her loving mate. "Starclan...Tide...They're getting stronger." The Bengal didn't want to disrupt anything that had been happening within the camp, promising herself to try to wait until she absolutely couldn't handle it.

Crimsonfox shot his mother a look as he sat beside her. "Mom....Why wouldn't they?" The color-point asked, wondering just how serious his mother truly was.

Mapletail picked up on Hiddenstrike's hidden message and laughed- she was being too uptight about this. She smiled as Ripplestream praised her second-favorite daughter. Nobody could hold a candle to Ink-kit.

"Say thank you, Willow," she cooed to her little one, dipping her head softly to Ripplestream. Once this was accomplished, the she-cat stood. "Thank you for your wonderful son- I know I seem so steadfast and resilient, what with my personality and all," satire framed her words, but the emotion quickly snuffed it out, "But it's really all him that brought me back to MoonClan, and him that's made me who I am today. A mother. A warrior again. I'm just so thankful to you- and all you've given me from StarClan," she leaned into Hiddenstrike, her head on his strong shoulders.

Hyzenthlay watched her mother's display of affection and stuck out her purple tongue, turning to Willowkit. "You believe this?"

Sandbreeze whimpered with pain- something squeezed her heart, and it wasn't emotion. It was her tumor, and pained her greatly, and she collapsed with her head on the moss, unable to speak of it. Fear gripped her heart, and something about Milfoilcloud's temperament caused her even greater distress. She sucked in a last bite of air through her tightly clenched teeth, and then stilled, willing to let go.

She was surprised when her eyes opened, and felt it all go- Milfoilcloud was there, sobbing. And Sandbreeze's seafoam eyes focused on her and she realized that she could see.

She could see her own body- stars, she looked a fright. But those kittens were beautiful.

Sandbreeze opened her mouth- "I-" she stopped, realizing what had happened. Death. She took it surprisingly well, for a dead cat, but she was simply overcome with it all. Her sister, seeing her again, her kittens. The clan. And now a StarClan cat walking among the living. Sandbreeze was surprised she'd made the cut.

"Y-you were saying?" she opened her mouth to speak, not willing to count her blessings. But the words wouldn't reach Milfoilcloud- Sandbreeze thought better of the interaction. She would be able to see Milfoilcloud again one day- in the right terms. Letting her sister grieve in the most natural way- it felt kinder. Something kept Sandbreeze from being the most dramatic she could be. With one sad look to her kittens, Sandbreeze wished Milfoilcloud aloud, "I'll see you again. I love you all," she said before looking up to the stars and disappearing. By her mother's dead belly, Dandelionkit began to whimper.

Meadowclaw turned from Valleystorm and looked up at Jayflower, culling her conversation and pulling over towards the soon-to-be leader.

"Do dead cats count?" she called out, though she was serious.

Moonstar and Emberstar settled side-by-side among the living MoonClanners before the high rock, whispering back and forth a moment before falling silent.

Jayflower nodded and walked her mentor disappear with the stars. She looked at Singingjay. "Thank you so much for your help." She spoke kindly and stood and jumped up to the High Rock and smiled down at her clan. "May all cats old enough to caught their own pray gather at the High Rock for a Clan meeting." She spoke a strong voice. She stood strong with her head high. She waited for her clan to make their way to the High Rock.

"But when they ask, I'll have to just tell them the truth: that you couldn't see," Milfoilcloud meowed, trying to sound like she was making a joke, but her voice broke into a sob half way through. "Sandbreeze, we were supposed to grow old together!"

"Ripplestream, sorry if I made things awkward. I just wanted to meet you and these little bundles of joy." She purred, gazing down at Willowkit with a smile. She was so proud of her kits, all of them. "And you my dear, are beautiful, just like your mother. Strong too I bet." She poked the little she-cat's side, receiving a giggle in return.

Hiddenstrike, a little awkward by the situation, focused his yellow gaze on his mate. Sorry. He mouthed to her, hoping he hadn't made her too uncomfortable.

Stormblaze turned his attention toward camp and yowled with excitment. He raced over to Fadewhisker, Tidebreaker and Blacknose to tell them the good nose and then stopped by his mother and Hiddenstrike to also let them know. He returned to Stormrose moments after, signature toothy grin on his face.

Blossomstar tipped his head at Jayflower. "You'll be a fine leader." He said, before turning away and walking until he disappeared back to starclan.

Softlullaby grinned at Valleystorm, "I'm so proud of you, And I always, always, will love you," she said, dipping her head to her taller daughter, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have . . . a bunch of grandkits to meet," she said, moving away and leaving Meadowclaw and Valleystorm alone together.

Meadowclaw turned to her sibling, "Wow," she said quietly, looking at the camp. Mapletail had kittens- Meadowclaw noted her return with neither disdain nor adoration. Crimsonfox was a bachelor eligible to be snatched up any second. And a quick glance to her left showed Stormrose and Stormblaze sharing an intimate and beautiful moment, the likes of which made Meadowclaw smile and purr for her mate, who'd stayed in the stars.

"Do you ever think there could be so much love born of tragedy?" she asked, a contemplative look in her gaze as she sat down. As a dead cat, she didn't feel she belonged, though she looked upon her daughter adoringly.

"Hello there," Mapletail said, offering Crimsonfox a sympathetic glance as she was pulled away. The tom seemed lost in life- the queen hoped he'd find his way around, one day.

But now she was being thrust into the position of daughter-in-law, and Mapletail wasn't the brightest crayon in the box. She smiled awkwardly, struggling to calm her fur. It'd been so long since she'd been around any cats that she couldn't run away from.

"Um, hello," she said, dipping her head as she struggled for a followup. She was unable to put together facts- she sighed, "I'm afraid you'll just have to tell me- who are you? We've never met," she said before Willowkit spoke. Mapletail felt like she should scold her- but for what? The cat did look like a star.

Hyzenthlay looked over at the new cats surrounding her mother and father and shrugged, "Otay. See you later, star-cat!" she said, trotting over. She went straight to jump on her father's back, aiming for his ears.

Mapletail snickered as Hyzenthlay went straight for daddy, but she couldn't react much. She felt like she was under examination from all sides- she was no great beauty, she felt, and she was unable to hunt or fight for long with her internal injuries from Jupiter's goons. So she was only able to give Hiddenstrike what she could- her love, her affection, and her body to produce mashed-up clones of the both of them.

Softlullaby didn't walk up to anybody else like she'd said she would. She walked to the middle of the clearing and circled, the she-cat watching the clan she grew up in make its rounds in the break of disaster. There was new life and old love and death, just as there would always be. But her story was told- she'd made her appearance. Anybody who would come after would be told stories, or meet her directly in death. Her story had been finished, her arc complete. And in a soft moment, Softlullaby closed her eyes and released herself back into StarClan for the last time, returning early. Where her paws had stood moments before, a single chocolate-brown oak leaf tumbled away in the breeze.

Sandbreeze snickered, "That sounds like a plan. But let's name the flame-point dandelion and the yellow one starlingkit, just to mess with them," she said, laying her head down on the nest. Stars, when had she become so tired?

She shook her head, and looked Stormblaze in the eyes, "I would never do that." she purred, "I think, that I have loved you for a while. But I just, didn't really understand what I was feeling, until you described it" she explained, feeling unable to stop smiling. "I'm just, really glad that this happened. I've never been as happy as I am when I'm with you, and I'm overjoyed that you feel the same too"

At first, he thought she was kidding. He hadn't expected to find anyone who could deal with his kit-like nature- actually, he'd never expected to find anyone at all. Stormblaze had never thought about love. The kind of love you feel for someone who isn't blood related or a friend. As realization dawned on him, he couldn't helped but pull her close and nuzzle her cheek with his nose. "I'm so glad! I was scared you wouldn't feel the same! I didn't wanna ruin our friendship." He beamed.

Stormrose followed Stormblaze to a quiet part of the camp, sensing that something important was about to happen. However, she wasn't nervous, she felt safe and calm, like nothing could ever go wrong. She watched him as he began his rambling, and tried to hide a small laugh, finding the nervous habit kind of cute. As she listened to him describing his feelings, she realized that, what he was describing, was almost exactly how she was feeling too. And when he blurted out his last words, she couldn't help but gasp. A smile quickly spread across her face as she stepped forward to touch his nose with her own. "I-I feel the same way." she managed to say, "I love you too"

The bubbly tom-cat was thrilled when she agreed and dipped his head to her companion in order to be polite before he dragged her away. Since He'd started hanging out with Stormrose, Fadewhisker and Tidebreaker had been dropping hints here and there about blossoming romance. All of which, of course, went straight over the oblivious tom-cat's head. His ocean blue eyes met her gaze, cheeks warming slightly at the sight of her. Stormblaze was still confused and entirely new to these types of feelings, but he felt at home with her. Like nothing could go wrong. His smile Faltered slightly at the prospect of actually telling her how he felt. He wanted her to know, but he also didn't want to ruin what they had. "Stormrose I.... well you see. I was talking to fadewhisker and tidebreaker and asking them about it. I was confused and I wanted help figuring it out and..." He rambled on, shifting his eyes to the ground. He started to draw little designs in the dirt. A nervous habit. "I kinda have these feelings, ya know when you feel like your falling and you can't breath, but it's not a bad feeling. It's warm and..." Oh boy, this poor confused boy. "I... your.... amazing and I love you." He rushed out.

Happy to see her friend running back over, Stormrose stood up and smiled as she took a few steps to stand closer to him. "Yea, of course" she replied, always happy to spend time with him. She felt different when she was with him, more comfortable and safe, like she could be herself without a care in the world. And while she didn't fully understand this feeling that she was going through, she rather enjoyed it.

The black and white tom shifted his gaze downward, catching sight of a cat eerily similar to Ocelotstride in appearance. Surprised flashed across his face and his ocean blue eyes found his mate, happiness washing over him at the fact that she could see her family. "I can't wait either." He purred, playfully batting at Lynx.

Blacknose watched his son mingle, moving away so he could sit with Fadewhisker and Stormblaze. Going back to Earthclan's camp seemed stupid now that he was with his children. Of course, Ripplestream would have to leave them but he wanted to stay in Moonclan. Be apart of his kits and gran-kits live. "I'm glad to see you all grown up. Just as beautiful as your mother." He smiled.

Fadewhisker, for more than half of her life, had resented her father. Mainly because he'd never been present in her life. However, she only had herself to blame for that. While Stormblaze, Hiddenstrike and even Tidebreaker visited Blacknose- Fadewhisker had refused. Now or never. She thought, returning her father's smile. "She always used to tell me I acted like you." Her comment brought out a laugh from him.

"Terrible jokes?" Blacknose grinned.

"The worst." Fadewhisker responded, ocean blue eyes searching Mapletail's feet for her kit. "I actually want you to meet someone. Blizzardkit!" On cue, a giant fluffy black and white kit ran over. His yellow eyes gleamed up at Blacknose. "This is your grandfather."

While the silver tabby watched on, Blizzardkit and Blacknose decided to play wrestle.

Stormblaze observed his family, his signature toothy grin ever present on his face. He couldn't have wished for a more perfect group of cats to call his family. Truth be told, they did get on each other's nerves, but at the end of the day they all shared the same love. "Excuse me, I gotta go steal Stormrose. I promised to eat dinner with her." And with that, the grey and white feline dashed off to find her. He felt bad for interrupting her conversation, but he wanted to tell her how he felt before he lost the chance. "Storm? Mind if I snag you?" He inquired.

[Hey guys-- the leader doesn't pick their deputy anymore. They could theoretically nominate one, but it isn't required, since it's now up to the clan to vote. Be sure to read over the new code, it's at the bottom of the history page.]

Milfoilcloud smiled, remembering that day.

"Why don't we call them Dandelionkit and Starlingkit? Those are fine names." She suggested.

"He's just having a hard time with all of this," Grousethorn tried to excuse Cedarclaw, but in truth, he'd always just been a bit of a grump and death had done nothing to improve his temperment. "We may as well get some hunting done, though."

He made his way over to Juniperspring who meowed, "Oh, how boring, I already know both of you."

"I think Emberstar is looking for some way to be useful, if you are really so eager to be seen with someone of interest," Grousethorn chuckled.

Jayflower turned her gaze to the molly and nodded. She smiled at the she and shifted on her paws remembering how Milfoilcloud risked her life for her sister. Just as she would do. "Thank you. When will I share tongues with StarClan?" She shifted. She didn't have time to really prepare for being a leader but she still knew what went down.

Singingjay made her way over to Jayflower and Blossomstar, the daughter of Kaiserstar and Sacredlotus had overheard the conversation between them. "That and many great leaders were not deputies before they had become great leaders. Cranestar, himself, is one of them who began when he was young." The beautiful molly of soft grey fur and star lined, black tabby stripes swished her fluffy tail as her electric blue eyes gleamed. "You follow your heart as with all choices and do it with confidence." The molly was wise much like her mother and father, carrying such a trait helped her, aside from when the memory of Stonestory came through her mind.

Fadedspots laughed softly at the excitement of the dear kit. "You'll learn more about being one as you grow young one, but I believe your mother may want you to go back to her." The StarClan molly pressed her nose to the kit's forehead, before her pale green eyes shifted towards Mapletail and the rest of the kit's family. "Go and meet the rest of your family too, they'll want to see your smiling face while they can."

"Oh, well it's nice to meet you again of course," Crimsonfox slunk away from the molly as the Ripplestream and the kits excitement for the molly had approached. He hated to be in the center of all those starry cats, it just felt weird to him. His yellow gaze caste upon his mother and Valleystorm again, though he began to look around for Stormrose, wondering if his sister had felt just as odd.

Ocelotstride spoke with her own family for a little bit, her patience becoming less and less settling. Her blue-green gaze watched as Lynx sneakily found her way over to Tidebreaker and began to prod at his side. "Ocelot said that one of her kit's is gonna be named after me! Oh, I can't wait to see them!" The starry, kit-aged feline meowed with confidence until Ocelotstride, herself, padded to her hot-headed sister's side. "Did not, you told me that I have to," she retorted back with a laugh, knowing that simply had been true.

Jayflower nodded and smiled. "As for my new deputy. How do I pick?" She looked at her paws and thought about Milfoilcloud. "Should I follow what my heart says or what my brain says? You see I have someone in mind, but how do I know she is right for the job?"

"Do not worry, they will listen. Tidebreaker was the one who persuaded me to choose you. He was very adamant about it. I've heard good things from all your clan-mates. They respect you." Blossomstar confirmed.

Hiddenstrike finally felt at home. Mapletail had managed to fill the whole in his heart and helped him out of his darkness, but having his family back made it special. He wanted to introduce her to his mother and integrate her into the family dynamic. Ocelotstride was already like a sister to him, even if hadn't been her to witness Their relationship blossom.

"Do you all mind if I steal her for a moment?" He inquired, glancing around at his siblings. A silent agreement passed through each of them and with that, Ripplestream followed after her son.

"Mapletail, sorry to intrude, but there's someone I'd like you to meet." Never before had he shown so much excitement. It was like he was a new cat.

The silver tabby she-cat who looked almost identical to Fadewhisker save for some terrible scarring on her shoulder and face, smiled at Hiddenstrike's mate. "Mapletail, I'm so glad to finally meet you! The cat who conquered this grumpy cat's heart." She teased, Hiddenstrike flattening his ears in embarrassment.

Willowkit had been playfully wrestling with Blizzardkit when her father approached and standing beside him was a glowing cat. She'd never seen anything like it and pushed her cousin away in favor of staring at the cat in awe. "You look like a star." she breathed out.

Sandbreeze smiled, her mind running with Sandbreeze's words as the kittens suckled from their dam. She lowered her head, smelling the newness. Though Milfoilcloud hadn't said it outright, she was somehow right- they did smell like new-leaf.

"Remember when we were apprentices and we went to ancient oak grove for the first time and our mentor told us that the clouds on the horizon were a storm, but then it flew over us and covered us in starling poop, and then they told us the way to get it off was to go roll in dandelions? Oh, I was so mad- I could've throttled that old coot of a mentor. To this day, I can't eat starling," she laughed dryly, the memory humorous and tainted similarly. Coming into MoonClan camp covered in bird droppings and dandelion fluff had been a humbling experience for the prideful molly.

Rattlesong heard Juniperspring's announcement and smiled up at Grousethorn, "Sounds promising,"Hey, want to get out for a bit? I'm sure my uncle will calm down- pretty sure its a family trait to get mad at the small stuff," the young cat said, though she was still troubled that he'd blown up at her. She was barely older than an apprentice- she had a long way to come. The chance to clear her mind and conscience during a hunt with the dead . . . "You could explain how all this StarClan stuff works."

Mapletail did a double-take- still unbelieving in how long she'd been gone. She smiled and answered the tom's query, "Yeah- Yeah, I did have kits," she said, "And I do plan on staying- I think its time. I think it's time to settle, you know? I've had my fun. It almost killed me," she said with a sigh, looking as Hyzenthlay ran off- she went straight up to some StarClan cats. Mapletail's teeth set on edge.

"I know you probably don't want to hear it, but Hiddenstrike's the one who brought me back- he pulled me from a dark place. Wait- I still haven't even told you- gosh. I'm Meadowclaw's sister, Mapletail. Part of that lot. These kittens are your cousins-" Mapletail shook her head, realizing her rambling as she watched Hiddenstrike converse effortlessly with his family. It made her jealous, to see such a family. It made Mapletail feel rotten. But the kittens beneath her feet cemented her love for him, her connection to them. Kits made the lines.

"What's a warrior!?" Hyzenthlay said when the StarClan cat spoke, her yellow eyes focused solely on the object of her attraction; Fadedspot's tail as it flicked back and forth. She vowed, then and there, that such a dastardly object did not deserve to live in her perfect universe. She would catch the tail, and chew it off from the cat to whom it belonged, lest it destroy her family and everyone she loved.

She pounced, missed.

Dumb tail.

"We're all just visiting," Juniperspring mumbled toward Ocelotstride, pausing as her former apprentice joined her family. She looked across the camp and sighed; so little of her own family had come to visit the living cats with her, she was feeling strangely out of sorts with the whole thing. Make yourself useful, she told herself and called, "If anyone wants to hunt, I'm heading out soon!"

Valleystorm leaned in to hear her mother whisper in her ear. After she pulled away, she stood silently for a few moments before understanding what she had said. She smiled at Softlullaby and Meadowclaw, so grateful for them and the rest of her extended family. "Thank you, I love all of you so much, and I'll always remember you, and make sure others do as well. I hope it wont be for a long time, but I look forward to the day when I can join you in the stars" She finished her short speech, knowing that they still would be here for a little while longer, but wanting to get it out of her system because she wasn't sure whether she would be able to do it later.

Jayflower sat besides her mentor. "I wasn't a deputy long and the clan doesn't know me very well. How do I show the clan I am worthy of being a leader." She tucked her tail around her paws and looked around at the cats she now was responsible to protect and lead.

Blossomstar sat down beside the High Rock, nostalgia filling his gaze before Jayflower approached. He smiled at Moonclan's new leader. "I know you're ready Jayflower, You're an amazing and noble warrior. Moonclan is lucky to have you." He said, golden eyes flashing with pride. "You'll have to make an announcement and chose your deputy. If you have and fears or questions, please don't be afraid to ask."

'Do I know you?' Questioned the red tom's mind as Mapletail called out his kit name. He shifted himself away from Meadowclaw, somewhat feeling uncomfortable with all the starry cats, and his gaze met the older molly. The tall, but young warrior walked over to the queen, confusion settling into his yellow eyes again as she began to speak to him. "I'm a warrior now...My name's Crimsonfox, but yeah, it's been a very long time," he meowed with a hushed voice, his head tilting slightly with a small flick of his tail. A small grin fell onto his face when he noticed the kits close to her and trying to avoid the awkwardness any farther, the tom let out a light meow. "You have kits now? They're really adorable..Are you planning on staying?"

Fadedspots's light green gaze turned with surprise towards the little kit pressing her paw to a spot on her glistening flank. 'The newest generation,' the long-legged mother thought with a small laugh escaping her lovely voice. "Well, little one, you certainly will grow to be a strong Warrior, won't you?" The StarClan cat meowed with a soothing purr as she flicked her tail playfully at Hyzenthlay's ear. Fadedspots could only imagine what it was like to be a kit now, her death having been a memory of many many moons ago.

Ocelotstride padded through the entrance, her blue-green gaze watching over her former mentor closely, noticing the starry cat's hesitance. "I've learned a lot from you, Juniperspring, whether it seems like it or not...This clan is still your home even if it doesn't feel that way now." The Bengal meowed with such confidence radiating from her smooth voice, giving the molly a soft nudge with her nose before making her way towards the little family. Her gaze fell towards her stomach, although it wasn't much larger than her normal, lithe self, she could feel every now and then small bundles of contractions.

Jayflower tensed. BlossomStar was dead? She shook her coat and followed the tom she looked up to. She glanced around at the other cats as pasted. Was she ready to lead a clan? She held her head high. Of course she was and she had no time to grieve the loss of her mentor.

THe glowing Blossomstar spotted Jayflower amongst his clan-mates and approached her with a small smile. "Jayflower! I think we should talk about you being leader now." He said, motioning for the cat to follow him.

Ripplestream couldn't help the smile that stretched across her face, blue eyes glowing with pride. Her kits... They were all so big and strong, some worse for wear but she could see that each other them had found their happiness. "My goodness! You three and Hiddenstrike, kits of your own I see?" She grinned at her moody son, licking his cheek as he went in for a hug. Fadewhisker and Stormblaze sat back to watch the exchange, both of them knowing their brother needed this more than they did.

They separated and formed a little circle by the nursery so they could converse and talk together. "Stormblaze my little fire ball, it was not your fault. Please stop blaming yourself." She said, tilting her head at her eldest.

Stormblaze released the breath he hadn't known he'd been holding, nodded. He knew she was right, Fadewhisker and Tidebreaker had been on his tail about it since Ripplestream had joined Starclan.

Blacknose found his place in-between his youngest son and Ripplestream, gazing at his children. He never thought he'd get to see them all at the same time. Usually Stormblaze or Hiddenstrike would come visit him, but he knew Fadewhisker and Tidebreaker weren't a big fan of him being from Earthclan. They seem to have forgotten about their dislike in favor of this family reunion.

"Mom while you're here, you have to meet Blizzardkit and Hiddenstrike's girls. They are adorable and everything Hiddenstrike isn't." Fadewhisker laughed out, recieving a glared from her brother.

"You'll probably be able to see Ocelotstride give birth too." Tidebreaker beemed, puffing out his chest.

Then all heads turned toward Stormblaze. The kit-like tom glanced around at everyone, confusion clouding his blue eyes. "What? Why're you all looking at me like that?"

"Everyone else has given us gran-kits. I'm just wondering when you will." Ripplestream smiled.

The grey and white tom-cat shook his head furiously, cheeks heating up at the prospect. He'd never even thought about kits let alone taking a mate. Although, he did harbor some feelings for Stormrose.. but kits!? He wasn't sure if he was ready for that.

Blacknose could see the distress and while everyone else was laughing, the earthclanner shook his head at the silliness of the situation. "Don't worry son, no need to think about it right now."

Fadewhisker leaned into Stormblaze's side. "You're practically a kit yourself." She said, bring a smile to Stormblaze's lips.

"We'll come up with them together," Milfoilcloud told Sandbreeze, her smile tinged with sadness as she looked up at Sandbreeze. Death was written as clear as ice across her sister; when cats began to smell as she did, even StarClan could do nothing to save them. The only question was how long she might have. "We should give them hopeful names, things they can wear with pride. Things that remind us of new-leaf."

"We can touch other cats, so I imagine we can," Grousethorn shrugged, stepping forward as if to follow Cedarclaw before stopping, knowing that his friend just needed a bit of time to brood in peace-- which he was unlikely to get in the camp that was swimming with dozens of relatives. He'll figure that out on his own.

Mapletail noticed Crimsonfox off to the side, looking just as lost as herself. Hyzenthlay, Ink-kit, Willowkit, and Blizzardkit were still contained beneath her belly. The siamese turned her half-moon face and called out to him, unwilling to approach the intimidating amount of family she had nearby.

"Crimson-kit!" she called him by the only name she knew, as she'd left when he was young. By the looks of the cats crowded around Meadowclaw, him and Stormpaw had been the only ones to survive the battle that they were all returning from. Thankfully, Mapletail had been able to be filled in by a passerby- she was forced into believing them all by the truth of sight in front of her. Ghosts were walking. This was amazing.

"You have grown so much! Oh, you were tiny when I left! How's apprenticeship? Do you like your mentor?" she asked, trying so hard to integrate herself but feeling how forced it was.

Hyzenthlay crept out and began to stalk towards Fadedspots and co. The gray tuxedo kitten's yellow eyes were pointed as she focused on a single spot on the cat's flank, and expertly, she pounced, but gave away her position at the last moment with a mighty, heaving yell.

"Got your flank!" she cried, laughing to the stranger.

Sandbreeze delighted in the news of her kits, though she was able to read between the gently laid down lines of Milfoilcloud's response. She knew there had been three. The pressure near her belly lightened- Sandbreeze stayed silent for a moment, not knowing that it was her father's ghost who picked up the corpse of the kit to remove it. He nodded to Milfoilcloud and the kit's spirit apparrated to lay across his grandfather's shoulders. The roleplayer of the dead cats was having a grand time.

"No, I haven't," Sandbreeze said calmly, though behind her blind eyes, tears formed. She tried to imagine the kittens in her head, but she'd never spent much time around them in her days of sight and she wanted to wail for her immense loss. "C-can you help me, sister? I've been alone- for too long, and I'm afraid I won't be around much longer, even though I want to be. I didn't even choose kits, though I'm so glad- glad they're healthy." she shook her head as her heart began to pain her, but it passed.

"I-I think if you ever end up being asked to raise them, you ought to like the names," she said simply.

Softlullaby leaned in and whispered hidden words in Valleystorm's ear, separate from Meadowclaw and the rest of the family. Meadowclaw raised an eyebrow and yearned to hear, but was ultimately unable- if it was important, she'd find out.

Softlullaby stepped back and lowered her head, looking up to Valleystorm hopefully.

Rattlesong rolled her eyes, "Who says I'm not proud?" she said quietly to herself as Cedarclaw walked away, a frown on her round face. The comment dug deep, even if it seemed only surface-level, even a delayed reaction. She looked to Grousethorn, "Can we even hunt like this?" she asked with a cock of her head. She was a simple-minded cat.

Valleystorm listened as her mother explained what was happening, and became slightly worried. "I-I'm honored, but" she started to explain, "I don't know if I can do that. I-I don't have a mate, or anyone that I like, and I don't think anyone likes me..." Valleystorm rambled, unsure of why she was receiving this task. She was delighted and very grateful for the opportunity, but highly doubted that she could achieve what her mother was asking.

Crimsonfox walked through the camp's entrance just in time to watch Rattlesong start with Grousethorn and Cedarclaw, both were glistening with silver, like stars in the sky, but he found himself alone aside from his aunt. The red color-point looked at Softlullaby for a moment, his sunlit gaze of yellow wondering where she fit in their family, before calmly turning back to watch his mother. He didn't realize just how large their family really was and how small the fellow felt within it too.

Fadedspots watched the families gather as she sat, dear mate of Mambaflurry, long forgotten as generations past. Still, however, her cream pelt with small spots that had faded along her back were still aligned with the silver glow of stars.

Singingjay, mate of Fallowbuck, sat with her daughter, Chickadeesong and spoke. They missed this place, but from the skies Singingjay watched over the clan, her electric blue eyes blazing.

"I'm so happy that StarClan brought you back to us, you wouldn't believe all that has happened," Milfoilcloud purred, licking her sister's head and purring a moment. She bent to inspect the kits, her heart quailing as her nose brushed against the little stillborn son.

"Your two daughters are suckling like they expect to grow bigger than either of us by the end of the moon," She purred. "One is flame-point, just like you and the other is golden and white. Have you chosen names for them yet?"

Softlullaby purred, enjoying the attention she got from both her kits. Her warm chocolate points seemed to ignore the silver tint of StarClan's mercy and instead glowed gold.

"Valleystorm, you will be the next matriarch of our family," she continued where Meadowclaw had left off. "In accordance with the three tenants. The first- to always uphold StarClan's teachings and philosophies, above our own life and above our own purpose. The second- to produce descendants the number of the stars, so that our lineage will never die out. And the third is to protect and provide for our own above others, so that in our darkest hour, we will emerge as survivors. I cannot say that I've done my duty to the fullest, but I did it to my abilities, and now, I choose you, if you will accept it."

Softlullaby looked up at her baby, warm with pride at how her family was doing. She even had more grandbabies to meet!

Sandbreeze laughed dryly, leaning in to Milfoilcloud's affections. With sight gone, feel and touch held an entirely new dimension for her withering body. "No excuses, Milfoil, are really needed- I got swept away. And I came back, somehow, by the grace of the stars," Sandbreeze said. "It was the oddest experience- I had given up on ever finding my way to safety, and then I felt a tug, like a spider's silk attached to my toes, and I walked a line all the way here. Had to stop along the way, though. But it was important."

Sandbreeze uncurled and the folds of her nursing stomach revealed the quietly sleeping kits- the two sisters - and a stillborn son. So like Milfoil, Shellstorm, and herself. But Sandbreeze had no idea of the parallels- she didn't even know if she had three sons or three daughters. She didn't know of their pelts, let alone what to name them.

"Are they healthy?" she asked worriedly, "Please, tell me they are- what do they look like?"

"Rattlesong, you're acting like an apprentice," Grousethorn snapped, turning on her now. "All three of us have work to get done. The clan needs food, the medicine cats need help, and StarClan knows that-"

"The figure of speech does take on new meanings..." Cedarclaw grumbled, turning away from both of them and starting off across the camp."

"Sandy..." Milfoilcloud purred, rubbing her head against her sister's with the unabashed love of a much younger cat. "I'm so, so sorry. I have been trying to go and look for you, but- no, I shouldn't be making excuses. I'm so sorry, I don't know how you could forgive me."

Valleystorm listened as Meadowclaw began to speak, and sat down next to her sister. When she heard another voice, it took her a moment to recognize it was Softlullaby. She stood up and turned around, a sad smile spreading across her face, because while she was overjoyed to see her again, she knew that she would be gone again by the next day. "I'm doing great. Its, really nice to see you" she said, still smiling, picking up on how the nickname Valleyshine probably referred to Ivyshine, her mother's friend when they were kits.

Rattlesong raised an eyebrow at Cedarclaw and ignored Grousethorn's sense. The she-cat had been joking, but her paws still itched for a fight.

"You feeling froggy?" she hissed, scratching her claws in the dirt, "JUMP."

The spirit moved a fern frond out of the way of the covered entrance and smiled when Milfoilcloud finally got the message. He mouthed a gentle farewell before he walked away, his job finished. Sandbreeze would join him soon enough.

At the strange emotion that suddenly quelled within Sandbreeze's chest, the blind cat stirred in her fresh nest and her eyes opened. Her irises were glazed over with cataracts, a completely different monster than the cancer that squeezed her heart and lungs and made it hurt to exist. The she-cat sniffed the air frantically before she recognized the scent- it had been so long. Her heart leapt and she smiled.

"Millie!' she said, her voice changed by her solitude. The trials she'd faced in the loner territories had been like nothing she'd ever known- like a wild animal had ripped into her and laid her bare. Scars clung to her coat like burrs to a badger, and that was even without looking at the tumor that clung to the cat's neck.

"I-I'm so glad to see you," she said.

(Whoops, missed your post)

Cedarclaw growled toward Rattlesong, open fury in his eyes. "I'm proud to have died protecting my clan. If we had not gone, we would have fallen with EarthClan."

"Cedarclaw-" Grousethorn cautioned. "Now isn't the time for fighting."

Milfoilcloud's expression grew confused as the strange, dull form of her father lead her toward the nursery, "She was swept away a moon ago..." She started, then trailed silent as she ducked inside. "Sandbreeze!"

The spirit flickered, stronger with recognition, and smiled as he shook his head. Once again, he pointed towards the nursery, only this time he brushed up against his daughter's coat with force and began to walk towards it. The game of charades continued.

Meadowclaw let out an exhale, looking across the last living of her litter. The rest had joined her in the afterlife, and after Valleystorm, there would be no more. Thus came Meadowclaw's decision. "I've lived my life and left it," she began once the two were a suitable distance away to speak, "and with my death, I decree the way our mother did with me- Valleystorm, you will be the-"

A calm, shallow voice came from behind Meadowclaw, and the she-cat whipped around to see Softlullaby form from dust and energy. Meadowclaw could've rolled her eyes, but was overjoyed to finally see her mother.

"I think I'll take over from here, Meadow."

"I knew you'd find a way to make an entrance," she chirped, touching noses in turn. Softlullaby grinned, but her eyes were focused simply on Valleystorm.

"How are you, Valleyshine?" she said, calling the cat by the nickname of her kithood.

Stormpaw smiled at Mapletail, "Oh! Well, its nice to meet you too" she said happily, before turning to also watch her clanmates return. That's when she saw her mother's body. But she could also see Meadowclaw walking, though there was something different about her, it seemed as if she was glowing. Confused, she stood, frozen, for what felt like forever before figuring out what had happened, piecing together everything that was going on into the only solution that made sense. She calmly sat down, taking it all in. Seeing Meadowclaw walk of with Valleystorm, she decided to wait until they were back to go see her mom. Plus it gave her more time to process what had happened.

Valleystorm walked back into camp alongside her fellow clanmates, living and dead. It felt odd, but normal at the same time, a weird feeling to describe. She slowed down as Meadowclaw came up to her, sensing that this was going to be important. "Of course" she responded, before turning and walking with her sister to the edge of camp where they could talk in peace.

"Hzen-?" Cedarclaw echoed to Grousethorn, who stiffled a chuckle.

"It sounds like rabbit-talk," Grousethorn observed, his voice hushed.

"The poor kit." Cedarclaw snorted.

"She'll grow into it?" Grousethorn offered.

"Or request a new one when she comes of age."

"And maybe a new clan, with it."

"StarClan..."

Milfoilcloud turned as a distantly familiar scent reached her and instantly her eyes welled, "Dad...?" She felt a lump in her throat and looked away, trying to compose herself. "Is- is Sandy among you?"

Mapletail's eyes widened and she gave Stormpaw a jubulant lick of affection. "I'm your aunt! Her sister! My stars, you were the size of a starling when I left! It's- it's so good to- to meet you," she said before she was pulled away by the site of the dead cats entering. She padded towards her kittens protectively, roping Hyzenthlay, Ink-kit, and Willowkit protectively under her belly. On instinct, she also reached for Blizzardkit, unsure and tentative to trust the paranormal shapes.

Hyzenthlay leaned over to Blizzardkit, "Let's go," she said, not at all phased by the StarClan cats. She'd once eaten toadstools and had seen worse in the dreams that followed.

Meadowclaw entered beside Blossomstar, Blazingvalley, Crimsonfox, Valleystorm, and Rattlesong, the bodies buried on the way back. Was a vigil worth it when you could spend the time talking with their spirit instead? She smiled at the home- nothing bad had happened while she was out.

There was so much stimulus- and Meadowclaw would reach all that needed attending to in turn. But in the prying moment, she knew that priority had to be paramount. She looked up at the stars- Softlullaby hadn't made her appearance yet. But Meadowclaw had a feeling she was just waiting for the most dramatic moment to make her entrance.

Meadowclaw loped and turned to find Valleystorm, "Hey," she spoke softly, "May I speak with you for a moment?"

Rattlesong's energy was boundless as she began to roll in the dirt of camp, unable to shake the need to soak it all in while she could. But she relaxed and sighed once she looked across at her uncle. Tentatively, she approached.

"Hey! Good call, going to battle. Very smart," she said to Cedarclaw, only a hint of malice.

Behind Milfoilcloud, a starry shape of a cat much faded tapped Milfoilcloud on the shoulder- a great tom with soft-looking fur and the creamy coat of Milfoilcloud and Sandbreeze, though his relation would be up to the interpreter, as he could not speak, his voice taken by time and failing memory of his descendants. His sea-foam eyes pointed towards the nursery, his expression mournful and expectant, like a priest in front of the coffin, ready to console.

Jayflower knew what she needed to do. She needed to check with everyone in the Clan to make sure they were ok. It may not have been needed but she cared. She smiled and the passing cats and made her way to the leader's den to look for BlossomStar, for she hadn't seen him since they headed out on the battle patrol.

Fadewhisker stopped walking, glancing backward at Mapletail and giving her a warm smile. "I'll make sure the nest is ready for you." But before the queen could continue on her journey toward the nursery, commotion at the entrance of camp caught her attention. It seemed the battle patrol was returning, but some of the cats who entered weren't ones she recognized. Then, a familiar face emerged from the group, a face she thought she wouldn't get to see unless she joined Starclan.

"Hiddenstrike." She breathed out his name, nudging the tom so that he was looking in the same direction.

The large tom-cat drew away from Mapletail, scowling at Fadewhisker before he spotted the she-cat standing at Moonclan's entrance. Ripplestream stood in between Tidebreaker and Blacknose. An odd sight to behold, a glowing silver tabby in between two black and white cats.

"Hey Maple? Could you watch the kits for a second?" He glanced at his mate, an apprehensive look flickered across his face.

Stormblaze stood beside his younger siblings, the happiest smile currently capturing his features. "I'll be right back Stormpaw!" He called over his shoulder and dashed off to meet his mother and father. Fadewhisker close behind him.

Blizzardkit watched in confusion as his mother once again raced off, but he was almost an apprentice now and decided he could take care of himself early on. He shifted his attention back on the newcomers, smiling at them. "Well, Willowkit, Hyzen... I'm gonna call ya tiny and Inkkit, I can show ya the nursery. If Mapletail agrees."

Blossomstar padded into camp beside Meadowclaw and her litter, golden eyes absorbing his home. He wanted to memorize it before they had to go back. A thought occured to him that he would need to say goodbye to Cottontail and his own brother. While everyone filed into camp, the large Maine Coon made it his mission to find Jayflower. She would need to get her lives and then name someone as deputy.

Milfoilcloud helped an injured cat into the camp, still struggling to take in all that had occurred through the fog of her exhaustion. So many cats could react cheerfully, but she felt adrift among them. Her parents had died when she was so young, she didn't know if she'd even recognize her. Worse, she was caught between a desperate want to see her sister, Sandbreeze, and the dread of what it would mean if Sandbreeze was among the StarClanners: she had not found safety, after Milfoilcloud had lost her in the churning floodwaters, and had drowned, never having been given a chance to learn to swim after having been banished from her home. Would Flowerstar even allow her sister to remain, even as a warrior of StarClan? Did they even remember, or was Milfoilcloud alone in grieving?

Grousethorn and Cedarclaw walked into the camp side by side, just as they would have had the battle gone differently and niether had been slain. However, the pair were unusually subdued, almost cowed by the great figures that flanked them: Moonstar and Emberstar, Oakbranch, Fallenleaves... these were the names of their kithood heros, not, they could hardly believe, cats who had lived and breathed like them, right here in this camp that they'd all called home.

Stormpaw turned suddenly hearing Mapletail's voice, "I- um, yes" she said, a little startled by the sudden question. She looked around the camp for her mother, realizing that she hadn't seen her for a while. "Have you seen her?"

Mapletail watched the she-cat pad away with a mix of jealousy as she invited her in, finding her envy of the pretty she-cat unable to be quelled by anything but her attraction to Hiddenstrike. They had, indeed, come a long way. The she-cat became distracted, though, as she looked towards the calico Stormpaw. Her half-black face was drawn into a quizzical, open-mouthed stare before it clicked just who this she-cat was- her niece.

The she-cat looked away quickly at the realization and smiled politely at Blizzardkit's introduction. "I'm Mapletail," she said with a nod of her small head, "Since Hiddenstrike wasn't going to introduce me."

"I'm, um, fine for now," Mapletail said to Fadewhisker, reluctant to leave Hiddenstrike's side after so long spent together, travelling. Now that they were in the presence of other cats, Mapletail felt like a fish out of water- like being in MoonClan wasn't what she wanted after all. She had been afraid to tell Hiddenstrike of her emotions- but she would be forced to, as the fern fronds of the nursery entrance were beginning to look a lot like prison bars to Mapletail.

She blinked, and the image left, and Mapletail turned and smiled, looking back to Stormpaw. She couldn't take it any longer and approached the two cats.

"Are you Meadowclaw's daughter?" she said quickly to the she-cat.

Stormpaw smiled as Stormblaze introduced her "It's nice to meet you all" she said politely dipping her head. She laughed quietly watching the kits, and it reminded her of when she met Stormblaze when she was just a kit. She shook her head at his apology, letting him know that she didn't mind at all, that was nice to meet some new cats once in a while, before nodding in agreement, "Sure!" she said with a smile on her face.

Fadewhisker sighed, shaking her head slightly at the situation. “Of course I’m glad you’re back but don’t think for a second I won’t scold you for leaving.” The queen let a small smile slip onto her features.

Hiddenstrike moves to speak but cowered away from Mapletail’s paws, hissing slightly. “Yes I know.” He grumbled, just like willowkit had done moments before. He heard his daughter’s question and then turned to look at her mother. “Why don’t you ask mom, sweetheart?” Hiddenstrike poked fun at Mapletail’s name choice. “Fadewhisker, Stormblaze, id like you to meet my daughters. Willowkit, Inkkit, and Hyzenthlay.”

A little brown she-cat poked her head out from around Hiddenstrike’s leg and offered up a smile. “Hi.”

“Suddenly shy, huh.” Hiddenstrike pushed Willowkit forward.

“This is blizzard kit.” Said kitten puffed out his chest when his mother introduced him.

“I’m Stormblaze.” Just like the kit he was, the grey and white warrior had no filter or sense of social cues. “And this is one of my good friends, Stormpaw.”

Willowkit warmed up to her uncle immediately, stepping forward to ask a dozen or so questions while her parents conversed.

Blizzardkit eyed his cousins, unsure of what to make of them. He knew one thing for sure though, if they were staying they would need a tour of camp. “I can show you guys around! It’ll be fun, we’ve got all the mossballs you can play with. Uncle Stormblaze knows the best hiding spots.” He whispered that last part so only inkkit and Hyzenthlay could here.

“We should let them get settled first.” Fadewhisker licked the top of her sons head. “They traveled a long way to get here, a nap sounds great.” She offered Mapletail a sympathetic smile. “I believe there is an open nest in the nursery.” The queen turned and padded toward the milk-scented den.

Stormblaze nudged Willowkit to follow her parents. “We’ll play later!” He called to her, seeing the same feistiness of her father in her. He turned back toward Stormpaw and apologized for dragging her into that commotion. “Wanna share dinner?” He inquired.

InkKit returned to her sister, more specifically, Hyzenthlay's side. The sister was already socializing in camp, while Ink followed behind anxiously, uncomfortable talking to cats she didn't know. Her sister didn't know how to pronounce her own name, but she couldn't blame the kit

Stormpaw laughed as Stormblaze flicked her shoulder, and reluctantly stood up to follow him. Seeing him so happy made her smile, though she did feel slightly awkward just standing on the sidelines watching the wholesome moment.

Mapletail regarded Fadewhisker coolly, knowing she was in no place to make arguments or likewise say anything to her. She wanted nothing more than for Hiddenstrike's family to welcome him back with open arms- she accepted that it would take a lot longer for them to warm up to the more alien idea of her. She was the warrior who caused so much trouble as an apprentice. And Softlullaby didn't have the reputation of producing quiet children. Mapletail's anxiety over where her own family was exhausted her- she'd decided a long while ago that she was leaving her sister's cult, but now that she was here, she was unsure.

She smiled but realized with a start as Hiddenstrike moved that Ink-kit was affixed to his back, and that was a long way to fall for such a small baby. She whined in anxiousness and gripped her daughter, bringing Ink-kit safely back to earth and making sure the black-as-night kitten was alright with a few motherly sniffs.

"Be careful!" she warned Hiddenstrike, scolding him wholesomely with a cuff around the ear, "Kits are fragile, don't you know?"

Hyzenthlay watched in disappointment as her prize disappeared, but her eyes alighted when she spotted Fadewhisker's kitten. Her yellow eyes narrowed and she approached, her gray coat puffing up against a breeze.

"Hi!" she chirped, "My name's Hyze- hy- daddy, how do you say it again?" she said, turning to Hiddenstrike.

Inkkit was hauled on to her father's back, the petite kit getting to see the camp better than before. She dug her small claws in to HiddenStrike's pelt, nervous to fall off. As soon as he started crossing over to other clanmates, the fluffy kit was more distant than usual. Avoiding eye contact, letting her parents talk.

"Mom!" Willowkit squealed, struggling against Mapletail's death grip. She hated getting bathes, but due to her thick pelt something was more often then not stuck in it.

Hiddenstrike swatted halfheartedly at his daughters attempts at snagging his tail. As much as he complained, he loved his girls with every fiber of his being. "Hyzenthlay, quite it." He said, pushing the kitten over with little force. He chuckled at the hurt look on her face. The large tom then turned his gaze on Inkkit, the quietest of his daughters. Smiling to himself, the new father grabbed the kit by her scruff and then hauled her onto his back. "Can't very well see from back there. How's the view now?" While his daughter sat on his back, he scanned the clearing for three familiar faces. He spotted Stormblaze right of the bat with none other than Stormpaw. He moved his gaze toward the nursery, smiling at the sight of his sister grooming the fur of a rather large kit.

"Fadewhisker!" He called for his sister, who immediately snapped her gaze to look up at Hiddenstrike.

He almost forgot about his terrifying appearance, but the look of shock on his sister's face said it all. He faltered in his steps only to regret ever walking into camp when Fadewhisker's shock turned into an angry frown. "Oh Starclan, Mapletail!" He called for his mate, knowing well that the she-cat wouldn't be able to help much.

"Hiddenstrike!" The silver tabby queen hissed, not knowing whether to be happy or enraged by Hiddenstrike's appearance. She had been devastated to learn of his disappearance and somehow blamed herself, but seeing him now- surrounded by kits nonetheless- made her feel warm. "I don't know whether to scold you or hug you." She murmured, glancing at Mapletail with a tight-lipped smile.

"I vote for hug." Hiddenstrike grinned.

"Mother! Wait for me!" A large Maine coon mix kitten raced after his mother, skidding to a stop by her feet. He gazed up at the new comers and then let his yellow gaze wash over the three new kittens.

Stormblaze flicked Stormpaw's shoulder playful, glad to hear that she was okay. "I'm good, seeing Fadewhisker happy has given me knew life." He said, ocean blue eyes sparkling. His ears perked at the sound of two very familiar voices. He jerked his head to look at the commotion and his jaw nearly hit the floor at what he saw. He stood to go to them, but hesitated before looking back at his friend. "Come on slow poke!" He laughed, before hurrying away to greet his brother. "I can't believe it! You leave by yourself and come back with a family." Stormblaze nearly exclaimed, grinning ear to ear at the sight of the kits. "Who knew big, bad Hiddenstrike could be a father." He teased, easing the tension between his siblings.

A smile spread across her face when Stormblaze approached her, she decided that his smiles were contagious. "I'm doing alright, how about you?" she asked the warrior, glad that he had come over to talk to her. He somehow always managed to find a way to make her laugh or smile.

Inkkit followed behind her parents quietly, she most likely being the most quiet of the litter. There were three she-kits, her being a fluffy, dark cat with a white splotch on her chest, the splotch identical to her sibling's. All conversations she had already had were short, as she trailed off quickly. The small kit was wide awake, despite walking so much. She stayed with her siblings, listening to them go on about all sorts of things as they arrived at camp.

Mapletail giggled at the scene- Hyzenthlay was sneaking up on her dad's tail, one careful pawstep at a time, silent as a mouse. She pounced and Mapletail had to silence her guffaw.

"What can I say? I thought it'd be fun!" she said, scooping Willowkit to her chest and beginning to groom down the she-cat's long fur. She looked around camp.

"Well, what do you think?" she asked the molly while Hyzenthlay ripped up daddy's tail-mouse, her blue eyes pointing to the camp of MoonClan. The kits had only heard stories.

A large brooding tom-cat padded a few paw-steps behind his mate, a deep frown ever present on his torn features. The babbling of three little she-cats caused his ears to ring and he wondered why Fadewhisker enjoyed practically living in the nursery- dealing with all that chatter.

"Are we there yet?" A small kitten almost identical to her father's looks, minus the pelt color, asked.

Hiddenstrike groaned before looking down at the small kit with one yellow eye. "That's the fifth time you've asked that. Go bother your mother."

Willowkit grumbled and pouted out her lower lip. "But you're more fun to annoy."

Hiddenstrike rolled his eyes at her response and turned his gaze on the she-cat walking in front him. "Please explain to me why I thought this was a good idea." He said, hoping Mapletail would answer him. whether he was talking about having kits or journeying back to Moonclan would all be left to interpretation.

----

Stormblaze spotted one of his closest friends sitting by herself and choose this as a good time to approach. He could sense how worried she was, the entire camp was filled with dread. He offered her one of his signature grins and sat down beside her. "How you holding up?" He inquired.

Stormpaw walked out of the apprentice den and into the clearing, noticing how empty the camp was, because many of her clan-mates had left for the battle. They had been gone an awfully long time, and it was starting to worry her a little, feeling guilty about staying behind. But she pushed her doubts to the back of her head and looked around camp at the remaining cats, to see if anyone needed anything or just wanted to have a nice chat.

Mapletail's journey to MoonClan ended with a great huff and a collapse, a paw moving to clamp down over her stomach as she tried to hide her pain from her mate- the two were a match struck in hell, but to Mapletail, all she could think was that she had gotten lucky. The pale, ugly scar down her stomach from Jupiter's goons caused her much pain, especially after so much walking- but it was so good to finally be home.

Even if she'd gotten a little . . . distracted . . . along the way.

A few paw-lengths away, her three children annoyed their father to no end.

In the nursery of MoonClan's camp, a new resident had moved in while the clan was out. Or- more than one. Quite a few, actually. Sandbreeze made herself tentatively at home in the semi-abandoned camp, finding it rather easy to prove herself harmless to the few guards. She was blind by circumstance, her coat haggard and wasted, and a tumor the size of a grape hung off her neck like a pendant, the only sign to the sickness that was slowly taking over her insides. Suckling at her belly, a hard birth had seen new life and new death, though the stillborns had already been buried by leaves, the best the blind cat could manage.

She had found her way home only by the will of her heart and the guided notion that forgiveness was possible. Sandbreeze was a lesson in karma. The cat lay dying, slowly, of a curse that could not be cured. And nothing would stop it but death.

Cinnamonkit peered nervously over the edge of the nest, too small to clear it effectively. She was stuck between deciding if playing with the moss ball seemed fun or if it seemed threatening, but she was leaning towards the latter.

Redkit squealed with excitement and swung his paw at the tumbling moss. Stormblaze laughed at the little kits enthusiasm and swatted it in Mistletoe's direction.

Mistletoekit reflexively batted at the mossball as Fadewhisker tossed it over toward her, the little mass of drying moss and dust flying toward her brother Redkit.

The grey and white tom-cat glanced down at the little kitten who revealed herself from the nursery. He'd almost forgotten the Earthclan deputy had given birth in their camp. He smiled down at the little one, "Don't worry, you're mother is strong. They're making sure we won't have to battle again. That means she's protecting you." Stormblaze reassured Mistletoe kit.

"Yea, mum's super strong!" A little reddish furred tom-kit tumbled out of the nursery after his sister. His green eyes glowed with mischief.

Fadewhisker grinned at her brother, relieved he was here to help her watch over Marshmumble's litter. "While we wait for them to return, would you guys like to play ball?" She'd thought ahead to grab a small moss ball, just in case she needed to distract the kittens. She tossed the object toward Mistletoekit.

"When is everyone gonna come back?" Mistletoekit asked, her stomach rumbling. She sat down and ran her tongue over her shoulder in a nervous habit, "Mama's been gone so long!"

Fadewhisker paced in front of the nursery, muscles tensing beneath her silvery tabby coat. Ever since the battle patrol left, a bad feeling hit her causing her stomach to turn. She'd been spending quite a lot of time with Pantherfrost which helped put her mind at ease. His company was very much welcomed, especially after Midnightstorm's death. However, she was more worried for her brother Tidebreaker and best friend Ocelotstride.

"I'm Surprised the ground hasn't swallowed you whole." A familiar voice caught her attention and she turned to see her brother approaching her.

Stormblaze shot his sister a signature toothy grin while he limped over. He knew she was worried- everyone was. Something about tonight felt odd, but he couldn't place his figure on it.

"Oh shut up, I saw you over their doodling in the dirt. Can't hide it." Fadewhisker jabbed back, sitting down and curling her tail around her paws. "I hope they're okay."

The tall, lean-muscled tom nudged his sister reassuringly. "Don't worry, Starclan is watching over them."

Mistletoekit tottered around the nursery. No one had given her a straight answer about what had happened and it seemed like her Mom had been gone too long for just the dirt place... still, she couldn't figure out what might be happening and couldn't conjure up any idea of a battle, so was consigned to plain boredom.

Meadowclaw let out a sigh, leaning back onto her haunches, "We'll hunt close. Crimsonpaw, yowl if something happens," The she-cat addressed before ducking out into the territory of MoonClan's old-growth oaks.

Her smile grew a bit bigger, "Sure" she responded happily. She rather liked hunting, it was something she did alone usually, to escape from whatever was going on within the clans. Hunting with her sister would be a nice change though.

Her smile grew a bit bigger, "Sure" she responded happily. She rather liked hunting, it was something she did alone usually, to escape from whatever was going on within the clans. Hunting with her sister would be a nice change though.

Meadowclaw smiled- Valleystorm's unending pleasantness was always enough to put the grumpy she-cat in a great mood.

"I- well, I was wondering if you were up to hunt. Our clan will be hungry when they get back- victory or defeat."

Valleystorm turned, hearing Meadowclaw call her name. She stood up and walked the few steps to her sister, nodding her head in greeting, "Hello, do you need something?" she asked with a small smile. She gazed into her electric yellow eyes, glad that she had come over. Any other day she might have been annoyed if anyone tried to talk to her or order her around, but with her sister it was a different story. They did not have much in common, but Valleystorm was grateful for any time that could spend together.

Meadowclaw had finished cleaning up the main clearing of fresh-kill feathers and moss scraps. With EarthClan moving in, it was hard to get most housekeeping done in the camp- there were simply too many cats sleeping or in the way to get everything, even with twice the population. Meadowclaw's stipulations that EarthClan cats were lazy gossips proved mostly correct- though they had run off to battle in an instant.

But now, with her own clan and EarthClan off to battle, the camp was quieter than it had been since the flood. Meadowclaw paced anxiously, wondering what to do with her clan gone. A small amount of shame bundled within her heart, along with imagining her family looking at her with fragile opinions of her actions in front of the entire clan.

She stopped her pacing and looked down at her one muscular paw, a feather clamped underneath it. Removing her paw, it flitted up with a gust of humid wind and landed near the depleted fresh-kill pile- only a few frogs lay in the green-leaf ferns.

"EarthClanners . . ." Meadowclaw said as she looked closer at it. It's emptiness disturbed her- with nothing else to do in the camp and a catastrophically small chance that SunClan and EclipseClan would break through the barrier of MoonClan and EarthClan, Meadowclaw's yellow eyes scanned the clearing for someone to send on a hunting expedition.

"Valleystorm!" Meadowclaw said, trotting over to her neglected sister- the only one left, it seemed. The two were as different as night and day and Meadowclaw realized with a start how Valleystorm's seal-point coat was unmarred with scars and how brightly her blue eyes still shone.

Heatherpaw bit back his protests as his mother announced their departure and instead put on a brave face as they headed out in mass.

"Is this your first battle?" Cedarclaw asked Roseflame, noticing the she-cat beside him as the patrol left the camp. Cedarclaw himself was heavily scarred from skirmishes gone wrong, but as loathe as he was to admit it, this was his first full fight. Grousethorn stayed close to him, his ears flicking at the question.

[EcC-SC Border]

Roseflame danced on her paws as she weaved her way through the crowd of MoonClanners and EarthClanners. Sunlight still beaming over the camp’s walls made her amber eyes glow like two orbs of fire. She was immensely excited and anxious all at once. This was a chance to redeem MoonClan. They had no choice but to defend their own. SunClan, EclipseClan-- whoever, had given them no choice. However, Roseflame worried that most of her clanmates saw this only as a personal vendetta; a way to get back at Midnightstorm’s murderer. Who specifically was to blame, though? How could they know for sure?

Any cat of the opposing alliance would be at risk of breathing their last breath tonight. Roseflame knew that. Roseflame knew her clanmates wanted that. Roseflame decided she wouldn’t partake; no cat would die under her claws in cold blood. That is, unless… it couldn’t be avoided. She wouldn’t kill out of revenge or for the sheer thrill of it. If her clanmates needed her, she would be at their side, and should they falter, she would defend them with all of her might.

Roseflame hadn’t been in MoonClan for very long, hadn’t been “Roseflame” for very long. But the clan took her in when she needed them, and she would put them above everything. She would put everything on the line for them. At Marshmumble’s call, she stopped her incessant fidgeting, and lowered her head in a silent prayer before she would depart.

"They'll be okay for one night," Marshmumble said with stupid amounts of assumptive bravery, "MoonClan has Fadewhisker and Dewbird. We've got Cottontail who's still nursing- they're going to look after them. I'm the deputy, too, Heatherpaw. You know that," she said, giving her taller son a headbutt of affection. She looked around at the gathered cats.

The she-cat, named for her soft speech and saline warmness in the gray shades of EclipseClan's dingy camp, raised her voice, "You all know what you're risking by coming!" she said, "And I'd like to thank each and every one of you for taking that risk. For every fight we win tonight, that is one more chance that our sons and daughters will survive, free of SunClan and EclipseClan's tyranny. Win or lose, this war will end. Let us depart," she said, finding her mate's dark pelt among the mosaic of fur and battle-ready wariness. She found Honeypaw, picked up her own satchel of herbs that she carried for the medicine cat, and pulled Heatherpaw to her with her tail. She didn't want her son far away from her during the battle, same as Fallenpaw, wherever he was. Flamepaw's death . . . had scarred the she-cat. So had the birth. But Jupiter's influence over her would not be all-controlling, and the deputy felt extra protected as Meadowclaw's family stayed behind to protect the camp.

Rattlepaw looked to Marshmumble as she gave the battle cry, angry that it had not been Blossomstar, before turning back to Crimsonpaw. His speech broke her heart, but she knew that her brother's heart would survive a mere day of separation. "I'm a good fighter," she said arrogantly, "But if it makes you feel better, I'll only challenge cats my own size and I'll run home at the first sign of danger, just like mom wants," she said, a bite to her words before their own harshness made her frown. The patrol began to pull away, and she was already apologizing.

"I'm sorry- I love you. Let mom know, I love her too. And our aunts and uncles and sisters. I'll be safe- I promise," the she-cat's gray head dipped in conclusion until she was swept away to the danger.

Milfoilcloud watched Soulswift and Stagpaw, astounded that the pair could find any excuse for such levity in the given situation.

"StarClan," Cedarclaw swore under his breath, his thoughts mirroring Milfoilcloud's.

SoulSwift, using sheer strength, pinned the cat down. His hold wasn't very strong, and it wouldn't be difficult to escape with effort. "Got you." The cat purred as he looked down at the small tom, who's fur had gotten messy.

Stagpaw jumped away and straightened himself and pouted. "Not fair. You are twice as tall as me." His fur messy from his attempt. He leaped at Soulswift again and nipped on his front paw.

SoulSwift leaned on to StagPaw in an effort to push the short tom off. He hoped that the small apprentice had a good strategy. "Maybe you should've challenged a shorter warrior!" The tom laughed.

Stagpaw crouched then pounced. Leaping through the air and playfully biting at Swiftsoul's neck. "Grrrr!" He growled and pawed at Swiftsoul's face. He had to stand on his hind legs to even reach the other tom's neck. He silently struggled to deal with the other tom's height.

SoulSwift followed the brown tabby to a small clearing in the forest. The spot was close to camp, and the two hadn't walked far. He smiles back at the apprentice, "Yep." Soul stretches casually, ready to begin.

Stagpaw smiled and bounced off to a clear in the forest where he would often train. He looked back at Swiftsoul and grins. "Ready to go down?"

"It looks like everyone's ready to go," Cedarclaw commented to Grousethorn.

"Just about..." Grousethorn agreed, glancing toward the leaders and deputies and waiting for one of them to give the go-ahead.

Crimsonpaw studied the tom who look so much similar to he as he walked by them with no more words wandering into his muzzle. 'I'm surprised...He didn't have anything else to say.' The tom thought to himself with a relieved sigh as his mother leaned her head into his warm chest. His ears flattened and sadness began to etch in his face when he saw his sister join in with the patrol. "I'll be back..." He uttered a small meow, taking a step away from Meadowclaw before he ran to Rattlepaw, not wanting to miss her leaving. Tears clouded his vibrant, yellow gaze, however not a single one did he let fall. "Rattlepaw..." Crimsonpaw's strong voice was heartbroken, shattered, when he realized that his sister wouldn't be by his side. They had been through everything together. The feelings of loneliness, humor, and joy that proceeded through the events in their young lives. Crimsonpaw knew he couldn't change her mind, but he also didn't want that to end. "I want to go with you really...And fight at your side like we planned...I-just...Just promise me that you'll try to stay safe."

As Ocelotstride came to a halt with the rest of the cats, she leaned her head into Tidebreaker's shoulder. Her paws were eager to fight, however nervousness skimmed into her mind. There was always something new that happened.

"Mom?" Heatherpaw meowed in surprise, breaking away from Silversplash's side to push his way through the crowd to her. "Why are you here? Don't the kits need...?" He trailed off, guessing at what she was after. "Surely you're not-"

Meadowclaw's face did not falter as she heard Crimsonpaw's rebuttal of Cedarclaw's argument. She wanted to call out against him for speaking against their shared mother- the warm-toned colorpoint with whom he shared even his pelt with. She'd often been fooled into thinking Softlullaby was still within the clan, in the darkness when he would stalk through the entrance with her way about his paws.

But in the moment, he looked nothing like her. None of them did. Softlullaby wasn't a fighter- though Meadowclaw was. Rattlepaw was. Cedarclaw was. Valleystorm and Blazingpaw were quite possibly the only ones who weren't.

She looked to Crimsonpaw, leaning into his heavy chest, as she spoke aloud her prayer to StarClan.

Rattlepaw looked at her family- the part that stood on the battle patrol and the part that tugged her to her mother's side. She was embarrassed by the proceedings of the meeting, and in the end she defied her mother's choice. She was young- her impulsiveness could be forgiven with time. But she could not hide behind her mother's cowardice. Her grey paws itched for battle.

She looked to Cedarclaw, "I'm with you," she said in defiance.

Marshmumble strained her neck to watch her mate emerge to the clearing, leaving her and her eight kittens within the medicine cat den still. Honeypaw was still there, frantically putting together elephant leaves full of herbs and poultices. Her breathing was frantic, her paws quick, and when she was done she bundled it in her jaws and gave her mother a small headbutt of a farewell.

"You'll do great, sweetheart. I know you will," the warm calico said. Honeypaw looked as if about to cry from happiness, but the herbs within her mouth prevented her from speaking. She dipped her head with respect.

"And I'm coming with you," Marshmumble said as she stood. Honeypaw's eyes grew wide and she dropped her bundle with a mess of dried leaves spilling over the kittens.

Honeypaw looked to the spilled leaves and then at her mother. "What?" she said in exasperation.

"I'm the deputy. I'm going to battle," Marshmumble said, a solemn gaze to her babies. She calmed the one that cried out- and then Cinnamonkit, her own little firecracker.

"Wh-"

"Eloquent as always. Let me help you," Marshmumble said as she began to clean the herbs and repackage them.

"What?"

Marshmumble found a nondescript queen to watch her litter and her and Honeypaw stood side-by-side on the battle patrol, Honeypaw looking terrified out of her mind and Marshmumble looking onward with solemn duty as she began to organize cats into squads.

“Let’s get to it, then,” Silversplash replied as she got up to her paws, her voice grim. Heatherpaw nodded and followed her to the camp exit, craning his neck to look over the crowd and –hopefully- spot some of his family members among the group.

Cedarclaw pushed his way past Meadowclaw to the camp entrance, pointedly looking away from her. Grousethorn followed, giving a slight dip of his head in acknowledgement, but not speaking up.

Finally, Milfoilcloud made her way to the battle patrol, her limbs still feeling leaden with exhaustion from the rescue patrol.