Windclan's Hope

Chapter 16

Ivypaw padded around, checking on the wounds that were left. Doveface had moved into the nursery and was heavy with kits. It had been a moon since the battle with Riverclan and Thunderclan. She stretched after applying the last of her herbs onto Stemstar's back wounds. "You really should move into the medicine den, this wound may go infected again." She mewed. "I am Windclan leader, i cant be hidden in the medicine den." He replied. "You also cant be Windclan's leader when you are ill and cant leave the den." She retorted. "Fine, if it makes you feel better. But how long will it be? Theres two days until the gathering." Ivypaw shrugged. "My hope is you'll travel by then. Come, I should put marigold and horsetail on it immediately." She led the way into the medicine den where Mudheart sat. "Sweetwhisker died." Turtleheart sighed as they entered. "Im so sorry, Mudheart." Ivypaw watched as the tom ate the thyme leaves. She led Stemstar to his nest and fluffed it before grabbing some marigold and horsetail. Chewing it together she applied it to his wound, wrinkling her nose at the forming smell. "If it continues like that put yarrow on it." Turtleheart observed her work. "Other than that, great combination." She purred. "Hey, Littlewhisker! Want to escort Mudheart back to the border?" Turtleheart asked the half blind tom. "Sure, since thats all im good for." He huffed. "Ill go too." Ivypaw followed them.
"I have a half blind warrior in camp, Littlewhisker. I could see if Adderstar will let him come teach you some moves." Mudheart mewed. "Will he? I would love that." Littlewhisker smiled, Ivypaw hadn't seen him smile in a while. "Her name is Volenose. She is the most clever warrior in Shadowclan. I like to brag she is my sister." The tom purred. "How lucky you are. Doveface is the most supportive sister to me. I hope her kits arent afraid of my scars." He frowned. "She has kits, they dont mind. They think she is the bravest warrior in the clan. They should be apprenticed soon, maybe Adderstar will send her to you when they are." Mudheart replied and halted at the border. "Ill see to it." He purred and touched noses with him then Ivypaw. "Thanks you two. See you at the gathering." Ivypaw replied.
Littlewhisker and Birchwing paced outside the nursery, almost running her over as she rushed into the den with raspberry leaves in her jaws. "She is almost done." She promised the toms. She knew Littlewhisker was nervous because of his scars and Birchwing was just nervous for his mate. Ivypaw didn't want to tell them the kitting was going bad, instead she rushed in to help. "Gather moss!" Turtleheart yowled. Briarfang rushed away from outside the den, joined by Eaglepaw. "I dont know how we will stop the bleeding! Good, more raspberry." Turtleheart fretted. "Ill get burnet." Ivypaw went to leave but was stopped by Turtleheart. "Grab some goatweed, this kit isn't alive."
By the time the kitting was over they'd stopped the bleeding but only one of three kits survived. Birchwing laid with Doveface, a worried look in his eyes. "I killed them!" The queen wailed. "No, you tried your best. Lets name them all. They have to have a name going into Starclan." The tom purred. "That gray tom, Mousekit. The tan she, Sorrelkit." She pointed to the limp kits. Ivypaw's heart broke for the queen. "What about that she? She looks just like you. What about Willowkit?" Doveface nodded, wrapping her tail around the wailing kit.