Lost In The Stars (Book Two)

Chapter Sixteen- Stoneclaw

The rest of the journey was extremely dreary. Stoneclaw's heart ached for Foxkit, who was terrified. The clan all looked down on the kit, seeming to think that it was his fault for Stripedstar's loss of a life. They were right, but Stoneclaw didn't think it was fair to blame a kit.

As the cats sheltered in an old twoleg nest at the edge of twolegplace, Muddy Feet called the cats around. Stripedstar was still too weak to lead the clan, so Muddy Feet and Green Eyes had taken her place.

Once all the cats had settled, Muddy Feet began. He announced that Foxkit and Stormkit were old enough to be made apprentices, but because of Foxkit's actions at the thunderpath, he would wait until Squirrelkit and Dustkit were old enough to begin his training.

Rainstorm jumped up beside Muddy Feet. "Stormkit, StarClan and I believe that you deserve this." He said. Stormkit squealed loudly as he continued. "I call upon our warrior ancestors to look down on this cat. She has been chosen to have the fate of the moon. Stormkit, from this day forward you will train as a messenger of StarClan. We honor you and accept you as an apprentice to myself, Rainstorm. Welcome to StarClan, where you will have the name Stormpaw."

Stormpaw dipped her head. "Thank you, Rainstorm."

Her new mentor rested his chin on her head while she stooped to lick his shoulder. As the ceremony came to an end, a cry broke out. "Frostytail, come quick!" It was Rosepaw, who huddled over Silverwing.

Stoneclaw rushed to join them, but Rainstorm stopped him. "Stay here." The moon cat warned. "She needs space."

Stoneclaw lashed his tail, but didn't move. Robinwing sat beside him, his eyes wide. "What's going on?" Stoneclaw asked him.

Before Robinwing could answer, Frostytail cried out, "How has no cat noticed her swollen belly? Are you all mouse-brained?!"

"Kits?" Robinwing whispered. Stoneclaw dug his claws into the earth, his heart hammering. Could she really be having kits? He wondered. He guessed that it was possible, but how could no cat have noticed?

After what felt like moons, Frostytail finally left the group that had surrounded Silverwing, a tiny grey kit dangling from her jaws. Stoneclaw was about to walk over to her, when he realised she was taking it to burial. It had been stillborn.

"Stoneclaw!" Rosepaw called, "Come see!"

"Were they stillborn?" Stoneclaw asked as he walked up beside his daughter.

"One of them." Rosepaw said, "But this one lived."

Stoneclaw bent down to sniff the tiny bundle of fur. "Do you suppose he'll make it to our new territory?" He asked hesitantly.

"I hope so." Silverwing panted. "I want him to be called Brackenkit. I think it suits him."

Stoneclaw nodded. Brackenkit was a tiny grey and brown tom. "It would." He agreed.

Eventually, the rest of the clan gathered one by one to meet the unexpected kit. Dawntail promised that she would help Silverwing with her kit, as she still had three of her own. Silverwing nodded gratefully, licking Dawntail's ears.

"Well," Robinwing said as they finally settled down for sleep. "That was unexpected."

Stoneclaw laughed. "Yes, it was."

"What if Brackenkit doesn't make it?" Cloudpool asked, her voice dark. Stoneclaw knew that she was thinking of her own kits, Frost, Oceankit, and Turtlekit, who had never made it to be apprentices, let alone warriors. But they had been reborn in Coldwind's younger siblings, so Stoneclaw supposed it wasn't that bad. Would I feel the same way if my kit died? He wondered, his fur suddenly bristling. Would Silverwing?