Warrior Cats: Darkness Rising. (2/3)

Chapter 13

Timberheart's eyes flew open as a loud screech rang in his ears. He sprang to his paws, and saw that the other cats were pouring out of their den. Was it another attack? "It's only Cloverpool!" Daisy yowled from the entrance of the nursery. Jayfeather and Featherpaw were already pushing their way into the den, jaws full of leaves while Alderleaf watched them from the medicine den. Timberheart's heart pounded in his chest. Cloverpool was kitting her kits! It would be his first kin in this clan that came from his siblings. Swiftstrike bolted from the warriors' den and plunged into the nursery. "Isn't it too early?" Fernleaf asked, her voice worried. Timberheart glanced at her. She'd come back earlier today, eyes shining with happiness, but she didn't want to tell him what had made her so happy. Timberheart looked up at the sky. The sun was sinking, and the first warriors of Starclan had appeared. "Bramblestar will have to name the cats that are going to the gathering soon." He heard Dewnose mew. Timberheart nodded, and just then, Bramblestar padded out of his den. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the highledge for a clanmeeting." He yowled. The clan quickly settled into the clearing, gazing up at their leader. Timberheart didn't want to miss this gathering! It would be the first one since Shadowclan and Windclan attacked. A yowl sounded from the nursery that quickly turned into a screech, and Timberheart flinched. Poor Cloverpool. He thought. "I will take Fernleaf, Timberheart, Flashheart, Coalfrost, Redfang, Littlepaw, Spiderpaw, Redpaw, Silverpaw, Hailpaw, Squirrelpaw, Leafheart, Poppyfrost, Pigeonwing and Berrynose with me to the gathering." He announced. "Are you going to challenge Windclan and Shadowclan?" Pigeonwing called. Bramblestar looked down at him. "All the clans know about this. But I will challenge Shadowclan, and I will talk about a part of Windclan joining them, but I won't challenge Larkstar." He mewed. "Are we going to wait until Cloverpool has kitted?" Fernleaf asked. Bramblestar looked at the nursery. "It depends on how long it takes." He mewed before turning his head to Alderleaf. "Can you check?" He asked as another screech sounded from the nursery. Alderleaf nodded and as he hurried to the nursery, he mewed. "By the sound of it, I think she's almost finished." Before he disappeared into the entrance. Silence gripped the clearing, a few heartbeats passed until Alderleaf returned, his eyes shining. "Thunderclan, we have 3 new healthy kits!" Timberheart felt his heart leap in excitement and happiness as a murmurs and a few yowls sounded from the cats in the clearing. "Good job, Cloverpool!" Fernleaf yowled. "Is she strong enough for a visit?" Ivypool asked, clearly excited to meet her daughter's kits. Alderleaf nodded. "Yes, but only two at a time." He mewed. Ivypool exchanged an excited glance with her mate, Stormcloud, before they hurried to the nursery and disappeared into it. Timberheart led Fernleaf and Oakshade to the entrance. The scent of blood hit their nose. "I hope she's okay." Oakshade murmured worriedly. "Queens always bleed when they kit." Fernleaf explained. Bramblestar dismissed the meeting, and the clan separated. Timberheart shuffled his paws in impatience. Then, after what seemed like moons, Ivypool and Stormcloud pushed their way out of the den. "They're beautiful." Stormcloud purred, touching his nose to Ivypool's ear. Timberheart brushed past them and pushed himself in. Cherryfall lay curled up around her own kits, which were staring wide-eyed at Cloverpool. Timberheart padded towards his sister, Oakshade and Fernleaf following. Swiftstrike lay beside Cloverpool, gazing down at three bundles of fur. Timberheart felt his heart ache with love. One of them was a dark brown tabby tom. The other one was a white tom with dark brown tabby splotches. The third was a she-kit and her pelt was a mix of dark brown and ginger tabby. "They're beautiful." Timberheart whispered. "Have you given them names?" Oakshade asked as Fernleaf stretched forward to nuzzle her sister. Cloverpool nodded. "This is Petalkit." She mewed and touched the brown and ginger she-kit. "This is Twigkit." She mewed and pointed at the dark brown tabby tom. "And this is Ripplekit." Swiftstrike mewed and pointed at the dark brown tabby and white tom. "You're going to be great parents." Fernleaf mewed.