Flameheart's Grief

Prologue

"They're coming!" a red brown tom spoke over the loud group of cats outside the Doeclan nursery. "How much longer Foxtail?" asked a gray tom pacing outside, worry showing in his green eyes as he flicked his long tail."Not much longer Vinetail" Foxtail replied."Vinetail you may come in, Firepelt is asking for you" said a pale brown she-cat with distinctive white paws "And bring some wet moss while you're at it". "Thanks Deerpaw" Vinetail said running to the medicine den for wet moss. As Vinetail came into the nursery, he instantly spotted the ginger pelt of his mate. He ran across the nursery and dropped the moss by her paws."How are you Firepelt?" he asked."I'm f-" she started as a spasm shook her."Foxtail" he called and the tom ran into the nursery."The first kit is coming" he called as a wet sack slipped out onto the nest. Foxtail quickly nipped the sack and licked the kit to warm it up."A she-kit" Foxtail said as the little kit made her way to Firepelts belly."One more" Foxtail said as a second bundle made its way to the nest. This time Foxtail allowed Vinetail to nip the sack as Deerpaw licked the first kit a bit more. "A tom" Foxtail said as the kit made his way to his smaller littermate. Vinetail suddenly realized the one moon old kits, Swiftkit and Sagekit, were staring as if they couldn't believe what just happened. He could also hear the three moon old kits, Ryekit, Sandkit, and Stormkit, attempting to learn the hunting crouch with the six moon old kits, Echokit and Thymekit, due to become apprentices soon

One day later and Vinetail was already visiting his kits in the nursery. "What should we name them" Firepelt was asking in between licks. "I think the little she-kit should be called Flamekit because of her beautiful ginger pelt, just like yours" Vinetail replied."What about Sedgekit for the tom" Firepelt asked. "I think that's perfect" Vinetail said as he nuzzled his mate. "Two perfect names for two perfect kits. I'll go ask Fernstar to welcome them to the clan now". "I think we should wait a few more days for them to open their eyes" Firepelt said, her whiskers twitching with amusement.

The next day was as hot as ever and Vinetail was visiting the nursery for the fifth time since they were born. "They've opened their eyes!" Firepelt said as soon as he walked in. "Flamekit has stunning green eyes like you while Sedgekit has beautiful amber eyes". "Like you" Vinetail said. "Now that they've opened there eyes can we introduce them? Echokit and Thymekit is supposed to have their apprentice ceremonies today". "Yes, I suppose we can introduce them today" Firepelt replied

"Let all cats old enough to catch there own prey join here beneath the Highledge for a clan meeting! Today we have a two new apprentices, Echokit, step forward. Echokit, from this day foreward, until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Echopaw. Violetfoot, you are ready for another apprentice since you finished mentoring Crowheart, Echopaw will be your apprentice, you taught Crowheart well and I hope you pass on all your bravery and strength. Thymekit, come forward, From this day foreward, until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Thymepaw. Vinetail, you have been more than ready for your first apprentice but you decided to wait until you had your kits with Firepelt. Thymepaw will be your apprentice. You were mentored by my loyal deputy Owlfur and I hope you pass on all your knowlege to Thymepaw." "Thymepaw, Echopaw" Fernstar waited for silence"I believe there is two more things that need to be done. The first one is something I've wanted to do for a long time. Robinpaw, step forward." Robinpaw stepped forward without the limp that caused him to wait another three moons for his warrior ceremony. "Owlfur, is he ready" "More than ready" responded the pale brown she-cat. "Very well then. I, Fernstar, leader of Doeclan call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in their turn. Robinpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?" "I do" he sounded confident although Vinetail could see the excited twitches of his whiskers and stifled a purr of amusement. He could see Firepelt at the edge of the clearing grooming their kits so they look good when welcomed into the clan. Fernstar continued "Then by the powers of Starclan I give you your warrior name. Robinpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Robinfur. Starclan honors your courage and will". Robinfur closed his eyes as Fernstar rested his muzzle on the toms head and Robinfur opened his eyes to lick his leader's shoulder respectfully. "Robinfur, Robinfur" Fernstar bounded back up onto the Highledge as the noise quieted down. "I have one more announcement, we have two new kits in the clan born to Vinetail and Firepelt. Let us welcome them as you were welcomed yourselves. What are their names?" Vinetail spoke up as Firepelt nudged them to the front of the crowd. "The ginger she-kit with green eyes is called Flamekit and the gray tom with amber eyes is called Sedgekit". "They truly are lovely kits you two."Fernstar said "Now let us welcome them" Fernstar raised his muzzle to the air and said "Starclan, I present to you our future warriors, grant them your protection as they grow up and love them with all your hearts!" he yowled. The entire clan began to yowl their names to the sky. "Flamekit, Sedgekit"

The next day Vinetail started out with his usual visit to the nursery at dawn just as Robinfur finished his vigil and Owlfur began sorting patrols. With Vinetail he brought two mice leftover from the previous days fresh kill. As he entered the nursery he dropped the mice at Firepelts side and began to wake her up, but when he touuched her, she was burning up. He ran out of the nursury as fast as possible and sprinted to the medicine den. "Foxtail" he yowled. Deerpaw looked up from her nest. "He's out collecting herbs, what do you need?" Vinetail began to explain. "Firepelt is burning up, has a dry muzzle, and her milk is drying up". Deerpaws eyes snapped open and she ran into the storage grabbing herbs and sprinting out the door. Just before she left she turned around and said "If Foxtail returns tell him where I am and to come as fast as possible"

Hey guys. Sorry to leave you on a cliff hanger but we will find out what happens soon. I am planning on posting 2 chapters a week, maybe more if you really enjoy it! Have fun reading and see you all next around Wednesday!