Pineshade's Loss

Chapter 32

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the highbranch for a Clan meeting!" Pineshade hears Boulderstar meows after he returns from dawn patrol.

I wonder what this is for. Pineshade thinks as he gathers with the rest of the Clan, sitting down beside Milktail.

"Four ShadowClan warriors have came told me and told me that they don't feel like they can serve the Clan efficiently anymore, so they will be retiring to the elder's den," Boulderstar explains. "Jaggedfoot, is it your wish to give up the name of a warrior and go to join the elders?"

"It is," Jaggedfoot responds. "As I am getting older, dealing with having a missing paw has been becoming harder than it has ever been, so I think it would be best for me to move to the elders' den because of this."

"Jaggedfoot, your Clan honors you and all the service you have given to us. I call upon StarClan to give you many moons of rest," Boulderstar then meows.

"Thank you, Boulderstar," Jaggedfoot meows and begins to pad over to the elders' den.

"Jaggedfoot! Jaggedfoot!" The Clan cheers as the black-and-white tom hobbles into the elders' den. Pineshade glances over at Milktail, whose eyes are wide with concern.

"Pineshade, I really wasn't expecting this," Milktail murmurs.

"It will be okay. It's what he wants," Pineshade assures her.

"Now, Juniperleaf, is it your wish to give up the name of a warrior and go to join the elders?"

"It is," Juniperleaf responds. "With the large influx of younger cats, I don't feel like I will be able to serve my Clan as much as I used to. So, I think it would be best to retire and let the younger cats take over."

"Juniperleaf, your Clan honors you and all the service you have given to us. I call upon StarClan to give you many moons of rest," Boulderstar then meows.

"Thanks," Juniperleaf meows and pads over to the elders' den.

"Juniperleaf! Juniperleaf!" The Clan cheers as she enters the elders' den.

""Now, Jayflight, is it your wish to give up the name of a warrior and go to join the elders?"

"It is," Jayflight responds. "As time goes on, being a warrior affects my mental health in a negative way more and more. I had a good run, but to spare myself from further anxiety, I think it will be best for me to retire to the elders' den."

"Jayflight, your Clan honors you and all the service you have given to us. I call upon StarClan to give you many moons of rest," Boulderstar then meows.

"Thanks, Boulderstar," Jayflight responds and begins to pad over to the elders' den.

"Jayflight! Jayflight!" The Clan cheers as the middle-aged tom enters the elders' den.

"Finally, Nightbreeze, is it your wish to give up the name of a warrior and go to join the elders?"

"It is," Nightbreeze responds. "Although I am not very old yet, I have noticed that my health is already starting to deteriorate. To save my health from further harm, I think it would be best for me to retire to the elders' den."

"Nightbreeze, my love, your Clan honors you and all the service you have given to us. You have been an excellent mate and warrior. I call upon StarClan to give you many moons of rest," Boulderstar then meows to his mate.

"What in StarClan? Already?" Pineshade mumbles quietly.

"Thank you, my love," Nightbreeze responds and begins to pad over to the elders' den.

"Nightbreeze! Nightbreeze!" The Clan cheers as the black-furred she-cat enters the elders' den.

"The Clan meeting is now dismissed," Boulderstar meows, about to hop down from the highbranch.

"Wait!" Milktail quickly calls out. Boulderstar then freezes in place and all eyes turn to look at Milktail.

"What is it, Milktail? We don't have all day," Boulderstar grumbles. "It better be important."

"I just want to take this moment to share that I am expecting Pineshade's kits and will be moving into the nursery today," Milktail announces. Pineshade's eyes widen at the news and he doesn't know if he should feel excited or nervous. Many meows of "congratulations" come from the rest of the Clan, excited that after the retirement of four warriors, new life will be born into ShadowClan.

"Why did you wait this long to tell me?" Pineshade meows with wide emerald eyes.

"Because I wanted to surprise you," Milktail meows. "And, as I can tell, my surprise worked," she says with a purr of amusement.

"You told me you didn't think you were expecting kits!" Pineshade meows.

"Well, surprise!" Milktail meows.

"Now, the Clan meeting is dismissed," Boulderstar meows, hopping down from the highbranch as the Clan begins to do their own separate things. But, before Milktail even has the chance to head over to the nursery, they are surrounded by their friends. Leafshadow, Hawktalon, Ebonyfrost, Beetlenose, Spikepelt, Acornfall, Frogleap, Mousetuft, Flamepelt, Swiftfang, and Wolfclaw, who are all wanting to speak to them.

This is going to be a tough seven moons or so. Pineshade thinks.