A New Beginning

Chapter 21

Breezestar jumped to his paws as a screech split the air. He scrambled out of his den and looked around for intruders. But there was nobody.

All he saw was Starberry rush out of the medicine den with a bundle of herbs in her mouth. "What's going on?" Breezestar called to her from across the clearing. The whole clan was awake by now and gathered around Breezestar.

"Lilystem is kitting," Starberry mumbled through her mouthful of herbs before pushing her way into the nursery. Sparrowwing looked around with panic. "She can't be having her kits now! I'm not ready!" he whimpered.

Mudtail layed his tail across the toms shoulders, "Hey look at the positive side. Your almost a father." Sparrowwing's gaze suddenly became more focused. He looked to the nursery and then to Breezestar. Breezestar dipped his head, "I will organize the patrols. You go help Lilystem. But don't forget its Breezeclan's first gathering tonight."

Sparrowwing nodded and dashed into the den. Breezestar looked around the gathered cats. It was only Frostleaf, Mudtail, and Fernrose who remained. I need to leave at least one cat to watch the camp while Lilystem is kitting. But I only have three warriors!

He sighed and looked at Mudtail. "Please stay here and protect the camp while I'm out on patrol," he meowed. Mudtail nodded and walked over to the nursery entrance.

Breezestar looked to Frostleaf and Fernrose. They both looked anxious to get out of camp. He hoped down from the Tallrock and led them out onto the moor. 

*______________________*

As the sun slowly drifted down to the horizon Breezestar led the patrol into camp. They had checked the Shadeclan border, the Dawnclan border, and they also hunted on the way back to camp.

Breezestar was exhausted. He longed to curl up in his soft nest. But they still had the gathering to go to.

Frostleaf and Fernrose dropped their prey on the pitiful fresh-kill pile. Breezestar followed more slowly. He pricked his ears as Starberry slid out of the nursery. He rushed over to her.

"How's Lilystem?" he asked. Starberry looked at him with tired eyes. "She's fine. She has three healthy kits. Two toms and a she-cat," she meowed and walked off to the medicine den. Breezestar poked his head into the nursery.

Sparrowwing was crouched beside Lilystem, licking her ear fondly. At Lilystem's belly were three beautiful kits. A pale tortoiseshell she-kit mewled loudly. Lilystem and Sparrowwing dipped their heads to him as he entered.

"Their beautiful Lilystem. Have you given them names?" he asked. Lilystem nodded and pointed with her tail to a small ginger tabby tom. "This is Sandkit," she meowed. Then she pointed to a larger brown and white tom with a ginger muzzle. "This is Swiftkit," she mewed. Finally Sparrowwing touched his nose to the she-kits head. She mewled loudly once more. "This is Blossomkit. She likes to make herself heard," he purred.

Breezestar purred as well, "Those are wonderful names. Sparrowwing, are you ready for the gathering?" Sparrowwing nodded, "Yes."

"Go get something to eat before we leave. You've had a long day," Breezestar meowed. Sparrowwing nodded and pushed past Breezestar into the clearing. Breezestar followed him.

Outside Fernrose was eating a plump rabbit with Mudtail. Breezestar was pleased to see his sister and the former rogue getting along. His eyes lit up when Frostleaf skipped over to him with a shrew in her jaws. "Do you want to share this shrew with me? I can't eat it all by myself," she meowed.