When Aspenleaf and Shadowstep returned to the camp, an air of sadness hung around the camp. Shellclaw's body was lying in the middle of the camp, his siblings were rubbing sweet smelling herbs into his pelt ready for his vigil. Twigtail was sitting at his shoulder, grooming his fur so the wound was not visible. Aspenleaf found herself watching them, her heart aching. The warm-hearted tom should have been allowed to see out his days in the elders' den with his siblings, not had his life ended at the paws of a cruel twoleg.

Dryrose emerged from the medicine den and she padded over to them, looking concerned.

"How is Robinblaze?" asked Shadowstep as she approached.

"Creekshadow's with him." she mewed, stopping beside them. "He seemed... embarrassed having me in there..." Her ears flattened as though feeling a little dejected.

Shadowstep shrugged. "Of course he did. You were his apprentice." Aspenleaf stared and nudged him slightly, trying to make him stop talking, but he ignored her. "He wants you to keep looking up to him, even now that you're a warrior."

Dryrose blinked at him before looking back towards the medicine den. "I suppose you're right..." she said slowly, before looking back at them. "Anyway, come on, we need to go and tell the others the good news. They'll be so happy to hear."

Shadowstep nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! Definitely. I want to tell the whole clan if I'm honest."

Aspenleaf paused, feeling as though she were being watched. She looked towards the leader's den, spotting Silverstar staring at her. Her gaze, though intense, did not seem hostile. She hesitated then looked at the other two. "You go tell the others. I'm going to speak to Silverstar."

Shadowstep gave a nod, rubbing his cheek against hers for a moment before turning to pad towards the warriors' den, Dryrose beside him. Aspenleaf turned and hurried toward where her mother was sat.

"How long have you known?" Silverstar asked as she approached.

"I found out just before the patrol." she mewed sitting before the leader. "I only intended to tell Shadowstep while we were out of the camp..."

Silverstar gave a short nod. "If someone had told me when he came to this clan that one day he'd be a warrior, and the father of my grandkits, I'd have laughed in their faces." she murmured. "He has worked hard during his time here." She looked at Aspenleaf. "And you are happy?"

Aspenleaf just stared at her, taken aback. Silverstar had rarely acknowledged her as her daughter, nor asked after her wellbeing. "I uh.... yes. Yes I am."

Silverstar gave another nod. "Well then that's all that matters..." she said mildly. Aspenleaf assumed she had been dismissed and turned to leave. "I have a request." Silverstar said suddenly.

Aspenleaf turned back to look at her. "Yes?"

"The kits..." Silverstar said slowly. "If any of them... resemble your siblings, would you name them accordingly?" She hesitated a little. "It would mean a tremendous lot to me."

Aspenleaf hesitated before nodding a little. "If any of my kits look like any them, I will name them for them." she agreed.

Silverstar gave a grateful nod. "Very well." she said. "I will be calling the clan together shortly. Don't leave the camp before then."

Aspenleaf dipped her head respectfully before turning to walk away towards her friends.

Icemask looked up, his eyes bright as she approached, trotting forward to meet her. "Is Dryrose telling the truth?" he asked. "Are you really expecting kits?"

She beamed at him. "She is." She purred.

He seemed to positively glow. "That's wonderful!" he mewed. "Congratulations! And congratulations to you too, Shadowstep." he added looking back at the others.

Shadowstep puffed out his chest proudly, making Badgerbane bump against his shoulder. "Knock it off you mousebrain. Anyone would think you'd just been made leader the way you're acting." Shadowstep looked a little embarrassed but pleased.

Dryrose smiled softly at them. "How many do you want to have?" she asked looking between them.

"Oh, as many as possible!" Shadowstep purred.

Aspenleaf rolled her eyes. "You can raise them all then." she teased, smiling at him.

He laughed and trotted forward, twining his tail with hers. "We'll raise them together." he mewed.
Dryrose looked a little aghast. "You really don't have a set number?" she mewed. "Well, I want my five kits." she said puffing out her chest fur.
Badgerbane sniggered. "You better get started sooner rather than later then." he mewed before a light of mischief twinkled in his eyes. "He's waiting for you in the medicine den."

Dryrose cuffed him over the ears, her fur rising with embarrassment. "If you want to live to see have an apprentice, you'll shut up!"

He smirked, rubbing at his ear. "Alright, alright." he muttered.

Shadowstep frowned before leaning towards Aspenleaf. "... did you know Dryrose and Robinblaze apparently have a thing?"
"We don't!" Dryrose squealed lying on her stomach and covering her face with her paws.

Aspenleaf smiled a little before looking towards Shellclaw's body. Her smile faded. "Who do you think the new deputy will be?"

Dryrose's ear twitched as she looked up. "Maybe... uh no... perhaps..." she shook her head. "No, I don't know..."

Icemask looked around. "It would make sense for it to be a senior warrior... though Blackheart and Tigerfang are out of the running."

The others nodded their agreement. Silverstar and Blackheart still were not speaking to one another and with Tigerfang being Blackheart's brother, she'd want as little to do with him as possible, even if they were both experienced warriors who were more than capable of the role.

"I'd say Lionfall is the obvious choice." Shadowstep mewed, looking towards the large golden tom who was sunning himself on the other side of the camp. "He's an excellent fighter, a great hunter, and ambitious."

Aspenleaf nodded. "He probably is the best bet for next deputy." she agreed, thinking about all that Tigerfang had told her about Lionfall during her apprenticeship. Although she trusted her clanmate, she remembered how he had said that Lionfall was ambitious enough to train in the Dark Forest in an attempt to become stronger and more powerful. She frowned a little. Was a cat who would go to those lengths really be the best choice of deputy for the clan?

Badgerbane flicked an ear. "I wish I'd had an apprentice, then I'd be in with a chance."

Dryrose nudged him. "Don't be stupid, you've only been a warrior for a few moons."

He rolled his eyes. "I know, it's just an aspiration. You watch. I will be deputy one day! I'll be the best deputy the clan has ever seen!"

She smirked at him. "I bet I get an apprentice before you."

"I bet you won't!"

"Bet I will."

"Nope."

"Alright, if you get an apprentice before me, I'll do dawn patrols for you for a moon!" she said, flicking her stumpy tail at him.
He chuckled. "And if you get one before me, you get first pick of the prey pile."

"You already let me do that!"

"Tough, that's the deal now!"

"Foxdung!"

Aspenleaf laughed a little at her two friends bickering. Since coming to the clan, they had almost formed their own familial relationship which was more akin to siblings than friends. Icemask was looking between them a little uncertainly. He opened his mouth to speak when a summons rang out across the camp.

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the high ledge for a clan meeting." Silverstar's voice echoed around the clearing.

Cats began to gather under the ledge. Creekshadow and Robinblaze emerged from the medicine den, Poppydust just behind them. Aspenleaf gave a nod to her friends and they made their way towards the crowd.

Silverstar looked around at them all. "Clanmates. Today, we experienced a terrible tragedy." she mewed. "Shellclaw was murdered by a cruel twoleg. We shall all miss him terribly." her eyes drifted to Emberclaw, Shellclaw's son. She cleared her throat. "We do however need to appoint a new deputy. I say these words before the body of Shellclaw, and StarClan, so that he and the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice." She seemed to hesitate for a moment before steeling herself. "The new deputy of Thunderclan is Creekshadow."

There was a long silence. Creekshadow? What about all of the other more senior warriors? Aspenleaf turned and stared towards where Creekshadow was standing looking completely dumbfounded. Robinblaze gave her a nudge and she began to move forward through the crowd of cats towards the high ledge.

"M-me, Silverstar?" she squeaked.

"No!" snapped a voice. The clan turned to stare at Lionfall as he got to his paws, glaring between Silverstar and Creekshadow. "She's not a senior warrior! She's done nothing to prove herself! She's not even clan born!" He glared around at his clanmates. "Do we really want a rogue one day becoming leader?"

Creekshadow flinched and Robinblaze stepped forward his tail lashing as mutterings broke out around the clearing, when Silverstar raised her tail for silence.

"Creekshadow has demonstrated great courage and compassion for her clanmates." she mewed clearly. "If not for her, Shellclaw would not have been brought back to the camp, and Robinblaze might have been killed too." Creekshadow ducked her head a little abashed.

There was a very long silence. Aspenleaf looked around. This felt odd. Were cats going to tell Silverstar she was wrong? Perhaps reject her choice of deputy? The word of the leader was law, but they had argued Silverstar down before.

Then Badgerbane threw back his head. "Creekshadow! Creekshadow!" he cheered for his old mentor.

Aspenleaf blinked then threw back her own head, chanting her friend's name. The rest of the group took up the chant, and slowly more and more cats took it up until only Lionfall was not crying out the name of the new deputy. "Creekshadow! Creekshadow!"

Aspenleaf lay purring softly as Shadowstep groomed the fur along her spine. She'd been having some pain in her back earlier, probably from the weight of her rounded belly.

She had been in the nursery for around a quarter moon now, and though the kits weren't due for another quarter moon or so, Shadowstep was refusing to leave her side. Poppydust had felt her belly that morning and informed them smiling that there were two kits and that everything seemed to be going smoothly. Silverstar had left a short while ago to go to the moonpool. She claimed she wanted to speak to Starclan, but Aspenleaf had a feeling she was going to ask them that her grandkits be healthy.

She opened her eye a crack, smiling back at Shadowstep as she imagined the life they were going to have with their precious kits. She imagined them scrambling over him in play, cuddling close to her in the nursery at night. It was going to be perfect.
"You know, I've been thinking about names..." Shadowstep said softly.
"Hmm?" she looked up at him.

"For the kits." he reiterated. "I know Silverstar wants us to name any that look like your siblings for them, but I was thinking maybe we could name them for clanmates no longer with us too."

She looked at him for a long moment. "I think Icemask would appreciate it too if we named one of them for Ravencall." she said quietly.

His eyes brightened. "How did you know what I was thinking?"

"I always know what you're thinking." she purred.
He chuckled and touched her nose with his. "I love you." he murmured.
"I love you too." she replied, flinching a little.

"What is it?"

"Nothing, I..." she tried to think how to explain what had just happened. "I think the kits are a bit restless."

He gave a purr of amusement and rested his muzzle on her belly. "Stop hurting your mother you little rascals!" he said firmly. She gave a huff of laughter before wincing as her belly twinged again. Shadowstep looked up alarmed. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yes, yes I'm fine." she mewed, pressing her cheek against his. "Do stop worrying, everything's fi-"

Her words cut off as a pain rocked through her, making all her fur stand on end. She gave a gasp, and tried to curl into herself as though to protect her stomach.

Shadowstep's eyes widened. "Is it time?" he demanded.

She nodded shakily. "Get Poppydust and Silverstar."

He tore from the den as another spasm shot through her belly. She gave a whimpering cry. Dryrose appeared at the entrance to the nursery looking shocked. "What is it?"

"They're coming!" Aspenleaf moaned. "The kits are coming!"

Dryrose looked stunned. "A-are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure!" she snapped, her claws curling into the nest as she braced herself against another spasm rolling through her.

Dryrose looked a little taken aback at Aspenleaf's tone. She'd never spoken to her like that before. "Does it hurt really badly?"

"Worse than I thought it would..." she panted before gritting her teeth as wave after wave of pain rocketed through her.

Shadowstep peered in for a moment. "Poppydust is coming. I'm going to get you a stick." he said quickly before disappearing.

Aspenleaf looked up alarmed. "No, wait!" she called but he'd already dashed away. "Where's Silverstar?"

"She isn't back yet." Dryrose said, trying to sound soothing, but Aspenleaf could hear the fear in her voice. "I... I can stay with you if you want?"

She reached out a paw to her best friend. "Don't leave." she murmured.

Dryrose crouched close to her, rasping her tongue over her ears. "I'm here." she murmured. "I won't go anywhere."

Poppydust appeared in the nursery and made her way to the queen's side. "Why today." she murmured. "Why today."

"I'm sorry!" Aspenleaf whimpered. "It just started and I couldn't stop it."

"It's not your fault." Poppydust said quickly. "Kits tend to be inconsiderate with their timings anyway."

Aspenleaf gave a small huff of laughter before crying out in pain. Shadowstep dashed back into the den, a stick in his jaws which he placed before his mate. "Here, Poppydust said this should help."

She took it almost greedily between her jaws as another pain rocked her to her very core. It was all happening so fast. What if something was wrong? What if one of them got stuck? What if-

Her racing thoughts were cut off as another spasm made her try to double over.

Shadowstep tucked himself around her, gently lapping at the fur at the scruff of her neck. "You're doing amazingly." he murmured. "You're so strong."

"I thought I had more time." she gasped out. "I'm not ready."

He pressed his muzzle against her scruff. "We're ready." he murmured. "We've been ready for a family for a long time. You just need to get through this. It'll be over soon."

She glared around at him. "That doesn't help me now!" she growled.

A ripple ran along her belly and her body convulsed. Poppydust was resting a paw on her belly. "Someone's about the make an entrance." she mewed.

Dryrose looked at the queen, her eyes shining. "Hear that? You're going to have a kit very soon!"

Aspenleaf looked up at her for a moment. So soon? She still felt so unprepared, but she wanted her kit. She gritted her teeth and squeezed her eyes shut as a strong spasm rolled across her belly.

There was a wet rushing sound and Poppydust quickly turned to Aspenleaf's tail, picking up a small, wet dark shape. She placed the squirming bundle before Shadowstep. "Here, lick his fur the wrong way, you need to warm him up."

Aspenleaf looked up. "He?" she whispered weakly. "A tom?"

"A strong and healthy tom!" mewed Poppydust with a purr.

Shadowstep blinked down at his son before ducking his head and beginning to lap at his pelt, fluffing her fur up.

Dryrose purred. "He looks like his father, and his grandfather."

Her eyes sparkled with happiness for a moment, before her eyes squeezed closed again as another ripple rolled her. There was another wet rushing sound and another small wet shape appeared. It was lighter in colour than the first. Much lighter. It was white with patches on its face paws and tail the colour of Aspenleaf's fur.

Poppydust picked up the second kit and placed it before Dryrose. "Another tom. Same again." she ordered. Dryrose quickly obliged. He gave a squeak of protest, his paws churning. Dryrose's eyes softened as she looked at the tiny cat.

Aspenleaf struggled upright a little. "Are they alright?" she gasped urgently. "Are they ok?"

Dryrose looked up at her. "You have two healthy toms." she mewed, her voice filled with love and longing.

Poppydust gave a nod. "Congratulations."

Aspenleaf's eyes widened. "Give me my kits." she mewed. "I want my kits!"

Dryrose gave a purr and obligingly placed the light coloured kit at his mother's belly. Shadowstep lifted the first kit, placing him beside his brother. The dark tom tried to get closer to Aspenleaf before the lighter coloured kit placed his paw on his brothers head and pushed him away while propelling himself closer to their mother. Shadowstep chuckled. "He's going to be a fighter that one."

"The other one is going to be gentle." Aspenleaf purred gently nudging both kits closer with her hind leg. "They're beautiful. They're just..." She suddenly stiffened and let out another whimpering cry as the spasms began again.

Poppydust looked up alarmed. "What? But I only felt two..." she mewed pressing her paw into Aspenleaf's side again.

Then a pain such as she had never felt as though her insides were being sliced open shot through Aspenleaf. She gave a screech of pain. Poppydust's eyes widened and suddenly the nursery was filled with the scent of blood. Aspenleaf tried to look around and saw that the area near her tail was soaked and bright red.

Shadowstep looked up alarmed. "Is that normal?" he demanded.

Poppydust shook her head, as though not trusting herself to speak. She moved to the queen's tail and sniffed. "It's ok, it's fresh. It hasn't come from deep inside."

Aspenleaf looked up, panicked. "What does that..." she trailed off as she gave another wail of pain as a final huge spasm made her convulse.

And then it stopped.

Panting, she raised her head to look towards her tail. "What happened?" she murmured.

A small grey shape was lying in the pool of blood. It's front legs were extended, it's tiny claws unsheathed, blood shining on them.

Poppydust just stared at the kit, making no move to try to warm her. Dryrose stood up and gently nudged the medicine cat aside, crouching down and beginning to lap the kit's fur determinedly.

"What is it?" Aspenleaf mewed urgently. "What's wrong? What's wrong with my baby?"

Dryrose was still lapping furiously at the kit, trying to get it to make a sound.

Poppydust was trembling. "From the shadow of the aspen, a river of blood will run at the silver cat's claws." she said, her voice low and ominous.

Aspenleaf stared at her for a long moment. A prophecy? Now? So much for kits having terrible timing. She looked back at Dryrose, still lapping at the third kit's pelt.

After a few moments which seemed to stretch into eternity, the tiny grey shape wriggled and gave a mewl, her tiny claws sheathing and unsheathing. Dryrose heaved a sigh of relief and looked up at the anxious parents. "A she-kit." she mewed gently. "A beautiful she-kit."

She gently lifted the wriggling bundle and placed her beside her brothers. Aspenleaf lowered her nose to them, the heady scent of the kits overwhelming her, making her heart swell with love. "They're totally perfect." she whispered.

The light grey she-kit seemed to be trembling more than her brothers, her head rocking back and forth as she nursed, but Aspenleaf didn't see that. All she saw was the greatest blessings Starclan could bestow upon them. She curled around them, Shadowstep tucking himself around his mate, gazing at the kits, his eyes full of love.

At the side of the nursery, Poppydust was still trembling. Dryrose walked to her and gently nudged her to her paws. "Come on, let's go and tell the clan the good news." she mewed. Poppydust reluctantly got to her paws and walked out of the nursery as though in a daze.

Aspenleaf barely noticed them leave. She was too wrapped up in the three perfect kits at her belly, and Shadowstep close beside her.

Everything was right with the world.

---

Unrelated to the chapter but Icemask, CTA NizumiFangs

---

Creekshadow belongs to Hannah Rowe

Dryrose belongs to Meadow Leon Flower

Badgerbane belongs to Nick Mullen