Thanks everyone for their over complimenting compliments! Of course Shadeheart. I'll be done with my site soon. I did the graphics myself.
Get ready for tragedy in this chapter.
Chapter 11Featherstream watched Swallowfrost in the dim light of the nursery; her sister's health seem fragile, and she herself seemed frail.
Is it because she's too tired to keep her secret? Featherstreak thought. Swallowfrost had visited Smokefoot only last night, slipping out of camp at moon-high to be with him, and tell him the great news, Featherstream assumed. After all, Smokefoot would be delighted at the news, and he did have a right to know. Featherstream had wanted to follow her, but the kits needed her.
Only a few days had passed, but already Splashkit caused more mischief than Featherstream could remember. Eaglekit was the restraint; loyal to his Clan and smart, not only on the battle ground, but also in peace. He would often settle arguments between Splashkit and Falconkit.
Falconkit.... Featherstream felt a twinge of worry; Falconkit was the easiest to aggravate. He would often challenge Splashkit to a fight, yet only lose for though he was bigger and stronger, she was nimbler and faster than him.
A soft rustle in the nest beside her reminded Featherstream that Darkshadow was settling in a more comfortable place in the mossy nest. Her two kits, Sootkit and Sedgekit, were a few days younger than Splashkit, Falconkit and Eaglekit, having been born at dawn. Sootkit, the tom, had a dark brown pelt with gray stripes running down it, while Sedgekit, the she-cat, had a very light, very beautiful gray pelt with darker rings around her tail.
While Featherstream was mulling over these delightful thoughts, Swallowfrost gasped in pain. Featherstream jerked out of her trance and looked desperately around for any cat at all. The camp was empty. Darkshadow looked at her, frightened; what could they do? They could not leave their kits alone, but they also couldn't leave Swallowfrost alone.
Kestrelpaw had been passing by, when he heard Swallowfrost. Dashing into the nursery, he padded to her side, and murmured, "Easy Swallowfrost, you're doing fine."
Already one kit had made it into the world, but Swallowfrost's labor was not finished yet. Another powerful ripple shook her body and a second kit arrived into WindClan. Featherstream and Darkshadow immediately took each one and began licking them furiously. Soon, they both opened their eyes and mewled for milk. Featherstream allowed both to suckle, for her own three kits were playing outside, completely oblivious to the drama unfolding inside the nursery.
Featherstream heard Kestrelpaw murmur, "Swallowfrost, hold on. Let me get some herbs and-" He was cut off by Swallowfrost. Her amber eyes, usually so bright, dulled with each passing moment and she whispered just loud enough so all the cats in the nursery could hear her, "Tell Smokefoot I love him." With that, her paws twitched, and her flank fell still.
Featherstream could have yowled her grief to StarClan in Silverpelt, where Swallowfrost now rested in peace.
Oh StarClan Featherstream thought despairingly,
Why have you taken Swallowfrost away? She could see her own shock reflected in Kestrelpaw's eyes, and she could feel Darkshadow's disbelief. She knew that they had not known her kits had been fathered by Smokefoot.
Oh, what will I do without her? How will I make the Clan understand?* * *
That night, they held a vigil for her, though the cats of WindClan did it through responsibilty to tradition, not because of respect. Indeed, some cats thought Swallowfrost had been a traitor to the warrior code because she had taken on a mate of another Clan. Featherstream was sickened by her Clanmates' lack of compassion. She buried her nose into her sister's fur and murmured, "May StarClan welcome you with honor, for you had more courage than us all."
* * *
A weeks' worth of sun-highs had passed, and Featherstream had to rejoice at her kits. How she loved them! Yet, she thought, a shadow touching her eyes, they too could be taken away from her at each moment.
She lay, reflecting about her sister, when Oakwind and Heathercloud padded into the nursery, their tails twined. Featherstream caught a glimpse of Fernflower, a beautiful dark gray she-cat, glaring jealously at Heathercloud. Featherstream caught her breath; she knew Fernflower adored Oakwind, but the menacing look that Fernflower shot at Heathercloud frightened her.
Heathercloud settled down beside Featherstream and announced happily, Oakwind seeming to burst with pride beside her,
"Featherstream, I'm having kits!"
-hides from peoples in shadows- Don't kill me because Swallowfrost died!
What'd you think?