MoonClan's Prophecy- Chapter 12

"Blackpelt, I need you to take a patrol around the river border," Scorchfur announced as the cats settled down around him. "Take Flamedsparks, Branchflight and Flamepool."
Flamepool, who had been washing, pricked her ears and sat up as she heard her name.
Blackpelt nodded and moved away, the other cats Scorchfur had called following him. Flamepool stood and followed him, too. She glanced back at the cats, spotting Snowdawn among them. She let out a purr, pride filling her, as she remembered Snowdawn defeating the badger on her own about a moon ago. The clan had certainly been shocked, and the kits liked her to tell the story.
They exited camp and padded towards the fields. As they reached the edge of the trees, they turned towards the river and walked along the border.
Flamepool listened to the patter of the patrol's paws on the ground as they walked. Occasionally, they would stop to mark the border or smell a bush or a patch of grass. They did stop once when the smell of fox reached their noses, but the scent was at least a day old and was leaving the territory. They didn't come across another trail of it coming back in.
Flamepool pricked her ears as the trickle of water came to their ears. The river came into view, and the patrol padded to the edge. They quickly drank before Blackpelt raised his head and sniffed the air.
"Come on, lets keep going," he announced, turning and padding away along the riverbank. Flamepool followed, along with Flamedsparks and Branchflight.
As they walked, Flamepool looked down at the water. She could see her reflection, distorted by the rushing of the water. As she continued to look at herself, she began to wonder.
Why had StarClan chosen her as part of the prophecy? What was so special about her?
We didn't choose you. You were chosen at the beginning of the clan.
Flamepool halted, fear rising in her as the voice echoed in her head.
Blackpelt glanced back, realizing she had stopped. Seeing the shocked expression on Flamepool's face, he stopped and asked, "Are you okay?"
"What? Oh, yeah, I'm fine!" Flamepool shook herself and trotted to catch up with them.
Blackpelt eyed her. "Are you sure? You look as if you've seen a pack of dogs or something!"
"Yeah, I'm fine! Let's just keep going," Flamepool insisted. Blackpelt stared at her for a few more moments before turning and continuing on. Flamepool trailed at the back of the patrol, keeping her eyes on the ground, but out of the corner of them, she could see Branchflight staring at her.
Listen!
Flamepool's eyes grew wide again as the voice spoke again. She glanced at the other cats, but none of them seemed phased by the voice. Maybe they couldn't hear it.
Listen!
Flamepool glanced around, but there were no other cats. She sniffed the air, but was met by the usual smells of the forest.
Flamepool again looked at the other cats on the patrol. They were all looking ahead, intent on the patrol. Flamepool sighed and, closing her eyes, extending her powers to the area around them.
There was another cat around, but this cat was different. It's presence didn't feel...solid.
Flamepool opened her eyes and looked around.
Come, the voice said, soft and quiet, as if to make sure the other cats wouldn't hear it.
"Um, I'm going to go...check something," Flamepool said, stepping away from the group.
Blackpelt stopped and looked back. "Check what?" he asked.
"Just...a smell," Flamepool answered.
"Would you like one of us to come with you?"
"No!" Flamepool blurted out. "Uh, no, I don't need any help. I'll just be a few moments," she said, a little calmer.
"Okay, we'll continue on. You catch up," Blackpelt said. Flamepool nodded, and she watched the patrol head off again. Turning, she pushed into the bushes and back into the forest, away from the river. Looking around, she tried to remember where the presence had come from.
Flamepool bounded into the forest, pushing at the undergrowth. She swung her head around, sniffing the air, but could smell no mysterious cat.
Then suddenly, a clump of bushes near to her rustled. She slid to a stop, her fur rising. A paw appeared from the bush and out stepped a beautiful she-cat. Her pelt was slightly see-through, the bushes and trees behind her visible. She had white fur with dark orange and black patches on her back and forehead and one ear was completely black. Her green eyes shone with what looked like lots of little stars, just like the ones that sparkled around her paws and on her pelt.
Flamepool gasped.
"Hello, Flamepool," the she-cat said.
"Who are you?" Flamepool asked, her voice a little shaky as she stepped back.
"Don't be afraid. My name is Spottedear, I come from StarClan. I was the medicine cat of MoonClan many moons ago," the she-cat explained.
"Why are you here?" Flamepool asked.
"To tell you that the danger that lurks is coming soon," Spottedear answered. "The Prophecy is coming true. Prepare yourself for a coming battle greater than anything you would have expected."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Flamepool asked, taking a step towards her.
"I do not know," Spottedear said. "I am just here to tell you what I do know."
"Then tell me this! Why me? Why was Snowdawn and I chosen?" Flamepool inquired.
"You were chosen at the beginning of MoonClan. We received the Great Prophecy when MoonClan was first established, and have passed it down through our ranks since until the time came."
"So it's true? I am apart of the prophecy?"
"Yes! You are the flickering flame in the Great Prophecy. Never before has MoonClan faced such a threat, and you and your sister are destined to save it from this disaster!"
"What exactly is this 'disaster'?"
"I must go," Spottedear said, taking a step back. "I am getting weaker the longer I stay here."
"No! Please, answer my questions!" Flamepool bounded forward, but Spottedear was slowly fading.
May StarClan light your path! Spottedear's voice filled her mind before she was gone completely.
Flamepool sat down heavily on the ground, angry that the StarClan cat had left her without any more knowledge than what she had assumed. She glared at the ground, thinking things through.
So Snowdawn and her were the cats destined to save MoonClan. But why? Why her? She had never asked for this! It was too much! All of the responsibility, the weight on her shoulders. All of those cats depended on her, and they didn't even know it! Spottedear hadn't helped her much. She only confirmed what Flamepool already knew, which wasn't much.
Suddenly, a shriek of pain made her head snap up. Ears pricked, fur on end, Flamepool sat, rigid. When another shriek split the air, Flamepool took off in the direction it came from. Paws thrumming on the ground, she listened for anymore cries.
There was another shriek, filled with more pain than the first two. Flamepool pushed through the bushes, heart racing, to find a black mass of fur writhing on the ground. Robinwing hung over it, terror in his eyes. As Flamepool entered the scene, he looked up.
"Go get Sparrowfeather! Quickly! Lilacslash is kitting!" he yowled.
Flamepool, a little shocked, turned and stumbled away. She was confused, the news not really sinking into her mind. Finally, she managed to regain herself. She pelted away towards camp, her muscles shifting like live things under her pelt, her tail streaming out behind her like a snake.
Flamepool burst into camp, rocketing across the clearing towards the medicine den.
"Flamepool?!" she heard Moonstar's shocked yowl come from somewhere in the camp. "What are you doing he-"
"No time to explain! Must get Sparrowfeather!" Flamepool called quickly over her shoulder. She pushed through the medicine entrance and sat down heavily, ignoring the shocked look on Sparrowfeather and Mallowpaw's faces.
"Lilacslash...kitting...in the territory! Come quick!" she said between pants.
Sparrowfeather leaped to her paws and instantly grabbed a bunch of herbs from her store. She passed them to Mallowpaw, then grabbed some more.
"Lead the way!" she mumbled through the herbs.
Flamepool pushed out of the den, almost slamming into Moonstar, who now stood right outside.
"What in StarClan?!" Moonstar hissed, stumbling away.
"Lilacslash is kitting!" Flamepool exclaimed, turning and running out of camp. She heard the paw steps of Sparrowfeather, Mallowpaw and Moonstar behind her as she raced towards where Lilacslash had been.
Lilacslash screeched out in pain as they arrived. The ground was covered with deep score marks where Lilacslash had dug her claws in. Along with her and Robinwing, Blackpelt, Flamedsparks and Branchflight were there.
"Get these things out of me!" Lilacslash hissed through her clamped jaws. She was shaking, her claws digging deeper into the ground. A contraction rocketed down her body, and she let out another cry of pain.
Sparrowfeather pushed forward, Mallowpaw at her side. They instantly set to work, pushing some herbs in front of Lilacslash, who greedily lapped them up.
"Just breathe, okay? This will be over soon!" Sparrowfeather meowed, but Lilacslash didn't look relieved. Instead, she howled louder than ever as another contraction shook her body.
"Blackpelt, get some water!" Sparrowfeather ordered. The large black tom raced away into the forest.
For the two moons Lilacslash had been pregnant, Flamepool thought that she might feel satisfaction at the sight of Lilacslash in so much pain. She had killed many cats and had cause grief to so many more. She was plotting something evil, something that threatened MoonClan's survival, but as Flamepool watched, she felt nothing but pity for the large black she-cat. She wished the pain would go away. She never would have wished this on anybody, no matter what they had done.
And this feeling of pity only grew as Lilacslash looked up and their eyes met. Her cold blue eyes had, for the first time in her life, a pleading look to them, and Flamepool felt that she had to do something. Turning away, she looked around. Finally seeing what she was looking for, she bounded over to a bush and picked up a long, thick stick. It was one that could fit in Lilacslash's mouth, but wouldn't break easily.
Flamepool dropped the stick next to Lilacslash, who gratefully picked it up. She gripped it in her teeth, her claws yet again digging into the ground.
"When I say push, push with all your might, okay?" Sparrowfeather ordered. Lilacslash closed her eyes and nodded. A contraction rolled down her body, making her shake even more.
"Push!" Sparrowfeather ordered.
Crack!
The stick shattered in Lilacslash's powerful jaws as she pushed. It only took a second for the little bundle to slip out onto the forest floor. Mallowpaw lurched forward, nipping open the birth sack surrounding the kit. She instantly began to lick the kit incorrectly, the fur sticking up in weird directions, so as to warm it up. Sparrowfeather waited a few moments, but the contractions started to decrease. She pushed on Lilacslash's flank.
"That's it," she announced. "You're done, Lilacslash."
"Is the kit okay?" Robinwing asked.
"Yes!" Mallowpaw announced. "You have a lovely little she-kit, and she is in perfect health!" She continued to warm it up by licking it. After a few moments, it squirmed and let out a mewl.
Robinwing look relieved. Mallowpaw picked up the kit and placed her next to Lilacslash's flank. She instantly began to nurse.
Flamepool examined the kit. It was a beautiful little kit, resembling her father greatly with her red-orange fur and white stomach, chest and paws. Only time would tell the kit's eyes. Flamepool could only hope they weren't blue like Lilacslash's.
Lilacslash laid her head on her paws, closing her eyes. She let out a long sigh.
"What are you going to name her?" Sparrowfeather asked.
"Rosekit," Lilacslash mumbled. Then she picked up her head and licked Robinwing's cheek affectionately. "She looks like you."
Robinwing purred and nuzzled her cheek. "But she is still ours," he said.
"We need to get you and the kit back to camp," Sparrowfeather said.
Lilacslash looked annoyed, but slowly rose to her paws. Robinwing pushed against her to give her support.
It was easy to see Lilacslash was weak, so Flamepool stepped up on her other side to help. Lilacslash glanced at her, shock flickering across her face for a moment, but she didn't pull away or hiss. Instead, and much to Flamepool's surprise, she leaned against Flamepool's shoulder and gladly accepted the gesture of kindness.
Mallowpaw carefully picked up Rosekit, who was mewling and crying out, hungry for milk. They all began the slow way back to camp, Lilacslash stumbling along.
Finally, after painstakingly slow progress, they made it to camp. Cats had gathered in the clearing, waiting for the Queen to return. When they entered, they craned their necks to see the kit. They let out sighs of relief as they heard the little kits mewls for milk.
Flamepool and Robinwing helped Lilacslash into the Nursery, where she collapsed into her nest. Mallowpaw laid Rosekit next to her, and she instantly began to nurse.
Flamepool turned and pushed out of the den. Again, she thought about her own life. Would she ever have kits to love? Would she ever have a mate?
Flamepool felt eyes pricking her pelt, and as she looked around, she saw Hawkpaw looking at her. As their eyes met, he looked away, a look of embarrassment for being caught staring.
Flamepool shifted on her paws, then padded away, her mind fluttering to when Hawkpaw had first joined the clan, and right after the ceremony, when she had caught him staring at her, even though he hadn't known her name.

Flamepool yawned, her jaws stretching wide. She closed her mouth and looked around sleepily. The whole clan was coming together under the High Branch for the Gathering. The moon, completely full, floated in the sky.
"Can I sit here?" Flamepool turned her head around to see Hawkpaw standing behind her.
"Sure," she said, remembering earlier that day when she had caught him staring at her. He sat down next to her, shifting a little uncomfortably. Flamepool scanned the crowd, meeting eyes with her sister, who was sitting by Sootlife and giving her a sly look as she nodded to Hawkpaw sitting next to her. Flamepool glared at Snowdawn, a tad annoyed.
Moonstar leaped onto the High Limb, signaling the Gathering was starting. As the cats grew quiet, Moonstar raised her head to the stars.
"Lilacslash has given birth to a she-kit today in our territory. The kit has been named Rosekit. We thank StarClan that the birth went well and we also welcome the little kit among our ranks," she announced.
The clan mumbled their agreement, heads nodding and purrs erupting from throats. Moonstar flicked her tail after a few moments, and the clan grew silent.
"We also have another wonderful announcement! Cinderblossom is expecting kits!" Moonstar said.
The whole clan looked towards where Cinderblossom and Thrushpelt sat, pelts touching. Congratulations came from everywhere as the two stood.
"It's true!" Cinderblossom announced excitedly. "I found out yesterday when I felt them squirming! They are due in about a moon and a half!"
There was excited chatter among the cats. There were a lot of new kits recently, and with all the deaths, they were greatly appreciated.
Cinderblossom and Thrushpelt sat down, and Moonstar scanned the crowd. "Is that all?" she asked.
No cats stepped forward to speak.
"Then you are dismissed," Moonstar said, jumping down and pushing into her den. The cats all dispersed, heading to their nests.
"I'll see you tomorrow," Hawkpaw meowed. Flamepool had almost forgotten he was there.
"Oh, uh, yeah! See you tomorrow!" Flamepool said. She watched him trot away to the apprentices den.
"Wow." Flamepool turned to see Snowdawn standing there.
"What?" Flamepool asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" Snowdawn said.
"Isn't what obvious?"
Snowdawn sighed. "That Hawkpaw likes you! A lot! I can see it in his eyes whenever he talks to you!"
Flamepool shifted on her paws. "I don't think so..."
"Whatever you say. Come on. It's late and I'm tired!" Snowdawn turned and padded away towards the warriors den.
Flamepool cast one last glance back at the apprentices den. Hawkpaw had disappeared inside. She sighed and turned back to the warriors den, following her sister inside.