The white flakes of snow that still tumbled down from the gray sky landed on the fresh new grass just peeking up from the ground. It was a very good leaf-bare; prey was running well, and the snow had left quickly. The sweet smells of newleaf was in the air. Secretly Ashtail had longed for her old life, mostly the Gatherings where cats of all the Clans could come together and join in the celebration of this new newleaf season. At the beginning of the melt the Clans would gather at Crossing Rock and stay until dawn, where the cats of all Clans would watch the sunrise and cast its orange glow on the new grass. Ashtail wondered if the Clan cats by the lake held the same tradition. She still found it hard to believe that any other Clans could’ve existed, but then again she knew very little about StarClan’s reach.

She had been in the queen’s den for around two moons now. The moon was full again last night, just as it was the first night she spent in the queen’s den. Palestar had taken time out of his schedule to hunt for her, and often times they shared meals in the queen’s den. She enjoyed his company, though Icywind had been a good friend to her. Her kits were old enough to talk, and they were constantly chattering. Ashtail was more than happy to watch them when Icywind needed a break. She told them stories of ForestClan and the other Clans, and they seemed to enjoy them. Ashtail enjoyed telling the stories as well. It helped her stay connected to her old home.

The sky was cast over very thinly by the gray clouds. Snow was ceasing quicker each day, and the ground was already brown and white patches of leaf-bare and newleaf. Burntleaf said she enjoyed this time as well, watching the world open up to the sun again and displaying its flowers. It was a great time for herbs as well.

Icywind had left to get some fresh-kill from the pile. The kits had already become used to it, so Icywind was going to bring some back for them.

“Tell us the story about CaveClan!” Stonekit pleaded, her blue eyes wide.

Nightkit battered her sister playfully. “No way, Ashtail already said she’d tell us about Falconheart.”

“We heard that one a million times already!” Frostkit argued, his white and black fur puffing up. “I wanna hear the one about Palestar becoming leader.”

“No, CaveClan!” Stonekit growled.

“Falconheart!”

“Palestar!”

The three siblings leaped at each other in a mock battle, laughing and yelling and batting at each other with their claws sheathed.

“Now, now,” Ashtail said, trying to get in the middle of the tussling kits. “There’s no need for th-“ Ashtail stopped and let out a little yelp of pain. It felt like a giant claw had stabbed her side. She collapsed onto the ground.

“Is Ashtail sleeping?” Frostkit asked, walking up to the gray queen, but Ashtail began yelling again, pain in her sides bringing tears into her eyes. Icywind appeared under the tree branch and ushered her kits out, calling for Burntleaf. The auburn medicine cat shoved her way under the branch and into the mossy queen’s den.

“Her kits are coming,” Burntleaf observed. “Sandpaw, I need poppy seeds, borage, and get Palestar while you’re out there.” But Palestar had already come, and was standing nervously by Ashtail’s side.

“You’re doing fine, Ashtail,” Burntleaf assured her as the pain began wracking her body again.

“It hurts,” she managed to whimper. Mistflower, Maplestream, Sunstrike and Hazeleye had also come, and began softly mewing their encouragement. Ashtail didn’t know how long she lay in the den, pain rippling through her body. Suddenly she screamed as another pain stabbed through her whole body. She could barely hear Burntleaf say “Here comes a kit!”

The pain eased, and Ashtail felt very lightheaded. Her breath came in ragged gasps. “Here, lick it’s fur the wrong way, remember?” Burntleaf was saying, and Sandpaw murmured “Yah, I know,” and the gentle sound of his tongue against the kits fur was the only sound that seemed to fill the den. Then the pain sharpened, and Ashtail cried out. She knew another kit had come. StarClan, she thought vaguely, how many kits do I have? I don’t think I can handle it anymore. But luckily for her, the pain eased away into merely an uncomfortable throb, like a heartbeat.

“Two healthy kits,” Burntleaf reported. Ashtail closed her eyes and tried to get her breathing under control. She hardly could feel Palestar’s tongue rasping over her cheek. Two kits… their kits… she could hardly wait to see them, but her vision kept blurring.

“Here, eat these,” she heard Sandpaw say. She saw the leaves he had placed in front of her. Without hesitation she picked one up in her mouth, recognizing the bitter taste of borage. She forced herself to swallow it. She saw him put down a small packet full of tiny black seeds. She licked them up wearily, and after a while, she fell asleep.

Her head was swimming the whole time she dreamed. She could see the old ForestClan campsite, and for a brief moment she thought she was back home, but she opened her eyes slowly and saw she was still in the AshClan queen’s den. The light slanting in told her it was sundown.

“My kits,” she mumbled, shaking her head slightly to clear her mind. Palestar leapt to his paws and nuzzled her.

“They’re right here,” he said softly, his eyes warm and filled with awe. “They’re so beautiful.” Ashtail arched her neck and looked down by her side, and her breath caught in her throat. A purr immediately forced its way out. Two tiny kits were suckling at her side, their bodies covered in light, fuzzy fur. Their eyes were shut as though they were sleeping, but they wriggled around in such a wobbly manner Ashtail had to laugh. The larger one was a dark gray, like Ashtail, with longer fur than its sibling. The smaller one was a yellow and orange tabby just like Palestar. She also saw the tiny white spots on their back, just taking the shape of an arrow. The mark. It brought back memories of when Palestar had first commented about hers.

“They’re so precious,” was all she could whisper, staring at them as though they would disappear if she ever looked away. The gray one pushed against the yellow one, causing it to tumble

over with a tiny squeak of protest that melted Ashtail’s heart. She picked it up by its scruff and put it delicately back by its sibling and licking them both gently.

“They’re both she-cats,” Burntleaf informed Ashtail.

“What should we name them?” Palestar asked, his gaze also locked on their kits. “I’d like the yellow one to be named Lightkit.”

“It’s perfect,” she answered. “We should name the gray one…” Ashtail’s eyes shone, “Amberkit.” As if hearing her name, the tiny gray kit turned her head towards Ashtail and let out a mewl, her little pink tongue showing. Palestar was so overcome with emotion that he didn’t know what to say, so he nodded in agreement and gingerly licked his two kits on the head.

“Can we come back in?” Ashtail heard Frostkit whine. Burntleaf looked to Ashtail, who nodded.

“Come on in,” Burntleaf said to them as she left. “I have to gather some more borage, so make sure they’re careful around the new kits.”

Icywind nodded. Ashtail heard her whisper, “Now remember, these kits are too young to play. You can look, but don’t touch them.”

“Okay,” the three kits chorused, and they hurried into the den. Their eyes widened when they saw the kits, and they began squealing amongst themselves. “Was I really ever that small?” Nightkit asked in wonder.

Ashtail purred, brushing her kit’s heads with her bushy tail. They had curled up together and fallen asleep, their tiny chests rising and falling steadily. She curled up around them, circling them with her tail and closing her eyes.

Suddenly, a great commotion arose from outside. Palestar leapt to his paws and burst outside. Ashtail craned her head to try and see what was going on. Burntleaf came back into the den. “There are some loners,” she explained. “I found them near the entrance.”

“What will we do about them?” Ashtail asked.

Burntleaf shrugged. “We’ll have to wait and see.”

I’M DONE. Yes, the story is OVER. You can vote on the poll that should appear on my profile soon, or if you’re too anxious you can vote in your review. But I’ll only count a vote if you REVIEW. So, should the further continuation (by popular demand…) be on here, or as a webcomic?

Story Pros: As a story here on Fanfiction I’ll be able to update it a little faster.

Webcomic Pros: You’ll be able to see all the action, characters and scenery.

So VOTE! And have a wonderful day :3

Love, Momoiro (Niah-Miyoki)

PS: If you love anime like me and you love detective work and stuff, you’ll LOVE Death Note. It’s, like, my favorite anime now. Or you can read the manga. It’s really good, but for more advanced… thinkers. Some lesser-minded people may get a little confused.