Sparrowflight waited outside the nursery with Gingerpaw and Tigerpaw. Tigerpaw's mentor, Blazefire, was out of camp hunting with Badgerstep, and part of Sparrowflight was thankful he wasn't there. Meanwhile, Antfoot was pacing restlessly while Icesplash's cries of pain rang out from inside the nursery. Sparkstorm was with her, while Heathersong had been so ill that she could hardly leave her nest, and insisted that Sparkstorm treat Sunpelt and Lilystem instead. Sparrowflight felt a pang of sympathy for Sparkstorm. Not only was her mentor sick, but so was her mother and sister. Thankfully, her father Hareleap, had offered as much help as he could, always willing to help his daughters and mate, even though he's not as fit as he used to be.
Antfoot grunted, annoyed that he could do nothing to help while his mate gave birth. "Daddy!" Tigerpaw giggled "She's gonna be fine!" Antfoot looked over at his daughter "I know she'll be fine. But what if something happens to one of the kits? What if they get sick or-" "Daddy stop worrying!" Gingerpaw giggled. "Yeah, Mom gave birth to us and we're healthy." Tigerpaw reminded him. "You're lucky to be healthy." Antfoot told them both, taking a glance towards the medicine den. Sparrowflight chuckled and shook his head. He'd never seen Antfoot so worried before. Normally, it seemed like nothing could scare the deputy.
       Icesplash gave out another yowl and after a moment, Sparkstorm poked her head out of the nursery. "Antfoot, you have one son." A wide smile spread across the deputy's face as he padded into the nursery. After a moment, Gingerpaw and Tigerpaw followed him in. Sparrowflight waited outside patiently, hearing purrs of happiness coming from the nursery. After a while Antfoot poked his head out and told Sparrowflight he could come in. Sparrowflight smiled as his eyes rested on the small kit, who was snuggled into Icesplash's white belly fur. Icesplash lifted her head tiredly to see Sparrowflight. She smiled warmly "This is Falconkit." She said softly, wrapping her tail around the kit. He was ginger, like his father and sisters, with dark ginger patches and a white belly, like his mother, who was a completely white she cat. "He's as beautiful as his mother." Antfoot purred, laying down next to his mate and licking her head. Icesplash purred softly "And as handsome as his father."
"Can't you guys do that when we're not here?" Tigerpaw asked. Icesplash smiled at her kit "Someday you will feel the same about a tom, Tigerpaw." Tigerpaw rolled her eyes "Yeah right!"
Suddenly a yowl silenced them. Sparrowflight quickly exited the nursery. What he saw horrified him. Sparkstorm laid down, her nosed pressed into the fur of Heathersong. "I left her alone for too long because of the kitting." She cried. Sparrowflight sat back and watched as more cats began to crowd around. "You are our medicine cat now Sparkstorm." Hawkstar murmured, dipping his head. Sparkstorm sniffed "I knew it was coming, b-but I didn't think it would be so soon. C-catmint didn't work and..." she trailed off and pressed her nose into her mentor's fur. The cats stayed silent for a while, just staring. Batfeather had come to sit down next to Sparrowflight. How could such a happy moment turn so sad? It was as if a dark cloud had floated over their clan and the rain was replaced with his clanmates' grief filled tears.
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After a while of silent grieving, the heather rustled at the camp entrance and Blazefire and Badgerstep burst into the camp, panting heavily. "Hawkstar! We scented the rogues!" Blazefire told him. Gasps filled the camp and Hawkstar narrowed his eyes "Where?" He asked. "In the same place Sparrowflight scented them!" Badgerstep said. "Technically I scented them." Gingerpaw grumbled quietly, rolling her eyes. "We should follow the trail this time!" Blazefire insisted "We could scare them off our territory once and for all!" Sparrowflight was surprised when he heard murmurs of agreement from some of the cats, but he couldn't decipher who they came from. Hawkstar shook his head. "We aren't fit for a battle. Our medicine cat just died and we still have sick cats." Antfoot stepped forward "But now could be the only time to act, Hawkstar. The worst of leaf bare is over, so the rogues will only grow stronger. With all due respect Hawkstar, I would want to eliminate a potential threat as soon as possible." He then glanced over towards the nursery, then at Tigerpaw and Gingerpaw. "For the safety of our youth." The deputy then stepped back, letting his wise words sink in. Hawkstar stayed silent for a moment before speaking "Antfoot and Blazefire, I'd like to speak to both of you in my den please." Antfoot dipped his head and walked towards the leader's den, followed by Blazefire. "Do you think there will be another battle?" Batfeather asked him. Sparrowflight shrugged "I don't know, and quite honestly, I don't know what side to take." Batfeather looked at him "Sparrowflight, if you ever want to be a leader, you're going to have to make some decisions for yourself." Sparrowflight flattened his ears "I can make decisions for myself. Besides, who said I wanted to be leader." Batfeather smiled softly "Sparrowflight, it's no secret that Stormheart made you into a great warrior. Some cats already look up to you." She said, flicking her tail over to Tigerpaw and Gingerpaw. Sparrowflight suddenly felt a bit flustered. He knew he was a good warrior, but the thought of leadership hadn't crossed his mind. "Surely there are other cats. What about Thorntail? Or Hareleap? Even Blazefire?" Batfeather chuckled "Sparrowflight, you know that Thorntail and Hareleap are getting older. And Blazefire, well.." she trailed off "you know what I think of him." Sparrowflight shook his head "Why are we even talking about this? Antfoot is perfectly healthy and you'd be just as good a leader as me if you had an apprentice." Batfeather smiled "But I haven't had an apprentice. Do you know why Hawkstar gave you Gingerpaw? It's because he trusts you." "He trusts you too." Sparrowflight protested "And since when did you become so wise?" Sparrowflight asked her. Batfeather chuckled, flicking her tail over his ear "You're a great warrior and you can be even better. You just don't realize it yet."
Sparrowflight turned his head to see Hawkstar, Antfoot, and Blazefire pad out of Hawkstar's den. Heads turned, as the rest of the clan began to notice as well. Hawkstar leaped onto the highledge. "We have come to a decision!" Hawkstar's voice boomed "Tomorrow we will attack the rogues!"

Happy Easter Everybody! Comment your thoughts!