Large gusts of winds roared outside of the nursery as Mintpool stepped back from Flowershine's nest. Four healthy kits, newborns, squirmed at the ginger queen's belly. The gray tabby sighed, weary but pleased. Flowershine's kits had come much easier than Snowfrost's, and she's managed to deliver them by herself.

"Congratulations, Flowershine," the gray tabby purred. "Four healthy kits! Three toms and a she-kit."

Flowershine nodded, not caring to reply, as she wrapped herself around her kits, giving their heads swift licks. Mintpool restrained a roll of her eyes. Even after she's just given birth, she still has the same attitude. The gray tabby's gaze drifted towards Adderclaw, who was crouched besides the nest, wondering if her brother had calmed down and forgiven her.

It was a moon after Snowfrost's death, although the pain was just as harsh. Adderclaw seemed out of it for the entire moon, barely talking to any cat, his eyes always sad of angry. However, now Mintpool was pleased to see her brother's eyes light up and joy and love as he nuzzled his mate and kits. 

The gray tabby sighed again. Although new kits always made her happy, it wasn't enough to erase the heavy sadness that still lingered. Too much had happened this moon, with her mother dying and her leader going soon after...

Mintpool felt her pelt twitch. Spottedstar had died a couple days after Snowfrost. Everything had moved too quickly; the tabby barely had time to process it. Before she knew it Echoleaf was bringing Thistlefur to the Moonpool, and soon after they returned, Thistlefur being Thistlestar, and him appointing Skystorm as deputy.

Although, she supposed, it was normal. Life and death were a just a part of things. Snowfrost is gone, but her kit, whom Leafstorm had named Lilykit, was here, curled up and asleep in her nest. And, Spottedstar's gone, but Flowershine brought four healthy kits into the Clan.

Adderclaw blinked at Mintpool, ducking his head almost grudgingly, as though saying thank you. Warmth spread throughout the gray tabby as she replied with a happy flick of her tail. Another thought formed in her mind. Since Flowershine has kits now, maybe Lilykit will be able to share her milk...

However, she wasn't sure if that would work. Adderclaw already has a deep dislike for Lilykit, and Flowershine has four kits. She might not have enough milk... Mintpool sighed. Lilykit will just have to continue eating mashed up prey, I suppose.

Mintpool gazed at the kits. They were all beautiful. However, one in particular caught her eye. The only she-kit. She had a fluffy white pelt with spots of black, looking similar to Snowfrost. The gray tabby ruffled her pelt, glancing at Adderclaw, hoping that he would name her after their mother. "Have you decided on names yet?"

Flowershine and Adderclaw exchanged a glance. "I suppose so." The ginger queen twitched her tail-tip, touching a ginger-and-white tom. "This one will be Bumblekit."

"How about Sunkit for this one?" Adderclaw suggested, nodding at a fully ginger tom-kit.

"Great," Flowershine agreed. "And this one can be called Flamekit." She nodded to an orange tom with black stripes that looked like flames.

Both parents' gazes turned towards the white kit. Mintpool blinked hopefully at Adderclaw as he studied the little white kit for a name. His blue eyes were conflicted, as though thinking about naming her Snowkit. The gray tabby twitched her tail-tip hopefully.

"Spotkit?" Flowershine suggested.

"Oh." Adderclaw twitched his pelt. "Sure."

Mintpool blinked at him, feeling disappointment worm in her belly. Enough, Mintpool. They're Flowershine's kits, too. However, she couldn't still help but wish that Spotkit had been named Snowkit.

The gray tabby stood up. "Beautiful names. I'll go tell Thistlestar," she meowed, ducking outside of the den. A strong gust of wind blew against her, chilling her to the bone. However, thankfully, Thistlestar was already in the clearing, waiting. With a simple flick of her tail to alert him, he ducked into the nursery to greet the kits.

Mintpool continued to the medicine den. Her paws felt weary; she wanted nothing more than to curl up and sleep. As she ducked into the den, her gaze landed on Echoleaf, who was pacing around.

The gray she-cat's eyes lit up when she saw her. "Is everything okay? Did Flowershine's kits come safely? Do you need my help for anything?"

Mintpool twitched her whiskers, feeling half amused at Echoleaf's worrying, half annoyed that the gray she-cat didn't seem to completely trust she could deliver kits on her own. "They're fine. Four healthy kits."

"That's great!" Echoleaf purred. "I'm happy that you delivered them so well, Mintpool."

The gray tabby ducked her head.

"I'll go see them," Echoleaf continued, bounding out of the den.

Mintpool yawned, watching her disappear. The gray tabby was exhausted. She padded over to her nest, curling up inside, tucking her head into her paws. Before long, sleep washed over her.

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Mintpool padded along EarthClan's border, her green gaze scanning the terrain. A thin layer of snow covered everything; there would be no way that any herbs would survive. Near the edges of the border, she spotted a bush with wide leaves, spreading downwards. Snow bushed on top of the leaves. However, the leaves could be great shelter for critters, nuts... herbs, perhaps.

It was a crazy thought - it was freezing! However, Mintpool felt desperation seize her. It's worth a try. She bounded over, thrusting her head under the bush. Excitement lit up inside her as she found a couple stalks of comfrey. Her tail swished with delight as she picked a couple sprigs. Echoleaf will be so happy when she sees this! 

Suddenly, the gray tabby heard paw steps pad from behind her. She angled her ears, trying to listen. It sounded like... three sets of paws. A patrol, most likely.

The paws stopped as she heard bushes rustle. "What are you doing in there?" A familiar and amused voice came from behind her. Leafwhisker.

Mintpool wiggled out of the bush quickly, embarrassment warming her pelt, the sprigs still in her jaws. The brown tom stood in front of her, his green eyes unreadable, yet his whiskers twitching with amusement. 

As the gray tabby glanced around, she felt her pelt twitch, puzzled. The only cat she could see was Leafwhisker, yet she was sure she heard two other sets of paws... she shook that thought off. "I was collecting herbs." Her voice came out somewhat embarrassed. "I found some comfrey! Does EarthClan need any?" 

Leafwhisker twitched his tail-tip. "I'm not sure... I think you'll have to ask Cloverleaf. I've never been good with herbs."

This earned a light purr from Mintpool. "So, what are you doing out here? Border patrol?" It was odd, though, that it was just him who was doing the patrol.

"Actually, I wanted to ask you something..." Leafwhisker trailed off. "You remember how you said you would do anything to make it up to me?"

Mintpool sat up straighter, eager. "Yeah!" Had he thought of something? Could they be friends again?

Leafwhisker cleared his throat. "Well, I-"

Suddenly, the bushes from AirClan's side rustled. Robinflight appeared, closely followed by Whitewhisker, Riverfrost, and Violetpaw. 

The brown she-cat's eyes narrowed suspiciously at Mintpool and Leafwhisker. "What are you two doing here?"

Mintpool felt her pelt spike guiltily, as though she were an apprentice caught sneaking out of camp. You're not an apprentice, though. You're a medicine cat. The gray tabby twitched her tail-tip. "I don't need to answer you, Robinflight. However, if you must know, I've been collecting herbs." She held up the sprigs as though it were some proof.

"And you?" Robinflight demanded to Leafwhisker.

Whitewhisker touched his tail-tip to her shoulder. "We shouldn't bother with another Clan's business," he murmured.

"Fine." Robinflight still didn't look convinced, shaking off his tail, and beginning to move up the border.

As soon as they were out of sight, Leafwhisker whispered hurriedly, "Meet me here tomorrow at dusk." With that, he turned and disappeared into a bush.

Mintpool turned, trotting towards the direction of camp, her paws tingling. Hopefully after tomorrow me and Leafwhisker can be friends again! As the camp was in sight, another thought formed in her mind. I wonder what he wants.

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Word Count // 1358

Not Edited

Hi! Another chapter is out! Any thoughts with Flowershine and Adderclaw's new kits? Do you think they should've named the kit Snowkit instead of Spotkit? And, for the second half, what do you think Leafwhisker's going to want? Why did Mintpool hear three sets of paws when she could only see one cat? Any thoughts on that? Is there just something wrong with her hearing, or is it something else? Let me know your thoughts! The cat at the top is Spotkit, when she grows up. Okay, that's all, bye!