"She's awake!" Goldenperch called out to the waiting cats that crowded the entrance of the nursery.

"Hello, Goldenperch," Luckyheart mumbled. "Have I kitted yet?"

"Yes!" Larkpaw nodded, eyes shining. "A she-cat and a tom!"

"Congrats!" Firestar looked down at Luckyheart. "Have you decided on names?"

"Lightningkit for the she-cat. And Stormkit for the tom." Luckyheart decided.

"Great names!" Goldenperch purred.

Echopaw and Demonpaw scrambled over their mother in their hurry to see the kits. Echopaw tentatively touched Lightningkit's head. Lightningkit stirred and squeaked loudly. Stormkit flopped over to his mother's belly and began whining for milk.

"Give her room!" Goldenperch ordered and pushed the other cats aside. Luckyheart tried to say thanks but it came as a croak.

"Drink," Jayfeather pushed into the den with a bundle of wet moss clamped between his teeth.

Luckyheart lapped up the water droplets thankfully. "Hello, Lightningkit, Stormkit," she meowed.

Lightningkit nuzzled against her mother while Stormkit paddled his feet for milk. Luckyheart laughed softly. "Kits will be kits," she shook her head. "Thanks for looking after them while I was out," she told Goldenperch.

"Anytime." Goldenperch replied briskly. "They're my kin as well, don't forget." Perhaps all animosity between them two was now fixed.

"I won't," Luckyheart murmured. "Stormkit! Don't pounce on my tail!"

Stormkit glanced up at his mother with wide, beseeching eyes. "Please? Luckyheart? I want to practice pouncing!"

"Fast, huh?" Goldenperch purred. "Echopaw and Demonpaw didn't talk to me until a couple weeks after they were born.

Lightningkit was more still. She had not yet opened her eyes and was suckling milk.

"I brought you some borage leaves, to help your milk flow," Larkpaw pushed past the ivy entrance into the den.

"Thanks so much, Larkpaw! How's being a medicine cat apprentice going?" Luckyheart questioned her.

"Well, Jayfeather does most of the herb gathering, as I can't walk far," she glared at her useless hind leg trailing behind her. "But I like him. He's a good mentor, even though he's a bit grumpy. I wish Leafpool were still a medicine cat. She had Cinderpelt as her mentor. I wonder if Cinderpelt told Leafpool anything about coping with useless legs."

"But I love it! I get a chance to serve my Clan, even when I can't walk and run. It's a bit hard memorizing all the herbs and what they're used for, since I wanted to be a warrior originally, but I guess I'm still lucky to have a wonderful mentor." Larkpaw finished sadly. "I'll be off now. Tell Goldenperch to fetch me or Jayfeather if you have any pain or trouble producing milk!" With that, she swept out of the den.

"Goldenperch?" Luckyheart nudged her sister.

"Hm?"

"Who's doing deputy duties while I'm nursing?" Luckyheart wondered if another cat would take over her role.

"All the senior warriors are sharing it. That would be Brackenfur, Cloudtail and Lionblaze. Lionblaze organizes hunting patrols, Cloudtail organizes border patrols and Brackenfur is taking over the duty of assessing the apprentices." Goldenperch replied vaguely.

"What are you thinking about?" Luckyheart prodded her sister sharply. "You're not concentrating much today."

"Luckyheart? What's going on?" Stormkit barged to her side.

"Hush, Stormkit. Go find Lightningkit and play." Luckyheart licked Stormkit's ears.

"But she's booooring! She hasn't even opened her eyes yet!" Stormkit protested.

"Go be a good kit! You can ask Daisy or Millie to teach you a hunting crouch or to tell you a story," Luckyheart reprimanded.

"Fine!" Stormkit stormed off like a thunderstorm. Luckyheart shook her head in amusement before gazing at Goldenperch expectantly.

"Better not let Stormkit, Lightningkit and Thunderpaw mix together when they're older, they'll make a huge storm," Goldenperch sat down and began to wash her paws, letting Luckyheart lean on her slightly.

"And what's the deal with Echopaw and Demonpaw? They seem to hate each other so much," Luckyheart stated shrewdly.

"Um. Well since birth they're always arguing and quarrelling. They're like yin and yang, for StarClan's sake!" Goldenperch hissed, exasperated. "Why can't my kits be more like yours! Or even us." She added.

"You want your kits to turn on each other and lock each other in tunnels? I'd rather not." Luckyheart growled.

"Sorry." Goldenperch dipped her head. "I'll get you some prey." She turned and whisked out of the den, and returned a couple heartbeats later with a fat, juicy mouse. "Prey." She dropped it on the ground and shoved it towards her sister.

"I want some!" Stormkit was back again. He eyed the mouse jealously.

"Alright, alright. I'll give you some. Go find Lightningkit," Luckyheart instructed.

"Aren't they a bit too young?" Goldenperch nudged her.

Luckyheart sighed. "I've never been a mother before. You're right."

Stormkit gave an excited squeak and scampered off. Luckyheart thought about Rainfall. Her heart clenched in sympathy for him. He'd grown up with the Clan but now he was a rogue again.

"That's my rabbit!" Demonpaw shrieked as he tumbled into the nursery. "Mother! Make Echopaw give me my rabbit back!"

Echopaw let out a snarl. "I caught it! It's mine!" She tromped around the nursery, shaking mud from her pelt. A big dollop of it landed on Lightningkit who was being pushed from the nest into the nursery clearing.

"Hey!" Lightningkit objected. "Why me?"

Luckyheart shook her head to Lightningkit and Stormkit's eager cries for mouse. "You are too young," she mewed sternly.

Stormkit pouted, his eyes huge as he pleaded her. Lightningkit joined in.

"Lightningkit! Your eyes are finally open!" Echopaw stared at her kin.

"Yes." Lightningkit shot back shyly.

Luckyheart washed Lightningkit's fur with all the love a mother would give to her kit. Lightningkit scrambled away, yowling in protest. "Yuck!" she squealed. "I can groom myself, thank you very much!"

Luckyheart growled in amusement. "You just opened your eyes, young one."

Lightningkit's fur was pure black contrasting against her sand colored paws. Her tail was white as snow and it was waving in the air frantically. Stormkit was very different. He had a sandy pelt and a black tail. Both kits had bright blue eyes, which were so unlike Luckyheart's dark blue eyes that had darkened from her time in the tunnels. It hurt to think about it, but her kit's eyes rather looked like hers when she was still young and innocent.

"No!" Goldenperch heard Luckyheart's heart-breaking wail. Lately, due to harsh snows of leaf-bare, prey was scarce. Stormkit had joined the ranks of StarClan. She felt that she would perish with the pain of a kit, that was her kin dying. Goldenperch was so glad that Demonpaw and Echopaw were okay.

Goldenperch couldn't bring herself to think about Duskpelt. She had exchanged a few words with the WindClan cat when she dropped off her kits, but that was too little. Goldenperch smiled whenever she thought about Duskpelt and her kits. Duskpelt had birthed three beauties; Frogkit, Dawnkit and Sunkit. Moonshadow had decided to raise Sunkit as her own and they were thriving. Goldenperch wondered if there was a way to visit her friends.

"Lightningpaw! Lightningpaw!" Goldenperch cheered for her sister's kit as she was made an apprentice. She stood next to Lightningpaw; she had been trusted enough in her birth Clan to mentor an apprentice. Life was finally normal again.

Goldenperch had successfully visited Duskpelt's camp after receiving Firestar's approval. Duskpelt and her band of warriors were faring better than the Lake Clans, much better. All the warriors were thin and starving, which wasn't surprising this deep in leaf bare. Luckily, greencough was not arriving. Some of the warriors had whitecough but it wasn't turning into greencough anytime soon.

Her sister refused to eat. Luckyheart gave any food that she hunted straight to Lightningpaw. The only plump cat in the Clan was Demonpaw. He seemed to eat a rabbit each day. It was always a fat one too. Goldenperch guessed he had a store of juicy rabbits hidden somewhere, as he was a poor hunter. But he was a good tracker.

"Hello, Demonpaw," Goldenperch purred at her son. All her instincts told her that he was being selfish, but her mind told her to wait and gather more proof.

"Hi, Goldenperch," Demonpaw mewed stiffly. "I have to go." He darted away quickly. Goldenperch narrowed her eyes. She would follow him.

Goldenperch stalked after Demonpaw, her fur bristling. She made sure to stay upwind. Demonpaw trotted quickly to the Great Oak in the forest. He clawed the trunk, looking for claw holds. Demonpaw halted. He sniffed the air. Goldenperch froze. She sped behind a tree and stood still. Goldenperch sensed Demonpaw coming to check the tree out. As fast as lightning, Goldenperch rolled in some dead leaves and bracken, muffling her scent of cat. Then, she covered up her golden fur by rolling in a patch of wet mud and leaves that had already turned to mulch. Her fur now dark and brown, she stifled a sneeze. Even Goldenperch was coming down with whitecough. With stocks of catmint so low, the elders and kits with whitecough were treated first. Goldenperch would be fine.

Demonpaw looked around warily. Goldenperch ducked behind a bush and hoped he wouldn't smell her underneath the forest scents. She was lucky this time, as Demonpaw continued on his way. To her horror, Demonpaw was climbing up the Great Oak. Goldenperch never had climbing lessons, but how hard could it be? She stealthily followed her son up the branches, trying not to slip. She did fall a couple times, but luck was on her side. She was stealthy and silent. Goldenperch finally reached the top and peered over a thick branch.

Oh no! Goldenperch found the proof she needed. Demonpaw had a whole pile of things the Clan could use. He had stocks of catmint stored in a hollow with a leaf littering covering it. He had some sort of rabbit farm too. Goldenperch watched her son feed a baby rabbit some catmint. It munched it up then slowly began to grow. Goldenperch's stomach felt so hollow. So, this was how Demonpaw was staying well-fed. He was stealing Jayfeather's catmint and using it to lure rabbits and breed them.

Goldenperch bared her teeth angrily. She was definitely speaking to Firestar about this. Maybe he could send a patrol to spy on Demonpaw. For once, she wished he hadn't been born. All of a sudden, Demonpaw gobbled up the remains of a rabbit and jumped down the tree. Goldenperch gazed wistfully after the rabbit farm before deciding she could be selfish for once. She watched Demonpaw land on his paws neatly before walking back to camp.

Goldenperch quickly killed one of the smaller rabbits and swallowed a few pieces before guilt made her stomach clench up. She abandoned it, leaving it there in the tree before climbing down carefully.

"Let all cats old enough to hunt their own prey gather here beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!" Goldenperch heard Firestar's low yowl.

She leapt out of the tree and followed Demonpaw back to the camp.

"Duskpelt, Pineleaf, Moonshadow and Duskpelt's kits are asking to join the Clan," Luckyheart filled Goldenperch in as she sat next to her littermate.

"What?" Goldenperch gasped. "Firestar has to let them in! There are kits with them, by StarClan!"

"They have no right!" Longtail snarled. "Some of them are different Clans and the kits are half Clan!"

"I think we should let them," Brightheart stated thoughtfully. "They'd be useful to the Clan. Duskpelt is a great hunter, while Pineleaf has a great nose."

"What about Moonshadow then?" Dustpelt growled. "She's an elder. She'd just be another mouth to feed. And that's hard enough, this deep in leaf-bare!"

"I've heard the voices of my senior warriors. Deputy, Luckyheart, what is your opinion?" Firestar said in a voice that rang out above the raucous.

Luckyheart pondered the question. "I believe we should let them in. Brightheart is right. But Duskpelt and Pineleaf must hunt for Moonshadow. Our warriors aren't going to waste energy for an elder that isn't even ThunderClan."

Goldenperch let out a breath of relief before she murmured thanks to her sister. Luckyheart seemed to have finally forgiven her.

Firestar had to let them in now.

"Fine." Firestar flicked his tail idly. "Moonshadow, you may go to the elders' den. Longtail, Graystripe, Sandstorm and Dustpelt will show you around the den. Brightheart? Can you please show Duskpelt and Pineleaf our territory and the best places to hunt? In fact, it'd be great if you could take them on a border patrol with some other warriors too."

"Sure," Brightheart replied cheerfully. "Lionblaze! Hollyleaf! Come with us, won't you?"

"We'll be there!" Lionblaze promised.

"There is more!" Firestar summoned the Clan back. "Sadly, I have decided to retire to the elders' den. I am not a young cat anymore. I only have one life left." He murmured sadly. "Luckyheart will take my place. She is strong and bright. Luckyheart will be a great leader."

"No!" Sandstorm's green eyes were filled with horror. "You can't! You've led the Clan through BloodClan, the Dark Forest, the Great Journey. You can't retire!"

"I can." Firestar's voice was peaceful. "I, Firestar, leader of ThunderClan, retire from my role as Clan leader. I have served the Clan well and I am ready to admit I am old. From this moment on, my name will be Fireheart again."

"Fireheart...?" Graystripe stood forward. "Keep your leader name. Any cat who calls him Fireheart will face the claws of me!" he yowled. "Firestar has led us through bad times. He deserves to go to StarClan as a leader. Not as a warrior."

"Fine." Sandstorm grunted.

"Fine," Firestar echoed.

"Luckyheart! Luckyheart!" The Clan called in honor of their new leader.

"Firestar, I am honored. I respect your wishes and I will always ask for your advice when I am in times of need. I release you from your leaders' duties." Luckyheart dipped her head to the wise tom. "Tonight, I will travel to the Moonpool with Jayfeather."

"Luckyheart! Luckyheart!" the Clan continued its' call.

Goldenperch nodded respectfully to her sister as she passed. "Don't forget you have to name a deputy by moonhigh," she reminded.

"Oh! Yes." Luckyheart paused. She looked flushed and nervous.

"I say these words before StarClan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of ThunderClan will be Brackenfur." Luckyheart declared.

"Brackenfur? Are you sure he's the right cat for the job?" Someone from the crowd sneered. Goldenperch spun her head around with her claws unsheathed, ready to claw them in the face, but they had already disappeared.

"I am." Luckyheart growled. "Do not question me."

"How can we trust you?" Goldenperch looked around in time. It was Moonshadow!

"How dare you, you piece of crow-food eating, fox-hearted mouse-brain!" Cloudtail beat her. He lashed his tail angrily. "We accepted you into the Clan and you're being overly suspicious of us!"

Luckyheart laid her tail gently on Cloudtail's shoulder. "Peace, my warrior. Moonshadow has a point. You might not trust me!" she called to the cats. "But I will do my best to lead you through good times and bad times. If I had half the courage, loyalty and wisdom of Firestar, then I will be a good leader."

"Hear, hear!" Rosepetal cried.

"Wise words," Hazeltail agreed.

"I promise I'll serve my Clan with my life!" Luckyheart continued.

"We believe you!" Icecloud growled, staring at Moonshadow threateningly. "And this piece of fox-dung better too!"

"Icecloud. Enough." Luckyheart ordered with quiet authority.

Icecloud flicked her tail but settled into a sitting position.

"I won't punish you, Moonshadow," Luckyheart started.

"Weak!" someone hissed.

"I am not weak." Luckyheart had heard. "I will let StarClan decide. When I go to the Moonpool and visit them, they will decide for me. Fair enough?"

The Clan answered by taking up the chant again. "Luckyheart! Luckyheart! Luckyheart!"

"Good." Luckyheart swept off the Highledge into her den.