#lightclan!elmkit

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Though the chill from leaf-bare still hung in the air, the cats of Lightclan were relieved to find that the billowing snow had ended for the time being, and the weather had warmed up enough to melt what frost remained. While trees remained barren, the green grass began to flourish, and the flowers were already beginning to sprout.

Newleaf had arrived, and Birchshine was just as excited as any cat. She hadn't seen the forest so full of life and color since her kithood! There were so many new sights and sounds... not to mention the prey pile would be so much easier to fill now that prey was beginning to peer out from their dens.

Birchshine had already caught several pieces of prey to contribute to the clan. Nothing quite filled her heart with more pride than providing for her clanmates, but even still, the warm air filled her heart with a sense of longing. What further changes would Newleaf bring to her life? She couldn't wait to find out.

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The snow has melted, and the flowers have begun to grow once more. The season is now newleaf.

Bearpaw teaches Sleetkit, Elmkit, and Flowerkit some hunting techniques now that the weather has warmed up.

The kits are getting close to their apprentice ceremonies. Lightrunner has been spotted mumbling about their potential future mentors...

Lightrunner and Stormflower have a playful spar in the middle of the camp.

The pond in camp has thawed. The cats of LightClan can fish once again.

!! Hey, everyone! This chapter contains heavier themes such as: kit death, stillbirth. Viewer discretion is advised. !!

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Sitting and sorting through the recently-collected herbs, Stormflower remained silent and focused on her work as always. Pepperfrost watched, wondering idly how a cat could be so focused on a single task... but, overall, she was grateful.

"...I'm sorry for getting cocky," She mewed finally, ears flattened. "You were right. Leaf-bare isn't a safe time to have kits, and... you were just trying to warn me. You were right."

The spotted healer's tail twitched for a moment, and she turned her head to look over her shoulder.

"It's alright. You're young." Stormflower shrugged, returning to her work. "I only wish I could have gotten back in time for your kitting. I'm sorry for your loss.

"N-No, I should be... I should be thanking you!" Pepperfrost's voice was practically a squeak compared to Stormflower's calm, contemplative tone. "You risked your safety to save my sister's life, and she's still here because of it!"

"I only did what any reliable healer would do."

"It's still amazing. Besides... what happened to Berrykit wasn't your fault. It... It wasn't anyone's fault. It just happened. And, like, of course part of me is going to hurt forever, knowing she might've been a great warrior one day, but..."

Adjusting her position from her nest, Pepperfrost took a moment to stare down and admire the three remaining kits huddled at her belly.

"...I still have three left. And they'll shine even brighter. For her."

"That's a wonderful sentiment, Pepperfrost," The healer mused with a quiet hum. "Thank you. I promise you that Berrykit will be well cared for among the stars."

"That's reassuring!" Pepperfrost let out a quiet, awkward laugh. "I'm still not sure about all the Star Cat business, but Lilacdream has been trying to teach me."

"That's good. A warrior should understand the significance of the clan's ancestors."

Pepperfrost decided not to point out that she, as well of most of the clan at the moment, didn't have clan ancestors. It was only Lightrunner and Stormflower now.

The healer seemed to sense the awkward tension, because she quickly changed the subjects.

"So... you've already named them all, then?"

"I have," Pepperfrost purred, excited to share about her new litter. "There's Berrykit, of course, and then..."

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While the herb patrol is on their expedition, Pepperfrost gives birth to four kits.

Kitten 1 is female and a stillborn. Pepperfrost is grieving.

Kitten 1 receives the name Berrykit after joining the ranks of StarClan.

Kitten 2 is male. He is Skittish and Quiet.

Kitten 2 receives the name Elmkit, in honor of the elm forest that the clan calls home (and his father, Elmer).

Kitten 3 is female and born sickly. She is Non-Destructive and Proud.

Kitten 3 receives the name Sleetkit, in honor of the icy leaf-bare in which the litter was born.

Kitten 4 is female. She is Quiet and a Hunter.

Kitten 4 receives the name Flowerkit, in honor of Stormflower, who saved Lilacdream's life shortly after the kits were born.

With the fresh herbs from the greenhouse gardens, Stormflower treats Lilacdream's Sickness. Lilacdream will make a full recovery.

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From atop the Light Rock once more, Lightrunner couldn't help being apprehensive about the decisions she had to make this season. So many things were changing so quickly... between discovering the Moontree, Honeypurr's kits becoming warriors, and Pepperfrost's litter reaching six moons... Stormflower's advice seemed more and more sound.

The kits' mentors were a large decision on their own. She could give each of the kits to the new warriors, but they were all still a bit wet behind the ears... were they truly ready? Even so, if she were to assign them to more experienced warriors- namely herself and Honeypurr- she couldn't assign any of them to Pepperfrost in good faith. StarClan knows apprentices get too spoiled when their own mother mentors them. She could assign just one of the kits to the new warriors, but that would mean giving one sibling an apprentice and not the others.

In the end, she had decided on the latter- but which of the new warriors would be picked, and who would be left to dry? Mousetail, Antstride, and Birchshine were all wonderful warriors, and she was sure any one of them would understand. They had such good heads on their shoulders. But Mousetail was a little easily distracted, Birchshine was far too focused on her painstakingly-obvious "secret" relationship with Magicburst, and Antstride... well, with him as sick as he was, he couldn't exactly train an apprentice until he was better.

Were these the sort of complicated decisions that only a good leader could make? Or at least someone with a more decisive personality. Lightrunner had never been very decisive herself.

"Elmpaw, your new mentor will be Honeypurr. I will be Sleetpaw's new mentor. And Flowerpaw-" She hesitated, hoping that her rather complicated train of thought hadn't delayed the ceremony any- or worse, caused her clanmates any concern. "-will be mentored by Antstride. However, due to his current sickness, her training will be handled by Birchshine until he recovers."

"Elmpaw!"

"Sleetpaw!"

"Flowerpaw!"

Lightrunner gave the cats a chance to cheer the apprentices' new names. Elmpaw seemed a bit meek as he approached his new mentor, but with Honeypurr's warm, maternal personality, Lightrunner was sure she would nurture his talents in a way that would boost his confidence.

Flowerpaw seemed a little bit disappointed about Antstride's sickness, but with her being one of the more easygoing of the litter, she would surely readjust just fine when her mentor was back to his duties.

As for Sleetpaw... the young cat was so small, yet so assertively eager to train that Lightrunner could tell she was struggling not to bounce up onto the rock next to her. She would have to teach the young tortoiseshell not to be so pushy, yet give her the enrichment she needs to grow.

"Before you all are dismissed, I have one last announcement to make."

All but a pawful of cats seemed surprised at the sudden interruption. Had they not expected this? Lightrunner felt for a moment like she might get cold feet, but she couldn't. Not now.

"I have been speaking with Stormflower recently, and... with the recent discovery of the Moontree and LightClan's ever-increasing size, I... believe this has been a long time coming. As I have... admittedly been filling this role for a while, I have decided to take the official title of LightClan's leader.

A couple of the younger cats gasped, and others just seemed confused. However, the older cats didn't seem surprised in the slightest. She had, of course, asked around for advice... this was Stormflower's idea, and yet, she hadn't quite been sold on the concept. Honeypurr had offered her full support, as always, and Pepperfrost...

"On the next night with nice weather, I will head to the Moontree with Stormflower to ask for StarClan's approval. If that happens-"

"You mean when it happens!"

-One of the cats below shouted out at her, interrupting her speech. Oh, it was Pepperfrost... encouraging as always. Though Lightrunner did send her a warning glance, she cleared her throat and adjusted her statement.

"-When that happens, I will receive my nine lives and take on the full role of leader. I want you all to know that this changes nothing but my name and status... I will always be the same cat, and I will support this clan with my life."

Pepperfrost cheered, followed by her kits, and then more and more cats. Lightrunner felt her chest tighten with emotion.

"W-With that being said, any leader needs a deputy..." She hesitated. Would the younger members of the clan even know what a deputy is? They hadn't had one until this point. "...A second-in-command to take charge in case of emergency. And I think I have decided who would best fit this role."

Though she felt a little silly about it following the interruption of an important meeting...

"May StarClan shine on all of us like a warm ray of light. With their blessing, the new deputy shall be... Pepperfrost."

Many cheers rang out in the crowd once more. Pepperfrost's chest seemed to puff out proudly, and she was soon swarmed by her kits, who congratulated her despite likely not understanding what the deputy position meant. Pepperfrost had needed some explaining, too, but once she understood... she seemed like she was ready for that sort of responsibility, given how diligently she trained Magicburst.

With the important announcements over, Lightrunner hopped down from the rock, looking to see if Sleetpaw was ready to greet her now. But the small apprentice was far too engrossed in her excited rambling now, going off about how her mentor is going to be the leader and her mother is the deputy. Elmpaw and Flowerpaw merely seemed to be going along with Sleetpaw's energy at the moment.

Lightrunner sighed to herself. She really did have her work cut out for her, didn't she?

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Elmkit, Sleetkit, and Flowerkit become apprentices under the names Elmpaw, Sleetpaw, and Flowerpaw.

Elmpaw's new mentor is Honeypurr.

Sleetpaw's new mentor is Lightrunner.

Flowerpaw's new mentor is Antstride. However, due to Antstride being ill, her training will temporarily be handled by Birchshine.

Lightrunner has decided to take the official role of Leader. She will visit the Moontree soon to receive her nine lives.

Lightrunner assigns Pepperfrost to be her new deputy.

Antstride has contracted the same Sickness that Lilacdream has suffered from.

Lilacdream is confident in her ability to treat Antstride. Antstride will make a full recovery.