The death of two of the Leaders came suddenly.

Really, it shouldn't have surprised her. Marigoldflower had been old as long as Robinear could remember, and Ashbranch had always winced when jumping on and off the great tree.

But their deaths, occurring only moments apart, were still huge shocks to the Clan.

"Oh Leaders of the Trees and Flowers, may your spirits rise and rest in the embrace of the Leader," mewed Moonblaze, head bowed in respect. 

"May you rest in peace," repeated the Clan. They were in a circle around the two bodies, and Robinear sat near the back. Her belly was ridiculously huge now, and a kit inside gave a violent kick.

Robinear shifted uncomfortably, her tail sweeping the ground with annoyance. The dirt blew up in Oakbranch's face. She shot him an apologetic glance and he glared at her, but didn't speak. It was a ceremony, after all.

That'll be a problem later, she sighed.

"May your memories live on in all our hearts, and may the Lesser Leaders select worthy replacements," continued the Healer. "Lesser Leaders, do you swear to select worthy members to replace the fallen Leaders?"

"We shall," mewed the Lesser Leaders in unison.

"The three Elder Leaders of the Trees, please name your candidates," mewed Moonblaze. "Pinebranch, please start."

Robinear blinked. She'd never attended a Leader's death before, but apparently the new Leader selection happened awfully fast.

The oldest of the living Leaders, Pinebranch, stepped forward. "Birchtwig," he mewed without hesitation.

There were murmurs of approval from the Clan-- Birchtwig was a senior member of the Lesser Leaders and had had two apprentices.

Moonblaze nodded her head. "Birchtwig?"

Birchtwig stepped forward. "I accept the nomination."

The black-furred Healer nodded her head. "Good. Maplebranch?"

The light brown tom raised his voice. "Aldertwig," he called.

There were mutters of surprise from the Clan-- Aldertwig was a fairly young choice, but perhaps that was what the Clan needed.

"I accept the nomination," mewed Aldertwig.

Finally, Moonblaze turned to the second-youngest Leader. "Oakbranch?"

Oakbranch stepped forward, opened his mouth, then frowned at Birchtwig. Clearly, he'd been his choice as well. "Willowtwig."

No!

Willowtwig dipped his head. "I accept the nomination."

Now the murmurs of surprise were more outspoken. Willowtwig was very young, and quite arrogant as well. Surely no one in their right minds would elect him Leader.

Of course, Robinear wasn't completely convinced that FloraClan was sane.

Now, Moonblaze turned to the female Leaders. "The three Elder Leaders of the Flowers, please name your candidates," mewed Moonblaze. "Poppyflower, please start."

The ginger she-cat stepped forward, then mewed her choice without hesitation. "Irisblossom."

Her sister?

Irisblossom seemed nearly as shocked as she did. "I-I accept the nomination," she called, her voice shaking.

Moonblaze dipped her head to Roseflower, inviting her to speak.

"Tulipblossom," she mewed, looking regretfully at Irisblossom.

Tulipblossom dipped her head. "I accept the nomination."

"Daisyflower?"

"Dandelionblossom," replied Daisyflower.

Moonblaze nodded. "Now, Lesser Leaders, cast your votes in the Den. May your choices be made before the presence of the deceased. The rest of you are dismissed."

Robinear sighed and sat down, not wanting to move until the Leaders were announced. She mused over the ceremony. It was strange having the Healer run the ceremony, but she supposed it made sense...

Not many cats, in fact, had actually left their spots. Only a couple cats had left, but the Lesser Leaders had all entered their den to vote, leaving the clearing strangely empty.

Thrushnose walked over to her, and Robinear's demeanor brightened. She sat next to the silver tabby, fur brushing. "So, my brother and your sister nominated," she mewed. "Who would've thought?"

Robinear nodded. "Yeah...I don't think they'll be chosen, though."

Thrushnose blinked. "Why not?"

"They're too young," Robinear pointed out. "There are others more experienced than them there."

Thrushnose nodded. "True. But you'd be surprised. I remember Lilyflower's selection, and she was awfully young. Probably younger than Irisblossom, even." She paused, purring. "After all, they don't want their new Leaders dying of old age!"

Robinear purred as well, leaning slightly into Thrushnose's sturdy form. She jolted suddenly as she felt another kick.

"Oh!" cried Thrushnose. "Was that a kick?"

Robinear nodded, purring. "Yes. The little ones are quite lively today."

She wrinkled her nose suddenly in thought. Wait...it's been two and a half moons...

Could it be...?

Another kick came, and Robinear winced. "Not so hard, little ones," she muttered.

Suddenly, the Leaders burst out of the Lesser Leaders den. "All cats old enough to serve meet under the Great Tree!" called Roseflower

Robinear looked toward the Great Tree, deciding that she was close enough. She was feeling quite tired now, and felt very comfortable where she was.

The few cats that had scurried off after the vigil hurried back and seated themselves under the tree. The Lesser Leaders filed out of the den, quite a few looking quite disappointed at the results.

"The Den of Lesser Leaders have selected two cats as replacements for the fallen Marigoldflower and Ashbranch. Irisblossom and Willowtwig, step forward."

Robinear's breath caught, and she was struck with a mixture of terror and pride. Her sister had become Leader, but Willowtwig had as well...

"Irisblossom, do you swear to uphold the laws of FloraClan, no matter who it is who disobeys it?" The four Leaders of Flower's voices rang in unison, and Robinear was struck with a sense of awe at their power.

"I do," replied Irisblossom, voice strong.

"Do you swear to never let your emotions get in the way of your duty?"

"I do." Less certain this time.

"Do you swear to keep FloraClan strong and lead it through times of trouble?"

"I do."

"Then, Irisblossom, take your place on the Great Tree as Irisflower, Leader of the Flowers. May your days be long, and your leadership be great."

Irisflower leapt up on the tree, nearly toppling off before she sunk her claws in. She looked down on FloraClan, her eyes shining.

Now Willowtwig stepped forward, eyes shining. "Willowtwig, do you swear to uphold the laws of FloraClan, no matter who it is who disobeys it?" The four Leaders of Tree's voices rose above the mutters of some of the Lesser Leaders, who evidently hadn't voted in favor of the white tom.

"I do," replied Willowtwig, voice strong.

"Do you swear to never let your emotions get in the way of your duty?"

"I do." Robinear could have sworn he glanced her way, and she was certain she felt the kits shiver.

"Do you swear to keep FloraClan strong and lead it through times of trouble?"

"I do."

"Then, Willowtwig, take your place on the Great Tree as Willowbranch, Leader of the Trees. May your days be long, and your leadership be great."

Willowtwig leapt up to his branch without hesitation, and the cries of congratulation of FloraClan rang out. He made eye contact with Robinear and nodded almost mockingly.

At that moment, a feeling of blinding pain shot through her body.

A cry of pain escaped her lips, which was nearly lost in the chaos of the cheering, but Thrushnose was at her side instantly. "Robinear! Robinear! What's wrong?"

What do you think? she wanted to snap, but another spasm of pain wracked through her body. 

"Moonblaze!" Thrushnose screeched in panic.

"Meeting dismissed!" called someone frantically, and Moonblaze was suddenly at her side.

Robinear's mind was in too much pain to register the fact that she was moving, or notice anything but the searing pain and the bodies of Moonblaze and Thrushnose supporting her. She cried out again, feeling her body collapse gently on the moss.

A stick was shoved toward her, and Robinear bit down on it hard as she could to muffle her screams. She felt something sliding out of her, and heard Moonblaze snap something to her trainee. 

"You're doing well," Moonblaze purred.

Robinear couldn't do anything but bite the stick again.

Suddenly, she felt something give again and she collapsed, the pain leaving her. 

Moonblaze purred, shoving two newborn kits toward the exhausted mother. "Meet your kits, one tom, one she-cat."

Thrushnose purred. "Yellowkit and Whitekit."

A feeling of warmth came through Robinear as she gazed at the white tom-cat and yellow she-cat, who squirmed toward her, their eyes still sealed shut. 

Even if they're half Willowbranch's, they're all mine.

Even if I didn't want them, I love them with all my heart.

Hello! This chapter is early! Maybe this book will be done ahead of schedule! How does that sound?

Special thanks to  for editing this chapter for me!

So, this was a very action-filled chapter! What do you feel about Irisflower's new Leadership position? Willowbranch's?

And what do you think of the fact that Robinear has little kittens?

Anyway, I hope you liked this! This book is actually almost done! Three more chapter!

~Ember

P.S.: There's now an account called WillowtwigHateClub...I died laughing when I found it, ngl. Love you guys!