Squirrelflight's Hope/Chapter 18

==Chapter description==
:As the Clan prepares for Larksong and the black-and-orange kit's vigils that evening, Squirrelflight checks on Sparkpelt in the medicine den. Her daughter is resting, though Leafpool informs her sister that she just needs time to rest and recover from her illness and kitting. Squirrelflight worries that Sparkpelt won't bond with her kits, but Leafpool reassures that she will in time. The Clan deputy visits her kin in the nursery: Daisy comforts the two kittens while Sorrelstripe rests. As Squirrelflight nuzzles the kits, she realizes that she was never expecting to begin with, accepting that it was nothing more than hope and worry causing her to feel ill. Daisy mentions that the kits need names; Squirrelflight briefly reflects about the own names she wanted to give her second litter—Gladekit, Meadowkit, and Bluekit—but insists that Sparkpelt should name them. In the camp clearing, the Clan begins the vigil. Sparkpelt sits next to her dead mate while Larksong's kin—Lilyheart, Honeyfur, and Leafshade—express their sorrows. Twigbranch mentions she will miss him like a littermate, while Finleap reminisces how Larksong was a wonderful mentor.
:The following day, Mousewhisker, Berrynose, Lionblaze, and Plumstone argue about the Sisters, wonder if it was a coincidence that the meadow saffron only appeared on their territory after the Sisters arrived nearby. Squirrelflight defends the Sisters by explaining they weren't the cause of the sickness. She volunteers to visit the Sisters again to learn exactly what meadow saffron looks like, though Mousewhisker and Bramblestar accuse her of being too fond of the other group. Bramblestar agrees to let her visit the Sisters but to take Leafpool with her. In the medicine den, Squirrelflight and Leafpool encourage Sparkpelt to visit her kits in the nursery, though Squirrelflight is disheartened by her daughter's lack of interest in her kittens. Leafpool reasons that Sparkpelt is still numb with grief and it will pass in time. At the Sisters' camp, Moonlight explains what meadow saffron looks like, though Squirrelflight is concerned the massive she-cat still hasn't had her kits yet. Upon hearing that one of Sparkpelt's kits died, Moonlight offers to perform a ceremony to guide his spirit to the afterlife. After burying coltsfoot, the Sisters yowl into the sky for several heart-beats. Upon finishing, the Sisters mention seeing an orange-and-black kit with a black tom near him, and the ThunderClan cats realize that they had seen Larksong. Squirrelflight thanks the Sisters, realizing that they honor their dead just like Clan cats.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Notes and references==
Category:Squirrelflight's Hope
Category:Super Edition arc
Category:Chapter subpages