Starlight glittered in Bumbletail's fur as she padded forward, her paws sinking into the soft snow. Yellow light cut through the flurrying ice raining from the clouds; she could hear twolegs moving about in their nests, long after the rest of the living creatures around were asleep. How any cat could stand living so close, she didn't know.
She approached a much smaller den, propped up against the odd stone of a twoleg nest. It looked flimsy, dripping wet with melted snow. Grimacing as she poked her head inside, she waited for a moment to let her eyes adjust. Her expression softened almost immediately.
Two tiny kits lay curled to a much larger tabby's side, her fluffy tail holding them close in an attempt at keeping them warm. One was very still, and the other stared at her with wide blue eyes. "You look like Sterling," she whispered, motioning to the limp bundle next to her. Bumbletail blinked in confusion, then studied the little tom kit more closely, spotting a faint silhouette still sleeping by his body. Her heart immediately ached, and she stepped forward. The she-kit's eyes followed her, widening in awe when the starry cat touched her nose to her brother's forehead. By Bumbletail's prompting, Sterling stood, his own pelt looking like the night sky. He looked hesitant, then went forward to nuzzle into Bumbletail's fur, a low purr breaking from his throat. His sister let out a squeak of surprise, then glanced back at her mother's sleeping form, checking that the noise hadn't woken her.
Her eyes went wide and owl-like when she turned back, noticing that Bumbletail's eyes were fixed on her. She looked thoughtful, her tail curling slightly around Sterling.
"What is your name, little one?" she asked, her voice a low murmur. The fluffy little kit straightened. "Frost! My name is Frost!" she exclaimed, and Bumbletail purred. She padded forward, trailing her tail over Sterling's shoulders to soothe him when he started to cry. She crouched in front of Frost, her eyes burning with stars and questions. "It will be a long while yet before you will see your brother again, Frost," she said gently, and the little kit's eyes darted to the tiny tom, shivering in the mouth of their den. Her attention was drawn back to the older she-cat when she spoke again, her voice rumbling out in a warm purr.
"You will be a big, strong cat one day," she murmured, pressing her muzzle to the little white blaze above Frost's nose. The kit's eyes widened and then fell closed as pleasant warmth filled her, her paws aching with the feeling. She thought it similar to the feelings she barely remembered, of a time when her eyes couldn't open and she was mewling at her mother's belly.
Her eyes were shining when she looked up at Bumbletail next, stumbling a bit as the warmth receded. A gentle tongue swiped over her ear. "That was a gift," the she-cat purred. "One that I hope will serve you well. Sleep now- you must be strong for what is to come." Frost's eyes grew heavy with obedience, and she could vaguely hear Sterling ask the starry she-cat something as they padded out, his voice forlorn and sad.
She blinked awake to the sound of her mother's grieving wails and the brush of her brother's cold pelt.