Chapter One - Sunleaf's Kits
It was a gorgeous day in Riseclan and Duskshadow was enjoying the peaceful place with his apprentice, Forestpaw. They had just gotten back from training and Forestpaw was tired, but happy with his progress. Duskshadow couldn't keep the proud look off of his face as they brought in loads of freshkill, impressing the elders. The kits, queens, and elders moved forward, ready to eat the food the two had just brought in.
Suddenly, one of the kits skidded into the clearing, panic written across her face as she panted, he small body trembling. She padded up to Duskshadow, ignoring her mother's call. The kit had a light grey pelt and blue eyes, a carbon copy of Featherheart, her mother.
"Duskshadow!" Silverkit yowled as she finally reached the warrior, her blue eyes filled with tears as she lowered her head in respect. The dark-haired warrior looked concerned once Silverkit lifted her head.
"What is it?" Duskshadow mewed, giving the kit a questioning look as he licked his paw. He knew that this kit was being serious and not pulling a joke like the others would've done. Silverkit was one of the only mature kits in the nursery, always helping the mothers who were pregnant, brining them freshkill and scolding the younger ones. And for Silverkit to be so scared, something bad was happening.
"Sunleaf has already started birthing! She has already had two kits and is still in extreme pain" She exclaimed, fear evident in her voice, which was cracking. Duskshadow's eyes widened and he darted towards Sunleaf's den, Forestpaw not far behind.
Sunleaf heard the other cats whispering urgently to each other, but ignored then as waves of pain flashed through her body. A tiny kit wriggled out and she guided it to her belly, and started licking her fur backwards to keep her warm. The kit started wailing softly, her eyes shut tightly.
Duskshadow entered the den and stared his mate in wonder, shoulders tense with worry for her "She's beautiful just like you," he murmured as he watched his kit calm down. Sunleaf gave him a weak smile before also glancing at her kit, delight shining in her eyes.
"Why don't we call her Fernkit, for the way her tail spreads out at the tip?" Suggested Duskshadow as he gave his mate an affectionate lick on the cheek. Sunleaf looked thoughtful for a moment and was about to reply when more pain washed over her. Duskshadow soon realized what was going on and quickly ran to his den, searching for the poppy seeds that the medicine cat had given them for when Sunleaf's in pain.
"Go get Mintleaf, tell her that Sunleaf is giving birth to our kits!" Duskshadow literally roared to his apprentice. The young apprentice's eyes widened in shock of seeing his usually level-headed mentor freak out. He nodded his head and swiftly left, in search for Mintleaf.
Duskshadow was by Sunleaf's side the minute she let loose another wail, ready to comfort her. He muttered a quiet 'thanks' to his apprentice, who was already gone. He pawed the poppy seeds towards his mate and urged her to eat them. "They'll help numb the pain," he encouraged her softly. She smiled gratefully at her mate and swallowed the poppy seeds, the effects happening almost instantly.
Sunleaf's body relaxed and she purred contentedly until another kit, the fourth one, was born. "It hurts!" Wailed Sunleaf, her body trembling, the poppy seeds already wearing off.
"It's okay Sunleaf," whispered Duskshadow, licking the golden-haired she-cat's face again. She sighed in relief once the pain faded to a dull sting. The kits were quiet, sleeping by her stomach for more warmth.
"I think that was the last kit," she says, her voice raspy from screaming. She stares at her dark-furred mate and felt tears of happiness fall from her eyes. "I'm lucky to have such a wonderful mate like you, Duskshadow."
"No, I'm lucky to have you." He replies full-heartedly, oblivious to his apprentice and the medicine cat standing by the opening of the den. He shared tongues with his mate, exhaustion taking over as she fell asleep.
"She birthed earlier than expected," mewed Mintleaf as she padded towards the two cats. Her brown and white pelt was dirty and leaves were muffling her voice. She set the leaves down and pushed them to Duskshadow, who was laying protectively next to Sunleaf. "These are to help with the after-pain of the birthing. I'm sorry I didn't come soon enough, I had picked herbs for the other mothers who were also about to birth kits."
Duskshadow nodded before pushing the leaves towards his mate, silently reminding himself to make her eat them when she wakes. "It's fine, everything turned out well in the end. She birthed four wonderful kits," he purred, licking the small kits.
"What are you going to name them?" Asked an eager Forestpaw, who was now following behind Mintleaf. Duskshadow tilted his head in thought while Mintleaf grinned at the apprentice who was also carrying leaves in his mouth. Forestpaw grimaced at the sour taste as he set the next to Mintleaf's pile.
Duskshadow glanced at the four kits and noticed Fernkit, the only one who was named immediately after her birth. She had a fern-like tail and had a short-haired, gold and white pelt, similar to her mother's. The first kit to be born was a duller yellow but had longer fur like her father. She was slightly bigger than Fernkit and was like sand. The second-born was a male with dark brown fur and firm shoulders, Duskshadow knew he'd be a strong tom one day. The fourth kit was a golden brown and had a smooth pelt, she was small and would probably be the runt of the quadruplets.
"The first kit shall be Sandkit and the second is Woodkit. Fernkit was the third-born and the smallest shall be Honeykit." Duskshadow says distantly as he licked each kit lovingly. He was obviously unable to have an ongoing conversation, his attention focused completely on the kits, so Mintleaf nudged Forestpaw out of the den.
"Come on little one, leave your mentor alone." Mintleaf orders firmly, giving a threatening glare to the green-eyed apprentice. He nodded, his fur burning as he ran in the opposite direction. The medicine cat sighed as she made her way back to the herb garden, thinking about Sunleaf's kits.
"To think she had birthed so early...this might cause a problem." Mintleaf muttered to herself. "I guess we'll find out when the time comes."
~End of Chapter One~
