Revelations
Chapter 2
After nearly a quarter-moon, both Ashfur and Squirrelflight were released from the medicine den. Squirrelflight went back to the nursery, and Ashfur went back to the Warriors' Den.
Cedarkit, Flamekit, and Frostkit really were beautiful kits, tumbling about in the nursery. They were just over three and a half moons, playing with each other, but not too roughly.
Cedarkit, darling Cedarkit, was a perfect copy of Ashfur. Determined, strong, and thoughtful.
Frostkit was pale brown, with eyes that were barely just lightening up to a rich amber. She was shy, even to her mother.
And Flamekit. What scared Squirrelflight was that her daughter was exactly as Squirrelflight had been. She was opinionated, sharp-tongued, and stubborn, but not unfriendly. But she was doomed to destroy everything.
About once a day, Ashfur visited the little family. He had taken a brutal loss, covered in lacerations and open wounds. But he played willingly with his kits.
Squirrelflight marveled at the tom, and just, merely the fact that he was her mate. She'd thought she'd always preferred Brambleclaw, but something must have changed that.
And now the strong, gentle tabby warrior was dead.
Brambleclaw, Brackenfur, Thornclaw, and Dustpelt had long since been buried, and the Clan felt their absence like a thorn. Rainwhisker had been made deputy, and Whitepaw and Spiderpaw were now warriors; Whitewing and Spiderleg.
Squirrelflight spent her days in the nursery, watching her kits, and sometimes Ferncloud's, Sorreltail's, and Daisy's as well.
Ferncloud had taken her mate's death hard, practically neglecting her kits. They suckled from whatever queen was 'available,' or not busy. Sorreltail had lost her mate as well, but she took it a bit easier, accepting it almost.
All the kits in the nursery would group together and imagine their warrior names. Berryfur, Hazelnose, Mousepelt, Cinderpride, Honeywhisker, Poppyheart, Cedarclaw, Flametail, Frostears… The list was endless.
Brambleclaw's kits were too young to be playing with the others. The two, Snowkit and Songkit, had been mothered by a WindClanner, by the name of Innocentmelody, were being raised by Ferncloud.
Squirrelflight didn't care about any of that. She wanted to be back out on border patrols or hunting patrols. She wanted to be fighting. She had, in the ShadowClan fight, but only because she was the last healthy cat in the Clan.
They had had Brambleclaw and Dustpelt guarding camp, Thornclaw and Brackenfur were at the entrances to the nursery and elders' den. Obviously, the camp was invaded and all four were killed.
And one day, Ashfur came into the nursery to play with his kits. They were playfully jumping all over him, when one by one, his wounds re-opened and he collapsed onto the ground.
"LEAFPOOL!"