Chapter 2—Sandstorm's Day Turns Upside Down
The day started out normally, Firestar came into the nursery to see me before he left on patrol, bringing my breakfast with him. "Hey, how're you feeling?" he said coming in. "Okay," I say "just tired of being stuck in the nursery all day with cats fussing over me like crazy." It's true, for the past two weeks I've been made to say in the nursery all day and not do anything to make the kits come early. "It's not fair, why do I have to be stuck in here while Ringtail, who's kits are due the same day as mine, is still out hunting for the clan?" I whine. "I've told you a million times, none of the other mothers are carrying nearly as much extra weight as you are and I don't want you or the kits to get hurt." He replies sweetly.
"I've got to go" he says standing up a while later, "I'll come and see you again as soon as I can. Okay?" "Okay, see you later." I sigh. He leaves and I settle in for a boring couple of hours while he's busy.
Ten minutes later everything's changed, instead of being bored and lonely like normal I'm in pain and surrounded by female cats. Lightnose the medicine cat is rapidly asking me questions and I'm answering, "When did it start?" "Not long after Firestar left, maybe five minutes ago." "Okay, how intense is the pain?" "Not bad, just a little uncomfortable." "Good, do you feel the need to push yet?" "No… You mean this is it?" "Yes, this is it." "Do they all have to be here?" I ask indicating the crowd of gathered females. "No, we can ask them to leave. Is there anyone I should ask to stay?" "Just Ringtail if she doesn't have to go on patrol." Lightnose proceeds to usher the cats out leaving just me, Ringtail and herself in the nursery. "Why did you ask for me?" asks Ringtail, "out of all the cats in the clan you ask for me. Why?" "Because you're my best friend other than Firestar and I figure you could use the preview since it's your turn next."I answer. "Even in labour you still have a sense of humour she laughs. "You bet!" I answer.
An hour later I'm covered in sweat and totally exhausted but I don't care because they're finally here. My kits are finally here! Ten tiny balls of hungry mewing fur! "Firestar should be back soon. Could you meet him and tell him the news for me?" I ask Ringtail. "Sure" she says and quietly leaves the nursery. For the first time it was just me and my kits, and I loved it.