Only two moons have passed since I first told Rowanwing I am expecting his kits, but it feels like it's been ages. I gave up my warrior duties and moved into the nursery about a moon and a half ago, and now here I am on my side on the nursery floor, heaving as I try to push out the first kit. Mistfeather is standing over me with her paw on my stomach. "Almost there," she mews in a soothing voice. Rowanwing and Amberleaf are standing outside the nursery entrance, making sure no one tries to enter, not even Silverfang and her kits. Every now and then one of them will pop their head in to see how I'm doing. Finally, the first kit comes all the way out. Mistfeather immediately starts licking it to get it to start breathing. "She's breathing," she says after a few heartbeats. I don't get much time to rest though before the next one comes, hitting me with the largest spasm yet. I cry out in pain, and Rowanwing is immediately by my side.
"You're doing great, just breathe," he meows to me in encouragement.
"Thanks," I gasp as another spasm hits me.
"The heads out. It's gonna be a big one," Mistfeather says. I moan at this, slightly annoyed. "Here's the shoulders. One good push and he's out," she says. "Rowanwing, come here and start licking the second one. I need to help Brightheart with the third one."
"Third…" I start to say, just as I am yet again hit by a spasm.
"This one's breathing too," I hear Rowanwing say.
"Good," I rasp as I work on pushing out the third kit. Amberleaf has come in now and is standing next to Rowanwing, who is laying with the first two kits.
"It's out!" says Amberleaf in excitement.
"Is...is that...it?" I say, still gasping for air.
"Yes. You did great, Brightheart. You've given birth to three healthy kits. Two tom-kits and a little she-kit," meows Mistfeather. I sigh in relief, grateful that it's all over.
"What should we name them?" I ask Rowanwing.
"I was thinking Adderkit for the brown tom-kit," he meows.
"Adderkit. I like that name," I say. I look at the big brown tom-kit. "Your name will be Adderkit."
"What about Thistlekit for the other tom-kit?" Amberleaf chimes in. I look at the little gray tom-kit.
"You can be Thistlekit," I mew softly to him. I look over to the silver she-kit. "And you, little one, will be named Cherrykit."
"Cherrykit? Wasn't your mother's name Cherrynose?" Mistfeather asks.
"Yes, and that is why I named my kit Cherrykit," I meow in reply.
"That's a very honourable thing to do for our mother," says Amberleaf. I told her a couple of moons ago about meeting our parents in a dream. Suddenly I remember what they said about the earth trembling and clouds covering the sun when this cat is born. That hasn't happened, so she isn't one of my kits, I say to myself, grateful that she still has yet to be born I feel bad for whoever her mother will be.
It's not long before Adderkit, Thistlekit, and Cherrykit are mewling for milk. Rowanwing helps me guide them so they can suckle the milk. A sudden rustling at the entrance makes him quickly stand up, ready to protect me and the kits, but it's only Silverfang with her kits, Shrewkit and Dustkit. "Careful of the new kits," their mother instructs as they enter the den and head to their nest. "You kits are much bigger than them, and you can easily hurt them if you are not careful." Shrewkit and Dustkit were born four moons earlier, and are quite rambunctious.
"Yes, mother," they say, and carefully walk around us.
"When can we play with them?" Shrewkit asks.
"When they are older. They're too young to play right now. Why don't you worry about trying to sleep for now," Silverfang meows in reply.
"But I don't wanna sleep! I wanna play!" the little kit insists.
"Sleep. Now."
"Ok," he mews in defeat, and curls up to sleep.
"Why don't you do the same?" Rowanwing suggests to me. "You look exhausted."
"Good idea," I mew sleepily. "Will you stay with me?"
"Of course," he meows warmly, laying down next to me. I take one last glance at him and our kits before falling deeply asleep.
I am awoken by a loud commotion outside. "What in the name of StarClan is going on out there?" Silverfang meows in a very annoyed tone. Rowanwing gets up to see what is going on and tells me to stay put. I do as he says and pull the kits closer to me, curling myself around them to protect them. I look outside to see that it is just barely sunup. What could possibly be going on this early? I think, worried but also annoyed. Rowanwing sticks his head inside the nursery.
"There is a fox roaming just outside camp. There are three patrols at three points of the entrance on guard to make sure it doesn't try to enter. Keep the kits close and be ready to defend them just in case," he instructs sternly. Silverfang takes Shrewkit and Dustkit closer to where I am laying with Cherrykit, Thistlekit, and Adderkit, and lays down to where we are both curled up protecting all five of them.
"Thanks," I whisper to her.
"Anytime," she whispers back. Everything is silent now throughout the camp. Cedarfang must have ordered everyone to go back to their dens and wait quietly. A few minutes later Rowanwing comes inside to tell us that the fox left and was only sniffing around for food. Relief washes over me as Silverfang moves herself and her kits back to their nest so Rowanwing can lay with me again. It's only another few minutes until he is called out for the dawn patrol
"Sorry, I gotta go," he meows, licking me on the cheek.
"Stay safe. That fox may still be on our territory," I mew to him.
"You know I will," he says reassuringly. He walks out of the den. Just as he leaves, Amberleaf comes in.
"Hey! How are you doing? You were pretty exhausted last night," she asks, tilting her head a little.
"I'd be better if I could sleep more," I tease her.
"Oh, right. I'll see you later!"
"Ok sis," I purr in amusement. She walks out of the nursery.
"You have a lot of cats here who care about you, especially Rowanwing and Amberleaf. They just want to make sure you and your kits stay safe," Silverfang meows to me once Amberleaf is out of earshot.
"I know, and I'm fine with that, as long as they aren't too obsessive over it. Rowanwing already had to get that through his head once," I reply, slightly annoyed. Why must she lecture me about this? I wasn't being rude to Amberleaf, and Rowanwing and I have only gotten in an argument once.
"Ok, I just want you to keep that in mind."
"I will," I say, hoping to make her shut up. You don't have to tell me what to do like I'm an apprentice. It takes all the self-control I have to not say this out loud to her. The next few moons are going to be such fun if this is how she's going to be, I say to myself sarcastically. I drift off to sleep again, only to be woken again by the mewling of my kits for milk. I roll over onto my side to let them suckle, and they eagerly crawl over, with my guidance, to suckle my milk. I purr as they push against me to get the milk, and finally manage to fall asleep again.
I wake up again just past sun-high. Finally, I was able to sleep undisturbed. I glance down to see Cherrykit is crawling on top of Adderkit, who is mewling underneath her. I gently lift her off him and place her on the nursery floor. I lick Adderkit's fur back to place, and decided to give all three of them thorough groomings. By the time I'm done, they are all wanting milk again. They don't do much this young, do they? Being a mother is more boring than I thought it would be, I think, yearning to be outside of the stuffy nursery. "Not very interesting right now, is it?" Silverfang asks, as if she'd read my mind.
"No, it's not," I admit
"Wait til they start walking. Then things will get interesting."
"Ok."
A few days later, I notice that Thistlekit's eyes are starting to open. I look over to where Cherrykit and Adderkit are lying and see that their eyes are starting to open too. Won't be too long til they're walking. I think in relief, having been rather bored for the past few days. Rowanwing and Amberleaf would visit me often, but it wasn't the same as being with them out in the camp. I missed being out in the sun and watching what happened around camp throughout the day. Only a couple more weeks until they can go outside. Until then I'll just have to put up with being stuck in here. At least I'm not alone. Just then Lilyrain enters the nursery. "Hi, Brightheart. I just wanted to see how you and the kits were doing," she mews warmly.
"We're doing fine, but it hasn't been very interesting lately," I meow back, happy to see her. She smiles.
"Tell me about it. I remember when I was stuck in here with you, your sister, and my other kits. I was just as bored as you are now," she teases me. We both purr in amusement.
"What did you do to pass the time?" I ask her, hoping for ideas on how to entertain myself.
"Well, I'd often find myself wondering who yours and Amberleaf's parents really were, and how much the must miss you. It wasn't until you two became apprentices that I found out they were both killed by rogues the night you were born. You do know that's how they died, right?"
"Yeah. They came to me in a dream a few moons ago and explained everything."
"Oh. Really?" she meows in shock. "I didn't know cats from StarClan could visit ordinary warriors."
"Neither did I until I saw them. I still question sometimes whether I really saw them or not."
"Interesting," she mews.
"Yeah. What else would you do to pass the time? Wondering who my parents are doesn't really do much."
"No, I suppose it doesn't," she says, amused. "Well, if I wasn't thinking about that, I was often thinking about who would make good mentors for the five of you and why."
"That sounds like a pretty good idea. I think I'll try that. Thanks."
"No problem. I have to go out on a hunting patrol now, so I'll see you later." She prances out of the den and over to where the rest of her patrol must be. I start thinking about mentors like she suggested, and find it actually rather fun. By sunset I have a whole list in my head as to who I hope mentor my kits and why.
Rowanwing brings me my food, as usual, only this time he doesn't stay to lay with me and eat. "Where are you going?" I ask, rather curious.
"Sorry, I already ate and have been chosen to go to the Gathering," he says as he puts my fresh-kill, a rather juicy looking starling, down by my head. "I brought you your favorite."
"Oh, yeah, it's the full moon tonight. It's been hard to keep track of time cooped up in here." He chuckles a little at this.
"Yeah, I suppose that can be difficult," he says, amusement in his voice. "Well, I gotta get going. I'll see you after the Gathering."
"Yeah. See you later," I say back, jealous that he gets to go while I have to stay here. He senses my disappointment.
"I'll tell you the news of each clan," he meows warmly.
"Ok," I meow back. He walks out of the den. I pull the starling closer with my paw and bite into it. The juices make my mouth water, and I remember that I forgot to thank Rowanwing for bringing me my favorite meat. I'll remember to thank him when he gets back. I take another bite out of the starling. Fresh caught. Must have come from the patrol that just came in. I chow down on the rest of the starling, hungry after not eating much all day, and roll over on my side to let the little ones suckle. I watch them as they drink, purring as they push up against me. As I'm looking them over, I realize just how much Cherrykit resembles my mother. Her sleek silver fur is almost identical to that of Cherrynose's, except Cherrykit is pure silver and doesn't have brown splotches or markings. As I'm thinking this, I imagine her and Firestorm watching us from StarClan, purring with joy, and suddenly I long for them to be here, to meet their grandkits and help me care for them. I am filled with sorrow and loss until Adderkit climbs up onto my side, followed shortly by his siblings. I forget my sorrow and purr in amusement as I watch them crawl around on me, and before I know it Rowanwing is back from the Gathering. Wow, has it been that long already? I wonder as he comes in. "Hi, is the Gathering over already?" I say as he comes to sit by me.
"ThunderClan started accusing WindClan of stealing prey. WindClan got defensive and hackles started to raise, so StarClan sent clouds to cover the moon," he replies, and lays down by my head.
"Really? Anything else interesting?" I ask, curious now about what happened.
"Not really. RiverClan has two new apprentices, Dewpaw and Stripepaw, an elder, Dapplepelt, died in WindClan, and then ThunderClan only made that accusation towards WindClan."
"Oh, I feel bad for WindClan. Dapplepelt was a sweet old cat. And then to be accused of stealing prey while they're grieving is awful!" I meow with sympathy. "Why does ThunderClan think WindClan has been stealing their prey? Have WindClan patrols been caught hunting on their territory?"
"Nope. Apparently a border patrol smelled WindClan scent within ThunderClan territory. They say it's old though, so it could have just drifted across from the border. It has been quite windy lately."
"That's pretty unfair of Stormstar to just accuse WindClan of stealing prey when there is hardly any evidence that they had even crossed the border."
"Yeah. I wouldn't put it past him to start a battle over this. He has quite the temper at times, and his warriors will do whatever he says without any questions, at least none that they voice. And everyone thinks we're the bad clan." He shakes his head in frustration. I get where he's coming from; for longer than any cat can remember, ShadowClan was always the clan with the bad reputation, especially since we're the ones who were once lead by Brokenstar and Tigerstar many, many moons ago when the clans still lived in the forest, but now it's ThunderClan that's starting to earn a bad reputation. I hope Stormstar and ThunderClan have nothing to do with my prophecy. This is my final thought as I fall deeply asleep.
Pinedust- Wow, Chapter 4 was not easy to write! My apologies if it isn't the most interesting chapter. I swear it'll get more exciting soon.
Snowcloud- Chapter 4? Pinedust, this is Chapter 3. Don't get ahead of yourself.
Pinedust- Oh, right. Haha I knew that, I was just wanting to see if you caught it…
Snowcloud- Riiiight… *rolls eyes*
Pinedust- Hehe. Um...no comment…
Snowcloud- No comment? Wow, Pinedust. I'm now looking like the smart one for once. Well, that makes sense. I am the smart one.
Pinedust- Hey! *sticks out tongue* that's not true and you know it!
Snowcloud- That is most definitely true. Don't deny it, Fuzzbrain.
Pinedust- What, cuz you're older? And who you calling Fuzzbrain, you Beebrain.
Snowcloud- I'm calling you Fuzzbrain because that's what you are. You are always saying I'm a fuzzbrain, or a beebrain, or mousebrained. It's only fair to return the favor.
Pinedust- Um, that's the first time I've ever called you a beebrain. And I only call you those things cuz they're true.
Snowcloud- *eye roll* You are so mousebrained. Why can't you see me as the awesome, amazing cat I am?
Pinedust- Look who's talking! And quit making yourself sound more glamorous than you actually are. You and I both know you aren't perfect!
Snowcloud- YOU AREN'T PERFECT EITHER!
Pinedust- Never said I was.
Foxmoon- *walks up behind them* What happened to you two not fighting anymore?
Snowcloud- Pinedust started it! *pokes Pinedust with her paw*
Foxmoon- I don't care who started it, I'm ending it!
Pinedust- That sound just fine. *glares at Snowcloud* Pinedust, out!