Thunder dropped his prey at Gorse Fur's paws. his eyes drooped with exhaustion and his tail dragged along the ground, gathering dust every where he went.
the older tom's eyes gleamed as he caught sight of the Thunder's squirrel. he bent down his head to take a bite, then stopped as he realized the tabby tom's expression.
"what's wrong, Thunder?" Gorse Fur meowed. "you should be happy! Tall Shadow's kits are on the way, and there hasn't been a report on clear sky's group in several sunrises!"
the young cat dropped down beside Gorse Fur and shook his pelt. "thats just it," he replied. "how am I supposed to be a father, when I can barely take care of myself? and with the other group taunting us, who knows what world my kits will grow up in?"
of course, there was also Star Flower...
suddenly, Gray Wing burst out of the nursery. "Cloud Spots!" the gray tom exclaimed. "come quick! Tall Shadow's kits are coming!"
thunder's anger dissapeared and was replaced by worry. "but they aren't due for a moon and a half!"
the tom shook his head. "they won't wait any longer," he meowed, stepping out of the way as Cloud Spots dashed into the nursery, but reclaimed his space when Thunder tried to go in. "give her space," he mewed sternly. then, in a softer voice he added,
"and relax. she's not the first queen to kit early!"
the orange tabby groaned and began to pace outside of the bramble den.
what if she doesn't make it? what if the kits don't make it?! oh, starclan, let them be alright!
Wind Runner burst out of the nurserey. "thunder!" she exclaimed. come see your-"
the tom shoved her out of the way and anxiously padded into the den. he was greeted by Tall Shadow's eyes, wich had once been brimmed with anger and hurt; but now all that Thunder could find was love.
he looked down at the nest, and spotted four mewling, tiny kits. just the sight of them made the tom's heart ache with affection.
"two tome and two she-cats!" Cloud Spots exclaimed. "you'll have yourself a handful!"
"they're the most beautiful thing in the world, aren't they, Thunder?" his mate murmured. he nodded his head and realized that they're was no feeling like this, seeing his own kits for the first time. and as he looked once more into Tall Shadow's bright green eyes, knowing that this was where he belonged.
Cloud Spots nudged a poppy seed towards Tall Shadow. "you need to rest," he mewed.
"but the kits-" the queen protested.
Thunder lifted his head. "He's right. you need your sleep, and the kits will be fine!"
Tall Shadow reluctantly took the seed and closed her eyes; her mate observed the kits once more, making sure that they were sleeping peacefully.
one had dark and glossy fur like his mother, and another had amber-colored fur that fluffed up around his head and made him look like a lion. Their two sisters were equally adorable; one looked lie a tiny copy of thunder with Tall Shadow's bright green eyes, while the last, tiniest kit had the most beautiful tortishell coat. Their father silently thought of names for them; Gray Wing had told him about the tradition of naming kits after the first thing that their mothers saw when they were first born. at the time, he had thought of it as a touching, memorable way to name a kit. but now, as a father to his own children, it seemed lie it robbed him from being able to name at least one. after all, these were not just Tall Shadow's kits, they were his as well. and without a thought of Star Flower in his head, he nuzzled his mates head and let his eyelides drop.