Just then, I noticed a commotion at the entrance. More new cats?
A very small tan kit padded into camp, trembling all over. Fogstar appraised him with grey eyes, then shrugged. I could see that they were talking, but couldn't quite catch the conversation until he raised his voice.
"You can stay... Kestrel. And from now on, you will be known as Kestrelkit." He nodded obediently and Fogstar looked around.
"The problem is, we only have one queen and she already has four kits..." he said thoughtfully. I automatically stepped forward.
"It's okay, Fogstar. I have room for more," I said. Five kits wasn't that many, right? Fogstar raised his eyebrow slightly, but made no comment, nodded, and went back to his den. Kestrelkit padded up to me.
"Hi, are you my new mommy?" he wanted to know. I nodded down at him.
"Yes, Kestrelkit. I suppose I am." He nodded, as if confirming something that he had only guessed at, and padded purposefully into the nursery. What a strong-willed little thing, I thought to myself. He would be difficult to raise, but maybe Ripplekit will have met her match.
I heard Blizzardkit's startled mew, and padded into the den.
"Blizzardkit, this is Kestrelkit, your new brother. Kestrelkit, how old are you?" I asked the kit, turning to him.
"About four moons," he told me confidently. Blizzardkit's face fell; he was only three moons. He wouldn't be the oldest anymore. He instantly brightened up, though, and nudged Kestrelkit playfully.
"Hey, now I have someone other than my moon-old siblings!" He purred excitedly. Kestrelkit smiled enthusiastically.
"You like playing?" He clarified. Blizzardkit nodded. Just then, Heartkit opened his eyes.
"Hi," he murmured sleepily, then he scrambled to his paws when he saw Kestrelkit. "Who are you?" he stammered, sizing him up.
"I'm your new adopted brother," Kestrelkit announced to the little orange tom that looked so much like me but acted so much like his father. Heartkit's eyes widened, but then he shrugged and jumped on the sandy brown cat playfully, landing square on his shoulders and pushing him to the ground energetically.
"Whoa!" Kestrelkit laughed, batting at Heartkit playfully. "Aren't you enthusiastic!" Heartkit shoved his muzzle into the fur at Kestrelkit's neck.
"I win!" He exclaimed joyfully, and Kestrelkit widened his eyes.
"No fair!" Blizzardkit jumped in at this point.
"Rematch!" he shouted, and the three toms quickly began a vigorous play fight. I watched them for a while, then looked over at my other two kits. Ripplekit was sleeping soundly, but Lilykit was awake and was watching her brothers with a bright interest in her unique green eyes.
"Mommy, can I visit Gingerspice and Leafsong?" she asked me in her quiet, sweet voice. I hesitated. Should I let her carry on with this futile dream, or crush her hopes early? I decided on the first choice.
"Sure!" I said enthusiastically, trying to look supportive. She smiled broadly and scampered out of the den. I watched her leave with sad eyes, then turned to little Ripplekit, the exact copy of her father. Suddenly, I felt a tug in my heart. It grew and grew, urging me to run, and my paws twitched.
"Kits, Mommy's going out. Stay in the den," I said in a strained voice, then gave myself over to the pull. I was flying out of camp, through the forest, over hills and rocks, until I skidded to an automatic halt in the center of my clearing. The sunlight caught on the fish scale charm, and I felt a warmth over my heart as I cried, cried for Beatingheart. I drank from the glittering stream, thinking of fishing for him, and cried even more. I buried myself in the cool, springy grass, and placed my paw over the token of love Beatingheart had given me only weeks before his death. I finally slipped into sleep, haunted by dark dreams of Beatingheart disappearing in a flash of violent red light.
I opened my eyes hours later, feeling weary but better after crying my heart out over my true love. I raced back to my kits, but on the way heard a high-pitched cry. I instantly changed my course, veering around and racing towards the noise. It grew louder and louder until I stumbled upon a flaming red ginger she-kit, thin to the bone and covered in thin scratches. Her eyes were yellowish amber, and she was mewling in a pitiful voice.
"What is it with Leafclan and homeless kits?" I muttered to myself, scooping her up and dashing back to camp with her in my jaws. When I arrived, I called out for Fogstar.
"Fogstar, we have another abandoned kit!" I yowled, and he examined the little she-cat carefully, who had now fallen silent.
"You should not have taken her here, Shiningmoon," he said gravely. "If you took her in, you'd have six kits. That would be too much for you, I'm afraid." I shook my head angrily.
"What do you know about being a queen?" I hissed to the leader, then carried the kit back to my den, placing her among my other kits. Lilykit was back by then, eyes shining with delight from her trip to see the medicine cats. The toms were lying on their backs, panting from their play-fight, and Ripplekit had fallen back asleep. The new kit, whom I had decided to call Emberkit, stared around her with wide eyes, then stumbled over to Ripplekit and prodded her.
"Wake up," she said in a tiny voice, and Ripplekit's gold eyes flew open, her teeth bared in a snarl. She relaxed when she saw Emberkit, though.
"Hello, there," she sighed, glancing at me. "I suppose you're my new sister, right?" she rolled her eyes slightly. Emberkit nodded importantly.
"How old are you?" I asked her sweetly.
"O-one moon," she stuttered, looking me full in the eyes. She was so young! A little younger than Ripplekit, Heartkit, and Lilykit. They were all a little under two moons.
"Is it all right if we call you Emberkit?" I asked sweetly. She nodded shakily.
"Yeah. I was actually called Ember by M-mummy before she- she- she-" she stopped talking and tears welled up in her eyes, and I licked her on the top of her head.
"It's okay. I'll be your mummy now." Blizzardkit turned and whispered something to Kestrelkit, and they chuckled slightly. I shot a glare at them, and they trudged out of the nursery together. Heartkit padded over to Lilykit, nudging her with his eyes bright.
"Hey, Heartkit," Lilykit purred. "Want to hang out with us she-cats for a change?" He laughed.
"They're so much bigger than me; it gets annoying to lose every time just because of size." Ripplekit snorted, padding up to them.
"Size shouldn't be an issue," she said, flexing her claws. "It's just your age. And if those guys give you any trouble, you know who to turn to." Her eyes flashed and she hissed a little. Lilykit chuckled lightly.
"Ripplekit, you're just as old as Heartkit."
"But I'm a better fighter," she said stubbornly, and the three kits quickly began arguing over who was the better fighter. Emberkit watched them timidly for a while, then joined them and stated that she was better at fighting than all of them. This made them argue further, and I watched them with fond eyes.
"Mommy, mommy!" came a cry, and Blizzardkit and Kestrelkit came running into the nursery. "Rushpaw's gonna teach us how to hunt! Can we go?" Kestrelkit asked breathlessly, eyes wide and hopeful. I sighed, smiling.
"Sure. Run along, and don't bother any of the warriors!" Blizzardkit grinned and the pair ran outside again. Emberkit glanced at me once, then scurried after them. Soon I was left with only my own kits, related to me by blood.
"Mommy?" Lilykit asked shyly.
"Yes, Lilykit?" I asked, settling into my nest with a sigh tiredly.
"Who... who is our daddy?" Heartkit and Ripplekit nodded, settling in the moss beside their sister. I drew a breath in sharply. I had expected this, but I hadn't planned what to say when the time came.
"Your father was a great cat," I began. I noticed Heartkit pick up on the word 'was'.
"What happened to him?" he piped up curiously.
"His name was Beatingheart," I sighed, lost in memories. "He looked a lot like you, Ripplekit. He was funny and strong and nice and gentle. Perfect in every way. But one day..." I proceeded to tell them the whole story of how I met Beatingheart, not emitting anything. They asked a few questions, and then begged for another story, a true one. I told them the tale of me and Gingerspice as kits, and our battle to become the medicine cat apprentice.
"So you don't like being a queen?" Ripplekit questioned. I sighed, drawing them closer to me with my tail.
"I love being a queen," I said truthfully. "That time is gone now, and I have accepted what I am. Gingerspice is a great medicine cat, and I love kits. Besides, I never would have fallen in love with your father if I was a medicine cat..." I trailed off, and suddenly a shape appeared next to me. It was a dark grey cat with gold eyes, and he was looking at me fondly.
"Beatingheart!" I gasped. My kits stared up at their father with wide eyes, reclining against my side.