2 Moons and 3 Sunrises since the Dark Forest Battle.
Sandstorm let out a cry of pain, as her stomach let out a powerful contraction. Leafpool gently wedged a thick stick between her jaws.
"Bite down on that, it'll ease the pain somewhat." She urged
"When I kitted you two, Cinderpelt told me the exact same thing." Sandstorm retorted, her words slightly garbled as the stick stayed in her mouth. "And let me tell you, it didn't work then, it certainly won't- Argh!"
Jayfeather placed a small paw on Sandstorm's stomach, carefully feeling her. "They're coming, Sandstorm when I say so, push. Okay? Now… Push!"
Sandstorm let out a shriek, splintering her stick, as a small kit slithered out onto the nest. Jayfeather gave it a sniff, while Leafpool pushed some water-soaked moss towards her mother. "It's a she cat. But she is-" Jayfeather was cut off, as Sandstorm let out another cry, as another kit slid out.
"A tom!" Jayfeather mewed, carefully pawing at Sandstorm's stomach again.
"I feel.. Another.." Sandstorm gasped out, and with a tried cry of determination, the last kit came out next to her siblings.
"Another she-kit! But Leafpool, quick help me lick these kits."
"Why? What's wrong?" Sandstorm gasped out, trying to sit up. Leafpool darted over, and started lapping at the other little she-kit.
"Daisy!" Jayfeather called, the older cream she-cat looked over. Her belly swollen with more kits." Come help us, these kit's are.." Without another word Daisy rushed over, and started licking the tom kits fur the opposite way, warming it up. Sandstorm gazed in horror at her kits.
"All Stillborns… Starclan, why?" she wondered dully. But her ears pricked up when the tom kit suddenly let out a wail. "My kit, my precious kit" she gasped in shock, as Daisy brought it towards her. Almost instantly the little tom wriggled around while Daisy gently placed him down. It slowly made it's way to Sandstorm's belly, and started to suckle. Sandstorm's eyes softened, and she let out a tired purr. Only for Leafpool to speak up.
"Sandstorm…" the older she-cat looked up. At Leafpool's paws, were the other two kit's. Still. Lifeless. Dead.
"I'm sorry… Did you want to name them before we..?"
She lifted her tail, and pointed at the smallest one, her almost white fur shone in the dark. "She is Daisykit. The other is Sparkkit" she murmured, before closing her eyes tight. Wordlessly the medicine cats and Daisy slipped away, giving the older queen some privacy.
When Sandstorm reopened her eyes. it was Sundown. Tiredly she looked down at her last remaining kit. His fur was fluffy, and while pale ginger, the sunlight made his pelt shine almost golden in the Nursery. She let out a tired purr, and gently rasped the kit's head.
"Rest well, my little Goldenkit." as she looked up, she could see a faint outline of a cat and two kits, looking over at her, as she inhaled a familiar scent.
"Watch over us, my love." she begged quietly.