Yahoo! New chapter installed today! I'm so glad you guys were engrossed with the previous chapter. It's not the hardest that I did, but it was up to the challenge! It's so awesome hearing your response/opinion of the story so far, guys! Thank you!
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From ChristmasKitty743
Q: Are you gonna write about when Briar comes back to ThunderClan?
A: -winks-
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Also, I give a shout out thank you to Graystorm11 for suggestions. Don't be afraid to suggest things guys! I'm all for them! :D
Other than that, review after you're done if you have any questions or have comments! Enjoy!
I do not own the Warrior cat series. All original references, characters, ideas, etc. belong in the ownership of the amazing Erin Hunter.
Chapter 26
Briarlight awoke from a heavy induced slumber. Though every fiber of her being was numbed by a herbal medication, she felt smalls parts of her still wince in pain. Grasping onto reality, she looked around, a smile breaking onto her face in relief.
Many of the cats from the barns were in the room with her. Like always, each individual feline was placed in a cage, with tubes going into them to keep them alive. They all slept just like she had been; in an induced slumber. It was the only way their bodies would ever be able to recover most of the damage from the fight. They came in all ages and ranks of the barns; from the elders, down to the queens and even some kits. It broke her heart that Rover didn't have a care in the world if the queens survived, or even the kits for that matter.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw two forms lying separated by their cages. Her throat constricted in sorrow. 'SJ…Maple…' She thought sadly. They had both taken the hard hits like she and like every other cat in the room. She may've killed off Rover, but it still didn't diminish the fact that she had gotten to the barn far too late into the fighting.
Resulting in probably more lives lost than she would care to think about at the moment.
The door opened to reveal three Herbal Shamans walking in, two of which Briarlight recognized underneath their masks.
Riley looked exhausted, as if she had forced herself not to sleep. Knowing her, it was a possibility. Travis was beside her, his arm on her shoulder in comfort. It surprised her that the male was here, in one of those odd white clothing most Shamans wore. 'Perhaps he's the Shaman for farmers too?'
Riley walked over directly to Briarlight's cage, the mask creasing as she smiled. A gloved paw came out and rubbed Briarlight's non-injured cheek. "Everything's gonna be alright, sweetheart. We'll be making you all better soon." She whispered softly.
Briarlight wanted to give her another smile, but she was suddenly overcome by a heavy weight of sleep. She knew that Riley would hold her word; they were in the best paws. They would be cured physically of their pain; but emotionally and mentally, the cats were the only ones that could determine to move on, or be forever trapped in the now horrific past.
Something Briarlight was unwilling to fall victim to. Ever.
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Willow Times Report
Headline: Mysterious Fire Burns Century-Old Barn
'Officials and owners are still baffled by the unexpected fire that consumed the inside of the century old barn of Gallant Horse Ranch that occurred nearly three weeks ago. The owners, Kurt and Madeline Dawnson, were on a trip with the majority of the staff, taking their horses to the largest annual horse festival in the area, The Track & Gallop Festival, which starts off every mid-summer. While they had been on their usual week long trip, a fire exploded in the heart of the barn, most likely caused by a lantern falling from its post. The fire destroyed the inner section of the barn. Luckily, a staff member, who was on her way to the barn that night, called the nearby fire department to douse the flames before further damage could be done. Policemen have reassured that no humans or horses had been in the barn at the time of the fire. Contractors of the barn report also that the Dawnson's have already begun to work on building back up the barn. This was after they found several charred and skeletal feline forms scattered amongst the training circle. At least a dozen and a half were discovered, though no others could be found. The skeletons were buried recently outside the barn in respect. "Cats help our barns," said Madeline. "It is only fair that we help them back. Burying their bodies is the kindest and honorary way to depart with such amazing hunters as them. They even played with my children and grandchildren. Now, they have returned, and are doing their jobs better than ever—"'
"Are you still reading that article, kitty girl?"
Briarlight's head snapped up to meet Maple's amused gaze. The Savannah towered over the warrior she-cat, who was comfortably residing on the coffee table, paws tucked into her chest and tail lazily swishing behind her.
She smirked at the younger she-cat. "It's not every day that I am able to read these No-Collar words," She said proudly.
Maple laughed. "Do you even understand a third of what that article is saying?"
Briarlight snorted. "The bigger words are hard to make out; but yes, I actually do understand most of it. When you have nothing to do after hunting and tending your foster kits, you have to make some use of time."
"You do realize that that article is almost a full moon old. Mama doesn't throw it out because she knows that you like to gaze through the subjects," Maple countered, sitting on top of the newspaper. "You like to recall saving everyone, don't you?"
Briarlight sighed. "I read it because…it makes me wonder if there were more cats that died that night. Like the cats from Something. Or even the Nothingness. I know that the Nothingness cats were actually most of the barn cats killed by Rover and his followers, but still…I keep pondering what happens to dead cats when they are killed again."
"The elders and barn leaders believe that they just…vanish. For good," Maple said. "It's sort of diminishing the very last of what remains of their wandering souls. It's a very hard subject to explain. It just…happens. Though when they are dead the first time, they don't age or anything like that. But being killed a second time sort of, kills off their entire existence. They no longer are just dead, but…gone."
"Wow…that's sort of scary," Briarlight said, sitting upright to stretch. "Honestly, I would want to stay away from dying a second time after I pass into StarClan."
"Same here with the Meadow. Speaking of which, I'm still completely baffled at the fact that you managed to bring together the Meadow and this Nothingness, in order to give the barn cats the upper paw. How did you do that, Briar?"
"Truthfully, Mapes, I would be giving the biggest credit to Metilda. She moved the cats long enough for her parents and her stepfather to reach Nothingness and finish the convincing part." Briarlight said with a soft smile.
After the battle, the jumble of confusion started to unfold into realization. Questions were answered, some that had been silenced for several seasons prior. Most of them fell upon Billie herself, even if she didn't start them purposely. It was true that she had been Rover's mother, and that Soul was her former mate. Things did turn for the worse after Amy and Katie joined with a wandering Soul, Hansel, and Rover. They did create the Starpoint Barnyard. Amy reluctantly revealed to Briarlight—surprising her only—that she was indeed poisoned by Rover. Billie had been Riley's first cat, when the female No-Collar had been a kit herself, up until she was adolescence. Though Billie said that it wasn't Amy's fault for "killing" her, the tortoiseshell conflicted her sadness hesitantly towards Briarlight. Truth was, Billie had fallen from a high section in their previous nesthold, after Amy had swiped at her angrily. The fall was the real result of her death, much like it was the poison in the mouse Amy ate on her last living day. Soul had been killed before Amy, though he honestly can't recall it well, for reasons he doesn't know. Briarlight, amongst the first cats to be fully healed within several days, had witnessed Billie, Soul, Amy, Katie, and the same mysterious tom, all sitting quietly in Riley's living room one sunhigh.
(Flashback)
"Is there something going about here, guys?" She had asked, limping into the room slowly. When she'd got next to Katie, she'd sat down.
"Something's been going about for seasons, brat," Amy had snorted. Her tone, however, quickly turned soft. "And I presume it's time to let go, yet again, eh, Bills?"
Billie had chuckled softly, her aged eyes shimmering brightly. "Of course. But this time, it's more or less not for just us; it's for our daughter and Briarlight."
Briarlight had been puzzled for a heartbeat, when Metilda appeared in front of her. Gone were her blank white eyes, and replacing them were crystal irises, very much like Billie's. the black kit had given Briarlight a bright smile, as if all the anger she had before evaporated and no longer existed. She trotted over till she was seated in the middle of all the older cats. Even Soul's eyes had the powerful amber gold he'd once lost.
"You're still hiding something, Amy," Briarlight had growled, narrowing her eyes. "What's going on?"
"If you must know!" Amy had huffed, folding her ears back. "Metilda is my adoptive kit. Which is kinda stupid, considering her mother stands in front of us. I recall Metilda saying to you about a 'Lead One' from the Nothingness…do you know who that is?"
For a long pause, Briarlight had said nothing. Taking in a deep breath, she'd replied, "I would be stupid to not know now that it's you, huh Amy?"
Amy had nodded solemnly. "Tis not like I didn't want to. I was an outcast in the Meadow for many moons, kit. I wasn't accepted by many. Nothingness, I quickly discovered, was in a chaos of scared cats I had known alive. I promised that one day, our time to prove ourselves against our killers would come. It…it felt nice to feel like I belonged again. And…" She'd paused, looking over at Soul and the black tom. She'd smiled sadly. "It's where I met Soul again…"
"Aren't you a little upset that she was—or currently is?—Soul's mate?" Briarlight had directed towards Billie. "I mean, he was the tom that fathered your kits."
"Yes, in some ways I am jealous, Briarlight. However, I've done the same thing; after I was taken from my first No-Collars, I wound up in the same household as Todd here," She gestured with her tail over to the calm black tom beside her. He gave Briarlight and Billie a warm, silent smile. "My love was renewed after I met him as a kit; it was a little odd accepting his offer in being his mate, for I was a considerable age difference from him then and even now. But…nonetheless, I love him with all my heart, just like I do for Soul. It was hard at first to accept that I was no longer with my first mate and my sons. I had to move on; I knew it was what he would've wanted me to do. And I to him," Billie had stared at Soul with a warmth that didn't conceal the love she had for him. "To be honest, I probably love Todd more than Soul, but that doesn't mean I didn't love Soul as any mate should."
"And I accept that, without any grudges," Soul had spoken up. He'd bowed his head to the transparent couple. "I am proud of you finding another tom to love, Billie. I know we will always love each other as friends in future seasons."
"That being said," Katie had finally stepped in, a little blush on her face as she looked at Todd. Briarlight had to admit, for a dead cat like him, the black tom was handsome, with a hint of cuteness in his night features.
'Guess he was quite the attracter to loving she-cats like them,' She'd thought with a smirk.
"No hard feelings should be placed upon us anymore. What's done is done, and I think you have something to say, sis?" Katie said, tilting her head as a grin appeared.
Amy had growled, before looking at Billie, shuffling a forepaw. "I'm…I'm sorry for my behavior, Billie."
Billie had appeared surprised at the apology. Without warning, she had chuckled heartily. "Amy, I love you, I truly do. I thought you would've known that by now. Your behavior may be irrational at some points, but it is who you are. I will never be able to change that. I'm the one who should be apologizing, for somewhat making you leave the Meadow into the unknown. I believe we can make a deal by letting you back into the Meadow, along with Soul, and of course, Metilda."
For the first time, Metilda had squealed happily, jumping up and down excitedly. She had looked at her birth mother eagerly. "I can come home?!"
"We can come home, my dear," Soul had said, smiling down at his daughter. Amy was even smiling in a motherly manner at Metilda.
"Right then!" Todd had chirped. His purr was soft and quiet, but his whole body shook lightly. "We should be heading out now. Don't want to have the other Meadow cats worried."
The others had nodded. Billie, Soul, Amy, and Metilda all said their goodbyes before fading away from Katie's and Briarlight's sight. However, Todd still sat in front of them.
"Is there something you need still, Todd?" Katie had asked kindly.
"I just wanted to give a heads up to Briarlight," Todd had said. "For many moments long before any of this happened, my dear, I was afraid you truly wouldn't come to save us."
"What do you mean?" She had inquired curiously.
"It hurts to hide the truth, but I forewarned your ancestors of what was to become of the Clans had you not had the courage and heart to leave," He'd said slowly. "I watched over you in hiding, knowing that if I got involved any other way, it would be the death of both of us. Your ancestors were very upset at me, for once you left the Clans, they could not really watch over you and make sure you were safe. The job was left to those in the Meadow, who, unfortunately, were very hostile towards the idea at a time when so much was in a confusion for everyone."
"So how come you can travel back and forth from StarClan to the Meadow, Todd?" She had asked.
"All cats can travel from a different land to another, but it's not suggested. Do you think a wild cat would want to come to the Meadow, a place that is usually filled with animals previously owned by No-Collars?"
"Good point," She had mumbled. The warrior had given Todd a happy grin. "I appreciate you telling me this. But I can't leave just yet. I have to help recover with everyone else. But I promise; I will be going back to ThunderClan once things settle down for good here."
"I like the enthusiasm you have, my dear," Todd had laughed, giving her a wink. Briarlight had felt her own cheeks grow warm at it. "I best be going now. Au revior, m'ladies." With that, the black tom faded off.
"He's such a charmer when he wanted to be," Katie had giggled.
(End of Flashback)
"Mama!"
Briarlight was broken from her train of thought when she heard one of her daughters calling for her from the kitchen. Yawning, the warrior jumped down from her spot on the table.
"What's the matter Weaselkit—"
"Aunt Lily brought in a mouse and didn't give it to us to attack!" Another kit, Honeykit, wailed.
"Yeah!" Weaselkit huffed. "She told us we weren't allowed to have her mouse! That's so mean."
"Now, girls," She began sternly, though she was laughing mentally at their childish antics. "Lily does have a point. You won't be able to eat mice for another few moons. Don't fret over it." She bent down to lick their heads lovingly before nudging their rumps. "Now run along and see how Clover is doing. Your brothers should be with her more than likely."
"Okay!" They squealed, turning and skittering out into the living room. She shook her head, chuckling happily.
"You's seem to be doing a wonderful job raising your's kits, Briarlight."
Briarlight ducked her head in embarrassment as Hansel strolled into the kitchen. He never called them 'his kits'; but rather referred them as 'her kits', as if Briarlight had actually birthed them.
Though Viola never visited Briarlight yet, the warrior always thought of the beautiful white queen that gave birth to her kits before passing on. Eight kits to raise was a tiring job, but Hansel was such a gentletom that he volunteered to live in the nesthold until the kits were old enough to come live with him in the barn. While he stayed with all of them, the tortoiseshell grew immensely fond of Lily, though; so much, that it was a rare sight to see the two of them out of each other's sight. It was so adorable to see Lily get so flustered by such a tom like Hansel. Unfortunately, Lily had been operated on a season prior, making her unable to bear kits. But that never stopped the two cats from avoiding each other.
Viola's kits certainly took in that position for all of them. Eight mouths to feed occasionally drained Clover, who—heavily pregnant with her own kits—was trying to produce enough milk for the curious mouths. Briarlight felt bad, to the point where she started finding borage leaves in order to create a substitute milk. It was odd, but she endured it for the health of her kits. Now, she was used to them biting down and sucking the milk out of her.
'My kits…' She pondered. 'I love them all so much, I almost forget that they are Viola's kits.'
They were a blessing to her. No matter if she was angry, annoyed, or overjoyed to see them, Briarlight cared for the kits as if they were her own, even though she'd never birthed any kits yet.
Weaselkit was an adventurous brown she-kit with blue eyes. Her heart was kind and full of leadership, which constantly was competing attention with Morningkit. As the oldest tom-kit, he was just as brave as his sibling. Like his father, Hansel, Morningkit's long pelt was a unique and rare tortoiseshell pattern, with bright amber eyes. Like father like son, as Katie would comment occasionally.
Honeykit may've had a gray and white splotched body, but her name derived from her golden eyes and gentle heart; plus, there was something in her that continuously reminded Briarlight of Honeyfern's kind nature. Honeykit was quirky and quick to understand things so much that it grew to be quite a challenge for the older cats to find something that Honeykit didn't know about.
Pepperkit—a cute gray freckled tom-kit with pepper whited paws and green eyes—and Pearkit— a fluffy brown tabby she-kit with blue eyes—were no less. Pepperkit loved to help his sisters in any way possible, while Pearkit loved to play-fight with her older littermates. The duo was daring and always knew how to make their adoptive mothers laugh.
Then there was Smokekit. Dark gray with white markings on his face and legs, though they did nothing to hide his calm yellow eyes. He was the closest to Briarlight. He followed her anywhere and tended to the weaker of the kits; Littlekit and Quietkit.
Many a time would the two brothers scare Briarlight out of her sleep. They were so much smaller than their littemates, both continuously struggling to fit in and be healthy. Several times, Riley would have to take them away from Briarlight or Clover in order to see if they had any health problems. They often got colds, a usually innocent sickness for adult cats, but a dangerous killer for kits; especially weak ones.
Littlekit, a petite gray-blue tomkit with light green eyes, would cuddle desperately into Clover, trying to find some sort of warmth that the queen somehow didn't have. Quietkit, the pure white tomkit with one blue eye and one amber eye, was no less. He would mewl so softly, Briarlight sometimes had to lean in close to hear his voice.
But it never stopped her from loving them with everything she had in her heart.
"Miss Briarlight?" Hansel's baritone raspy voice pulled the warrior back to the present.
"Yes?"
"It appears Katie is back from the barn for a visit."
Her heart swelled in excitement. Katie was back! Katie hadn't visited them in almost half a moon; with the barns back in order again, the barn leader had to be there to keep order. It was torturing, but Briarlight knew Katie loved every moment of it.
"Where is she, Hansel?" She asked.
"Outside on 'em porch. It seems she wants'ta talk to ya only," He replied with a wink. She giggled heartily, thanking him before walking out of the animal door.
Katie turned her head and smiled warmly when she saw Briarlight. "I see the kits have done some good for you, huh kit?"
With that, the warrior slumped to the ground in exhaustion. "Yeah, right. They are such a workout; I keep wondering if I was like that when I was a kit!" She laughed. A moment of silence passed by them. "So what are you doing back, Katie? Just came to visit?"
"Sort of…" Katie purred. She glanced at Briarlight. "I was actually wondering how Hansel's doing with you taking care of the kits with Clover?"
"Oh he's so great! He is such a gentletom, helping us out whenever we are too exhausted. He and his kits get along just fine, but…" Briarlight paused, her features twisting into semi-confusion. "I think his kits don't view him as their father really. More like a big brother sort of."
"That's understandable. You have to know, most toms like Hansel get a little uncomfortable with kits. They are usually the ones who take care of the queens, occasionally visiting their kits to bond. Does he love them?"
"Of course he does! It's just…whenever I catch him looking at me, I see so much love and proudness glowing in his eyes. Like he is truly grateful for me saving the kits."
"Any cat in their rightful mind would feel the exact same, Briar," Katie chuckled, placing her tail on the warrior's shoulder. "You not only saved his kits, but you saved the barn for all of us; you also made him find another mate. Granted that he still mourns for Viola probably, but Lily is a good she-cat, no matter how much of a klutz she was raised up as." That got a good laugh from both of them.
When another moment of just sitting and gazing out at the huge yard passed, the barn leader spoke again, "Do you miss your home, Briarlight?"
The question surprisingly took the brown she-cat hard. She bowed her head. "Yes. Yes, I do. After everything that has gone down in what? Three moons? Almost four moons? My heart aches now to be in the place I was birthed and raised upon. But…" She paused, tears brimming her eyes. "I can't go home."
"Why not?"
"Because my home is with the kits now! I couldn't leave them if I had the choice. Not now, not never. I…oh god, it's so confusing. I want to go back so badly, but I fear I'll miss this place and the kits too much to bear. But I also know I can't bring them with; they are Hansel's kits, blood and fur through and through. Taking them from him would leave him—"
Before Briarlight could finish her sentence, a hard swipe to the cheek cut her off. She looked to see Katie have her ears folded back and an annoyed look in her eyes.
"You will never know any of that until you go to Hansel and the others and tell them. The kits love you more than anything, even if you leave for the forest, you should already know that they would follow you to the end of the world, Briarlight. And I'm sure the tom you eventually find in your life will be the father they will come to love too."
Her words left the warrior she-cat speechless. She looked down at her paws, debating her next words. But none came to mind.
Instead, she got up and headed back inside, taking no interest as Katie followed her closely. She headed directly into the living room, seeing Littlekit and Quietkit snuggling up against Clover as usual, while the queen herself was jumping in and out of her sleep. Hansel and Lily were on the sofa, talking softly so that they didn't wake the two brothers.
"Hansel? Clover? Can I have a moment to speak to both of you?" Briarlight asked. Clover and Hansel appeared confused, but they simply nodded to her. Briarlight sat next to Clover, took a deep breath before speaking, "I'm thinking of heading back to the woods. Back to my birthplace."
The silence was unbearable after many moments, so she continued. "I know it sounds so abrupt, but…I have fulfilled my destiny here; I've killed Rover, stopped his mass murder dictation, have saved Viola's kits, and I've gotten my legs back. I know my place in the barn is low and probably not of any use to you guys at all, so I'd figure the best thing I can do is leave.
"Don't get the wrong impression! I love you all as if you are my birth family. Words will never defeat or be compared to the gratitude and honor I have for you all."
She realized that she'd been talking with her eyes closed. A body bumped into her paws, causing her eyes to open. Quietkit was looking up at her, his blue hues burning with excitement, something she had yet to see from him.
"Can…Can I come with, Mama?" He spoke in his soft voice.
"But…sweetheart, you're so much safer here. What's more, Clover would be looking over you…" Even as she spoke, she recalled her previous words. 'Because my home is with the kits now…'
'What kind of mother am I?! Pushing away these kits that look at me not as a stranger, but as their mother, through and through…'
"I want to come with too!" Weaselkit jumped out from the corner, Morningkit and Pepperkit quick in tow.
"Us too!" They said, giggling.
"Don't forget us, Mama!" Honeykit and Smokekit bounced down the stairs. Behind them, SJ and Maple were smirking as they followed the kits. Pearkit came out of nowhere, jumping onto Briarlight's back with enthusiasm.
Littlekit topped it all off by waking up with a soft mewl. They all turned and watched as the late bloomer shakily got onto his paws. He then walked over to Briarlight and smiled so brightly, it took his foster mother's breath away.
"We'll always be here for you, Mama. No matter what…" he said happily.
That did it for Briarlight. Tears sprung from her eyes as she leaned down and touched noses with him. She gave him a smile. "Okay…okay, you've got me, you little rascals. Do you want to come with? And you have to be honest with me!"
"Yes we do!" They all—including the runts—chanted happily. Maple, Clover, Hansel, Katie, and SJ all laughed.
"Can Clover and SJ come with, Mama? Please?" Pearkit begged.
"Maple too!"
"And Katie and Daddy!"
"Hush!" She injected sharply, but couldn't stop a chuckle from escaping her mouth. "I don't know about if they can come with. That's there choice." She looked up at her friends, the cats she'd come to love just as much as the kits. "What do you say, guys?"
Almost simultaneously, Maple and SJ looked at Briarlight as if she had grown a second head on her shoulder.
"Do you honestly have to ask that question?!" Maple exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. "We're definitely coming with!"
"But…I thought, I mean you two…this is your home! You only visit the lake when Riley drops you off, right?"
"Briar, we know that," SJ said with a smirk. "But that doesn't really mean anything. We would love to come and be in ThunderClan. Besides, if they don't allow us in, we can simply head back to the cabin near the lake and wait for Riley to pick us up."
"Kitty girl, I've always been itching to get into them clowders you are with," Maple said excitedly. "Who's gonna watch your back if you get in trouble once you walk in? You'll need us as your bodyguards!"
Briarlight laughed. "Yes, I suppose that's true," Her mood shifted when she looked at Hansel, Katie, and Clover. She hesitated. "Clover? Do you think it would be best to stay here in the nesthold with Hansel?"
To her shock, the black and white queen shook her head, a brave smile coming onto her face. "More than likely. Riley is one of the best Herbal Shamans around; but I'm not gonna stay. The wild was once my home before I was forced to leave it. The cats that were there had to do the same, according to my grandmother's stories of them. I miss it, and now that I know there is a bigger place, I want to come along. I want my kits to experience the joys of the wild, where they will learn to the best of their abilities."
The warrior nodded. "Very well then. We shall leave as soon as possible." She nodded to Katie and Hansel. "I'm guessing you two are staying?"
"What?!" The kits mewled in horror. "But Mama! They have to come with!"
"We would love to come, little ones," Hansel said, bending down to lick Pearkit's nose. "I's kno' I's would love to go with. But…my duties as your father nev' succeeded. I's would hate to depart with you, ma sons and daughters, but I think you's will be much happier in the wild. Don't you think?"
They were silent for many moments until Hansel spoke again. "Your mother needs to be where she belongs. Her heart ache for 'em forest she's be born in as a kit herself."
"Would you come to visit us some times, Daddy?" Weaselkit asked innocently. Her father chuckled.
"Of course, Weasel. I's be vist'n every chance I's get, so long as M'lady doesn' work me overtim'n or nothin'. Lily will come n' visit too, right hun?"
"Definitely. Though it may be harder with me going to leave in a couple of days. Mama's been gone for far too long."
Riley's mother had been forced to stay away for another two months for her work, leaving the No-Collar Herbal Shaman with another cat to take care of that wasn't hers.
Not that she minded in the slightest.
"And I have to stay behind, kits, because I need to make sure the kits and barn cats are safe. We wouldn't want them to get hurt, wouldn't we?" Eight shakes of heads responded. "I still have much to finish up, including visiting an…old friend of mine…" Katie trailed off. Her ears sprung up abruptly. "I know! How about tomorrow you come to the barns and say your goodbye to everyone."
"Really?! You mean it?"
"Most certainly. Most of the cats have a fondness for you, Briar. You've always been welcomed into our lives; even more so, you saved our lives. We thank you so much for it. Besides, I think they would be pretty upset if you simply just left without a formal goodbye," She said with a wink.
Briarlight smiled. "Very well. I'll come by with kits tomorrow." She looked up to the ceiling of the living, chuckling softly. "Wow…so much has gone by. So many moons, but it seems just like a few days…" She stayed quiet for many heartbeats.
"Mama? Why are you crying?" Littlekit squeaked in shock.
Briarlight indeed was crying. Tears fell uncontrollably from her eyes, a sob breaking through suddenly. She bent her head down and rubbed her head on Littlekit's cheek, whispering to him, "Mama's fine, dear…She's just…gonna miss this place so much."
Being so naïve but caring, Littlekit rubbed back against his mother, somehow feeling that she just had to let something all out, and crying was the best option at the moment.
There you have it! And I think this would be a perfect time to introduce the little ones! Their names and who they were sort of spread around. Also, they will be referred as always 'Briarlight's kits'; as much as they are Viola's kits, it would get really confusing if I kept referred them as hers. Briarlight and Clover may the foster mothers, but even Clover sees that the kits love Briarlight as their mother.
So here are the kits: (oldest to runt)
Morningkit's—long pelt with a unique and rare tortoiseshell pattern, & bright amber eyes. Brave and adventurous.
Weaselkit—brown she-kit with blue eyes. Eager leadership and adventurous. Rivalry with Morningkit.
Honeykit—gray and white splotched body she-kit with golden eyes. Smart, gentle, eager to learn more things.
Pepperkit—a cute gray freckled tom-kit with pepper whited paws and green eyes. Loves to help.
Pearkit— a fluffy brown tabby she-kit with blue eyes. Loves to test her "battle skills"
Smokekit—Dark gray with white markings on his face and legs & calm yellow eyes. Keeps a close eye on others. Follows Briarlight practically anywhere. Quiet.
Littlekit—petite gray-blue tomkit with light green eyes. Weak but has a heart for peacefulness. Runt.
Quietkit—pure white tomkit with one blue eye and one amber eye. Quiet, can barely mewl because of weak vocal cords. Runt.
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Interesting Fact Time! (suggested by Graystorm11; thanks hon!)
A cat's tail is a vital tool for balance! If you didn't know this, you should! A seemingly harmless part of the body that actually helps them walk and communicate with humans and other animals. The tail acts as a counterweight to the rest of a cat's body weight when a cat walks on a narrow surface top, such as a wall or fence. They also help a cat take sharp turns while running as fast speeds. The most notable feline who uses it for that said reason is the cheetah. Running at speeds of over 75 mph, the cheetah needs to use its long, sleek tail to help turn sharply and continue chasing after fast prey such as gazelles. For communication usage to others, when a cat's tail is high and/or quivering at the tip, they are excited/happy! However, when angered, will have a tail that lashes to and fro quickly. Step away! Do not be near them when annoyed/angered. Yet, when hunting, a cat must hold their tail low to the ground, the tip quivering as a sign he/she is holding back her excitement of hunting. A cat's tail can, sadly, be the cause of permanent damage to the rest of a cat's body. Having it stepped on or crushed can break their spines! It's bad news and very wrong to do. So be careful of where you step whenever your cat is near. For children, if a person has one, DO NOT LET THEM YANK ON A CAT'S TAIL! It can pull it out of its socket, tear nerves, and can cause intense pain to them! Worse case of it all, it can make a cat unable to walk. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT, cause that much pain to any cat!
Wrapping it up, tails are important to cats; as well as to all other animals who have them. Communication, emotions, and balance are the key traits.
Thanks for the suggestion, Graystorm11!
Hope you enjoyed the IFT and story! Review your comments or questions. Also, if you have a suggestion for an IFT, submit it in a review!
Until next time~
