Ch. 33: A Loss and a Gain

Sagebrush wasn't sure what had gotten into her, and her confusion showed in the way she checked her youngest- no, her only- brother over. Little Poisonkit looked up at her, eyes wide.

"What's wrong, Sagebrush? Am I sick? Oh, please, tell me I'm okay!" His freak-out made her smile. This little kit was so outgoing and strong.

"No, Poisonkit, you are the picture of perfection."

"Oh... Then what is wrong?"

"Nothing you need concern yourself about." She whispered, licking between his ears. She flicked her tail to the entrance of the den, and he laughed, bounding outside, most likely to attack someone larger than himself. She sighed, her façade dropping, and paced over to where Nightfog and Palewing were sitting and watching her.

"You're my daughter, always." Palewing said, "And I would choose you over any pile of sour bones any day."

Sagebrush's ears flattened down on her head again, "But you shouldn't have to..." she muttered.

"It's not your fault, what you are feeling. And as for your father and I- it was coming for a while. I stayed this long so that Poisonkit could still know us together."

Sagebrush sighed, and then tensed, hearing a familiar voice slip in from the outside. Icestar was back. Time to face the fireworks. She heard her father's voice ring out.

"Icestar. Call the clan together. I have an announcement!"

"I do too, Icestar." Called out Leafgaze, her eyes glittering with excitement, and Sagebrush rolled her eyes, wondering how these two revelations could go together, for she could see the roundness of the she-cat's belly, though most would not.

"Very well." Icestar nodded her head and leaped up to her perch, calling together the clan. Sagebrush sighed, but forced a smile when she felt Nightfog's tail stroking her back, and with her mother on one side and her mate on the other, she padded outside, sitting behind Poisonkit, who's eyes widened with barely contained excitement. Her lip twitched up. This was the first Clan meeting he had seen and remembered. It was a bit disheartening that it would bring the news it would.

"We have two cats who are here to make announcements. Leafgaze?"

She could see the fury in her father's gaze about having the young cat allowed to speak before him, but he left it with only a kneading of the soil under his paws. His eyes scanned the clearing, the cats gathered, and his eyes only rested on Stingtail, glazed over as he passed the rest of his family.

"I am expecting kits again!" She squealed, "I will join Palewing in the nursery!" The clan cheered her on as she bounded over to our little group, and I heard Nightfog mutter to her.

"You may want to sit away for Stonewhisper's news."

"Why?"

"Just trust me."

She gave her a look, shrugging, and slipped over to her mate instead.

As soon as the clan had quieted their congratulations, Stonewhisper stood up, and as she watched, she saw Stingtail raise his head, a proud smirk on his face. She huffed under her breath. He was the peak of his father, and then some.

"I wish for the clan to know that my only child is Stingtail." There was a moment of silence as the clan processed that, then there was an outraged roar. Sagebrush didn't pay much attention, because as soon as the words were out of his mouth, Poisonkit had stiffened.

"Wh-what does he mean, Sagebrush? I'm his son… and you are his daughter…" he looked up at me and Palewing, and I could see the confusion in his eyes.

I sighed, unsure how to approach this subject, but as soon as I had opened my jaws, he fluffed up and stalked away. Once the clan saw him, they all quieted, watching as he padded forward stiff-legged.

Sagebrush dipped her head, willing him to return, but the little gray kit proceeded forward, his gaze level and right on his father. Amused contempt flickered in Stonewhisper's gaze as he returned the stare, until Poisonkit stood right up in front of him and flicked his tail.

"What do you mean, Stonewhisper? You have two sons, as well as a daughter. Me and Sagebrush are your children too."

Stonewhisper's gaze didn't soften as he looked down, his lip curling, "No child of mine would break her duties, befriend and join an abomination, and then flaunt it in front of my clan. And no son of mine would be a soft-hearted frog like you. She and you are the same, and I will not have soft hearts and betrayal joined to my blood. Stingtail is the only child I have, because Stingtail is the only strong-hearted and brave kit I gave seed to. You are not my son, and Sagebrush is not my daughter. Now leave my sight."

Icestar stood up, a furious glint in her eye, "Now, Stonewhisper. You have no right to say that, and no right to disown your children like this. It must be a well-thought out decision between both mates, and I do not believe your mate agrees with this statement." Sagebrush's eyes followed her mother as the she-cat picked up her shaking, shocked kit and brought him back to the nursery entrance to sit with Sagebrush and Nightfog.

"I do not have a mate, either." Stonewhisper growled, a threatening tone to his voice, "Palewing is no mate of mine."

Icestar opened hr mouth to say something else, but Palewing shook her head, "I would never want my children to have a father like him. We are no longer mates. Though all three are still my kits, and always will be." She stated.

Icestar frowned, but nodded in acknowledgement, and they all watched as Stonewhisper and Stingtail left the clearing and went into the forest. Once they were out of sight, murmuring began in the clearing, and Sagebrush frowned as she followed the two queens into the nursery, asking Nightfog to get some herbs for Poisonkit's shock.

"What do I do now?" Poisonkit was whispering, "I don't have a father…."

"You don't need one, sweetheart. You have a mother and a sister who love you very much." Palewing whispered to him as Sagebrush curled up beside them. Nightfog brought the herbs Sagebrush had asked for and then retreated, leaving the broken family to themselves.