Redfur tiptoed to his mother's side. "Specklesun! Guess what? Me and Leafheart are mates now!"
The tortoiseshell queen's face lit up. "My two oldest sons are only getting older."
A small white bundle rolled to Redfur, interrupting his time with his mother. "Redfur! Tell Icestar that I'm good enough to be an apprentice! Look, you see this bug? I'll crush you!"
Redfur laughed as he watched his little sister leap… and miss. The white she-kit banged into Specklesun, while the bug scurried away unscathed.
"Well, Littlekit, I mean, Littlestar," (Littlekit hopped in excitement), "I'll be sure to tell Icestar what an incredible job that bug did missing your flailing paws."
Pinekit tumbled in. "Ha! Littlekit, me and Sharpkit are playing hide and seek, want to come?"
The two hurried away, and Specklesun turned worriedly to Redfur. "What about Foxkit?"
Redfur backed out. "I'll look for him." Looking around for a familiar ginger pelt, Redfur sighed in relief when he saw it, or at least some cat that looked like him. A closer look revealed that it was Pinekit, weaving in and out between the warriors. There was Sharpkit, the black tom chasing his brother, and there was Littekit, her long white pelt so strikingly different from her brothers.
Looking around, he caught a ginger tail whipping into the elder's den. He's probably listening to stories. Padding into the den, he saw his little brother staring at Silverpool with fascination.
Redfur sat next to his brother. "Which story?" Silverpool smiled at Redfur, and he noticed for the first time that besides her naturally silvery pelt, the elder had lots of course, gray fur along her muzzle.
If she dies, Mudclaw will be the only elder left, and the kits will grow up with not a single good story. He chided himself. Not just for the stories, Mudclaw would be devastated. Woodwhisker once told Redfur that when he was a kit, he often saw the now old gray and brown tabby chasing after the silver she-cat.
From what Redfur heard, it seemed that they were never together, but they had always been great friends. Shaking his head slightly, the red tom turned his focus back to what the elder was saying.
"Would you like me to tell you the story of 'The Battle Of The Creek'?"
The normally energetic kit was unusually serious. "That sounds nice, Silverpool, but I want to hear about the cat that I was named after. Can you tell me Foxsong's story?"
The elder blinked. "You should ask Dapplebreeze, dear. I didn't know her that well, except that she was a courageous and wonderful cat, and you are so fortunate to share her name."
The little red tom-kit pranced out of the elder's den, his chest a bit more puffed out than usual. To Redfur's surprise, he saw his little brother make his way to where Shadenose and Suntail were sharing a starling.
Slinking a little closer, Redfur reminded himself irresistibly about that time when he overheard (more like eavesdropped) on Leafkit and Bluepaw's conversation.
Clearing his head, he watched as the little kit planted himself in front of Suntail. "Can you tell me about Foxsong? Silverpool told me I was lucky to share her name, and she was a brave and awesome cat. I want to know about her."
With a sigh, Redfur turned. This was not a conversation for his ears. But he was proud of his brother's intro, it would have definitely made Suntail happy.
Walking over to a familiar light brown pelt, Redfur teasingly asked his brother, "How's life with kits going?" Birchclaw turned.
Laughingly, he meowed, "It's only been a few hours." Redfur smiled and entered the nursery. There was his mother, with three of the kits by her side now, and next to her, was Dapplebreeze, playing with her kits.
"Sandkit! No, that's your sister's ear, don't hurt her!"
Smiling, the red tom padded to Specklesun. "Foxkit is talking to Suntail." The tortoiseshell queen flicked her tail gratefully. Redfur made his way to his brother's kits.
"They're so small," he marveled. "You must be so happy." He smiled at Dapplebreeze, who nodded.
"They're a handful, but it's worth it."
Redfur didn't mention that the smaller of the two, Dawnkit, was looking scrawny and sick. Finally, he gently, he brought it up. "Um, Dapplebreeze, I feel like Dawnkit's not looking that good. Do you want me to bring him to the medicine cats?"
The new queen nodded. "I was wondering if it was just me! Thank you so much, Redfur!"
He smiled and picked up the little kit by her scruff. This is how it will feel to be a father, but with so much more. A vision popped into his head: A little group of kits, surrounding him and his new mate. Focusing on the kit swinging from his jaws, Redfur padded into the cave.
"Larkwing? Bluestorm? Dapplebreeze asked me to ask you to check out Dawnkit, she's looking a little sick." Larkwing got up from her nest and took the little she-kit.
"She'll be fine, you wait outside." Redfur did as he was told, and looked around. There was Foxkit, listening to Suntail with sober eyes, Shadenose piping up every so often.
Leafheart was getting some prey, and she settled down by herself. I need to go spend more time with her after I make sure Dawnkit's okay. After all, she didn't choose me to be her mate just to be ignored!
Looking to the left, he saw Darkshade and Hollypelt sharing tongues, the two curled up close together. He was glad to see his best friend happy. At the same time, Redfur was a little upset with Icestar for reminding everyone so forcefully of Nightshade's death by naming his son almost the same thing.
Sighing, Redfur was going to pad over to Leafheart's side when a gasp from the medicine cat den brought him running in.
"What's the matter?"
Larkwing was staring at Dawnkit's head, running her paw gently over the back. The medicine cat's eyes were wide. "I've never seen this."
Feeling scared now, the red tom leaned forward.
"What is it?" Larkwing faced him, her green eyes wide with distress. "It looks like she was born with a smashed head. She's probably disoriented, so she can't eat. It's not huge, but it's definitely going to affect her life negatively."
Scared, Redfur parted his niece's head fur. Sure enough, there was a ugly dent in her small head. Drawing in a breath, he faced the medicine cat.
"How will I tell Birchclaw and Dapplebreeze?" The gray and white she-cat shook her head. "This part is never easy."
Without another word, she padded out, carrying the tiny ginger she-kit. Following her with a heavy heart, Redfur prepared himself for Birchclaw and Dapplebreeze's grief.
Standing in the front of the nursery was Birchclaw, waiting anxiously.
"Is she okay? Dapplebreeze is going a little crazy in there," he babbled when they were within earshot. Without addressing him, Larkwing padded into the nursery.
With a frightened glance at Redfur, the soon-to-be devastated father followed the medicine cat into the den. There, the queen was standing up, with Sandkit playfully batting at her tail.
"Is she okay?" Larkwing sighed and set the small kit down. "I have bad news." Birchclaw moved a little closer to Dapplebreeze, and she leaned into him.
"I was examining her, and I noticed she had a little uneven spot on her head. I looked closer and saw that… the back of her head is dented. It's not huge, but it will definitely affect her life, and she may not make it to apprenticeship if she grows sicker. I'm so sorry."
The tortoiseshell queen sat down heavily. "What if it's an omen? What if Dawnwhisper is hurt?"
Birchclaw nosed his mate gently. "I don't think it is. She's a strong, capable warrior. Let's focus on Dawnkit for now."
Dapplebreeze shoved her face in Birchclaw's chest fur, and he soothingly licked her head. Muffled sobs made their way to Redfur's ears, and barely able to stand it, he was about to walk out when Leafheart skidded into the nursery.
"Is it true? Is her head really dented?"
Birchclaw didn't look at the cream she-cat. "Yes. She may be okay, but if she gets sicker, she could die soon."
Dapplebreeze let out a wail, and the distressed brown tom faced his brother and Leafheart.
"You should go." The two headed out, each with their own thoughts. Redfur felt nothing but sorrow for his brother. Oh StarClan, don't let Sandkit grow up to be the only one in his litter. Let my niece be alright.
His feet carrying him to his nest, the red tom curled up next to Leafheart, and the two fell into an unpeaceful sleep.
I don't know if I'm feeling evil enough to kill a helpless kit, but I'll save that chapter for the day a wild cat attacks me. Hehe. Please review, I would love to hear what you think of the story so far. TYSM