Starstablegal - Thank you for the extra kits!

Hawksun9592 - Osprey is a type of Floridan bird. I thought it fit with their 'bird' names.

Runningfeather - Thank you! Glad you guys are still enjoying the story.

October, 10th, 2020

The sun did little to help melt the snow. And as daylight spilled into the den Smallbee yawned. Eyes fluttering open as she purred softly, a warm body wad curled around her, keeping the bitting cold at bay.

Ears twitching she slowly stretched her forepaws. Careful not to wake the tom that had his head laid on her back. The tom grumbled something as she untangled herself from his grasp.

Smallbee's head was spinning as she padded to the entrance. Snow spilled into the den, and she shivered at the sudden coldness that pulsed through her pads and up her legs.

"Hey! You didn't come bac - oh...I see." Heathertuft had padded up to her. Though her gaze paused on Smallbee's ruffled pelt.

Flattening her ears she growled while twisting to groom down her fluffed out tabby fur. "We don't speak about this, ever." Angrily she lashed her tail, paws kneading the snowy earth.

Heathertuft rolled her eyes. "We'll be happy to see the new kits!" She chimed before padding off. Her own stomach large, swinging with the weight of unborn kits.

With a sigh she flicked an ear. Last night had been different, and she enjoyed the comfort, but it pained her to know that Icaruswind had seen her cry, being weak. And then..

Nearly jumping out of her pelt she dug her claws into the ground as someone nudged her side. Quickly she flattened her pelt to see Icaruswind at her side, his tail wrapping around her flank and pulling her to his side.

"Has Ashtooth came by?" He asked.

Smallbee shook her head. Pale gaze searching the camp with one quick glance before she sighed. Leaning into his side as she enjoyed the warmth. "Does it matter?" She muttered, ears flattening to her skull.

Icaruswind shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not." The warrior replied in a even gone.

Growling she lashed her tail. Eyes narrowing onto the silver tom as she huffed. "That doesn't help."

With a flick of his tailtip he raised to his paws. Giving his chest a few licks before turning to her. "I'll bring something to eat back," he mewed.

Nodding she followed him shortly before watching his push past the camp entrance. Disappearing out into the woods were the snow laid less thickly, for the ground had been protected by still dying trees.

It's only leaf-fall, and there's this much snow! Fear made her pelt tingle as she shifted. What would happen if leafbare continued on even more harsher? Snow would be laid down even heavier? Prey was completely gone?

"You should get back to the nursery. Staying out here in the cold will get you ill," a stern voice brought her out of her thoughts.

With a quick huff she lashed her tail at the medicine cat. Of course being out in the cold would get someone sick, that was just common sense! Smallbee growled as she lifted her muzzle into the air, pushing past the tom and back to the den.

*

The forest was coated in a sparkling white powder. Every tree limb had a pile of snow resting on it, and the leaves now looked frozen and pale. Whatever had changed to a orange, yellow or red now was left to be pale and barren.

Icaruswind had his jaws parted to taste the air. Silver tabby pelt bristled out against the cold that froze his skin and made him shiver. Careful to not scare anything while walking he kept an eye out for tracks, giving an annoyed sigh.

"Having troubles?" The bitter voice made him stop in his tracks. Dull icy blue eye narrowing onto the lean gray tom that walked up to him.

The tom squared his shoulders. He didn't have time to deal with Ashtooth today. All that was on his mind was finding something for Smallbee to eat.

Ashtooth gave a grunt as he padded alongside Icaruswind. Head lifted so that he could smell the air, ears perked as he flicked his tail. "You don't know Smallbee as well as you think you do." He meowed. Anger hinted in his tone as he added in a more silent tone. "Nobody does."

"I know her enough!" Icaruswind snapped. He glared down at the leaner tom, ears bend back as he snarled. What did Ashtooth know that he didn't?

The silver warrior's thoughts were pulled back to the night before. Yes, she acted like she dispised his very existence since Crackedstar ordered them to have kits, but now she understood.

Forcing a purr back as he shook out the night filled memories he lashed his tail. Once again now anger ruffled his pelt as he glared down Ashtooth. "Stay out of it, Ashtooth," he lowered his voice into a deep growl. Gaze trained onto the tom as he snarled, claws unsheathing into the undergrowth.

"I won't have you messing with my mate or kits. Find someone else, someone with the same bitterness that you hold." Icaruswind watched as the long-legged warrior stopped in his tracks.

There was a long silence before he nodded. With darkened eyes he dipped his head and moved into the bushes. Away from sight, where he was to be left alone in his own pitiful sorrow.

October, 12th, 2020