Time seemed to pass on quicker from that day on. Before Snowfrost knew it, an entire moon had passed since her arrival at Twolegplace. The end of her pregnancy was drawing near. But for the time she had been a kittypet, giving birth was one of the last things on her mind.
To this day she was learning about Twoleg things. And when Misty wasn't busy educating her, the kittypet was busy boasting about how her Twoleg-their housefolk- was the best in the neighborhood. Misty made mention of how their housefolk was the only one to feed its house cats actual meat instead of regular kittypet food, and let them sleep in its bed for warmth if they so choose. She snickered about the jealousy other cats would express, saying some of them even tried to move in with her before.
When she wasn't boasting, Misty was pestering Snowfrost to talk about life in the wild. It was hard for her to talk about, Snowfrost still missed her life in the meadow dearly. But to entertain the other she-cat she spoke of it anyways. She'd tell Misty of battles once described to her by Grassclan warriors who'd shown up to her den injured, and talked about how she'd help the queens have their kits. She spoke about the feeling of the wind blowing through one's fur, the smell of grass and wildflowers clinging to one's pelt, and the reassurance that the clan was always with you even when you're all alone.
"It sounds like fun, but I don't think that life would be better than the life we have here." She'd usually say.
"It isn't supposed to be fun," Snowfrost would respond, usually with annoyance. "Being a warrior and living in a clan is hard work."
It never seemed to get through to the molly but Snowfrost didn't really care. She figured Misty got enough freedom when the two of them were allowed out to explore the neighborhood. On the house's front door was a square shaped hole covered over by a weird veil. Snowfrost and Misty would use it to come in and out as they pleased whenever it was open. Outside, the pair were usually hanging around with some of the other kittypets in the neighborhood. Snowfrost kept her distance from them, rancorous about having to be considered one of them. When she saw Misty and her friends, she was reminded of the life she left behind, and the new one she and her little family would lead. In this world she was Snowflake; a former stray, turned house cat and soon-to-be-mother. Here, she was no better than any other kittypet. It sickened her.
No matter how well she adjusted, every day in this place drove her mad. As Snowfrost learned the territory better she began to wander off on her own more. She needed space and time to think, away from the suffocating life with Twolegs. Snowfrost would often look at the meadow beyond Twolegplace with longing, then steer herself back towards the houses. Sometimes she'd go into neighboring yards to look in the windows and see how other kittypets lived. Most of the time she'd find them with their Twolegs, playing with them, laying on their laps. She'd wonder how they could be content with such a life, never having a care in the world.
On many of her explorations, Snowfrost would take the time to visit her newfound friend Usagi. Usagi was the cat Snowfrost would talk to the most in Twolegplace, along with Misty. Though conversations with the show cat were challenging; between the glass door that always seperated them, and the meddling of Usagi's jerk of a mate. Still they managed to make a friendship work. Snowfrost came to learn how overly sheltered Usagi was compared to most kittypets. For instance, she had never been outside on her own before, without being confined in a crate by her housefolk. Although Snowfrost had come to know this to be an average ordeal; a lot of kittypets were not allowed outside. What was strange though, was Usagi didn't seem to know how to function without the assistance of Twolegs. Her Twolegs would groom her fur, feed her on a precise schedule, and dress her in various gaudy looking pelts for warmth, as well as something Usagi referred to as "fashion". More recently, the Twolegs started keeping Usagi isolated in a room the closer she came to giving birth. Usagi didn't seem to have much enrichment in her environment, and so she took great interest in Snowfrost during visits. Though if Hiro even suspected the pair were conversing he would snap at his mate, and herd Usagi back to the "safety" of her room. Snowfrost pitied the poor queen. So much, that she'd taken to visiting her quite regularly, to talk and to check on her condition. Even if Usagi was being watched over by her Twolegs and mate, nothing beat the watchful eye of a medicine cat.
For this evening's visit, Snowfrost jumped onto a window ledge of by the back of the house to look in on the kittypet queen. She watched Usagi as she stepped into a nest and curled herself around something squirming inside. Nestled against the she-cat's belly were four newborn kits, all carbon copies of herself. Snowfrost could see how their thin pelts still shined with the wetness of afterbirth. This was her third litter, Snowfrost recalled Usagi informing her.
A pit formed in lynx point molly's stomach as she watched the happy family. These kits would never have to learn the hardships of the wild. All they'd ever know, and all their ancestors ever knew, was right there in that house. They'd get to lead soft lives full of dullness and boundaries. And one day, when they're old enough, they would be seperated. Snowfrost caught herself thinking about how her kits would come to be just like these kittypets, never knowing what true freedom tastes like. They would never learn to hunt, never get to experience the thrill of a naming ceremony. They would never celebrate clan holidays like Bloom's Day or The Longest Night and truly understand what they stand for. Would they even believe in Starclan? Would being fat, careless housecats really be the best life for them?
As the days grew closer to her kitting these thoughts nagged Snowfrost more and more. Until one day it became unbearable.
"Rest your head on my shoulder," Wolfheart purred. Snowfrost wasted no time moving closer to her love, pressing her more slender body into his. How had he even convinced her to climb up onto Split Rock? Sure no cat was here to yell at them for it, but Snowfrost still felt out of her element up here, like she could fall at any moment. But she knew she wouldn't fall, Wolfheart wouldn't let her. And even if she did, he'd be right here to catch her. Perhaps that's what persuaded her up here. She knew she could trust Wolfheart. She knew the risk was worth it, every heartbeat. A soft sigh escaped her muzzle, laced with content and relaxation. Wolfheart's fur was comfortable against her side, providing cushioning and reinforcement as the two cats sat there in the wide clearing, staring up at the soon to be full moon. The light cast silver sparkles along their pelts, illuminating them to look almost as brilliant as warriors of Starclan. Silverpelt shined favor upon them and Snowfrost felt an air of exultation about her. The future seemed so bright. Their love was strong, and their bond was perfect. Snowfrost felt butterflies in her stomach as she turned to Wolfheart and requested something special. She wanted to start a family. Although flustered, Wolfheart seemed excited by the idea. The pair stayed together for most of the night discussing how wonderful their kits would be. They'd be the perfect warriors; intelligent like Snowfrost, and strong like Wolfheart. Most of all they'd be loyal to their family, despite the distance they'd have with one of their parents. The pair grew more energized the longer they spoke, eventually leaping off of Split Rock to pad through the neutral territory to have some quality time. By sunrise, Snowfrost felt a change within herself. She could tell life was going to be more eventful from this point on, and she couldn't wait to see how things would turn out.
It was late into the night. Snowfrost woke with a start. A terrible feeling overcame the pregnant she-cat as she blinked open her tired blue eyes. Something inside of her was screaming, telling Snowfrost that this house, this neighborhood, wasn't safe enough for her to have her kits. An incredible new instinct overcame her and drove her to leave the warmth of her nest. As carefully as she could, Snowfrost snuck away from Misty's side and out of the closet. She padded over to the veil in the front door, pawing at it to see if it was open. When the flap moved, she was assured her escape. But before she could slip out a voice mewled out to her.
"Snowfrost?" Misty called from behind her. Snowfrost turned to face her denmate. A look of sadness was plastered on the silver tabby's face. "You're going away, aren't you?" She asked suddenly, as if she could read the older she-cat's mind.
"I have to..."
"I know you're not happy here," Misty interrupted. "But I could help you if you stayed! I'm great with kits, I could watch them for you while you play with the berries and flowers in the garden. Usagi could watch them too. And-and we can ask some of the loners if they can teach us how to hunt, and-"
"Misty." Snowfrost's mew was stern. "I know your intentions are good, and I am grateful for all of your help and support that you've provided this past moon. But this isn't the life I dreamed my kits would have. My kittens are supposed to become warriors. Each of them has strong warrior blood coursing through their veins. Their place is in the meadow, chasing rabbits and fighting battles. Not living in a house, playing with feather toys and curling up on some Twoleg's lap without a care. The Land's Star is part of them, as much as it's part of me. I have to go back."
Misty took a step forward, folding her ears back. "...Then take me with you."
"No."
"But I don't want you to go away! I'd miss you... It was so lonely here before you came. I like having a denmate, even if you are a bit standoffish sometimes. Seeing my friends for a limited amount of time every day just isn't enough. I need a companion. I need you, Snowfrost." Misty took another step forward, lowering her head. "I'll be a good warrior. I'll do everything your leader says, and work really hard to learn how to hunt and fight. Or maybe I could be a medicine cat, like you-"
"No," Snowfrost repeated herself, putting more harshness into her tone. "Your place is with your Twolegs. Besides, you like being a kittypet too much. I couldn't ask you to give up such a comfortable life all to come away with me. You aren't built for running across the meadow, or clawing at an enemy warrior, or even sorting through herbs. You would be just as miserable as a clan cat as I am as a house cat."
All went quiet for a while, the tension so thick between them that a cat could slice through it with a claw. The two mollies held each other's gaze waiting for the other to speak. But no sound came out, not until a rough kick slammed against Snowfrost's flank. She winced, backing up a bit. She hissed in pain, crouching on the floor for a heartbeat. After the pain began to ebb away, Snowfrost rose to her paws shakily. Her kits withered inside of her, as if impatient or distressed. Let's go, mama, they seemed to be urging her. In an instant Snowfrost whipped around and ran through the veil of the door, across the yard and to the fence. Climbing over it was a challenge, but she pulled through. When she was settled in the grass on the other side, something compelled her to look back. Whipping around, Snowfrost saw Misty leap onto the fence, watching her friend from the barrier with dark, depressed eyes. Her tail-tip swished slowly. Glimmering tears now streamed down her face, caught in the light of the moon. For just a moment, Snowfrost's heart ached.
"Goodbye..." Misty mewed solemnly.
Snowfrost dipped her head and forced herself to turn around. The pregnant molly stalked away into the night without so much as a glance behind her.