It has been four years, now. Four years since the kits were born. Four years since we lost Silver. Four years since the foul murderer was driven away. Four years since true peace and happiness began.
Our four remaining kits have grown a bit in those four years. Raska and Talo are about six inches tall. Frost and Whisper are both around five inches tall. Raska and Talo both speak with an accent like mine while Frost and Whisper speak without an accent like Taisley. Considering that Raska and Talo are still at the top of the litter, Frost and Whisper being smaller isn't a good thing. Taisley and I always have a hard time keeping the kits in line.
I'm interrupted in my thoughts by a shrill scream coming from outside. I run out there to see Whisper on the ground, crying. Raska, Talo, and Frost are standing a little ways away, watching with worry. Taisley is with them. I run to Whisper's side. "Wot's wrong, sweetie?" I ask.
Whisper sniffles through her tears. "I was running. I tripped on a root. When I started to run again, I stepped on a vine with brambles!" Whisper wails.
I look under her hind paw. Sure enough, there is a vine full of brambles entangled under it. "Don't worry. I'll get them out," I smile reassuringly in Whisper's direction.
"Will it hurt?" Whisper asks, her voice laced with fear.
"Yes, but it'll 'urt a lot more ta keep th'' brambles in. I'll try ta be as quick as possible, 'kay?" I swipe Whisper's tears away.
At Whisper's hesitant nod, I begin removing the brambles. Whisper yowls and tears leak out of her eyes. When I get done with removing the brambles, I take the dock juice that Taisley had just handed me. I gently put it on the bramble puncture marks. I wrap her injury with a fair-sized leaf. When Whisper continues crying, I take her into my arms. I rock her slowly as I try to soothe her. I can still hear Whisper whimpering with pain.
After a while, Whisper stops crying. She looks into my eye, a forlorn look in her own eyes. "It hurts, daddy," she whimpers.
"I know. Don't worry, though. I'll get ya somethin' that'll 'elp wi' th' pain," I stroke Whisper's forehead. She nods her head. I carry Whisper inside and lay her down on her nest. "I'll be right back," I tell her before I leave the cave.
I return a short time later with some poppy seeds. I feed Whisper a few. She yawns as one of the effects takes hold of her. Whisper is asleep within mere minutes after eating them.
I head back outside. I go over to Taisley. "Whisper will be fine, but could ya stay wi' 'er so she won't be alone? I can watch th' other kits," I suggest.
"'kay, Buck," Taisley kisses me on the cheek, before heading inside the cave.
"Ewww!" I turn at the sound of Raska, Talo, and Frost being grossed out by the little kiss that Taisley gave me.
"Wot? Ya say it's gross now, but wait until ya grow up! Once ya meet yer future mates, ya will learn ta like givin' an' gettin' kisses!" I point out.
"Yeah right! 'm nevah gonna get a mate!" Talo yells.
"Us neither!" Raska and Frost agree together.
I laugh. "Just wait until ya grow up! Now, come on! Do ya want ta see grandma an' grandpa?" I ask.
"Yeah! Where are they?" Raska asks.
"They told me that they 'ad a surprise fer ya in a nearby clearing. Come on. It's 'bout time ta meet 'em!" I take the three kits by the paws.
"But what about Whisper? Won't she miss out?" Frost asks, concerned. She is always worried about her other siblings, especially if any of them are hurt or sick. Her personality most reflects Taisley.
"Nope! Th' surprise will still be there later. I'll take 'er when 'er paw heals," I explain.
"Okay," Frost nods her head. We continue on our way.
When we get to the clearing, I pull some weeds out of the way. "Here 't is!" I announce.
The kits run inside the clearing. "Oh, wow!" Raska, Talo, and Frost shriek in excitement.
Inside the clearing is a playground made specifically for weasel kits. There are things to climb, hide in, and explore. All of the things are made of wood. There is even a rope bridge between two climbing structures and rope swings hanging from the nearby tree branches. The kits are excited by all the things the playground has to offer. I see Raska and Talo immediately begin climbing. "Wait! Wot do ya say ta yer grandma an' grandpa?" I ask, reminding the kits of their manners.
"Thanks, grandma an' grandpa!" The kits shout out.
My parents laugh. I go over to them. "Th' kits seem ta enjoy th' surprise." I laugh at my kits' antics.
"That they do. 'ey, where's Whisper?" Mom asks.
"Whisper stepped on a vine wi' some brambles on 't. She needs ta rest fer th' moment," I explain.
"Oh. How's she doin'?" Dad asks.
"She's 'urtin' from 't, but I took care of th' injury well enough. 't won't be long until 't heals," I answer. I turn back towards the playground to keep watching my kits. I see Raska and Talo start to fight over some blueberries that they found in a bush. "'ey, you two. Ya betta share, or no one get's 'em!" I shout.
Raska and Talo look over my way. "Yes, dad," they groan as they begin to divide the blueberries.
"Kits!" I sigh under my breath.
Mom and dad chuckle at my expression. "I bet ya were like that, once!" Dad points out.
"Huh! If I was, then I don't remember 't," I reply.
"Well, if ya don't remembah 't, we could always go ask yer foster dad," dad threatens.
"No, dad, anythin' but that!" I plead, allowing a pleading look to show in my single eye.
"Fine, we won't ask 'im," dad relents.
"Thanks. Th' last thing I need is embarrassment," I sigh in relief. I look up at the sky. I notice, for the first time, that it's getting late. "Alright, kits! It's time ta go!" I announce.
"Awww…But why….?" Raska and Talo both whine with pouts on their faces.
"Because yer mothah's probably wonderin' where we are. She probably already 'as dinner ready, too! Aren't ya hungry?" I ask. All three of the kits giggle and nod their heads. Mom, dad, and I bring the kits back to the cave.
When we get there, it turns out that both of my predictions came true. Taisley was wondering where we were and she has dinner ready. It is roasted fish with fruit on the side. Whisper is awake and already eating. I give Raska, Talo, and Frost their portions. I grab mine and sit next to Taisley. "So, how've things been 'ere?" I ask.
"Oh, everything is good. Especially this fish I made. Do you like it?" Taisley asks.
"I like it enough, but Tais, I love ya more than any fish," I smile. I give Taisley a peck on the cheek. I hear the kits ewww-ing again. This time, I don't respond. I don't want to begin that losing conversation again.
I look outside, noticing how dark it has gotten. "Alright, kits! It's time ta go ta sleep! Come on! We'll tuck ya in!" I take Raska and Talo. I get them situated in their nests. Taisley does the same with Frost. We don't need to do anything with Whisper since she is already in her nest. In fact, she just fell asleep. We kiss each of the kits good night.
Just as I'm about to leave Frost, she grabs a hold of my fur. "Can you tell us a story?" She asks. Whisper wakes back up at the word 'story'. I guess she wants to hear as well.
"Alright. Wot one do ya want ta hear?" I ask.
"I want to know more about our brother, Silver. I want to know how he died!" Frost looks up at me.
I flinch. I look over at Taisley. She gives me a look that says 'whatever you decide, I don't mind' I sigh. "Alright. 't 'appened a few weeks after ya were born. I 'ad my back turned, preoccupied wi' you two," I point to Raska and Talo. "Whisper tugged on my fur an' let me know that Silver wasn't in th' cave. I left an' followed 'is scent trail. I found 'im in th' forest. 'e was already dead. I knew then that 'e was murdered," I pause.
"What is 'murdered'?" Frost asks.
"Murdered is when someone is killed fer no reason. No' fer food or protection. Anyway, I brought 'im back an' we buried 'im in a clearing. No' long after 'is death, I found out who th' murderer was. 't was my older brothah, Thomas. When I found out, I confronted 'im. I drove 'im as far away from 'ere as I could. 'e won't be comin' back, so don't worry 'bout 'im," I finish the tale.
All four of the kits yawn. "I'm glad uncle is gone…" Frost whispers before all four kits fall asleep.
"Yeah…me too…" I whisper into the night. Taisley and I curl up next to each other, preparing for yet another night of slumber.