Dawnstar's Legacy chapter 4
It was sort of traditional (for a time) that cats are not named River, Thunder, Wind or Shadow. I am breaking this rule; I have seen other authors who have too, just so you know if names sound a little weird. Not going to be an ultra-common occurrence, but it will happen.
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Three moons passed since the day Dawnkit received news of a sibling that was on its way. News spread around fast in RiverClan, and most of the clan was off congradulating Embersoul and Stoneheart. Dawnkit couldn't stand warriors, queens and apprentices tromping in and out of the nursery most days. On the bright side, Dawnkit now knew the entire clan. She knew the elders: Willowfur, Fireclaw, Stormheart, and Brightstep. She also knew the other queens: Blackstripe, Ripplesky, and Mooneyes. Dawnkit was also introduced to the Leader, Waterstar and her deputy, Nightshade.
On day, Dawnkit was napping next to her mother. She opened her eyes and pressed herself closer into the familiar silver pelt. Dawnkit noticed how huge her mother's belly grew in the last three moons! She reminded Dawnkit of a fat bass fish that the hunting patrols often brought back from the rivers and lake. This made Dawnkit laugh a little to herself. I wonder when the new kit will arrive. Just as the thought passed into her mind, Stoneheart shifted her position, again. Dawnkit got very little sleep this hour, even though she got tired in the middle of the day as usual. Stoneheart kept moving around, jostling Dawnkit all around their mossy, little nest. She had never been so sleep deprived in her life. Finally and very lazily, Dawnkit stood up and hopped out of the nest. I'll go find Leafstep. He'll get something to help Mama. Dawnkit squeezed herself out of the nursery, reeds tugged at her fur as she slipped out. She wasn't old enough to swim yet, so she would have to find Embersoul to get Leafstep. Dawnkit walked over to the warriors den. Most of the warriors were in their dens at this time of day; it was the hottest part of the day. Embersoul was in the den at around this time, but not this time. It seemed like every warrior was in the den except her father. Panicking, Dawnkit found Silverstorm instead. The kit ran bounced up to the silver tabby warrior, mewling.
"Can you get Leafstep for me? I can't swim." Silverstorm, seeing the worry in the kit's eyes, stepped out of the den with a rather calm expression. She padded to the river and jumped. Icy droplets of clear water splashed Dawnkit's coat as she followed. Moments later, Silverstorm appeared out of the medicine cat's den with Leafstep at her heels. The spotted medicine cat looked strained to Dawnkit, as if he hadn't slept in a long time. Reluctantly, Leafstep wadded across to the main camp area.
"Stoneheart's sick! Stoneheart's sick!" Dawnkit yowled over to Leafstep. Sure enough, Stoneheart could be heard from the nursery, yowling like ten badgers were chasing her. With a new energy, Leafstep bounded out from the river bank and streaked towards the nursery. Blackwing seemed to materialize from the apprentice's den with a bundle of herbs in her mouth, following her mentor.
"Hurry up with the raspberry leaves, Blackwing." Leafstep called to his apprentice, his fur bristling as he landed in the nursery. Dawnkit slipped in after the two medicine cats, hoping her mother would be alright. Inside the nursery, Dawnkit saw the other queens lead their kits outside. Only Mooneyes stayed in the nursery. She lay down beside Stoneheart, lapping at Stoneheart's silver forehead to soothe her. Leafstep placed a paw on Stoneheart's belly. Dawnkit's mother yowled with surprise and jerked her head towards the medicine cat.
"GET OUT!" She screeched. Blackwing, who was sitting in the background and absorbing the experience laughed.
"It's alright, Stoneheart, you're just kitting. You'll need our help and at least an herb."
"I DON'T NEED YOUR HELP. I NEED EMBERSOUL. SOMEONE GO FIND HIM!" As if on cue, Amberblaze poked her head into the nursery meowing.
"He's almost here. I'm just going to fetch him for you." And with a flick of her paws, Amberblaze was gone. Stoneheart yowled again in response. Dawnkit covered her ears. She sure is loud! The silver and white kit looked back at her mother, who was panting heavily, stomach contracting. To Dawnkit, it looked like she was in a lot of pain.
"I need a stick. Mooneyes, will you get one for me?" Leafstep meowed, calmness entering his voice. Mooneyes obeyed, her orange eyes shining. She grasped a stick in her mouth and handed it to Leafstep.
"Bit down on this, Stoneheart," the medicine cat said, "it will help with the pains." Wordlessly, Stoneheart did as she was told. Dawnkit could hear the wood crunching beneath her mother's yowls. Then, the reeds of the den rustled. Dawnkit averted her gaze towards the nursery entrance. Embersoul's familiar dappled face appeared.
"Amberblaze told me what's happening, does she need help?" Embersoul's face was twisted with worry for his mate. He burst through the entrance of the nursery and planted himself next to Stoneheart.
"Is she ok?" Emberheart asked, he was almost shaking with worry. Blackwing settled down near the group of cats and answered the anxious tom. Her crystal blue eyes shone with excitement.
"She's fine. In a few more moments the kit should come out."
With one final yowl from Stoneheart, a little bundle of fur fell to the mossy floor of the nursery. Blackwing sprang at it, the furiously licked the little grey ball of fur. The black pelted medicine cat gripped the wet bundle and placed it by Stoneheart's side. Dawnkit tried to get a closer look at her new sibling. She could hear Mooneyes, Blackwing and Leafstep purr.
"Congratulations, Stoneheart and Embersoul! You now have a healthy son," Leafstep meowed cheerfully. His amber eyes glowed. "Here's some borage for Stoneheart. Make sure she eats them, Embersoul." Leafstep pushed a few fresh leaves towards Embersoul. Dawnkit could smell the bitter scent that wafted around the adult cats' paws.
Embersoul nodded to Leafstep. Both he and Blackwing squeezed out of the thorny entrance to the nursery and headed back to the medicine cat's den. On her way out, Blackwing stared into Dawnkit's eyes. She opened her mouth to speak. Her eyes still maintained their warmth and friendliness as usual.
"You're lucky, Dawnkit. My brother, Darkfang died when he was made a warrior. I never had a chance to really bond with him." The dark medicine cat's eyes flashed pain. Dawnkit guessed Blackwing was remembering what it was like to be living with a sibling. Dawnkit didn't respond to Blackwing. She had no way of comforting her. All the silver kit could manage to do was avert Blackwing's gaze politely. Dawnkit was about to go toward her family when Blackwing stopped her suddenly.
"Don't forget what I said, Flight of Dawn." Dawnkit almost gasped out loud when she saw Blackwing's blue eyes glow like they did three moons ago. Too dazed to react, Dawnkit fell to her haunches. Blackwing then left the nursery with her mentor. Dawnkit sighed with relief when she was gone. Now she could finally meet her new littermate in peace.
Dawnkit trotted up to her mother's nest. Stoneheart was grooming a little bundle of grey fur. The lump of grey mewed in protest, but Dawnkit's mother kept on licking. Stoneheart then turned to face her daughter. Dawnkit thought her mother's face looked gaunt and her eyes lost their glittering green light they usually carried as a sign of vitality.
"Dawnkit, meet your new little brother," Stoneheart mewed, her voice loosing energy. She turned to Embersoul, who settled himself down, pressing his fur to hers. "What shall we name him?" Embersoul beckoned Dawnkit towards the lump of fur pressed against her mother's belly. The little tom kit had silvery grey fur like Dawnkit and her mother's, but with ginger paws and ear tips a bit like his father's. Embersoul stared off into the distance for a heart beat's time. Then he responded softly to his mate.
"I say we name him Thunderkit, honoring noble leader Thunderstar, who graced us with the warrior code." Embersoul gazed lovingly at his little family and purred. Warmth strayed off of him in waves Dawnkit could detect.
"Welcome to RiverClan, Thunderkit." Stoneheart sighed as she closed her eyes and fell asleep. She curled her body around her new born son who then began to suckle greedily.
"Let's go out so we don't disturb your mother." Embersoul whispered to Dawnkit. He led his daughter out of the nursery and into the clearing where the clan was gathering. Dawnkit sat close to her father as cats poured out of their nests and settled around a flat, tan colored stone that jutted out of the ground in the middle of camp. A blue grey and white tabby she cat leapt up onto the rock, muscles rippling with the power that coursed through them. Dawnkit immediately recognized the cat as Waterstar, RiverClan's leader. I wonder why we're having a clan meeting. Is it to welcome Thunderkit into the clan?
Waterstar gazed down at her clan and set her gaze on the group of apprentices that sat almost directly in front of her. Then, loud and resonating, Waterstar yowled to her clan.
"Today, we gather here to welcome the clan's newest arrival," Excited mews could be heard from every cat in the camp. "We welcome Thunderkit, son of Embersoul and Stoneheart."
"Thunderkit! Thunderkit!" The clan cheered. Dawnkit joined in, pride echoing from her voice. She heard her father's voice above the rest, celebrating the birth of his own son. As soon as the cheers died down, Waterstar spoke up again.
"We are also here to witness two new warriors gain their warrior names. They are Icepaw and Timberpaw." Waterstar shifted her blue gaze to Redfur, Icepaw's mentor. "Redfur, is Icepaw ready to become a warrior?"
"She is, Waterstar." Redfur responded. Icepaw padded respectfully towards Waterstar, her white fur prickling with anticipation.
"Icepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend your clan always, even at the cost of your life?" Waterstar's voice echoed in the clearing, all the other cats quieted.
"I do." Icepaw said, her voice remaining strong.
"Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. From this day forward you shall be known as Icepelt. We honor your courage and determination as we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan."
"Icepelt! Icepelt!" The clan cheered with the same enthusiasm as they did moments before. Dawnkit watched as Icepelt leaned over to Waterstar and licked her shoulder. Then, the striped RiverClan leader turned towards Timberpaw.
"Embersoul, is Timberpaw worthy of becoming a Warrior?" Embersoul jerked his head to his leader.
"He is, Waterstar." Embersoul meowed in response, full of confidence in his apprentice. Waterstar nodded.
"Timberpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do." Timberpaw's voice mewed. It shook a little nervously, but then gained confidence and clarity.
"Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your Warrior name. From this day forward, you shall be called Timberclaw. We honor your skill and kindness as we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan."
"Timberclaw!" The clan started to cheer again. Dawnkit raised her voice high. She was happy for Timberclaw. He was one of her first friends that she made in the clan. Embersoul suddenly turned his attention towards her.
"That'll be you one day. I might be gone then, but always remember I'll watch your warrior ceremony."