Pale sunlight drifted through the brambles of the nursery, carrying the scent of fresh dew into the milk warm space. The older kits awoke quickly, leaping onto their mothers and mewling for them to wake up. One queen, who'd given birth little over a moon ago, smiled at the kits before looking to her own. All three slept soundly, burrowing into her belly for warmth.
Mistkit buried her nose into her mother's milk warm fur, trying to get warmth. Her brother, Graykit's, long fur brushed hers as he nuzzled closer to the two. Mistkit felt her mother's tongue run over her head and let out a small purr. ''Your father will be here soon, little ones. Just rest until then," Mintleaf, their mother, whispered tenderly to her.
''When will they be able to go outside?" another queen asked. Her scent wafted the hair as she approached. Morningdawn, the only queen without the milk scent in her. ''Soon enough, Morningdawn. They are still less than a moon old; I will let them go outside soon."
''They opened their eyes yesterday, my kits should be good with them until they have to become apprentices," the last queen, Bumbleflight, pointed out. Her kits were audible in the background, play fighting as they usually did.
''When will Sparrowkink come?" Wolfkit quipped, pawing his mother's flank lightly; ''I want to show him the hunting moves that Splotchpaw showed me!"
Mistkit heard him try to bat his mother away as she gave his head a quick lick before replying. ''He's on the dawn patrol, he'll be back soon enough and you can show him then."
Mintleaf let out a light chuckle before grooming her kits again. Mistkit purred again as her mother's tongue brushed her fluffed fur down. ''When will Featherstar be here?" Graykit muttered in his half-dazed slumber.
''He will be here soon little one; he may even show you a move or two for hunting. He wants his kits to be some of the best warriors in the clan."
Mistkit blinked her eyes open. A warrior, that's what she wanted to be. ''When can we be apprentices?" she asked, lifting her head to look at her mother.
The queen smiled and slowly began to explain. ''You won't be apprenticed to a mentor for a while, little one; you aren't even a moon old yet." Her eyes drifted to Bumbleflight's kits, play fighting near their nest. ''Bumbleflight's kits are four moons older than you; they will leave the nursery soon."
''We'll teach you guys some of the things our mentors teach us, if you want," Blossomkit said, bounding away from her siblings' fighting to sit near Mistkit. ''Besides, I can still teach you a thing or two right now about hunting."
Snowkit and Graykit leapt to their paws at the idea. ''You will? Really?" Snowkit asked, pouncing towards their den mate. She nodded, eagerly leading the three younger kits towards a more open space in the nursery.
The queens exchanged a glance then Mintleaf and Morningdawn exited the nursery while Bumbleflight kept an eye on the kits. Mistkit felt a thrill rush through her as Blossomkit demonstrated a simple crouch and pounce.
''Can I try it?" Mistkit asked, having watched the elder she-kit demonstrate it a few times. Blossomkit nodded, moving aside to let her try.
Mistkit crouched down, keeping her belly fur off the moss covered floor of the nursery, tail lightly brushing the ground. ''Good form, try to put you tail up a bit higher so it doesn't brush the ground," Blossomkit pointed out, using her tail to move the tail up a bit. ''Other than that, your form is pretty good."
Mistkit felt warmth heat her fur as she walked back to her littermates' side. Graykit gave her a little nudge of approval as Snowkit stepped forward to try.
''That was really good, it's like you knew what to do without even practicing," he purred, licking her ear lightly.
''Thanks, but I just watched. I still want to learn more," Mistkit exclaimed.
''To be a warrior?"
''Yep, that's what I want to be, a warrior."
''And you will be when the time comes."
All three kits turned in unison to see a large white tom standing before the brambles, his green eyes shimmering in the half-light. ''Featherstar!" the three kits cheered, racing to their father and tackling him to the ground. Their father, and leader, chuckled as his kits bombarded him with questions. ''Alright! Alright!" he chuckled, pushing his kits off and sitting up. ''You all look bigger, much stronger than the last time I saw you," he said, looking each kit over and giving each an approving lick.
Mistkit couldn't help the wash of pride that ran through her as her father gave her an approving lick. ''Can we show you what Blossomkit showed us?" she questioned.
Featherstar hesitated, something she was not expecting. ''I'm sorry; I have to go on a patrol right now. Maybe next time, alright?"
Mistkit felt sadness fill her, but nodded.
He turned, sadness hinting in his eyes then left. Snowkit grunted and sulked away, obviously annoyed at the short visit. ''He's the leader; he has a duty to the clan. He can't play with his kits like Sparrowkink can," Graykit assured, leading Mistkit back to their little training area.
She glanced over her shoulder one last time watching as the large white tom disappeared from view.