Featherwhisker was right - the rain came, fast and violent. Pouring down in vicious sheets of water. Morningkit sat quietly in the brambles of the nursery, peering out through the small gaps in the thorns. They should have reached WindClan's camp by now and the sudden downpour worried her. A storm like this was never a good sign. The fight would be even more dangerous with mud to slow them. A quiet call of her name had her turning, nosing her way out of the brambles, Speckletail was eyeing her worriedly but just flicked her tail, coaxing the kit closer.
Morningkit obeyed the silent request, padding over to the queen as she lay curled up around the rest of her kits. Morningkit climbed into the nest, scooting in next to Lionkit and mumbled out an explanation, "I was in the brambles watching the storm."
Speckletail nodded, nosing her over before tucking her tail over the three kits, clearly satisfied by her dry pelt. Morningkit lay still and let the warmth of her mother and littermates block out the chilly wind brought with the storm. It was surprisingly calm in the den despite the wind raging outside. Speckletail started up a purr as thunder shook the ground, drowning out the harsh patter of rain on the leaves above them.
Morningkit relaxed and tried to let the purr soothe her to sleep but was unsuccessful too worried about the ongoing battle. She stayed awake, eyes trained on the entrance and listened to the sound of the pouring rain. The fight would not last too long especially not with this unfortunate weather.
As quickly as it started the rain started to peter out, turning from a relentless downpour to a more gentle shower until it slowly stopped. Morningkit could hear the clan starting to exit their dens, cautiously mingling in the clearing to wait for the returning warriors. The wait was not long. They left before dawn and they returned just after sun-high, the scent of blood wafting toward them before their Clanmates slowly limped into camp.
Speckletail abruptly stood up and ran out of the nursery, throwing a "Stay here." over her shoulder at her kits. Morningkit obeyed for the most part, slinking into the brambles and peering out at the returning cats. Her eyes widened in shock as she watched Swiftbreeze lunge for Goosefeather, claws unsheathed. Adderfang quickly intervened and Morningkit let out a gasp as she finally saw why they were fighting. A still silver tabby lay on the ground, blood still staining the once pretty pelt. Moonflower.
Poppydawn and her kits squeezed past her, crouching outside the nursery as the queen scanned the returning cats. The dark ginger molly let out a wail of grief as she caught sight of the familiar silver cat, laid lifelessly on the ground. Morningkit sighed and briefly closed her eyes, saying a silent prayer for Moonflower before opening them again and turning back into the nursery.
Lionkit and Goldenkit were sitting up, fear and concern clear in their eyes as they watched her. She sighed and padded over to them, a purr escaping her as she nosed them back down into the nest, "Let's stay here. Speckletail will return when she can. It's better to stay out of the way for now."
"What's going on?" Lionkit asked, fear edging into his voice. Morningkit sighed, "Moonflower is dead."
Goldenkit blinked, "Dead?"
She nodded, "Yes, she must have died during the battle."
Goldenkit leaned closer to Lionkit, eyes dimming slightly, "Poor Snowpaw and Bluepaw, they barely left the nursery and now Moonflower…"
Lionkit let out a rough purr, comforting the pale ginger kit with a few rough licks on the head. Morningkit curled up in front of them, keeping her eyes alert as she watched the entrance. Her littermates pressed against her back, sharing warmth even as they slowly let themselves fall silent. She waited until their breathing evened out and their self-comforting purrs went quiet before carefully moving away.
Morningkit crawled out of the nest and glanced back, Lionkit was curled up into a tight ball with Goldenkit half on top of him, her tail dangling across his back as she sprawled across the tom. Morningkit shook her head slightly before creeping toward the entrance, squeezing out of the brambles and into the clearing.
Morningkit stared out at the clearing. The faint scent of death drifted over, not fully concealed by the rosemary and mint rubbed into the fur. She sighed watching the small group of cats holding vigil grow slowly but didn't go over. Only time can help them come to terms with their grief.
Sweetkit was padding back to the nursery, tail drooping as she cast sad glances back at Bluepaw, the apprentice tightly pressed against her mother. Thistlekit followed behind her, eyes on the ground as his paws sank into the mud with everystep. Soft fur brushed over her and she glanced to her left, Rosekit was already next to her pressing against her flank. Both Poppydawn and Speckletail were laying with Moonflower, though she doubted both queens would stay for the entire night.
Poppydawn might but Speckletail wouldn't. It was a long night. Morningkit waited for the rest of her denmates, watching them enter the nursery before slowly following behind them. She glanced around the den and was relieved at seeing the other kits climb into the same nest as Lionkit and Goldenkit, curling against the two younger kits. She padded over brushing her tail comfortingly across Sweetkit's flank as the calico curled up next to Lionkit, Thistlekit on her otherside.
It'd be best if they stayed here. This would be their first brush with death though it would not be their last. She wanted them to stay blissfully ignorant as long as they could. She nudged her littermates deeper into the nest, it would be better if they all stayed together. Speckletail would come back and keep watch over them, until then Morningkit will watch.