The Heart of a Lion
Chapter 9: Springkit, Swiftkit, and Silverkit
It seemed that my whole life revolved around searching for Lionblaze. I was either awaiting our next meeting, or impatiently scouring ThunderClan territory in search of him. At the next Gathering, I saw his unmistakable golden fur.
I was entranced, and the bustles of cats flooded around me as members of my Clan moved around to see other Clan cats. I couldn't wait to find Lionblaze and tell him the excellent news.
Blackstar began the Gathering, telling us all things I couldn't care less about. His words passed right over my head. I was staring at Lionblaze the whole time, looking at him through throngs of moving heads and tails, just waiting for the Gathering to end so I could tell him about the kits he didn't know about.
Obviously Onestar wasn't keen on letting me come so soon after my kits were born. He insisted I stay in the nursery, but he knew how much I wanted to go to my first Gathering as a warrior and let me come with Gorsetail in watch of my newborns. I was not even sure if Lionblaze was going to be here, but I got lucky, thank StarClan.
Then Onestar stepped forward to speak. Like I did to Blackstar, I didn't really listen to what he had to say until I heard my name mentioned. My head jerked toward the Great Oak with alarm.
"We have a new warrior and we are proud to welcome Heathertail as a full warrior of WindClan. Besides that, there is a more important matter that I am sure you all noticed," Onestar meowed warmly. "She has had her kits."
Who could down on a matter like this? When I thought of whose kits they were, I wanted to shrink in the ground. I heard the usual clamor of congratulations as well as a few murmurs of uncertainty. I hoped no one would figure out the big secret behind these kits. Just knowing this wasn't a normal everyday queenhood made the whole matter of having it introduced in front of all four Clans made it horrifying.
"Three healthy kits. WindClan has a thriving future, I can see."
I would never forget the look on Lionblaze's face. There was pure astonishment and joy on his face that I would always remember. I returned the same face of pride and happiness.
Blah blah blah. Firestar and Leopardstar spoke briefly and then I was home free. The Clan leaders began to disperse and I expertly weaved my way over to Lionblaze.
"Heathertail, you didn't. How-?"
I pulled him out of earshot with my tail. "Hurry. We don't have much time," I purred.
He was quivering with excitement. "Where do I begin?"
"There are three of them," I told him helpfully.
"What do they look like?" Lionblaze asked impatiently.
I pictured my precious balls of fuzz in my mind and described them to him the best I can, giving every last detail like the white tip on the silver she-kit's tail. "Now what should we name them?"
Lionblaze smiled. "Have any suggestions for the kit like me?" he wondered.
Over my days in the nursery with the crowded company of Gorsetail and her kits, it was hard to hear my own thoughts. Those kits are so noisy! Thank StarClan they are going to be apprentices soon. But in that time I did manage to think of some good names that made my chest tingle with pleasure when I said them aloud to my kits.
"Let's name him Springkit," I suggested. "And I thought we could name the black one Swiftkit."
"I love it. Am I going to get to name the last one?"
I nodded.
For a moment he thought about it. Then he answered, "Her name can be Silverkit."
"That is a great name," I meowed.
Only for a moment did I get to enjoy his sweet, warm touch before he stepped back and looked back toward the ravine. "My Clan is leaving." Then his ears pricked toward the brush near us, twitching irritably.
I looked and thought I saw the glimmer of eyes before it disappeared. It could have been anything. A small nocturnal animal, the glimmer of starlight on raindrops…
We departed to our Clans, and I eagerly wanted to go back to the nursery and look at my kits: Springkit, Swiftkit, and Silverkit. They couldn't be more perfect.