Morningdew

"Oh my, they are getting so big!" Daisy purred looking at the kits while they slept. "Shh, I don't want to wake them." I whispered and she gave an apologetic look, the kits had been up since sunrise and the night before they stayed up till the moon was half way in the sky. Starclan I was exhausted, they were 5 weeks old now and despite all the help I was getting from my parents and the clan I still felt like I was crawling up a steep mountain with three boulders attached to my legs.

"I think they will be asleep for a while. Im going to stretch my legs." I said with a yawn, Daisy curled up with the kits while I eagerly bounced out of camp. Batfang and Skytail met me at the entrance with a smile, "Hey Morningdew, how are the kits? It must be nice getting some fresh air huh?" Skytail smiled, "Stars yes, I love my kits but they can be a pawful." I sighed.

"I couldn't imagine having to be stuck in the nursery all day like Daisy, how can she stand it?" Batfang said, his low baritone reminding me of thunder. "Want to go hunting with us? Squirrelflight has everyone hunting double before the snow comes. I looked up at the sky and noticed how gray and heavy the clouds looked, I have been so caught up with the kits I forgot what season it was. "Sure, I would love to stretch my paws."

Skytail's fluffy fur dragged leaves as we snuck through bushes in search of prey. Batfang snickered as she kept stopping to pull brambles and twigs from her coat. "Why couldn't I have shorter fur like my brother Snowstorm? He never has to deal with this." She growled, "Well at least you don't have to worry about fleas, they would probably suffocate under all that fur." I joked and she shook her head back in forth in a mocking manner.

I missed Skytail, she was so calm and funny I was surprised she spent so much time with Batfang, he was so….bland in comparison but to each their own. I turned my head as I herd the sound of rustling leaves, immedietly going into a hunting crouch I crept forward hoping to find a unsuspecting mouse digging for acorns but instead I came nose to nose Birchpaw,

"Oh Morningdew, I thought you were a mouse." He said looking crestfallen, "Ugh, I bet Morningdew tastes gross." A mew came from behind us and Finchpaw and Sunpaw bounched over to their brother. "I don't think so, I bet she tastes like the sun shining through a fresh blade of grass." Sunpaw said looking at me his eyes glazed with admiration, I suddenly felt uncomfortable. I had an apprentice once before, Daisybreeze and she gave me the same look.

I almost felt like they cared more about impressing me more than they cared about my lessons. "Geeze Sunpaw, what does that even mean? How does sunny grass even have a tatse" Finchpaw said making a scrunched face at her borthers poetic comment. "Its not about taste dummy, its about visualization!" he defended and Birchpaws face went side to side as they argued. I looked to Skytail who laughed at the silly dispute while Batfang rolled his eyes with annoyance. "Where is Dovewing, Fleetwhisker and Berrynose? Aren't you supposed to be training?" I asked interrupting the fight. "Oh, they are on patrol with Brackenfur and they told us to work on our hunting skills." Birchpaw said, "Oh yeah! I forgot we were doing that." Finchpaw broke in, her dispute with Sunpaw forgotten, "Im supposed to bring back 4 mice for the elders!" and she bounded off in the direction she came, Sunpaw on her heels and Birchpaw trying to keep up, his plump belly and stubby legs making it difficult.

"Geeze, if those are our future warriors we will be in trouble." Batfang groaned, getting a shove from Skytail, "They aren't so bad, they are only apprentices after all. They still have a long way to go."

Feeling like this hunt was a lost cause I excused myself to find my magnolia tree. The leaves still hung firm and even though the flowers died weeks ago, I still smell their lingering scent in the air. Without hesitation I bounded up branch after branch enjoying the strain in my unused limbs. When I reached my favorite perch at the top I was out of breath and majorly out of practice, ever since I got pregnant I didn't feel comfortable climbing so high in case my extra weight through me off balance. Even though I was still producing milk, I knew my kits were going to start eating meat soon and I was looking forward to dropping the weight it left behind.

Breathing in the cold brisk air, I could smell the threat of snow and wondered if this winter was going to be good or bad for Thunderclan. We had grown considerably this summer and with so many mouths to feed hunting was going to be harder than ever. I needed to get back into field as soon as possible, I was the best tree hunter in the clan even though my training techniques had made our newest warriors more adept at it than before. Searching the trees for birds and squirrels would be our best bet, my mind went back to the winters of hunting in the snow with Skytail and Scorchflame. His dark broad face came into mind and I felt my heart twinge at the memory, even though Starclan didn't fault me or Nightfang for his death I still had unimaginable guilt. If I had just broken up with him then maybe this wouldn't have happened and he could have been happy with another she-cat.

A flash of movement in the distance caught my eye and across the moor I could see the Windclan cats chasing a rabbit, I didn't see Nightfang among them but I loved watching them hunt. They were so agile and swift, I admired their skill and that reminded me that the kits should be old enough to travel now and after weeks of introducing them to his scent I had a good feeling they would except their father the second they met him.

My heart swelled at the thought of Nightfang's face as he gazed upon his kits for the first time since their birth. I quickly leapt from my tree and found the rock pile we used to communicate. Our scents mingled on them and as I delicately arranged the rocks to request a meeting I added three extra rocks in the middle of the circle, tonight I hoped that Silver, Raven, and Wishkit would meet their father.

Feeling largely energetic in contrast to when I left I barley noticed as I bumped into Leafpool. "Oh sorry Leafpool, I was being clumsy." I smiled, "Yes, having kits will take a lot out of a mother. I hope you aren't straining yourself?" she said looking at the dirt on my paws. I shook my back legs, "Oh no, I was just getting a bit of exercise. Do you think I could bring a mouse to the kits? I am sure they are ready, I can feel all of their teeth." I winced at the sharp ach on my stomach. Leafpool looked thoughtful for a moment before she nodded, "I don't think that will hurt them, but chew the food first."

"Oh wonderful, ill bring them one now." I said moving around her, "Oh Morningdew, I don't know if Jayfeather told you but Nightfang wanted to congratulate you on your litter the last gathering." She said, my ears perked at his name, "Oh really? That was nice of him…I will have to thank him the next time I see him." I said my voice sounding whimsical at the thought of hearing my mates voice again.

"Yes…it was interesting, your kits were the talk of the gathering you know." She went on and I turned to look at her now, her gaze slid from mine as if she didn't want to look at me directly, "Were they? All good things I hope." I evened my tone now, not understanding what she was trying to say. "Of course, new kits are always welcomed in any clan, Nightfang was interested enough to pass on the word. Oddly considerate for another clans deputy."

I swallowed, the lump that was building in my throat made my voice sound hoarse, "Oh, well from what iv heard he is a very respectable cat, Windclan will have a promising new leader." She didn't respond, her claws moving an acorn shell around in the dirt, "Amber is an interesting eye color don't you think?"

"It is, a proper autumn color. Though I personally always favored the deep blue ones like Jayfeathers." I countered giving her a testing look, and she stiffened, before this conversation got any more uncomfortable I grabbed a black bird from the fresh kill pile. What was her problem? Jayfeather and Leafpool have been treating so oddly ever since I brought my kits into camp. It not that odd considering she had done the same thing with her kits and no cat said a word, even thought they looked nothing like Bramblestar or Squirrelflight.

My pelt stood on end, my cheerful mood now turned bubbly as I dropped the bird roughly onto the nest, waking Silverkit. "Oh mama, what is that?" Ravenkit lifted his head at his brothers question, "You smell nice mama, have you been outside?" he asked the two tom uncurling themselves from their sleeping ball, making Wiskit cry in protest, "Whats going on?"

"Here kits, I want you to try this." I said pulling feathers from the bird to reach the rich meat below. I bit into the breast of the bird and chewed a small bite into a gooey pulp and as my kits sniffed at my muzzle and the bird I spit the pulp on a small pile of moss I pulled from the nest. They sniffed it, Wishkits face alight with curiosity, "It smells good!" she said, "Is this bird food?" Ravenkit said, eyeing it suspiciously. Without a comment Silverkit pushed forward and took a large bite, "Hey, you took most of it Silverkit! That's not fair." Wishkit whined shoving her brother who cheeks bulged with the meat. He swallowed hard and chapped his lips, "Hmm it tastes yummy! I want more!" he said going for the other bite before Wishkit pushed into him, taking the last bite and the moss with it. She quickly spite it out, "Eww, it tastes bitter."

"That because you ate the moss silly." I said licking her face reassuringly. I chewed a bit more bird for her to try and this time she joined her brothers enthusiasm, I looked at Ravenkit who had yet to try any, "Don't you want some love?" I asked wrapping my tail around him, he turned his face into my flank "I don't want to eat the raven."

"Oh darling it isn't a raven! Ravens are large and gamey, we don't eat those unless its dire. This is just a little black bird, perfectly natural." I said licking his ears. He looked at Wishkit and Silverkit and how they bickered over the meat. I chewed a bit more, not wanting to give them too much and let Ravenkit taste it first. He squeezed his eyes as if he was expecting it to be poison but quickly his blue eyes glittered open with surprise, "Its…good, its good mama!" he said and now all three kit jumped at me for more bird but I hushed them before they waked Lilyhearts kits who were still drinking their mothers milk.

"That's enough for now loves, I don't want you to get a stomach ache." I said moving the bird behind me. The whined in protest but I gave them a stern look, "Enough now, warriors don't whine remember?" I scolded and they quickly stopped, I leaned my head down to lick each of their noses sending them all into giggle fits, but I quickly changed my tone into a low whisper "Listen kits I have a secret to tell you."

Nightfang

"I think we have a snow storm coming, I can feel it in my bones." Kestrelflight said blowing a puff of breath and shaking his dulling fur. "Are you sure that's not because your old?" Harespring joked, earning a glare from the old medicine cat. "I think he is right, the clouds have been blotting out the sun for a week now, we must prepare." Onestar said and we all nodded.

This mornings meeting was typical, winter preparations have been in full swing ever since the frosts began to coat the grass. "The elders den and the nursery have all been reinforced with woven grass and mud. The apprentices have also been working hard to secure the warrior and apprentice den but that has been moving slower since they are larger and require delicate weaving but they will hold up in a pinch." I reported, the last few weeks have been nothing but pulling grass, finding sticks and making mud to pack against it. Lemonpaw was complaining about turning into a mole and I couldn't blame her. "How is the herb storage?" Onestar addressed Kestrelflight, "We are low on poppy seed but we have plenty of marigold and lavender, which will help coughs. Mothwing even gave me some lake algae, which has done very well for ear infections. I am confident we can make it through a snow."

Onestar nodded, looking pleased with the report, "Good, then we shouldn't have anything to worry about, Nightfang make sure the dens are secure and Kestrelflight try to avoid using poppy for now unless its an emergency." He dismissed us and I mentally prepared myself for another earful from Lemonpaw, "I have to get sticks again? Why cant I hunt or do patrol?" she moaned, her pink nose wrinkling in frustration.

"I have our warriors doing those things, we need every cat doing their part, which includes you. Besides making sure the dens are secure is the most important task in the clan, it will prevent sickness by keeping the den cozy during those windy nights. In turn we will be stronger, and healthier than the other clans giving us an edge in case of danger." I lectured and even though she was still pouting, she didn't continue to argue as I sent her off with Littlepaw to find twigs by Shadowclans border. The morning patrols were out and busy and for once I had a few moments to myself.

Deciding to take a walk I found myself wondering close to the Thunderclan border. My kits would be 6 weeks old by now and I was aching to see them and Morningdew again. The gathering assured me that they were healthy and happy but it wasn't the same as seeing them with my own eyes. I remembered Silverkits bold striped coat and size, I knew he was going to be a formidable warrior. Ravenkit was sleek, like me and I prayed that he was able to do as well in the trees as he would have been in the moors. Wishkit was fierce, even fresh out of her mothers womb she was ready to take on the whole forest.

When I stopped at the base of our slope I saw that the rocks had been disturbed, Morningdew had been here! She wanted to meet tonight and she was bringing the kits! I could hardly contain my joy and I quickly clawed to ground to let her know I had agreed. My kits, I was going to she them! and Morningdew, oh my dear Morningdew, I needed to hunt for her, I needed to clean the cave up.

I grew panicked at the sudden realization that I had been so busy with winter preparations that I had forgotten to clean the cave up from the birth! Shooting up the slope I dug out the old moss and feathers and realized again I had nothing to replace them with, all the moss was gone and we hadn't caught a bird in weeks.

Calm down Nightfang, Morningdew wouldn't care about the state of things, the important thing was that we had our love and our kits.

Despite the chilly breeze I felt warm all over. I decided to walk back to camp to tell Onestar I had a night patrol to do but I herd a small snap of a twig behind me. The breeze blew the scent away from my nose but I had a sneaking suspicion of who it might be. Deciding to see what Lemonpaw was capable of doing I remained aloof, sniffing a rock here, nudging a stick there and I ducked quickly as Lemonpaw burst through the grass trying to grab my shoulders.

"What! How did you know I was there?" she protested, glaring at me for ruining her ambush. "You need to concentrate on where you lay your paws, not just on whats in front of you." I laughed and she let out a disgruntled huff. "I thought I told you to get sticks by Shadowclans border, you didn't leave Littlepaw to do that on her own while you slack off did you?"

"No! I was looking for sticks, just not by Shadowclan." I raised an eyebrow at her and she shuffled her paws nervously, "Well its not my fault collecting sticks is so boring. warriors cant defend their territory by collecting sticks." I let out a deep sigh, "Lemonpaw being a warrior isn't all about fighting its about-"

"Helping your clanmates in everyway you can, I know I know." She interrupted and I cuffed her ear lightly, "That's right, now if you disobey me again I will make you arrange the sticks by size and durability now go help Littlepaw." She didn't move, "Lemonpaw.." I said my voice deep with warning, "But I want to go with you! cant I just take a break on stick collecting for one day!?" she pleaded, her honey golden eyes burned with hope.

Letting out another defeated sigh and turned, telling her to follow with swish of my tail. She let out an excited squeal and dashed forward and jumped on top of a nearby rock, "So what are we doing, looking for badgers, or foxes? What about trespassers? Oh, oh I know! I bet we are looking for weasels, Emberfoot told me they were the hardest prey to catch." Her head darted side to side as if all of those things were surrounding us like swarming flies. I chuckled, "Nothing that serious."

She jumped down coming up to my side, "What then? Does Kestrelflight want you to find some special herb?" I shook my head, "I was actually just enjoying a nice stroll though the moor."

"What? Why? I thought the deputy was the best warrior in the clan, why would you be taking a dumb old walk?" I burst out laughing, "Why not? It helps me clear my head and center my focus."

"So you can think of new battle moves right? Or, or new ways to help Onestar lead right? The Lightning pounce you made last summer was amazing!" Morningdew had helped me come up with that move, we practiced it for almost a moon before she discovered that the trick to the faster pounce was more momentum. "Not exactly." I said stopping at the top of a grassy hill. I stood there a moment and shut my eyes, letting the breeze tickle my nose and penetrate my fur. The fresh air and rustling grass reminded me of why I loved Windclan so much, the moors where more than our home, they represented freedom itself. I doubted any clan in the forest could be as quick on their paws as us, "Don't you feel it?" I whispered

Lemonpaw stepped up beside me and tried to copy my pose, "Not really, I think I got a bug in my nose."

"Focus Lemonpaw, Windclan have been moor runners ever since our ancestors established us. Cant you feel their love and passion for it in your paws? In your heart?"

She tried again, her ears flicked from side to side and she took a deep breath, "I think so, yeah, Yeah I can feel it! It feels like snow." Confused I opened my eyes and saw tiny flurries beginning to fall. The snow had come and Morningdew and the kits were about to be swept up in it.