Chapter 16

K so this is a special chapter for Fox, and you'll see why! Kaly, if you're reading this, I'm moving your "special idea wink, wink" so yeah enjoy this chapter! CIAO!

Pouncer opened his eyes drowsily. There isn't any sunlight flittering through the den roof anymore, I'll never get to used to it as long as we're stuck in this tunnel. He stretched out his legs in the stuffy den, joints aching. He noticed Wolftail fussing over Foxflame, who's belly was now round with kits. She's ready to kit any day now! Pouncer walked over to Foxflame, but stopped when he noticed Moonfire.

She was out of her den finally, and even talking. Sunpaw had left for a few days, but Pouncer knew she was only grieving for her father's absence. I know Cinderblaze went through a period like this when Tallstripe died, just let her grieve. Moonfire was in good paws, she had Skyflower. Her mother should be here with her. The tabby pushed down his sad thoughts about his ex-mate and focused on now.

"Wolftail can I lead a patrol? We're starving," Berryfoot pleaded. Wolftail nodded. Berryfoot mewed a thank you, and gathered Pouncer, Wishpelt, Petalheart, and Windpaw. Foxflame scurried over to the patrol, belly swaying.

"Can I join?" She meowed hopefully.

"Oh no, no, no," Wolftail said sternly. "You're staying in the tunnel, where I can watch you, Foxflame."

"No! I want to stretch my legs, feel the breeze through my fur!" Foxflame argued. Wolftail lashed his tail. "Whiskershadow? Can I go on a patrol?"

Whiskershadow poked his head out of his den, smirk on his face. "Let her go Wolftail," He smiled. He ran over and checked her flank. "She'll be fine, just take it easy okay? Petalheart, watch over her," He whispered. The gray she-cat nodded sneakily and kept her eye on the white and ginger queen, who was bouncing with excitement.

Pouncer chuckled. Foxflame has always been giddy. He smiled at Whiskershadow, who cast him a 'watch the she-cat before she falls over' look. Pouncer winked and padded after his patrol out of the tunnel.

He ended up side by side next to Petalheart, who kept eyeing Foxflame. "So how's Lightningfall?" Pouncer asked, smirking. Petalheart's fur ruffled up in embarrassment, and she soon smoothed it down.

"I-I, um, he's nice and sweet, and-" She blushed thinking about the golden tom. Pouncer laughed and nuzzled the young she-cat. "Whatever, weirdo," She giggled.

"Shut up, both of you," Berryfoot hissed. "You'll scare off all the prey!"

"Shut up both of you, you'll scare off all the prey!" Pouncer mimicked. Petalheart stiffed a purr. Berryfoot snapped her head back and glared at them, killing them with a stare.

Suddenly Foxflame hunched over, and wrenched her face in agony. Pouncer ran to her side. "Foxflame? Are you ok?" He asked, voice trembling with worry.

"No, you mouse-brain! My kits are coming!" She yowled. Pouncer stepped back, scared out of his fur. Berryfoot nosed him away, rubbing Foxflame's flank.

"I've had three kits; I can handle her. Windpaw you're the fastest, get Runningbreeze and Whiskershadow! Petalheart, find some moss for Foxflame," Berryfoot snapped. Petalheart and Windpaw rushed off without another word. Berryfoot was whispering soothing words to Foxflame, and rubbing her flank. "Pouncer, can you help?"

"I don't know what to do!" He cried. Berryfoot glared at him, a challenge sparking her gaze.

"You had three kits!"

"I didn't watch, I had to leave!"

"Ugh! You're useless! Go get Foxflame some wet moss, now!" She snapped. Pouncer nodded, rushing towards the river. He heard Foxflame cry as he ran away, thankful to not have to see Foxflame in pain.

He stopped on his way back to Foxflame, when he saw Sunpaw hiding in the bushes. He grabbed her scruff and she shrieked in surprise, causing Zelda to turn around. Sunpaw relaxed when she realized it was Pouncer. "What are you doing? And why is Zelda back?" He asked.

"I tried to find her, and she came back when Terror took me! She's fighting him now!" Sunpaw said, watching as Zelda kicked at Terror with her hind paws. Knocking him to the ground, and making him hit his head on a tree trunk. He lay still, but Pouncer saw his flank rise and fall.

"TERROR!" Canine screeched, running to his leader. "Come Sanguis! We must get Terror back to camp!" He snarled, grabbing Terror's scruff.

"What about the she-cat?" A cat challenged, hackles raised, as she stared at Zelda, glaring. The tortoiseshell responded with a glare of her own.

"Leave them!" Caine spat. He ran into the forest, Terror in his jaws, the other cats eventually followed him, spitting in rage.

Pouncer started at Zelda and Sunpaw. "Your mother will talk to you later," He pointed at Sunpaw. "As for you," He said, glaring at Zelda. "Just come!" He led them to Foxflame, where Whiskershadow and Moonfire had appeared.

"Where's Runningbreeze?" Pouncer asked his daughter.

"Poolpaw's leg again," She said sadly. "She thinks it will become lame if he strains it again." She directed her gaze towards Zelda, suddenly spitting with rage. "Y-you!" She leapt for Zelda knocking her over, snarling. "You took Regnantstorm away form me!"

"You took him form her first!" Zelda retorted, attacking Moonfire, spitting. Pouncer and Wishpelt dragged them off each other.

"Enough!" Whiskershadow snapped, eyes burning holes in their souls. Both she-cats glared at each other, snarling.

Foxflame let out a cry as Wolftail appeared. "Why is she here? Why isn't she in the nursery?! Foxflame, are you ok?!" Whiskershadow pushed him off.

"She went into kitting during the patrol. I can feel three kits, now shut up! She'll be fine, Dad, I need you to hold Wolftail back," Whiskershadow snapped urgently, working on Foxflame with Berryfoot. Pouncer grabbed Wolftail's scruff, pulling him back. Luckily the giant tom didn't put up a fight.

"One kit, a she-cat!" Berryfoot cried, licking the little scrap of fur, nudging the black she-cat with white spots to her mother's belly. A few minutes later, a dark ginger tom was born, and then a cream colored tom with fawn colored spots. Pouncer released Wolftail, who ran to his mate's side.

"Foxflame!" he cried. "They're beautiful," he exclaimed, eyes shining. Foxflame nodded, touching her muzzle to her mate's cheek, purring loudly.

Whiskershadow smiled sadly, nudging he dark ginger kit, eyes hollow with grief. "Foxflame?" he said silently. "H-he passed," He sad quietly. Foxflame nudged the ginger kit, eyes misting.

"N-no," she whimpered. Foxflame stifled a cry and closed her eyes, whispering a silent prayer to Starclan. "He needs a name," She whispered. Wolftail nodded, eyes clouded with grief. "He will be named Flamekit, Starclan watch over you my son." She touched her nose to his tiny forehead, tears falling from her cheek.

"Shimmerkit," She said pointing to black and white she-cat, who sneezed and nuzzled closer to her mother. "Name one, my love." She said, tired.

"Barkkit." He said instantly to the cream tom.

"Those are beautiful names," Whiskershadow whispered. "Wolftail come with me to bury Flamekit, Moonfire and the rest of you take Foxflame and her kits the the nursery, and supply her nest with extra moss and feathers!" He called over his should her Wolftail lifted the tiny lifeless kit, following the medicine cat.

Pouncer followed the patrol home, casting glances between Zelda and Foxflame. She will grieve for her lost son, but also care for her new daughters. Zelda, on the other paw, well, she'll be in for a lot of questions.

Edited by Keeper of the Starry Night