Chapter 23
Ok first of all, sorry Cap! I promise your babies will become apprentices either this chapter, or the next, so sorry. Anyway, enjoy this chapter! Told in Pouncer's POV…
Pouncer was in the woods, looking for prey in the harsh leaf-bare when he heard Regnantstorm's cry. Moonfire?! What did he do?! Pouncer started running towards the sound of his voice. He burst through the undergrowth to see his daughter motionless on the ground, Regnantstorm, and two tiny kits. Oh my Starclan, she had kits too early! "WHAT HAPPENED?!" He snarled, tears blurring his vision.
"Her kits must have come, but there's no blood. Someone must have helped her and ran away," he replied in a rushed and grief filled tone. He picked Moonfire up with his jaws. "Grab the kits, she's still breathing! We have to get her to camp, now!"
Pouncer grabbed the tiny black and gray tom and the white and silver she-cat in his jaws. He started running back to the tunnel with Regnantstorm. Please let her be ok! Both toms burst into the tunnel. Skyflower let out a wail when she saw her sister. "MOONFIRE!" She wailed, rushing over to her. "Whiskershadow, Runningbreeze, Foxflame, Vitapool!"
All four cats ran to them, Foxflame grabbed the kits, and the three medicine cats took Moonfire. Let her be ok, let her be ok! Zeldastar rushed over to her brother and Pouncer, confused as ever.
"What happened?" She demanded. Regnantstorm had more tears falling down his cheeks than the waterfall.
"She had her kits too early, I think she passed out from exhaustion, why did I ever leave?!" Pouncer set his tail on the young tom's back. I may have hated you were crushing my daughter, but you truly love her so I'll let it slide. But I got my eye on you!
Regnantstorm sniffled and looked Pouncer in the eye. "D-Don't you h-hate me?"
He shook his head. "I do, but I can tell you love my daughter, so you're forgiven," he smiled softly. Regnantstorm nodded.
Whiskershadow walked out of the medicine den, a relief expression. "She's ok. Exhausted, but ok. Her kits came to early, probably due to stress," he added, glaring at Regnantstorm. "She'll be fine."
"Thank you, Whiskershadow. When will she be in the nursery?"
"Juniperfrost said that her kits are going to become apprentices tonight, so once those kits get into the apprentice den Grayfur built," he smiled. "Until then, Foxflame can nurse them, then Moonfire's milk will come and she'll be able to stay with Foxflame." Pouncer nodded and nuzzled his son.
"Thank you." Whiskershadow dipped his head, and bounded back to the medicine den. Pouncer and Regnantstorm followed. Moonfire was laying in a nest, eyes closed but he flank was rising slowly.
"Hello my beautiful daughter, your kits seem beautiful, I'll visit them once I leave," he whispered, stroking her flank. He bent down and whispered in her ear. "He really does love you, and I'll always be there for you."
Pouncer left the den, but not fast enough, for he heard Regnantstorm whisper soothing words to his daughter. "I love you Moonfire, please know I love and will never leave you."
Sunpaw was sitting outside the medicine cat den, eyes bleary with tears. "Is my mother ok?!" She wailed, crashing into Pouncer.
"Yes my dear, she's ok. Why don't you visit her after Regnantstorm, but for now come see your new siblings?" She sniffled and nodded, walking into the nursery with him.
Foxflame had Moonfire's two tiny kits at the curl of her belly, whispering to them. "I wonder what they'll be named?" The white and ginger she-cat smiled, eyes soft with love for every kit she laid her eyes on.
Sunpaw walked closer to her new brother and sister. "They're so precious, I'll protect them forever," she mewed quietly. Pouncer nuzzled her.
"We don't you name them, dear?" It sounds ridiculous, but she needs cheering up! Sunpaw's eyes lit up happily.
She pointed the the tiny black and gray tom. "Nightkit, aunt Skyflower said that Keeper of the Starry Night was their mother's name, so I thought it would be special," she mewed. Pouncer smiled. A beautiful name. The name sent chills down his spine, but he smiled. "And her, my little sister. I want to name her Shellkit, see that spot on her forehead? I found a shell that shape a few days ago, so it fits!"
"Those are wonderful names, darling. Thank you," Foxflame purred. Sunpaw smiled and nuzzled her new siblings. Thank you Starclan, thank you.
…
Switching to Moonfire's POV…
She drowsily opened her eyes to see Regnantstorm stroking her fur. "What happened?" She asked quietly. He smiled softly.
"Moonfire, you had kits early, but your father and I were there to save you. We have two new kits, both amazingly beautiful." His gaze grew intense. "Moonfire, I'm so sorry I left, please forgive me, I love you so much."
I forgive you. "I-I forgive you Regnantstorm, I really do. I want us to happily raise out kits," she smiled. Regnantstorm's gaze brightened as he pressed his nose to hers.
"I love you," he whispered happily…
…
"Let all cats old enough to hunt meet in the tunnel entrance!" Zeldastar called. Juniperfrost was cleaning her three kits, while Sparkheart fussed over Firepaw. "Firepaw? Come here please. Regnantstorm, is Firepaw ready to become a warrior?" Regnantstorm nodded, and cast a happy glance at the bright ginger tom. "Wonderful, then Firepaw, you will now be known as Firewind, in honor of your sister," she claimed after preforming the ceremony.
"It's also come to my attention that you've secretly been mentoring Windpaw, Regnantstorm, is that true?" She smiled. Her brother smirked and nodded. "Then Windpaw will also become a warrior! You will be named Windblaze," she mewed, performing the ceremony.
Finally, Juniperfrost's kits became apprentices. Fogpaw was given to Skyflower, Blossompaw was given to Petalheart, and Wrenpaw was apprenticed to Timberfrost. Moonfire smiled as her sister and new apprentice danced and played around. She'll be a great mentor, hopefully.