8"The greatest hunter is one who knows how to wait."
—Sparrowpelt(Halftail) to Bluepaw and Snowpaw in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 78
It was like I was floating in blackness, nothing there, nothing other then me. And my sadness.
The constant memory of me changing playing and playing in my head.
I had freaked out when I awoke in this world of pure blackness, though, I could still look at myself, not like that was a big help.
But after what seemed like days passed, something changed...
The next thing I knew? I felt like I was being thrown around as I was pulled somewhere at what seemed to be insane speeds, colors that you couldn't even imagine blending with one and another, sparks starting the loud booming noises of fireworks.
It felt like my body would break any moment, from the constant tugging, my head feeling like it would explode from the colors and noises. I almost wanted to just die to avoid what seemed like suffering.
But...it all stopped...
Next thing I know is words are being exchanged all around me, something or someone is holding me as a sandpapery tongue licks my back, and whatever was on my back was being licked the wrong way, which is very uncomfortable.
The grief or sadness that anyone would expect me to feel was not there, I already had shed all my tears in that pit of blackness, and I felt to numb to struggle, but I did let out a few little grunts and squeaks of disapproval, only lightly squirming.
I realized my eyes were shut, and as I was set down by warmth I snuggled up to, I took it upon myself to try to calm down, but it felt as if a entire building was put on my chest.
I didn't want to be here...I wanted to be home.
For some reason, the beings that were in this 'shelter' I presume, were focused on something, and despite the heavy weight on my chest, I had to know what was going on.
What animals are born with their eyes closed?
Dogs, birds I think, wolves-those are basically dogs! Um, maybe cats...
I crossed bird out, I felt I had four limbs, no real sense of wings, but it seemed I am either a cat, wolf, or dog.
But why am I not human?
I was confused, and so stressed I just had snuggled up to warmth, some sort of attachment to it, and then it clicked this was probably my birth mother.
Her fur smelled of milk, and I didn't realize how hungry I was.
Deciding for now that I should act the part of whatever animal I was, I ignored whatever was happening around me, and began to suckle, blind to the world, and only relying on my ears and whiskers to help guide me.
"You are doing wonderful Rosethorn, come on, only one more kit."
The gentle voice of the medicine cat apprentice, Lightpaw, meowed to the panting queen, said she-cat ginger tabby fur ruffled, and her flank showed the signs of the contractions.
A snow white she-cat stood behind her apprentice, her dark blue eyes focusing on the birthing mother, having already checked over the first kit.
The kit took after its father in appearance and physic.
She had tawny-brown fur, in some places tinged with a ginger-coppery color, with black tabby stripes, a paler belly, with a narrow white tipped muzzle.
For a few moments the kit didn't latch on to Rosethorn, momentarily concerning the white medicine cat, but within a few moments she began to suckle, and soon would be joined by her sibling.
Speaking of which.
With a last painful push, another kit slid out, and the white medicine cat scooped the little one up with one paw, holding the kit close to her as she bit open the transparent sack, and began to lick him until he started to wiggle and squeak to get away.
Gently, she grabbed the scuff of his neck, and set him down near his mother, who was recovering from the painful experience.
"One tom and one she-cat, congratulations Rosethorn." Lightpaw complimented, her wide amber eyes shinning with wonder as she lightly nudged the younger kit-a dark ginger tabby with a noticeable white dot on the back of his right ear-closer to where his sister was now resting after eating.
"Lightpaw, go let Tigershade in, and let Jaystar know of our new arrivals." With a quick dip of her head, the light beige furred she-cat slipped out of the den.
There were the faint voices outside, and soon enough the sound of pawsteps and a different scent entered, and the white she-cat stepped aside to reveal to the tom that joined them his purring mate, and his two kits, one resting while the other happily suckled.
"Their...their beautiful." His blue eyes were wide with shock, but the overwhelming crash of love was undeniably there, and he shakily made his way over to Rosethorn, touching noses with her as they shared some quiet whispers.
"Two kits, one tom and one she-kit, Snowdust said their both fine, so thats a relief!" Snowdust turned her head away from the happy family at the sound of her apprentices soft voice, before a dark gray tabby tom with white paws and green eyes strode in, Snowdust mentally thanking Lightpaw for staying out of the nursery, it being already crowded.
Their leader was smaller then Snowdust, but he still had the strength of any warrior, especially with his speedier attacks.
His movement caught the two parents attention, especially Rosethorn's, but she relaxed when she saw Jaystar.
"Hello, Jaystar." Though her voice was slightly hoarse, it still held a stern edge, but seemed to have become more gentle, and quiet.
"Greetings, Rosethorn, how are the two?"
"Their just fine, thank you." A glow of pride was seen in the Queen's eyes, and Tigershade shuffled aside, inviting the older tom to see the two new additions.
"Have you decided on names?" There was curiosity to his tone, but what also seemed to be exhaustion, but he tried his best to hide it.
"Yes, the tom is Firekit, after his ginger pelt." Her own pale green eyes flickered to the now resting tom, seeming satisfied by his full belly.
"And the she-kit is Owlkit, after Tigershade's mentor."
An air of sadness clouded the nursery, the brave tom known as Owleyes had died on a night patrol when a badger had thrown him against a tree, and before any of the other cats there at the time could get to him, the bulky beast had killed him with a bite to the neck, almost killing him instantly.
"Those are wonderful names. I hope they become great warriors." The parents quietly meowed a 'thank you' to their leader, dipping their head before returning their attention to the newly named kits. Owlkit and Firekit.
The gray leader went back and joined his medicine cats side, his eyes moving to a nest where a white she-cat with brown dappling her pelt rested, three kits snuggled put to her belly.
"How is-" Before he could finished, Snowdust cut him off.
"Perfectly fine. Aspenkit still has another moon before we have to ween her off milk, but as for Stonekit and Honeykit, they seem to be doing well, and responding well to prey, especially to voles." The snow pelted cat reported, her dark blue eyes flickering to meet his green ones.
"I would tell you if there was anything wrong with them, especially since Dapplefall is your mate and the other three are your kits. Even if Aspenkit is adopted."
"What? Do you think I don't see Aspenkit as my own?" He said, sarcasm underlining his tone as Snowdust gave a shrug.
"Go to sleep Jaystar, you're tired, and you are more annoying when you're tired." The medicine cat didn't seem bothered she had just insulted her leader, and ignored his grunt of annoyance, listening as he walked out.
"Come on Tigerpelt, you will be able to see them tomorrow, you need rest."
A slight frown formed on the striped tom's face, before he gave his sleepy mate a loving nuzzle, whispering something to her, before leaving reluctantly.
With a sigh, Snowdust grabbed the leaf wrap she has been waiting to use, and dropped it in front of Rosethorn, who gave her a questioning look.
"Poppyseed's wrapped in Borage leaves, the Poppyseed's will get rid of any pain and help you sleep as the Borage leaves will help milk come."
Was Snowdust explanation, before she glanced briefly at the golden queen known as Brightmist, glancing over her youngest kit Goldenkit, and once seeing left.
Tired, she told the cats waiting outside they would have to wait for tomorrow to see the new members, and with silent mumbles, they all shuffled to the warrior den-that was a built den straight across from the nursery-, and with her apprentice behind her, they went to their den-a hollowed out boulder-and laid in their nest, falling into slumber with the night air singing them all to sleep
A/N: I hope you all liked this one! I tried to make it longer then the last one. Hopefully the nest one will be longer, as it will be talking of Owlkit's and Firekit's first few moons and other things!
Thank you to everyone for reviewing and following this story! With some help I am trying to make this as original as possible. Some OC's were already mentioned in this one, but some more shall be popping out! Keep a look out for yours!
Again, thank you! And I hope you enjoyed! :D
Fun Fact On DuskClan
•DuskClan cats reside in a Sugar Maple Tree forest, and due to the more thinly spread trees, they happen to be a bit faster and agile then the others, though its not a major advantage, and they often try to appear stronger to the other two Clans, as the other two have a much high advantages skill wise.