Wha-? Kits?!

[spike]

The tom slipped away from the clearing to shift his way through the cats. His pale eyes landed on the nursery and, if one looked hard enough, might've saw a twitch of a smile at his whiskers. He stood before the entrance and then ducked his head. After all the drama with Paleflower and her kits, a silght worry gnawed at his stomach. He had been wandering around too much to keep the Clan in check to see his mate.

He knew she was much younger than him. He could've been her mentor. But he respected her greatly and so love did sprout in his cold heart. The tom felt like an overweight cat as he struggled to crawl into the nursery. It just came with the long limbs. He had to duck low and sneak his way in.

"Poppyfrost," he mewed. But his voice was cut short to take in the new scents and sights. His body was stiff when his eyes landed on the kits cuddled near her. Well, this was unexpected, he instantly thought.

[froststream]

Poppyfrost broke into a huge, beaming smile. She uncurled her tail from around her kits and purred loudly. Runningfrost! It was her mate, returned from the Gathering. Obviously, he had seen the four bundles next to her. She purred louder and half sat up.

"Runningfrost!" she cried happily. Her heart felt like it was full to the brim. The kits were all sleeping so peacefully, completely unaware of anything around them. She licked them each and smiled again. "The kits... They were born!"

Well, duh. That stated the obvious. But she smiled anyway. Runningfrost must be so overwhelmed, she thought, and said in a quieter voice. "This is Frostkit..." The pure white she kit shifted a bit. "And Breezekit..." she showed the small grey tom. "Spidekit and Finchkit." She nudged the last two affectionately. "Oh, Runningfrost, aren't they beautiful?"

She sighed again, in love with both her family. "You can change their names, if you'd like." She hoped that he liked them. After all, they held a big significance to her. But he was even more important thanb names, so his say mattered greatly.

[spike]

"No, no, the names are fine," he mewed. He felt her excitement fill the nursery and tap at the door of his heart. But he kept a stolid look on his face as usual. But his eyes gave a slight glimmer of pride. "Frostkit," he muttered to himself while nudging his daughter. "Strange how she's white. I didn't think we'd have a white kit." Then his eyes fell on the gray one. "He's small compared to the others," he pointed out.

Worry gnawed silently at him for that tom. Being small never always gave you the upperpaw in battle or in the world. "I hope Breezekit had a personality to make up for it. Spiderkit, you said?" He gave a lick to the tom's head. "He's nice looking. And Finchkit, hm? My, she's adorable." He lifted his head nad for once grinned at her.

"You will make a fine mother to these kits," he said. "They will make me proud too. I just know it."

[froststream]

"And you'll be a fine father," Poppyfrost replied happily. She averted her gaze, and her voice took a more serious tone. "There was a fifth kit, Fogkit. She was born dead, though. It's a shame, really."

But she had aready come to face teh facts, that it was inevitable and had happened for a reason, a reason that would make sure these kits were healthier. Everything, especially the strange things like this, happened for a reason. And until she, too, was in StarClan, she would have to live with the choices. She raised her head and quickly added, "But don't worry. These kits are healthy, too." She may have just been comforting herself, or maybe comforting him. She didn't know.

"Breezekit was the runt. First it was Finchkt, then Spidrkit, then Frostkit. After it was Fogkit, and finally Breezekit. I was so scared, Runningfrost, I feel like a coward! But it was dark, silent, and I was alone. Then this weird loner came into camp and raised a huge stink. But you've heard all about that. That Earthfoot had to deliver teh kits. He was experienced, though. I just hate having ThunderClan see me so vulnerable."

[spike]

Runningfrost bowed his head to lick his mate's ear affectionately. "No need to fear," he mewed. "A queen is the most dangerous of all cats. Willing to stand and fight for the lives of her kits. You are not weak, my mate. As for Fogkit... StarCla. has their ways. Each life and each death has a purpose. While the rest of my family died, I went on to be a deputy. That was my purpose. Fogkit will lead a fine life in StarClan. She will watch over her siblings well. These four will learn to be great warriors and that is all that matters."

The tom leaned over and brushed his chin over Poppyfrost's head. "Do not think of any had things. I am proud of these four and I am sure that when I go to StarClan, I will be just as proud of Fogkit. Alright?"

[froststream]

"Alright," Poppyfrost agreed quietly. She rubbed her cheek against his and curled around her kits. "And I know under our teachings these kits will grow into cats that will make teh Clan proud. Maybe one of them will be deputy, too, someday!" She smiled. "Just to think that all great warriors started so small and fragile."

Now she was feeling much better - refreshed and secure. Like the fever had broken, the storm had passed. Everything would go uphill from here, she was sure. She had her love, her kits, her family. The Clan was healthy, and so was she.

[spike]

Runningfrost, sure that there was no others to see, gave a smile to her. "Of course one will be a deputy," he stated. "There is nothing I'd expect less of my kits. If not deputy, then the best of all the warriors. You know that as well as I do. But for now, my mate, there is a Clan that needs its deputy. I'll have an apprentice send you prey and I'll check with Feathercloud. You'll need all your strength so some herbs to ensure that will do you some good."

Standing, the emotionless face reutrned to him but not without a loving brush of his cheek on hers. "Take care, Poppyfrost. I'll visit later."