OH GREAT STARCLAN }{ Cindertail's Birth

[Kitty]

It was just an everyday average leaf-fall night in RiverClan.

Except for the fact that Cindertail had been laying awake in her nest for ages trying to fall asleep. She'd watched as the moon made its slow way across the sky, until it passed out of sight and she only caught occasional glimpses through the branches of the nursery overhead.

Her belly was huge and swollen with her unborn kits. The medicine cat suspected she would have four or five, a large litter for someone her age and size and for someone having kits for the first time. He also said they were due any day now, and to not worry if she went into labor. He never really said it, but Cindertail was pretty sure he was a bit worried about her. The medicine cat's worry couldn't compare to Leopardfang's fretting, though. The adorable old worry wort, she thought fondly.

One thing was for sure, her stomach was so huge she couldn't get comfortable no matter what way she adjusted herself. The kits were particularly energetic tonight. She could feel a tiny little tap on her insides every so often, and sometimes a harder one that stung. They just couldn't settle down enough to let their mother sleep.

Suddenly she felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen. Ouch, that was a good kick, she thought. Someone's gonna come out strong. She laid there for a few more minutes in a restless, sleepless silence, and then she felt it again. Sharper now. Great StarClan, ow. All at once, she realized what was happening. The kits were coming.

Cindertail forced herself to her paws and toddled her way outside the nursery, her eyes set on the warriors den. She had to get up Leopardfang. He would know what to do. Halfway across the camp's clearing, she had to stop as another pang of pain shot through her body. Teeth gritted, she stubbornly pushed onwards until she reached the warriors den. From there it wasn't hard to find Leopardfang. He slept near the den's entrance.

She jabbed a paw sharply into his side, harder than intended because she felt another pang just then. "Leopardfang," she hissed between her teeth. "The kits are coming.

[Ki]

Leopardfang had been in a dreamless sleep. For the past few sunrises his thoughts had only been of Cindertail and the kits. His mate was due to give birth anytime now. Shadetooth said the litter would be a large one, with perhaps four or five kittens in all. This was a bit worrying to Leopardfang. His mate was so small, and this was her first time kitting. Not only that, but she wasn't as young as most first-time queens. What if something went wrong? The older warrior had tried not to think of this. But the thought was always there, lurking under his breathless anticipation. Each time he returned from patrol, he would check the nursery to make sure Cindertail hadn't begun to kit.

He was awakened by a sharp jab in the side and someone hissing his name. Leopardfang opened his amber eyes slowly and yawned. When he Cindertail, he became confused. But then his mind processed her words and he jumped to his paws. "The kits are coming? Now?!" It was the middle of the night, so he probably should have tried to keep his voice down. But his mind was only on his mate. "Here; come with me. I'll help you back to the nursery and then get Shadetooth." Cindertail had been having trouble getting around. Her stature and the size of her litter made it hard for her to move easily. She didn't really walk anymore so much as...waddled. He stood at her side, ready to help her back across to the nursery. Leopardfang's heart was pounding. He was going to be a father soon!

[Kitty]

Cindertail stood impatiently while Leopardfang woke up and yawned. Slowly her words seemed to dawn on him. He leapt to his paws as he realized what she meant. "The kits are coming?" he exclaimed. "Now?!"

"Oh, no, it just feels like they're shredding my insides because it's fun," Cindertail growled. Toms could be so daft. But she couldn't stay irritated with him because he was instantly all about her, being his protective, hover-y self and offering to help her back to the nursery and then go fetch the medicine cat. She leaned into him thankfully and began the slow waddle/walk back to the nursery.

The duo had reached the entrance of the nursery when she felt another contraction. She grunted and gritted her teeth, burying her face in Leopardfang's fur as they walked. She forced him to stop for a moment until the pain passed, and then she pushed onwards. When they arrived back at her nest, she was surprised the other inhabitants of the nursery were not awake. They probably wouldn't be asleep for long.

[Ki]

Leopardfang helped his mate back to the nursery. Progress was slow, due to the fact she was having contractions and her large belly hindered her speed. But after pausing for a few moments in the clearing, she was back in her nest. This would be a long, hard process he knew. Soon the whole nursery would be awake. Leopardfang licked Cindertail's forehead affectionately once she was settled again. "I'll be right back, ok? I love you." It felt imperative to say those words now, considering she'd be growling and snapping at him in pain before the sun rose. After giving her an encouraging nuzzle, he hurried out of the nursery and to the medicine cat den. Meanwhile, his mind was racing.

It's finally happening! The kits are coming! Leopardfang thought, his emotions mixed with pride, happiness, and worry. He practically bounded inside the medicine cat den and nudged Shadetooth. "Shadetooth! Wake up, and come quickly! Cindertail is having the kits!" The old warrior considered waiting for the medicine cat to get his bearings and follow him to the nursery, but Leopardfang's paws were itching. He needed to be moving. How was he going to get through this kitting, he wondered? The spotted warrior bounded back to the nursery once he was sure Shadetooth was awake and went back to Cindertail's side. He sat down next to her nest.

"Shadetooth will be here shortly." he promised his mate.

[Kitty]

Despite Cindertail's mild irritation at Leopardfang's daftness, any lingering annoyance soon faded with his proclamation of love. Toms might be senseless sometimes, but her mate really did care for her. He was probably feeling quite panicky over this, seeing as how he'd never had a mate have kits before. The leopard-patterned tabby promised he would return soon, gave her an affectionate, comforting nuzzle, and then shot out the nursery entrance with the speed of a WindClan cat, or perhaps the true leopards for which he was named in the stories the elders told them when they were young.

The queen laid in her nest and attempted to find a comfortable position -- easier said than done, that was for sure. Her swollen belly alone was quite the inconvenience; she hadn't really been able to get comfortable before she began her kitting, so what made her believe she could now? Absolutely nothing, she determined after a moment as another contraction seized her. She clenched her teeth through the unpleasant sharpness of the pain.

Much to Cindertail's relief, Leopardfang reappeared by her side at that moment. "Shadetooth will be here shortly," he informed her.

"Great," she meowed. "Then we can get this over with." She winced as another brief pang shot through her. Enduring this for the next few hours would not be fun.

[:c a i:]

It didn't matter who it was, or how even-tempered the cat; the wake-up call for a kitting was always the same. Always a panicky-looking, bug-eyed jumble of nerves jabbing him in the ribs if it happened at night, or a banshee-like screech in his ear if it took place in daylight. Currently, the former was occurring.

Shadetooth never much liked night births. They were always stressful affairs when nobody was operating at their best and everyone except the blissful parents ended up grouchy and short-tempered the next morning. Especially him. The whole camp would probably be awoken too, particularly if this was a long birth as he was grimly anticipating, since Cindertail was practically the size of a badger. Really, it would be much better if the queens just held it in until morning so he could at least see what was going on properly. Too bad that wasn't really an option.

Shadetooth was awake virtually the moment Leopardfang entered the den, roused by the tom's undisguised pawsteps. He never slept deeply or for long, for such was the life of a natural warrior turned medicine cat who never really lost the paranoia and constant vigilance of his youth.

Hmph, Shadetooth thought, hauling his muscular frame up and eyeing Leopardfang severely, his lip curling at the unwelcome awakening. About time...

He grunted vaguely in response, waving his tail to tell the soon-to-be father to return to the queen. He, unfathomably unflappable in these situations, pawed out the wodge of thyme leaves, juniper berries and marigold that he'd secretly had put aside for Cindertail days ago, clamping his jaw around it and marching solidly towards the nursery. It was pitch black, slightly chilly and not an ideal time for birthing, but for Shadetooth it was business as usual. In his usual efficacious way, he swept authoritatively into the warm nursery, squinting at the sight of Cindertail in her nest, her huge belly rising and falling as she breathed.

"Well then,"

[/color] Shadetooth said gruffly, depositing his supplies beside the nest and stooping to inspect the she-cat without much regard for personal space or dignity. Births weren't exactly famed for those things, were they? "I suppose we're in for a long night, then,"[/color] he said, his tone matter-of-fact. He didn't bother to open with kindly encouragement or simpering niceties, because though some medicine cats would pander to their patients and tell them gentle platitudes, he was not one of those cats with a charming bedside manner. But on the other hand, it had to be said that Shadetooth was somehow medically easy to trust, perhaps because his deep, steady voice was one of latent reassurance, or because his solid, assured demeanour somehow served as a replacement for words of comfort.

He simply preferred a more direct, do-as-I-say attitude, and found that many sick cats actually took comfort in his no-nonsense confidence and could trust him not to lie to them. Regardless, he would be pushing Cindertail relentlessly until what looked like her very large litter was brought forth. "Prepare yourself. The first one will be along soon and of course it will hurt, but you will have to push. I'd prefer to give you as little as possible, but if you start to feel overwhelmed, I have calming herbs,"[/color] he spoke steadily, voice calm, keeping a careful eye on proceedings. "Leopardfang, be ready to receive the first kit. Lick it as soon as possible..."[/color][/blockquote]

[Ki]

As always, Shadetooth was blunt and matter-of-fact. Leopardfang had always sort of liked that about him. You didn't often see cats that spoke their mind. Usually they would just bead around the bush, never saying anything. Shadetooth said what he meant. His calm and up-front demeanor felt like plunging into cold water. A bit harsh, but it woke you up. This was no time for him to be jittery. Cindertail needed him to be calm, and so did their kits. He was the most experienced warrior in the entire forest. There was no way he would allow himself to fret like a new warrior. Though deep in his heart, he still worried. Cindertail was so small. Would she be able to handle this? Birthing kits was no easy matter.

Leopardfang nodded at the instructions given to him. Simple enough. He licked Cindertail's flank encouragingly. That was all he could do, really. Be ready. His poor mate had to do all of the work on her own. His tail lashed through the air and he mewed, "I'll be right here, Cindertail." Shadetooth obviously wasn't going to comfort her. And while his attitude might be effective in getting kits delivered safely, it wouldn't do much to help Cindertail's mood. Which was a grievous mistake on the medicine cat's part, he thought. Make things easier for the queen and you make things easier on everyone else involved. "You're a strong she-cat. I know you can do this." It was true. Cindertail had always been one of the strongest warriors he'd known, despite her small stature. Size meant nothing when you were as fierce and stubborn as his Cindertail.