Book One of A New Era: A Clan of Fire

Chapter Twelve

Flamestar noticed that Smokecloud was staring at her. The white she-kit let out a weak mewl.

“Who is Hollykit?” Smokecloud asked.

“Huh?”

“You said ‘Come here Hollykit.’”

“Did I?”

The two cats just stared at each other, confused. What was happening? Flamestar turned her head as she heard Tigerpelt coming into the den. The medicine cat was carrying a wad of herbs in her jaws. She dropped the herbs beside Whitefur.

“I have brought borage to help her milk flow, daisy leaves for strength for both Whitefur and the kit, and a few poppy seeds for Whitefur to help her sleep and to help with pain. I also brought some thyme to warm up the kit,” Tigerpelt told Flamestar.

Flamestar nodded, a bit confused. Why is she telling me this?  She decided to just go with it. She gently used her claws to open the kit’s mouth as Tigerpelt pushed the chewed mix of thyme and daisy leaves down into its throat. Afterwards, Tigerpelt gently rubbed the kit’s throat, encouraging it to swallow.

Flamestar set the remainder of the herbs in front of Whitefur, who quickly lapped them up. Whitefur sleepily lifted her head as the poppy seeds began to come into effect.

She looked down at her kits, a happy glow in her eye. “Welcome to SunClan, my kits,” She murmured.

Flamestar glanced at Smokecloud. He was staring in awe at his new kits, joy vivid on his face.

“Don’t worry my little ones, I will protect you with my life,” he purred.

“The whole clan will,” Tigerpelt added in a whisper.

Flamestar remained silent. She felt at peace, watching the tiny kits wriggle at their mother’s belly. She thought about what Whitefur must be feeling, having kits. She wondered what it felt like to be a mother.

Could I ever have kits? Flamestar thought to herself. Don’t be ridiculous! I have a clan to care for, I don’t need kits. I need to make the clan my top priority. Kits are a distraction! But even as she thought it, she couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like to watch her own kits become apprentices, then warriors.

She snapped out of her thoughts as Tigerpelt stood up and padded over to her.

“We should leave them in peace,” she whispered, flicking her tail to Whitefur and Smokecloud. She turned to them and meowed, “Flamestar and I are going to go talk to the clan. Let me know if the white she-kit starts having issues.” Then, she left the den. Flamestar took one last glance at the nursing kits, then followed her. The clan was waiting for her.

“Well?” Whiteflame purred.

“A white she-kit,” Flamestar answered.

“Is she alright?” Wilma meowed.

“Yes, and Whitefur?” Gingertail asked.

Tigerpelt stepped forward. “Whitefur will be fine. The kit I think will be fine, too. But I’m not completely sure. Don’t get your hopes too high,” she warned.

The cats seemed satisfied and began to head to their dens. Flamestar glanced up and was in shock. It was well past moonhigh, and dawn would be approaching soon. She had been in the nursery for almost the entire night! And now that the excitement was over, exhaustion tugged at her paws as she trudged towards the leader’s den. As soon as she entered, she slumped down into her nest and closed her eyes.

She was almost asleep when suddenly she heard paw steps. Her ears pricked up as they grew steadily louder and suddenly fur was pressing against her side. The scent was familiar. Flamestar opened an eye to see Blackfrost looking down at her.