Warrior Cats: Beyond the Clans

Autumn's Promise - Chapter 8

One moon had passed since the tragic fire. As well as Sun and Eclipse's lives, the fire had spread further than the ravine. Ash had died due to severe burns. In the aftermath of the fire, the cats had worked hard to fix the camp up, but some places still smelt of smoke, namely Autumn's den.

Violet had moved to the nursery shortly after the fire, much to Flash's delight, who was her mate. She was due to give birth any day, the same as Autumn.

Night Sky and Autumn had talked and decided that they both had matured greatly. They had left their argument behind them and Autumn now resided in the nursery with Violet.

Autumn had chosen Deer as her deputy. The light brown she-cat had been a good friend to her after losing Eclipse. Even now, she still mourned her adopted mother.

Night Sky's scent rushed into her nose and she looked for the tom. He sprang out from behind a bush, purring, a squirrel in his jaws. "Eat," he commanded in a soft voice.

Autumn rolled her eyes but took the squirrel anyways, taking small bites. It tasted dull but she forced herself to eat for her kits. While she ate, she looked around the camp. All the greenery had been removed, but new ferns and leaves would grow. She knew it. As she watched, she noticed Wild Wind staring into space, his head low and his eyes dim. A wave of sympathy swept over her for her brother. Wild Wind had been the closest to Eclipse. He had visited her almost every day while she had been alive.

Night Sky followed her gaze and dipped his head. "I'll talk to him."

Autumn mewed her thanks before heaving her swollen belly inside the nursery, resting on the soft moss.

Suddenly, Violet let out a cry of pain. Autumn leapt up to her paws, regretting it immediately as her belly heaved.

"Storm!" Autumn hollered, sticking her head out of the den. The tom came bounding, some herbs in his mouth.

He felt Violet's belly before nodding sharply. "You're kitting," he purred. "Just relax and lick up these leaves."

Violet obeyed.

"As well," Storm continued. "I'll give you a stick with honey sticking a little catmint to it. Whenever you feel pain, bite on the stick."

"How does the stick help?" Autumn asked curiously.

Storm answered without looking up from Violet where she was groaning. "The catmint automatically soothes cats and when they taste it, cats sometimes experience joy and gain energy. The honey also helps with the yowling, as many kitting queens can be rather loud. The stick muffles most of it though."

To prove his point, Violet let out a loud and painful yowl and Autumn saw a little kit hit the moss of the den. "Autumn! Take this kit and lick it the wrong way to get its blood flowing!" Storm ordered.

Autumn dipped her head, picking up the kit and licking it rapidly. Soon, it began mewling for food.

Before it was sunhigh, Violet had kitted three adorable kits. The first born was a dark brown tabby she-cat, the second a yellow she-cat and the third a brown she-cat. All she-cats. Autumn let out a purr of joy, but her worry sparked inside her.

What if I'm not good enough? That looked like it hurt...

Despite her nervousness, Autumn congratulated Violet before retiring to a corner of the den. She stayed there for the rest of the day.

"Eat, Autumn. Please."

Autumn turned away from her mate, burying her head in her paws.

"Autumn, come on, eat," Night Sky urged. "Our kits need you."