Book Four, The Building Task

Chapter Ten

Ivysong's POV.

It wasn't until I visited ShadowClan that I noticed how small they were. We'll have the advantage in battle. The funny thing is that they mocked us but look who's stronger now. Well, we would be if not for the leadership of Batstar.

Tonight was the Gathering. I'm laying down next to my mate waiting for Batstar to announce who's going. I'm thinking about my new position as Clan deputy, I'm very happy I got chosen.

"Hey Ivysong," Juniperbrush turned his head to me. "Hm?" I replied. "Excuse this if it's blunt but I'm just curious, what are your life plans? Other than being deputy, I suppose."

"Why do you ask?" I'm a bit skeptical to tell him. "Just wondering if we have the same plans or not, that's all." He replied.

"Oh, well I do want kits someday.." That was the truth, but I don't have six moons to spare.

"Oh interesting." Juniperbrush licked his paw. "I'd also like to have kits with you." He smiled at me. I smiled back.

"Do you think I can do it?" I asked him, blankingly staring out into the distance. "Hm? Have kits?" Juniperbrush asked.

"No.. be deputy. I mean it's a hard job, and I'd never ever step down, I'm just nervous.." I looked at him with hopeful eyes. "Well sure you can, what's there to be nervous about?" he licked my head.

I nodded and rested my head against his shoulder, breathing in his warm scent. "I love you, Ivysong." He mewed as he started to groom my head. "I love you too."

***

"StormClan, it's time for me to decide who shall accompany me to the Gathering." Batstar's call let me rise up out of my nest and I walked out to sit near her.

"I hope I can go," Juniperbrush said, he licked his shoulder slightly. "Me too- Ohh StarClan!" A sudden pain rolled through my belly.

I felt dread because I knew exactly what it was. It was what I was dreading it being for moons but I didn't want to believe it. Juniperbrush caught me as I buckled down. "Ivysong what's wrong?"

Everyone turned to look at me as I wailed. "Great StarClan!" I cried. Streamsight and Nightpaw rushed over.

"Nightpaw, go get a few poppy seeds right now." Streamsight ordered her. More waves of pain rolled over my entire body.

Streamsight put her paws along my whole body. "Ivysong do you have any idea what this could be?"

But I couldn't talk. My sister rushed up to me to lick my ears. Juniperbrush stayed near my head and Batstar ran to check what was happening. The rest of the Clan was watching from afar.

"I-I don't think she can talk!" Juniperbrush said, his voice filled with intense worry. "Alright. I'll figure it out for you, Ivysong." Streamsight reassured.

But I already knew. I let out a yelp as I felt something come near my nether regions. My body forced me to push as a kit slid out of me.

"What- KITS?!" Juniperbrush yelled. Streamsight looked shocked, but it quickly turned to concentration as Nightpaw returned with the poppyseed.

"Here, Ivysong, take these." Nightpaw nosed the seed to me, I lapped them up instantly, and let out another mrrow of pain.

"Nightpaw, I need you to tell me how many kits there are left." Streamsight ordered. Nightpaw nodded and touched my belly gently and felt around.

"Two kits left." Nightpaw responded. How on StarClan did this happen? I questioned myself. I hadn't felt sick, or in pain or really any symptoms. It was the constant squirming around in my belly that had worried me.

"Mrrow-ow-ow!!" I squealed. I was panting and struggling to keep my breath steady. This pain was worse than what I endured in the Dark Forest. "You can do this!" My mate encouraged me.

Another kit slid out. "Nightpaw, please fetch me some borage." Streamsight ordered. Nightpaw rushed away. Streamsight licked at the kit that just came out of me and placed it next to my belly.

I felt the pain easing a bit but I knew there was another kit, I could feel my body edging the kit closer to coming out, I pushed, but it wouldn't.

"Its-Its not coming out!" I screeched nervously. I bent over to check if the kit was there.

"It's alright, Ivysong. It could be a few hours before it comes out. There's nothing wrong, I promise." Streamsight soothed me. She stroked my belly with her tail.

"Juniperbrush," Streamsight turned to my mate. "Please make her a nest in the nursery, would you?" Juniperbrush nodded and rushed away.

"You will be alright, Ivysong," Batstar licked my ear. "Be strong, alright?" Batstar turned away and gathered the Clan away from me to take them to the Gathering.

"The nest is ready." Juniperbrush trotted back to sit next to me. Streamsight nodded. "Good. Help me get her to the nursery." Streamsight put her head under my belly as  Juniperbrush helped lift me up.

Together we padded slowly to the nursery, I carried a kit in my mouth and so did Juniperbrush. We entered the nursery and I laid down in my nest. I put the squealing kit next to my belly. Juniperbrush placed his down as well.

"I'll have Winnie sit with you," Streamsight said as Nightpaw entered the nursery carrying borage. "What took you so long, Nightpaw?" Streamsight snapped, turning to her.

"Sorry, I couldn't remember which one was borage.." Nightpaw trailed away, then dropped the bundle and padded out of the nursery again.

Streamsight sighed. "Here, this will help your milk become plentiful." I lapped up the herb. "Here I'll fetch you some water," Rosefall offered. "Thanks." I purred in response.

"Look at our kits, they're beautiful." Juniperbrush licked at them. "Two she-kits so far."

I nodded in agreement. I felt soon another wave of pain wash over me, I squealed in alarm. Winnie hopped out of her nest to assist me.

"I think the kit is coming now," I mewed to Streamsight. She nodded. "Just push, okay? As hard as you can."

I pushed, I felt the kit nearly come out, then it finally did. Winnie licked the kit until I heard it mewl. "A tom," Winnie said at last. She placed the kit beside my belly.

My three kits were now suckling at my belly. "You did very well, Ivysong." Winnie comforted me. I sighed as I looked down at the burdens that lay beside me. The plan will have to wait. She thought bitterly. Will Batstar still allow me to be deputy?