Hostile

50

Something's wrong. The thought sparked in Frostclouds mind before she could stop it. She wailed. Contractions shot through her burning muscles like sharp, hot pangs of lightning. The sensation of her hips splitting in two overcame her mind, so much so she could hardly recognize Dawnheart, Feathertail, and Buckheart speaking urgently in the den.

Her mate gave panicked, helpless licks to the backs of her ears. His fur pricked along his body in unease and his frantic eyes darted to the two medicine cats at Frostcloud's tail. "What's happening?" He asked, completely unable to keep the shake from his thunderous voice.

At the nursery entrance, Riverpelt ducked her head inside. Horror stretched across her face. But still, somehow, within the indescribable terror that shivered Frostcloud's muscles, was a moment of relief when Riverpelt's deep blue eyes met hers. Mosspool's much fluffier shape peeked in after. Her brown eyes were wide like saucers.

Feathertail flicked his tail at the incoming she-cats. "We need space to work." He said to them firmly. This wasn't the first time the two she-cats had been sent away.

Frostcloud's heart pounded against her chest. She felt her body split further along her belly and she wailed once more, kicking her legs violently to fight off an attacker that wasn't there. "I want my mother!" She cried.

The healers gave a short nod to each other. "Riverpelt can stay." Dawnheart said curtly before returning her attention to solely Frostcloud.

At her word, Riverpelt pushed deeper into the nursery and anxiously curled next to her daughters head. Reluctantly, Mosspool returned to the clearing beyond the protective bramble.

"Riverpelt!" Frostcloud cried again. Her body trembled in agony and she desperately pushed her head into her mother's chest. Many moons ago, she spent her days in this very nursery under the protection of Riverpelt. Frostcloud managed to find some semblance of warmth, comfort, and stability in her scent. She pushed her muzzle deeper into her mother's pelt before another cry escaped the depths of her chest, this time muffled by soft white fur.

Why would her first kit not be born? She'd been in labor since sun-high, and certainly by now it was nearing dusk. It was hard for Frostcloud to follow the heartbeat of passing seconds from the agony that made her body quiver. Fear punctured her heart as more and more she worried she would never meet her kits.

Frostcloud felt like she'd lose consciousness. The pain she was experiencing was far worse than any porcupine or band of rogues that's crossed her path. Her teeth clenched together but it did little to relieve the sharp pain of her contractions.

"Frostcloud, eat this immediately." Feathertail said.

Laying on her side, Frostcloud swung her head away from her mother and to the healers. The fur along their legs was patched in crimson dew. Frostcloud's eyes dropped to the earth, where she realized she was lying in a puddle of slowly expanding blood. In Feathertail's teeth, he held several large brown leaves.

"What is that?" Came panic-stricken Buckheart.

Feathertail set the herbs down, and without hesitating Frostcloud took them in her mouth.

"It's to stop the bleeding. Frostcloud, the kit is stuck tail-first. You need to push with all you have so Dawnheart and I can get a grip of it." He informed her urgently.

Frostcloud swallowed the herbs and fear welled inside her heart. "I'm trying!" She pleaded.

"What's going to happen to Frostcloud?" Buckheart demanded.

"Let's focus on getting this first kit out." Dawnheart said, dodging the question and redirecting the frightened cats.

Feathertail brought a twig to Frostcloud, setting it down lightly and using his paw to nudge it closer. "Bite on this and push, Frostcloud. I know you're scared, but we are all here for you."