The sun was high in the sky, casting a warm, golden light over the camp. Ivyfrost had been in a particularly playful mood that day and had come up with a mischievous idea. She had noticed Sorrelpaw's tiny, innocent enthusiasm for eating and thought it would be amusing to see just how much the young kit could handle. In her playful but somewhat misguided attempt, Ivyfrost decided to test Sorrelpaw's limits with a small "experiment."
Ivyfrost prepared a generous portion of fresh prey and other tasty treats. With a grin, she called over to Sorrelpaw, who was happily playing near the fresh-kill pile. Sorrelpaw's eyes lit up at the sight of the treats, her little belly rumbling in anticipation.
"I've got a special treat for you, Sorrelpaw!" Ivyfrost announced cheerfully. "How about we have a little feast together?"
Sorrelpaw's ears perked up with excitement, and she eagerly bounded over to Ivyfrost. "Oh, yes! That sounds wonderful!" she exclaimed, her tiny paws clapping together in delight.
Ivyfrost began to serve the food, piling it high on a small, moss-covered rock. Sorrelpaw's eyes widened at the sight of the delicious spread, her tail twitching with anticipation. She immediately began to dig in, her tiny mouth working furiously as she tried to devour everything in sight.
As the minutes passed, Sorrelpaw continued to eat with enthusiasm, her small belly starting to stretch with the volume of food she was consuming. Ivyfrost watched with a mixture of amusement and growing concern as Sorrelpaw's once-tiny stomach swelled visibly.
"Just a bit more, Sorrelpaw," Ivyfrost urged, her voice laced with playful encouragement. "You can do it!"
Sorrelpaw, now feeling quite full and uncomfortable, looked up at Ivyfrost with a mixture of confusion and weariness. "I-I don't know if I can eat any more," she said, her voice slightly strained. "I'm really full."
"Nonsense!" Ivyfrost replied, giving Sorrelpaw a gentle nudge. "Just a little more won't hurt. I want to see you burp!"
Sorrelpaw, not wanting to disappoint Ivyfrost, reluctantly continued to eat. Her belly was now so large it was pressing against her fur, and she could barely move. With every bite, she could feel the pressure building inside her. Her once playful enthusiasm had given way to a deep discomfort.
Finally, Sorrelpaw's eyes filled with tears, and she stopped eating altogether. She looked up at Ivyfrost with a mixture of hurt and confusion. "I-I don't like this," she said softly, her voice trembling. "I'm really uncomfortable."
Ivyfrost, noticing Sorrelpaw's distress, decided to take things a step further. "Oh, don't worry," she said, trying to maintain her playful demeanor. "Let's see if we can get those burps out."
Gently but firmly, Ivyfrost guided Sorrelpaw to lie down on her back, her massive belly exposed. Sorrelpaw's eyes were wide with confusion, and she shifted uncomfortably on the ground.
"Just relax," Ivyfrost said, trying to sound reassuring. "I'll help you."
With a mix of determination and guilt, Ivyfrost placed one paw gently on Sorrelpaw's bloated stomach. She applied gentle pressure, hoping to encourage the trapped air to escape. Sorrelpaw's eyes widened further as she felt the pressure, her little body tensing with the unfamiliar sensation.
"Let's start with a small burp," Ivyfrost encouraged, her voice softer now as she tried to be more gentle. "Just a little one."
Sorrelpaw took a deep breath, her tiny body shaking slightly. After a moment, a small, hesitant burp escaped her lips. "Bu-urp..." it was soft and almost shy, a tiny puff of air that made her look even more uncomfortable.
Ivyfrost continued to apply pressure, and soon, another burp followed, louder this time. "Buuuuurp!" Sorrelpaw's cheeks puffed out with the effort, and she looked up at Ivyfrost with wide, innocent eyes.
One burp followed another as Ivyfrost kept applying gentle pressure, her heart aching at the sight of Sorrelpaw's discomfort. "Buuurrrp!" came a third, then a fourth. Sorrelpaw's tiny paws clutched her belly, and her face was flushed with a mix of embarrassment and discomfort.
Finally, after a few more burps—"Burrrp!" "Buuuurp!"—Sorrelpaw's belly began to feel somewhat relieved. The burps came out in a steady stream, each one accompanied by a small sigh of relief from Sorrelpaw.
As the last burp escaped with a loud "Buuuuuuuurp!" Ivyfrost couldn't bear to see Sorrelpaw's distress any longer. She immediately lifted her paw off the tiny kit's belly and gently nuzzled her. "I'm so sorry, Sorrelpaw," Ivyfrost said, her voice thick with regret. "I didn't mean to make you so uncomfortable. I thought it would be fun, but I didn't think it through."
Sorrelpaw, still lying on her back, looked up at Ivyfrost with wide, tearful eyes. "I-I didn't understand why you made me eat so much," she said, her voice trembling. "I didn't like it."
Ivyfrost's heart broke at the sight of Sorrelpaw's innocent expression. "I'm truly sorry," she said softly, her voice filled with genuine remorse. "I should have listened to you. I didn't mean to hurt you."
Ivyfrost carefully helped Sorrelpaw to sit up, her movements gentle and soothing. She licked Sorrelpaw's fur in a comforting gesture, her own heart heavy with regret. "Let's get you comfortable," Ivyfrost said. "I promise I'll make it up to you. You're more important to me than any silly experiment."
Sorrelpaw, still a bit shaken but comforted by Ivyfrost's tender care, nodded quietly. "Thank you, Ivyfrost," she said softly.
As the day continued, Ivyfrost made sure to keep a close eye on Sorrelpaw, offering her comforting purrs and gentle nuzzles. The playful mood of the morning had turned into one of quiet reflection, and Ivyfrost knew she had learned a valuable lesson about considering the well-being of those she cared for.
The bond between Ivyfrost and Sorrelpaw remained strong, despite the day's events. Ivyfrost vowed to be more attentive and considerate in the future, ensuring that every moment shared with Sorrelpaw was filled with genuine love and care.
