𝐿𝙸𝙶𝙷𝚃 𝐼𝙽 𝒯𝙷𝙴 𝒮𝙷𝙰𝙳𝙾𝚆𝚂 ─── 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘯 4.

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍

Spottedsong froze in place, unsure if she should leave the den or stand by. But Badgertooth didn't seem to care, because he jumped into action, immediately taking a herb bundle in his jaws and hurrying to Mousetail. Spottedsong crouched beside her friend's nest, ready to help however she could, even though she had no idea what she could do. "The first kit is coming. Spottedsong, go fetch a good, sturdy stick for Mousetail to bite down on when it comes," Badgertooth instructed.

Spottedsong nodded, rushing out of the den, her heart racing. She desperately hoped that Mousetail and her kits would be fine. When she found a good stick, she turned back to the den. Skystorm padded alongside her. "What's happening?"

"Your kits are coming!" Spottedsong replied, not waiting for his response and running into the den.

Badgertooth took the stick from her quickly and gave it to Mousetail. Spottedsong returned to where she was beside the nest. She watched, suspense heating up her pelt. But she didn't want to look away-what if something happened and Badgertooth needed her help?

The first kit slipped into existence, and Badgertooth gently nipped the sac that enfolded it. It began to mewl loudly; "Spottedsong, keep it warm. Lick its fur the opposite way," Badgertooth told her. Spottedsong nodded and began to lick the kit's fur the wrong way to keep its blood flowing. Then she let it return to Mousetail, urging it to begin to suckle, and it did. Affection surged through her; this was Mousetail's-one of her best friends-kits. Mousetail murmured something lovingly, gazing at her kit with shining blue eyes.

"You're doing great. Three more," Badgertooth encouraged, though Mousetail's eyes betrayed mingling excitement and fear.

She's having four kits? Spottedsong mused. But this is her first litter . . . she's bound to be scared.

Mousetail let out a groan, clenching her jaws around the stick, as her body convulsed. The second kit came a bit slower than the first. The stick began to crack as the second kit slipped into the world.

We'll need more sticks, Spottedsong thought with a glimmer of amusement.

The same thing happened two more times, but when Badgertooth released the fourth kit from its sac, it was still and noiseless. Cold dread washed over Spottedsong. "Why isn't it moving?" Mousetail asked, her voice quiet. "Is it dead?"

Badgertooth didn't answer; he began to lick the kit fiercely. Spottedsong watched, eyes wide and feeling helpless. The kit couldn't die! This was the first litter of kits in so long. Time to stretch out, and Badgertooth tried multiple things, until finally the kit began to move and mewl weakly. Its flanks heaved and it let out a weak mewl. Badgertooth gave it a couple more licks, then gently guided it to Mousetail's belly where it began to nurse silently. Mousetail looked at Badgertooth gratefully. "Thank you," she whispered.

Badgertooth opened her mouth to respond, but he was interrupted when Skystorm came into the den and rushed to his mate's side. "Mousetail," he breathed. Badgertooth dipped his head in greeting and stepped aside to let him embrace his mate. He pressed her flank against hers and laid down beside her, looking at his newborn kits, his green eyes full of love. "They're beautiful."