Dawnstar's Decision

Chapter 19

"Dawnsky, wake up! It's almost sunhigh!" Called Bear's voice from outside the cave.

She groaned and reluctantly pulled herself into a sitting position. More than two moons had passed and Dawnsky's belly was swollen with kits, just as Oakfoot had promised her. She sighed and heaved herself onto her feet and slowly padded outside.

"Good morning, sleepy head." Bear purred, smiling, "How are the kits doing?"

"They are doing fine, but their mother could really go for a squirrel..." she meowed.

Bear laughed, "Okay, whatever you say!" He looked at her with his amber gaze, "Shall we head to camp?"

"I'll try..." she sighed, wincing a little as she felt one of the kits kicking inside of her.

Bear noticed that she was in pain, "How about I go get the squirrel for you? You can just lay down here."

"No, I'm fine. Besides, I need to get some fresh air anyways." She tottered unsteadily across the clearing, and Bear was constantly at her side, making sure she didn't fall.

With great difficulty, they finally reached camp. Dawnsky stopped, out of breath. She hadn't been out in what seemed like moons, and she could feel that her kits were coming any day now. Bear sat patiently by her, waiting for her to get up again, "So why, exactly, did you want to come down here? You look exhausted!"

"Well, because in just a few days, I will be stuck in the cave for at least a moon and so I wanted to get out a little before then." She explained, still breathing heavily.

Bear shook his head and walked inside, grabbing her a squirrel, "Here. You can eat it out here if you want." He dropped it at her feet.

"I could've gotten it myself," she panted, secretly grateful, "but thanks."

She could see Cricket coming in with a mouthful of prey in her jaws. The second she saw Dawnsky at the entrance, she growled and bounded past her. Cricket hadn't talked to her at all since she moved in to camp. I bet she is jealous.... she decided to herself.

Storm walked by Dawnsky and Bear and quickly stopped, "Hey Dawnsky! How are the kits doing?"

"The kits are very active this morning." She admitted, exhaustion showing in her icy blue eyes.

"Wow thanks a lot for asking how we were doing." Bear grumbled sarcastically, "But in case you were wondering, Dawnsky and I are just fine."

"You're welcome!" Storm laughed, "But seriously, how are you, Dawnsky?"

"Eh, I could be better..." she sighed, "and you?"

"I'm excited about those kits, that's for sure!" He purred, "Could I help name them?"

"No!" Bear said quickly, and softened his tone when he saw that Dawnsky was giving him a look, "I mean, I think Dawnsky and I would like to name our first litter. Maybe you can help with the second litter, or not."

Storm shook his head in amusement at Bear, "I was just joking, but I'd be glad to help you name your second litter, if you have one. Well, see ya later! I got to go hunt with Blossom. This is her first time." He walked off before they could reply.

Dawnsky sighed and gave Bear another look.

"What?" He asked.

She shook her head, "Never mind...." She made herself get up again and padded slowly into camp. Bear followed behind her.

She bit into her squirrel, "Want to share?" She said through a mouthful.

Bear smiled, "Sure." He sat next to her and took small bites of the squirrel to make sure that Dawnsky had her fill.