Owlflight's Kits (Book One)

Chapter Twenty

It seemed like Cloud's belly was becoming more and more swollen. She was close to having her kits, Owlflight knew, but he hadn't really thought about it. He was going to be a grandfather. He felt too young to be that yet; but it was happening.

One refreshingly cool morning, as Owlflight was munching on a rabbit, he heard rushed pawsteps behind him. He turned just in time to see a light ginger cat skid to a halt in the center of the clearing that the cats had made their camp in.

"What are you doing here?" Robin's panicked voice made Owlflight's heart race. This must be Firepaw. He realised.

"Robin, I-" Firepaw stopped when she noticed Owlflight staring at her. "Uh- Hi! I'm Firepaw." She dipped her head in greeting.

"Owlflight." He replied. Firepaw turned to Robin.

"I need to, uh.. Talk to you." She sighed. Robin blinked at her, not moving. She seemed to realise that he did not want to talk now, so she turned to leave, but then turned back as if she'd changed her mind. "Hawkstar is ill with greencough. He.. He's lost a life, but he's still sick. Coldstream is in charge for now. He.. He found out about us, Robin, and banned me. From GreenClan." She added.

"You can live with us!" Owlflight offered immediately. Cloud couldn't hunt now, with her swollen belly and injured leg. Winter was spending more and more time with Cloud, and less time hunting. Stone was getting a bit sick, with what Cloud was pretty sure was just a cold, but he still refused to hunt. That left only Robin and Owlflight to hunt; which wasn't enough.

Firepaw would be a perfect addition to the group. Soon, they would also have kits to care for, and she could help with that.

"That's okay...?" Firepaw asked. "I thought you didn't like me."

"We don't know you!" Owlflight said. He suddenly remembered that Winter had met her. He flicked his tail towards the white cat, "Only he dislikes you. StarClan knows why.."

Firepaw let out a purr of delight. "Okay! That's- wow. Okay." She sat down and curled her tail towards herself shyly. Owlflight didn't feel uncomfortable around her like he did with Winter. "So, you're Cloud, right?"
"Yup! That's me!" Cloud purred. "And Stone." She flicked her tail towards her brother. Firepaw nodded happily.
Owlflight was happy for a moment. He would finally have another cat to help him take care of the others. Firepaw would be a part of their "family."

*

Owlflight was standing in the mooncave. Another dream? He thought, blinking in the dim light. "Owlflight!" That was Rainpaw; calling him. But where was he? Owlflight couldn't see him.

Then, a movement flickered to his left. He glanced over to see the silver and white tom staring at him with wide eyes. "What is it?" Owlflight asked.

"I see a very terrible future for Cloud's kits, Owlflight." Rainpaw's voice trembled with sadness.

Owlflight stood up, "What do you mean?"

"They.. They don't have any future." The apprentice shook his head. "They have no hope!"

"Will they be stillborn?" Owlflight felt a pain in his chest. How would Cloud react to having stillborns?

"No, but... StarClan will take them too soon." Rainpaw shivered. "There's no stopping it. They're doomed..."

"Why are you telling me this, and not Cloud?" Owlflight demanded.

"Don't tell Cloud! Don't speak of this to any cat. They will learn soon enough that StarClan is taking all of the kits too soon..." Rainpaw shook his head sadly. "I'm telling you because you're my friend, Owlflight. I just want to warn you. I'm not supposed to do this.. But I felt I had to."

Owlflight nodded slowly. "How.. How will they die?"

"They-"

Owlflight was jolted awake by a paw roughly shaking his shoulders. "Wake up, you mouse-brain!" That was Winter. "Cloud's kits are being born!"