The Better Clan

Merciless Shadows

Flashback

Gemlight felt her kits wake up, it was only several sunrises till their apprenticeship would start, and they acted very much ready.

It never seemed that she could keep up with their antics lately, always trying to get out of camp and fighting for her attention. Which was a hopeless effort, since an overwhelming sadness took over her each waking day since Bramblestar left her.

She wished she could love Stormcloud the same way, she really did. But it seemed that she either tried too hard or not enough. Stormcloud paid no mind to it, as he was too busy being attentive to her kits.

She eyed couples that seemed to be thriving, and she-cats that were single and longing for a mate in the Clan.

Squirrelflight seemed constant on the patrols, and any free time she had it was trying to impress Bramblestar.

Gemlight was tied down to the Nursery moons ago, Stormcloud was yet again insistent on her spending time with her kits.

"Spiderleg?"

Gemlight recognized Spiderleg's new mate Amberdrop walk up to him with bright eyes.

"Hello, Amber." Spiderleg purred as they walked toward the exit of camp. "What is it?"

"It's wonderful news!" Amberdrop purred, keeping her voice down.

"Well, tell me love." Spiderleg persisted.

Amberdrop looked at Gemlight and whispered in Spiderleg's ear.

"Really?" Spiderleg gasped, his tail waving. "I must tell the Clan!"

"If you really want to." Amberdrop meowed. "When Daisy was looking plump with kits, you looked extremely humiliated."

"That's because it was Daisy." Spiderleg muttered. "You were a wonderful apprentice. And I bet you'll be a great mother."

Gemlight was surprised as she realized Spiderleg was going to father a litter he actually wanted. Cats began to look towards the barely whispering couple.

"Bumblestripe, look." Rosepetal purred. "The Clan may be having more kits!"

"Bramblestar, I would like to announce something." Spiderleg purred.

Bramblestar snapped out of looking off into space and looked straight up at the black tom.

"Very well, go ahead." Bramblestar replied with a respectful nod.

Spiderleg moved to the center of camp where the eager Clan cats turned to look at him.

"My mate of five wonderful moons, Amberdrop, is expecting my kits." Spiderleg announced with a puff of his chest.

"WHAT?" Daisy snarled, not even trying to hide her digust. "What's better about her than me?!"

The excitement of the other cats was cut of and some of them glared at Daisy.

"Daisy, this is great news." Bramblestar growled. "Please go back to the Nursery."