Warriors: Echo of Darkness

Chapter 23

I kept Ranger out of the whelping den, just as Feather asked. She had sent Riki for herbs and sent Ranger to fetch a strong stick. I peered in from outside the roots of the great tree. 

Another wail of agony came from Blue. Feather was trying to keep the new queen under control. Ranger came back with a stick and laid beside his mate. Feather looked at Ranger, "When the first kit comes out, lick it until it breathes." 

Ranger nodded, his uncertainty for Feather was clouded with fear for Blue. What if she died? What if a kit die? There were so many dangers even with a healer. I kept cats at bay, wanting to give Blue some privacy, "Go get some fresh kill! Don't stress Blue out." I ordered. 

Riki raced in with the herbs that Feather describe. I recognized none of them, I only knew about cob webs. Riki gave one last concerned look before padding out of the den and sitting next to me, "I hope she will be ok, I never want to have kits!"

"Hush," I murmured, "Feather knows what shes doing. She saved my life, she can help Blue give birth." I whispered. "I hope... Ranger has lost so much and given us so much, don't take this away from him SoulClan."

Another cry came from the den. I curled my tail around Riki as we sat a few tail lengths outside of the den. She buried her face into my shoulder. After a few minutes of what sounded like a cat getting mauled by a badger, it was silent. Feather padded out and gave a nod, "You two can go in, but don't stay long, she is tired. It is important a queen has time to bond alone with her kits and mate."

We dipped out heads in acknowledgement and slowly padded in. The blue/black she-cat was panting, but her eyes shone with love. Ranger was looking pridefully at his litter. These kits were the first members born into the Clan. There were two kits. A tom with a storm black pelt like his mothers, and a she-kit with a silvery pelt like Ranger's. 

"They're beautiful, good work Blue," I murmured, "They will be safe here in camp, I promise."

The queen purred, "Between you, Riki, Ranger, and the rest of the Clan, I know not even a pack of badgers could harm these two."

"I won't let anyone harm them," Riki promised, "have you come up with names?"

Blue looked at Ranger then nodded. She rested her tail on the tom kit first, "his name will be Storm." She looked at her other kit, "and this one is Eve."

My heart soared and wretched, "Welcome to LunarClan Storm and Eve." 

My second in command looked at me and purred, "Eve has a white tip on her tail and a white chest, just as your sister did. We know she will have the same kindness and bravery as her."

I purred warmly, "Excuse us, we will leave you alone now." 

I led Riki out of the den, but her expression wasn't happy. I looked at her with concern, "What's wrong?"

She looked down at her paws, "Eve... the first one. She is dead because of me... I never should have come here... I'm so sorry Nightmare!" she wailed. 

I blinked with surprise, I had never known she felt guilty for what happened. I thought she had forgotten about the events, she was very young at the time. I pulled her close with my tail, "Some things are meant to happen," I murmured thinking of Tigerlily, "Some day I will have my revenge on Sleetstorm, will you help me?"

"Of course! I will kill him, bring him back to life, then kill him again for what he did to Eve!" Riki growled, "I will make sure no harm comes to this Eve, I will protect her with my life."

I smiled and licked her head, "I know you will Riki, you're a brave warrior of LunarClan."

I heard yowling and growling coming from the center of camp. I pelted towards it and saw Feather standing in the middle of a bunch of guards. Lang spat and lashed at her with a sheathed paw.