A Stream of Ice

Chapter 1

Aldertail awoke in his nest. The feeling of sharp jabs on his side made him stir.
“Aldertail! Quick! Birchleaf is having her kits!” It was Silverwhisker, Birchleaf's littermate.
“Im going!” Aldertail leaped to his paws, a rush of excitement filled him from paw to tail: he was going to be a father at last!

     He raced quickly over to the nursery to see Birchleaf lying flat against the ground, Minnowpond at her side.
“Im here now Birchleaf” he purred as Birchleaf's fur rippled in an agonizing spasm. “Our kits will be beautiful”

     The first kit slithered out in a puddle of wetness. He was a light brown tabby tom.
“Lick it to keep it warm” ordered the medicine cat to one of her apprentices, Whitepaw. Soon after, a second kit emerged: A striped grey she-cat.
“Just one more left, your doing really well!” Minnowpond said encouragingly, before ordering her second apprentice, Icepaw, to lick the grey kit.

      After a large rippling spasm seized Birchleaf again, the nose of the final kit appeared. Aldertail watched whilst the small body of a cream kit slid onto the soft moss. The final kit looked like a younger version of himself!

     Aldertail leaned forward and licked Birchleaf affectionately between her ears.
“Its over now” he whispered.
“Oh, Aldertail! They're gorgeous! ” Tired, she mewed back and looked over at her three kits that buried themselves in the soft fur on her belly.

     “What shall we name them?” the queen asked.
Aldertail looked at the kits thoughtfully.
“How about Acornkit for the tom?”
“And the grey one can be Cloverkit” she purred. Her gaze settled on the cream she-cat. “This one looks just like you.She can be called Maplekit” Birchleaf bent down to lick each in turn. Aldertail watched proudly at the squirming kits: Acornkit, Cloverkit and Maplekit.