Bearheart's Shame

Chapter 21

Bearheart groaned.

"You're expecting, Bearheart. You are. There's no denying." Birdpatch was smiling fondly at the warrior.

"How long until I have to join the queens in the nursery?" Bearheart asked.

"Any day now. Your due date is not far off." Birdpatch mewed as he turned to continue sorting herbs.

"I will join Flyfeather and Boulderfrost tomorrow. Today, I must speak to Riverscar, and enjoy my last day as a warrior." She whisked out of the den, eyes piercing the camp in search of Riverscar.

She spotted his silver pelt at the edge of camp. Bearheart raced over, excitement bristling through her pelt.

"I'm expecting!" She burst out.

Riverscar's eyes lit up. "Again? What a blessing!" He nuzzled her. "When do you join the queens?"

"Tomorrow." Bearheart looked down. "I'll miss sleeping next to you."

"I'll sleep with you tomorrow night, just for comfort."

"I'd like that."

She sat down, watching Larkfur, Heronflight and Junipernight take their places at the center of the camp. Bearheart had watched their ceremony earlier, cheering loudly. Junipernight's eyes had been narrowed in concentration, and Bearheart remembered his comment the night she joined Moonclan. That he would slit his littermates' throats one day. She couldn't help but feel uneasy.

"Are you feeling okay?" Riverscar asked her.

"Oh, I'm fine. Just a bit nervous for my second litter." Bearheart mewed, looking at Riverscar.

"It'll be okay, Bearheart. You have nothing to fear." Riverscar tucked his tail under her chin as he had done when they first met. Bearheart gazed into his green eyes, happy that she had made the choice to be his mate. The tom leaned forward and licked her cheek, making Bearheart smile.

She felt small claws on her tail and turned her head to see Scarletkit scratching Bearheart's fluffy tail. Bearheart glanced apologetically at Riverscar and lifted her tail slightly off the ground. Scarletkit squeaked in surprise, her hind paws still touching the ground. She was three moons old now, and was the leader of her littermates. The ginger kit let go of Bearheart's tail and ran over to her littermates, signaling at Bearheart with her tail. Bearheart lumbered forward, and heard playful growl coming from the kits.

"Now!" Scarletkit leaped, her small claws digging into Bearheart's ears.

"Get away, badger!" Sweetkit cried as she attacked Bearheart's paw. Bearheart sighed as Scarletkit and Thunderkit joined her. Suddenly, all three stopped attacked and looked up at her with wide eyes.

"Badger ride?" they asked in unison.

Bearheart crouched low in response, gritting her teeth as she felt three pairs of claws dig into her spine. When she felt all three kits secure, she began to lumber around camp, rocking this way and that. The kits yowled and cried happily, begging for more each time Bearheart started to lower herself to the ground.

She continued around camp, starting to trot. They screamed excitedly, teetering on her spine. Bearheart was acutely aware of all the cats watching her, and shrugged it off. All cats loved kits, and Bearheart loved kits more fiercely than any cat could imagine. She had to leave hers behind, and she always felt that she didn't spend enough time with them. She wanted the kits of her new clan to enjoy their kithood. Bearheart heard the kits screeching for more, and she thought of something new.

"I want you to roll to the ground on my neck." The kits nodded and Bearheart got into a hunter's crouch, her chin on the ground. Scarletkit rolled forward, tumbling off Bearheart's nose with a squeak of pleasure. The kit rolled out of the way as Sweetkit came spinning down the grey, black and white warrior. Thunderkit followed, sliding clumsily.