Bearheart's Shame

Chapter 22

Bearheart shimmied backwards as the two clans leaped into battle. She winced and flinched every time one of her clanmates got hurt. Blood was oozing from wounds on both sides and part of Bearheart longed to join the fray. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and her breath was short and fast. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Badgerheart get knocked into the ground by Rabbitfall. The Fernclan warrior was older, but her paws were coordinated as she battered the deputy into the earth. The Moonclan warrior thrashed and twisted on the ground. A wicked grin spread over Rabbitfall's face as she tore at Badgerheart's stomach. Bearheart's heart lurched and she leaped into the battle, tearing Rabbitfall off of Badgerheart. Growling she leaped onto the Fernclan warrior and slashed her claws across her face. Rabbitfall tucked her paws under Bearheart's stomach but froze when she felt how bulging it was. The warrior went limp, not willing to attack a queen. Bearheart slashed her face one more time before leaping off her and grabbing Badgerheart by the scruff. She hauled the deputy to the medicine den, dropping her when Birdpatch exited. He gasped and pulled her deeper into the den, eyes shining with worry. 

Bearheart growled and turned to go back into battle, but she heard Birdpatch hiss, "That was a brave move Bearheart, but, you're still a queen. Go back to the nursery."

She did as he said, staying at the edge of camp until she reached the nursery. She entered it, surprised to Scarletkit leaping and twisting in the air, as though attacking someone.

"Bearheart! You're okay!" Boulderfrost nuzzled Bearheart's cheek and motioned to an empty nest near the back of the den.

Once again. Bearheart thought.

She crawled into her nest, listening to the sounds of the battle outside. The queens were twitchy and watchful, eyes darting around the nursery. The kits however continued playing, dancing around as though the world were perfect. 

Bearheart fell asleep to her dismay, as she had wanted to stay awake and help Birdpatch with wound tending.

When she woke up, the battle was long since over and the warriors were basking in their wounds. Moonclan had won the battle, leaving Fernclan to decide if they would accuse Moonclan again. Bearheart doubted they would.

She fell into sleep again, this time, not waking until morning.

Bearheart awoke with a jolt. Contractions ripped through her stomach and she yowled, waking up the queens and kits in the nursery.

Boulderfrost jumped to her paws and raced from the den, coming back moments later with Birdpatch. The tom pressed her stomach, and Bearheart drifted in and out of consciousness.

"You have three she-kits and one tom-kit." Birdpatch told her when her kitting was over.

The medicine cat exited the den and Riverscar came in.

"We should name them." He meowed.

Bearheart nodded, gazing at her four kits.

A small black she-kit was squirming at her stomach. The kit's face was half silver. Her body was speckled with silver too.

"How about Streamkit?" Riverscar smiled.

Bearheart nodded, glancing at a white tom with black spots. In the dim light of the nursery, his spots looked rock grey.

"Rockkit?" Bearheart looked at Riverscar.

Her smiled, agreeing.

A strong blue-grey she-kit with a light brown stripe down her back looked up at Bearheart with unopened eyes. Bearheart stroked her tail down the she-kit's back, comforting her as she began to wail. As the kit quieted down, Riverscar meowed, "Shadekit." and Bearheart nodded. The two named their last kit, a white she-kit with silver splotches, Tulipkit.

As Bearheart sat back to admire her beautiful kits, she felt a wave of grief.

"Riverscar." She whispered.

Her mate gazed at her worriedly. "What is it, my love?"

"You must get Whispermoon, Silverwisp, and Snowshadow to come here. I can't bear to know that they don't know their siblings." Bearheart's voice cracked.

Riverscar nodded, charging from the den.

Her heart beat in her throat as she relaxed into sleep, awaiting the arrival of her older kits.

Bearheart woke up, looking around for her kits in Thornclan. She quickly spotted their pelts, and they spotted her. She watched their eyes light up at the sight of her, and it made her heart flutter.

"Bearheart!" Snowshadow padded forward, eyes shining with joy.

Whispermoon followed, her belly swaying.

"Whispermoon? Are you expecting kits?" Bearheart asked.

Whispermoon dipped her head. "Yes. They are Sprucetail's."

Bearheart smiled.

Silverwisp stepped forward, eyes sparkling with excitement, and a hint of malice.

"Bearheart! Oh, how I've missed you." She thrust her muzzle into Bearheart's face.

Bearheart laughed. "I've missed you all too. Did you see your father?"

Silverwisp and Snowshadow nodded.

"So, what are their names?" Whispermoon asked Bearheart.

Bearheart smiled, and started telling her older kits the names of her new kits.

Silverwisp locked her eyes on Tulipkit, hunger burning in their depths.

"Silverwisp? Are you okay?" Bearheart asked.

"Oh! I'm fine. Just a little tired from the journey here." She shook her head.

"Well, you're welcome to stay." Bearheart offered. "Though I'm afraid you can't stay in the nursery."

"We'd love that. Thank you." Snowshadow dipped her head. 

Bearheart watched them pad away, escorted by Riverscar. She smiled to herself, knowing quietly that they were happy. She relaxed into sleep, tail curling protectively around her kits.