Pineshade's Loss

Chapter 33

Ever since Milktail moved into the nursery, Pineshade has been a worried mess, especially since it will be leaf-bare very soon. He has been checking up on her every chance he gets, bringing fresh-kill to her if possible.

"You know I'm expecting kits, not dying, right?" Milktail meows one time with a purr of amusement.

"Yeah, I'm just worried about you, that's all," Pineshade responds, putting a toad down in front of her.

"My love, the point is that you don't have to worry about me," Milktail meows. "I'm sure I'll be just fine."

"No, you don't know that. The future is always uncertain," Pineshade meows. "You could have the kits early without me knowing, or you could get sick," he meows.

"Even if that does happen, it's not the end of the world," Milktail responds, giving her chest fur a quick lick.

"But you and our kits are my world, Milktail. So, if something like that is, it is the end of the world for me," Pineshade responds worriedly.

"That's sweet, Pineshade," Milktail purrs, "But you should focus more on your duties as a warrior. Cats are talking about you, you know."

"Wait, who?" Pineshade asks.

"I don't think I should say any names, but I have heard a few other warriors talk about how much of a worried wreck you are," Milktail meows. "Trust me, focus on your duties as a warrior, I'll be just fine."

"Do you promise?" Pineshade asks in response, giving his mate a forehead lick before touching foreheads with her.

"I promise," Milktail responds. "Now, go out there and be the best warrior you can be."

"I will," Pineshade meows. "I love you."

"I love you more," Milktail responds.

"I love you most," Pineshade meows.

"No, I do," Milktail purrs.

"No, I do," Pineshade responds with a purr of amusement. 

"No, I–" Milktail begins to meow, but she is interrupted.

"Can you two stop already?" Icewhisker whines. "I think we get it by now, Applekit and Cloudkit are sleeping and the two of you are getting too loud."

"Okay, goodbye Milktail," Pineshade meows before finally padding out of the nursery.

"Pineshade," The dark gray tom then hears his deputy meow as he steps out of the nursery. He turns his head to spot the gray-and-white tom padding over to him.

"What is it, Lizardtail?" Pineshade asks the older cat.

"I would like you to lead a hunting patrol. The fresh-kill pile is getting low. Can you take Rosedawn, Hawktalon, Spikepelt, and Fernpool with you?" The deputy suggests.

"Of course," Pineshade responds.

"Thank you," Lizardtail meows.

After gathering the other warriors on the patrol together, Pineshade begins to lead the patrol out of ShadowClan's camp and into the surrounding territory.

"Almost all of the leaves have fallen off the trees," Hawktalon points out as they venture off to find a good spot to start hunting. "It should be leaf-bare any day now."

After finding a good hunting spot, the patrol split up to find any sign of prey. They didn't have much luck, every warrior was able to find and catch only one piece of fresh-kill, except Rosedawn.

"This is another sign that leaf-bare should be here soon, prey is becoming scarce," Hawktalon points out.

"We get it, Hawktalon. You don't have to point it out," Spikepelt meows.

"I did find a squirrel, but I was unable to catch it," Rosedawn meows. "I don't know why, but I've been feeling a little off lately."

"Hopefully you aren't getting sick!" Hawktalon meows. "Honestly, I've been feeling off lately too. Maybe it's just the colder weather."

After talking for a little longer, the patrol padded back into camp with only four pieces of fresh-kill. But, right as Pineshade entered camp, he was instantly greeted by a panicked Icewhisker. He also watches Acornfall dash towards the nursery in the corner of his eye.

"It's Milktail! She's having her kits earlier than we thought!" Icewhisker meows. At those words, Pineshade quickly heads over to the nursery, dropping the frog he had caught on the way there.

"I'll get that for you!" Pineshade then hears Rosedawn meow as he runs. By the time Pineshade entered the nursery, Milktail had already given birth to their kits.

"Wow, great job Milktail, you didn't even need me!" Acornfall meows. At the sight of a healthy Milktail licking two healthy newborn kits, Pineshade can feel himself calm down.

"Oh StarClan, they're beautiful," Pineshade
meows with a purr. "Are we still sticking with the names we chose?" Pineshade then asks his mate. Milktail quickly responds with a nod.

"Yes, but before we choose names, we have to know of the two of them are she-cats, toms, or a she-cat and a tom," Milktail meows as Acornfall quickly takes the opportunity to check.

"Two healthy and beautiful she-cats," Acornfall announces.

"Then, the lighter gray she-cat can be Duskkit and the darker gray she-cat can be Smokekit?" Milktail suggests.

"That's perfect," Pineshade meows.

"Can we play with them now?" Applekit asks, padding over to take a peek at the new-born kits.

"No, silly!" Icewhisker meows to her son. "They're too small and weak to play with right now, but you can play with them someday."

"Hopefully they can play with Applekit so I don't have to anymore!" Cloudkit meows. "Playing with Applekit is no fun because he always wins!"

Pineshade touches noses with Milktail. "I love you, but I think you should get some rest now," he meows.

"Okay, I love you too," Milktail responds weakly. Then, the crowd in the nursery all leaves until it's only the queens and kits left.