Warriors: Uprising (Book 1)

Chapter 3

        Dustshine hasn't seen Blacksting lately, and it's been worrying her. Every time she awakens she can feel herself getting closer and closer to kitting, especially now. She's felt many pains in her belly and lower area. She has to have Vertexclan's medicine cat Nova check up on her more often now. Nova would bring certain herbs that would soothe her pains. Nova came into the nursery again, "You alright, Dustshine? Are you still having pains?" she put her paw on Dustshine's belly gently. 

"A little, but not a lot now, thanks to you taking care of me." Dustshine mewed back with a smile and purr. 

"Aw, it's no problem. This is my duty as a medicine cat, after all!" Nova meowed proudly, puffing her chest out a little. 

"Have you seen Blacksting, by any chance? I'm worried about him..." 

"Oh, he was in the medicine den not too long ago. He slipped and hit his head on a rock according to Buzzardgaze-" 

"Is he alright?!" Dustshine cut her off, almost jumping to her paws.

"Yes, he is now calm down. There were no injuries, and I told him to go take a rest."

Dustshine settled back down and sighed. "Ever since I told him, he will be a father, he's been acting so weird. It's like he didn't want to have kits or something... I thought he would be happy!" She laid her head onto her paws.

"I'm sure he is. He just needs some time to recollect his thoughts."

Dustshine didn't reply.

"Well, if you need anything, just holler. I'll be nearby." Nova looked back at her clanmate once more before she left the Nursery. 

Does he not love me anymore? Dustshine thought as she closed her eyes.

She then felt a presence in front of her. She opened her eyes to see a set of grey paws in front of her.

Is it... Blacksting? she thought, then looked up. 

There stood a black tom with his red eyes glaring down at Dustshine.

"Blacksting!" She got up shakily and nuzzled up against him, only for him to push her back onto her nest.

"B-Blacksting? What's wrong?" The pain in her lower area increased a little, but she ignored it. 

Blacksting continued to give his mate an evil stare.

"Can't you tell me what's wrong-" The pains Dustshine felt before came back stronger than ever. She winced and groaned.

I-I think I'm kitting! She thought and held back a yell. 

"Blacksting g-go get Nova!" She winced again as she felt more pain.

Blacksting did nothing. He just stood there with an evil gaze on Dustshine.

Dustshine would say his name again, but she clawed at the ground and yelled.

Who knew kitting hurt this much? And why isn't Blacksting doing anything? She thought.

Nova then padded into the nursery. "Hey, I heard some yelling. You alright Dustshi- Oh my Starclan!" She rushed over to her side to see a non-moving black-furred kit on the ground. Its body was lifeless. "Oh, dear..." Nova whispered.

Dustshine was panting, but she still felt a slight pain.

"Dustshine, I'll need you to push one more time for me, alright?" Nova ordered.

She nodded and pushed as hard as she could. Out came a grey-furred kit with black socks, mewling then suckling milk from its mother.

Dustshine nearly passed out. She laid her head on the side of the ground.

Nova examined both kits. They both were toms. "Sorry for your loss.." Nova frowned.

"I-It's alright," Dustshine responded.

Blacksting just stood there quietly. His expression was blank.

"Blacksting, why didn't you get me in the first place?" Nova hissed.

"Guess I didn't care enough." He replied.

"Well, you not caring enough caused one of your kits to die!" There was another hiss from her.

"It's not my fault it was weak." Blacksting licked his paw and rubbed it over his right ear.

Nova held back the anger that was welling up inside her and turned to Dustshine. "Did you have any names in mind for these two beautiful toms?"

"The black-furred one I'll name Sootkit and the grey one will be named-"

"Shredkit," Blacksting spoke up and cut off his mate.

"Uh, that's a pleasant name!" Dustshine purred a bit.

Nova gave a sad sigh and looked at Sootkit, who wasn't moving at all. "I'll go bury Sootkit and have a vigil for him. Do you want to come too, Blacksting?" she glared at him.

"No."

She gave a sad sigh and picked up the poor Sootkit, then took him out of the nursery.

Blacksting looked at Dustshine and Shredkit, then left the nursery as well-to-do something else that didn't involve Sootkit. Dustshine was still laying on her side, thinking to herself.

These kinds of things happen for a reason, she thought, and I'm sure there was a reason for Blacksting's actions.