Cursed Division

Chapter 2

Faint blue sky gleamed above the canopy. The blue sky seemed rare here in DeathBlood Forest. The blue sky may give weak sunshine but that doesn't take away the evil here or the tang of death. The day was cool and had a light breeze that blew the few leaves that remained in the trees. Cold days were promised ahead. The day promised sunshine as far as can see but a few gray clouds would dot the sky. The white clouds above the treetops were puffy like cotton. They seemed to stretch and took in weird looking forms.
Meanwhile below the blue sky, a cave like den lay in shadow, greenery surrounding the rocky walls. The den sat in a small cleaning sheltered by bushes and twisted vines. Inside the den two cats lay side by side. One which was dark against the shadow, her green eyes seeming to glow. Beside her lay a brown shape, its belly swollen with unborn kittens. The pregnant cat lay on patches of soft grass and leaves. Her eyes were half closed and she was curled up in a ball. Beside her, Midnight washed her paws carefully and picked out a few small thorns she'd picked up in the forest. She spat them out with a grunt and flicked her ear as a fly landed on it. This wasn't the best place to live but Midnight called it home. She had found this den long ago and has sheltered here sense, barricading the den with leaves and grass in the winter. She also stalks up prey in the winter and keeps it stored in the back of the den, sheltered from the cold. A small hole was engraved in the den floor and Midnight filled it up with water every now and then. She did so recently, a few hours ago in fact. Ember had been with her for a day and Midnight knew she'd be giving birth any day now. She would need water. Midnight was nervous. She was almost fully grown but quite younger than Ember. She didn't know the first thing about giving birth or how to help a cat give birth. But she knew she couldn't let Ember do it alone. Even if her assistance was useless, Midnight was still determined to help. She continued to wash her paws for a few more moments as Ember seemed to be going off in a doze. But suddenly Ember groaned and raised her head in a yowl.

Leaping to her paws and scambling over to her, Midnight eyed Ember warily.
"What's wrong?" Midnight bellowed.
"Th-the kittens, they're here!" Ember exclaimed fearfully.
Panic-stricken, Midnight glanced around hopefully and found a stick at the corner of the den. She bounded over to it and grasped it in her jaws before making her way back over to Ember.
"Here!" Midnight exclaimed. "Bite down on this. Bite on it during the pain."
Ember grabbed it and clenched her teeth in the wood. Bounding back over to the other side of the den, Midnight grabbed a small rock bowl she had beside the pool of water and dumped it in until it was full. Making her way back to the panting pregnant she-cat, she put the bowl to Ember's jaws. She began to lap fiercely before digging her claws into the cave floor and raising her head again.
"I think the first one is coming!" Ember wailed through gritted teeth.
Midnight padded over to Ember's tail and crouched beside it and waited for the first kitten to pop out. It wasn't long. After some struggle and screeches of piercing pain, Ember managed to squeeze out a small male light brown kitten who wriggled around with high pitched mews. Midnight grabbed the kitten and freed it from the membrane then lapped it to keep it warm. Ember was still struggling as she was trying to push out another. Midnight lifted her head for a slight moment and praised her.
"You're doing great, Ember. Keep going. I'm going to keep your kitten warm."
Ember acknowledged her with a quick nod before she screeched once again, the stick snapping in half in her jaws as another kitten popped out beside her tail. Midnight picked up the brown kitten and gave it to Ember before taking the next one to repeat the same process as she did to the last kitten. This kitten was a female ginger tabby. Midnight took the other kitten to Ember before preparing for the next. But to her surprise, there weren't anymore. Ember's body was relaxed now and she thanked Midnight with a nod.
"That is all of them. Thank you."
"Of course." She purred before padding over to see the kittens who had just been born.
"What shall their names be?" Midnight asked curiously.
It took Ember a moment to think before her ears pricked with an idea.
"The brown tomcat can be Pine and the ginger tabby she-cat can be Flare."
"Those are lovely names." Midnight touched her nose to the queen cat's forehead.
"I won't have to raise them alone will I?" Ember suddenly asked, anxiety piercing her gaze.
Midnight shook her head, shocked by the question.
"Of course not. I'll help you raise them as long as you need me to."
"Thanks, Midnight". . .