Post by Saberstar on Sept 21, 2008 13:52:48 GMT -5
Monarchwing’s Story
By: Saberstar
SunsetClan:
Jackalstar- Leader; light brown tom with black mask, paws and muzzle
Echosplit- - Deputy; light grey and white she-cat with a strange dotted marking under her left eye.
Dappledstream- Medicine cat; Lovely tortoiseshell she-cat with a white paw
Thistlethorn- Warrior; oak point Siamese with bright blue eyes; Father of Monarchkit, Shadowkit and Mousekit
Blackmoth-Warrior; A dark smoky grey tom with light green and aqua eyes; Father of Snowkit and Moonkit
Crowwing- Warrior; black sleek tom
Bluesky- Warrior; blue ticked white she-cat; Thistlethorn’s sister
Silverbird- Queen/ Warrior; Silver and black tabby she-cat; Mother of Snowkit and Moonkit
Nightwing- Queen/ Warrior; Pure black she-cat with piercing yellow eyes; Mother of Monarchkit, Shadowkit and Mousekit
No-tail- Elder: bright ginger she-cat with no tail
Spiderfang- Elder; black white and grey tom
Nightpaw- Thistlethorn’s Apprentice; white tom with blue eyes; Bluesky’s and Thistlethorn’s nephew
Fernpaw- Medicine cat Apprentice; creamy colored she-cat with black paws and a black muzzle
Skypaw- Blackmoth’s Apprentice; white tom with bright yellow eyes
Thornpaw- Crowwing’s Apprentice; Dark brown tabby tom with green eyes
Grimkit- Unknown kit found at the border of SunsetClan and DawnClan; grey kit with a white bottom jaw
Snowkit- Blackmoth’s and Silverbird’s kit; Grey and white tom
Moonkit- Blackmoth’s and Silverbird’s kit; black and white she-cat
Monarchkit- Thistlethorn and Nightwing’s kit; Main character; chocolate point Siamese
Shadowkit- Thistlethorn and Nightwing’s kit; Fluffy black tom with bright yellow eyes
Mousekit- Thistlethorn and Nightwing’s kit; small black and cream she-cat
DuskClan: (Important characters, not all of them)
Midnightstar- Leader; Sleek black tom with searing green eyes
Saberfang- Deputy; Black she-cat with bright green eyes and an ugly scar down the right side of her face, halfway sealing her eye
Poppyfur- Medicine cat; brown and white she-cat
Nightstorm- Warrior; big grey tabby tom with bright green eyes; Foster father of Stealthpaw
Leopardmask- Warrior; bright gold she-cat with black circles of fur around her eyes
Swiftpaw-
Shadowpaw- Nightstorm’s apprentice; orphan
Stealthpaw- Saberfang’s apprentice;
Desertpaw- Poppyfur’s apprentice; bright ginger she-cat with gentle blue eyes (vanishes)
DawnClan: (Important character’s, not all of them)
Mothstar- Leader; bright gold tabby she-cat with light sea-green eyes
Mountainsnow- Deputy; grey and white tom with broad paws and a plume of a tail
Pebbletail- Medicine cat; light brown and redish tom with a white and grey tail
Cloudwing- Warrior; white tom with silver flecks; Father of Dawnpaw
Pigeonfeather- Queen/ Warrior; gentle brownish creamy she-cat with bright blue eyes; Mother of Eaglekit
Frostfeather- Queen/ Warrior; white and blue ticked she-cat; Mother of Dreamkit
Oakpaw- Medicine cat apprentice; Oak colored tom with green eyes and a white chest (vanishes)
Eaglekit- fluffy light brown, well muscles tom with chocolate stripes streaking his fur in a marbled manner.
Leafkit- Light brown she-cat with lighter brown patches like autumn leaves
Dreamkit- Smokey grey and silver mixed she-cat with one white paw and unusual navy blue eyes
SunClan: (Important characters, not all of them)
Morningstar- Leader; Rust red, sleek she-cat with a long tail and bright yellow eyes
Rainstep- Deputy; silver and white tom with unusual forest green eyes
Mallowleaf- Medicine cat; light brown tom with amber colored eyes
Thornfang- black and white tom with long black claws
Icetooth- white and silver she-cat with blinding sky-blue eyes
Heatherfur- brown and white she-cat with broad paws
Thornpaw- medicine cat apprentice; light brown tom with cream patches over his eyes
Aumtumnpaw- Morningstar’s apprentice; bright red and ginger tom with dark green eyes
Snowpaw- Icetooth’s apprentice; gorgeous white and grey marbled tabby with ice blue eyes
Forestpaw- Thornfang’s apprentice; Bright gold and orange she-cat
Introduction
Nightwing curled around her just born kits, licking their tiny heads gently with her rough textured tongue. Dappledstream collected her herbs without a sound and slid lithely out of the dirt tunnel that made the queen’s den. She was murmuring quietly to another cat whose anxious pacing had come to a complete cease. Another cat quickly slipped in as Dappledstream’s pawsteps faded. A cream and brown Siamese tom padded over to Nightwing and licked her between her flattened ears.
“They’re beautiful my love,” he meowed, flicking his long tail, “what shall we name them?” Nightwing fell silent for a moment, looking at the squirming kits. She gentle nosed a pure black tom.
“This one’s Shadowkit, his fur blends well with darkness,” she meowed. The tom nodded in approval, flicking his long tail at a black and cream kit.
“This one should be Mousekit, for her small, dainty nose and paws.” He purred laying down in back of him mate and looking over her shoulder at the kittens. Nightwing licked her mate’s cheek and turned her gaze to the remaining kitten; a cream and brown kitten with a longer tail than her siblings.
“This one…she looks just like you Thistlethorn,” she purred to the tom. A shaft of moonlight seemed to explode into the den from a crack in the dirt ceiling. It fell on the remaining kit and was distorted in such a way that it created wing-like patterns all along her shoulder blades and back. Nightwing smiled. “That’s it, this one is Monarchkit….” The kit scuffled and let out pitiful mewls, squirming towards its mother’s stomach and curling up into its first slumber.
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Jackalstar nodded.
“So, Nightwing’s kits are healthy,” he meowed his intimidating voice rattling Thistlethorn’s heart.
“Y-Yes, Jackalstar.” Thistlethorn replied, scuffling his paws. The Leader nodded, closing his eyes.
“And their names?” he meowed without even slitting his eyes open. Thistlethorn racked his brain.
“Shadowkit, Mousekit and Monarchkit.” He purred to his Leader. Jackalstar’s eyes open abruptly.
“Monarchkit….such an unusual name, never heard anything like it. But I like it…I accept, you may leave now.” He rumbled, curling back into his nest. Thistlethorn slipped through the curtain of brambles that were snagged onto the moss, but tightly secured. He slid into the nursery, his stomach settling from the butterflies that had fluttered in them earlier. Nightwing was nursing her kits, grooming her forearms with rough laps of her tongue. She picked angrily at a thorn that had found its way into her black fur. She lifted her head, her anxious gaze meeting Thistlethorn’s eyes.
“So?” she mewed.
“Jackalstar approved of the names, he really liked Monarchkit’s name.” he purred, flicking his tail so that it swept the dust. Nightwing smiled.
“Good,” she replied, resting her head on her forearms. She parted her jaws in an exhausted yawn. “I can’t sleep; I’ve been trying since you left last night and nothing…” Her flanks were shaking with exasperation. Thistlethorn’s smile faded into a frown of pity.
“Do you want me to get something from Dappledstream?” he offered. Nightwing didn’t say anything but closed her weary eyes and nodded. Thistlethorn crept out of the den and stretched his hind legs where the muscles were aching from the previous patrol. They had chased a fox out of their territory…he had never run so fast in his life. He bounded across the clearing, leaping over the mossy log that sheltered the elder’s den. He landed gracefully on the other side of the log until he reached a huge rock with a crevasse splitting its side. He pawed loudly on the cold stone and waiting for the medicine cat. Dappledstream poked her head out of the rock.
“Oh, hello Thistlethorn,” she mewed cheerily, sliding all the way out of the den and giving her forepaw a lick. “What can I do for you?” Thistlethorn shuffled his paws, not really knowing what to say.
“Do you have anything that can help Nightwing sleep?” he meowed. Dappledstream smiled.
“That’s easy, I’ll be right back. Stay here, I’ll be right back.” She purred quickly sliding back into the den. From inside, Thistlethorn heard her call her apprentice, Fernpaw, to grab poppy seeds. Everything else was muted by scuffling and the hacking of a sick cat. Dappledstream returned with a folded leaf held gingerly in her muzzle, she placed it down near his paws.
“Only give her two or three, I usually wouldn’t recommend it for nursing queens, but Nightwing’s strong and she’ll be fine.” She explained. Thistlethorn looked past her shoulder.
“Who has greencough?” he asked, making sure he worded it somewhat nicely so he didn’t sound nosy.
“It’s Crowwing, he’s really ill; I’ve never seen greencough come around so…early. I’ve only just started to notice hints of leafall, but he’s been sick for at least a week.” She sighed, her head drooping. Thistlethorn circled her once, brushing her flank and picked up the bundle of poppy seeds.
“Don’t blame yourself if there’s nothing else you can do, you’ve tried your hardest and that’s all we can ask for.” He mewed encouragingly. Dappledstream nodded.
“Thank you,” she meowed and disappeared back into the den. Thistlethorn leapt back over the rotting log and bounded across the clearing, paws thrumming the ground. Cats raised their heads in utter confusion, but shrugged and lay back down to rest. He slipped into the nursery and the scents of warmth flooded his mind. Nightwing raised her head.
“What took you so long?” she hissed bitterly. Thistlethorn saw the look of tiredness in her eyes and then she parted her jaws in a long yawn.
“Dappledstream was telling me about Crowwing….he’s not doing so well. He has greencough.” He heard her squeak with surprise.
“Already!” she meowed, curling her tail protectively around her kits. Thistlethorn nodded.
“How are they doing?” he muffled placing the bundle down near her paws.
“Well, Shadowkit is very quiet and calm, he hardly moves except when he eats, sleeps or gets poked by his sisters. Mousekit is a crykitten, all she does right now squeak and eat. And Monarchkit…oh Thistlethorn, she’s juts like you. I have to pull her back as she crawls away, she’s so adventurous. She’s going to be more trouble than she’s worth.” She teased nudging her mate’s shoulder. Thistlethorn smiled, but as he looked at Monarchkit and icy fear slid harshly down his throat and chilled his mind. She had an aura about her…how adventurous would she be? There was something unknown hidden inside this kit…something that worried him.
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Nightwing stretched her limbs with a deep breath and relaxed her muscles. That had been the best night of sleep she had had for moons. Her kit’s eyes were already open and they had already been attempting to stand on their nimble legs. It had been already been about 2 and a half moons since they were birthed. Shadowkit and Mousekit had barely made it onto their paws, but Monarchkit was already standing, though wobbling horribly. She let out a pitiful mewl, sticking out her tiny chest and raising her head, placing her stubby tail high in the air. She then collapsed with a thump followed by a squeak of surprise. Nightwing tucked them in closely with a sigh. They all flexed their paws and opened their mouths with hungry meows. She tucked them in even closer so they could feed.
A rustle at the front of the den caused Nightwing to raise her head and made her spine bristle defensively. A sleek silver and black tabby slid inside with a shake of her fur, her stomach bulging a bit.
“Morning Nightwing,” she cooed gently. Nightwing smiled, letting the fur on her spine relax.
“Good morning Silverbird,” she returned with a short nod. The tabby pawed gingerly at her nest, removing a thorn with her teeth. She curled up, tucking her paws under her chest stretching her left leg in front of her shoulder to lick the bottom of her foot. “How many moons has it been since you’ve been pregnant?” Nightwing meowed curiously. Silverbird tilted her head.
“That’s an odd question. Six moons, just three more and I’ll be a mother!” she shivered with excitement.
“How did Blackmoth respond?”
“He’s just as excited as I am….Nightwing?”
“Hm?”
“How was the pain?”
“The what?”
“The birth pains, were they excruciating?” Silverbird mewed nervously. Nightwing paused her washing. They weren’t that bad, but they still hurt.
“Well, they actually weren’t bad at all. I’m not saying it won’t hurt at all, but you’ll have nothing to worry about.” She reassured. Silverbird stretched with a yawn.
“That’s good.” She purred, curling her tail around her nose and closing her bright blue eyes. There were a few moments of silence before she saw Silverbird’s flanks rise and fall rythmatically in a deep sleep. She looked around herself just beginning to realize her surroundings. The place was enclosed by dirt walls, formed into a cylinder shaped tunnel with a dead end just behind Silverbird. Plants weaved in and out of the walls and water dripped from the ceiling in cold, small droplets. Nearly no light was shed into the tunnel and only a limited amount of fresh air drifted inside. Nightwing closed her eyes, longing to be a Warrior again, being able to run beneath the trees and climb the sheer, silver rocks that littered their territory. She imagined the wind and sun in a swath of colors, pulsing around her neck and sliding through her black fur. She opened her eyes, expecting to see the same vivid surroundings she had thought of but only saw the dark, dank walls of the nursery.
She felt sadness pull longingly at her heart but as she gazed at her kittens, it quickly ebbed away. She was being selfish, but only 3 and a half more moons until she could be a Warrior once more.
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Chapter 1
Monarchkit bounded to the front of the den, sticking her upper torso out of the nursery to get a fresh breath of morning air.
“Come on Shadowkit before everyone wakes up!” she half whispered half yelled. She slid not even half way inside the den and grabbed a ball of dried moss that sat in a small niche. She glared down the dark tunnel to see if her brother had even began to scuffle about, but all she could see was the pitch black shadows that hovered around the den. Suddenly bright yellow eyes slid open right in front of her face. Monarchkit froze and felt eyes prick at her paws. Her breathing grew shallow and her heart raced like a frightened rabbit. She parted her jaws to scream but a black paw slammed over her mouth. The shady figure laughed hysterically and she noticed the laugh of her brother.
“Gotcha’!” Shadowkit meowed his face lit with laughter. Monarchkit frowned and slapped his paw off her mouth with an irritated hiss
“Come on! That was really mean!” she growled. Shadowkit laughed.
“Yeah, it was…but you should have seen your face, I so got you!” he meowed.
“Wrong, it’s I that have you!” she meowed, pouncing on her brother and digging her developing claws into his now dirt strewn fur. He parted his small jaws in a surprised yelp but it was choked off by his sister beginning to roll them around the clearing. She scrabbled desperately with his hind legs to get a claw hold on her glossy cream fur but could only dig his teeth into her forearm. When they were in mid-roll, she pulled up on his shoulders and slammed him down into the dirt pinning him down with a hiss. Both of their flanks were heaving and they smiled at each other. Monarchkit released her grip on him and backed off of him, licking her front paw. Shadowkit rolled onto his belly, drawing his rough tongue over his pink paw pad and drawing it over his ears.
“You’re an awesome fighter!” he praised, his bright blue eyes shining. Monarchkit grinned . “I’d hate to fight against you in a Clan battle,” he continued, flopping carelessly onto his back again. Monarchkit paused her grooming, perplexed. If she had the fighting talent surely he had some other talent.
“Well, maybe you’ve acquired the hunting skill.” She purred. Shadowkit shrugged.
“Maybe…but then what talent does Mousekit have?” Shadowkit purred. She paused again. She hadn’t really thought about it, the small oak and cream she-cat had spent more time in the den listening to nursery tales than she had spent playing outside with her and Shadowkit.
“Dunno’. Maybe she’ll be wise and get messages from StarClan!” she said excitedly, picking out a burr from her glossy cream fur. Shadowkit’s eyes widened.
“But only medicine cats and, very rarely, leaders can receive their messages” he hissed urgently. Monarchkit frowned.
“It was just a suggestion.” She growled, standing up and stretching her limbs. She bounded across the clearing to the nursery, picking up the ball of moss and placing it beneath her left paw. “Now…let’s play!” she rumbled playfully, wiggling her hindquarters in the air. Shadowkit parted his mouth in a challenging snarl, his snow white fangs bared viciously. Monarchkit shivered. For a minute it truly seemed as if he would attack her full force. She had never seen him look so…fierce and she was truly intimidated. His pure black fur made him even look like a shadow, a nightmare in a cold dream she couldn’t awaken from. Suddenly her mind flashed with pictures of a huge black cat with blood spattered across his face and an ugly scar marking his eyes and shoulders. A white and black tom lay limp at his paws, a huge hole through his flank. She returned to reality to find her brother not on the ground but in the air, lunging at her to get the ball of moss. With her left paw she batted the moss to the right before he landed, stopping it with her right paw so it would roll too far. She put a massive amount of weight on her left leg while running so that she turned around slowly, kicking up a dark cloud of dirt. When the dust cleared she only had a few seconds to dodge out of the way of her brother who was charging at her with a growl.
By: Saberstar
SunsetClan:
Jackalstar- Leader; light brown tom with black mask, paws and muzzle
Echosplit- - Deputy; light grey and white she-cat with a strange dotted marking under her left eye.
Dappledstream- Medicine cat; Lovely tortoiseshell she-cat with a white paw
Thistlethorn- Warrior; oak point Siamese with bright blue eyes; Father of Monarchkit, Shadowkit and Mousekit
Blackmoth-Warrior; A dark smoky grey tom with light green and aqua eyes; Father of Snowkit and Moonkit
Crowwing- Warrior; black sleek tom
Bluesky- Warrior; blue ticked white she-cat; Thistlethorn’s sister
Silverbird- Queen/ Warrior; Silver and black tabby she-cat; Mother of Snowkit and Moonkit
Nightwing- Queen/ Warrior; Pure black she-cat with piercing yellow eyes; Mother of Monarchkit, Shadowkit and Mousekit
No-tail- Elder: bright ginger she-cat with no tail
Spiderfang- Elder; black white and grey tom
Nightpaw- Thistlethorn’s Apprentice; white tom with blue eyes; Bluesky’s and Thistlethorn’s nephew
Fernpaw- Medicine cat Apprentice; creamy colored she-cat with black paws and a black muzzle
Skypaw- Blackmoth’s Apprentice; white tom with bright yellow eyes
Thornpaw- Crowwing’s Apprentice; Dark brown tabby tom with green eyes
Grimkit- Unknown kit found at the border of SunsetClan and DawnClan; grey kit with a white bottom jaw
Snowkit- Blackmoth’s and Silverbird’s kit; Grey and white tom
Moonkit- Blackmoth’s and Silverbird’s kit; black and white she-cat
Monarchkit- Thistlethorn and Nightwing’s kit; Main character; chocolate point Siamese
Shadowkit- Thistlethorn and Nightwing’s kit; Fluffy black tom with bright yellow eyes
Mousekit- Thistlethorn and Nightwing’s kit; small black and cream she-cat
DuskClan: (Important characters, not all of them)
Midnightstar- Leader; Sleek black tom with searing green eyes
Saberfang- Deputy; Black she-cat with bright green eyes and an ugly scar down the right side of her face, halfway sealing her eye
Poppyfur- Medicine cat; brown and white she-cat
Nightstorm- Warrior; big grey tabby tom with bright green eyes; Foster father of Stealthpaw
Leopardmask- Warrior; bright gold she-cat with black circles of fur around her eyes
Swiftpaw-
Shadowpaw- Nightstorm’s apprentice; orphan
Stealthpaw- Saberfang’s apprentice;
Desertpaw- Poppyfur’s apprentice; bright ginger she-cat with gentle blue eyes (vanishes)
DawnClan: (Important character’s, not all of them)
Mothstar- Leader; bright gold tabby she-cat with light sea-green eyes
Mountainsnow- Deputy; grey and white tom with broad paws and a plume of a tail
Pebbletail- Medicine cat; light brown and redish tom with a white and grey tail
Cloudwing- Warrior; white tom with silver flecks; Father of Dawnpaw
Pigeonfeather- Queen/ Warrior; gentle brownish creamy she-cat with bright blue eyes; Mother of Eaglekit
Frostfeather- Queen/ Warrior; white and blue ticked she-cat; Mother of Dreamkit
Oakpaw- Medicine cat apprentice; Oak colored tom with green eyes and a white chest (vanishes)
Eaglekit- fluffy light brown, well muscles tom with chocolate stripes streaking his fur in a marbled manner.
Leafkit- Light brown she-cat with lighter brown patches like autumn leaves
Dreamkit- Smokey grey and silver mixed she-cat with one white paw and unusual navy blue eyes
SunClan: (Important characters, not all of them)
Morningstar- Leader; Rust red, sleek she-cat with a long tail and bright yellow eyes
Rainstep- Deputy; silver and white tom with unusual forest green eyes
Mallowleaf- Medicine cat; light brown tom with amber colored eyes
Thornfang- black and white tom with long black claws
Icetooth- white and silver she-cat with blinding sky-blue eyes
Heatherfur- brown and white she-cat with broad paws
Thornpaw- medicine cat apprentice; light brown tom with cream patches over his eyes
Aumtumnpaw- Morningstar’s apprentice; bright red and ginger tom with dark green eyes
Snowpaw- Icetooth’s apprentice; gorgeous white and grey marbled tabby with ice blue eyes
Forestpaw- Thornfang’s apprentice; Bright gold and orange she-cat
Introduction
Nightwing curled around her just born kits, licking their tiny heads gently with her rough textured tongue. Dappledstream collected her herbs without a sound and slid lithely out of the dirt tunnel that made the queen’s den. She was murmuring quietly to another cat whose anxious pacing had come to a complete cease. Another cat quickly slipped in as Dappledstream’s pawsteps faded. A cream and brown Siamese tom padded over to Nightwing and licked her between her flattened ears.
“They’re beautiful my love,” he meowed, flicking his long tail, “what shall we name them?” Nightwing fell silent for a moment, looking at the squirming kits. She gentle nosed a pure black tom.
“This one’s Shadowkit, his fur blends well with darkness,” she meowed. The tom nodded in approval, flicking his long tail at a black and cream kit.
“This one should be Mousekit, for her small, dainty nose and paws.” He purred laying down in back of him mate and looking over her shoulder at the kittens. Nightwing licked her mate’s cheek and turned her gaze to the remaining kitten; a cream and brown kitten with a longer tail than her siblings.
“This one…she looks just like you Thistlethorn,” she purred to the tom. A shaft of moonlight seemed to explode into the den from a crack in the dirt ceiling. It fell on the remaining kit and was distorted in such a way that it created wing-like patterns all along her shoulder blades and back. Nightwing smiled. “That’s it, this one is Monarchkit….” The kit scuffled and let out pitiful mewls, squirming towards its mother’s stomach and curling up into its first slumber.
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Jackalstar nodded.
“So, Nightwing’s kits are healthy,” he meowed his intimidating voice rattling Thistlethorn’s heart.
“Y-Yes, Jackalstar.” Thistlethorn replied, scuffling his paws. The Leader nodded, closing his eyes.
“And their names?” he meowed without even slitting his eyes open. Thistlethorn racked his brain.
“Shadowkit, Mousekit and Monarchkit.” He purred to his Leader. Jackalstar’s eyes open abruptly.
“Monarchkit….such an unusual name, never heard anything like it. But I like it…I accept, you may leave now.” He rumbled, curling back into his nest. Thistlethorn slipped through the curtain of brambles that were snagged onto the moss, but tightly secured. He slid into the nursery, his stomach settling from the butterflies that had fluttered in them earlier. Nightwing was nursing her kits, grooming her forearms with rough laps of her tongue. She picked angrily at a thorn that had found its way into her black fur. She lifted her head, her anxious gaze meeting Thistlethorn’s eyes.
“So?” she mewed.
“Jackalstar approved of the names, he really liked Monarchkit’s name.” he purred, flicking his tail so that it swept the dust. Nightwing smiled.
“Good,” she replied, resting her head on her forearms. She parted her jaws in an exhausted yawn. “I can’t sleep; I’ve been trying since you left last night and nothing…” Her flanks were shaking with exasperation. Thistlethorn’s smile faded into a frown of pity.
“Do you want me to get something from Dappledstream?” he offered. Nightwing didn’t say anything but closed her weary eyes and nodded. Thistlethorn crept out of the den and stretched his hind legs where the muscles were aching from the previous patrol. They had chased a fox out of their territory…he had never run so fast in his life. He bounded across the clearing, leaping over the mossy log that sheltered the elder’s den. He landed gracefully on the other side of the log until he reached a huge rock with a crevasse splitting its side. He pawed loudly on the cold stone and waiting for the medicine cat. Dappledstream poked her head out of the rock.
“Oh, hello Thistlethorn,” she mewed cheerily, sliding all the way out of the den and giving her forepaw a lick. “What can I do for you?” Thistlethorn shuffled his paws, not really knowing what to say.
“Do you have anything that can help Nightwing sleep?” he meowed. Dappledstream smiled.
“That’s easy, I’ll be right back. Stay here, I’ll be right back.” She purred quickly sliding back into the den. From inside, Thistlethorn heard her call her apprentice, Fernpaw, to grab poppy seeds. Everything else was muted by scuffling and the hacking of a sick cat. Dappledstream returned with a folded leaf held gingerly in her muzzle, she placed it down near his paws.
“Only give her two or three, I usually wouldn’t recommend it for nursing queens, but Nightwing’s strong and she’ll be fine.” She explained. Thistlethorn looked past her shoulder.
“Who has greencough?” he asked, making sure he worded it somewhat nicely so he didn’t sound nosy.
“It’s Crowwing, he’s really ill; I’ve never seen greencough come around so…early. I’ve only just started to notice hints of leafall, but he’s been sick for at least a week.” She sighed, her head drooping. Thistlethorn circled her once, brushing her flank and picked up the bundle of poppy seeds.
“Don’t blame yourself if there’s nothing else you can do, you’ve tried your hardest and that’s all we can ask for.” He mewed encouragingly. Dappledstream nodded.
“Thank you,” she meowed and disappeared back into the den. Thistlethorn leapt back over the rotting log and bounded across the clearing, paws thrumming the ground. Cats raised their heads in utter confusion, but shrugged and lay back down to rest. He slipped into the nursery and the scents of warmth flooded his mind. Nightwing raised her head.
“What took you so long?” she hissed bitterly. Thistlethorn saw the look of tiredness in her eyes and then she parted her jaws in a long yawn.
“Dappledstream was telling me about Crowwing….he’s not doing so well. He has greencough.” He heard her squeak with surprise.
“Already!” she meowed, curling her tail protectively around her kits. Thistlethorn nodded.
“How are they doing?” he muffled placing the bundle down near her paws.
“Well, Shadowkit is very quiet and calm, he hardly moves except when he eats, sleeps or gets poked by his sisters. Mousekit is a crykitten, all she does right now squeak and eat. And Monarchkit…oh Thistlethorn, she’s juts like you. I have to pull her back as she crawls away, she’s so adventurous. She’s going to be more trouble than she’s worth.” She teased nudging her mate’s shoulder. Thistlethorn smiled, but as he looked at Monarchkit and icy fear slid harshly down his throat and chilled his mind. She had an aura about her…how adventurous would she be? There was something unknown hidden inside this kit…something that worried him.
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Nightwing stretched her limbs with a deep breath and relaxed her muscles. That had been the best night of sleep she had had for moons. Her kit’s eyes were already open and they had already been attempting to stand on their nimble legs. It had been already been about 2 and a half moons since they were birthed. Shadowkit and Mousekit had barely made it onto their paws, but Monarchkit was already standing, though wobbling horribly. She let out a pitiful mewl, sticking out her tiny chest and raising her head, placing her stubby tail high in the air. She then collapsed with a thump followed by a squeak of surprise. Nightwing tucked them in closely with a sigh. They all flexed their paws and opened their mouths with hungry meows. She tucked them in even closer so they could feed.
A rustle at the front of the den caused Nightwing to raise her head and made her spine bristle defensively. A sleek silver and black tabby slid inside with a shake of her fur, her stomach bulging a bit.
“Morning Nightwing,” she cooed gently. Nightwing smiled, letting the fur on her spine relax.
“Good morning Silverbird,” she returned with a short nod. The tabby pawed gingerly at her nest, removing a thorn with her teeth. She curled up, tucking her paws under her chest stretching her left leg in front of her shoulder to lick the bottom of her foot. “How many moons has it been since you’ve been pregnant?” Nightwing meowed curiously. Silverbird tilted her head.
“That’s an odd question. Six moons, just three more and I’ll be a mother!” she shivered with excitement.
“How did Blackmoth respond?”
“He’s just as excited as I am….Nightwing?”
“Hm?”
“How was the pain?”
“The what?”
“The birth pains, were they excruciating?” Silverbird mewed nervously. Nightwing paused her washing. They weren’t that bad, but they still hurt.
“Well, they actually weren’t bad at all. I’m not saying it won’t hurt at all, but you’ll have nothing to worry about.” She reassured. Silverbird stretched with a yawn.
“That’s good.” She purred, curling her tail around her nose and closing her bright blue eyes. There were a few moments of silence before she saw Silverbird’s flanks rise and fall rythmatically in a deep sleep. She looked around herself just beginning to realize her surroundings. The place was enclosed by dirt walls, formed into a cylinder shaped tunnel with a dead end just behind Silverbird. Plants weaved in and out of the walls and water dripped from the ceiling in cold, small droplets. Nearly no light was shed into the tunnel and only a limited amount of fresh air drifted inside. Nightwing closed her eyes, longing to be a Warrior again, being able to run beneath the trees and climb the sheer, silver rocks that littered their territory. She imagined the wind and sun in a swath of colors, pulsing around her neck and sliding through her black fur. She opened her eyes, expecting to see the same vivid surroundings she had thought of but only saw the dark, dank walls of the nursery.
She felt sadness pull longingly at her heart but as she gazed at her kittens, it quickly ebbed away. She was being selfish, but only 3 and a half more moons until she could be a Warrior once more.
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Chapter 1
Monarchkit bounded to the front of the den, sticking her upper torso out of the nursery to get a fresh breath of morning air.
“Come on Shadowkit before everyone wakes up!” she half whispered half yelled. She slid not even half way inside the den and grabbed a ball of dried moss that sat in a small niche. She glared down the dark tunnel to see if her brother had even began to scuffle about, but all she could see was the pitch black shadows that hovered around the den. Suddenly bright yellow eyes slid open right in front of her face. Monarchkit froze and felt eyes prick at her paws. Her breathing grew shallow and her heart raced like a frightened rabbit. She parted her jaws to scream but a black paw slammed over her mouth. The shady figure laughed hysterically and she noticed the laugh of her brother.
“Gotcha’!” Shadowkit meowed his face lit with laughter. Monarchkit frowned and slapped his paw off her mouth with an irritated hiss
“Come on! That was really mean!” she growled. Shadowkit laughed.
“Yeah, it was…but you should have seen your face, I so got you!” he meowed.
“Wrong, it’s I that have you!” she meowed, pouncing on her brother and digging her developing claws into his now dirt strewn fur. He parted his small jaws in a surprised yelp but it was choked off by his sister beginning to roll them around the clearing. She scrabbled desperately with his hind legs to get a claw hold on her glossy cream fur but could only dig his teeth into her forearm. When they were in mid-roll, she pulled up on his shoulders and slammed him down into the dirt pinning him down with a hiss. Both of their flanks were heaving and they smiled at each other. Monarchkit released her grip on him and backed off of him, licking her front paw. Shadowkit rolled onto his belly, drawing his rough tongue over his pink paw pad and drawing it over his ears.
“You’re an awesome fighter!” he praised, his bright blue eyes shining. Monarchkit grinned . “I’d hate to fight against you in a Clan battle,” he continued, flopping carelessly onto his back again. Monarchkit paused her grooming, perplexed. If she had the fighting talent surely he had some other talent.
“Well, maybe you’ve acquired the hunting skill.” She purred. Shadowkit shrugged.
“Maybe…but then what talent does Mousekit have?” Shadowkit purred. She paused again. She hadn’t really thought about it, the small oak and cream she-cat had spent more time in the den listening to nursery tales than she had spent playing outside with her and Shadowkit.
“Dunno’. Maybe she’ll be wise and get messages from StarClan!” she said excitedly, picking out a burr from her glossy cream fur. Shadowkit’s eyes widened.
“But only medicine cats and, very rarely, leaders can receive their messages” he hissed urgently. Monarchkit frowned.
“It was just a suggestion.” She growled, standing up and stretching her limbs. She bounded across the clearing to the nursery, picking up the ball of moss and placing it beneath her left paw. “Now…let’s play!” she rumbled playfully, wiggling her hindquarters in the air. Shadowkit parted his mouth in a challenging snarl, his snow white fangs bared viciously. Monarchkit shivered. For a minute it truly seemed as if he would attack her full force. She had never seen him look so…fierce and she was truly intimidated. His pure black fur made him even look like a shadow, a nightmare in a cold dream she couldn’t awaken from. Suddenly her mind flashed with pictures of a huge black cat with blood spattered across his face and an ugly scar marking his eyes and shoulders. A white and black tom lay limp at his paws, a huge hole through his flank. She returned to reality to find her brother not on the ground but in the air, lunging at her to get the ball of moss. With her left paw she batted the moss to the right before he landed, stopping it with her right paw so it would roll too far. She put a massive amount of weight on her left leg while running so that she turned around slowly, kicking up a dark cloud of dirt. When the dust cleared she only had a few seconds to dodge out of the way of her brother who was charging at her with a growl.
One of the cutest anime men ever ^^ Fai-kun
