Ex Malo Bonum (Open to Bear's Group)

OCC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mscUtqYHv8

Wolffang was glad to be rid of her plump belly. Not long after joining Bear's group and taking him as her mate, the former Shadowclan warrior's stomach had began to swell. Never before had she imagined being a mother. But now she had two young toms. The first tom after Bear. Barkkit was a handsome little chocolate brown kit. His brother, Redkit, had a more colorful pelt. It had dawned on her almost instantly when he was born... this tom's fur resembled that of her former mate, Mudfoot. Every time she looked at him, the new mother was reminded of her Shadowclan origins and the tom she loved. Once more, she looked over at the innocent little kit and a shiver ran down her spine. No one knew except for her. Wolffang had never dared to tell Bear that Redkit wasn't his son, nor any of the other cats.

The grey she-cat was still recovering from the strain of birth. Having bore to excitable young cats was no help either. They certainly kept her busy. Despite being so young, though, it wouldn't be long before they would be out of the nest and in training. One of the kits leaped on top of her and a grunt broke from her throat. The birth had been painful and even now aches bothered her every now and then. Her eyes glanced around the barn from her nest in the soft hay, "Pepper!" The call was gentle and pleading. Since her kits had been born, the healers had been incredibly helpful in driving away the pain and soothing her hurt. Hopefully there would be one around now.

"Mooom!" The small Barkkit whined, pressing down on his mother after leaping onto her, his big still-blue eyes looking at her with a pout. "Play with me! Redkit won't get up..." He huffed, turning and looking at his brother with a grumble. Why did Redkit have to be such a part pooper? "I'm so booored..."

All the while, Redkit lay down just in front of their mother, his eyes dazed and only half awake. He had been playing with Barkkit almost all day but now he needed a nap. Somehow, his brother still had so much energy and wouldn't let him sleep, even as the tom bothered Wolffang. "I want to nap.." he groaned back, not even bothering looking back at his brother as he curled his tail around his paws and tucked his head in.

"Let your brother and mother sleep," A low voice rumbled from behind the young kit. Bear had been fairly busy with training the others to be able to spend much time with his own family. The rogue leader had not even been there for the birth of his sons. However, he had tried to spend sometime around him. After all, Bear needed to make sure he was able to raise them right. No other cat would be a good substitute for their real father. He had also tried to keep the unfaithful clan cats from poisoning his son's minds. Wolffang had already given them clan names, despite his disapproval. But they were still his. With one paw, he pulled Barkkit towards him, "You've got a lot of spirit, young one. You will make a fine enforcer one day."

Pride welled up in his chest. Both of his kits were strong tom. But Barkkit had more energy and promise in the group than his brother did. It helped that Barkkit was almost a spitting image of his father. Somehow, Redkit had ended up with a uniquely patterned pelt. It was mildly disappointing to see the other kit less interested in exploring the barn with his father. But Bear still had great plans for the both of them. The rogue leader prized all of his group's kits, but Diesel and his sons were the closest to him. Those three would play a key role in someday helping him rule the forest. Wolffang's meow broke him out of his thoughts of grandeur.

"Don't take him out yet, Bear. He's far too young," The she-cat's words were lazy with exhaustion, but with a serious undertone. The tom grumbled to himself, but begrudgingly agreed. Some of their first moments together would be spent exploring Bear's camp. And, maybe, Redkit would join them later.

Pepper winced at the call and sighed. At least she was moving around more, she supposed. The she-cat wasn't getting younger, that was for sure. She dragged herself over to the couple and their kits and smiled despite the envy that tugged at her heart. "What's the matter, Wolffang?" only Bat knew of the heartbreak she had, giving up her kits to live in ThunderClan in order to prevent a miserable upbringing in the twolegplace. Scorchfrost had promised to bring the lively bunch to see her, they wouldn't forget her and she'd be happy. However, her kits never saw her after that. Barely knowing what she looked like or who she truly was. Seeing such a cruel cat be gifted with a family that she never got just pushed her the wrong way. Her efforts of healing and taking in strays and loners only lead to takeovers, being crippled, and the loss of every adopted kit she raised. Perhaps Deisel would be different.

Barkkit wouldn't lie. Bear's voice behind him scared him, making him jump off of his mother's side and onto the ground. Scrambling to his feet, he turned to face his father, looking up at the tom with bright green eyes as he was pulled away from Wolffang. "I will?" he asked as Bear told him about being a great enforcer. Immediately, the kit's face lit up. "Yay! I can't wait! I'm going to be just like you!" he squeaked, a bounce in his step as he pranced in a small circle before the perked ears of his brother caught Barkkit's attention.

Just a few mouse-lengths away, Redkit's head shot up as he heard his father enter. He stared curiously at the older tom as he padded in and pulled his brother off of Wolffang, talking about spirit and how Barkkit would make a great enforcer. The only thing the small kit could think about is how Bear thought that he would do. "What about me?" he asked quietly, standing up quickly and shaking out his long, fluffy fur before sitting back down. "Will I make a good enforcer too?" He wasn't jealous by any means, no. Redkit wanted to know what Bear thought of him too. It wasn't every single day that the toms got to see their father, so it was always fun when he stopped by.

Suddenly, both kits were interrupted by their mother saying they were too young. With two surprised looks turned disappointment, the kits tried to bargain with their mother. "No, we're grown enough!" Barkkit whined. "Yeah! We'll be good!" Redkit chimed in. Even though they hadn't been in the world too long, both of them wanted to see what the rest of the world was like. They got to see a little bit through cracks in the barn entrance but it wasn't the same.

A sigh of relief broke from Wolffang's throat. Now that the kits were both wide awake because their father was around, he head began to pound. She offered up a soft smile to the crippled healer. It was the most she ever managed, but the cats here were fine. Some of the former cats cats gave her unpleasant looks for taking on Bear as a mate. The rogue ones and kits were far more accepting. Most of them. Either way it was a welcome change from life in Shadowclan. Pepper had been extremely helpful after Wolffang had her kits, and the new queen owed her a lot. She would make sure that Bear kept the barn from any cats who ever tried to steal it from them. Pepper and Bat would always have their home secure.

"Thank you for coming... the aches and my head are really acting up again," The warrior queen explained. Her head snapped up as the two kits began to argue their case for going outside. She fixed bear with narrow eyes, silently warning him to not take their young kits outside of the safety and warmth of the barn. Bear flicked his tail slightly in acknowledgement. There would be no grand adventures today. At least none that would happen outside the barn. With Barkkit and Redkit with their father, the she-cat turned her attention back to Pepper. Only one ear was on the pair of young toms.

"Yes. I will train you up myself. You will both be amazing enforcers," Bear purred back with a rough and rusty growl. It was out of his nature. Prior to the life in the barn and with his mate, there had not been much good in his life. However, now that everything was going his way, there was a lot that satisfied him. His ear twitched slightly as Redkit spoke up. Unlike his brother, Redkit had not shown much promise yet within the group. Of the two, Barkkit seemed more likely to follow in his father's pawsteps. However, that could always change. They're young, He reminded himself silently. So, he spoke of them equally. Crushing Redkit's dreams while he was still a kit would only discourage his place in the group. Bear wanted to make sure both of his sons grew up to be well-respected and fierce members of the group.

While Wolffang had warned him about taking the two out, Bear considered it. They wouldn't go far and he would never let anything happen to them. He repressed a grin and looked down at his two toms. There was pride in his eyes. Never before had Bear imagined having his own family. But here they were, and greater than he could have ever dreamed up. The rogue leader turned to lead the two out into the rest of the barn, and potentially outside for the first time. Over his shoulder, he meowed back to them, "Red! Bark! Let's go!" The tom knew how distracted they could get and wanted to make sure he still had their attention. Despite knowing Wolffang would be irritated with it, Bear dropped the clan parts of their names. No sons of his would take up the names of clan cats. However, he didn't challenge his mate over it. He hoped someday the two would decide to do it on their own.

Pepper dipped her head and the cripple went to sort through her herbs for something to help. She nudged out a branch with juniper berries on it as well as some feverfew. Carrying it to the queen, she dropped the pile of herbs. "Eat those, it should fix you up for now. I suggest you tell your mate to move his royal rump and find you something softer for your nest as well." she attempted to add a bit of banter. Pepper glanced around the barn, an attempt to not look at the kits and instead at her own who was dosing off high in a hay pile. The mess of mouse bones hinted at him taking his meal up there as well...

The irritated gaze of Wolffang went over both of the kits' heads. Instead, they just watched her with wide, pleading eyes as a wordless argument was shared between her and Bear. However, the exchange didn't take long, although it felt like forever in kit time. Before they knew it, though, their father was calling their names for them to tag along with him on an adventure. Both of them squeaked with excitement as they shot around and bounced after Bear, Barkkit showing a lot more energy as he did so. In fact, Barkkit was practically running circles around Redkit who simply followed along quietly but there was a silent energy that surged through his tiny little body.

"Can you believe it, Redkit?" Barkkit asked, finally settling down long enough to walk next to his brother. "We're going to see the barn! Maybe he will take us outside too!" he squealed.

Redkit nodded but paused for a moment when Barkkit mentioned going outside. "But didn't Mom say not to go outside? Will we get in trouble?" He thought deep and hard about it for a moment before he snapped out of it, noticing that he was falling behind. With a tiny gasp, he caught back up so that he was right back on Bear's heels.

"Ha! Not if Dad has a say in it! Right Dad?" Barkkit asked, turning to the larger tom. "We should do it!"

Wolffang chucked softly at the other she-cat's words. She made a mental note to mention it to Bear later. Hopefully he would have time at some point in his busy schedule. The queen lapped up the herbs, wincing slightly at the bitter taste. Another wave of exhaustion washed over her. It has tiresome having such high energy toms for kits. Her eyes began to close and she rested her head on her front paws, "Thank you, Pepper." Within moments, she had dozed off.

"A leader bows to no one's will but his own," Bear growled lowly from across the barn. It wasn't a harsh statement. The tom knew that he always took care of his mate. Every now and then he would listen to her, too. But for the most part, it was true, Bear did what he wanted. And right now, what he wanted, was to take his sons out to see the world for the first time. His paws carried him to barn entrance with Barkkit and Redkit at his heels. Their excitement put a rare soft smile on his muzzle. In case there was any hesitation, he stepped outside first. It was a nice day out. With summer on the way, the sun was out more. His brown pelt heated up quickly.

"Come on out!" He called back into the pair of kits.

Pepper chuckled as Wolffang fell asleep. "Poor thing.." she sent Bear a look of warning. Surely even he wouldn't ruin such a lovely little family with his violent intentions. With that, she took it upon herself to help with Wolffang and her nest. Bat had gone out to gather more twoleg pelts an had come ba k with a wonderful amount. Pepper grabbed a few and started shaping them into something more comfortable for the queen and her new kits. No matter how jealous Pepper got of the family, she'd do her best to help them.

At first, neither of the kits had a clue what Bear was talking about, but it didn't take long for them to forget about it as their father walked out of the barn into the outside world. With an excited gasp, Barkkit dashed out behind him, hot on the tom's heels into the open. As soon as he stepped out, the sight took his breath away. The sun felt amazing on his deep brown fur, warming every inch of his skin. The wind felt amazing as it brushed through his short hair, shooting energy through his tiny little body. "This is so cool!" he squeaked. "You get to see this all the time?!"

On the other side, Redkit stepped out anxiously, not wanting to make his mother angry, but now that he had the chance to see the outside he was so ready for it. He leaped out behind his brother, the new feelings surging through him. The warm sun felt fantastic in his longer red hair but the breeze blowing around him was a bit of a bigger problem, sending his fur in a flurry around him. Instantly, he tried to press down the hair again, keeping it out of his face and in order again. When he could finally focus on what was going on around him, the tom's yellow eyes grew twice their size as he tried to take in everything. "Whoooaa..." he breathed. "This is so cool! I can't wait to go on adventures out here like you, Dad!"

"Someday, my kits. When you are older, we will roam this territory freely together," Bear meowed deeply as he looked down at the pair of them. Their amusement with the world was a sight to see. As a kit, Bear had never marveled at how amazing it was. He had been born in the filth of twolegplace. By the time he had ever seen the forest, Riley had been killed off. After that, the rogue had been too old for any sense of wonder. It made him glad to see the pair so impressed with their home. Growing up, things had been very different for him.

Instead of speaking, the rogue leader padded a little ways away from the barn entrance. He flicked his tail as a signal for the kits to follow. There was no plans of going too far, but he certainly wanted them to see quite a bit out the outside world. As Bear cast a glance around, he could picture the two as full grown cats, leading the group at his side. They would be an impressive family some day. Despite the clan blood flowing through their veins, Bear still imagined his kin would grow to be better than that. As the thought occurred to him, his eyes settled on Redkit. There was something different about him. Barkkit was almost a carbon copy of his father, while Redkit had different markings. It bothered the leader, but for the hundredth time, he shrugged his shoulders and pushed away the thought.