Odd Beginnings

As the sun rose, Blossomstep had paced the foreign RiverClan camp restlessly. She had hoped, prayed, that the kit (kits?) Would wait until they could return home, but with each passing day it seemed less likely. As the spasms rippled through her belly, Blossomstep knew - it would be today. This wasn't her first kitting, but it certainly was far more uncomfortable for her. A nest of reeds and wet paws was terribly different from what she called home, but she supposed she didn't have much of a choice. Perhaps she could beg Spottedstar and Wolfcall to request a spot just within the ThunderClan border, she knew trees. Or perhaps she could slip out and head to Fourtrees.... She shook the thought away as quickly as it came. She could hardly cross the stream separating the RiverClan camp from the rest of the territory for the Gathering, let alone now as pain began to grip her body. Sunhigh came and went, and with it her patience. The uncertainties and unfamiliarity of everything made her short-tempered, an unusual thing for the queen.

Finally, as the sun began to dip towards the distant horizon, painting the sky with oranges, yellows, and reds, she called out for the medicine cats Sagelight and Beechpaw. In the haze of pain, she forgot that RiverClan had their own medicine cat, and would have to share their herbs. Settling into the makeshift nest she had shared with Wolfcall, she found herself longing once again for the nursery back in SkyClan's old camp. It was probably destroyed, covered in ash and debris.... Panting, she braced herself to give birth.

---

It had felt like countless moons, far longer than her first kitting, but when it was over the sun was still showing just barely over the horizon. The camp was flooded in red and orange hues, bathed in the light of the setting sun. She finally curled around the single kit that lay blindly at her belly. Despite the little tom being the only kit from this litter, she was exhausted - mentally, emotionally, and physically. Lifting her head, she looked for Wolfcall. "Well, Wolfcall, we have another little tom.... Why don't you name him?," she mewed, smiling weakly at her mate. After all, it couldn't be worse than last time, could it?

Beechpaw heard her grandmother's calls, and her mostly-finished squirrel was immediately forgotten about as the large apprentice bolted upright, eyes wide. She'd been calling for the medicine cats, and Beechpaw was very glad to have thrown herself into her new training despite everything.

"Coming, Blossomstep!" She called back, bounding towards the den she shared with Sagelight and the Riverclan medicine cats. Raspberry leaves, chervil... A good stick would help too.

The large she-cat re-emerged from the medicine cat den with the herbs, long legs making short work of the distance to the nursery. Most cats had the good sense to scramble out of her way, at least.

"You'll be fine, Blossomstep. We won't let anything happen to you." She mewed, placing a careful paw to Blossomstep's belly. 'We' might've been accurate, or maybe not. She had bothered to see if any of the other medicine cats had kept up with her quick strides.

"Chew on these, don't eat them." Beechpaw set the bundle of herbs in front of Blossomstep, trusting that she'd know what to do. It wasn't her first kitting, at least. Unlike Beechpaw.

She just had to swallow back her own nerves... Easier said than done, probably.

---

Beechpaw was... elated? Still nearly scared out of her fur? Awed? A mix of the three, but it was over. Blossomstep had one kit, and he was healthy.

Beechpaw felt an odd warmth creeping through her chest at the sight of Blossomstep curled around the little scrap of fur. Things had gone... smoothly. Mother and kit were safe and hale. She'd... helped. It was an odd feeling, nothing that the large tabby was used to.

"If you need anything, let me know." She mewed quietly, affectionately touching her nose to Blossomstep's ear. The tabby looked exhausted, so Beechpaw was going to duck out and leave her and Wolfcall to their new kit.

A small ball of fluff wriggled itself around. What was this new place it had found itself in? It was cold, dark, a bit loud, and.. wet? In the blindness of this new place, everything was different and confusing to the newborn kit. One thing seemed familiar though, a single scent. The yet named kit moved itself into where the scent was coming from, finding a warm feeling and somehow familiar place. Though still dark, the place removed many of problems facing the newborn. Warmth, quiet, and a safe feeling all around. As warmth flowed through the kit as did a feeling of tiredness and possible hunger. With a small mew the kit nestled more into his mother.

It was impossible to miss Blossomstep's restless energy. Her all-day pacing had Wolfcall's anxiety at an all-time high... she hadn't done this the first time. What did it mean? Was she okay? Was something wrong? He wanted desperately to tell her to seek out a medicine cat, to make sure, but he had faith that Blossomstep knew what she was doing. By the time the sun had started to set, she did just that, and not long after, with Wolfcall crouched far enough that he wasn't in Beechpaw's way, Blossomstep brought their second kit into the world.

He was so small, and looked near identical to Spottedstar, his grandfather. Wolfcall approached as Beechpaw withdrew, his pawsteps soft and cautious, and as he peered down at his son, the deputy suddenly found himself teary-eyed. The little tom squirmed at his mother's belly, reaching blindly, but confidently. Wolfcall's ears tilted back. He had a spirit, and a coat, of fire. "Blazingkit," he said quietly.

Beechpaw had come, and Blossomstep had followed all of her instructions through the kitting. With a tired purr, the queen looked to the medicine cat apprentice, gratitude and pride in her expression. She was enhausted, but she called out to the she-cat as she moved away. "Thank you, Beechpaw... You did great." Soft paw steps approached from a new direction, and as she looked towards them she recognized her mate slowly approaching. It was as if the tom was in a trance, and Blossomstep felt tears rising as she noticed Wolfcall's. Then, Wolfcall spoke, and the tears vanished in an instant, and it felt like the world had gone suddenly still. Blazingkit? She blinked once, twice, then looked from Wolfcall to their son. He did have an orange pelt, but.... But after everything, Blazingkit? Shock turned to confusion, then a flash of anger followed by grief, and finally acceptance as she kept her eyes trained on their kit. For StarClans sake, Wolfcall, Bloodkit and now Blazingkit? See if ever let you name a kit again." She thought, a hint of bitterness tinging the unspoken words. Determined to not let her voice shake, she took a deep breath before responding. "Welcome to SkyClan, Blazingkit. I can't wait to show you everything."