Kits Ahoy [Closed]

Vixentail had admired Sedgeclaw even when they were apprentices. He was strong, determined, and when she looked at him, she truly believed that he could take on WindClan. The tom had this quality about him that drew her to him like a moth to a flame. It was natural that her admiration turned to affect, and the two lovers met beneath the moonlight of Fourtrees. Now, a few moons along, she was heavy with kits. Something that had meant that she missed the last gathering, unable to meet her love and tell him of this joyous news. Today, while her sisters and brothers weren't around to snoop and try follow her, she dashed out of camp despite warning about avoiding exercise. She wanted, needed to tell him about their children.

"Sedgeclaw?" She hissed from behind the reeds where they'd met many moons ago. The red she-cat could faintly scent him nearby.

ooc: Reposting this for a lil reminder... ;o;

ic: Sedgeclaw's head whipped among the reeds, eyes wide, searching for the familiar scent of his mate. He wondered why she hadn't attended the previous Gathering. Surely she wasn't avoiding him? No, he knew she loved him dearly, and he cherished her just as much. His whiskers trembled as her fur came into view. The black tomcat nearly leaped from the shadows, a purr rumbling in his throat. No other cat made him act as she did. "Vixentail!" he called, rushing toward her with concern and excitement.

Relief flooded the she-cat when she heard his familiar voice, Vixentail all but ran out of the reeds to him, only held back by her rather full figure. It was obvious for anyone with eyes to see that the she-cat was heavy with kits, his kits. It was something she was proud of, not ashamed like some she-cats would be about having half-clan kits. The red she-cat had grown up around SkyClan cats, fought, hunted and shared prey with SkyClan cats. It felt arbitrary and wrong to suddenly view Sedgeclaw as anything other than another clanmate whom she'd loved and decided to mate with. She had no regrets.

"Sedgeclaw! I didn't know if you'd be here or not. I'm sorry for missing the last gathering, I'm sure you can see why I had no choice." The last part was said almost shyly, the she-cat's ears pricked for his response, but her head was slightly ducked with her eyes looking upwards at him. She was proud of her kits, but would he be as well?

Sedgeclaw opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. His gaze rested on her plump figure that differed drastically from her previous lithe build that he remembered. "Vixentail," he murmured, his eyes unmoving. Kits? His kits? He broke his statue-like stiffness with an affectionate lick on the she-cat's head, resting his chin between her ears. "This is wonderful... I... I'm so happy." He felt as if there were no other cats in the forest. It was just them. They were going to have a family together... Sedgeclaw never pictured himself as a father figure. "I'll be the best father I can be. But I can't be better than their mother. They'll love you so much, Vixentail." The black tomcat purred louder than even he knew he could.

Vixentail was beaming with pride at her mate's response, she berated herself for ever doubting Sedgeclaw, of course he'd want their kits. Her fears all felt so silly now. Her kits would grow up with a father, adored and sheltered from the dangers of the world. Which brought her back to what else she was planning to tell him. "About that. I've been thinking, I want to join SkyClan. I don't want our kits to grow up half-clan cats. I want them to be proud of us, to freely call you father, and I'm willing to give up living in RiverClan for them, for us." She looked at him tenderly, her green eyes seeming to glow in the moonlight. "If, if you'd take me." She tried not to let doubt take over her again, she focused on what could be instead.

They could be a family. Yes, she'd be afraid, living in SkyClan without any of her kin, without her siblings or her mother, but for him and their kits, she was willing to risk it.

"Of course!" he reassured her. Sedgeclaw beamed at her, purring warmly at his mate. She was so determined to be a great mother to their kits and a great mate to him. She was willing to sacrifice her kin for her future family. "I don't think SkyClan would have a problem. They'd welcome you as if it was your home all along."

Sedgeclaw backed away to stare into the she-cat's deep green eyes. He couldn't wait to spend the rest of his life with her. With their kits. "They'll be the bravest SkyClan warriors. They'll make us so proud- and it would probably make even the leader's kits jealous. They'll get my strength and your good looks." Sedgeclaw's mind raced with ideas, heart thrumming with anticipation. "When do you think they'll be due?"

She trilled affectionately. Her dream were set to become reality, she'd join SkyClan and they'd raise their kits as a couple, mates forever. They'd be like her mother and father, raising their little brood, maybe in the future, they'd have more kits. Not that she was planning so far ahead, but it was nice to think about them as a family. Sedgeclaw would be a great father, he was strong, brave and would teach them all to be great. Even without his reassurance, she knew it.

"Duskpaw said they'll be born near the next full moon, but I think they might come out sooner. They're very rambunctious, they must have got that from their father." She joked, though the she-cat winced a little at a flare of pain. A little sharper than usual, but nothing completely out of the ordinary. "That's why I came to see you today, I want them to be born in SkyClan Camp. I'd be willing to leave now, I've already spoken with my sister, if I don't return, she knows what to tell the clan."

Sedgeclaw nuzzled her before examining her stomach. Sooner than next moon? He was going to be a father sooner than he realized! The black warrior gave a nod. "I understand. We should get going, then. We need to make you a nest... and don't worry about Breezestar or Crowflight. I'll talk to them about it. You get some rest. And- Oh, I'll even hunt for you! You don't even need to leave camp. I want you to be as healthy as possible. And I'll make sure..." He continued on rambling, amber eyes shining with excitement. As he spoke, he twined his tail with hers, escorting her toward SkyClan territory.

"Don't worry yourself, queen have kits all the time. I'll be fi- ow!" Vixentail faltered mid step. A wave of pain shuddered through her, a surprise cramp that was nothing like the little kicks that she was all too used to from her kits. This left her lightheaded, her paws unsteady as she tried to remain on her paws. She had lean against her mate to support, though once it was over, she felt fine again. "I think I'm just a little tired. Do you mind if we rest for a second." She tried to speak steadily, but her voice sounded breathless, as if she was struggling to catch her breathe. It was odd the first time she had this issue. Maybe she was closer to her birth than she thought?

Sedgeclaw flattened his ears at his mate's sudden dizziness. He stood firmly as she leaned into him unexpectedly. "Of course we can rest." The tom sat down next to her, letting her lean into him if she needed to. "Does... this happen often?" he asked lowly, nosing her cheek lovingly. Though, he didn't think she would respond with the exhaustion in her voice. "It'll be fine. Take as much time as you need."

"Thanks, Sedgeclaw. I've been healthy the whole time I've carried them, but I must have overdone it today. My siblings had a few kits themselves and I couldn't help play with them." Vixentail rambled on as she settled down onto the pebbly earth a little awkwardly due to her rather large belly. She sounded out of it, a sudden onset of pain tiring her so her voice was heavily coloured with exhaustion. Then another shot of pain lanced through her, her ears flattened against her head and she gritted her teeth together. "Ah... Ugh."

She felt a wet trickle from her behind. Warm fluid that signalled the beginning of her birth pooled behind her, but something wasn't right.

She smelt blood.