When Kestrels Hatch Under the Moonlight [Open, Birth Topic]

Moonlight was back inside the well-known space of the nursery. This had taken her completely off-guard, as she hadn’t felt any of those usual symptoms of pregnancy until just one sunrise ago. It wasn’t until she had to go to the medicine den because she woke up with awful nausea that the Medicine cat had informed her of her pregnancy, and that she had for quite some time by now.

Thanks to the advice of the Medicine cat, she had been moved to the nursery right away, as just by touch it was impossible to say how developed the kit was…yes, she had just one kit this time by the looks of it, and because of that telling when it would be born would be near to impossible. This was motive of anxiety and doubts for the silver tabby, as she wanted to go back to her regular duties but also was too afraid to do it as she wouldn’t want to be trapped in the middle of a hunting patrol or a border skirmish when the young life inside decided to come this world.

Letting out a deep sigh, she curled up and fell on a light slumber. The sun that had been high when she had fallen asleep was already setting when a bolt of well-known pain forced her to open her eyes with a yowl. Even with one kit, the pain was always a constant “Oceanlight! Rabbitpaw! Tinylegs!” She yowled at the top of her lungs. Since this was an only-one kit litter she wasn’t sure of the complications or new experiences that could come with it, making her feel like a nervous first-time queen again.

Busy organizing what little herbs they had, Rabbitpaw stopped dead in her tracks as a cry from the queen caught her attention. With a sharp gasp, she put everything down, grabbed a stick and darted out of the den, knowing exactly what was going on. This hadn't been her first time doing this and anymore, the cries of a queen in distress was fairly recognizable. It also helped that it hadn't been that long since Moonlight had come in to see what was causing her bellyaches and nausea. Making it quickly to Moonlight's side, she placed the stick down in front of her then padded around to her belly, pressing on it gently to get a feel for the kits... or, kit? It was nearly impossible to tell how many were in the queen's belly. "Okay, I'm here, Moonlight. I, uh... I-I can't tell how many kits you have, so you're just... just going to have to push, okay?" she told her, hoping that all was well. She wouldn't know what to think of herself if she allowed Moonlight to lose her kits.

Kestrelkit writhed, the kit looked quite small, and his fur was quite pale. All of which, to change with time. It would be a marvel to see him grow in size and color, almost as if he were a kit of another. Yet the genetics hidden beneath it all left a different story to tell.

He wriggled around, crawling and shifting across the dirt. He let out loud wails with the shock of cold against his pelt and pale odd light, all so new and frighting (by nature) to the young kit.

Moonlight smiled weakly at Rabbitpaw as she padded in and grabbed the stick between her teeth as soon as it was placed before her by the medicine cat apprentice. Biting down hard on the stick, she followed her instructions, but just like expected, regardless of how much she pushed only one kit lied down on the soft nest and the pain started to fade. It was a funny feeling, to be able to see her kit without trying to stay awake out of exhaustion like what had happened with her previous litters.

In a completely instinctive action, she started to lick the kit while using her tail and body in an attempt to shield him from the cold. She only stopped when the words of Oceanlight echoed in her ears from the memory of her last litter, causing her to instead trying to use the moss to dry him, not wanting to cause him to get cold because of the wetness on his fur, her eyes landing on Rabbitpaw as she looked for her approval or disapproval.

Purring softly, she nuzzled the kit closed to her, Tinylegs wasn’t around, and this was also the first time her mind was clear enough to allow her to think correctly, so she took the duty of naming the young tom. As she thought about it the soft sound of a bird flapping its wings right outside made something click inside her mind “Kestrelkit…his name is Kestrelkit…”.

Returning from a patrol, Tinylegs dropped a measly piece of prey that he'd managed to catch on the freshkill pile. Hunting was definitely a challenge with the harsh Leafbare weather but even so, he'd managed to catch at least something.

Seeing Rabbitpaw shuffle into the nursery he wondered what was going on and quickly remembered Moonlight was expecting kits. Racing to the den as fast as his little legs could carry him, the small tom skidded to a halt and entered the warm and cozy nursery. "Oh Moonlight, I'm so sorry I wasn't here earlier," the warrior mewed, making his way to the queen and nudging the top of her head, purring.

Moonlight smiled at her mate as she returned the nuzzles “Don’t worry about it, I understand that during this season work piles up quicky” She then looked down at the small kit, pulling her tail off him to show it to Tinylegs “However, I would like you to meet your newest son. His name is Kestrelkit” She purred softly, her words full to the brim of love and happiness as she looked at the tiny kit, helping him to reach her belly so he could suckle and eat to his heart’s content.

Kestrelkit's mews ceased upon the taste of is mothers sweet milk. He made little noise then after other then the soft sounds of his suckling. His paws reached out, pressed up against his mothers belly, his tiny toes flexing against her soft belly fur.

Purring, the small tom looked down to his newly named kit. "The name suits him well," he mewed, so happy to have a new member of the family. Although the cold season usual took things from the clans instead of give, the small tom was so overjoyed that they blessed him and his mate with another kit.

It was almost a huge relief when Kestrelkit was born. The poor medicine cat apprentice had practically been holding her breath until she heard the small mewls of the newborn and immediately, her whole body relaxed from its rugged structure when all was well. In fact, she instinctively mentally withdrew herself as soon as it was over and Tinylegs showed up, not even paying attention when the queen tried to look on for her approval about using the moss to clean the kit. Instead, she sat down out of the way so that her uncle could see his new kit and share the time with his mate. At first, she was thrilled for the two of them, but as she watched them talk and enjoy their moment, Rabbitpaw couldn't help but feel a wallowing sadness within herself as all she could see between the three cats in front of her was herself and her own parents, both of whom have left her. Whether it was intentional or not, it didn't matter. Frustration built up but was quickly drowned out by the tears she wanted to shed for her belated father who was doomed before the apprentice could even think to reach him. However, she quickly found herself getting too lost in her thoughts and tried to pull herself out to enjoy the moment with them.

"Congratulations," she meowed, her voice void of emotion as she tried to force a smile for the two parents. All of it was obviously fake, no matter how hard she tried to convince herself that she was happy. It still delighted her that there was a new kit, there was no doubt about that, but her own emotions were getting in the way.