Stay Alive [Closed]

A twinge ran through her side, but Sparkwillow refused to let that stop her. She couldn't have these kits in camp, she saw how Ivyfall watched her with curiosity, how the question hung on her family's muzzles. They wanted to know who her kit's father was, and if they looked anything like Silentstorm, they would all know what she'd done. The only cat with his markings in RiverClan was her great uncle, Sootwhisper, who was happily paired off.

Stumbling over logs, she walked with her belly hanging low, brushing against the reeds till she crossed the bridge where she slinked through grass and then through fourtrees. With each step, the pain grew, but she endured. These kits, they would be safe and loved with their father. She wasn't mother material, she'd gotten her sister killed, her father missing. If these kits stayed with her, she would bring with them her curse. Silentstorm, he was the perfect tom, he would raise them right.

But this all required her to get to ShadowClan territory, but a lance of pain and her fall onto her paws. "Ugh." She gasped before gritting her teeth to get up again. She had to move, no breaks.

When she finally reached the place they first met by the Thunderpath, she sighed and waited for him.

Splashpaw had been happy since the moment that she was able to notice Sparkwillow's pregnancy. The idea of her only remaining littermate finally earning well-deserved happiness in the form of kits was absolutely thrilling to her- with Sparkwillow's kits they could be a happy family once more! If just the very thought of such a thing brought the life back into Splashpaw's steps, imagine what it could do for Shellwater! After Otterleap's disappearance and Snowpaw's death, something as exciting as this would surely help mend the wounds.

But with each day that Splashpaw noticed that the only other thing growing aside from Sparkwillow's belly was her sister's unease. As the days continued to chug on, there was never any joyous announcements from Sparkwillow and her mysterious new mate about their new additions, only odd looks from Ivyfall and the rest of their family. Sparkwillow wasn't being fawned over like a first time mother was supposed to be treated, she wasn't chatting to older Queens or Cloudstone like a normal she-cat, or forming a comfy nest within the well protected nursery. Sparkwillow was evidently doing this alone and that broke Splashpaw's heart even further. What was so secretive about this all that her very own twin felt like she couldn't come to her?

Despite the lack of communication that had formed a seemingly gaping chasm between the two siblings, Splashpaw was still determined to look after Sparkwillow to the best of her own abilities. So when she spotted Sparkwillow pacing nervously before slipping away from camp, Splashpaw took it upon herself to go out after the wayward Queen. It was dangerous for a Queen to go out alone- especially when cats were going missing left and right! So she did the thing that she believed to be her best option- as soon as she was sure that Sparkwillow wasn't checking for anyone, Splashpaw went galloping after her sibling. She did her best to stay behind the other calico without giving away her own presence, but when they reached their apparent destination, Splashpaw was more confused than ever. They were at the...ShadowClan border?

"Sparkwillow?" Splashpaw finally questioned softly, concern evident in her slightly quavering voice, eyes flashing as she took a tentative step forwards and towards her sibling.  "What are you doing here..? You should be back in camp with Cloudstone. " She added a bit more sharply, a hint of accusation evident in her whisper. Hardly any of this was making sense! What She-Cat in their right mind would trek so far just to reach enemy territory while so heavily pregnant?

Startled by the sudden voice behind her, Sparkwillow jolted to the right, nearly being run over by a passing monster. The spray of pebbles battered her pelt, but that was nothing compare to the primal fear that ran through her. It was her sister, Splashpaw. Her twin, down to the splotch of black on their leg. This plan was going all wrong, everything was going wrong. And it hurt so much.

"Splashpaw... I-" She didn't know what to say, her sister's eyes flashed with accusation and mistrust. Something she never wanted to see in her eyes, yet here it was, clear as day. What could she possibly say to explain herself? 'Surprise sister, I'm a codebreaking scum. I'm the worst, the sort that father loathed and would break mother's heart?' The queen was a fool to think that things would flow smoothly. That she could simply give her kits away and everything would go back to normal. There was no such thing as a simple mistake in the forest, everything was life and death once you became a warrior. Oh how she longed for her peaceful kithood spent curled up against her mother, groomed by her father, and with Splashpaw by her side. "I can't go, sis. These kits, you know right? Everyone sort of knew it, no one just said it because they respect mother and father too much. They don't belong to any RiverClan tom, I mated with Silentstorm. That warrior we met when we were apprentices. I'm an idiot, but I can fix this." She added hastily on, before continuing whilst occasionally gritting her teeth in pain. "Silentstorm will make a great father, he'll take these kits to ShadowClan and we can pretend this never happened. Please, please don't tell anyone. Ple-"

Her voice was cut off as she wheezed in pain, and contractions overtook her. "Oh StarClan, the kits." A thick coppery scent filled the air, that couldn't be normal. She'd heard of queens saying that birth was painful, but she smelt only of blood, not the wet scent of birth. And the pain, it tore through her like a badger. This couldn't be normal. Where was Silentstorm?

Splashpaw gazed at Sparkwillow for a long moment, eyes slightly misted as she listened to her twin's obviously heart-broken rambling- how could she of been so stupid? Why were her sisters always so stupid?! They were always running off and getting themselves killed or engaging in illicit relationships! It was no wonder their family was evidently cursed. "Nobody will ever know." She finally uttered, dipping her head briefly in solemn acknowledgement to her sibling's desperate plea. Her shoulders sagged slightly at the weight of this promise and the subsequent vanishing of all her hopes for their family, but as Sparkwillow's broken, pain-riddled wheezing reached her ears, she was effectively snapped from her pity.

"Sparkwillow?" Splashpaw whimpered, the glaring mistrust within her gaze dissipating into something new- the wild, fluttery panic overtaking her gaze similar to the way she had first looked when treated to the sight of Snowpaw's stiff corpse. She watched as her sister struggled to keep herself upright against the spams of pain and her eyes shut themselves tightly as she steeled away all of her judgement and anger.  hey could wait for another day. All that mattered now was making sure Sparkwillow and her kits were okay, not her own opinion on her sisters admittedly foolish actions.  

"Why- why don't you lay down?" She finally urged nervously, pressing her face tightly against Sparkwillow's in a comforting gesture. The foul, hot, coppery scent of blood was even stronger now that Splashpaw had her face pressed against her twin's, but she did her best to swallow her misgivings. It was just a little blood- Queens always bled a bit during birth right? 'Blood probably just means that her kits are ready to come out.' She decided internally, reveling in the minute comfort coming from this futile decision. "You'll feel more comfortable laying down while we wait for Silentstorm." She continued briskly, feeling a bit unsure of her own words; were they really going to wait for a ShadowClan cat?

Pressing even closer to Sparkwillow's swollen form, Splashpaw sucked in a fluttery breath as she forced herself to calm down before proceeding to coax her sister to the ground. Hopefully now that Sparkwillow was off her paws, the pain wouldn't be as nearly sharp."Silentstorm will be a good father." She agreed softly, resting her chin on top of her twins head as she began to scan the oddly silent Thunderpath for the sight of the ShadowClan tom. Where was this stupid tom?! "Maybe one day when they are old enough you could visit them." Splashpaw murmured quietly, rasping her tongue over Sparkwillow's ears as she continued to wait for her sister's mate with a sharp pang of anxiety twisting her belly. When Silentstorm got here, everything would be better.

ooc; omg I'm so sorry this is so late, I've been so busy D:

ic: Silentstorm padded out of camp with a slight excited flick of his tail. He had learned not too long ago that he was going to be a father. He was going to have his own kits with the cat he could never stop thinking about no matter how hard he tried. He was upset, of course, that they were both in different clans, so that meant, assuming they'd stay with Sparkwillow in RiverClan, he probably wouldn't get to see them until they were older. He wasn't quite sure how it was all going to work out, but he was sure they would figure it out.

Now he was going to meet her and see how she and their kits were doing, and he couldn't tell if he was more nervous or excited. Honestly, he had never expected to become a father, but now that he was about to become one, he couldn't imagine not wanting it. He had never had a present father, though it wasn't Lightningstrike's fault, it was still true nonetheless, so naturally he wasn't completely sure he could be a good father. That was one of his biggest worries about the whole thing, but he vowed to try his best to be as great a dad as he could be. Letting out an anxious sigh, his ears flicked at the sound of Sparkwillow in pain followed by her scent and.. another. StarClan please let everything be okay. He silently pleaded, racing towards and across the Thunderpath as soon as it was clear of the roaring monsters. "Sparkwillow!" He yowled, not seeing the twin sister who seemed to look exactly like his mate.

Rushing to her side, he covered her in worried licks. "Are you alright? Why are you bleeding?" He questioned, eyes alight with panic for his mate. Then he glancing up, noticing the cat he had scented earlier. "Who are you..?" He meowed, now standing over Sparkwillow protectively, green eyes narrowed angrily. He knew the she-cat was from RiverClan, but he didn't care at the moment that they had been caught. He needed to make sure Sparkwillow was safe before he could even worry about that situation. Looking down at the calico she-cat that was his mate, his expression hardened with concern, "Did she hurt you?" He half growled, green gaze never leaving Splashpaw for more than a second.

Her sister's promise gave her a small measure of relief, but that did little with the tight pain that pulsed through her side. She was glad though that she wasn't alone in this moment, Sparkwillow was so afraid that something was wrong with her kits, and took comfort in her sister's licks. Her mate was yet to get here, and everything felt so uncertain still. The bloody scent wasn't leaving either, it hung thickly in the air like a macabre reminder of how dangerous kitting was. She had been warned by the older queens that due to her size, she might have difficulties but she had been hoping for something different. She knew that she'd broken StarClan's laws, but surely they wouldn't punish her innocent kits for this?

Her mind was a turmoil, but she snapped out of it in fear when she heard rustling. But all was fine, it was Silentstorm. He looked as handsome as always, his scar only made him look more distinguished. She couldn't help the silly flutter in her heart she felt when he called out to her. She couldn't regret this, she was his mate and she would have his kits. Sparkwillow loved him too much to regret. And whilst he must have frightened poor Splashpaw with his threats, she couldn't help feel a little touched that he was so protective of her and the kits. He would be a good father. She was certain of this.

"N-no, that's my SISTER!" Sparkwillow shouted the last word as pain took over her in a wave again. Her claws shredded at the earth below her feet as she yowled in pain, head brushing against her mate's chest to take comfort in his scent. Silentstorm was with her, he was here and present for her. Everything was going to be fine, a few pushes and she's have her kits with her. They'd go to ShadowClan, and be happy as a family.

When a overwhelming urge to push finally overtook her, she gritted her teeth and exhaled. With a quick movement, a kit was born. Sparkwillow turned to see it, a little black and white kit (Willowkit). She looked so small, delicate, like the swaying willow tree's leaves. The kit was perfect, a spitting image of Silentstorm, but she made no sound. "Splashpaw, why isn't she making a noise?"

A first-time mother, she didn't know what to do with a kit. She didn't know to clean the kit's mouth and nose. It also didn't help that with the kit came out a lot of blood. Sparkwillow was feeling quite woozy.

Willowkit struggled to draw breath in the darkness, feeling a violent, overwhelming burst of feeling. She gasped silently, her tiny mouth wide open, as she tried to force air into her tiny lungs. She was still inside of something- something slimy. At least, that was what her newborn senses told her.

(is boulder already born?)

His pelt was quite sticky and full of random smells. Boulderkit didn´t know what to do. He was breathing and trying to be as close to the warm body as he could. He was terrified by all strange voices around him and he also tried to " close" his small ears. He figured out that he wasn´t alone at the birth and that he has at least one sibling. But he couldn´t do anything else. Just to wait for him to be born, out of warm sack and into cold air full of different things that he haven´t meet yet.

ooc: Boulderkit isn't born yet, but he will be in this post below.

Before much else could happen, another wave of pain had another kit be born. He was a tabby, just like her father, but with a more grey colouring. He was large like a boulder, she couldn't believe that such a kit had been born from her tiny self. But like his sister, he seemed unmoving in the sac that he was born in. What was she meant to do?

Silentstorm's eyes widened in surprise as he found out the cat was her sister. "Ooh." He meowed, letting out a sigh of relief. "Sorry.." He meowed, glancing up apologetically at Splashpaw. Finally putting two and two together, he laid down next to her, pressing his black form into hers in hopes to dampen the pain he knew she must be in. "It's okay. You're gonna be fine." He murmured, glancing back at his mate, eyes wide in concern as he pressed his nose to her ear comfortingly. Suddenly she was writhing and yowling in pain and he was instantly on his paws, looking to Splashpaw for an explanation. Then his gaze landed on the tiny bundle of kit that was trapped in some sac kind of thing. Furrowing his non-existent eyebrows in confusion, he bent his head towards the black and white she-kit and sniffed it. "Uh.. I think maybe we need to, uh, get it out of the.. sac?" He meowed, completely unsure of what he was even talking about. Then a memory came back to him of a young apprentice asking Littlebrook about kitting. "We have to, uhm, nip it! I think I remember my mother saying something about that.." He said, glad to have something to do, that he knew how to do. "Okay.." He whispered to the small kit, before he nipped it, setting it free as it began mewing piteously. "Shh.. Shh.. You're safe." He meowed quietly to the black and white kit as he placed her at Sparkwillow's belly. "Okay. Okay. Uh.." He mumbled to himself as Sparkwillow pushed out another kit. Doing the same thing he had to Willowkit, he set the kit next to his sister. "Sparkwillow.. A-are you feeling alright? Are you s-supposed to be b-bleeding this much?" He asked, in full blown panic mode as he realized how much his mate was bleeding. This couldn't be normal. Something was wrong. "W-why don't I just g-go get Honeydrop?" He stammered, heart racing in fear for his mate.

Willowkit shivered as she was cut out of the sac. She began to gasp the fresh, open air and soon lost most of her fear, but her pitiful mewls turned to sobs as she felt around for her mother, unable to find her in the darkness and losing the feeling of the ground beneath her for a moment.

Suddenly she felt something warm and cuddled up next to it, nudging towards the smell of milk. She began to drink and was soon lost in the sweet, calming taste, half-asleep and drunk on milk. She soon became wholly oblivious to the pool of blood and the movement inside her mother- only one thing bothered her. There was another squirming thing next to her, and it was just as small as she was. She could feel it, and she could just barely smell it.

She was hesitant at her mate's suggestion, Honeydrop was a skilled medicine cat, but would she want to help a disgraced queen. And how would they pass off their litter as just Silentstorm's kits with a ShadowClan queen if Honeydrop saw them. No, she had to do this herself. The pain was great, but she bit down hard on a stick nearby to grit through it. Shaking her head in refusal at her mate's offer, she took in swift deep breaths till another kit was born. He was a calico like her, she knew this as she learnt from her mate how to clean him. She nipped the sac, and licked him till he mewled next to her muzzle (Ashkit).

Sparkwillow so desperately wanted to focus on the litter, but she found her eyes growing heavy and her head muzzy. Fatigue was quickly claiming her, but she knew instinctively that she wasn't done. "Silentstorm, you'll take care of them, right? They'll be alright?" The queen breathlessly meowed, her head now resting against her paws. Her golden eyes were barely open, as she gave birth to the final kit with a sigh. She was a tiny black and white kit, just like her first born (Violetkit).

"Splashpaw? Are you still here?" Darkness began to splotch her vision, and she couldn't spot her twin. "Splashpaw?"


ooc; edited because ash can't join the topic

Silentstorm watched his mate, wanting so desperately to go get Honeydrop, but he nodded reluctantly as Sparkwillow declined. Licking his mates forehead, he murmured comforting things as she went through the pain, but he found himself freezing mid-sentence when his mate asked if he'd take care of them. "O-oh Sparkwillow. Of course I-I would, but.." He paused, pushing back his doubt and tears that threatened to make themselves known, "T-they're going home, to RiverClan, with you! They're gonna need their Mom. You're gonna be okay sweetheart. Please-" He paused again to take in a deep shaky breath, "Please don't talk like that." He whispered, his voice barely audible. He was swaying on his paws and he felt like he was going to pass out, but he forced his shaky legs to still and he laid down next to her, wrapping his fluffy black body around her small calico figure. "Sparkwillow. You have to fight. You hear me? You fight. Focus on my voice." He whispered, muzzle right next to her ear, willing the beautiful she-cat to defy what he knew was going to happen.

Splashpaw merely snapped her teeth at Silentstorm, glossy fur bristling as she took in the ShadowClan tom's aggression- her obvious fear setting her on edge completely. Was it really that hard to figure out who she was? She looked exactly Sparkwillow! However, any sort of snappy comments about his behavior quickly died upon her tongue as Sparkwillow began to squirm and yowl in what was obviously extreme agony. Watching her sister twist and groan in pain made her feel small- she didn't know what to do or say in a moment like this and could only watch with anxious eyes as the first of Sparkwillow's litter was born.

"She's just a little tired is all." Splashpaw cleared her throats before hurriedly comforting, although her own face was twisted in a mixture of confusion and anxiety as she watched Silentstorm free Willowkit. Leaning forward after the ShadowClan tom nudged the little she-kit towards Sparkwillow's belly, quickly rasping her tongue over the kits damp form in an attempt to further warm the pitifully small creature up. A mere heartbeat another kit was suddenly thrust into the world with the same terrifyingly silent introduction, although this time she was a bit more prepared and quickly did her best to clean and warm the little tom.

Before she could even finish properly washing the eldest kits, two more follow- although Sparkwillow seemed a bit more adapt to clean the second little tom this time, so she simply freed Violetkit from the sac and dragged the little black and white kit closer to Sparkwillow's belly. 'That wasn't so bad, was it?' She tried to mentally encouraged herself, although the sharp tang of fresh blood within her mouth didn't do very much to reaffirm the notion.

"I'm here, I'm here." Splashpaw finally whimpered softly, nape fur prickling at the way Sparkwillow swung around blindly, almost as if she couldn't see her anymore. What was wrong with her? Reaching out to press her muzzle even more tightly against her twins, she let out a shaky puff of air that rattled her chest. Somehow the stench of blood was even stronger now that she was pressed against her sister.

"You've done so well." She croaked anxiously, surveying her rather silent new kin with wariness evident in her slightly narrowed eyes before exchanging a worried glance with Silentstorm- was kitting always supposed to be this difficult? "Four healthy kits." Splashpaw finally crooned mournfully, after listening to Silentstorm's worried mews, pressing closer to her sister's weak form. She didn't even mind the fact that she ended up partly curled up against Silentstorm.

The pale tom kit let out a high-pitched squeal, his pink maw opening and closing in a pitiful wail. He was writhing in a pool of blood, along with some other small shape, and he could sense the distress: the screeching of other kits, the cry of pain and anguish from larger silhouettes overbearing. Another yelp of fear and helplessness escaped him.