Now is a Time for Love [Closed]

Dustcloud's recent visit to Mapleleaf's den only confirmed what the scarred warrior had suspected.

Having been something the she-cat had experienced before, it wasn't difficult for her to figure out the reasoning behind the constant stomach aches, slightly protruding belly, and a plethora of other symptoms, both big and small. Unlike the first time, however, she felt something a little more than overwhelming delight. Inside, she was nearly in a state of panic. Her last litter hadn't even made it past kithood, and it was something that she couldn't help but feel the slightest tinge of dread in the pits of her rapidly growing abdomen. No matter how many deep breaths the senior warrior took, no matter how much Mapleleaf reassured her that everything was okay, she was unable to keep the feelings of remorse away. It was something that Dustcloud was easily able to cover up after a few moments to gather her thoughts, and the first thing to come to mind once she cleared her head was Marshstorm.

She immediately padded out of the den as quickly as she could, heading towards the Deputy's nest, which lay right beside hers. Gently prodding his side, she smiled warmly when she saw his amber eyes. It was late at night, that much she knew, but this was important. "Marshst-storm, wake up. I n-need you to c-c-come with me." She spoke in a hushed tone, keeping her maw relatively close to the toms ear in hopes of not awakening any of the other warriors that resided in the den with them. She beckoned him towards the exit of their beloved camp, awaiting his accompaniment by her side.

The dark tabby tom was resting peacefully inside the warrior's den. Deep in a dreamless slumber until he felt something poking his side. At first, he tried simply shifting his position. His pelt brushing against Dustcloud's empty nest, causing him to open his eyes to check on her, only to see her face in front of him. He chuckled and yawned, then looked towards the entrance of the den where it was still clearly night. Still, whatever it was sounded urgent, so he stood and stretched to follow Dustcloud quietly.

"Is something wrong?" He asked with concern as she led him towards the camp exit. He looked up to the starry sky and had a pretty good idea of where she wanted to go. He bit down his further questions and padded through the entrance silently after her. His dark pelt blending into the night's shadows as he moved easily and quietly alongside her. For a moment, Marshstorm thought about anything that could be wrong, that could affect her, but his thoughts fell short. "Are you having trouble with one of your apprentices?" He questioned, it seemed the easiest, but wouldn't she have approached him in the day then?

He only paused when Dustcloud reached the glade. His gaze caught up in her silver tabby fur, the scars didn't even matter. He smiled as the starlight reflected off of her coat. How Marshstorm ended up with the prettiest she-cat in Thunderclan, he would never know, but he smiled at her. Then realised that her belly was perhaps a bit bigger than he'd last seen... he paused in thought. Was she worried about that?

"N-no, nothing's wrong." She smiled happily, ears tuning in to the distant sound of crickets chirping nearby. "Bonep-paw sure c-can g-give me a f-fit sometimes, b-but it's nothing u-unmanageable. He j-just needs a b-bit of a p-push, he'll b-be alright." The silver-tabby mused, thinking back to that first day of training. He'd probably need a bit more than a little push, but she was sure it was nothing a couple pep-talks couldn't help. As they made their way to the small clearing, she reassured herself that everything would be okay. Marshstorm would make sure that nothing happened to the kits, and everything would be perfectly sound.

As soon as they pushed through the underbrush and into the small area they'd come to love, the she-cat rolled her shoulders back to attempt to relieve the dull ache that had been residing there for a good while. Settling herself next to the larger tom, Dustcloud forced her fur to sit flat on her back, instead of the bristled state it had occupied before. Lifting her eyes to the stars above them, she let a wide grin cross her face before lowering her gaze to meet Marshstorm's. "M-Marshstorm, I'm pregnant." The string of words came out nearly perfect, her voice only cracking a bit in the beginning. She looked up into his sparkling amber eyes, searching his expression for what she hoped would be approval, delight for the kits they'd soon bring into the world.

Listening to Dustcloud's musings about her apprentice comforted him. He felt a sense of peace in knowing that it probably wasn't a serious issue then. Instead, he purred and nudged his head to her shoulder gently. His shoulders parted the last of the leaves to their grove, where soft starlight seemed to illuminate it and fireflies rose from where they stepped. He looked down at the bugs as they lit up and flew about their faces. The light reflected off Dustcloud's eyes, and for a moment, he couldn't look away.

At her words, he felt his mind go blank. Pregnant... that... that meant kits. The realisation hit him sharply, and he looked at her with wide eyes and an open jaw for only a moment. Then pure joy flooded his gaze as he carefully padded forward to nuzzle her excitedly. Kits. Their kits. They would get to have a family all of their own. The idea was thrilling to him as he felt his chest pound in excitement. What would they look like? What would they be like?

"Dustcloud... I-" His words broke off as he pressed his head against her shoulder. The joy settled down in his chest, filling him, but with it came worry. She had lost her first litter, he hadn't forgotten that, and he had to make sure she knew they would be okay. He would protect them, against everything. Anything, that would dare. "I can't wait to see them. I promise, I will protect you and them." His serious tone was ruined by his uncontained joy.