New kits for the clan. (Closedish?)

The night should have felt cold. Indeed, the chill of the rainy night air would have sunk deep into her bones as thunder rumbled and lighting flashed in the sky above, if not for the excitement of the moment. Pain pierced her body. Muscles spasmed and a gritted yowl was smothered into her own paws. Her ears embraced the noise of the outside world. What could have been a quiet afternoon filled with fishing and naps was a blissfully loud and busy affair as cats not on patrol were likely in their dens. The echoing of rain and the warmth of what was to come soothed her nerves away. In a few moments, nothing else would matter.

She groomed a small ginger tom kit. His fur stuck up in small spikes until she flattened it back down with another brisk sweep of her tongue. No cat prepared her for the pain that she endured to bring the small little bundle into the world. His sisters had arrived right behind him and now she suddenly had three mouths to feed as she lapped at them. Her tail curled protectively over their little bodies in absence of their father. Not that he would be absent for long. She refused to allow them to not meet him as soon as it was safe. The rain, though a blessing during the birth, were now a hinderance. Their tiny frail bodies would get too cold, they needed all the warmth they could get.

Still, she purred and nuzzled each of them. The sadness that had clenched her chest a little less now that they were in the world. Suddenly, it wasn't just Gingerstripe she needed, but all of them. She refused to even think thoughts that something could happen as she lifted her head and glanced up at the other queen in the nursery. She glanced outside, then back to her kits. It would be too much to ask of Snowblossom. It wouldn't be fair and she would end up wet and cold. She settled for grooming the little bodies at her belly as she murmured gently to each of them.

"My precious ones." Her purr reverberated deep in her chest. "I will name you Firekit. For all the warmth your arrival brings." She whispered softly, with a smooth lap between his little deaf ears. It didn't matter that he couldn't hear her. Even Snowblossom couldn't hear the soft whispers. "...and you, Foxkit... your pelt is as red and fluffy as one. Though a pray you never have to meet one." Her gaze fell onto the tiny tabby tortoishell next. The little one squirmed and squeaked as she tumbled in the nest as Dewshine righted her once more. "Blossomkit, your pelt's colours remind me of the blossoming flowers, may you be as gentle." With her first words said to her kits, she settled down in the nest for a long night of looking after them. Thunder roared outside, but it didn't matter.

Dewshine's family was finally here.

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(OOC: A couple weeks later)

Today was the day.

... or at least it would be. If their mother would stop grooming them.

"Mooooooom." Blossomkit squeaked in complaint as her mother's tongue rasped between her shoulder's again. "Dad's just outside." She whined as she heard her mother chuckle softly. The delicate silver she-cat sat back to admire her work. The three kits were spotless. Their pelts almost shining, but as Dewshine looked over them, she inwardly sighed to herself. It wouldn't last long. Still, it was their moment to meet Gingerstripe. Her mate, and their father. It was hard not to have them look their best. Blossomkit poked at Firekit and Foxkit with a determined but tiny mew as she moved to climb the reeds that had sheltered them since birth for the first time. Dewshine behind them in case anything went wrong. The bright light of a sunny day shining behind the reeds to welcome them.

Firekit blinked. "Heey! No poking!" He complained. But he followed anyway, scrabbling about in the nursery.

The little ginger red tabby she kit was the last out much to her dislike"Don't poke me Blossomkit you'll mess up my fur and make mom clean me again"She let out a complaint before she scampered our after her siblings her tail flicking happily as she looked around.

Gingerstripe sat anxiously in the center of camp, fidgeting like he had while he waited for his apprentice ceremony years ago. He'd had kits once before, so he shouldn't be this nervous... he had been nervous then too, if he recalled correctly. But this was different. He was with a cat that he loved, who loved him, and these kits might not be welcomed by the Clan. If RiverClan hated him and his mate, it stood to reason that his poor, precious kits might also have a hard time. But not if he had anything to say about it.

When Dewshine and the kits finally made an appearance, the tom's eyes lit up. First, he had eyes only for his mate- she looked as radiant as ever, even though taking care of three young kits and recovering from the labors of kit-birth was clearly taking its toll. She looked happy to see him, too, and the fact that she was still alive and well was all that mattered. Next he looked at the three small figures by the silver she-cat's feet. A ginger tabby who bore a striking resemblance to his brother Firestone- it was almost painful to remember the relationship he'd once had with the tom, but he felt his heart melting at the adorable look in the tiny she-kit's eyes. Then a patched tabby tom who looked like a haphazard mix of his and Dewshine's pelt colors, and behind him a softer, similar-looking tabby she-cat with gentle green eyes. His kits. Three perfect kits. A giant, foolish smile crept onto his face as he sat there, looking at his family. After all he'd been through, he had a family again. His eyes met Dewshine's, and within the deep green there was a glitter of rare happiness. "Well, aren't you going to introduce me?" he joked softly, padding over to the small group.

Dewshine purred loudly and nuzzles Gingerstripe before she pressed her head against him. Tail wrapping aroud him as she looked at the small kits who followed her with love and affection.
"Of course." She chuckled softly at his question, but for now... for a moment, she wanted to simply enjoy his presence. Those moments pressed against the nursery wall... it paled in comparison to actually getting to see him, to feel and hear him properly.

"They are Foxkit, Blossomkit and Firekit." She leaned down to nuzzle each kit after their names. Since he had missed the crucial naming part, she hoped that he enjoyed the names she chose... especially since Fire seemed like an important one to Gingerstripe. ``````

Firekit looked up at his father. "Hi daddy!" He hopped up to nuzzle the older tom on the leg. After all, he was his father.

It seemed now may be a good time to finally visit Dewshine's kits. Chest thrumming with purrs, Flurryshine mewed around a mouthful of fish before slipping in past Gingerstripe, giving the former rogue a friendly nod of greeting before placing the fresh-kill down by her former mentor's paws. "I hope you don't mind me visiting, Dewshine. I just figured you'd need to regain your strength after all that had happened." She looked down at the three kits, and her bright green eyes absolutely sparkled in adoration, especially when her gaze shifted to the little tom who was huddled up next to his father's leg. "Oh, these three are absolutely precious! Congratulations to you both."