A New Life [open after the kits post]

Addershade sat next to his mate, who had quickly fallen fast asleep from the exhaustion, and looked fondly at these new lives who had entered the world-- his kits. Though before this moment, and surely after it, he had been filled with worry-- for them, and for his eldest daughter, now an apprentice, and how they would navigate their ways through the dangerous world around them-- right now, at least, by the sides of his mate and children, everything was right.

He looked again at the three kits before him. it still amazed him how small they were at first. What shall we call you, little ones? he thought.

Addershade smiled as names floated around in his thoughts. Of course, he'd get Lightsong's approval when she woke up, but looking at the kittens, he already had a perfect idea of what to call each of them.

"Hello, little ones," he spoke softly, not wanting to wake Lightsong up. He knew they were much, much to young to really understand him...but he spoke anyway. "I'm your father. Addershade. And I'm so glad to have you here."

The tortoiseshell bundle found herself forcefully evicted from her warm, protected home for the past couple moons, and in a world that was much less comfortable. It was cold for one, at least compared to where she had been, and her fur felt wet and heavy. Soon enough, though, she was being licked and groomed and nuzzled, and a warmth spread inside of her, too deep to be related to the state of her pelt that was now drying. No, this was the warmth of happiness and of love, as the kit was welcomed into her little family. After a bit, she wiggled closer to her mother's belly, latching on and kneading her paws in an attempt to get milk. She'd never felt hungry before, but instinct told her this was what she must do. Although her ears were still plastered to her skull, she could somewhat hear her father's voice as he spoke to them, and it made her happy as well, adding to the warmth in her belly from the colostrum.

A black and white tom kit climbed over his littermates as he tried to find milk. He sniffed around as over his sister, before finally finding it. He suckled at the milk not noticing his paw was in one of his littermate's face.

The young tom looked up at the cat, he didn’t register his words, but he understood that this cat loved him, and he was prepared to accept that. He laid next to his siblings, squirming to drink some of the milk. A warm sensation filled his body as the milk started to go down his throat. He purred contentedly, before returning to a sleep. His small chest rose up and down rhythmically to the sound of his soft breathing.