Adding to the Family

She hadn't expected to have another litter so soon, especially given the circumstances around the birth of her and Mistyfalcon's first litter... But fate worked in mysterious ways. She had hardly weaned Basilkit and Hornetkit when she had received news that she was expecting again, and though she was nervous considering what happened last time... She was hopeful they would avoid a similar scenario. Before she even realized it, she felt the all too familiar pain, and called for Rookfire. By the night's end, two more small kits lay at her belly, both healthy and full of life, a far different cry from the first litter. She sighed contentedly as she looked at the two of them and then to Mistyfalcon with a tired grin. "Two toms.... Would you like to name them?" She purred, licking her sons on the top of their tiny heads before casting a sideways glance at Mistyfalcon. "Also - no more kits for a while. I need a break." She laughed lightly, as she settled further in her nest as she relaxed.

At Murkystrike's belly, one of the kits, a tom with similar coloring as his father, seemed to already be ready for adventure. Unable to see or hear, he was only able to rely on smells and what he could feel, like the feel of his mother's tongue atop his head. But there was oh so much to learn in the space that, while it seemed huge right now, would soon appear to be very small. Best to explore while he still had space.

And explore he did, although he found it quite difficult to go very far. He turned one way and found an obstacle in his mother's paw, another direction, and his brother seemed to be blocking him. Eventually, he found his opening, though. Trying to get his tiny paws to move the rest of him along, the black smoked tom began to wriggle further and further, feeling as though he had been traveling for miles. (He didn't travel miles. He barely moved an inch. Don't tell him that, though!) Oh, the wonders to be discovered! Oh, the freedom he felt!

Given what had happened with their first litter, Mistyfalcon's nerves had not eased in the slightest upon learning that his mate was expecting once again, worry a hard knot in his chest as the dark tom paced and resigned himself to keeping out of Rookfire's way. Eventually, two kits lay at Murkystrike's belly, healthy kits. Some of the tension left Mistyfalcon's shoulders at seeing Murkystrike's tired grin, which he returned as he sat beside her. A soft huff of laughter escaped him at her words, and the dark-furred warrior leaned down, bumping his head against hers affectionately.

"This one seems eager to leave the nest already." His whiskers twitched as the smoke tabby wriggled, bumping into Murkystrike's paw and then his littermate. "What about Condorkit?" The second of the two kits was a loudly-mewling dark tabby. He was certainly... vocal, Mistyfalcon thought, much more than his brother seemed to be at the moment. "Would Loudkit be too on the nose?" He asked, half-prepared to dodge claws for that suggestion. It was fitting, though.

The brown blob inched his way over to his mother, and instinct telling him he needed milk and that was were to get it. With his keen nose it wasn't difficult. The newborn felt something (or someone) brush him. Not knowing it was his brother, the caused the angry kitten the squeal and squirm, trying to kick the unseen threat.

Right when Basilkit was finally let back into the nursery she galloped over to see her mother, mouth hanging slightly ajar as her breath came in pants.  She hadn't been running or anything, but the excitement and anxiety had made her chest tighten.  However, the sight of her two new brothers alive and well calmed the she-kit's soul, and she leaned against her father's shoulder with a warm smile.  Reaching out with a gentle paw, she let it rest for a long moment on each kit's back, closing her eyes and feeling very intently, before her amber eyes came alight with joy.  "Don't worry Mama, their hearts don't beat like mine!"  It was a relief, she had been worried that one of her siblings would turn out like her...now though, she suddenly felt very outnumbered.  "No sisters...aww.  It's okay, being the only sister will be fun!  I could give them badger rides, show them all the best places in camp, and-"  She was cut off by a sharp cough, but she was pretty much done talking anyway.  Instead, she crawled into the nest alongside her mother and newborn siblings, nudging Condorkit back towards where he belonged and giving Loudkit a quick nuzzle.  They were so cute and tiny...however, a strange nagging feeling bit at her stomach, and she couldn't help the words that left her mouth.  "Mama, Papa...you'll still love us right?  Me and Hornetkit?"  She glanced from one to the other, wide eyes brimming with concern.  Especially me, even though I give you so much trouble?

Basilkit came bursting into the nursery as soon as the other queens had allowed her, and Murkystrike smiled at her daughter warmly as she came up, breaths coming in short pants. No doubt the excitement had gotten to her. She watched as Basilkit placed a gentle paw on her new bother's backs and paused for a few moments before grinning widely. She purred at her exclamation, and wrapped her tail over her to pull her close and give her a gentle nuzzle. "Hey, don't forget about Hopepaw and Ravenpaw! They're your sisters too, and you'll always have me!" She mewed, licking her ears and holding her close. "Of course, I will always love you Basilkit, and so will your father. Having another litter won't ever change the love I have for you all."

Basilkit bounded into the nursery, and Mistyfalcon's eyes narrowed slightly in concern as he noted that she seemed out of breath, though he knew there was little to be done about it. Knowing that did very little to prevent him from worrying, naturally. He knew it frustrated Basilkit, but he couldn't not worry about her, either. Her excitement at having new siblings was comforting, the way she broke off with a cough less so.

"Of course we will, Basil." He mewed, backing Murkystrike's words. She was better at the whole talking thing than he was, that much was obvious. He leaned forward, lightly brushing his nose against the top of her head. "We love all of you, having more siblings won't change that."

"Okay...thank you."  As the anxiety in her chest faded, Basilkit purred as she snuggled in next to her mother, closing her eyes.  It had been a long day, and she was exhausted; however, before she fell asleep with the tiny murmurings of her brothers tickling her fluffy ears, she whispered one more thing.

"Thank you for loving me, despite everything."