middle of the night [C]

So much had happened in recent moons. It was almost hard to keep track of it all- the Dark Forest's invasion, when the forest was just welcoming new-leaf, and the losses ShadowClan suffered alongside it; new life born into the Clan, as if a rebellion against their presence; then there was Froststar, receiving his nine lives and his name, ShadowClan's leader in more than name now. That alone was enough to have Webshadow stunned. It was hard to imagine that the quiet apprentice treading at Burningwing's side had become their leader. Harder to believe than that was the fact he had the pleasure and privilege of standing by his side through it. But despite Froststar being a grand thought that the dark tabby would gladly linger on, something else had plagued his thinking, setting his usual stony expression into a deep, worried frown. Webshadow wasn't sure how he'd missed it (or maybe he'd closed his eyes to it), but Thistletail's sturdy form had steadily grown rounder. It left her to waddle more than she walked, and she'd told him just at dusk that she would be retiring from warrior duties for the time being, resting in the nursery with the rest of the queens. That was where he found himself now, sat quietly outside of the den. Inside, he could hear the soft mewling of kits, quiet voices of queens talking to each other. Thistletail wasn't in there, not at the moment; that alone made his hackles prickle. Even though it'd only been hours, her announcement had eaten away at the tom's thoughts, and he worried incessantly about her state since. But despite the nerves that threatened to chew through his chest, it wasn't entirely unpleasant; warmth bloomed against his heart, and that was enough. No sense of anxiety could quiet the pleasant affection that flooded him.

Kits. Our kits. The thought was wondrous. Angling his head, Webshadow peered further into the den. Soon, their own kits would be rolling around, batting at each other and their denmates. Likely harassing their mother, and- hopefully, at least -chasing their fathers' heels, when they were old enough. Stars. Webshadow shook his head, a soft sigh leaving him. Then they would become apprentices, warriors- that scared him, and the worry flared up again. His mind flickered briefly to an old friend, russet fur dampened with blood and expression fierce as he roared for Webshadow- 'paw, then, so long ago... -to let him handle the raccoon on his own. The care Fangsnap showed, even if he was gruff... Webshadow understood, now. The thought of his own kits meeting a predator, or bloodthirsty cats, claw to claw made him shiver. But... that was seasons off. For now, he would only think of their birth. And Froststar, of course. He hadn't found his mate yet this evening, but he needed to deliver the news. Something kept his paws rooted in place, though. It will not hurt, to linger here a moment. I will tell him soon- very soon -but... His thoughts trailed off, words jumbling in his mind. For now he would watch, and tell Froststar soon. Everything, so soon.

Froststar had been attempting to arrange things in his mind. Clan things. Tensions were rising between the clans once again... so soon after they had defeated a threat to them all. It was idiotic, foolish, all sorts of things... and yet... he couldn't help but wonder how his clan would end up pulled into conflict once again. It was inevitable, and the tom would not hesitate if siding with one clan would give his clan a boon. They needed it. There were new kits born just about every moon, the clan was growing larger and larger... and it wouldn't be sustainable unless he could get them more territory. It was simple, more kits meant more prey was needed, and while the prey was running well now... it wouldn't forever. The forest was fickle like that, and Froststar did not want anyone going hungry on his watch. There was no good solution, maybe there was no solution at all.

So Froststar exited his den quietly, wanting to find another quiet place to lay, to observe his clan as he had done so often before. He needed to try and focus on something else, something that wasn't as stressful maybe. Suddenly, he spotted Webshadow sitting outside the nursery. Just sitting. Curious. Padding up to him, and sat down next to him, brushing against his mate's side as he did so. Softly, he spoke. "Is everything okay?" It was nice to just lean against Webshadow for a moment, before he straightened up, turning his gaze upon his mate curiously.

Through his tumultuous thoughts, a voice spoke up, and Webshadow looked up quickly. Froststar had appeared behind him, brushing softly against him as he reclined. The brief silence was more than appreciated, allowing the tabby a reprieve from his thinking. But then the question, and- well, suppose he had to answer now. He would have had to tell his mate later tonight, anyhow. "Okay? Yes," he mewed, somewhat stiffly. Dark gaze slid away from his mate, refocusing on the mouth of the nursery. Okay... more than okay. Wonderful. And equally horrifying- so many things could go wrong. Thistletail could be taken during her kitting, or the kits could... a shuddering breath left Webshadow, and he bowed his head.

"Thistletail, she- approached me, earlier this evening. She is- well..." He drifted off, ears lowering somewhat. How to say it, other than to let the words just spill out carelessly? It deserved to be handled far more gently than that, but he couldn't bring any eloquence to mind. "She is expecting. Soon. I am not sure how I did not notice sooner, but- but it will be any night now, I believe. That is how she makes it sound, and that is certainly how it seems, looking at her." Webshadow's mind whirled once more. It would be any night now- any night now. What if he was on patrol, when they came? Or Froststar? Or worse- both of them? He would have to spend even more time in camp, watching over the nursery. But then he couldn't leave his Clanmates searching for another warrior, either... Webshadow sighed, heavy. "I do not... I do not really know what to say. Soon. Froststar, we are having kits, and they are well on their way." As he spoke, he leaned harder against his mate, nearly pressing his entire weight against him. Comforting, stabilizing. Kits.

Froststar sat, calm as usual, as his mate began talking. His eyes shut as Webshadow threw out tense words, paws beginning to scratch at the dirt as the full realization of what was going to happen dropped upon him. "I-" Well he wasn't quite sure how to respond. He was happy beyond words but also now terrified that he would have kits, kits that would look up to him somehow. Kits that would be born into a clan he lead, more responsibility. He would not bear this new one lightly, not that he bore any of his responsibility lightly. "We can prepare for this more, if you want. I will have Nightstalker figure out patrols to keep you in camp more often, I would do it for any warrior but especially for you. I will figure out a way to stay in camp a bit more as well, maybe help teach some apprentices basics within the camp as a, erm, 'fun' activity?" The tom simply let his mate lean on him as it sunk in. He would have kits. They would have kits.

"Greenleaf has been good to us so far, if it continues the way it has been, Thistletail and our kits will be fine. Let us prepare for the worst, and hope for the best, my love." The tom turned his head to lick Webshadow's forehead gently, holding up his mate's weight. Everything would be fine, probably. If it wasn't... he wasn't sure, but he would do his best to make sure that everything would be well.