My Love Mine All Mine[C]

Sootstorm sometimes still had nightmares about the day he found Ferntwist's body, cold and stiff, but with the birth of his second litter, the frequencies seemed to have increased by mountains. Each morning he'd wake, before dawn had even graced the sky, claws sinking into his nest and chest heaving with pants, before reality set it and he allowed himself to slump into his nest. Even there, he'd find himself anxious and skittish until he managed to sneak into the nursery to be with his sleeping family. He'd be careful not to wake them, but the sight of them even breathing without problem brought tears to his eyes once more.

When the sun finally rose, Sootstorm would be found sleeping outside the nursery, and reluctantly he'd leave the nursery to assign patrols. He himself would join one, but as soon as he returned, he'd rush to greet his kits. And once the litter was settled... he'd greet Fennelbreeze. He couldn't imagine a life without her, not when her love made everything seem so simple. He could do anything, as long as she was by his side. He would love her for the rest of his days, regardless of whether she was there.

Another day began. He repeated his routine, this time making sure to check in with the rest of his clanmates. How is everyone holding up? Are their pads sore? As such, it took a little longer for him to make his way to the nursery. The kits were out and about, most likely playing around in camp. Fennelbreeze, however, was still in her nest. Sootstorm poked his head in, concern and worry sparking his gaze. "Is something the matter?" He asked, trying to hide the anxiety that fluttered in his chest like a trapped bird.

Everything was, thankfully, alright. He didn't even know why he had worried in the first place. The pale light from outside the den made Fennelbreeze's pale fur glow faintly, and every so gently he traced her tabby patterns with the tip of his tail. He'd never forget how each stripe faded slowly into the rest of her fur, intertwined like vines. He'd etch it into his mind, to recall when he was not by her side. He let her guide him into their nest, and curled around her as he did so. He ducked his head as her tongue ran over his ears, a purr rising in his chest as she spoke. He'd never grow tired of that voice. "Everything's as good as it can be," He replied, voice low and soft as he rested the top of his head on the back of Fennelbreeze's neck. "How are the kits? Did Crakekit and Heatherkit get into another fight?" When he spoke of their kits, it was with fondness and love, as if his heart itself had bled into those words. How could it not? They were his everything.

"Really?" Sootstorm asked, surprised that his out-of-the-blue prediction was actually accurate, "Oh, why am I surprised? Of course they did." He sighed, recalling the two most chaotic kits of their litter. He had no idea where Crakekit and Heatherkit managed to inherit such fight-happy genes when both he and Fennelbreeze preferred to be peaceful and calm. It reminded him a little of Ferntwist, if he was being honest, and he did not like that at all. The deputy buried his face in his mate's fur so that she couldn't see the guilt splashed over his features. Was he really grieving his first mate while embraced by his second? Yes. Yes he was. He barely caught what she said next, and tok several heartbeats to process the words. "Let them have their fun while they can. They'll be warriors before they know it," He tried to say it in a teasing way, but perhaps his emotions were showing. He really, really did not want to see them grow up and become independent warriors, and dreaded the day that he knew would inevitably come. They'd be called to battle, time and time again, until at last there was one from which they'd never return from.