Long Overdue [SleepyxStorm Litter] [Open]

Alright. This was getting a bit ridiculous.

Sleepycloud huffed in exasperation, struggling to roll onto her side. She was sure today was the day, yet despite the pain that ached throughout her body, the kits were not arriving. Stars above, if they were all going to be as large of cats as Stormsong was, Sleepycloud was in for it. The thought of eating was beyond her at the moment, and she hadn't eaten since the pain started the day before. With extra effort, the queen could kick off the nursery wall to roll onto her side. Finally.

A few long minutes passed, leaving the sun high in the sky, shining brightly on the snow that lingered in camp. A pain worse than the strike of a badger coursed under her pelt. "Stars...Ow!" Sleepycloud cried aloud. "If these kits don't get here soon, I swear to StarClan--" Her irritation cut through her words. Sleepycloud didn't expect to be one of those cranky queens when she had her kits. She had almost bit off Stormsong's ear after he got too close earlier in the day. She'd have to apologize when she wasn't in active pain. Green eyes flickered up towards her mate, who hadn't left her side. For that, despite her irrational anger, the queen was thankful. In a camp filled with mostly unknown cats, well... it was the greatest comfort she could have.

"Echosong, I think it's time!" She called out hurriedly to the medicine cat who had been doing his best in the short time here to help her. Doing this alone before the clan arrived seemed like a death sentence. Just like her mother, who had died shortly after Sleepycloud's own birth. Was she watching?

He spent much of the sun's passing laying beside his mate with his head resting on his paws, watching her with care and almost refusing to let the she-cat leave his side, even if he had almost lost an ear and a few whiskers. All things considered, Stormsong hadn't held it against her in the least, not with the weight she was carrying with her. Literally. A part of him remained concerned. He knew she had lost her mother during childbirth and that it was a deep fear she constantly carried with her. The warrior never ceased to reassure and comfort her, such things would never happen, but his mother hadn't lived past a few sunrises either... What if?

Perhaps it was by StarClan's will and blessings that ThunderClan returned when they did. He had never met this medicine cat, but Mottlestar trusted him - and that was the best reassurance he could have asked for. The silver tabby leaped onto his feet, his fur sticking up on the back of his neck. "Stick? R-right, stick - Somewhere around here -" The tom floundered around some as he shuffled out of the den, whipping his head around and borrowing one of Chad's decor branches. He near skidded back into the den and nosed it towards his mate. "I'm here for you, Sleepycloud -" He promised. "We'll get through this. StarClan above, you are the most incredible she-cat - Just uhh - breath...!" He swiped his tongue over her head, shooting a wide-eyed glance at Echosong.

Oh, the herbs help with the pain? Sleepycloud didn't hesitate to devour the leaves, almost swallowing one whole. Thankfully, she caught herself and chewed thoroughly, not wishing to choke on a leaf in the middle of labor. The queen watched her mate hustle away through blurry vision, wanting to cry for him to return soon. Thankfully, he did, with one of Chad's sticks in tow. She blanched, squinting her eyes between Stormsong and Chad's decor. "Sorry, Chad." She murmured, vowing to get him another stick if she were to break this one.

Fitting the branch between her teeth, Sleepycloud let out a shaky breath. It was as if her body moved on its own; a kit was arriving...! "Just breathe?" Sleepycloud hissed, branch slipping from her mouth. "It'll be a cold day in Greenleaf before I stop brea-" The first kit arrived mid-sentence, a small brown and russet she-cat. From the mother's eyes, more reminiscent of her father-- Owlshriek. But with a gentle nip, the kit's cries sounded gentle—a far cry from her father's rough nature. In all honesty, Sleepycloud didn't know what she was doing, but she didn't stop grooming the firstborn until her fur was clean and dry.

Satisfied for the moment, Sleepycloud laid back on the moss, her green eyes half-lidded. The battle wasn't over yet. Not by far. Soon, another kitten arrived, pure white. The kit didn't mewl as her sibling did, hardly reacting to the world. She was thinner than her already small sibling. Sleepycloud hurriedly groomed the kit, hoping to hear a cry, a sound. Her attempts were interrupted as her body pushed again. Hurriedly, the mother looked up at Echosong--terrified. "Please." Most knew that a completely white cat with blue eyes was deaf. There was no way to know the kit's eyes yet, but a lack of interaction with the world scared her.

Another kit arrived, and Sleepycloud returned to her work, trusting Echosong and Stormsong to help the white one. Relief flooded the she-cat when the next kitten was strong. Their thick fur has a creamy white with elegant tabby points. She took longer for Sleepycloud to groom. It seemed her body was giving her a moment's break. But not too long, it seemed.

Again, her body moved, and another kit entered the world. Their dark fur was accented by light spots on their chest, just like Stormsong's. The dark pattern swirled along his flank in an echo to the kitten's father, though almost a brown than a gray. They were closer in size to the white kitten than the previous. Worry began to gnaw at her again. Had the lack of food hurt her kits? The new mother didn't get to consider this for much longer as the last kit was produced. White, but with large spots of grey tabby that adorned her flank. It was then, and only then, that her body finally relaxed.

Head resting on the moss, she gazed up at the two toms, hoping for good news with the white kitten.


ooc; we have one person joining wcc, and wanted to be included in this litter! the last kit's creation will be made tomorrow I think.

Most would flinch back from her sudden yowls, but they brought a spark of brightness to his eyes. She was fierce, determined, and he only wished he could convey to her the strength he saw then. For his part, he brought a replacement stick once she snapped through one (and noted another apology to Chad later), dipped moss in the stream to bring her fresh water, and offered himself to lean on - keeping her groomed as her exhaustion clearly grew.

When all seemed quiet and peaceful, and Echosong seemed satisfied, a large purr rumbled from the tom. "You're incredible, Sleepycloud. They're beautiful -"

He laughed as the small brown tabby was the quickest to reach his mother's belly. He leaned forward to gently nuzzle each with his nose. While they all seemed healthy enough to begin the chase for milk at least, he couldn't help but notice how sharply the little white kit had flinched. Their eyes were closed, but they could hear and smell, couldn't they?

The tom shot a concerning glance at the medicine cat that lasted little longer than a few heartbeats before he put on a cheerful face once more for the she-cat. Quietly, he added, "All of them. They're perfect."

Sleepycloud oversaw the white kitten as Echosong gingerly nudged her towards the queen's belly. There was a moment of no movement; then, the small kitten managed to latch. Relief surged through Sleepycloud. They were okay. Their kits were beautiful. The queen flicked her tail to cover a few, including the runt, who hadn't as strong of a latch. Her moment of continued concern was pushed to the side as her mate purred. Happy. Relaxed. Hopeful. All things she felt.

She had missed the security of a clan, knowing that even in her weakest moment, she was protected. So was her family. Her new family. With as much effort as she could muster, Sleepycloud leaned forward enough to overlook the kits. "Doekit." She whispered. The first kit was small and reminded her of the creature that she and Stormsong had seen in their travels. Next, the other brown tabby, who had been quick to latch and get comfortable-- "Swiftkit." Maybe the only tom would continue to be as fast as he grew up. She hoped so. The next was a gentle cream color with slightly darkened points. "Iristkit." Her fur fluffed out like the plant's petals.

Next was the greyish she-cat with white spots. Her fur fluffed out like her sibling's, but to Sleepycloud, it reminded her more of the river flowing over the stones where she and Stormsong often met all those moons ago. "Stonekit" She purred, guiding the kit to a stronger latch.

All that remained was the weakened white kitten whose ears did not flick in sync with her littermates. A good latch meant the ears moved, too. The queen wondered if she would always feel this troubled over her kits' wellbeing. Did all mothers feel this way? She stopped purring after a moment and met Stormsong's gaze. "She should be named Hopekit. If she truly has been dealt a difficult lot, then she will need all the hope we can give her. If she hasn't--well--" Sleepycloud let the purring continue. "Certainly, their arrival is our hope for the future."

--

Everything was oh so cold. She was being moved around so much. It was warmer over here. It smelled comforting, which was all Hopekit needed to latch as best she could. It was warm right here. Whatever this gentle rumble was, it lulled the kit into a milk-fueled dream of warmth and springy moss under paw.

As the murmurs quieted, Blazefang poked her head into the den to be greeted by the sight of her new kin. Her beautiful new great-nieces and nephews. A purr rose in her throat as she took in the sight, but it was followed by a stab of pain. This had been her not that long ago. It had been Goldenfern, and Copper. And every one of them met with tragedy. Even Sleepycloud’s own mother, her dear sister Mapleleaf… Blazefang pushed down her feelings and forced a smile.

“You did so well, love,” she mewed, tears in her eyes. “They’re perfect.” She kept her voice hushed, all too aware of how easily kits could be disturbed. “I wish you every happiness, all of you.” Her mother’s heart couldn’t take it any longer and she stepped out. One thing had struck her, something she’s overheard. There was one tom. All she-cats with one tom, just like her own litters. They were doomed, weren’t they? Was this an omen? Hope, she thought wryly. They’ll need a whole lot of that. But she could do nothing. Stifling a sob, she returned to the elders’ den.

The warmth of her nest was little comfort.