New Life, New World [Kits/Duskmist/Open]

[Howlingsong]

Fall so I can catch you, cry so I don't need to…

Howlingsong yawned rather loudly from her place just outside the nursery. Her long, tabby-striped tail twitched back and froth as she lay sprawled out on her side, her large tummy making it awkward and cumbersome for her to do much else but sprawl. She watched the comings and goings of the cats around her as they slipped in and out of camp. The scent of the river was nearby, a comforting, familiar smell that lulled her into a state of calm. Her eyes drifted half closed, and she peered out at the camp with lazy, golden orbs.

Duskmist hadn’t come to check on her yet today; the medicine cat was always so responsible when it came to her clan, something Howlingsong secretly admired. Her own responsibility where her clan was concerned…well…She searched for Starlingpaw’s black fur in the mish-mash of cats, but couldn’t pick it out. It seemed that ever since she’d gotten heavier with her current litter, her other kits had become even more distant. She had no idea why that was; she talked to them whenever they came to the nursery, told them how excited she was for the new litter. And she was always asking about how their day went when they brought her fresh-kill (okay, so maybe she was doing more doting on her unborn litter than actually asking about their day, but still).

Howlingsong felt a bit put-out by her kits inattentiveness; shouldn’t they be trying to spend more time with her? And why weren’t they as excited about their new siblings as she was (though the little niggling voice in the back of her head said that she shouldn’t be excited at all, she studiously ignored it)? Howlingsong sniffed lightly, giving her head a shake as she sneezed. Well, it wasn’t her fault if they didn’t want to spend time with their mother. She would just- A strange rippling sensation passed across Howlingsong’s belly, and she froze, her mouth open in an ‘o’ of shock. Oh, dear. She remembered those sensations from her last litter.

She hauled herself to her feet, wincing slightly as it sent another shock through her system, and called out for Duskmist, hoping the she-cat was in the general vicinity. She didn’t know if she’d be needed, but having the medicine cat with her was reassuring and- Howlingsong mewed quietly as another ripple passed through her, and slid into the nursery, flopping down in the soft nest, sides heaving as she panted and stared intently at the entrance to the nursery.

…Laugh so I can hear you, smile so I can see you.

[[Duskmist]]

“...Catmint, gonna need those for greencough and stuff... Tansy, I’ll need more of those when those pesky apprentices get sick this leaf-bare... oh, and I’ll probably need some feverfew too...”

Checking on her storage of herbs on the holes on the medicine den, Duskmist wondered how much patients she would get this coming leaf-bare. Leaf-fall was a sign of the incoming season of sickness, the most dreaded time of the year of many medicine cats in history. There were stories of elders dying here and there because of a simple cough and the strongest warriors becoming a victim of the worst greencoughs. Furthermore, there were also unfortunate kits that were born on leaf-bare who die of starvation because their mother wasn’t giving enough milk. Oh, I need to check on that.

“I almost forgot about Howlingsong. It’s a good thing she’ll kit not after leaf-fall.” Duskmist scavenged among her messy piles of herbs, looking for the ones that were called ‘borage’. She almost broke a sweat separating herbs from each other when all she needs to find is an herb that will help Howlingsong produce milk. “Where’s Dreampool when you need her,” she mumbled. As she successfully found her storage of borage among the piles of other remedies, a cry broke the silence forming in the camp. It was the queen’s voice, calling the medicine cat to aid her. Is she kitting, like, right now?

Worried about her patient’s well-being (mostly just for her position in the clan, though), Duskmist quickly sprinted towards the nursery and found the she-cat wincing in pain. As fast as she could, the medicine cat checked the queen whether or not she was close to kitting. She passed through the nursery’s entrance and gentle let her paw feel the kits inside the queen. She felt that these kits were ready to meet the outside world from the ripples she felt. The gray she-cat knew that Howlingsong’s kits were due this leaf-fall, but she was surprised to see that her kitting would be happening soon.

“You’re about to have kits,” she announced. She sniffed Howlingsong, just to make sure that there aren’t any troubles in her kitting. Nope. Duskmist was glad to have more kits in their clan, especially when there are decoys diminishing their number and making RiverClan weaker. Now isn’t the time to think about decoys! Howlingsong first, or you’ll get kicked out from your position. Now focused on her job, she began to examine the queen before her kits arrive. “Where are Dreampool and Darkstrike?” She mumbled, although she wasn’t sure if Howlingsong heard it. “They need to be here, especially Darkstrike.”


OOC: /haven't rp'ed a med cat before. Sorry if I make any mistakes in this thread. ^^

[Howlingsong]

Fall so I can catch you, cry so I don't need to…

Howlingsong let out a relieved breath when Duskmist bounded into the nursery. Thank goodness the Medicine cat had heard her. She’d been a bit afraid she hadn’t yowled loud enough (A rare thing for Howlingsong; there was a reason she had her name, after all). She tried to purr up at the dusky gray she-cat, but the purr quickly turned into a faint rasp of breath as another ripple passed through her stomach.

“Oooo,” she complained. “Duskmist, it hurts!” She’d kitted before, and she knew this pain well, but that didn’t mean it didn’t still hurt like a hundred thorns in her belly. At Duskmist’s obvious announcement, she narrowed her golden eyes through the pain. “Well, of course I’m having kits!” she snapped, sounding cross. She wasn’t angry, but the pain was causing her to lash out, and Duskmist’s questions and statements weren’t helping. “Why should I know where Dreampool is?” she mewed frantically, her eyes darting frantically to the nursery entrance.

“She’s your apprentice!” And she had no idea where Darkthorn was, but she wanted him, no, she needed him, and he should be here, and why wasn’t he, andandand OW! Howlingsong yowled as another spasm overtook her. She knew the feeling of having kits, she knew when they were ready to be born, and she knew, most assuredly, that they wouldn’t wait. Her mind flashed, briefly to the tom on the other side of the WindClan border, probably wondering anxiously if she was all right, and she gulped down the feeling of guilt and nerves that suddenly leapt into her throat; Thistlestorm.

She couldn’t think of him now. She had to focus on her kits, and Darkthorn and- OWWW! “All right, Duskmist,” she mewed, breathing heavily. “I hope you’re ready, cuz these kits are not going to wait!”

----

It didn’t take long to birth the kits. Howlingsong felt like an old pro at the mothering game; she’d only had one litter before this one, but she loved them. Even if it did come with a lot of pain. The scent of milk, and soft, fresh sweetness permeated the nursery. Four little, wriggling kits all bundled close to their mother. She breathed in their scents, her eyes shining brightly as she glanced up at Duskmist.

“So many. My beautiful little kits,” she breathed, sounding excited and ecstatic at the same time. Her heart was bursting with love and adoration and despite the feeling of betrayal that sat heavily in the back of her mind, she couldn’t help but think they were the most beautiful things in the world. But where was…where was Darkthorn? For all intents and purposes…these were his kits.

(OC: Hope no one minds the time skip; felt I needed to get this post up so Darkthorn and the kits could jump in. )

…Laugh so I can hear you, smile so I can see you.

[Darkthorn]

Darkthorn [/font][/size]

Oh so on fire, so in love...that look in your eyes that I miss so much...[/size]

As he strode into camp his mouth laden with freshkill for the clan he felt happy for the first time in moons. He was back with his mate, they were about to have kits, sure his first littler hated him...or so it seemed but he was about to have a whole litter of second chances. He flicked his tail laying his prey down and sifting through it to find the juciest piece of prey to take to Howlingsong. He looked up and glanced toward the nursery. He noticed that Howlingsong wasn't out basking in the sun like she usually was when he returned this worried him. He left the fresh-kill pile and trotted brusquely toward the nursery. Has was about halfway there when a scent hit his nose. So strong it made him stumble on slender paws. The scent, of blood, borage, milk, and sweat greeted him. His trot broke into a run and he skidded to a stop just outside the nursery. He stuck his head in and his bluegreen eyes danced with worry as he saw the shape of his mate in her nest. He flicked his ears and looked at Duskmist. They're here... he thought, My kits are here... A smile lit his face as he slid softly into the den.

He moved to his mates head and lay down behind her letting his tail caress her side while their kits suckled. He licked her ears and a purr erupted from his chest. He could barely speak but he forced words from his nervous throat. "I'm sorry I wasn't here in time." He whispered. For the first time he looked down at his kits. "They are so beautiful...just like you." Seemingly for the first time he noticed Duskmist sitting there and his timidity took over. He looked away and his tail stopped caressing his mates side. He dug his claws into the ground and forced his heart to stop racing. He looked up at the Medicine cat and forced himself to speak. "Um...er...Thanks ....erm...Howlingsong ....um...kits... good job..." He hoped that was a sufficient thank you although he wasn't sure she understood him at all. He turned his attention back to the kits. He leaned down and sniffed each one gathering their scent to him. "Four kits...Four beautiful kits" He murmured. His eyes danced with Pride and excitement. But his heart ached with worry, would this litter end up hating him as well? What if he wasn't good enough...what if he wasn't able to protect them. He shook his head and forced a purr before licking his mates cheek again. "I love you Howlingsong."

Remind me, Baby, remind me

Lyrics-Brad Paisley

[sparrowkit.]

OOC: Cats are supposed to be blind and deaf when they're born xD But that would be SO boring and hard to right a post with a blind and deaf cat. So I'm going to make her be able to faintly hear things and see some blurs of everything around her. Oh, and this is my first time playing a newborn kit... so it's really bad. Sorry :c


It was warm and dark. Everything was black, but it was a good feeling. Eyes were sealed shut and ears were small and pinned back onto her head. Even though she was blinded, there was a flash of white, then she grew cold. Shivering cold. All she'd known in these short weeks was warmth, food, and silence, so this was something different. So unexpected! It went from light to actually being able to see some blurs. It happened so quickly that she was surprised. But being shocked didn't last long when she smelled milk coming strongly off of a brown tabby she-cat. Out of instincts, she crawled over to her and began to suckle. She was wrapped in warmth once again. Around her were other creatures like herself, soon she would know as her siblings. They would be named Slatekit, Zerokit, and Riverkit. Soon she would be called Sparrowkit. Purring, she kneaded her mother's stomach eagerly with a long-lasting, soft purr.

She would be a decoy soon, but for now she didn't know anything about this new world. As she drank Howlingsong's milk, she looked up and faintly saw a white-and-gray cat. Who was this? He was stumbling over his words, being really shy. But he seemed delighted at the same time. His name was Darkthorn. But she grew closer to her mother since she was actually feeding her. Howlingsong was a pretty brown tabby she-cat. Then there was another cat, only she was gray and smelled different from the other two. She smelled gross, odd, strange. The gray cat wasn't the same. Though she had a friendly air around her, which was lightly coated with worry. Who was she? Where was she? Who were these cats? She had so many questions for them, but her mouth refused to open unless she was sucking in milk. The little cat decided to ask them later.

She was growing tired, she realized. Her gaze was firmly locked on Duskmist. Soft tan eyes barely opened, so she couldn't get a good view of her. When her eyes let her open them, they were always focused on the green-eyed she-cat that was different. Her little eyelids were drooping, even though she hadn't done anything to be so exhausted. With a small cry, she closed her eyes and nursed, but didn't fall asleep. She couldn't hear good, but she caught a few snippets of what they were talking about. She was curious to learn about the gray cat and why she didn't smell the same as the others.

[[Duskmist]]

"What would you name them?" Duskmist asked the couple. They haven't talked about it yet, so she might as well open the talk. As long as they're easy to remember, I'm okay with it.

Duskmist eyed the four little kits that Howlingsong gave birth to. They were small, delicate and defenceless creature compared to the rest of RiverClan. Although the kits were as vulnerable as a limp mouse when placed in the world full of treacherous and deceitful decoys where no one could be trusted, they were still lucky to have their parents to protect and take care of them. RiverClan, too, were fortunate to be blessed with four additional warriors with the help of Howlingsong and Darkthorn. The only thing that needs to be done is the guidance to show the kits the path away from becoming one of them decoys.

Upon staring at the adventurous tabby-and-white kit, Duskmist wondered how her life would be when she pursued her original dream to be a warrior and eventually become a queen. What if she had kits as small as the four of them? Nah, they would all probably become as ambitious as her when they grow up and she really didn’t like any of her Clanmates when she was an apprentice appearance-wise. Also, Dreampool wouldn’t probably be able to handle all the work of a medicine cat. Yes, she did become a medicine cat for a purpose.

A breeze of wind that blew outside the nursery called the gray medicine cat’s attention. Mouse-dung! I forgot the herbs I took outside their storage! She quietly bowed her head, gesturing that she’ll be going, and slowly backed out of the nursery. “I’ll just, uh, fetch you some borage. Just call me when you need me.” She exited the queens’ den and made a sprint towards the den full of herbs that the Clan will need for the incoming Leaf-bare. The wind better not blow of any of those, especially the catmint. Those are hard to find this Leaf-fall!

OOC: short post

[Howlingsong]

“It’s okay,” Howlingsong purred softly. If only Darkthorn could forgive her transgression, then she could forgive any of his small ones. She’d forgive him anything, if he asked. Because I’ve done a terrible, terrible thing. And I don’t think he could forgive me… The happiness swelling in her chest was dimmed by the thought that these weren’t really his kits, that he really had nothing to celebrate, that he shouldn’t be happy or proud of her. She lowered her gaze to the four squirming bundles of fur and fluff that nestled close to her, pushing and pawing at their mother’s belly for milk.

She rasped her tongue across the head of the little she-kit, brown and white. ”I love you, Howlingsong.” No, he didn’t. or, perhaps he did now, but he wouldn’t once he…once he knew. Howlingsong wondered if she would, or could ever bring herself to tell Darkthorn the truth about her kits. And then there was the matter of Thistlestorm…What would she tell him? What could she tell him? What if she lied, and said the kits were dead? He might find out some day that she had lied to him, but what did it matter? He wasn’t in RiverClan, so what could he do?

But Howlingsong could never lie to him; she loved him, just as she loved Darkthorn. She felt her heart tear in two as she glanced up at Duskmist, the she-cat’s soft question sparking a flurry of names spinning through her mind. “I…” She began, sounding unsure. Pb]“W-well, this little one-”

[/b] she pointed to the only she-cat in the litter. “This is…Sparrowkit.” She seemed unsure, glancing quickly at Darkthorn, before her gaze jumped back to her kits.

“And the others…this is Slatekit and Zerokit, and Riverkit,” she mewed softly, pointing to each in turn with the tip of her tail. “D-Darkthorn…Have you seen Blackpaw and Starlingpaw? I’d like to introduce them to the kits…”[/center]

[Darkthorn]

Darkthorn

[/size] [/font]

I wanna feel that way, Yeah, I wanna hold you close [/font] [/color][/center]

He watched as his daughter moved and found her mothers side and began to suckle. His eyes drifted to the medicine cat and he dipped his head to her as she bowed out of the den. He smiled lightly and turned his gaze back to his mate. She spoke with such ease and confidence. It was one of the reason he fell in love with her. He sighed and licked her ear. "Those are beautiful names." he said softly and looked down again at his kits. He spoke their names slowly staring at each kit, much like he had with the first litter, instilling in them their names, and his blessing over their first day of birth. "Soarrowkit. beautiful as a sparrow. Slatekit, strong as Slate rock. Zerokit, no doubts, no regrets, only confidence. Riverkit, as powerful as the river in Newleaf, nothing can stop you." He pulled back realizing his mate had asked him a question about their first set of kits. His heart filled with bitter hurt at the counds of his children's names. "I have not...but you know they don't speak to me. They treat me like a windclan warrior. Not worth their time, only their resentment." He shook his head and stood

He looked back at his mate, his eyes filled with pain at the loss of the love of his kits. "I wasn't a good enough father to them...what if..." He shook his head and looked away from his mate, afraid to say the last words. He didn't want to put his fears on her. She was a wonderful mate and a loving mother, whom doted on her kits. Somewhere in the back of his mind he realized that Howlingsong hadn't reciprocated his words of love to her earlier. His heart felt pinched and his insecurities started to surmount. He fought hard to hold them back wishing only for peace of mind and trust in his mate. He held onto the look of love he felt for her and his desire to get back to the way things had been. He dug his claws into the ground and forced himself to calm down. His anger would not get the better of him this time. He would see his kits grow up, he would do better than Starlingpaw, and blackpaw... he would be a good father. "I can try and find them if you wish." He spoke softly leaning again over his kits to stare at them, to memorize them.

Oh, if you still love me, Don't just assume I know