TB MOONRISE -- Chapter 8 (Patreon)

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“Seems like everything is alright,” Mothwing reported, lifting her paws from Dawnflower’s swollen belly.

The nursery smelled damp after the storm the day before, but that was thankfully the only damage to it. The other dens had been tossed about and the apprentice’s den needed rebuilding entirely, but the nursery had always been built sturdier than the others, to protect the queens and kits within.

“Are you sure?” Dawnflower rasped, her eyes glazed with pain and worry. “Is this pain normal?”

Mothwing nodded. “You’re just about ready to start pushing,” she mewed. She is lucky though, she could’ve been badly hurt in that storm. Mothwing looked to the tortoiseshell queen sitting in the other nest in the nursery. “Mosspelt, I’m going to go fetch Mudfur. Frostsplash will be here any moment.”

Mosspelt nodded, tucking her tail around her paws. Her only kit, Willowkit, watched beside her mother with wide eyes. “I’ll keep an eye on her,” the tortoiseshell queen promised.

Mothwing gave her a grateful nod and slipped out of nursery. Parties of cats dedicated to rebuilding after the storm were still working to finish up repairing the last of the damage. Mothwing dodged around Reedpaw, who was dragging long lengths of reed behind him. The young apprentice gave her an appreciative nod.

I’m glad he’s okay, Mothwing thought, heading for the medicine cat’s den. Reedpaw’s wound was healing well and there was no sign of infection, but Mudfur advised he keep in camp until it closed completely.

Movement at the camp entrance made Mothwing pause – Tawnypelt padded in, followed by Falcontail and Frostsplash. Curiously, Tawnypelt broke away from the patrol and headed straight for Leopardstar, her tail stiff. Mothwing frowned and headed for her brother.

“What’s going on?” she asked. Falcontail’s pale eyes were filled with frustration. Mothwing could see his claws tearing at the earth. Beside him, Frostsplash looked just as upset.

“We caught a WindClan patrol trying to steal prey!” Falcontail hissed.

Mothwing’s eyes went wide, surprised. “What?!”

Frostsplash nodded. “We caught them before they stole anything, but they were two tail-lengths over our border, stalking a squirrel!” he reported. “Tawnypelt let them off with a warning.”

“Just a warning!” Falcontail snorted.

Mothwing frowned. “That’s not like WindClan, not at this time of year,” she noted.

“That’s what we thought, too,” Frostsplash admitted. “But they looked like nothing but skin and bones, and they tried to flee as soon as we caught them…”

“We should’ve pursued them right to their camp!” Falcontail snapped, his shoulder fur bristling. “Theft isn’t something to be treated so lightly!”

Mothwing glanced over to Leopardstar and Tawnypelt, who were talking quite seriously to one another beside Leopardstar’s den. “I think Mother and Tawnypelt will handle this just as seriously as they need to, Falcontail. No need to get upset.”

Falcontail curled his lip, lashing his tail. “You’re not a warrior anymore, Mothwing! Stay out of it!”

Before Mothwing could retort, Falcontail turned away and headed for the fresh-kill pile. Mothwing sighed, hurt piercing her chest. Falcontail valued the warrior code and RiverClan so much… but did he have to be so intense about it all the time? He’s always thought that having Leopardstar as our mother meant he needed to be the best…

Frostsplash watched, too, looking awkward. Mothwing blinked sympathetically at him. “I’m sorry about Falcontail,” she mewed. “He’s not always like that.”

“Oh, it’s no problem,” the young warrior insisted. His eyes were shining. “Falcontail is a really great warrior! I’ve always admired his drive.”

Mothwing purred, twitching her whiskers in amusement. Frostsplash’s attitude wasn’t a huge surprise – Falcontail had been his mentor when he joined RiverClan. “Dawnflower is just about ready to kit,” she mentioned, pushing her littermate aside for the moment. “You should get in to see her.”

Frostsplash’s ears pricked. “Already?! Oh, StarClan!”

The white tom shot off towards the nursery, drawing no small amount of attention to himself. Amused purrs went up throughout the entire camp as Mothwing got back to her paws and trotted to the medicine den, pushing her way through the reeds.

Mudfur was already on his paws, thankfully, putting together a packet of herbs. “It’s time?” he guessed.

“Yes,” Mothwing confirmed.

Mudfur nodded, gesturing to the leaf packet he’d made. “Tell me what’s inside,” he asked.

Mothwing gave the packet a sniff and recited, “Raspberry, borage, and thyme – the birthing herbs.”

“Good, good!” Mudfur’s purr was rusty. “Come, then. Let’s go.”

Mothwing picked up the leaf wrap in her jaws and followed Mudfur out of the den. Most of the cats had stopped their daily duties, eagerly watching the nursery. The Clan was always excited to welcome new members, and Mothwing felt a prickle of pressure – this would be her first time helping Mudfur with a kitting, as she’d been forbidden from helping Mosspelt two moons ago, before she’d been made an official medicine cat apprentice.

The damp smell of the nursery was cut by the fresh scent of blood. Mothwing’s whiskers twitched in alarm, but Mudfur didn’t look worried. That must be normal, she thought, glancing at Mosspelt. The older queen, mother of several litters, didn’t look concerned, either.

“Alright,” Mudfur rasped, hunkering down beside Dawnflower. “Let’s see where we are.” The pale queen was stretched out, her sides heaving much more rapidly than they had when Mothwing had checked in on her. Frostsplash was wrapped around his mate, licking her between the ears comfortingly.

Mudfur nudged Mothwing. “Put your paw here,” he instructed, tapping his tail-tip against Dawnflower’s side.

Mothwing, nervous, set down her leaf packet and complied, placing her paw where Mudfur’s tail had indicated.

“What do you feel?” Mudfur asked.

Mothwing tried to put aside the sounds of Dawnflower’s labored breathing and focus. She could feel something squirming in Dawnflower’s belly, just under the skin – it was such a bizarre sensation that she had to resist the urge to pull away. I’m a medicine cat! She assured herself. This is all normal! Still, the kits hadn’t been so active earlier…

“I feel the kits,” Mothwing reported. “I think they’re ready.”

Mudfur placed his paw beside hers, grunting as he nodded. “You’re right,” he confirmed. “Good job, Mothwing.” To Dawnflower, he instructed, “Any moment now the pains will begin to intensify – I know it will hurt, but you’ll need to bear down and push with them. Understand?”

Dawnflower nodded shakily.

“Here,” Mosspelt murmured. The older queen pushed a thick, strong stick to Dawnflower’s muzzle. “Bite down on this – it helps.”

Grateful, Dawnflower grasped the stick in her jaws. Mothwing blinked at Mosspelt, thankful for the older queen’s knowledge. I wish I’d thought of that! She supposed there were just some things only a queen could understand about kitting.

“Mama, will she be okay?” Willowkit asked.

“She will, dear,” Mosspelt assured. “RiverClan has the best medicine cats.”

Mothwing wondered into Mudfur’s ear, “Should Willowkit be seeing this?”

Mudfur chuckled back, “Kits are curious! Let her, if she wants, so long as she’s not underpaw. If this doesn’t bother her, she might make a good medicine cat apprentice someday.”

Indeed, Willowkit did not seem bothered as Dawnflower suddenly groaned, her belly rippling with a contraction. Mothwing put the young kit out of her mind as Mudfur’s instructions came quickly – “Stay by her tail, yes yes… do you see it? Good! Now quickly, nip the sac open and get it breathing! Good job, Dawnflower…”

By the time it was done, Mothwing felt as exhausted as Dawnflower looked – the pale queen had given birth to three healthy kittens, and all were suckling happily at their mother’s belly. Mothwing found it easy to ignore the strange taste in her mouth as she watched how happy Dawnflower and Frostsplash were, looking down at their little ones.

“Look how small that one is,” Frostsplash purred. “Pebblekit?”

“Yes!” Dawnflower breathed. Her eyes were heavy, but she looked so peaceful. “And this one… what do you think of Minnowkit?”

“It’s perfect,” Frostsplash agreed. “Oh, this one… can we name that one Tumblekit? After my friend from before I joined RiverClan?”

Dawnflower nodded in agreement, and the two rubbed their cheeks together. Purring, they looked at Mudfur expectantly. Mothwing glanced at the old medicine cat – He needs to bless them! – only to find that Mudfur was looking at her.

“Go on,” Mudfur urged. “It’s your turn.”

Mothwing felt a prickle of nervousness, but also awe – Mudfur was trusting her, just an apprentice, with such an important task. “Is that really okay?” she asked, her voice light with shock.

Mudfur nodded. “Go on,” he repeated. “You know the words.”

Mothwing swallowed. She did know the words, but it felt like the pressure was making them flee her mind. I can do this,she told herself sternly. Stand up straight, Mothwing – take a deep breath, and…

“… StarClan, we ask that you welcome these three kits to RiverClan,” she meowed, her voice strong. Silence descended upon the nursery as Mothwing spoke, and she could almost feel the pelts of her ancestors brushing against her. “Watch over Minnowkit, Tumblekit, and Pebblekit as they grow, and guide their paws onto the paths of their destiny. May the currents of their lives flow smooth and strong.”

“May the currents of their lives flow smooth and strong,” repeated the cats in the den – even Willowkit, who was watching with awe sparkling in her eyes.

Mothwing swallowed, glancing at Mudfur. The old tom looked so tired… but so proud. He licked Mothwing between her ears. “Good job,” he purred. “Now, let’s give the new family some peace.”

Still mystified, Mothwing followed Mudfur out of the nursery. The entire Clan was watching, waiting for the report – but it was Leopardstar who came forward to ask, “How is she?”

“Good,” Mudfur reported. A breath of relief passed through the Clan. “She has three healthy kits – Tumblekit, Pebblekit, and Minnowkit.”

“Tumblekit, Minnowkit, Pebblekit…” the names were passed through the crowd. The Clan seemed satisfied, and they returned to their duties.

Mothwing pushed her nose into Leopardstar’s fur, purring excitedly. “I blessed them, Mother – all by myself!” She breathed in her mother’s scent, feeling as if she were a kit again herself, with her mother in that nursery.

“That’s wonderful,” Leopardstar purred back, licking Mothwing’s ear. “I’m so proud.”

“They’re healthy and strong,” Mudfur added. “Great additions to RiverClan.”

“We’ll celebrate,” Leopardstar decided, her eyes sparkling. “There’s enough fresh-kill for that. Tawnypelt!” The deputy looked up from where she was in the crowd, her ears pricked. “Divide the fresh-kill pile for a celebration! Dawnflower has given birth, after all!”

“Of course!” Tawnypelt purred, her tail twisting happily. “Right away!”

Mudfur purred, nudging Leopardstar. “Reminds me of when you kitted!” he rasped.

Leopardstar twined her tail with her father’s, leading him away. “Not every medicine cat gets to watch over their own kit while she has kittens…”

Mothwing watched them go fondly, grateful that her family was so close and happy.

“What is she thinking?!” hissed a voice in Mothwing’s ear. As if he were destined to kill Mothwing’s mood, Falcontail sat beside her, his claws digging into the earth. “A celebration? Right now?!”

“Dawnflower just kitted!” Mothwing pointed out. “Isn’t that worth celebrating?”

“Kits are born every day,” Falcontail reasoned. “WindClan is threatening our border! Shouldn’t that be Mother’s concern right now?”

“I’m sure she’s worried,” Mothwing soothed, flicking her tail over her brother’s spine. “If there was something she wanted to do about it, she would.”

Falcontail still looked cross – but he wasn’t glaring at Leopardstar, he was glaring at Tawnypelt. “She must’ve undermined the seriousness of the situation,” he growled under his breath. “She had to have! What kind of deputy is she?!”

“What are you saying?!” Mothwing breathed, eyes widening at her brother. “Tawnypelt is an amazing deputy!”

Falcontail lashed his tail. “A deputy needs to be decisive,” he snorted. “Tawnypelt isn’t. She lets old friendships come before her Clan – that’s not what a deputy should do.”

“In your opinion!” Mothwing wasn’t going to let her brother bring down the celebration. Why can’t he just let it go? “Tawnypelt hasn’t done anything wrong – stop biting her tail!”

Falcontail curled his lip. “You’re not a warrior anymore, Mothwing,” he hissed. “It’s not your business.”

“You’re making it my business, coming up to me to complain about our deputy all the time!” Mothwing huffed, frustration sparking in her pelt. “Why not just be happy for what RiverClan is accomplishing? For what I’ve accomplished? You won’t get any farther than being a warrior by badmouthing your deputy and medicine cats!”

She saw her brother’s claws dig into the earth. His glare was intense, and Mothwing thought he might rebuke her – until Leafwhisker called his name from within the crowd, and Falcontail excused himself to go and eat with his friend.

Mothwing watched him, concern for her brother overtaking pride in her accomplishment today. Her brother had always been intense and ambitious… but he’d never outright insult Tawnypelt! She’d been such a good influence in their lives, in every RiverClan cat’s life.

What was going on with him?