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Post by Amberstar on Mar 12, 2009 0:22:29 GMT -5
Leaves softly ruffled as a rather large amber she-cat moved past, moving remarkably quiet despite the fact her belly nearly touched the floor of the forest. Her paws were snowy white, striking in contrast to the deep red-amber her dazzling coat held.
She moved rather awkwardly, as if carrying something heavy, or dragging something, but it was clear she tried to retain as much dignity as she possibly could. Amberstar tried to walk as she did once, with her usual grace, but it ended up looking rather silly and awkward.
But as a pain racked over her side, she lifted her head, halting her silly little walk. Last time this had happened, she had fled Treeclan, wanting to have her kits in secrecy. But now.... The father of her kits was here. And she was sure he'd want to see them. Besides, she had no shame in bearing these kits; it had been what she'd wanted for many moons.
Despite the fact that night was slowly fading on Treeclan, she used her excellent vision to carry her home, and within moments upon her return she had slipped into the Nursery with a flick of her tail, bushed slightly as another pang shot down her belly.
.x.
Night had covered the forest completely as she let her head rest against the warm nest lining, breathing heavy, and exhausted, but she couldn't conceal the light of delight in her auburn eyes, sprawled against the wall of the den, with 3 tiny kits nuzzled into the white of her belly. She looked up, listening into the night for some disturbance, but she could sense nothing. She only hoped Blackheart was taking charge somewhere. And when he was done...
She hoped with all her heart that he would be as proud of his kits as she was.
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Post by Blackheart on Mar 12, 2009 0:36:06 GMT -5
Another day, another duty.
Blackheart almost flinched as he headed into camp – his war wounds had been playing up the colder the weather grew, and pain still laced down and across each tapered scar the crisscrossed his strong body. There was never a complain from the old deputy, nor did he show any faltering by visiting the medicine cat to get something to lessen the pain those long, cold nights.
Patrols were wrapping for the day, but even so he had sent Greed off with orders to pick one or two other cats and sweep the left boundary again – there had been scents of encroaching rogues lately, and he knew putting in a strong patrol front would deter all but the most determined troublemakers. Yellow eyes glanced around the camp, which seemed…oddly silent.
Was something the matter? Where was Amberstar?
Confusion was an emotion the battle-worn tactician didn’t enjoy, ever, and he crossed to the leader’s den to chance a daring glance in. No…no Amberstar. Had she gone out on a solo patrol? With the slow trickle of new members, he wouldn’t be surprised, although she knew he didn’t like them in her current state.
He was padding across the camp again when he caught whiff of her scent, strong, from the nursery. The old tom wavered there, one paw raised slightly, before padding silently to the entrance. “…Amberstar?” His gruff voice was toned down slightly, unable to hide the rare hint of curiosity that tainted it. Blackheart didn’t enter thought – he would only if he were invited to. This was something new, something important, and he nearly broke protocol as the thin thread of kit-scent straggled up under the she-cat’s. |
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Post by Amberstar on Apr 14, 2009 0:02:42 GMT -5
She let the distant but familiar feeling of kits bundled against her warm belly slowly lull her to a doze, enough to give her some rest and energy, but still alert to the sound of any intruders or passerbys. It was an instinct that automatically kicked in on the newly-made mother, even though her leader duties usually made her go to sleep late and awake early. Time to accept that she would get even less sleep until the kits slept well enough to cope through the night.
...Amberstar? She let the familiar voice wash over her. She was already lulling into sleep. Who was that? Why did it comfort her in a way? She opened her amber-gold eyes mildly, only to open them fully in excitement. It had taken her a moment to realize it was Blackheart who was speaking, and even a moment more to regain her thoughts, probably putting the deputy on edge.
... Blackheart... Blackheart! Come here, you have to meet the newest additions She called in assurance to her mate, acting quickly as the latter thought occured to her.
She curled her back into the cool wall of the nursery, letting her legs sprawl lightly to allow Blackheart to see his kits, though still protectively, as a mother instinctively would. She was more relaxed and content now that she didn't have awkward weight and awkward bulk to hold her down. And now that the kits were here, and Blackheart was about to see, her eyes were shining in joy.
You're a father again, Blackheart.
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Post by Blackheart on Apr 17, 2009 21:50:18 GMT -5
With a patience that truly only came with great age, the grouchy tom waited by the entrance to the nursery – paying close attention to the sounds and scents that wafted from its depths. He wasn’t certain, but there were three distinct kit scents, and of course, his beloved leader. The she-cat’s pretty voice finally snapped him from his half lean into the den, and yellow eyes blinked a few times before he carefully, slowly, entered.
Never a cat to be rushed by any other, or even any reason, the old Blackheart halted after he had entered the nursery, yellow eyes settled on the trio of fluffy kits that were beside Amberstar. “Again..” His gruff voice was quieter then normal, lower so not to wake the little forms near the clan leader as he stepped forward closer to get a better look at them. A little tom and two she-kits; all sleeping peacefully beside her. Pride illuminated normally cold depths when Blackheart looked up to meet Amberstar’s gaze again, perhaps the beginnings of a rare smile on his muzzle.
A father again.
A real chance this time around.
A real chance.
“Does anyone else yet know?” He murmured as he moved to rub his head alongside hers, wondering if she had already gotten visitors. At the very least, he did want for Onyxdart to see them – one day; he hoped the young warrior would mentor one. Maybe, or so a part of him did hope, Mapleheart would return and mentor another – but it was an idle dream…and Blackheart was just too old for dreams. “What have you named them?” |
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Post by Onyxdart on Apr 17, 2009 22:25:20 GMT -5
Just at the moment Amberstar returned, Onyx was curled up in the Warriors' Den, out cold, her tail over her nose as she kept warm in the still chilly night air. Soon, it'd be warm, but right now the Warriors' Den was a little cool.
But she heard, later, Amberstar's voice when the leader called out to Blackheart as he stood outside, and her voice came from inside a den. Sleepily, she raised her head and looked about as if she'd see clear through the walls of the den so she wouldn't have to get up to see what was going on. The voices either got quieter or stopped, and Onyx blinked a few times, and then opened her mouth and yawned until her jaw cracked. Then she stood up and stretched slowly, without kicking anyone else, and padded out of the den into the now much cooler night air. In not too long, the air would reach its coldest, and then warm up from there.
Overhead, the trees were visible only as shadows against a moonlit sky. Onyx yawned again and shook herself, and sniffed the air. She smelled trees, her fellow Warriors behind her sleeping, Blackheart, Amberstar... something else. She closed her eyes to better concentrate and sniffed again, her still sleepy mind not quite comprehending what her nose told her, and anyway the Nursery was across camp and underground. Her nose just wasn't that good.
"Amberstar? Blackheart?" she asked the deserted night camp. She just barely, barely heard them talking. Over to the Leader's Den she padded, still listening. But no one was there. She stood there and stared for a second. Then she wheeled around on one paw as she realized where the voices were coming from. She leaped and bounded across the camp and stopped obediently before entering the Nursing Den. She knew better than to enter without asking.
"Amberstar? Is Blackheart in there? Or is he somewhere around and I could go find him?" she asked, completely forgetting she'd heard him just about ten seconds ago. You might say Onyx is not a morning person. It took her brain awhile to warm up. [/center][/size] |
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Post by Amberstar on May 31, 2009 14:05:45 GMT -5
Amberstar waited patiently, looking him in the eye, looking searching. Until she found what she was looking for... Pride. Joy. And even rarer than that, he even gave a smile. She let a breath of relief flood from her lungs, and she even relaxed some more, letting the father of her kits come closer. As he rubbed his head along hers, she purred, a rare noise even for the calm leader.
No, nobody has come yet She said briefly, looking down at the three kits. Two sons and a daughter. Three little bundles of fluffy fur. It wasn't just Blackheart who could be a parent again... Amberstar could too. Long since had passed that she had a son and a daughter in secret, and they had escaped from her sister's care and fled to Risingclan. She had watched her daughter die, but as far as she could remember, Farwing still lived on. But he was faithful to another clan... He probably didn't even know his mother lived on in another clan.
She was about to answer Blackheart's second question when she heard Onyxdart approach. Her very own apprentice could come to witness this. No, Onyxdart, he is right here with me She answered fondly. Come, come, I wish for you to see them She murmured, attempting to make room for Onyxdart. As soon as she was present was when Amberstar elected to name their callings for them.
Ghostkit, Brushkit, and the little girl is Shilokit She said softly, nuzzling each of them in turn, pride in her eyes.
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Post by Onyxdart on May 31, 2009 23:17:02 GMT -5
Onyx padded in quietly when she was given permission to do so, and tilted her head curiously at the fuzzy little bundles by Amberstar's side.
"I forgot how tiny kits are!" she said, and then apparently realizing this was possibly not what she was exactly expected to say, followed up with, "But they're beautiful, for all that!". It was the truth- the little kits were lovely. Onyx grinned at Blackheart and Amberstar both.
"Congrats!" she said before yawning again, and then shaking her head til her ears flapped, waking herself up the rest of the way, "Sorry about that," she added. But at least now she looked fully awake. [/center][/size]. |
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