[Fawn]

LionstAr

blinded by the light of a new sun
take it to the world, gonna sing it like an anthem

Lionstar had held vigil for Dreamchaser last night; it had been long, and he had bowed his head in sorrow to see such a young queen taken from them so soon. In her wake, she had left a little black and white tom-kit, Dreamchaser living long enough to name him Aspenkit before her spirit left for StarClan.

While Aspenkit wailed and wailed, brought into this world but so alone (save for an anxious visit from his father, Stormfeather, who could not give the kit what he so desperately needed), Bluejay had watched over him, checking for signs of greencough.

With the dawn still rising overhead, he went to Bluejay's den to find her quiet and curled around the tiny sleeping body of Aspenkit. "Any sickness?" He mewed, barely above a whisper. Bluejay, as exhausted as she looked, managed to smile gently. "He is healthy, though very very hungry."

"I'll take him to the nursery, go get yourself something from the fresh kill pile. The hunting patrol should be back." Stepping inside the interesting-smelling den of the medicine cat, Lionstar tenderly picked up Aspenkit by the scruff, milkscent and that sweet, fresh smell that all newborn kits seemed to have was wreathed around him at once. He smelled a little like Dreamchaser.

As soon as the warm nursery scents grew stronger, Lionstar set down the gently dozing kit, aware of his pink mouth opening and closing, a tiny, pitious whimper escaping the little black and white scrap of fur. He wrapped his bushy golden tail around Aspenkit protectively, and called softly for Moonfeather, hoping he would not wake Silentsong or the other sleeping kits.
"Moonfeather? I have a kit here who needs your help. Dreamchaser, you saw her before, one of our queens... She died." His expression was solemn, amber eyes resting on the slender gray she-cat as she appeared. "She had greencough, we kept him in Bluejay's den overnight just to be sure he doesn't have it. He's free of sickness, just very hungry." As if conscious of the conversation, the kit gave another pitious wail, this time fidgeting through Lionstar's tail, weak, trembling legs propelling the kit half a mouse-length towards the nursery.

Lionstar leaned over to pick up the tom-kit by the scruff again, looking at Moonfeather with baited breath. Can you take care of one more? I know you miss the rest of your litter, and Aspenkit isn't meant to replace them, but...

Perhaps they could help one another? Aspenkit needed a mother, and Moonfeather needed... healing.

leader of TreeClan

422 Words | Justice Insidious | notes Tagged Insidi for the Bluejay mention~

so alive | background image | table by phoenix

[Justice]

Loner - Queen - 17 Moons

She always awoke before the first rays of dawn showed outside the nursery. It was a habit left over from her days living in a place that was infested with two-legs. So she was awake, listening to her two kits breathe against her hide as she curled around them and kept her head rested on their little bodies. Nearby she could hear the sounds of the other queens sleeping and smiled. This was a good place, she decided. For now at least, it was home.

These thoughts were shattered when she heard Lionstar's voice calling for her. Her ears swiveled and went towards him, head popping up from her nest as she slowly disentangled herself from her kits, licking Amberkit absently when she fussed in her sleep at being moved. "Tuck in with your sister." She told her quietly, using her head to shift the kit closer to her sibling so that she'd stay warm while she was seeing what the golden tom wanted.

When she arrived, and saw the tiny scrap of fluff he was guarding so carefully, she felt her breath hitch. "Lionstar?" She kept looking between the kit and the TreeClan leader, hurt and confusion warring for dominance on her features. When he told her what had happened, that Dreamchaser was dead and left behind this little kit, it broke her heart for him.

The wailing of the kit made her mind up for her and she leaned to lick at the newborn kit, rubbing her face against him carefully and letting off the soft chuffing sounds that always seemed to soothe her own kits. "He needs a mother." She said it simply, her voice soft. "I have more than enough milk for another kit." She told him as she leaned away from him as he leaned to pick up the kit. Well, she'd have to make her intent very much known now.

She was careful when she approached the tom, leaning in to get the kit from him and starting towards her nest again. Once she reached it she placed the mewling bundle down and nosed him in between her girls, who started complaining and mewling too. She immediately laid down to nurse the kits, careful of the smaller kit and getting him in close to her first.

Moonfeather wasn't sure if he'd eat, and she held her breath until the tiny kit started eating, then looking around to see if Lionstar had followed her.

Word Count: 381 Tags: Fawn

[Fawn]

LionstAr

blinded by the light of a new sun
take it to the world, gonna sing it like an anthem

The gray queen took the black and white kit from him, and Lionstar felt his paws tingle with relief, grateful it was her who had had agreed to raise the little tom. He did not want to burden Silentsong, a new mother, with an extra kit to look after and nurse (and he would probably need to ask Zephyrfang first, which was a headache he didn't want to deal with), but at the same time... Little Aspenkit now linked Moonfeather to TreeClan in a way she likely hadn't expected.

"Thank you, Moonfeather." He whispered from the nursery entrance. "I know you'll take good care of him. His name is Aspenkit." Fawnkit and Amberkit might like having a brother again. He didn't know if they recalled their three other siblings, or if there had been any toms in her litter, but Lionstar had a strong hunch that they were going to get along alright.

He watched the black and white kitten nestle close and start to nurse, looking so small beside the moon-and-half old she-kits. Lionstar sent a silent prayer of thanks to StarClan for sending Moonfeather and her tiny family TreeClan's way. They would have managed somehow, if she hadn't been here... but if Silentsong hadn't kitted, and there were no nursing queens here... He would've had to ask StoneClan or (StarClan forbid) NightClan for help. TreeClan business should stay TreeClan business. The less involvement from the four other Clans, the better.

Seasons were changing for the worse, and soon enough tensions would in crease. He'd rather be in no Clan's debt, not at the turn of leaf-bare.

leader of TreeClan

266 Words | Justice , Hellion | notes =) Aspenkit is now safe with his new family!

so alive | background image | table by phoenix

[Justice]

Loner - Queen - 17 Moons

"You don't have to thank me, Lionstar." She was watching the kit nurse and leaned over to lick his little head just to hear him grumble at her. There was a smile on her face, contentment showing through her eyes. "Aspenkit then." She licked him again. "You should know that I would never turn away a kit, regardless of where they had come from. He was coming back to my nest the moment I laid eyes on him. All I care about is that he's hungry and he needs someone to love and protect him. That is a queen's duty and greatest privelage. As a mother I couldn't let him starve." She laid her head across the tiny fluff balls now nursing against her, protecting them.

"He'll be mine, and when he's old enough, I'll tell him of his birth mother like I'll tell my she-kits of their father and the rest of their litter." She sighed, her body vibrating as she purred to help soothe the kits. "Looks like I'll be here longer than I thought, with this little scrap of fluff."

Somehow she didn't mind all that much. Lionstar was sweet and a good leader, and she felt like she was on the right path for her life for the first time in a long time. It felt like being back in her family's little grotto, and her father was watching over her again. She lifted her head slowly, looking back to the entrance of the nursery where Lionstar was still standing. "Thank you, for trusting me enough to bring him to me."

Word Count: 256 Tags: Fawn

[Fawn]

LionstAr

blinded by the light of a new sun
take it to the world, gonna sing it like an anthem

Lionstar chuckled as softly as the golden tom could manage, watching her settle protectively over her litter of now three young kits. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't glad to hear it. I'll introduce you to Stormfeather - Aspenkit's father - tomorrow. He'll want to know his son will be well taken care of."

She spoke like a Clan-cat just then. Would it embarrass her or make her uncomfortable if he brought that up? She was settling into the Clan nicely - or so it had seemed - though it had only been a few days. I'll tell her later.

"I'll send Firepaw to bring you a nice plump squirrel once she's awake." Lionstar smiled down at the squirmy, sleepy kittens, glancing over to see Silentsong curled up snugly with her bushy mottled tail wrapped around Thornkit and Finchkit. Nearby, Mockingbird was nestled in with Owlkit, Ravenkit and Berrykit, all snuggled into a heap against her belly. How many more new lives would be joining TreeClan before the season was over?

It was worrying, but at the same time, as he gazed in all directions of the crowded nursery, it warmed him to know that the future of TreeClan was right here. They would be extra vigilant in the coming moons, scarce prey made foxes and badgers braver than any other season. Lionstar intended to find Gorsetail later on and start coming up with plans for patrols to make sure his warriors did not get too tired out, but at the same time maintained a strong show of defense against any ravenous predators.

With much on his mind, he smiled at Moonfeather and the kits, dipping his head gently in a polite 'goodbye' before tiptoing back out of the nursery on soft steps.

leader of TreeClan

295 Words | Justice | notes: Thread over?

so alive | background image | table by phoenix