Post by Hellion on Feb 13, 2021 2:06:43 GMT -5
Petalrain
warrior of StoneClan
Her second litter came at less of a surprise. She recognized the signs sooner, told Ebonyheart at the first sensation of the growing lives within her. Near the middle of Greenleaf, she had accepted lighter warrior duties to protect the kits within her. Future members of StoneClan.
Motherhood still did not agree with her. The strained relationship with her older kits continued to gnaw at her. Dawnchaser, Passionfire, and Paintedmask did well without her. Their great-aunt's care had put them through the worst of it. Even when they got their warrior names, it wasn't her face they looked for in the crowd, and that was tough to swallow. Yet, deep in her heart, she knew why. She had done wrong by them. Claimed immaturity and pushed motherhood onto any willing queen and did only the minimum to keep them alive.
The new kits that came would have a better mother. She would try this time, for no other satisfaction but her own. And in time, when it was right, she'd ask for forgiveness.
Cobrastrike knew of them, of course. So unlike when she was with Dustclaw. In fact, she hadn't told her first mate of their coming kin until just days before their birth. In hindsight, she wouldn't be surprised if he didn't believe her right away. But Cobrastrike was different, not that there were stronger emotions or even a lasting bond. More of a relationship that she could still talk to him afterward and trust it would not be dominated by the kits they shared even without affection.
At least she hoped.
Ever wider with more bundled than she expected, Petalrain woke early in the morning to the sudden sensation of cramping and twisting in her gut that meant they were coming quickly. Yowling for help, Ebonyheart assisted in the birth to five bundles of hope. Each marked with a beautiful bengal pattern, much like their father. Claykit, Creek-kit, Chasmkkit, Cavekit, and Cliffkit were all welcomed in the early daylight. Petalrain, in the quiet of the nursery, whispered them promises that she'd try this time.
The four thrived.
Claykit did not.
While the others nursed without issue, Claykit struggled to make any connection. Often losing his grip, it seemed something had happened with his mouth to what Petalrain wasn't sure. She urged and cooed, much to the annoyance of resting queens.
She found little success.
The four kits grew larger with their mother's milk, Claykit threatened to disappear before her eyes. Petalrain had refused all curious visitors keeping her entire litter away from prying eyes. Fear in her heart that they would see her failure as a mother all over again. Until Shadepool.
A bit entitled as the eldest queen in the nursery, she insisted on checking on the kits after several sleepless nights filled with Petalrain's hushed whispers to the ever-fading Claykit. She knew right away something wasn't directly given the difference in size, mostly when it was clear that Claykit wasn't just a struggling runt.
"Ebonyheart needs to be here," She told Petalrain matter of factly. Hazel-eyes clouded with exhaustion only reduced the effectiveness of Petalrain's snarl. "You will do no such thing! He is just having a hard time drinking milk, but it's okay. I'll take care of him," She told Shadepool, voice quivering. "He is sick, and you are delusional" Shadepool spat without hesitation, she parted from the den. Petalrain called for her to stop but to no avail.
She couldn't do much else but wait.
She did so quietly now, tucking all her kits close to her belly, Claykit near her chest so she could listen to him.
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Ghost the Undead Goddess