Post by {darkles} on Jan 31, 2010 12:20:54 GMT
Wisps of dark cloud floated slowly across the starry sky, blocking the light of the full moon as they passed. It was moonhigh already. Almost all of the WindClan cats had departed for the Gathering, their hardened pads creating prints through the frosted grass of the moorland territory. A bitter breeze rustled the tops of the heather, making sounds like a slithering rattlesnake. Breath rose as mist from the young she-cats mouth as she hunched down outside the nursery entrance. She had been restless all day, pacing around the sandy hollow of the camp. A gasp of pain hissed through her teeth as a sudden convulsion shook her body. Her paws buckled beneath her and she fell forwards, eyes screwed tight as yet another blinding spasm took hold. She growled deep in her throat, a long, low grumble of both fear and pain. Heaving herself to her paws, Pebblefur dragged herself back into the warmth of the small nursery and allowed her body to collapse on a soft mossy nest.
The patched cat had only recently managed to get Moonkit and Snakekit to sleep. They had their own small nest about a tail length from hers, which was to come in handy for the birthing. It would have been unfair to disturb their sleep. They were wrapped around each other in their miniature bed, seeking comfort from each other.
She could feel her muscles tightening and pulsing of their own accord. Instinct told the small queen when to start pushing, tensing and trembling with the effort. Another low growl left her, the sound punctuated by her gasping breaths. She stilled for a brief second, the spasms stopping, enabling her to bend back on herself and lift a soggy bundle from behind her tail. She placed if gently between her forepaws and began to lick it roughly. The fragile membrane around the little body broke instantly. allowing the mother to see her first born kit. Pride sparked in her eyes as she blinked down at the furry critter, it's fur brushed all the wrong way. The moment was over quickly, a second wave of spasms had started.
Pebblefur scrunched her body up in her nest, her teeth bared. She let four convulsions go and then pushed, all her muscles strained to their limit. Her breath was coming in ragged pants. She let her head fall to the floor with an exhausted sigh, pausing once more before whipping her head back to pick up the second sac enclosed kit. The first was already warm against her chest and squeaking pitifully. She carefully nipped the sac around the second cat and purred with relief as it took it's first shaky breaths. This little one was a stripy tabby colour. Pebblefur washed her thoroughly and moved her to her side so she could suckle. She waited for her to find herself and then moved her older brother along too, curling her legs around the pair to keep them warm.
The entire birthing had lasted just a mere hour but to the new queen the result would remain forever. A purr began in her chest and rose to the back of her throat, swamping every other noise in the cosy nursery. She yelped a little when the younger kit got over enthusiastic but the trio soon settled into a peaceful doze, all three heads lolling onto the soft warm moss, the fresh scent of new life filling the air.
Outside the nursery the chilly air had turned crisp and still. Frost was spreading ever faster across the heather. It was a good thing the nursery was so well protected, tucked away behind the warriors den, and the sides packed with as much foliage as possible to keep in the warmth. At this very moment the warriors of WindClan would be sat beneath Fourtrees, sharing news and greeting acquaintances from the other three Clans. Little did they know that two new additions had just appeared in the midst of their hierarchy. As the moon began to set and the stars began to fade several small white flakes fell gracefully to the sandy floor of the sheltered hollow. Many more were starting to appear over the entire forest, settling on the branches of trees, the edges of the river and the over the Thunderpath itself.
The first snow of Leafbare was falling.
The patched cat had only recently managed to get Moonkit and Snakekit to sleep. They had their own small nest about a tail length from hers, which was to come in handy for the birthing. It would have been unfair to disturb their sleep. They were wrapped around each other in their miniature bed, seeking comfort from each other.
She could feel her muscles tightening and pulsing of their own accord. Instinct told the small queen when to start pushing, tensing and trembling with the effort. Another low growl left her, the sound punctuated by her gasping breaths. She stilled for a brief second, the spasms stopping, enabling her to bend back on herself and lift a soggy bundle from behind her tail. She placed if gently between her forepaws and began to lick it roughly. The fragile membrane around the little body broke instantly. allowing the mother to see her first born kit. Pride sparked in her eyes as she blinked down at the furry critter, it's fur brushed all the wrong way. The moment was over quickly, a second wave of spasms had started.
Pebblefur scrunched her body up in her nest, her teeth bared. She let four convulsions go and then pushed, all her muscles strained to their limit. Her breath was coming in ragged pants. She let her head fall to the floor with an exhausted sigh, pausing once more before whipping her head back to pick up the second sac enclosed kit. The first was already warm against her chest and squeaking pitifully. She carefully nipped the sac around the second cat and purred with relief as it took it's first shaky breaths. This little one was a stripy tabby colour. Pebblefur washed her thoroughly and moved her to her side so she could suckle. She waited for her to find herself and then moved her older brother along too, curling her legs around the pair to keep them warm.
The entire birthing had lasted just a mere hour but to the new queen the result would remain forever. A purr began in her chest and rose to the back of her throat, swamping every other noise in the cosy nursery. She yelped a little when the younger kit got over enthusiastic but the trio soon settled into a peaceful doze, all three heads lolling onto the soft warm moss, the fresh scent of new life filling the air.
Outside the nursery the chilly air had turned crisp and still. Frost was spreading ever faster across the heather. It was a good thing the nursery was so well protected, tucked away behind the warriors den, and the sides packed with as much foliage as possible to keep in the warmth. At this very moment the warriors of WindClan would be sat beneath Fourtrees, sharing news and greeting acquaintances from the other three Clans. Little did they know that two new additions had just appeared in the midst of their hierarchy. As the moon began to set and the stars began to fade several small white flakes fell gracefully to the sandy floor of the sheltered hollow. Many more were starting to appear over the entire forest, settling on the branches of trees, the edges of the river and the over the Thunderpath itself.
The first snow of Leafbare was falling.