Owlkit and Rowankit Are Born

[Owlkit]

Cloudstar had entered her newly mossed-out and well kept den only a few hours ago. Now she lay curled around two tiny kits, both nestled cozily against her fluffy white pelt. She seemed a bit cross, as her brows were drawn together and her eyes were narrowed. Shatterfoot, the Medicine Cat, stuck her nose in, but beat a hasty retreat when her leader growled softly.

She skittered back to her den, wondering what had upset Cloudstar so very much, now that her kits were born. Cloudstar nosed the two tiny bundles, her annoyance forgotten in favor of a loving purr. “Owlkit and Rowankit,” she mewed, smiling. “How lovely you both are...” Her gaze then slipped back to the den entrance and her tail twitched irritably, as her mood worsened once more.

[Wildstar]

Darktail stuck his head nervously into the den. He had been dreading this moment ever since he had found out Cloudstar was having his kits. Darktail was not usually frightened but this truly scared him. The whole thing had been a big mistake in his opinion. A fling, between him and her, nothing more. It had developed far beyond what Darktail felt comfortable with.

"What are there names?" he mewed softly, ready to back out in case Cloudstar decided then and there that he was no longer welcome around the kits.

Greytail lay inconspicuously by the nursery, to any cat it would appear that he was sleeping but he was actually listening carefully to Darktail and Cloudstar's conversation. He didn't trust Darktail and was determined to find out his true loyalties.

[Owlkit]

Cloudstar narrowed her eyes further, if it was even possible. “Rowankit and Owlkit,” she spit out, looking for all the world like she wanted to claw his ears off. But she didn’t dare move for fear of waking her kits. “Do not pretend as though you care, Darktail. This is all your fault.” She curled her tail round her its, and smiled lovingly down at them. “Though I can’t say I am unhappy that I have them with me. I love them already. But you probably don’t want to know that.” She hissed softly, and glowered at him from the back of her den.

[Wildstar]

Darktail flinched, but he was not about to take this. "How do you know how I feel?!" he spat, bristling. "But if that's the way you feel, then fine!" Darktail spun around and stalked off towards the warriors den.

Greytail couldn't believe it. How could Darktail be that way about his kits? Standing up, Greytail padded into the nursery and sat down by Cloudstar. "If you want me to leave, I will." mewed the elder quickly, but he looked down at the kits and sorrow crossed his face. "They are very beautiful." he mewed softly.

[Owlkit]

Cloudstar watched Darktail go, her eyes narrowed in anger. She turned back to her kits, who had begun to mew softly, awakened by Darktail’s angry outburst. She sighed heavily. licking them gently until they fell back to sleep. Her gaze shifted to Greytail, her mouth opening to yell at him, but she shook her head. “There’s no reason to kick you out. Your fine where you are. At least you care enough to stay,” she muttered the last part, eyes narrowed. “What is wrong?” she asked, seeing the look of sorrow that passed across his face. “Are you remembering someone?”

[Wildstar]

"Someones." muttered Greytail. He shook his head. "Darktail doesn't know what he could have had." He looked at Cloudstar. "I'm sorry about him." He smiled at her. "They will be great warriors someday."

[Owlkit]

“ ‘Someone’s?’ “ Cloudstar asked, curious, her previous anger forgotten. “I will not pry. You may tell me what you wish, when you wish.” She turned her green eyes back to the kits. “He will never know what he is missing. He will never know what he could have had. I will be sure that he never knows.” She looked determined for a moment, and then her eyes softened as she glanced at the elder. “Thank you. Though others may have disagreed with my decision to let you stay, I do not regret it, nor will I ever recall my decision, or cast you away. There is something about you...Something that hints at a secret best kept hidden. Perhaps it is simply my mind playing tricks on me, but I think there is more to you than I know. Perhaps others know this about you, hm?”

[Wildstar]

Greytail shifted uncomfortably. "Yes," he mewed quietly. "Someone knows. I would tell you all of it, but I don't think my heart could take it again. I just know what it's like to have kits and how dear to you they can be." He looked up to Cloudstar. "Thank you for your kind words Cloudstar. You don't know how much they mean to me. Truly." Greytail was silent for a few moments, then asked a question. "Someone said you were against Wildstar, may I ask why?"

[Owlkit]

Cloudstar waved him off with her tail, nodding in agreement. "And perhaps one day you will share it with me. But not until you are ready," she mewed, smiling as she gazed at her kits. Her gaze then darted back to Greytail. "Against Wildstar? Well, of course. Every leader is against one another. It is only natural. I do not hate him personally, but I do not like him as a fellow leader. He is a good cat, surely, but I am against him because he holds territory that could be potentially mine. It is the same with the other two Clans. I am only against them because their territory would be best for my warriors. I want it. It is as simple as that. Perhaps, if I was a regular warrior, I would not hold such a distaste for them as I do now. But I can assure you, they do not hold me in high regard either." She looked thoughtful. "Why? Is there something else you'd like to ask me?"

[Wildstar]

"Just curious." mewed Greytail evasively. He stood up and stretched. "Now if you'll excuse me Cloudstar, I'm late for my nap. I'll come and visit again soon." Dipping his head with respect, he padded out of the nursery.