Surprises

Ivoryflame's breath was shallow as she padded through the golden grass, a mouse firmly in her jaws. Hunting was always a challenge for her, but for the last moon she was just getting so tired... it was even a chore to just get up in the morning. Not to mention she was getting bigger by the day.

When she finally returned to their little cave, she found Striker sitting up, his brow furrowed "Ivoryflame..."

Ivoryflame stopped in her tracks, she could tell something was up "Um Striker, whats the matter...."

Striker gulped "Um, I've been noticing this for a few moons... and you're quite far along.. and..."

Ivoryflame narrowed her eyes, she had a sinking suspicion what all of this was about "What are you talking about Striker... you're making no sense..."

"Ivoryflame, you're expecting kits."

Ivoryflame's heart dropped "But... I would know... wouldn't I show...?" she looked down at her slightly large belly "I mean... more than this of course..."

Striker shook his head "Not always. Some she-cats don't show until they're almost ready to kit."

As the shock faded from Ivoryflame, a sudden happiness tugged at her, she was going to have kits. To be a mother. And with the tom she loved more than anything in the world. She ran up to Striker, her silvery eyes glinting "I love you. I love these kits. And I'm glad I'm here with you.


[{**}]

It had been a few moons since Ivoryflame had learned she was expecting. Her belly was bulging with kits and Striker had estimated there were going to be at least three in the litter. , they would be born any day now. Being this far along, a normal queen, especially one with a lame leg, would have been sitting in the nursery, maybe sharing tongues with her mate, and enjoying the fattest, most fresh kill there was.

But, Ivoryflame was anything but normal. "Striker, just a bit further." she purred "We have to go down to see Ebonywave, I have to tell her!" The forest of JayClan was within reach. "I've missed it so much."
Striker looked down "You didn't-"



Ivoryflame turned and looked at Striker "No Striker, I loved every minute with you... more than you'll ever know. But she's my sister... and I've been having a really weird feeling, like she's in danger so, I've wanted to-" she flinched and Striker looked at her. Ivoryflame smiled "Contractions. Started when we left our home."

They were now right inside JayClan territory when Ivoryflame let out an ear peircing howl. A white she-cat leapt from the trees, pinning down the queen and biting visiously into her neck, clawing at her belly. Ivoryflame screeched again "Striker... the kits!"

Striker didn't hear, he attacked Lightenedcall, throwing her against the trees, where she fell, and was temporarily subdued. He ran back over to Ivoryflame to see that she was bleeding heavily and nearly ready to kit, he didn't know what complications the injuries to her stomach would cause.

Ivoryflame, barely conscious, let out a quiet murmur "Striker... save them..."

"Ivoryflame!" a yowl sounded from his right Striker turned around to see no other than Ebonywave.

Too busy to answer, he ran to Ivoryflame, preparing to help her kit "Ivoryflame, stay with me. You need to push the first kit out." he grabbed a stick "Bite into this if you need."

After what seemed like hours, but was only minutes, the first kit came.

::---::

Ebonywave gasped and pain struck her. She looked at Finnick who pressed close to her.

"Finnick. T-the kits!"

Finnick nodded and snarled as a sandy shape hit Ebonywave. The cat hissed in her face as he pinned her down.

"I found you."

Finnick snarled and barreled into Shrewfang.

"Get your face away from her."

The two toms snarled at each other and Finnick bristled. Ebonywave yowled as a contraction went through her. Finnick flicked his gaze back, losing concentration and giving Shrewfang a chance to attack. He leaped at Ebonywave and sunk his claws into her stomach. She ripped away gasping for air. She collapsed and closed her eyes tightly. Finnick pushed Shrewfang away.

"It's going to be okay. You're going to do fine. Just... don't leave me."

Her eyes flickered open and sought out Finnick's face.

"I can't do this. L-leafdew was right. I-i should've stayed."

She whimpered and Finnick pressed his face against hers.

"I'm here. You're not alone. I'm here with you."

He slightly heard Ivoryflame and Striker in the background, but his gaze was focused on Ebonywave. He then spun around and slashed at Shrewfang.

"Stay back if you wish for your life."

He turned back to Ebonywave and her mouth opened in a silent yowl. He licked her gently.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what to do to help. I'm no medicine cat. The best I can do is be here."

She nodded slightly, and a spasm went through her and the first kit came. Finnick eyed Shrewfang warily as he licked the small black she-cat. He licked it roughly, trying to get it breathing. The kit took a small breath and mewled quietly. He was weak, but he was alive. Ebonywave strained to see the small life and Finnick placed it next to her. She sighed slightly and layed her head back down. Finnick heard a small cough and turned around to see Lightenedcall struggling to stand. Finnick snarled and narrowed his eyes. But Lightenedcall only surveyed the scene and backed into the bushes, her eyes gleaming as memories of a past event came to mind. He relaxed slightly and licked the next kit. A small silver tom. She was breathing better than her brother and Finnick placed her next to Ebonywave. He pressed his paws against Ebonywave's side. He knew some basics, but his group had never taught medicine. The queens gave birth on their own with no help, and if a cat got hurt, it was that cats trouble. He licked Ebonywave's head which was very warm.

"One more. Come on."

Her breathing was shallow and she was getting weaker. She whispered.

"Everything hurts Finnick, and it's so cold..."

She wailed and the next kit came. It was larger than the other two, and had black and white spots. He placed this tom also next to Ebonywave and purred in relief.

"Two toms and a she-cat."

He licked her gently.

"You did great."

Then he felt claws grip his shoulders.

"I gave you your time. Now, it's mine!"

Finnick yowled as Shrewfang leaped off of his back, dragging Finnick with him. Lightenedcall then, also burst out of the bushes.

::---::

Striker heard the commotion going on behind him and knew he should help Finnick, her first kit, a rather small brown tabby she-cat, was mewling faintly "Just a little longer. Hold on!"

Soon a tom was born, he was much larger than his sister with a coat which was so light gray, it could have been white, he seemed healthy and was mewling loudly.

Finally, a tortoiseshell she-cat was born, though, she seemed weaker than the rest, and gave a loud hacking cough instead of a mewl.

"Weaklings are not tolerated!" Lightenedcall's hiss sounded from behind Striker, and he attacked, ripping at every peice of exposed flesh. He could beat her, and would have too, if he hadn't have fallen for her dirty trick. Right as he would have killed that sorry excuse for a cat when a great smile spread across her face "Shrewfang! Kill the tortoiseshell first!"

Striker stopped, intending to see Shrewfang looming over his smallest kit, but instead he was slammed against a tree, and the world began to fade. He could only manage a few words before darkness crept over him "Protect the kits!"

[{**}]

Ivoryflame attempted to curl around her crying kits, especially the small tortoiseshell, her vision was blurry, and every inch of her body was burning. "D-don't touch them!" she wailed, as Lightenedcall approached, she picked up the brown tabby, flinging her to the ground. "Despicable." Lightenedcall sneered "Poisoned kits! You broke the code. As punishment, you watch them die."

Ivoryflame cried, attempting to stand, but her three legs, too weak to support her, collapsed. She watched in agony as her eldest born kit was flung to the ground, over and over, screeching for help, for her mother. "Striker!" she called "Striker... Striker... of StarClan!" she wailed "Save her!"

Suddenly, her kit's cries stopped. Lightenedcall flung the kit once more, right to Ivoryflame. Where it lay there, it's eyes still closed, an expression of pure terror frozen on her face.

Ivoryflame, so overcome with grief, was helpless when the tortoiseshell kitten was snatched. Again and again, she called for Striker, begging him to save the poor kit. And again, she was forced to watch her kit's life drain before her very eyes. Two of her kits were dead, and only the tom remained. She curled around the crying kit, trying to whisper that things were going to be okay... but as Lightenedcall approached, blood soaking her white paws, a look of pure madness across her face, she couldn't believe it herself.

[{**}]

Ebonywave shook in horror as Lightenedcall padded closer to Ivoryflame. Ebonywave closed her eyes and called out.

"Leave her alone! I'm still right here."

The white she-cat's head spun to where Ebonywave lay. A smile played on her lips, and she looked back at Ivoryflame.

"I'll be back."

Finnick stood up, his eyes slightly gazed.

"Leave... her alone!"

Shrewfang then leaped at Finnick. Finnick snarled and he was too late. Shrewfang slammed Finnick's head against the ground. Finnick looked at Ebonywave.

"I'm sorry..."

Ebonywave licked her kits gently and winced as she heard each paw step getting closer and closer. Then, the largest kit was taken. Ebonywave yowled.

"Are you doing this all because Fellstar wouldn't be your mate!? You should get over it!"

She gasped as she felt paws on her throat. She winced as Shrewfang hissed in her ear.

"Shut your mouth."

He released her throat and she gasped. Then she heard a wail and turned her head away, trying to ignore the sounds of her kit being killed. She then heard a thump near her, and she shook slightly as the scent of death came to her. Her tail wrapped tighter around her two remaining kits.

"Please... please don't!"

But Lightenedcall killed the small black she-cat the same way. Then, the white she-cat stopped. She looked around at the two unconcious toms.

"I have a different plan."

Her eyes narrowed and dug her claws into the ground