Three Serpents Are Born (Redflower's Kitting)
The nursery was quiet, a cool wave of frosted dust blowing in through the entrance. The sky above Frostclans camp was clear and vibrant, as though each warrior in silverpelt had sat themselves to spectate the quiet murmurs that would soon stir a busy uproar of late night work for the icy mountain cats.
The isolation of slumbering murmurs was soon broken with a much more heavy sound, that of one red shecat, writing about in her feather lined nest.
Redflower unsheathed her claws, ripping at the moss structure before blue eyes flashed open wide. What she had first thought was elluded pain, soon left her gasping and desperate in realization of what was happening. The molly’s flank and stomach rose and fell with every heavy breath. She took little time, hauling herself to the nests edge and nosing her muzzle into the one beside her, where Moonfrost slumbered peacefully with her own litter. The silver molly woke with a start, head sticking up as her ears stood alert before turning to see Redflower in the thin stream of moonlight flooding in through their dens entrance.
“Get. Adderclaw.” She hissed before laying back down in her own nest, fur ruffling as she let out a disgruntled huff. Moonfrost looked puzzled for only a moment until a spark of realization hit her and she bounded off with a trill of excitement in the back of her throat. Only pausing for a moment to rasp her tongue over Robinkit and Maplekit before seeking out Adderclaws assistance.
Minutes later a large fluffy shadow stormed inside the nursery, successfully waking up the rest of the nursery in process of getting to Redflowers nest. Her contractions were quick, far more so than would be expected for only just calling Adderclaw to her aid, proof that she likely had started the kitting before ever waking up.
Even so, the first kit was not born until one by one, Starclans grace begun receding in the morning light, and the first of three slid out into the world at her mother's feet.
“A little molly.” Adderclaw purred, rasping his tongue over the wet bundle of ginger and white fur before passing her on to Redflower. It was then that Foxtail left her friends side to be watched over by Moonfrost and the clans Medicinecat, retrieving another warm, though nervous face to greet them.
“Is- Is she done?” The usual confidence in his meow uncertain and careful. “Not just yet.” Adderclaw muttered, eyes focused on his work as another kit was soon to follow, Redflowers breathing heavy and eyes glazed as she glanced about in hope of sighting her mate, Dragonstep.
“You- Have a daughter.” She grinned, body tensing while she spoke only to be followed with the happy purr of Adderclaw down by her flank.
“And a son!” He cheered, teeth carefully snipping the cord before repeating the same process he had with the shekit a few minutes before. Dragonstep was already hovering over his mate, nuzzling into her ruffled pelt and eagerly craning his neck to see his children. “Look at my beautiful little girl! And my handsome little tom!” He beamed, eyes closing while the tom purred with immediate fondness. Redflower twisted carefully to lap his cheek before settling back into her nest. For now, she was calm. Though Adderclaw was certain she was not finished, this moment of peace, with her friends and mate by her side; gave Redflower the time and ability to talk calm and gentle, moving her muzzle to sniff and continue cleaning her kittens before nudging them carefully towards her stomach. Their mews already drawing the attention of Moonfrosts own eager children.
“What do you plan on calling them?” The silver tabby asked quietly. Redflower glanced in Dragonsteps direction, unsure how to answer. She had not taken the time to pick or plan many names and those she had… They just didn’t feel right at this moment. She had a feeling however, that Dragonstep might have some suggestions.
“Well- what are their names, dear?” Starclan itself had no brighter light than those in Dragonsteps eyes.
The naming was quick, uncomplicated, but with some disagreement. “Ratkit…” He nodded to the tom, clambering over his sisters back in pursuit of a warmer spot and better supply of milk. The ginger shecat let out a desperate mew, moving blindly about until the tom took a tumble and rolled off from her back. Foxtail snickered and nodded approvingly. “It suits him.” Although, Redflower had a feeling the tom might not be thinking of a large scurrying rodent.
“And for her?” She added with a smile. Dragonstep took his time considering his choice in name. Humming quietly to himself before letting his eyes widen, gaze flicking over the molly’s ginger pelt and picking a name suitable as well as desirable of his own peculiar interests.
“Cornkit!”
“CO-RNkiT?” Redflower gasped, caught off as quickly by the choice in name as she was in another powerful contraction. She was breathing heavy once more, preparing to continue the process of kitting with a now agitated Adderclaw trying to silence the bickering couple.
“We aren’t calling our daughter Cornkit.”
“But- It’s after a gorgeous specimen. They practically have the same color-”
“Cornkit.”
“Come on, I promise its-”
“Dragonstep!” Adderclaw cut in, hissing for his silence. “Maybe you are underthinking this hmm?” He stressed his voice, gesturing back down to Redflower as if hoping it would imply this was not the time.
“Oh- yes… Of course. I’ll keep thinking!”
With that Redflower rested easy again, controlling her breath as she listened to Adderclaws instructions and was soon relieved of the pain and burden of childbirth. When the third and final kit was released, he was tangled, frantic, already on the move with a start and Squirming violently as Adderclaw snipped the cord and lapped some warmth into the tiny bundles pelt before passing him on. He was the smallest of the litter, though strikingly similar to the eldest of three. Dragonstep spoke before congradulations could even begin.
“Taipan.. Taipankit.”
Not yet finished with her own sigh of relief, Redflower glanced over to the tiny tom and nodded. ‘Taipen’ Whatever it was… Dragonstep sounded sure… Confident. The name sounded strong-clever even. Though without an understanding of just what it meant, she was lost as to why.
“And Coral.”
“Coral?”
“Coral.” "Is it a snake?" Dragonstep 'Mhmmed' and nodded eyes still trained on the tiny squirming bundles, all pressed pelt to pelt against eachother, warm and safe near their mothers white belly.
Redflower glanced back to her litter, a warm smile spreading with the glow of motherhood as she curled around her children.
“Alright. Taipankit and Coralkit.”
(Art by Mod Adder)
