#mc myrtlekit

[mushroomclangen]

Moon 3 - Greenleaf - Part 2

As the pastel orange dawn began to rise over MushroomClan camp, a shrill cry came from within the nursery. Today was the day, Bluffstar’s kitting had started. Everyone in the Clan was anxious, some were even reluctant to go on patrol in case they missed any updates. Lighteye especially. His stomach couldn’t stop churning. He truly did try his best to hunt that morning but his limbs were uncoordinated and his focus was completely shifted. So, he returned to camp empty-pawed, thankfully Frondswipe wasn’t around to notice.

He sat down at the edge of camp, fidgeting in place. Eggrumble had hissed at him when he tried to enter, so lending a paw was out of the question. His ears would flatten every time Bluffstar groaned in pain and then perk up eagerly whenever a silence fell upon the nursery. It never lasted long though. It had been so long since he heard the sound of newborn kits, he couldn’t wait to meet them.

They were his kits, after all…

Continued under cut…

Antlerpaw dazedly laid in the medicine cat den entrance, wanting to sleep but also keep watch of everything. Her heat exhaustion had mostly abated but to his surprise she was in no rush to get out of camp again; she instead insisted on waiting for Eggrumble to give her the all clear. Not that Lighteye was complaining. He was glad that she seemed to have found some patience. Frondswipe had been rushing off to find herbs and fresh moss for Eggrumble. She too couldn’t bring herself to patrol, her dedication to Bluffstar ever prevalent. Hollowbriar, Flintfoot and Rootpaw thankfully returned with mouthfuls of prey in the middle of morning. Flintfoot immediately asked for an update, Lighteye only wished he could give her the response that she so desperately wanted. Finally, Chivespeckle was left to keep Honeykit and Dogkit entertained, as usual. The two kits were confused why Eggrumble pushed them out of the nursery so early in the morning. Lighteye overheard Chivespeckle desperately trying to stop Honeykit from asking where kits came from and couldn’t stifle a purr of amusement.

It took until sunhigh for Bluffstar’s yowls to die down. Lighteye’s paws moved before his mind could advise him against doing so. As he went to enter the nursery he almost bumped noses with Eggrumble. The medicine cat’s eyes narrowed, though upon reading the desperation and anxiety on Lighteye’s face she paused, then smiled knowingly. She dipped her head, and stepped aside, telling Lighteye that Bluffstar had given birth to two toms and she-cat. All were healthy, including Bluffstar. Lighteye sighed with relief.

Inside the thick walls of the nursery, in a nest lined with feathers and flowers, Bluffstar lie with three bodies kneading against her belly, her chin resting against her paws. Her green eyes were tired but content. As Lighteye’s shadow fell over her she almost seemed surprised. She admitted that she wasn’t sure if Lighteye would be interested in coming to see her so soon. Lighteye paused, taken aback. Why in the name of StarClan would she ever think that? These little ones were his kin, his own offspring, after all. He hadn’t stopped worrying about them or Bluffstar all morning. Bluffstar shook her head, that wasn’t exactly what she meant. She wondered if Lighteye felt guilty about what they had done. She was Jaywhisper’s mate, and a part of her always would be, and to have kits with his brother… the thought had weighed heavily on her ever since Eggrumble discovered her pregnancy.

Lighteye frowned. He too had thought about Jaywhisper. However, maybe not in the way that Bluffstar did. In his eyes, he believed that Jaywhisper would be happy. He was never the type of cat to hold grudges for too long. Besides, these kits were still his kin. They have the same ancestors, and will no doubt grow up to have some of his personality. Lighteye was certain that if Jaywhisper’s spirit was here, he would be delighted. A little sad, yes, but more than happy to watch over his nieces and nephews.

Bluffstar took a deep breath. She supposed Lighteye was right. However, she wanted to clarify what their relationship was now. Bluffstar personally only saw Lighteye as one of her closest friends and she wholeheartedly hoped that they could remain that way, especially after how she used Lighteye to help get over her grief. Lighteye hated how she phrased that and firmly assured that it was never like that. They both relied on each other that first moon after Jaywhisper’s death and simply got carried away. As for his feelings, he was happy to remain as Bluffstar’s friend, and told her that his love for her was nothing more than platonic. However, he would still love to support Bluffstar as a mother and care for the kits as a father, if she would allow him. Bluffstar smiled, tiny tears in the corner of her eyes as she gestured for him to sit closer with the tip of her tail.

Lighteye peered down at the three squirming kits nestled into Bluffstar’s fur. Bluffstar told him that the solid brown kit was the she-cat, and the brown tabby and solid white kit were the toms. Bluffstar’s family primarily consisted of brown cats; she fondly reminisced that her mother had a similar pelt to the brown tom. Lighteye asked if Bluffstar had thought of any names, either on her own or with Jaywhisper when they were first discussing their family. Bluffstar hummed. Both of them liked the name Myrtlekit, it was one of the first that they thought of. It seemed like the perfect choice for their daughter, and as Bluffstar gave her a tiny lick on her forehead her fellow brown littermate mewled out loudly for the same attention. Bluffstar rolled her eyes, playfully joking that he had been the loudest ever since he was born! Lighteye laughed, maybe Loudkit was a good name for him then? Bluffstar purred. It was silly, but cute, and a fitting name for a powerful warrior for sure. Finally, the white tom. Lighteye suggested naming him Berrykit after he and Jaywhisper’s father, Coldberry. Bluffstar did remember Jaywhisper mentioning that name before and was more than happy to use it.

Lighteye bent down and licked Bluffstar’s cheek affectionately, all whilst showering her with verbal praise. He was excited to be an uncle but a father was a whole other journey he couldn’t wait to begin. For now though, at the sign of Bluffstar’s yawn, they both needed some rest. Lighteye would tell the Clan of their names, and his status as the kits father, later. For now, he moved behind Bluffstar and curled around her, allowing chin to rest against his paws as he continued to groom her and admire the kits. Myrtlekit seemed to be dozing off, but Loudkit was letting out tiny squeaks as Berrykit wriggled alongside him. He couldn’t wait to see what kinds of cats they became and what plans StarClan had for them. No matter what, he knew there was always going to be a spirit watching over them.

Bluffstar gives birth to Myrtlekit, Loudkit and Berrykit. Lighteye is revealed to be their father, though he and Bluffstar decide to remain as just friends.