Crookedstar’s Promise

“She’s just started kitting.” Crookedstar kept pacing. “Brambleberry’s with her.”

“She’ll be fine.” Oakheart fell in beside him, gently slowing the pace. “She’s a strong warrior. I’ve seen her beat a ThunderClan tom with a single swipe. A kit or two won’t be any bother.”

Crookedstar’s heart was racing.

“And what a hunter! She can hold her breath underwater even longer than Rippleclaw,” Oakheart went on. “And everyone knows Rippleclaw’s half-cat, half-fish.”

Ottersplash padded out of her den. “What’s going on?” The old warrior squinted across the clearing. Timberfur had been trying to persuade her to move to the elders’ den for moons, but she insisted she could carry on with her warrior duties for as long as he did. They’d been mates for moons and the whole Clan knew she’d be lonely away from the graying Clan deputy.

Oakheart padded to her side and guided her to the edge of the clearing. “Willowbreeze is kitting.”

“I thought I smelled fear.” Ottersplash sat down. “Yours, not hers. Don’t worry, Crookedstar. She’ll be fine.”

Timberfur trotted over and sat beside her. “I think he’s forgotten that it’s Willowbreeze doing all the work.”

It was sunhigh by the time Mudfur slid out of the nursery. “Three kits!” he yowled triumphantly.

Crookedstar blinked. “How’s Willowbreeze?”

“Doing fine.” Mudfur beckoned him toward the entrance. “Come and meet your daughters. They’re all she-kits!”

Crookedstar squeezed inside, excitement fizzing in his paws. Willowbreeze was lying in her nest, her eyes dark. Fallowtail crouched beside her. Sunfish was sitting up in her nest, straining to see the new kits.

Brambleberry nudged Crookedstar forward. “She’s very tired,” she warned.

Willowbreeze coughed.

“She’ll feel better after a long sleep,” Fallowtail murmured. “Why don’t you welcome your kits to the Clan, Crookedstar?”

Crookedstar dragged his gaze from Willowbreeze to the three tiny, damp bundles lying at her belly. They looked perfect. He leaned into the nest and sniffed them one at a time. The biggest was dark gray, the middle-sized one almost black, and the smallest a silver-gray tabby just like her mother.

Crookedstar’s heart ached with love for them. He pressed his muzzle against Willowbreeze’s cheek. It felt warm.

“They’re beautiful,” he whispered.

“I know,” she rasped.

Pride swelled in him, blossoming like a flower.

Brambleberry leaned closer and whispered in his ear. “You should let her rest.” Gently she ushered him toward the entrance. Crookedstar felt a wave of gratitude toward the medicine cat. She had delivered the most beautiful kits in all the Clans. And thank you, StarClan, for forgiving me. Nothing could compare with the blessing of Willowbreeze and their daughters.

Crookedstar woke early. The sun had just broken the horizon as he padded out of his den and crossed the clearing, yawning. Quiet as a fish, he slid into the nursery and peeked into Willowbreeze’s nest. She was asleep with the three kits curled peacefully beside her. Crookedstar guessed she’d be hungry when she woke. He slipped into the clearing and headed out of camp. He’d caught a fat carp by the time the rest of the Clan was stirring.

“Is that for Willowbreeze?” Oakheart called from his den as Crookedstar pushed through the reeds with the carp dangling from his jaws. Crookedstar nodded, slowing as he saw Mudfur standing outside the nursery. He dropped the fish at the medicine cat apprentice’s paws. “Is everything okay?” he asked. There was something about Mudfur’s expression that made the pelt rise along his spine.

“You can’t go in,” Mudfur told him softly.

Crookedstar bristled. “What do you mean I can’t go in?” He heard Willowbreeze coughing inside. The kits were mewling.

“They’re hungry!” Crookedstar protested. “And Willowbreeze will be starving. I’m taking this fish in.” As he leaned down to pick it up, Mudfur moved in front of the entrance.

Crookedstar glared at him, fear rising in his belly. He spat out the fish. “Let me in!”

Mudfur met Crookedstar’s gaze steadily. “Brambleberry says she mustn’t be disturbed.” He glanced over his shoulder. “By anyone.”

“Is Brambleberry in there?” Crookedstar’s heart was racing. “What’s wrong? Why can’t I see Willowbreeze?”

“She’s a little sick,” Mudfur explained. “But the kits are fine, and I’m keeping a close eye on them.”

Crookedstar growled. “Let me in!” He tried to push past Mudfur, but Mudfur pushed back. He’d lost none of his warrior strength.

Brambleberry slid out of the den. “I thought I heard you,” she meowed cheerfully. “Nothing to worry about. Willowbreeze just has a little cough and I don’t want the infection spreading. You’ll have to stay outside till I tell you it’s okay to go in.”

Crookedstar couldn’t believe his ears. He was the leader of these cats, for StarClan’s sake! “How come you’re allowed in? And Mudfur! It’s not fair!” He was arguing like a scared kit. “Even Sunfish is in there.”