Splashwhisker gave a cry of agony. Meadowmist paused. "The first one's coming," she meowed. Another stab of pain. Spalshwhisker clutched the sturdy twig in her jaws until she felt cracks spreading down the center. Rabbitblaze watched her anxiously. He was a loyal mate, staying by her side, only leaving her when fetching her fresh, wet moss to drink from. She bit down again as the most painful spasm yet wracked her body, and a tiny kit slid out onto the mossy nest. Immediately Meadowmist began licking it quickly. "A tom!" she cried, as the she pushed dark gray and cream kit towards Splashwhisker's pale creamy belly to nurse. Splashwhisker watched him fondly, then braced herself for the next one. As agony shot through her once more, she gave a low groan. Something green and tangy-smelling was shoved in front her nose. "Eat," Meadowmist ordered softly. Splashwhisker obeyed and lapped up the herbs. She hardly noticed the sharp, bitter flavor as the second kit tumbled into the world. Meadowmist licked him fiercely, announced another tom, and nudged him alongside his brother. Pain shook her again, and a dark gray tabby she-kit joined her littermates. But she was not breathing. Meadowmist looked up at Splashwhisker, her green eyes full of sorrow, grief, and pity. "I'm sorry," she meowed, her voice cracking. "But this kit has been born dead. "No!" Rabbitblaze and Splashwhisker yowled at the same time. Splashwhisker forced herself to choke down her grief and understand that there was nothing they can do. "Let's name her," Rabbitblaze murmured in her ear. "Before her spirit travels to StarClan.." Splashwhisker nodded numbly. Suddenly, she knew the perfect name. "Shiningkit," she replied quietly. "Because that's where she'll be tonight. Shining among the stars," she added. Rabbitblaze nodded. "It's perfect," he meowed."Now, for the toms. . . ." Splashwhisker thought about that. She thought of the second kit, the brown tabby tom, who looked just like his father. The way he had tumbled onto the floor of the nusery. "Tumblekit. What about the dark gray and cream?" she asked. Rabbitblaze shuffled his paws. "I was thinking. . . what about Marshkit?" Splashwhisker gave a purr. "Tumblekit and Marshkit," she mewed. "That's perfect."
The art was done by MarbleKitty!! I only recolored and added the fading in! Full credit to MarbleKitty! I really wanted to make another of Rabbitblaze and his mate, Splashwhisker.
