Proluge

A screech of pain ripped through the cool night air.

“Wintermoon! Wintermoon! Come quickly Shrewtail is having kits,” a cat cried.

“Calm down Twilightstripe, I’m coming,” Wintermoon meowed as he raced across the clearing with a bundle of herbs in his mouth.

The nursery was warm. As Wintermoon entered he saw a brown she-cat was lying on her back thrashing. A powerful rippling ran down her side. Her kits were defiantly coming. Wintermoon glanced up and gave a small yelp of fright, the moon was growing dark! He looked down again and saw the first kit slowly fighting its way into the world. A small silver and black head popped out. After that the rest of little tabby kit’s body came sliding out. Then Shrewtail stopped thrashing about and lay still for a moment gasping for air. Wintermoon was shocked she had given birth to only one kit he had expected five. He gave Shrewtail a few bitter tasting herbs (borage and a couple others).Then started licking the kit to warm it up. He stopped, the kit was already warm. How could that be? And was he really seeing the kits eyes, a brilliant green, peeking out through tiny slits? Wintermoon was sure this kit was special in some way.

Then “Wintermoon… earth to Wintermoon”

“Huh. Wha’,” Wintermoon mumbled still looking at the kit.

“I asked you if she is going to be alright.” Twilightstripe asked worriedly “Um Wintermoon are you ok?”

“Yea, fine, it must be my old age,” Wintermoon meowed absentmindedly. “I think she’ll be fine.”

“Oh thank StarClan,” Twilightstripe sighed. “Moltenclaw won’t be angry, you know his temper tantrums, and this is his mate.”

Wintermoon thought about how such a big cat like Twilightstripe could be so worried, then again Moltenclaw had asked him to keep tabs on his mate. And if she died Moltenclaw would probably place the blame on Twilightstripe.

“Wintermoon are you awake? ‘Cause I think Shrewtail is waking up,” Twilightstripe now sounding a bit happier, meowed softly.

“Yea I’m awake. How are you Shrewtail?” Wintermoon murmured.

“I think I’m fine. Where are my kits?” Shrewtail meowed nervously.

“I am afraid you had only one kit but it is right here,” Wintermoon whispered softly. “It was born just as the moon went dark.”

Shrewtail’s amber eyes filled with love. Wintermoon caught a glance of the kit kneading it mother’s stomach for milk. Finally giving a small mew of happiness the kit started its first meal.

Wintermoon backed out of the den and raced back to his rock, he wanted to get some sleep before dawn. One moment later Wintermoon was fast asleep.

Wintermoon stepped into a clearing he had never seen before. Moonlight gleamed on a small pool of water in the center. A whispery voice echoed through his head,

A dark time is coming Wintermoon, but do not despair. Remember, the moon shines on forever even as the fiery mountain erupts.

Wintermoon awoke and lay gasping. The watery morning sun light peeked though the gaps in the ferns covering the entrance to his den.

He got up and walked out of his den and stretched his aching muscles. Getting ready for the day he sorted some bitter smelling herbs. Wintermoon decided to look in on Shrewtail to see how she was doing.

As he skipped across the field he wondered what she would name the small kit. The nursery was one or two tail lengths away when a small brown body leaped in front of him. Wintermoon gave a yelp of surprise.

“Scared you didn’t I,” Birdpaw chuckled.

“Yes you did,” Wintermoon meowed. “But I’m going to check in on Shrewtail and you can’t surprise me in the nursery.”

“Can-,”

“Yes you can come.”

He entered the nursery followed closely by Birdpaw and walked over to Shrewtail and her kit.

“How are you Shrewtail?” Wintermoon asked. “Have you thought of its name?”

“I’m fine,” Shrewtail purred “This kit as you told me was born in the dark time of the moon but she put the moon back in the sky for me so her name will be Moonkit.”