Post by @~~Swirl~~@ on May 15, 2009 14:26:46 GMT -5
Firewhisker and Sharpclaw sat outside the entrance to the leader's den. "Come in!" Swirlstar purred. The 2 cats entered. "Swirlstar, we've come because Firewhisker's not feeling well." Sharpclaw began. "Firewhisker, what seems to be the problem?" Swirlstar mewed. "I got this strange pain in my stomach. It was a really sharp intense constricting pain. And, I have no idea what it means. I'm worried." Firewhisker mewed. Sharpclaw licked her ears softly. Swirlstar smiled. "I know what it means Firewhisker. You're having kits." she purred warmly. Firewhisker's heart swelled with joy. Sharpclaw smiled and purred loudly. Inside he was worried, about being a good father. But, he was thrilled at the chance of even getting to be a good father. "Off you go to the nursery." Swirlstar mewed.
Firewhisker padded into the Nursery. Sharpclaw followed behind her, and licked her ears as she settled into a nest. "Congradulations." he purred loudly. Firewhisker smiled. "You are going to be a wonderful father." she purred. "I hope so. Two things are for sure. They are going to be gorgeous, and you are going to be a wonderful mother." Sharpclaw purred. Firewhisker smiled with that praise, and if she could have, she would have blushed. "Are you hungry?" he added. Firewhisker shook her head. "I'm fine." she purred. "Ok, just making sure." Sharpclaw mewed, smiling. Firewhisker smiled thankfully at him. "I'll be back later to check on you pumpkin. Why don't you get some rest. " Sharpclaw mewed softly. Firewhisker smiled She rest her head on her paws, glanced at her large swollen stomach, then fell into a deep sleep. Sharpclaw touched his nose to her ear. "Sleep well." he murmured softly, before padding away.
2 days later
Sharpclaw carried a large squirrel over to his mate. "Precious..." he whispered in her ear. Firewhisker lifted her head and blinked sleep from her eyes. "My gosh, each time I've come, you've been sleeping. By saying 'some sleep', I'd meant get a little more sleep for that night, not sleep 2 whole days away." Sharpclaw chuckled. Firewhisker smiled tiredly. "Hey, tell me, are you truely feeling ok?" Sharpclaw mewed worriedly. "I'm just fine. I'm only tired because I've gained weight." Firewhisker mewed tiredly. Sharpclaw's eyes drilled into hers. "And no matter how much weight you gain, you will still be just as gorgeous, and still have my heart just as much as you always have." he purred. Firewhisker smiled with love. Sharpclaw nodded at the squirrel. "Just make sure you eat enough." he mewed, smiled. Firewhisker began nibbling on the squirrel, and Sharpclaw padded away. Moments after he left, Firewhisker felt a sharp tearing pain in her stomach. She rolled onto her side, letting out a loud yowl of pain. Sharpclaw ran in, his eyes wild with worry. Swirlstar raced into the Nursery. "Firewhisker, every thing will be fine. When I say so, I want you to push really hard." she mewed. Firewhisker nodded, pain filling her eyes.
After a while, 5 young gorgeous kits lay at Firewhisker's side, suckling. Swirlstar smiled, then padded away. Firewhisker rested her head back in her nest. Sharpclaw moved to her side. "Sweetie? Are you a little thristy? I can get you some nice soaked moss from the river if you want." he mewed. Firewhisker blinked at him. "I-I want you to stay here and...see our kits." she mewed tiredly. I know, but you seem so exhausted. Sharpclaw thought. He crouched down next to her, and gave her ears a few loving licks, before he gazed at his kits. "Our kits." he murmured. "They are just so gorgeous. I'm so proud of you." he purred, raising his voice. Firewhisker lifted her head and turned to look at her kits. "Sharpclaw, look- one's not moving!" she gasped. Sharpclaw followed her gaze to one of the young kits, and noticed he was indeed, not moving. He began rapidly licking the tom-kit, but there was still no response. He shook his head in sorrow. Firewhisker's eyes widened. "He's got to be alive!" she cried. Sharpclaw's eyes drilled into her's. "He didn't make it. I'm so sorry." he whispered gently. Firewhisker burst into tears, and moved her son closer to her. She smothered him with anxious, grief filled licks, thinking he was still alive. As Sharpclaw watched, his heart tore to pieces. "Firewhisker?" mewed a soft, gentle voice. Swirlstar stood at the entrance, her eyes filled with gentle sympathy. "I'll take him, and bury him if you want." she whispered gently. Firewhisker started crying louder. "No-no! You can't take him! He's got to be alive! He's got to!" she wailed. "Firewhisker, he didn't make it." Swirlstar mewed gently. Firewhisker continued grooming her dead son, still crying. Sharpclaw lept to his paws, his eyes blazing with sheer anger, his fur making him 3 times larger. "Leave her alone!!! I don't let anyone hurt my mate! Not even you!" he howled. "And if you are hurting her by trying to bury our son, I won't let you!" he howled, his voice shoving Swirlstar backwards. Swirlstar was stunned by the anger in his voice. "Sharpclaw, it will hurt her much more if she doesn't learn." she mewed calmly. "I don't care! Leave her alone! Just go away! It is way too soon!" Sharpclaw howled, unseathing his claws. Swirlstar stepped backwards, eyes filled with confusion. Sharpclaw relaxed when she left. He crouched down next to his mate. "Precious?" he whispered. "Why? Why did he die? He was our only son!" cried Firewhisker, thrusting her face into his fur. Sharpclaw wrapped his tail around her softly. "He was probably unhealthy or too young when he was born. StarClan can't stop what actually happens. Believe me, I miss him too. He was a young gorgeous kit, and I was proud to have a son. But, I realize that he didn't make it." he mewed gently. "I just don't want to lose him." cried Firewhisker. "We can always remember him. But, we just have to realize he is gone." Sharpclaw mewed gently. Firewhisker's eyes filled with sorrow. She nodded reluctantly. Sharpclaw licked her forehead softly, and picked up his son. He carried him to the entrance, where Swirlstar took the kit and buried him. Sharpclaw crouched down next to Firewhisker again and began gently grooming her. Firewhisker let her head droop gently. "Our kits are gorgeous, my love. I would die to protect you and our kits from danger. I will hurt anyone that tries to hurt you." Sharpclaw mewed softly. "Sharpclaw!" Swirlstar called. "Come out here please." she added. Sharpclaw sighed. "Precious, I want you to relax. I'll be right back." he mewed, before standing, and heading out of the den.
Swirlstar sat down in her den, Sharpclaw following behind her. "What was that about before?" she demanded. Sharpclaw sighed. "I will fiercely protect my mate from anyone who tries to upset her or hurt her. And that includes my kits. And right then, you were upsetting her more then I have ever seen before. I just don't stand for it. I comforted her and told her the truth, and without upsetting her as much." he mewed. "I understand that cats have feelings. But, I will not tolerate this kind of protection. You nearly blew your whiskers off in there. Just so you know I was not trying to hurt her. I understand that you love her, but you can't protect her from her own feelings. Do you understand?!" Swirlstar mewed sternly. Sharpclaw blinked. "I don't think I did anything wrong. But yes, you want me to let someone hurt my mate, and do nothing to stop or prevent it. I do understand that." he mewed tartly. He whipped around, and padded out of the den. He headed back to the Nursery, snatching a nice-sized rabbit from the fresh-kill pile.
He padded to his mate's side, and set the squirrel in front of her. Firewhisker lifted her head and blinked. "You ok?" Sharpclaw whispered. Firewhisker nodded. "I-I guess. The kits keep suckling like crazy, and it's taking the energy out of me." she mewed. Sharpclaw licked her forehead. "You should eat something." he mewed, nodding to the rabbit. Firewhisker began eating the rabbit, until she had it devoured. "Better." she mewed. Sharpclaw purred in her ear. "They are gorgeous." he purred. Firewhisker blinked at him, smiling.
Fizzlekit - light grey dappled she-cat with a black stripe, long tail, and blue eyes.
Popkit - A white she-cat with slightly dark orange/redish tabby stripes. Her nose is bright pink and her eyes are a lovely green.
Luckkit - a white she-kit with an orange tabby stripe. grey paws, and s small spot on her forehead that is shaped like a clover. Her eyes are green.
Silentkit - a gray tabby she-kit with orange and red tabby stripes, blue eyes
Sharpclaw sighed with love for his young kits. "Popkit looks just like you." he purred. Firewhisker purred, nuzzling him. "Fizzlekit looks like you too." she purred. "Firewhisker- I must talk to you." Sharpclaw began. Firewhisker's eyes widened. "Is something wrong?" she murmured, casting an anxious glance at her kits. "Nothing's wrong at all. Sweetie, when Swirlstar asked to take our son to go bury him, I realized she was really upsetting you. I became ferciously angry and wouldn't stand for it. I told her to back off by howling, and shoving her backwards with voice." Sharpclaw mewed. He paused, before beginning again. "I will protect you and our daughters with all my strength and my heart, from anyone who is going to hurt you, or upset you. I wanted to just talk with you, and help you through our son's death in peace. Let you decide when you were ready to have him buried. Swirlstar called me to her den, because of what I did. She said it was totally uncalled for, and that I can't protect you from feelings. I think she wants me to just give up on protecting you from anyone or anything." he finished. Firewhisker gazed into his blue eyes, then licked his nose. "Sweetie, I believe you did the right thing earlier. Your compassion helped me cope with the fact that he died, and realize he is watching me in StarClan. So, you are right about that." she mewed softly. "But, did you ever think that maybe, Swirlstar only wanted you to relax a bit more. Trying to tell you, that she thinks I can fend for myself." she added. Noticing he was about to speak, she cut him off. "Sharpclaw I love you, and I want you to know that this protection you give, makes me feel wanted and loved. I'm so grateful for it, knowing that our kits and I are safe. I don't agree with what Swirlstar said at all. I agree with you 100% about this. When something like that happpens, and hopefully not soon, I'll be even more grateful for having you there, helping me. And Swirlstar just doesn't understand that." she mewed. Sharpclaw licked her forehead, smiling. "Let me say, you deserve everything that I give you. Every ounce of love, strength, protection, it is all because you make me get up in the morning, you inspire me to be a good role model, and be nice to everyone. It is all because I love you, and you brought sunshine to my cloudy day." he purred. Firewhisker's eyes filled with joy, and pressed her head against his shoulder, purring. Sharpclaw began gently grooming her. Firewhisker fell asleep a bit later. Sharpclaw sighed. He stroked her cheek while murmuring, "I'll always love you." Then he smiled at his kits. "Oh my daughters, welcome to CoralClan." he purred softly, giving each of them a gentle lick on the forehead. Then he touched his nose to his mate's forehead. "Sleep well, my love." he whispered, before padding out of the nursery.
Sharpclaw woke up early the next morning, and padded out into the forest to hunt. He spotted a plump thrush, and bunched his muscles to pounce, when all of a sudden, he heard a loud battle cry coming from the direction of the camp. He raced back to the camp, going about a mile a minute, worried frantically about his mate. When he raced into camp, he saw a large brown tom dragging his mate by the scruff, out of the nursery. 2 more toms followed, each with 2 of his daughters. Sharpclaw let out a loud and furious howl of anger. The lept at the tom that was dragging his mate, and bit at his throat, tossing him aside like a mouse, then lept at the second tom. He sunk his claws into the tom's chest, forcing him to release his daughters. Then he charged at the last tom, raking his claws viciously down his flank. The tom howled away with fright, the second tom following quickly. The first tom that was kidnapping his mate, was too seriously injured to move. Sharpclaw moved to his daughters and began checking them for injures. Fizzlekit had a torn ear, and Popkit was scratched on her shoulder. Sharpclaw wrapped his tail around them, and padding silently to his mate's side. The kits burrowed blindly into her fur, which was matted with blood on her shoulder and flank. "Firewhisker?" Sharpclaw whispered, licking her forehead gently. He grabbed some cobwebs and began pressing them on her wounds gently, trying to stop the bleeding. Firewhisker's eyes blinked open slowly. "You-you almost killed a cat to-to save me." she whispered. Sharpclaw licked her forehead after applying the cobwebs. "I'd kill any cat to protect you and our family. Are you hurt anywhere else?" he mewed. Firewhisker shook her head slightly. "The-the kits?" she whimpered. "They are fine, every single one of them. Fizzlekit tore an ear, and Popkit's shoulder was scratched, but they are fine." Sharpclaw purred softly. "I'm going to help you back into the nursery, so you can rest in your nest." he added. He nudged her gently to her paws, and led her to her nest. Firewhisker sunk deep into her nest as Sharpclaw collected the kits. He made sure their wounds were bandaged, then carried each of them to their mother's side. They mewled with fright as they burrowed into their mom's fur. Sharpclaw stroked them softly. Firewhisker pressed her head into his fur. Sharpclaw nuzzled her softly. "Are you ok, my dear?" he mewed softly. Firewhisker whimpered with fright for herself, and her kits. Sharpclaw licked her forehead repeatedly. "Hush." he murmured. "I'm here, and no one will be getting near you or our kits to hurt them. I certainly won't let them. You are safe." he whispered into her ear softly. Firewhisker smiled slightly, gratefully. "Sharpclaw, get your mouse-brained butt out here!" called Swirlstar, a slight edge to her voice. Firewhisker started whimpering loudly. Sharpclaw wrapped his tail around her tightly. "I'm not leaving Firewhisker's side! Can you come in here?" he called out. Swirlstar snorted. "Get out here!" she hissed. "My mate is terrified right now, and I have no intentions of leaving her side!" Sharpclaw called. Finally, Swirlstar in. "Sharpclaw! I told you that this type and level of protection will stop! Didn't you understand this before? Because, you apparently didn't even think about it. You just killed a clan warrior in cold blood, and on purpose!" she growled angerily. Sharpclaw sighed. " I killed him to save my family. Since you don't have one, you don't know how important my mate is to me. And you don't understand how important my kits are to me too." he mewed, nuzzling Firewhisker softly, her face still in his fur. "You won't be able to protect them anymore. That cat was going to be our medicine cat, and he was about to move them to the medicine den for treatment. Sharpclaw, by the powers infested in me, I sentence you to exile. You must be out of the territory by sunrise tommorrow." she mewed. Sharpclaw's eyes widened. "But Swirlstar-!" he began. "No buts! That was our clan's medicine cat you killed." Swirlstar snapped. Firewhisker burst into tears. "Swirlstar please!" she cried. "You'll be better off without him. You are a nice strong warrior, you can protect yourself." Swirlstar mewed. Firewhisker started shaking her head. "I-I need him!" she wailed. Sharpclaw sighed with sorrow. "Firewhisker, my love, I must go. You heard Swirlstar. But, please, remember forever how much I love you and our kits. Tell them about me. About how Swirlstar just hates my guts. But most important tell them they will make wonderful warriors and I am always proud of them and thinking of them." he mewed, his eyes filled with tears. "Sharpclaw!" wailed Firewhisker, as he started padding away. "Firewhisker, I love you, and I always will. Maybe, it is time for you to move on. Find someone much more gentle then I am. I wouldn't mind because I won't be here. But, you deserve the chance to make your life happy again." Sharpclaw mewed, tears flowing from his eyes. Firewhisker kept wailing. Sharpclaw met her eyes one last time, before racing away. Firewhisker glared at Swirlstar. "I will certainly tell my kits how much you hate their father's guts. You never told anyone that we found a medicine cat!" she whispered. Swirlstar padded away. Firewhisker started crying.
At sunset, every cat were sleeping in their nests. Firewhisker kept thinking of Sharpclaw, how much he loved her, and much she loved him. Oh, Sharpclaw, I need you. I told you that. I'm coming to find you. She stood up, picked up her 4 daughters and padded out into the forest.
Firewhisker padded into the Nursery. Sharpclaw followed behind her, and licked her ears as she settled into a nest. "Congradulations." he purred loudly. Firewhisker smiled. "You are going to be a wonderful father." she purred. "I hope so. Two things are for sure. They are going to be gorgeous, and you are going to be a wonderful mother." Sharpclaw purred. Firewhisker smiled with that praise, and if she could have, she would have blushed. "Are you hungry?" he added. Firewhisker shook her head. "I'm fine." she purred. "Ok, just making sure." Sharpclaw mewed, smiling. Firewhisker smiled thankfully at him. "I'll be back later to check on you pumpkin. Why don't you get some rest. " Sharpclaw mewed softly. Firewhisker smiled She rest her head on her paws, glanced at her large swollen stomach, then fell into a deep sleep. Sharpclaw touched his nose to her ear. "Sleep well." he murmured softly, before padding away.
2 days later
Sharpclaw carried a large squirrel over to his mate. "Precious..." he whispered in her ear. Firewhisker lifted her head and blinked sleep from her eyes. "My gosh, each time I've come, you've been sleeping. By saying 'some sleep', I'd meant get a little more sleep for that night, not sleep 2 whole days away." Sharpclaw chuckled. Firewhisker smiled tiredly. "Hey, tell me, are you truely feeling ok?" Sharpclaw mewed worriedly. "I'm just fine. I'm only tired because I've gained weight." Firewhisker mewed tiredly. Sharpclaw's eyes drilled into hers. "And no matter how much weight you gain, you will still be just as gorgeous, and still have my heart just as much as you always have." he purred. Firewhisker smiled with love. Sharpclaw nodded at the squirrel. "Just make sure you eat enough." he mewed, smiled. Firewhisker began nibbling on the squirrel, and Sharpclaw padded away. Moments after he left, Firewhisker felt a sharp tearing pain in her stomach. She rolled onto her side, letting out a loud yowl of pain. Sharpclaw ran in, his eyes wild with worry. Swirlstar raced into the Nursery. "Firewhisker, every thing will be fine. When I say so, I want you to push really hard." she mewed. Firewhisker nodded, pain filling her eyes.
After a while, 5 young gorgeous kits lay at Firewhisker's side, suckling. Swirlstar smiled, then padded away. Firewhisker rested her head back in her nest. Sharpclaw moved to her side. "Sweetie? Are you a little thristy? I can get you some nice soaked moss from the river if you want." he mewed. Firewhisker blinked at him. "I-I want you to stay here and...see our kits." she mewed tiredly. I know, but you seem so exhausted. Sharpclaw thought. He crouched down next to her, and gave her ears a few loving licks, before he gazed at his kits. "Our kits." he murmured. "They are just so gorgeous. I'm so proud of you." he purred, raising his voice. Firewhisker lifted her head and turned to look at her kits. "Sharpclaw, look- one's not moving!" she gasped. Sharpclaw followed her gaze to one of the young kits, and noticed he was indeed, not moving. He began rapidly licking the tom-kit, but there was still no response. He shook his head in sorrow. Firewhisker's eyes widened. "He's got to be alive!" she cried. Sharpclaw's eyes drilled into her's. "He didn't make it. I'm so sorry." he whispered gently. Firewhisker burst into tears, and moved her son closer to her. She smothered him with anxious, grief filled licks, thinking he was still alive. As Sharpclaw watched, his heart tore to pieces. "Firewhisker?" mewed a soft, gentle voice. Swirlstar stood at the entrance, her eyes filled with gentle sympathy. "I'll take him, and bury him if you want." she whispered gently. Firewhisker started crying louder. "No-no! You can't take him! He's got to be alive! He's got to!" she wailed. "Firewhisker, he didn't make it." Swirlstar mewed gently. Firewhisker continued grooming her dead son, still crying. Sharpclaw lept to his paws, his eyes blazing with sheer anger, his fur making him 3 times larger. "Leave her alone!!! I don't let anyone hurt my mate! Not even you!" he howled. "And if you are hurting her by trying to bury our son, I won't let you!" he howled, his voice shoving Swirlstar backwards. Swirlstar was stunned by the anger in his voice. "Sharpclaw, it will hurt her much more if she doesn't learn." she mewed calmly. "I don't care! Leave her alone! Just go away! It is way too soon!" Sharpclaw howled, unseathing his claws. Swirlstar stepped backwards, eyes filled with confusion. Sharpclaw relaxed when she left. He crouched down next to his mate. "Precious?" he whispered. "Why? Why did he die? He was our only son!" cried Firewhisker, thrusting her face into his fur. Sharpclaw wrapped his tail around her softly. "He was probably unhealthy or too young when he was born. StarClan can't stop what actually happens. Believe me, I miss him too. He was a young gorgeous kit, and I was proud to have a son. But, I realize that he didn't make it." he mewed gently. "I just don't want to lose him." cried Firewhisker. "We can always remember him. But, we just have to realize he is gone." Sharpclaw mewed gently. Firewhisker's eyes filled with sorrow. She nodded reluctantly. Sharpclaw licked her forehead softly, and picked up his son. He carried him to the entrance, where Swirlstar took the kit and buried him. Sharpclaw crouched down next to Firewhisker again and began gently grooming her. Firewhisker let her head droop gently. "Our kits are gorgeous, my love. I would die to protect you and our kits from danger. I will hurt anyone that tries to hurt you." Sharpclaw mewed softly. "Sharpclaw!" Swirlstar called. "Come out here please." she added. Sharpclaw sighed. "Precious, I want you to relax. I'll be right back." he mewed, before standing, and heading out of the den.
Swirlstar sat down in her den, Sharpclaw following behind her. "What was that about before?" she demanded. Sharpclaw sighed. "I will fiercely protect my mate from anyone who tries to upset her or hurt her. And that includes my kits. And right then, you were upsetting her more then I have ever seen before. I just don't stand for it. I comforted her and told her the truth, and without upsetting her as much." he mewed. "I understand that cats have feelings. But, I will not tolerate this kind of protection. You nearly blew your whiskers off in there. Just so you know I was not trying to hurt her. I understand that you love her, but you can't protect her from her own feelings. Do you understand?!" Swirlstar mewed sternly. Sharpclaw blinked. "I don't think I did anything wrong. But yes, you want me to let someone hurt my mate, and do nothing to stop or prevent it. I do understand that." he mewed tartly. He whipped around, and padded out of the den. He headed back to the Nursery, snatching a nice-sized rabbit from the fresh-kill pile.
He padded to his mate's side, and set the squirrel in front of her. Firewhisker lifted her head and blinked. "You ok?" Sharpclaw whispered. Firewhisker nodded. "I-I guess. The kits keep suckling like crazy, and it's taking the energy out of me." she mewed. Sharpclaw licked her forehead. "You should eat something." he mewed, nodding to the rabbit. Firewhisker began eating the rabbit, until she had it devoured. "Better." she mewed. Sharpclaw purred in her ear. "They are gorgeous." he purred. Firewhisker blinked at him, smiling.
Fizzlekit - light grey dappled she-cat with a black stripe, long tail, and blue eyes.
Popkit - A white she-cat with slightly dark orange/redish tabby stripes. Her nose is bright pink and her eyes are a lovely green.
Luckkit - a white she-kit with an orange tabby stripe. grey paws, and s small spot on her forehead that is shaped like a clover. Her eyes are green.
Silentkit - a gray tabby she-kit with orange and red tabby stripes, blue eyes
Sharpclaw sighed with love for his young kits. "Popkit looks just like you." he purred. Firewhisker purred, nuzzling him. "Fizzlekit looks like you too." she purred. "Firewhisker- I must talk to you." Sharpclaw began. Firewhisker's eyes widened. "Is something wrong?" she murmured, casting an anxious glance at her kits. "Nothing's wrong at all. Sweetie, when Swirlstar asked to take our son to go bury him, I realized she was really upsetting you. I became ferciously angry and wouldn't stand for it. I told her to back off by howling, and shoving her backwards with voice." Sharpclaw mewed. He paused, before beginning again. "I will protect you and our daughters with all my strength and my heart, from anyone who is going to hurt you, or upset you. I wanted to just talk with you, and help you through our son's death in peace. Let you decide when you were ready to have him buried. Swirlstar called me to her den, because of what I did. She said it was totally uncalled for, and that I can't protect you from feelings. I think she wants me to just give up on protecting you from anyone or anything." he finished. Firewhisker gazed into his blue eyes, then licked his nose. "Sweetie, I believe you did the right thing earlier. Your compassion helped me cope with the fact that he died, and realize he is watching me in StarClan. So, you are right about that." she mewed softly. "But, did you ever think that maybe, Swirlstar only wanted you to relax a bit more. Trying to tell you, that she thinks I can fend for myself." she added. Noticing he was about to speak, she cut him off. "Sharpclaw I love you, and I want you to know that this protection you give, makes me feel wanted and loved. I'm so grateful for it, knowing that our kits and I are safe. I don't agree with what Swirlstar said at all. I agree with you 100% about this. When something like that happpens, and hopefully not soon, I'll be even more grateful for having you there, helping me. And Swirlstar just doesn't understand that." she mewed. Sharpclaw licked her forehead, smiling. "Let me say, you deserve everything that I give you. Every ounce of love, strength, protection, it is all because you make me get up in the morning, you inspire me to be a good role model, and be nice to everyone. It is all because I love you, and you brought sunshine to my cloudy day." he purred. Firewhisker's eyes filled with joy, and pressed her head against his shoulder, purring. Sharpclaw began gently grooming her. Firewhisker fell asleep a bit later. Sharpclaw sighed. He stroked her cheek while murmuring, "I'll always love you." Then he smiled at his kits. "Oh my daughters, welcome to CoralClan." he purred softly, giving each of them a gentle lick on the forehead. Then he touched his nose to his mate's forehead. "Sleep well, my love." he whispered, before padding out of the nursery.
Sharpclaw woke up early the next morning, and padded out into the forest to hunt. He spotted a plump thrush, and bunched his muscles to pounce, when all of a sudden, he heard a loud battle cry coming from the direction of the camp. He raced back to the camp, going about a mile a minute, worried frantically about his mate. When he raced into camp, he saw a large brown tom dragging his mate by the scruff, out of the nursery. 2 more toms followed, each with 2 of his daughters. Sharpclaw let out a loud and furious howl of anger. The lept at the tom that was dragging his mate, and bit at his throat, tossing him aside like a mouse, then lept at the second tom. He sunk his claws into the tom's chest, forcing him to release his daughters. Then he charged at the last tom, raking his claws viciously down his flank. The tom howled away with fright, the second tom following quickly. The first tom that was kidnapping his mate, was too seriously injured to move. Sharpclaw moved to his daughters and began checking them for injures. Fizzlekit had a torn ear, and Popkit was scratched on her shoulder. Sharpclaw wrapped his tail around them, and padding silently to his mate's side. The kits burrowed blindly into her fur, which was matted with blood on her shoulder and flank. "Firewhisker?" Sharpclaw whispered, licking her forehead gently. He grabbed some cobwebs and began pressing them on her wounds gently, trying to stop the bleeding. Firewhisker's eyes blinked open slowly. "You-you almost killed a cat to-to save me." she whispered. Sharpclaw licked her forehead after applying the cobwebs. "I'd kill any cat to protect you and our family. Are you hurt anywhere else?" he mewed. Firewhisker shook her head slightly. "The-the kits?" she whimpered. "They are fine, every single one of them. Fizzlekit tore an ear, and Popkit's shoulder was scratched, but they are fine." Sharpclaw purred softly. "I'm going to help you back into the nursery, so you can rest in your nest." he added. He nudged her gently to her paws, and led her to her nest. Firewhisker sunk deep into her nest as Sharpclaw collected the kits. He made sure their wounds were bandaged, then carried each of them to their mother's side. They mewled with fright as they burrowed into their mom's fur. Sharpclaw stroked them softly. Firewhisker pressed her head into his fur. Sharpclaw nuzzled her softly. "Are you ok, my dear?" he mewed softly. Firewhisker whimpered with fright for herself, and her kits. Sharpclaw licked her forehead repeatedly. "Hush." he murmured. "I'm here, and no one will be getting near you or our kits to hurt them. I certainly won't let them. You are safe." he whispered into her ear softly. Firewhisker smiled slightly, gratefully. "Sharpclaw, get your mouse-brained butt out here!" called Swirlstar, a slight edge to her voice. Firewhisker started whimpering loudly. Sharpclaw wrapped his tail around her tightly. "I'm not leaving Firewhisker's side! Can you come in here?" he called out. Swirlstar snorted. "Get out here!" she hissed. "My mate is terrified right now, and I have no intentions of leaving her side!" Sharpclaw called. Finally, Swirlstar in. "Sharpclaw! I told you that this type and level of protection will stop! Didn't you understand this before? Because, you apparently didn't even think about it. You just killed a clan warrior in cold blood, and on purpose!" she growled angerily. Sharpclaw sighed. " I killed him to save my family. Since you don't have one, you don't know how important my mate is to me. And you don't understand how important my kits are to me too." he mewed, nuzzling Firewhisker softly, her face still in his fur. "You won't be able to protect them anymore. That cat was going to be our medicine cat, and he was about to move them to the medicine den for treatment. Sharpclaw, by the powers infested in me, I sentence you to exile. You must be out of the territory by sunrise tommorrow." she mewed. Sharpclaw's eyes widened. "But Swirlstar-!" he began. "No buts! That was our clan's medicine cat you killed." Swirlstar snapped. Firewhisker burst into tears. "Swirlstar please!" she cried. "You'll be better off without him. You are a nice strong warrior, you can protect yourself." Swirlstar mewed. Firewhisker started shaking her head. "I-I need him!" she wailed. Sharpclaw sighed with sorrow. "Firewhisker, my love, I must go. You heard Swirlstar. But, please, remember forever how much I love you and our kits. Tell them about me. About how Swirlstar just hates my guts. But most important tell them they will make wonderful warriors and I am always proud of them and thinking of them." he mewed, his eyes filled with tears. "Sharpclaw!" wailed Firewhisker, as he started padding away. "Firewhisker, I love you, and I always will. Maybe, it is time for you to move on. Find someone much more gentle then I am. I wouldn't mind because I won't be here. But, you deserve the chance to make your life happy again." Sharpclaw mewed, tears flowing from his eyes. Firewhisker kept wailing. Sharpclaw met her eyes one last time, before racing away. Firewhisker glared at Swirlstar. "I will certainly tell my kits how much you hate their father's guts. You never told anyone that we found a medicine cat!" she whispered. Swirlstar padded away. Firewhisker started crying.
At sunset, every cat were sleeping in their nests. Firewhisker kept thinking of Sharpclaw, how much he loved her, and much she loved him. Oh, Sharpclaw, I need you. I told you that. I'm coming to find you. She stood up, picked up her 4 daughters and padded out into the forest.