A Tadpole's Growth

BIRTH
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A high-pitched wailing rang distantly in the clearing, tinged with pain and struggle. All cats gathered, most of whom had been chatting with their heads bent together, grimaced at the horrid sound. The green leaves of mid-summer swayed with the harsh wind, the salty scent of the sea mingling with herb, cat, and prey.
Off to the side was a large, hefty tabby, pacing anxiously at the narrow entrance of a bramble den. His tail lashed to and fro, his eyes wide and panicked as he looked around.. Another cat, a she-cat with a smaller, willowy silver build, was bustling about in the back of a den, this one with a wafting, bitter-sweet scent. The larger tom, ears pricked, cocked his head to the side and sprinted after her, nearly tossing her over when he stumbled and tripped over her.
"Windwillow!" The tom gasped. Now more cautious, he nosed the trembling she-cat to her paws, stuttering apologies. Shaking a spray of sand from his coat, the tabby looked around, his anxious gaze resting on the den the wailing was coming from. "What's taking so long? Did Winteredbear tell you? Is Silverwish doing good? Even Echocry's and Milkweed's birth didn't last this long!" He cried. Windwillow rasped her tongue over his shoulder. "She'll be fine, Valleyecho. It's just that she's not as young as she used to be." Her eyes shone.
Feeling numb, Valleyecho nodded his head and turned away, his pace slowed, though he seemed more fidgety than ever.
He had hardly been able to manage another shaky step when a gasping breath sounded beside him. "Are the kits coming? Is Silverwish alright? I can't believe she's having a second litter! I wonder, who'll be my younger siblings? I'm so excited!" Valleyecho turned his head to peer into the overjoyed eyes of his daughter, Echocry. His heart lightening, he glanced over his shoulder toward the den. "Same. I'm worried." Echocry butted her head into his flank good-naturedly. "Come on, Valleyecho, you can be brave! All toms are worried on the birth of their kits!"
"Still, she might-" He was interrupted by a final, breathless yowl. "It's done! Go on, name your kits!" He whipped around, his eyes gleaming. Windwillow's head was poking out from the den, her eyes shining. She paused to glance at Echocry. "Kit, Echocry and Valleyecho. It's a single gray and dark gray kit. Go on in." After finishing the hurried sentence, Windwillow hurried along after Winteredbear, who had already hobbled into the Medicine Cat den.
Echocry scrambled along beside him, and as he shoved into the warm den, she let out a squeak. "He's so cute! What are you going to name him?" She purred, nudging Valleyecho's shoulder. Laying in the nest, with her son suckling strongly at her belly, Silverwish looked up. She looked estatic, her eyes gleaming with warmth and love, though she appeared exhausted. 
"I think Tadpolekit is his name." She said warily, smiling. 
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Category:Cats
Category:Stories