TIGERSNAP.
warrior of skyclan
A whole moon had already passed since the birth of Littledove’s and his kits, which was truly hard to wrap his head around. Already they were wobbling about on their clumsy paws, rapidly learning how to speak, and also coming to understand how to get into trouble. Poor Littledove certainly had her paws full, even with Auroraskies in the nursery to now help her out, and Tigersnap wished badly that he could have his warrior duties lightened even just a bit, to be around to help her more often. He also couldn’t help but feel he was missing out on crucial kit bonding and milestones while he was caring for the rest of the Clan, but he’d never been a complainer. He simply dug in and did his duties faster, perhaps resulting in him being a bit more snappy with Clanmates, particularly those he patrolled with, to get a little more pep in their steps and to stop dragging him down alongside themselves.
This evening was different, however, as he’d volunteered himself for a solo hunt in order to not only get done faster but also procure a certain piece of prey that he had on good authority was Littledove’s favorite. He’d also wandered around the forest for a while in search of a particular set of tracks, which he had no guarantee he’d find but miraculously had. And then, he might have wasted entirely too much time plucking feathers off a rather angry turkey. Six feathers, to be exact, one for each kit, because he would not be having any fighting or bickering while the purpose of tonight would be to get Littledove to relax.
So, with a sparrow and six large turkey feathers gripped between his jowls, Tigersnap finally stumbled back into camp, looking rather ruffled, as he made a beeline for the nursery. Settling on his haunches, setting his catches before his paws, a soft, restrained smile slipped onto his lips as he imagined his family’s greeting for him. “Oh Littledove and brats~” He singsonged, or as much as a tom like him could, in a summoning.
Finchkit |The Compassionate Spirit of Skyclan|
Face scrunching up as she could hear the grumbling of Coyotekit, knowing that her sister had not been feeling good all day and Acornkit kicking in his sleep was not helping matters. Knowing her headstrong sister did not like sympathy, the reddish brown cream she-kit snuggles closer to her mother’s side, enjoying the warmth radiating from the larger queen. A soft content purr escapes Finch, wrapping her thin tail around her small form. Ears twitching at the snores of Ryekit and Laurelkit. She was too exhausted to even grumble for the two mouth breathers to shush. Today had been an exciting and busy day for her with playing with Thornkit and Scorchkit, even planning their up coming pranks. It was only when her mother had herded her back to their large nest for their evening naps, that she realized how worn out she was.
Just when she began to fall asleep did she hear the deep baritone voice of her father. It was as if he was coaxing her from the verge of slumber, grumbling distastefully as all she wanted to do now was sleep. Trying to hide away within her mother’s pelt, maybe if they couldn’t see her then no one would bother her. Luck was not on her side however as she felt Littledove shift underneath her before nuzzling her awake. Opening one sage green eye, squinting at the dim light irritating her sensitive sight. Feeling her other siblings move about before climbing out of the rest causing Finch to finally open both eyes and drag herself after them. Eyes hooded with sleep, parting her jowls as a loud yawn escapes her, smacking her dry lips afterwards.
Tail dragging against the nursery floor, fur ruffled in every which direction, though she did not care in the least about her appearance. Leaning slightly against her brother Ryekit, her vision slowly coming into focus as she gives a sleepy smile to her dad. Watching her mother dot over Cranekit was nothing new to her, as she knew that her mother could not help but worry over him more than others. It never bothered her in the slightest as she often felt bad for Crane—having to deal with attention constantly on him. Though her sleep driven little form quickly changes when spotting a feather. Awe painting her face as her large green eyes flicker back over to the large brown tabby warrior.
“What that? Did ya kill it? Can ya show me how?” She blabbers, ears perked up, tail flicking side to side as she pads up to her father clumsily. Rubbing her small form against his shins before lightly poking the turkey feather. “It feel funny” she mumbles as her small dainty paw continues to caress the soft silky feather.
:: ℂ𝕠𝕪𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕜𝕚𝕥 ::
𝕂𝕚𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕟 𝕠𝕗 𝕊𝕜𝕪𝕔𝕝𝕒𝕟
“Acornkit, no kick!” Coyotekit whined softly as her brother had kicked out in his sleep, reaching out a small light brown paw as she smacked her brothers flank slightly so he would wake up just enough. Her little stomach had been bothering her all morning, not able to gulp down her mothers milk like her greedy siblings sucking Littledove dry. Pale green eyes narrowed and glared at the tomkit, huffing slightly as she scooted closer into her mothers belly fur, finding the warmth of her mother to be soothing. Ears perked up slightly as she could hear her father’s voice, beckoning his family outside. Her siblings were beginning to stir, but she was continuing to lay at her mothers belly, unhappy with the thought of having to get up and go out.
Refusing to whine, the little she-kit began to push herself away from the comfort of her mothers belly, curiosity also nipping at her tail to get moving. Everyone was waking up and shaking out their pelts, their mother having waited until her kittens were no longer pressed against her before she stood up. Coyotekit yawned, her eyes closing and her nose wrinkled as she noticed Acornkit eyeing her mischievously. “No think bout it.” She growled with a warning, her eyes turning back towards Cranekit, Finchkit, and Ryekit as they quickly zoomed from the nursery after their mother had already elegantly made her way outside.
Normally Coyotekit would have been close on their heels if not the first one to burst out of the den. Instead she was mentally talking herself into just standing and following everyone outside. Her walk was a little wobbly, trying to figure out her sea legs as she learned how to walk. Glancing towards Acornkit and Laurelkit, she followed after her siblings as she gazed curiously towards her gathering family, spotting her father easily. Coyotekit smiled softly in his direction, blinking as she stepped out in the sunlight, squinting as she followed the sound of her siblings speaking excitedly. Her stomach churned with unease as Acornkit lightly knocked into her hip, causing her to hiss lightly with her ears pinned. He was more rowdy than usual it seemed.
Thankful her mother was doting on Cranekit, she wasn’t interested in becoming one of her mothers obsession’s. Instead her green eyes were looking towards the feathers, ears perking as Littledove hollered at Laurelkit, standing on her tip toes to try and peek over her taller siblings. Growing more and more annoyed with Acornkit, she moved away from her brother, going to stand beside Cranekit, her tired eyes looking down at the brown and grey striped feathers. “What dat?” She asked curiously, looking up at both her parents.
l i t t l e d o v e skyclan queen
She’d settled herself nicely amongst the moss, silver tabby fur mixing with different hues of brown, gray, and white as her kits snuggled against her, squeaking and shuffling in their slumber. Her blue gaze shifted to the sleeping form of Auroraskies and her barrage of new kits, only a half moon younger than her own, and she purred lightly. Her best friend had made a nest in the nursery for the daytime, keeping Littledove company and giving her kits the opportunity to socialize with their denmates, though at sunfall they retreated to Firestar’s den, and the silver molly was glad for the additional space in the nursery. Between Littledove, Auroraskies, and Frostburn’s kits, the nursery had felt cramped and full. Then she heard the sweetest sound. The familiar tone of Tigersnap’s voice made her ears perk up, pink nose twitching. Her own kits seemed to stir at that, their tiny eyelids fluttering open and their mouths gaping in yawns, tiny white teeth sharp and gleaming in the dim sunlight.
It had taken her a moment to round up the six kittens, nosing them in turn to make sure they were okay as they began to fully awaken, their fur sticking up in awkward clumps. Once she’d rallied the troops, the slender she-cat slithered out of the nursery, feeling her heart quicken at the appearance of the brown-tabby point. He was standing tall, an excited expression across his face as they finally entered, and Littledove felt a bit embarrassed that he had to wait a bit for them to get out of the den. In her defense, getting six kittens ready when they wanted to get into every nook and cranny in the nursery was quite the challenge, though she knew the warrior didn’t mind waiting. “Hello, Tigersnap,” she mewed happily, a purr lacing her tone, though it was bogged down by tiredness. She’d been constantly awoken for bathroom breaks during the night-time, as well as her kits' midnight feedings and little sharp claws digging into her belly. Exhausted was an understatement, but the cheery gleam in her blue irises seemed to say she didn’t mind it in the slightest.
As soon as she spoke, the sound of squeaks and excited mews echoed around her, and she watched the moon old kittens totter about, still a bit unsure of their legs and curious about the entire camp. They weren’t allowed to go far, and they’d only been allowed to hang around the nursery in order to keep them away from the working warriors, but Littledove knew in about a moon they’d be exploring the entire camp excitedly, begging their mother to show them battle moves or pestering the elders for stories, and her heart warmed at the thought. “Cranekit, are you alright?” she cooed gently to the tiny bundle of white fur, rasping her tongue across his head as he exited the nursery. He had been smaller than his littermates, and therefore the queen took extra caution when anything went wrong with him. She noticed the feathers Tigersnap had brought them, and she knew they would be excited to have a new toy, though the silver molly knew she’d be awoken to feathers tickling her nose in the middle of the night. “Oh my, kits! Look at what papa has brought, come, stay close. Laurelkit! Come back here!” she called to her daughter, the perfect mix of her and Tigersnap. As the little kit came scampering over, Littledove reached forward and touched her nose to Tigersnap’s briefly and delicately, a million thank you’s passing between them. Thank you for the prey, but also thank you for blessing me with these kittens.