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Post by Warrioress on Jun 17, 2019 21:13:29 GMT -6
Raincloud had been confined to the nest in the medicine den for the past couple of days due to the sickness that had caught hold. Her limbs felt heavy and she coughed every now and again, her chest hurting at the exertion. She had been praying to Starclan that her kits would come after she had recovered, after she had regained her strength, but it was not to be, she felt pain flash down her side, much like her first kitting and wanted to scream but could only cough, her body heaving. She groaned at the pain that was rising before it faded away, she panted but knew the pain would return, she took a deep breath before letting loose a wail when the next wave of pain came, shooting through her body.
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Post by niftyshark on Jun 19, 2019 19:50:39 GMT -6
This kitting could only remind Dartwing of Emberstreak’s. There wasn’t any blood, but the hopelessness he felt was still the same. Raincloud was very poor off, and he wasn’t sure there was anything he could do to help her. She was at StarClan’s mercy now. He hated to see her suffer, but he had to devote his attention to saving the kits. A sturdy stick was by her muzzle, but he could do no more except coax her along with her body’s natural movements. He rested a paw on her belly and carefully felt around. He predicted only two, but even that would be a lot in the queen’s weakened state. “Are you ready, Raincloud? We’re going to do this together. The next time you feel a spasm, work with it. Don’t try to fight it.”
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Post by Warrioress on Jun 19, 2019 21:25:36 GMT -6
Barely hearing the words spoken, Raincloud did her best to push the exhaustion that was already threatening to pull her down away, her kits needed her to be strong now. She feebly tried to grab the stick that was by her muzzle before giving up and focusing on her body. It seemed like a lifetime before the next contraction came, she couldn't hold in the wail even if she wanted to. She did her best to push with the contractions, her legs shaking with the effort.
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Post by niftyshark on Jun 19, 2019 22:51:41 GMT -6
He was glad for his experience in staying clinical when it came to treating his patients, otherwise he wouldn’t have remained as calm. Raincloud would probably deliver the two kits, but it was clear it was taking all of her energy. Dartwing pushed the stick into her mouth before the contractions grew strong enough and made sure it wasn’t rejected. When the contractions picked up, all he could do was wait until the telltale signs of a kit arriving. He pressed down with a quick motion and the bundle fell into the nest. He quickly set to work cleaning it while keeping his eye on Raincloud. She still had one left, but it would be a short while before it too came.
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Post by Warrioress on Jun 19, 2019 23:00:46 GMT -6
A relief in the pain had Raincloud nearly letting go of the stick but she remembered there was more to come, she couldn't let go yet. She could feel another wave of pain coming but it wasn't as strong as the previous ones, she instinctively knew that it wasn't the one that would bring her next kit into the world. Legs trembling, she managed to clench her jaw on the stick as the pain came like a wave again.
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Post by niftyshark on Jun 19, 2019 23:07:19 GMT -6
The kit was a gray-and-white she-kit, but Dartwing didn’t dare interrupt Raincloud’s concentration. He also wasn’t sure if she would even understand him in her current state. He sufficed with keeping the kit next to him until he could safely ensure that Raincloud could deliver the second one.
The contractions came and passed, and he kept track of them as they waxed and waned. The queen’s efforts were growing more futile, and again, he was stuck with knowing there was little he could do. Dartwing continued counting until he felt enough time had passed. He placed his paw on her to feel its progress, and he knew it was almost time. “Push, it’s almost here,” he said urgently.
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Post by Warrioress on Jun 19, 2019 23:12:47 GMT -6
Raincloud felt a paw on her flank moments before she registered Dartwing's words. Summoning her last strength, she bore down with the next contraction, her body straining as she tried her best to bring the next and last kit into the world. She wanted them to live, wanted to them to know the joys of life.
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Post by niftyshark on Jun 19, 2019 23:18:42 GMT -6
The second kit followed much as the first did, and Dartwing worked just as quickly to get it breathing. It was a second gray-and-white she-kit. He peered at Raincloud, and she seemed responsive enough that she could have the newborn kits by her. He guided them to her belly and made sure they latched on. He then padded over to his herb store to fetch raspberry leaves and a moss-ball soaked in water. He set them by the queen, then took a step back. “Raincloud,” he said softly. “You have two daughters. Congratulations.” Lynxheart wasn’t around, and he frowned at that. She would have to name them herself. He didn’t press her for that though, since she had to be exhausted.
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Post by Warrioress on Jun 19, 2019 23:31:22 GMT -6
Raincloud let the stick drop from her mouth, relief at the fading pain running through her. She forgot about the aches, instead forcing herself to focus on Dartwing as he spoke. She felt the familiar motion of kits suckling at her belly, she flicked her eyes open and managed to maneuver herself so that she could look upon the two kits. A weak purr came from her as she noted that they both had taken after her in coloring, her gaze flicked between the two, noting the subtle difference in pattern of their coloring. "Thank you Dartwing" she mewed with a rasp in her voice.
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Post by niftyshark on Jun 19, 2019 23:47:50 GMT -6
Dartwing dipped his head. “Of course.” He watched them for a moment longer, but when he determined that Raincloud was in the clear, he turned to head out of the den. He would give them privacy, but he also needed to think. Maybe he would talk to Paledawn, too. It took all of his authority to keep her in the elders’ den and out of the medicine cat’s den, but now that it was over, he could confide in her. With that thought in mind, he angled himself towards the elders’ den.
(fin)
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