Ask to Join Cedarkit and Berrykit's First Breath

Piperpaw:

Doing check-ups on the balls of fluff that she herself had helped deliver was always a treat, and a task Piperpaw would always volunteer to do no matter how busy she was. Brightmaple was out briefly; stretching her legs when the kits had a very willing minder. So when the other new queen entered Piperpaw didn't originally look up from her work.

"Beewhisker, I was just-" Piperpaw finally looked up as the she-cat called out, glancing over. She stopped, scrutinizing the she-cat, her eyes flicking down her pelt, across her back and back up to her face. 

"... Do you feel like you need to pant, and breathe heavily?" She surveyed the somewhat uncomfortable expression on Beewhisker's face. "Like, maybe your muscles are contracting?" Her words were slow. Both to not worry the two balls of fluff by her side, but also to prevent the queen herself from worrying. Maybe she had just overexerted herself. Maybe.

At Beewhisker's admission, Piperpaw felt her ears lay flat. "You were WHAT?!" She had to stop reprimanding the queen for a moment to not upset the two kittens with her, gently shushing them before carefully extracting herself from their nest.

"You were out hunting? This late into your pregnancy-" While her tone was incredulous, Piperpaw managed to at least not bare her teeth in frustration. This is her first time. She had to keep reminding herself. She's a warrior, she doesn't listen, why did you think this would be any different from a thorn in the paw or a scratch-

After a deep breath she continued. "Beewhisker. Just because you physically can get up and hunt does not mean you should. You are put on light duties for a reason." While it was up in the air whether or not hunting and fighting could cause a cat to go into labour, she really didn't want to have to put her two cents in. "As of now, you are coming to me with the Medicine Cat den. This is non-negotiable."

Rowanglade likely wouldn't be in the den, but getting out of the nursery and into a private place might be better for her and for Beewhisker. Especially if she would have to deliver kittens early. Starclan she did not want to have to deliver kittens early and then explain to this daft warrior that they were stillborn. All for a few mice.

Brightmaple had put Heatherkit and Oatkit down for a nap when Piperpaw showed up and suggested the queen stretch her legs while she tended to the kits for a little bit. She had enjoyed herself a piece of freshkill and was returning from the dirt place when she noted Beewhisker's fluffy tortoiseshell figure slip into the nursery. The tortoiseshell she-cat had considered just stretching out in the sunshine and enjoying the day when her folded ears twitched, catching her name being called and she quickly trotted over and slipped into behind the soon-to-be queen.

"Was there something you needed, Beewhisker?" Her golden eyes quickly adjusted to the darker interior of the nursery. They quickly fell onto the two small forms still tucked peacefully in her nest before shifting to the other long-furred she-cat.

If she had any sympathy for the queen, it would have to wait. Now she needed her to listen to Piperpa carefully. She could feel her fur slowly starting to stick up as she thought about everything she would have to do.

"I can't promise you anything." Starclan had taught her many things over the past few moons and to make no promises you couldn't keep was one of them. "I'm going to do everything I can, but you must understand - something has already gone wrong. So when I tell you something, you will listen to me." There really was no room for negotiation. An early birth was just as bad - if not worse - than a late birth. The queen was at risk, but the kits were in an very more dangerous place. And it was her duty to resolve it.

"I am going to the medicine cat den. You need to get yourself situated here. Whatever you do - do not push. Panting is fine, pacing is fine." The smaller apprentice darted for the entrance. With the older queen back, she at least had help in the moment - and could probably stay in the nursery. Piperpaw would grab all the herbs she had used last time, plus some extra in case Beewhisker had issues with milk supply. She shot Brightmaple a look for vanishing from the den.

A look that said 'Do not let her out of your sight.'

Brightmaple had missed the initial exchange between the two younger she-cats but what she had caught was getting her attention and her focus sharpened though her gaze became soft as she realized what was going on. She did her best to start guiding and calming both younger she-cats.

"Forgive me, Piperpaw, but what she needs is an experienced queen helping her. Just go gather what you need while I'll do just that. If there really is something wrong, your knowledge will be needed and appreciated." Brightmaple's tone was brisk but kind, the motherly tone she adopted where situations required it. Her copper eyes did lock with Piperpaw's green gaze and she caught the look the younger she-cat gave her. She understood the medicine cat apprentice's worry and caution, but the older she-cat was experienced in this and knew what to do and how to help.

"Piperpaw is correct, however, that there's never a guarantee that everything will be alright. There is always a risk when kitting." The tortoiseshell turned her attention to Beewhisker and began to gently nose her towards a ball of moss left in the corner earlier. "Now, start by making yourself a comfortable nest. Don't worry about making it perfect, we'll need to change it afterwards anyway."

She settled back to wrap her tail around her paws, casting a glance to make sure her own two kits were still in her own nest before returning back to Beewhisker. First to confirmation the danger but also offer some calm. "Now then, it is true that kits can sometimes come early. It's unfortunately sometimes, but it's always Starclan's will when it does, not matter the outcome. Our ancestors know what they are doing, no matter what happens during our kitting. Just remember that and trust them. Do you know how early your kits are?"

Now Brightmaple needed to know at what stage Beewhisker was at in her labor in order to know how to respond further. She also knew that despite what Piperpaw said, there was no stopping the need to push when it came down to it. The body would instinctively and naturally push the kits out as it needed. Helping the new queen to focus would also help with the helpless feeling and perhaps the pain as well. "Focus on what you are feeling at the moment. What does your body feel it is telling you to do? What do you feel it is currently doing?"

"It is a little early then." Brightmaple admitted before leaning forward and shifting into a loaf beside Beewhisker's nest. "If it had been earlier, there would have been no chance for the kits, but I have known a queen to have a litter this early and the kits survived."

"It might be a little bit yet until the kits decide to make their appearance. Your belly will tighten in spasms as it works to arrange the kits. Once they've engaged the hips, that's when you'll start feeling the need to push and that's when pushing will be effective. If you push before you have the need, you'll wear yourself out for nothing."

Hopefully, having an idea on what to expect would bring Beewhisker some comfort, but when the other she-cat's fur bristled and she caught the scent of fear, Brightmaple had to stop herself from sighing. There was no deny having a litter was a scary thing, even if a she-cat had done it before.

"Beewhisker, if anything were to happen to you, the clan will raised the kits. As a current queen in the nursery, I would stay in here until they were apprenticed and, as with any litter, the clan would care for them." Her voice was calm and the certainty in it was just as strong as when she mentioned their ancestors having sway over the kitting. "Try not to worry over a future that might not even happen. Stay in the moment and pay attention for when your kits are ready to arrive. Once they line up and reach the hips, they will all start coming into the world quickly."