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Rosetail is laying on her side, half watching Stonekit and Mosskit playing, while flicking her tail slightly for Mistykit to chase, when Bluefur walks into the nursery. She’s carrying a slightly smaller than average rabbit, the first rabbit they’ve seen in moons. Rosetail perks up immediately, and the kits do the same.
“Mammy!” Stonekit says, jumping over Mosskit to wind around Bluefur’s paws.
Bluefur nuzzles him, before moving onto his siblings. “Hello darlings,” she purrs, wrapping a tail around them.
“Mammy, is that a rabbit?” Mistykit sniffs the rabbit curiously.
“Yes, cricket.” Bluefur says. “It’s the first rabbit caught in a few moons.”
Mistykit chirps before taking a bite out of the rabbit. Hee siblings follow quickly, Mosskit taking a comically large bite that earns a few giggles.
“Now, were you three good for your mother?”
“Yes!” Mosskit says. “We were next to Mama the entire time. And we didn’t even try to sneak out of the nursery.”
Bluefur glances at Rosetail, silently asking for confirmation.
“Yes, they were very good today.” She smiles.
“Good,” Bluefur affectionately licks Mosskit’s forehead, before moving towards Rosetail. As soon as she can, she lays down and buries herself in Rosetail’s scruff.
“Hey, snowflake,” Rosetail purrs, wrapping a tail around Bluefur and nuzzling her head. “Bad day?”
“We barely caught enough prey today," Bluefur groans, voice muffled around Rosetail’s scruff. “The elders are saying this is the worst Leafbare that they’ve ever seen.”
“They say that every Leafbare. I’m sure you’ll find more prey tomorrow.” Rosetail says. She pulls away from Bluefur, leaning more heavily on her side. “Now, I really think that you should have a nap,” Before Bluefur can say anything, Rosetail flicks her plumy red tail across her mouth. “No buts. Even deputies need to sleep once in a while.”
Bluefur huffs, but Rosetail can hear the affection and amusement in it. She almost immediately melts into Rosetail, back against Rosetail’s belly, and twines their tails together. Rosetail purrs and wraps a paw around her. She grooms Bluefur’s ears, until she can hear her purrs evening out into quiet snores. Rosetail closes her eyes, enjoying the calmness of the nursery, lulled to sleep by the quiet chattering of the kits and the warmth of Bluefur.
“Mama!” Stonekit suddenly wails, running into her and burying himself into her chest fur. Mosskit and Mistykit can be heard loudly snickering in the background, and Bluefur jolts awake. “There’s a spider!”
Rosetail sighs. At least it was nice while it lasted.