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Goldenflower blinked awake, yawning and stretching her legs. She could hear the soft sound of rain falling on the bramble roof of the queen's den. Her kits still slept soundly next to her, and she gazed at the other queens with her.
She had chosen to stay in the den with the queens, even though her kits weren’t apprentices, she knew it was what she wanted. It felt like the right decision for her to make. Tigerstar’s betrayal and exile had broken her, and she was happiest in Willowpelt’s comfort. Speckletail was a little grumpy, but Goldenflower still appreciated her company. In fact, she liked how grumpy the older queen was.
Goldenflower ambled out to the camp clearing. It was barely sunrise, and the dawn patrol was just heading out. She was awfully hungry, so she decided to grab something to eat from the prey pile. She ended up taking a mouse and a pigeon. The mouse was for Speckletail (who didn’t like sharing her food), and the pigeon would be for her and Willowpelt.
Heading back to the den with her mouth full, she could hear the meows of her two kits, Bramblekit and Tawnykit. They were getting older now and were almost ready to be apprentices. Walking into the den, Goldenflower saw Willowpelt awake, gently cleaning her two kits. Speckletail was still sleeping.
“Willowpelt?” Goldenflower quietly said. The gray cat looked up and smiled at seeing her friend. “I brought a pigeon for us to share.”
“Thank you, Goldenflower. I appreciate it.” Goldenflower dropped the pigeon next to Willowpelt and left the mouse beside the peaceful body of Speckletail. The golden cat settled down before her friend. They dug into the pigeon and began to eat.
Bramblekit and Tawnykit bounded over to their mother, and Tawnykit climbed onto her back. Goldenflower laughed quietly, and Willowpelt shook her head. “Those kits, I swear,” Willowpelt commented. “It’s about time that Bluestar makes them apprentices. They have so much energy, I’m sure they’ll be wonderful warriors.”
Goldenflower nodded, continuing to eat her food. “They are ready, I believe. But Bluestar hasn’t been herself recently. All we can do is hope.”
They shared the rest of their meal in silence. Their leader's state was a touchy subject for many cats, including the queens. They would often whisper about their worries, and speculate as to what was going on. Every cat knew something was up.
Willowpelt gathered the bones and feathers of the pigeon and left the den to properly dispose of them. Goldenflower took the time to groom and clean her kits and settle them down in the den so they wouldn’t bother Speckletail. They began quietly playing with a moss ball, rolling and batting it between them. It was surprising how easily they could entertain themselves.
Willowpelt’s muzzle appeared in the entrance of the den, and she tilted her head, signaling to Goldflower to come out. Goldenflower beckoned to her kits with her tail, and they followed, meowing to Willowpelt’s kits to join them.
“The rain stopped, and there are a few dry spots,” Willowpelt commented. “Thought you might want to sit out here.” the grey cat got comfy on the ground, finding the driest spot she could. The sun had already come back out, and the ground was quickly drying. Goldenflower settled next to her, and they watched the kits play.
“So, how did you sleep last night?” Goldenflower asked.
“I slept fine,” Willowpelt responded. “One of my kits was having a hard time settling, so I was up a little late.”
“I get that.” Goldenflower sighed, reminiscing on the days when her kits were much younger. She rarely got a full night of sleep. “Well, if you want to rest, I can wake Speckletail and we can go back to the den.”
“What’s all this about waking me up?” Speckletail had joined the two younger queens, and she flopped onto the ground.
“Ah, Speckletail! You’ve woken!” Willowpelt said with a friendly grin.
“You really do sleep like an elder, Speckletail,” Goldenflower said, chuckling.
“And I look like one too.” the older queen grumbled. That gave the three of them a good laugh.
“Maybe I’ll consider that offer of yours…” Willowpelt muttered to Goldenflower with a yawn. The yellow queen nodded.
“Speckletail, would you mind watching the kits? Willowpelt didn’t sleep well, and I’m a little tired myself.” Goldenflower said, stretching.
“Not at all!” Speckletail said cheerfully. “They’re such fun to be around. Happy to watch them whenever you need.”
“Thank you.” Goldenflower smiled at the older cat and ambled back to the nursery, Willowpelt following.
Sun was now shining through the bramble roof or the nursery. It was quiet and calm. The two cats settled down in one nest, and Willowpelt rested her head on her paws. She let out another yawn.
Goldenflower cuddled up next to the grey cat, and Willowpelt moved to fill the space between them. She let out a sigh. “Are you upset?”
Willowpelt raised her head. “About what?”
Goldenflower avoided eye contact. “You know, that my kits were fathered by Tigerstar. I worry that they’ll be judged by the clan.”
The grey cat sat back up. “Oh Goldenflower, I’m not upset at all! I’ve never even been upset about that. Your kits are wonderful. They’ll be amazing warriors, and they’re already so friendly.”
“Really?”
“Of course. I’ve never doubted them.” Willowpelt said. “Forget the past, let’s think about now.”
Goldenflower smiled. “Sorry for making you worry. You should be relaxing right now.”
Willowpelt smiled, resting her head under the muzzle of Goldenflower, and snuggling close to her. The two of them fell asleep, gentle rays of sunlight shining down from the bramble roof.