option two >> choose a mate so you might have an heir

Burnetstar breathed deeply, collecting himself. He passed out of his den, but was surprised that rather than all eyes on him, all eyes were on the nursery. Eveningwater was padding out, her tail high and amber eyes bright with pride, her three small kits hobbling after her with wide, amazed eyes.

That's it. Burnetstar purred to himself. I'll take a mate and they'll have my kits. An heir-- a little miniature Burnetstar. A lot to pass on my legacy. His eyes swept over the clearing. But... Who with..? His eyes settled on a group of she-cats all congregated together. He checked to make sure his fur was sleek before padding over, tail high.

      Immediately he recognized the cats as Icespark, Sleetfrost, Ashflame, and Cinderleap, as well as one of the elders, Crowwatcher.

      "Hello, Burnetstar." Ashflame greeted, her green eyes unreadable. Burnetstar flicked his ear as a hello in return to the long-haired dark gray she-cat.

"What do you think of Eveningwater's kits?" Burnetstar meowed, sitting down among the cats. Crowwatcher narrowed her eyes, standing up stiffly and padding away to the Elder's Den. All four she-cats watched her depart before their eyes turned back to their leader.

"They seem pretty strong." Icespark remarked.

"Yeah, they just turned a moon and already they can leave the den? That's even earlier than Feathertuft's kits." Cinderleap meowed, a bit of pride gleaming in her eyes as she spoke about her sister's kits. The pride faded quickly, and she began grooming her smoky tortoiseshell mottled fur quietly as she remembered Burnetstar was sitting right across from her. The ginger tabby nodded in agreement with her statement, and Sleetfrost dropped her head to whisper.

"You know, I think it makes sense that a rogue is the kit's father," she whispered, her aged yellow-green eyes sweeping across to the other she-cats. Ashflame shook her head.

"You shouldn't gossip about it; they're healthy kits, so it doesn't really matter." She looked to Burnetstar, who was watching them all with interest. Icespark flicked her faintly striped tail tip.

"I heard Tigerslash was expecting kits...." She meowed to shift the subject. Sleetfrost's face lit up.

"Good for her! She and Pantherstrike have been so close ever since they became warriors. I remember when they were first apprenticed, they practically hated each other," she purred.

      A bit of silence fell as the she-cats awkwardly looked between each other and then to Burnetstar.

      >> "Ashflame, could you come with me?"
      >> "Cinderleap, could you come with me?"
      >> "Icespark, could you come with me?"
      >> "Sleetfrost, could you come with me?"

//
I probably chose the worst time to post this because everyone is probably out trick or treating. Oops. Sorry this took a few days, it was pretty hard to showcase four cats to make a decision between in a few paragraphs.