Feather pads after Flare through the snow. She trudges through it, panting. She stumbles and falls into the snow. Flare turns his head and bounds towards her. He sniffs her paw. It was cold and stiff. Flare lays down beside her and lets off waves of heat. Feather snuggles into him, purring softly. The snow around them melts and Feather gets up. Flare stands up and presses against her. He steers her up the slope, pressing against her harder every time she stumbled. Flare quickens his pace and they soon reach Feather's parents home. Feather collapses to her side, out of breath from the long journey. Ember hurries out of the den and over to Feather. "Take her to my den," she says. Flare grabs her scruff and carries her to the den. Jolt raises his head. "What going on," he asks. "I need both of you out of the den, Feather needs some space," Ember orders. Jolt gets up and nudges Flare out of the den. "But-!" "Don't worry, Ember will take care of her," Jolt reassures Flare. Feather lets out a small whimper. "What's wrong sweetie," Ember asks. "I'm tired," Feather says. "Get some sleep, I'll check on you in the morning," Ember soothes. Feather closes her eyes and gently falls asleep.

Feather wakes up to a cold paw prodding her. She opens her eyes. Ember was bent down beside her. "Mom," she asks, groggily. Ember raises her head and looks at her. "Sorry, did I wake you," Ember asks. Feather sits up, yawning. A sharp pain in her stomach makes her wince. "What's wrong with me," she whimpers. "Well isn't it obvious, your having kits," Ember purrs. Feather stares at her mother in shock. "How am I going to take care of kits, when I can barely take care of myself," Feather whimpers. "You'll have Flare with you," Ember replies. "But what if Flare leaves me!" "He won't leave you, he loves you," Ember soothes. "How can you be sure," she wails. Feather starts to breath harshly, her eyes going wild. "Feather, calm down," Ember says. "Calm down, Feather, calm down. That is all that I have ever heard in my life," Feather cries. Ember gets up and crouches in from of Feather. "I am so sorry, Feather. I just don't want you to hurt yourself," Ember says. "Well you haven't done a very good job at that," Feather growls. Ember steps back, a look of sadness sweeping over her eyes. Feather instantly feels guilty. "I'm sorry, I'm just stressed out and in pain," Feather sighs. She lays her head on her paws. "I get it. How about we tell Flare the great news," she says, her eyes brightening. Ember pads out of the den. A moment later Flare comes in, his eyes dark with worry. "I have some good news," Feather smiles. His eyes brighten. "What?" "Your going to be a father!" Flare stares at her, too in shock to speak. Feather gets up and rubs her cheek against his, smiling. "I-I don't know what to say," he says. "Isn't it great," Feather asks, frowning. "It is," Flare replies quickly. "I just don't know if we're ready to have kits yet." "We'll raise them together, won't we," Feather whimpers. "I, uh." "You what," Feather growls. "I don't know if I'm ready to be a father," he murmurs. "I don't think I'm ready to be a mother," Feather whispers, her ears going down. Ember pads into the den, a questioning look on her face as she saw the uncertainty in Flare's eyes. "Why don't you go out and hunt, I'll take care of Feather," she says. Flare nods and walks numbly out of the den. Feather whimpers and curls up in her nest. Ember sits down behind her and licks her head. "What happened," she asks. "Flare isn't happy that we're having kits," Feather sighs. "Jolt was like that when I told him I was having you and your brothers," Ember says. "But Flare isn't like dad, he's usually really happy and positive. But he wasn't happy or positive when I told him," Feather says. She cover her eyes up with her paws. "I don't know if I can do this," she murmurs. "I'm sure you can, you just think you can't," Ember reassures her, rubbing her tail along her stomach. Feather curls up against her mother and falls asleep to the warmth of her body.

Sorry it's short, but I have something big planned for the next chapter!