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"I'm not afraid of God, I am afraid of men"
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Dawnclaw smiled at the small bundles that were nestled beside her belly.
Her purr disturbed them, and one opened her mouth in a silent protest.

Despite how calm she appeared, inside , Dawnclaw was fearful. She was a warrior, not a queen! But that had changed. And a queen, she will be.

Dawnclaw was unsure of what to do, but at least she had Minkfoot to help her. But then again, Minkfoot probably wouldn't want to help her, the two had never gotten along that well.

Dawnclaw sighed. She just wanted to give these kits the best chance of life that they could have. SpruceClan life was something that Dawnclaw loved, and she wanted her kits to experience it in the best possible way.

"Dawnclaw? May I come and take a look at your kits?" A pleasant vice asked. Swiftear, the medicine cat.

"Of course, Swiftear. I want them to be in good health!" She mewed, her words was supposed to come out joking, but the anxiety that was swirling around inside of her projected itself into her speech.

He gave her a sympathetic glance, his bicolour fur appearing darker as he entered the shaded den.

"The first litter is difficult for everyone, at least, so I've been told." The good-natured medicine cat smiled as he sat down next to her.
"I remember when Lynxheart had his first litter. He told me the kits had been driving Duckflight bee-brained!"

Dawnclaw smiled back; some of her worries lifted.
"Good thing to know that we're all like this!"

Swiftear purred in response. He crouched, his belly fur lightly brushing the ground.
"I'm going to examine the kits now." He told her.

He gently stretched out a paw,and batted a little brown tabby kit towards him.
"This one was the youngest?" He asked.

Dawnclaw nodded in confirmation. Did it really matter which one was the youngest, which one was the eldest?

Swiftear's yellow eyes narrowed as he peered at the kit.
"This little she-kit seems in perfect health."

Dawnclaw watched carefully as he looked over each kit.

"They all seem fine. Five perfectly healthy kits! I must warn you, five kits will be a pawful. Make sure they all get equal amounts of care and attention." Swiftear said, his voice deepening as he became serious.

Dawnclaw nodded.
"Thank you so much, Swiftear." She said sincerely.

He dipped his head in gratitude.
"Tell me, have you named them yet?" He asked.

She shook her head, a feeling of love washing over her.
"Yes, Pinetuft and I chose them  together last night." She paused.

Pointing to each kit in turn, she said their names.
"Coyotekit is the little ginger tabby, the black kit is Sablekit, the tortoiseshell is Meadowkit, the brown tabby is Martenkit, and the dilute tortie is Maplekit." She finished.

"Great names! Well, I simply must go, I have to collect as many herbs as I can before leafbare hits. Talk to you later!" He waved his tail, and then galloped out of the den.

Dawnclaw looked at her precious kits.
"Oh, I just can't wait to see what you're like when you're older, my little ones."

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What do you think of it so far?
~ Blackbird