Cinderkit's POV:

"K-kits..?" She heard her father utter in shock, his bright golden eyes growing dull as he tried to understand what Blossomfur had said. "Kits?" He said again, pulling away from the cream she cat.

"Yes." Cinderkit's mother murmured. "What's wrong? You don't want them?" The young kit sensed fear in Blossomfur's voice, even from her hiding spot several tail-lengths away.

Shadeheart immediately responded, his voice flustered. "No, no! I want them- I mean.. I.. I'm surprised, Blossomfur. We already have kits, why more?"

"Don't ask me. I didn't plant them in here on purpose!" Blossomfur muttered to him, a sudden bitterness in her soft voice. Where has the sudden grief for Redleaf gone?

"Don't get angry." Shadeheart pleaded, reminding Cinderkit about how much of a coward her father was. "I'm just a little surprised." The black furred tom leaned closer to his mate, but she pulled away.

"Do you want these kits?" Blossomfur demanded, her voice so low that Cinderkit had to strain her ears to hear.

"Yes. Yes of course." Shadeheart meowed, his paw trailing over her's. "I love you Blossomfur, please stop doubting that."

"You make it very easy to do so." Blossomfur sniffed, but dropped the conversation, inviting the black tom to join her once again.

Cinderkit frowned at her parents. They were so weird.

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Silvershy's POV:

"His body was left in the centre of camp, laid out in such a way that it looked as if he were merely asleep." Silvershy meowed, halfway through the gruelling story of her mate's death. "But when I made it to his body..." She glanced at each of her kits; their eyes were shining in curiosity. She wondered if they were simply too ruthless to be affected even by this story of death. "...His heart was resting on the floor beside him, a gaping hole left in his chest."

"Whoa.." Ebony murmured. "That's awesome-" She cut herself off, seeing Silvershy's grief, and softened her voice. "But very sad. I'm sorry it happened."

Silvershy swallowed thickly, feeling tears well up in her eyes. "His killer even approached me, and attempted to describe Eagleflight's struggle.." She let out a shaky breath, forcing herself to be strong in front of her kits. They would never accept a weak mother. "There was so much blood."

"I think it's fair." Stump meowed, his amber eyes meeting her's. "You broke his brother's heart, so he broke you and your mate's hearts- figuratively and literally."

Java shot Stump a glare, but his head tilted in agreement with his brother. Silvershy looked away, frustrated that no one else shared her grief. Eagleflight was their father and they didn't care at all!

"So that's why you gave us away?" Ebony meowed, seeming the most sympathetic of the three rogues. "You didn't want us to be in danger for your stupid mistakes?"

Silvershy winced, but nodded. "I'm sorry."

"No I'm glad." The black rogue smiled softly. "I prefer this life to being a Clan warrior being kept as a prisoner."

"Thank you for understanding." Silvershy sighed, feeling a bit of the tension between them fade away. It was so strange, having her three lost kits sitting before her, all grown up and independent. For a heartbeat Silvershy hated herself for not visiting them at all. She had let her fear take over, and forced herself to forget about her first litter entirely.

A kick from her unborn kits made her wince, reminding her about their upcoming arrival. I wonder how Tyler would react to finding out about Java, Ebony and Stump... Silvershy felt herself float away with her thoughts, ignoring her three kits as they turned back to Lemon for a talk.

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Later, Java announced that it was time to leave. It was already dark, and twolegplace had lit up, blazing to life under the glaring moon. Silvershy was amazed at the twoleg's ability to harness the power of the sun to use some of it's light at night. But she was just as uncomfortable as she was amazed. Twolegplace was so unnatural, and it made her feel sick.

Spectrum, too, was looking uneasy. The Promethean did a better job at hiding it, however. The black she cat sat stiffly in the darkness nearby, her pale green eyes glowing sternly at the five cats chatting before her.

"Yes, my housefolk will be back soon." Lemon sighed. "So it would be best if you go now. They won't tolerate this many visitors." The kittypet smiled at the three rogues. "But do come again soon, I miss you all." She nodded at Silvershy. "And it was nice to catch up again, Silvershy. Hopefully this means you can visit again as well?"

Silvershy shrugged with an awkward mumble. "Uh, I'm not sure. I can try.. But you know my Clan is far away from here."

Lemon gave her an understand smile. "I know. But please keep in mind that you can visit me anytime if you're in trouble."

"I'll keep note of your location." Spectrum meowed, turning all eyes onto her. "If we run into danger I can take us here."

The kittypet nodded slightly, chuckling. "I'm still confused with those 'powers' of yours, but yes, do that."

Spectrum's soft voice breathed in Silvershy's ear, barely anything more than a whisper on the breeze. "I guess her simple kittypet mind finds my powers too hard to comprehend."

Silvershy forced back a snort of laughter, and instead let out a cough to hide it. No one took notice of it, thankfully. Java was already leading the way to the fence, his siblings following him.

"Goodbye." Silvershy smiled at Lemon one last time before turning and trotting after her kits, preparing herself for the dangerous trip back home.

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