The barely rising sun was trying to burst through the cracks of the den, its light breaking through my eyelids and practically ripping me away from sleep. And as I began to wake up, I could feel my own fur prickling from the cold, empty air.

And as I then blinked the sleep away from my eyes, I saw that Scourge was not beside me. Shocker.

And with that realization, I couldn't help but let out a very audible groan and roll onto my back, which was a very comfortable position considering my now very, very swollen belly. A very, very swollen belly that at this point was so clearly noticeable that I was shocked that no cat had ever brought it up to me still.

Honestly, at this stage in the game, I almost wanted some cat to notice so that I would be given some opportunity to let Scourge know about it, or let the shocking news spread to him. Because, unfortunately, that was still something that I had failed to do even after knowing for two moons that I was expecting.

At this point, I was worried that he was going to be finding out the hard way. Any day now...

I was hoping with everything in my being that that wouldn't happen, and just the thought of Scourge coming to camp to find me with our new kits or even giving birth, managed to make my stomach feel even heavier.

However, there was another thought that made me feel almost just as sick, and that was that Scourge possibly already knew of what was going on, and was choosing to ignoring it.

Unfortunately, that was very plausible, and that made it feel even worse.

I mean, the BloodClan leader would definitely have to be quite a bit dense to at least not suspect. Although we didn't see each other much these days, there had certainly been moments where he brushed his tail along my flank, or wrapped his tail around me... surely he would notice a difference? I then asked myself. Does he really think I'm just fattening up from some extra burgers?

I then let out a sigh, also very audible, and gave a shake of my head as I continued to stare up at the den roof. And suddenly, I felt more uncomfortable, confused, and scared than I had been in a long time. I'm supposed to be used to having no idea what to expect. I used to love it. It's how I lived for the first bit of my life, but... right now I despise it more than anything.

I then let out another huff, pain in my stomach making me wince slightly as I then rolled onto my side. Goodness gracious, what have I gotten myself into?

That question seemed to echo and replay over and over in my head as it seemed to intertwine, making me feel worse and worse and sicker and sicker with each time that it did. Why had the universe chosen right now for me to expect kits? Why had I waited so long to say anything? Why was I so worried of how Scourge was going to respond? Should I be worried that I'm so worried about that?

And I was only able to pull myself out of my spiral when I quickly realized something.

Outside of the den, it was quiet. Eerily quiet.

Not that it was necessarily typical of any BloodClan cat to get up at the crack of dawn... but at the same time, something felt different.

And for some reason, despite my grogginess, my heavy eyes, my head feeling dull from sleep, and my anxiety and frustration bringing me to want to simply lie down and wallow, I found myself quickly rising from the den floor and bursting out into the BloodClan camp.

And unfortunately, just as I had expected, it practically looked empty. I only could notice a few lingering cats that were still fast asleep, and Gremlin standing guard by the entrance, but that was it.

And it was at this moment that I came to the conclusion that was Scourge was likely doing a little more out in the forest than just casually corresponding with a wild cat leader – helping him to solve a problem.

Clearly, something much more sinister and strange was going on, and I was going to get to the bottom of it.

And hopefully, within that, I was finally going to tell Scourge that I was expecting kits. No matter how busy he was or how upset he could possibly become with me telling him or even trying to tell him, I had no choice.

And I wasn't just going to sit around, mope, and wait for him to come to me. I was going to chase him out in that forest if I had to.

And as I then pelted towards the camp entrance, pushing out any energy that I had despite my weakness, fatigue, and heavy belly, I was more than ready to do that. "Morning, Gremlin," I breathed to the tortoiseshell she-cat, who was staring back at me with wide green eyes. "I'm heading out."

"Right now?" the she-cat immediately asked in shock as she gestured with her tail towards the sky. "The sun is barely up yet."

I shook my head dismissively, also trying to shake away my irritation. "I just need to get some air, while the city is still calm."

Then, as I was about to run forward again, not allowing Gremlin to question me anymore, I let out a frustrated growl when the tortoiseshell intercepted me with her tail. "Mist, should you really be out walking? Have you seen yourself?"

At those words, I paused anyway and whipped my head back around. "Excuse me?"

"Oh, come on, you know what I mean," Gremlin sighed, her gaze now looking genuinely sympathetic. "You just look so tired and weak."

I then narrowed my eyes as I observed her seem to give a nervous blink, and she began to shift her paws back and forth. "If I didn't know better, I would think that you were..." As I had dreaded, Gremlin immediately noticed me tense up as she trailed off. And suddenly, her green eyes were two large round moons. "Are you actually?"

I felt my fur beginning to bristle as I then felt my stomach drop. Now someone questions me about it?

I took a deep breath, trying to force myself to calm down and appear like nothing was wrong... or that Gremlin was wrong in her suspicions. "Don't be silly," I insisted to the she-cat, my voice shaking more than I wanted it to. "I just woke up – I'm tired, and I want to liven up a little by taking a walk. And..."

I then awkwardly gestured to my belly with my tail, which unfortunately Gremlin had already been staring at. "I want to work off some of... this, I guess. I've eaten a few more burgers than I typically do..."

"Oh, I know..." Gremlin then muttered, and when I shot her a surprised, confused glance, she gave a quick shake of her head and took a step back. "Whatever. Fine. Enjoy your walk."

Oh, I won't. Thank you, though. I thought to myself, simply giving a sharp nod to Gremlin before quickly trotting into the Twolegplace, my legs already feeling weak with the weight they were having to carry. This journey had better be worth it...

I then felt my stomach twist up, the thought hitting me once again that I was forcing myself to travel back to the forest. For many reasons...

But as I then pelted through the Twolegplace – the last glows of the lampposts and the lights of monsters simply blurs, and the wind brushing my long fur, I knew at this moment, the stress and burdens I currently were enduring far outweighed the pain that being on grass and standing under trees might bring me.

But that didn't mean that I wasn't feeling any pain at all, and that my stomach wasn't already beginning to well up with discomfort and nerves as I recognized the path that I was on – the same path that I had used to leave the forest all those moons ago. The Twoleg nests that had once grown larger and larger were becoming smaller and smaller, and instead of the grass turning into pavement, the pavement was turning into grass.

And eventually, the nests completely disappeared, there was no pavement left...

And there were now dozens of trees towering over my pelt - for some reason, making me feel more weak and overwhelmed than the tallest building in the Twolegplace ever could. Just their presence made me feel so much anger, sadness, guilt... each individual leaf seemed to carry the weight of horrible memories that I had been trying with all of my might to block.

And it was then that it hit me that it was likely that nothing good for me was going to come out of going into this forest. With how much I had traveled and wandered about these woods after... I thought, screwing my eyes shut for a moment. Every part of this place is familiar now, and that's not good...

I then forced myself to open my eyes again and look up at the darned trees, the rising sun releasing its rays that tried with all of their might to leak through the leaves and branches. And with that in mind... what am I supposed to do? I-

I then was ripped away from my thoughts violently, and I let out a hiss as the most uncomfortable cramp surged through my stomach, causing me to have to sink deep into the grass.

And after a few moments of simply trying to take deep breaths through the pain, I let out a moan and rolled onto my back for the second time that day. Goodness, they get worse every day... I thought with frustration, taking another moment before heaving myself up back onto my paws and letting out a huff. Which is exactly why there's no turning back. I can't drag this out much longer, even if I wanted to.

And then, with one last glance up at the trees, I then began to pelt into the forest, looking nowhere but forward. I know exactly what I am supposed to do, I then thought as determination mixed with an exhilarated fear rushed through my pumping blood. Buck up, that's what.

Here was to the end of a beginning. Or... possibly to the beginning of an end. I had to be prepared for both.

~>~>~>~>~

Unfortunately, finding the scent of BloodClan in this forest had been one of the easiest things I had ever done.

I had only seemed to pass through a few clearings and clumps of bramble bushes before I caught the scents of the cats I had come to know so well – Fury, Brick, and Bone... among many others that had left the camp feeling so creepily empty.

And, of course, just as I'd feared, Scourge was among all of these scents as well – he had led all of these cats here, I was sure of it.

And I was trying with all of my might to push down feelings of anger and betrayal at the fact that he hadn't told me about any of this, and had done all of this behind my back. How hard would it be for him to wake me up and at least give a condensed version of what this expedition was about?

How hard would it have been for him to give a condensed version of any of this?

Or anything?

And as my thoughts begin to spiral once again, I let myself slow down in my travels just a little, giving my head a quick shake. Come on, Mist, don't be ridiculous, I then tried to tell myself. He just doesn't want to worry you. He's trying to protect you.

After a deep breath, I then broke into a full run once again, my nose now completely leading my path as I continued through the trees. Be patient. It will all become clear soon.

At this point, I was certain that most of my energy was coming from pure determination and adrenaline – my stomach was weighing me down, and my lungs seemed to constantly feel empty despite the deep heaves I was taking. I was shocked that I'd even been able to make it this far. Maybe I really will burn off those burgers...

However, as BloodClan's scent became stronger and stronger, finally smelling as fresh as if all of them were standing right in front of me, I let myself collapse onto the ground with one big huff. My stomach and throat were on fire and my head was full of fog as I simply lied there on the forest floor, continuing to try and catch my breath.

My breath then hitched, quickly turning into another pained hiss as another pain shot through my belly. This time, coming in the form of what I now knew to be quite the strong little kick – something that brought me so much fear, pain, and so, so much warmth all at the same time.

And as I continued to gasp for breath, I still managed to roll onto my side and brush my own tail along my stomach. Hi there, sweetheart.

Through my shortness of breath and exhaustion, I still managed to give a confused shake of my own head. Or sweethearts, of course, I then tried to tell myself as I continued to glance down at my belly. For some reason my gut is still telling me that there's only one in there. I suppose it's in the family to just have one kit...

Then, after shutting my eyes and having to fight another wave of grief – that grief feeling as strong as ever as I lied in that grass. Well, either way... I then thought as I finally forced myself back on my paws, proceeding to stroke my own belly once again. Looks like we're in this together, the two of us.

And after just moments of standing there on my paws, a light breeze just slightly brushing my fur, carrying all sorts of stenches and scents in its path, I knew that I was warm – incredibly warm. Not only was BloodClan's scent still strong, but I also recognized several foreign scents. Scents that had a similar weird twang that Tigerstar had had when he visited our camp.

But for some reason, despite the countless amounts of cats that I could smell, the wind only brought me hints of only one voice up ahead. And I only had to squint through the bright sun just a little to see the large cluster of trees up ahead that were surrounded by rocks and brambles. A proper gathering place would definitely be on that other side...

With a deep breath, I slowly began to pad forward, the grass brushing beneath my paws so frustrating and so comforting all at the same time as I awaited what I might discover just a few fox-lengths in front of me.

And despite the countless amounts of cats I was now sure were not far ahead, the air felt as eerie and tense as the empty BloodClan camp this morning.

"This is Tigerstar's history. It all shows one thing – that he'll do anything for power."

I then flicked my ears, my eyes suddenly wide at the unfamiliar voice that spoke a familiar name.

Trying to be as quiet as I could, I quickened my pace but lightened my pawsteps as I then made my way to the bramble bushes up ahead. And I hoped with everything that none of these cats would catch my scent as I pressed my ear to a bush.

"If he promised you a share of the forest, don't believe him," the strange voice went on. "He won't give up one pawprint, not to you or any cat."

Please don't tell me this cat is speaking to who I think he is.

But unfortunately, given the circumstances and everything I had managed to know so far, I knew exactly what I should expect when I finally forced myself to lift my head slightly to peer over the brambles.

But still despite that, I felt like I wanted to fall over when I immediately recognized the black pelt and white paws of Scourge, standing with his crowd of BloodClan cats as he faced Tigerstar, along with several, several cats that I had never seen before. A flame-colored tom at the front appeared to be the one that had spoken, his green gaze sharp as he stared back at the BloodClan leader.

Scourge was staring back at the tom, his gaze dark and unreadable as they typically were. "Tigerstar told me what he had done with the dogs when he visited me two moons ago," he then muttered, appearing to then glance over at the dark tabby pelt of Tigerstar. "He did not tell me that his plan had failed."

I say "appearing" because for a moment, I couldn't really pay attention to what was in front of me – my head was in a fog all over again.

Dogs. Scourge had said that Tigerstar sent dogs into the forest.

Up until I had seen them, Barley apparently had said that dogs were never around this forest.

But Tigerstar had been the one to lead these dogs into the forest. He had laid the bait around to lead them here.

Why? I wasn't sure. But it was likely that the intent was malicious. And the fact that he had supposedly "failed" in this plan didn't matter to me at all. I couldn't have given a mouse's tail about it.

Because, to me, he didn't fail at all.

And with that realization, I felt so sick that I actually found myself having to swallow my own bile, and I had to keep myself from toppling over from how much my legs were shaking beneath me.

This was because I now knew that everything that had happened that horrible, horrible day in the forest could have been completely prevented. Sure, I could have saved them, but to think that those dogs wouldn't' have been anywhere near us if...

I then forced myself to give a shake of my head, trying to compose myself despite the immense sadness and rage I was currently feeling. I have to deal with this right now. I can be upset later. I can always be upset later.

"None of that matters now," Tigerstar then barked, fully bringing me to break away from my hurt thoughts. I then was suddenly overcome with nothing but fear as the tom then stepped forward, his fur bristling as he faced Scourge. "We have an agreement with you. Fight beside me now, and you'll have all I offered you."

My legs still slightly shaking, I managed to give the smallest nod of understanding. And there's the deal that I had to work so hard to hear about. What was so complicated about that?

And I couldn't help but feel anger begin to rush through my blood once again as my gaze fell on the BloodClan leader once again. "My Clan and I fight when I choose," he then meowed before nodding to the flame-colored tom. "I will think about what you have said. There will be no battle today."

I then raised my eyebrows. No battle? Scourge says no battle?

I quickly observed that Tigerstar looked just as bewildered as I was – what was worse, his rage at that statement was clearly visible as his fur bristled and his tail lashed back and forth impatiently.

I then had to hold back a gasp as the tabby tom dropped into a crouch, bunched his muscles, and then proceeded to leap at Scourge with gigantic claws unsheathed. "Traitor!"

Every cat surrounding them, including myself, watched the sight in horror. However, I don't think anyone else was horrified in the same way that I was. Unlike everyone else – I could guess the risk that Tigerstar was taking with that move.

And sure enough, Scourge immediately whipped himself to one side, completely avoiding Tigerstar. But the tabby was barely phased, landing perfectly and facing Scourge once again.

I couldn't help but give the smallest impressed nod. Tigerstar was clearly very strong, very tough, and a very skilled fighter. But so is Scourge. I haven't seen many other cats fight before, but I don't need to. He was going to win this fight. I was sure of it.

Scourge continued to support my thoughts, raising a single paw that revealed his large and sharp claws and then unbalancing Tigerstar with a single slash on the shoulder.

Tigerstar then fell to the ground, and I was already certain that he was going to surrender at any moment now. The fight had ended before it had even started.

So, to say that I was taken-aback when Scourge's claws then went to Tigerstar's throat would be an extreme understatement.

And I then felt as if my jaws had completely dropped to the ground when the black tom then proceeded to take his claws and completely ripped Tigerstar all the way down to the tail.

A move that he had both told me about and shown me, that I had hoped that I would never have to see or use.

But here I was, feeling sick all over again but simultaneously feeling so numb as I watched Scourge watch Tigerstar, looking so cold as the wild cat leader wriggled and let out the most disturbing choking sound that I had ever heard.

It then felt as if only one heartbeat, but simultaneously countless amounts of seasons had gone by as every cat watched in complete silence as Tigerstar tried to fight for his life, and sadly not succeeding. He had been panting, rolling back and forth in pain before finally giving one final jerk and lying completely still.

And with that, the life in his eyes, and the blazing horror and anger suddenly seemed to disappear.

Scourge had killed Tigerstar. Without hesitation.

And even now, he didn't look phased despite the horrible act he had just performed. I had always known that he was capable of such things – of course he was. He was the most tough, the most ferocious, and the most powerful cat that I had ever known. He was cold, closed-off, and generally not kind. He was mysterious, conniving... manipulative.

And since the day I had met him – I had tried to look past this, and had hoped with everything that he would use his powers for good. He had appeared to in so many ways. My admiration of that had completely blinded me.

So much that I had let myself be manipulated right to this very spot.

I didn't know how much more I could take to hear or see today.

And I found that I could only back away a few pawsteps, my gaze simply staring at the brambles ahead as I then heard Scourge's voice echo through the forest. "You see what happens to cats who defy BloodClan," he meowed coldly. "Your friend here... thought he could control us. He was wrong."

"We don't want to control you," the ginger tom from before then seemed to force out. "All we want is to lead our lives in peace. We're sorry that Tigerstar brought you here with lies. Please feel free to hunt before you go home."

"Go home?" Scourge retorted, causing me to flinch. "We're not going anywhere, forest fool. In the town where we come from, there is many, many cats, and live prey is scarce. Here in the forest we won't need to depend on Twoleg rubbish for our food."

My legs then were beginning to shake violently once again as Scourge then raised his voice. "We are taking over this territory now. I shall rule the forest as well as the town," he announced proudly as I continued to stare at the ground. "But I understand that you may need some time to reflect on this. You have three days to leave – or meet my Clan in battle. I shall wait for your decision at dawn on the fourth day."

And with that, there was silence. Understandably, the wild cats seemed too bewildered to respond. If they happened to – my head was likely too full to be able to hear it.

But the several pawsteps that then followed for some reason seemed as deafening as the loudest thunderstorm. And as BloodClan's fresh scent brushed through my nose once again, I knew that they were approaching, and that Scourge would proudly be at the front of them – being the first to catch me here in this state.

Of course, a part of me wanted to run away and pretend that none of this had never happened, or simply hide and then figure out what I wanted to do later.

However, it was partly my immense shock, but also for the sake of myself and the kit I was carrying that I decided to stay put when the black pelt of the cat I loved so immensely eventually slithered through the bramble bushes ahead – all of the cats that I had come to know so well following behind him.

And I managed to pull myself out of my blurs of shock and terror just a bit to catch the black tom's completely horrified, enraged expression as his gaze landed on me. "Mist? What in the name of-"

For some reason, just hearing his voice address me in such a condescending, bewildered, and angry manner – a way that he had spoken to me more times that I would have ever liked to admit to myself – I finally cracked like the largest boulder being struck by lightning. "I don't need to hear it," I muttered sharply before the trembling growl in my throat finally spread through my teeth. "I don't need to hear how you're not supposed to be here or you weren't supposed to see that or you're now acting like a pesky kit and following me everywhere? I don't need to hear it."

I then slowly began to step towards Scourge – for some reason, still not afraid of him after all of this time. Even after what I had just seen. Despite my strong defiance and clearly having witnessed his horrible act – there was still a part of me that hoped he didn't want to hurt me. "I'm fully aware that you didn't want to tell me what was going on, and wow... now I see why. Did you really think that I wouldn't eventually find out what you were up to?"

"Well, I guess I should have known," Scourge then hissed, quickly stepping forward towards me, and I tried my best to not take a pawstep back despite the blazing anger in his eyes. "You said it yourself – you really are a pesky kit that just can't help but get into my business. Why didn't you leave it all alone when I told you to?"

"You really think that telling me not to worry is going to appease me forever?" I barked back. "Any cat would be an idiot for taking your word for it. Any cat would look for more information if they were given so ridiculously little."

I then let out a huff, giving a slow shake of my head as everything continued to sink in. "And thank goodness I am one of those cats," I then meowed, my voice trembling. "I saw you kill a cat and I saw who you really are."

I then blinked a few times and gave a hard swallow. "Who you've been this whole time," I then choked out. "You're sick. You're sick because you killed a cat, and you're sick because you somehow managed to make me believe that you were a cat that I could trust. A cat that I could live with. A cat that I could spend the rest of my life with. A cat that..."

I then trailed off, barring my teeth, letting my gaze fall to the ground and feeling my fur bristle as I suddenly decided to keep myself from speaking. A cat that I could raise a family with...

I then looked back up at Scourge, another wave of anger making my fur tingle as I met his unfeeling, cold gaze. You know what? He doesn't even deserve to know. He doesn't deserve the blessings that this kit would bring him... if he'd even take it at all.

I then had to hold back a hiss as this thought crossed my mind. Goodness, the fact that I had worried that he wouldn't be happy... that he would be angry... that says it all right there. "You're sick..." I then forced out again. "And I'm even sicker for falling for all of your manipulation."

"Mist, do you realize how delusional you sound? Get your head back on the ground will you?" Scourge retorted back at me, actually causing me to flinch amidst my constant shaking. "You're right – you are sick, wandering around the forest like an idiot and trying to poke into my business! I told you that I was taking care of things here in the forest and you never believe me!"

And with Scourge's harsh words, I couldn't help but feel the smallest twinge of remorse. "I know, I know – I'm sorry. I was going to mind my business in camp today, but-"

I then realized what I was saying, and gave a violent shake of my own head. "No!" I then yowled, trying to pull myself out of that trap of a mindset I'd been in for so long. "Clearly, everything that I did was with good reason, and you're an idiot if you think that it wouldn't lead to this."

And when Scourge didn't immediately speak, I gave a somewhat mischievous glance to all of his Clanmates behind him before taking another step towards the BloodClan leader. "I hope you realize that part of this – all of this - is your fault, Scourge. You let me into your life, were vulnerable with me – I thought ­– and made me believe that I was somebody incredibly special to you. Of course I would eventually come after you and see what you were up to."

And with these words, I actually did wonder if I should fear for my life for a moment as Scourge's eyes then seemed to flash with complete bewilderment and rage – bewilderment and rage at what I had just decided to reveal to the whole Clan. Another reason why all of this is a load of foxdung – you were too ashamed to declare our relationship to anyone.

"And that is why, Mist, I should have known that associating myself with you would be nothing but a nuisance," he then muttered sharply and angrily to me through gritted teeth. "And you know what? I tried to push you away, and you didn't listen to me. You just couldn't leave me alone that night on that building."

"You didn't send me away when I said so!" I then barked back to Scourge. "You cracked, Scourge. You gave in – admit it."

"I sure did – like a complete fool!" He then narrowed his eyes, leaning his head creepily close to mine. "I think I'm starting to realize that that distraction wasn't worth it at all."

Despite Scourge's words practically scratching me from my throat to my tail, just as Scourge had just done to Tigerstar, I stood my ground and didn't avert my gaze from the BloodClan leader. "Fair enough," I forced out as evenly as I could.

I then narrowed my eyes as I continued to stare back at the tom. "I think I'm starting to realize that I should have left that night, and not even bothered."

With those words, Scourge simply stared back at me, his eyes still blazing, before muttering, "Well, it's about time."

And with that, he gave a single gesture of his tail to his cats behind him before beginning to pad past me, his black fur slightly brushing mine as he then led his cats away.

And as the rest of them passed, I could feel all of their shocked, worried glances burning into my pelt, but I didn't meet any of them. I simply stared at the place that Scourge had been until the last of their pawsteps disappeared from my earshot.

And something about that sound made me realize that I had reached my breaking point. And suddenly, anything and everything became a blur around me once again as I then collapsed to the ground, my stomach and head now practically throbbing with pain as I violently whimpered into my paws – releasing all of the sadness, confusion, anger, rage, and most of all grief, that I had tried to push down for moons and moons.

Finally, I let go of the numbness that I had been living on for moons and moons

The numbness that had made me determined to forget everything about my past and try to move on. That had brought me to cling to the first cat that I found and be blinded by their power and strength.

That had caused me to never fully process the death of my parents. The death of my parents that I now knew could have been completely prevented.

I had tried to forget them and every aspect of the lives we had lived simply because losing both of those things hurt too much.

And right now, it honestly hurt more and felt worse than it ever had. I was so overwhelmed with that rage, sadness, and grief that I almost felt like I wasn't apart of my own body. My head was spinning, and my eyes stung from how much I was whimpering.

But at the same time, I hadn't felt this relieved or free in such a long time.

And maybe the little life... or lives in my stomach somehow sensed this. Or maybe it was as simple as them being alarmed by all of the emotions that their mother was suddenly feeling... but it only took another little violent kick, me losing my breath, and a few more stomach cramps for me to realize what was about to happen.

And I then couldn't help but let out a pained screech as the most physically painful pang that I had ever felt shot through my side. Oh, no... no, no, no, not right now!

And then, the pains that had started just at my stomach quickly began to spread throughout my entire body, and suddenly, trying to keep my breathing steady was the only thing I could focus on. Stay calm, Mist, I then tried to tell myself. All you can do is stay calm when you have no choice but to deliver your own kit by yourself.

But my own words to myself quickly were shoved to the back of my mind as the pain rapidly grew worse, my breaths became shallower, and my body became weaker and weaker. No... I thought as I began to well up with fear. Oh, goodness, no...

"Yes, that's right. Just keep breathing."

I was too weak to flinch at the new voice I heard, or the quick pawsteps running towards me. I couldn't even let out a growl when I then felt a paw begin to stroke my belly. "You are doing so well. Just try to keep breathing and I will do the rest."

My vision now blurry, I tried with all of my might to peer over at this strange cat – who smelled and sounded completely unfamiliar to me. "W-who are you?" is all I managed to croak out.

And as my eyes landed on the figure next to me, I was able to make out a smaller gray pelt and a slim outline, with ears that appeared to be pricked and alert

And I also could just barely make out the stranger's warm, calming blue eyes that stared down at me as if it was her life's duty to simply make sure I was okay. "My name is Cinderpelt," the mysterious she-cat then meowed warmly. "Don't worry, you can trust me, I promise. I heard your yowl from just a little ways away, and now, I just want to help you deliver your kits."