night of the dancing flame

[frosty]

Night lay heavily upon DustClan territory. Humidity had wrapped the camp in its claws of heat, making most of the cats uncomfortable enough to sleep in the open. The warriors den was just too hot. A hot wind sighed across the land, barely coolling the sticky air.

Flickerstorm lay just outside the nursery. The moss in the den was just too dry to get comfortable on. The queen lay on her side, blue eyes wide open and mouth slightly open as she panted. Atleast her kits would be raised in a season where they would know no hunger.

The tricolored she-cat flicked her tail over her shoulder, sending a black fly buzzing away. She tried to push herself to her paws, but found a sharp pain prodding her belly. Staggering, Flickerstorm flopped back onto her side, water beginning to pool in her pretty optics.

Unsheathing her claws, Flickerstorm gripped the ground and tried to get up again. Now she was thirsty and wanted a drink. But, once again, pain shot up her belly when she tried to move. Clenching her jaws, she tried once more but the pain intensified. It was as though fire were blazing through her veins.

Eyes stretched wide open, she let out a long, high-pitched wailing, unable to form words.

[Dawn]

Beechtail lay outside of the warriors den, trying to get even slightly cooler. The den was sweltering what with all of the cats breathing and moving around so close together. It was almost unberable. He might even consider sleeping outside tonight, it would just be more comfortable.

He let out a yawn, jaws gaping wide and exposing his sharp teeth. He was very tired indeed, having spent all day with Buzzardfang as the two caught as much prey as possible. What with the season change, prey was becoming more plentiful and the Clan certainly needed it. What a dreadful leaf-bare it had been... what with the attacks and the chilly days, perhaps this heat was a small price to pay.

Beechtail looked across the clearing through sleepy blue eyes, his gaze falling upon his mother. She was heavily pregnant, probably going to give birth any day now. This would be her third litter, and Beechtail wondered breifly who the father was. She hadn't seemed to be acting differently around any DustClan toms from what he had seen... but Flickerstorm would be the last cat to mate outside the Clan. If she didn't want to tell, he wouldn't push her. It didn't stop his curious mind though, both Blizzardclaw and Beechtail's father Pantherfoot were dead now, and had been that way for a long while. Since before Beechtail was made an apprentice.

Shaking his head slightly, Beechtail looked at his paws, considering his sleeping arrangements for the night. Sleeping in the den was not going to happen... perhaps he could find a comfortable place somewhere outside. Yes, that is what he would do. He stood up, stretching his strong limbs and looked around for a place to start looking for a place, when Flickerstorm started to screech. He whipped around, at first not understanding why she was screeching so loudly. But then it hit him, she must be going into labor!

He ran towards her, his eyes wide and his fur on end. "Help! Leopardfur! Flickerstorm is having her kits!"

[/color] He called, looking towards the medicine cats den. He then turned back to his mother, completely unsure as to what he should do. "Hang in there Flickerstorm, everything will be alright."[/color] He meowed gently, resting his muzzle on top of her head, thinking of nothing else he could do.
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