hazelkit's vigil
Daisywillow licked Hazelkit's pelt.
This wasn't what being in a Clan was supposed to be about. She was supposed to be safe here, not with a dead kit. First there was the battle, and now, Hazelkit had caught an illness she had never heard of.
"It's always hard," Sorreltail said, licking Poppyfrost's shoulder.
Daisywillow wasn't sure if it was better or worse that she wasn't alone in her grief. Molekit was laid next to Hazelkit, smaller than her. He was younger.
Brackenfur was with Poppyfrost as well. He was the deputy now, after Firestar had died. Daisywillow had been sure without Firestar she would be forced to leave ThunderClan, but Mousestar had affirmed her right to stay.
"Firestar died protecting kits," Mousestar had said, "and you think I'd throw out another mother?"
Daisywillow would wonder if they would have fought for her kits, but Cinderpelt struggled to treat Hazelkit and Molekit like they were both Clanborne. She didn't have to wonder.
(And it wasn't like her kits had a father who would try to claim them.)
Berrykit and Mousekit fell asleep as the moon reached its peak, tucked under Daisywillow to shelter from the cold of the night. They might one day fight and die for ThunderClan.
But ThunderClan would do the same for them.