just one apple [open after asher and stormy post]

Lilystream had been expecting her kits to come soon, but it still came as a surprise when the sharp pain came shooting up her stomach. She squeezed her eyes shut, stumbling backwards a few steps. When she opened her eyes again, she stood back up, hobbling over to the medicine den. She was definitely kitting, it was just an instinct. She laid down, biting on the stick as pain rolled over her like rough waves. She wanted it to all stop, to end, and the minutes seemed like moons.

After it finally stopped, she looked down to start licking her kits. There were three of them, beautiful things. As her tongue lapped over them, her heart stopped. Two of them were still, unmoving. She started to breathe heavily. "M-mistedsong? Two of them aren’t...they’re not moving!" she gasped, desperately trying to warm them. She felt so much relief at the fact that one of her kits was squirming like normal, but the two others made her heart sink. Were they really gone, already? Joining Starclan before they had even been given a chance to live? It wasn’t fair, it was downright cruel. But maybe they were alive, just barely. She lapped at all three in rotation with her tongue, praying the medicine cat would have some answers.

Applekit -- still unnamed -- squirmed as she fought against her mother's tongue. The two still lifeforms what had shared the warm space were with her and Applekit couldn't help but wonder if all they did was lay there then why did they join her in this cold place? Surely, they must've had no sense. The big mass of warmth, mother, started mewing frantically and Applekit felt a sudden, unidentifiable urge to comfort the giant creature.

Mewing pitifully, Applekit clambered over her littermates and barreled into her mother, squeaking and purring.

---

Breezebranch had watched the nursery like a hawk preying on a mouse, careful and relentless. Her daughter, Lilystream, was pregnant and when a yowl broke the silence of the clearing, Breezebranch was the first in the nursery, having beat even Mistedsong there. "Don't worry, Sunshine, the pain will ease soon. Mistedsong! For the love of StarClan, hurry up! She need raspberry leaves!" Her tone was gentle with her kitting daughter, and as she turned to Mistedsong, she barked out orders, frantic with worry and fright.

She'd lost so many kits, she couldn't lose Lilystream, too.

After what seemed like years, it was over. "Oh Honey, they're as beautiful as you are.." Breezebranch whispered in awe, eyes shining. Nudging the dappled white and ginger she-kit to her mother, Breezebranch gasped in horror.

No.

Oh StarClan, no! It was Maplekit all over again. Her stillborn sister. Breezebranch stiffened in sorrow, her tail spiked. She turned to Mistedsong, grief causing her anger. "What are you waiting for? Do something! Lilystream's kits can still be saved!" Although she knew this wasn't true, Breezebranch desperately hoped it was. Please StarClan, don't take them!

She nuzzled her daughter close, hoping to comfort the poor thing. She knew first paw the pain of losing a child.