siblinghood [open]

The creamy tom relished in the warmth provided by the sun, he knew newleaf wasn't far off, and the ever growing days were evidence of that, as was the delectable scents of fresh growth. While there wasn't many new sprouts of green undergrowth, it was enough that it became a sight for the tom's sore eyes - the constant white of SkyClan's territory grew tiring, and made him long for the soft melody provided by wind through the tree tops and birdsong that greenleaf bestowed upon them. Arching his back in a stretch, he wondered how his siblings were doing, recently he had been wrapped up in training with Breezebranch, and he wanted to spend more time with them, especially on his day off. Lionpaw peered around the clearing, hoping to catch sight of one of his adopted siblings.

Swiftpaw was laying in camp trying to relax as the sun shone down on her fur. She blended in with the muddy ground but didn’t mind as she got mud in her thick fur a lot. Swiftpaw looked around and noticed her adopted brother looking around. She waved her fluffy, dark brown tail in greeting as his eyes landed on her.

After straddling an especially combative cold for the past few sunrises, Acornkit had effectively been left behind by several of her siblings- and the particularly irritating symptoms of her relatively mild illness had ensured that she would remain confined in camp for longer still. It was completely unfair, having to do nothing but still around and take herbs whenever Mistedsong made her while her littermates got to go out and explore! Scrambling over the hard jut of Swiftpaw's hip, she swallowed down a reflexive little cough that arose due to the added strain of the motion, the little tortoiseshell half-slithered, half-tumbled the rest of the way down her siblings side.

Although the language barrier for the rest of the Clan and Swiftpaw was an issue that needed work, the added benefit of simply growing up with a deaf sibling was that it was totally normal for Acornkit. Unaware of Swiftpaw beckoning Lionpaw over, she instead sprawled out on her side, little limbs flailing as she did so.

Lilypaw walked over towards where her siblings were. She hadn’t talked much with Lionpaw, her adopted brother. She giggled at Acornkit’s fall. ”Hi!”

Affection softened his gaze as his siblings came tumbling out of various locations, and he was extremely happy to see them so well fitting in to the camp life. On that first night they were so tiny, so frail and yet so full of life - their loud mewling still echoed in his ears and occasionally forced a purr from his chest, he was filled with such love for them. The cream tom hoped one day he would have his own kits, a family as big and extensive as the one he was blessed to call his own, despite having no actual relation to them.

Shaking his head to snap out of the thoughts, Lionpaw padded over to Swiftpaw, flicking his tail in greeting. Her lack of hearing had been a concern for him for a while, and with it he had always been on the lookout for potential bullies and cats who enjoyed playing pranks on those who were more defenceless than themselves. Luckily there hadn't been a call to action for him, the clan was accepting of his deaf sister and attempted to adjust themselves accordingly - thank StarClan, and apart from the occasional slip-up everyone was really nice to her.

He watched in amusement as Acornkit scrambled onto Swiftpaw, before she decided to play dead like prey; or at least that's the impression the tom got from it. "How are you, Acornkit?" the apprentice purred, batting a paw at her outstretched legs, making up for lost playing time with her. He'd remembered the sickness that caught her in its tendrils, and the fear that he would lose her, he was now extremely glad to see her playing like a normal kit, save for the frequent cough that would escape her maw. As Lilykit made her way over, Lionpaw stopped attempting to smack Acornkit's paws and instead let a purr rumble from him. It was nice to have his siblings together like this, even though it wasn't all of them.