With Death, There is Always New Life

[Måø§†]

Dream as if you’ll life forever, live as if you’ll die today.

I am
Swiftrunner

Spring-warmed water splashed through the recently winter-covered pools of water. The fresh sound covered the cries of battle in the distance, the atmosphere tranquil enough to cure fear-strucken cats of the lives being taken over and over again through-out the forest.

It was in this camp that Swiftrunner's pants seeped through cave walls, pain seering through her flank like a battle within a battle. Yet despite her whimpers of pain, she knew that unlike the battle outside taking lives, this was a battle of giving lives. Concern replaced any flinching face she might have cast, it only amazed her that such beauty could come out of such pain.

It was Copperfur that strode in to help her, herbs tucked neatly between his teeth. She knew in that instant she would be alright.

Dream as if you’ll life forever, live as if you’ll die today.

[♫ E§he ♥]

You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around - and why his parents will always wave back.
-William D. Tammeus

Copperfur emerged into the damp void of the Echoclan camp. A scarlet moonbeam bled onto the floor of the main cavern, and a slight wintry bite began to numb the blood-stained white paws. After vigorously washing his paws in a small puddle, Copperfur ambled quickly into the Echoclan nursery. The warrior waiting there nodded to him, and departed.
Copperfur rushed to Swiftrunner's side. She met his gaze and relief mirrored in her eyes. Her breathing was quick and her heartbeat high. Placing a paw upon her belly, he determined how close together the contractions had gotten. He gave her a slight, comforting lick upon the top of her head.
"It's going to be okay, Swiftrunner, I promise. Now just start breathing. That's it, nice and slow. You're doing good."

He called the warrior back in, hoping that she could help him with the warming of the kittens once they were born. He kept going over in his mind the scenarios he had watched when he spent time in the nursery as a sick kit. Often had he wanted, longed to save lives. But the old medicine cat has shown signs of mistrust toward him, and chosen Frostfeather instead. But now was his chance.
Yes, of course the newest generation was less racist, but Copperfur was still discriminated against by some of the senior warriors.

Another contraction took over Swiftrunner, and Copperfur urged her to keep breathing. How long had he secretly had feelings toward the beautiful she-cat? Perhaps since the day he'd seen her in the nursery, back then when he still had no idea where kittens came from. Yet still she'd chosen Night over he.
Am I really so repulsive?
Copperfur couldn't help thinking of the pretty kittypet she-cat he had met when fetching catmint. What had been her name..... Ginger! He remembered how her sunshine eyes had seemed to warm his soul. He smiled, mind plummeting back into the nursery. Swiftrunner was wincing in pain, contractions now becoming closer and closer together.

"Ok, Swiftrunner, I need you to keep breathing. Just relax, okay? I know you're bleeding, but that's natural for kitting"
Copperfur rolled her onto her left side, facing her toward the nursery opening where she could get more air. The contractions were close enough, now.
"Okay, Swiftrunner. You are going to have to start pushing. Are you ready? They're almost here. Now... push!"

'There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million.'
-Walt Streightiff