Hello.
Moonkit heard the voice, but she didn't recognize it. You couldn't blame her, she was barely a day old.
Get up.
There was that voice again, and no, thank you very much. Moonkit was comfy, curled up against her sleeping mother's belly. Which reminded her--she was hungry.
No you're not.
Yes she was. She hadn't suckled since... however long ago that was.
I said, you're not hungry.
Yes, she was. Ignoring the voice, Moonkit moved her head, her eyes still unopened, following the scent of milk.
Don't you want to get up and play?
No, she did not. She started drinking the milk, her mother reacting to the unfamilier sensation with a faint wince.
(huff) I want to play.
That was nice. Moonkit did not.
Fine, but once you're finished, let's play! What about tag?
Moonkit wondered what 'tag' was.
It's this game where you chase the other cat around and try to touch them with the tip of your tail. If you do that, then the other cat has to tag you.
So you just run the whole time? That didn't sound fun at all.
It is fun! Bristlepaw and Stempaw were playing it earlier.
Who were Bristlepaw and Stempaw?
They're two of the apprentices in.. wherever we are. I haven't heard someone say where we are yet.
Huh. Anyway, Moonkit didn't want to leave her mother yet. She was warm, and the den they were in was warm.
At least open your eyes.
Why?
So you can see where you are. Wouldn't you like to see your parents?
Not right now! Moonkit was perfectly content with her level of vision right now - none.
You're no fun.
She was not.
What was that?
Moonkit pricked her ears as much as she could, which was honestly not too much. Was there a cat coming?
Yes, he's your father.
My... father? What's he doing here then?
He's got some bad news for your mother.
What was the bad news?
I know what it is, but I won't tell you.
Moonkit was about to ask why, when her father came in, startling awake everyone else in the den besides Moonkit.
"Bayshine!" her mother gasped. "Why... oh no. Is she..."
"Yes," Bayshine choked out. "Yes, she is.
Her mother meowed in grief, hardly able to raise her voice above that volume. She startled Moonkit. What had happened?
Somebody died.
Who?
"Careful!" Bayshine told his mate. "You'll disturb Moonkit. She's the only kit we have left, Thriftear."
Thriftear gulped. "Yes.. yes. Could I see... her?"
One of the queens, the one who had milk-scent on her, raised her paw. "I can watch her along with Shinekit and Goldenkit, Thriftear. Just while you grieve."
"Thank you, Sunbeam." Thriftear meowed gratefully. She slowly got up, taking the heat from Moonkit, who meowed in protest. What's happening? she asked the voice.
Somebody close to your parents has died, so while they grieve, Sunbeam - the brown-and-white tabby over there with her kits - will watch you.
Oh. Moonkit supposed that that wasn't so bad. At least she'd have kits next to her. It was lonely in that nest with Thriftear all by herself.
... why did you say that? It's not like I could help it.
Help what? Moonkit wondered.
Thriftear placed Moonkit in between Sunbeam's kits, them moving to give Moonkit enough room to settle into. "Thank you for doing this, Sunbeam. I'll be back to visit her later, after..."
"Of course," Sunbeam meowed. "After her, it's the least I can do."
Bayshine pricked his ears. "The Clan is waking up, Thriftear. It won't be long before somebody finds out."
"Alright," Thriftear answered, gazing at Moonkit, who was now burrowed between the two kits. "Let's... go."
Sunbeam waited until they were gone, then started licking the top of Moonkit's head. "Hello," she purred. "Your parents are busy right now, and once Goldenkit and Shinekit wake up, you'll have some friends to play with."
You... won't forget me, will you?
No, why?
They won't tell you about me. You must keep me a secret, because if you tell someone, they might take me away from you. You don't want me taken away, do you?
No, she didn't. It would be cool to have a friend in her head. Moonkit wondered what her parents' voices sounded like.
Good. We'll be best friends forever, and I will never leave you as long as you live. Then... you will join me.