[.loves 'blessing'.]

[SHADE. :D]

Lemonzest tottered over to the fresh-kill pile, taking a plump mouse for herself. Her swollen belly made it hard for her to walk at a strong speed, but she did not mind. She was fiercely proud of the kits that grew in her belly - Cormorantstar's kits.
She hobbled back to the nursery with the mouse dangling from her jaws. She lay down on her soft mossy nests, sinking her fangs into the mouse's flesh. She devoured it quickly, then curled her tail over her nose to keep it warm for the night. She shut her eyes, feeling warmth and the fullness of her belly lulling her into a slumber.
She woke with a start, and was surprised to feel cold sweat beading her brow. She yowled as a shock of pain ripped through her, then another. The contraction ended, and she lay gasping with pain, hoping this was all a false alarm. She bit her lip as agony swept through her again. When this fresh wave of pain subsided, she yowled loudly: "Cormorantstar!"

[brook]

^{Cormorantstar had been sitting outside his den and making sure everyone got back from hunting and training. He did this every night. Seeing that every cat had come back, he turned to go into his den but then he heard the yowl that felt like fangs piercing through his neck. Lemonzest! As fast as his legs could carry him, he ran to the nursery. He rushed into the nursery. Panting he nuzzled her cheek and meowed,"Don't worry! Everything will be okay." He licked her face and gave her comforting purrs. Finally, he called,"Drangonflydance!"}

[SHADE. :D]

Lemonzest was reassured to see her mate, and pushed her muzzle into his fur for comfort. A jolt of pain flashed through her and she moaned into Cormorantstar's thick grey fur.
Dragonflydance woke from her sleep, ears pricked. She got to her paws, seizing a mouthful of hervs on her way out of her den. As she heard the commotion in the nursery, she realized Lemonzest must be kitting. The pretty white she-cat rushed into the den, sapphire eyes sparkling with calm. When she saw Lemonzest and her leader, she dipped her head respectfully before hurrying over to the queen.
"Relax," she mewed. "And lay on your side."
The tabby queen obeyed, one pale flank exposed, heaving as she breathed. After a few long moments, Lemonzest shrieked in pain. One tiny kit was struggling in the moss. Dragonflydance picked up the damp bundle of wet fur and passed it to Cormorantstar. "Lick," she commanded. She then returned to watching Lemonzest. "That's it. Well done. Just a little more," she mewed soothingly. After another moment, Lemonzest groaned and yowled as a second kit appeared. he white medicine cat passed the second kit to Cormorantstar, as well.
Dragonflydance pushed some herbs over to the gasping Lemonzest. The tabby queen licked them up, closing her eyes in exhaustion. Dragonflydance ran her nose over the two kit's body lengths, before mewing: "They're both she-cats, and both healthy. Congratulations!" sheb purred. She then dipped her head and left the mates alone together.

[brook]

^{Cormorantstar watched as the kits were born and licked there tiny little bodies. Both were she-cats and they both were healthy. That was the only thing that mattered that they were healthy. He helped nose the kits over to Lemonzest belly so the could suckle. He nodded to Dragonflydance and curled himself around Lemonzest. "They are wonderful,"he whispered and watched the little kits. But seeing that she was tired, he began to groom her sweat covered face. "My love,"he purred,"You did wonderful." He nuzzled her cheek and stared at her with loving eyes.}

[SHADE. :D]

Lemonzest felt the tiny kits latch onto her belly and purred deep within her throat. She pressed her muzzle into Cormorantstar's throat, not speaking for a few long moments. She then licked his forehead, eyes shimmering with happiness. She was still weak and frail from weariness, but her joy gave her strength.
"We must name them," she mewed. She stroked the first kit, a dark grey and white kit. She looked a little like Cormorantstar, Lemonzest thought with a purr. She peered at the second, a little pale brown and white kit. "What about... Dewkit for that one." She licked the grey kit. "You name the other one."

[brook]

^{Cormorantstar peered over at the first kit. She was dark gray with a tint of brown in her. Like a mix of the two parents. He purred and tilted his head when he looked at the second. "Tawnykit?"he suggested with a smile. They were wonderful kits. The best kits in all the land and they would be trained by the best as well. By the time they would be apprenticed, Icelily and Skytomb's kits would be warriors. He wanted to train one of them.}

[SHADE. :D]

Lemonzest purred, "It's perfect." The dark tabby licked both of her kits' tiny heads. "Tawnykit and Dewkit." Lemonzest rested her head on Cormorantstar's shoulder, all her exhaustion returning. She shut her eyes, trying not to fall asleep but wishing for the relaxation and recovery of slumber. "I'm so tired, Cormorantstar," she murmured.

[brook]

^{Cormorantstar smiled at the kits. They were perfect. Sighing, he set his head on his paws and stared up at Lemonzest. "Would you like me to leave?"he asked quietly. Cormorantstar knew she was tired from the birthing. He knew that she needed rest but he really didn't want to leave her yet.}

[SHADE. :D]

"Not really," replied the queen in a weary voice. "But you must tell the clan of our kit's birth.. They'll want to know."
The tabby licked her mate's cheek, before resting her chin on her paws and closing her eyes. It was quite hard to concentrate on trying to sleep with her two kits tugging at her belly but she eventually slipped into slumber.

[brook]

^{"I'll tell them tomor-" He didn't finish what he was going to say, seeing that Lemonzest was already asleep. He sighed softly. Just tonight he would sleep here. He rested his head on his paws and drifted off to sleep.}