Path of Stars by Erin Hunter

cheek.
    â€œJust one more push,” Wind Runner murmured.
    â€œYou’re doing really well,” Holly crooned.
    Star Flower’s body convulsed as though a fox had grabbed her. She yowled a long, deep yowl, her eyes rolling with pain.
    Clear Sky winced and pressed his muzzle to her head.
    â€œIt’s a she-kit!” Wind Runner’s mew of triumph rang through the air.
    Gray Wing leaned forward and saw a glistening scrap of fur, slick and wet and half covered in a pale membrane. The kit squirmed on the ground, tiny paws churning.
    Tall Shadow purred. “Is . . .” She hesitated. “Is she okay ?”
    â€œShe looks like any newborn kit,” Wind Runner proclaimedhappily. “Only smaller.” Quickly she scooped up the kit and placed her beside Star Flower’s muzzle. “Give her a wash and keep her warm,” she ordered.
    But Star Flower had already stretched out her nose and was lapping her newborn kit, her eyes shining with joy. Then she stiffened as another convulsion gripped her. As she writhed, growling with pain, Holly snatched the she-kit from beside her muzzle and tucked her safely beneath her own belly.
    â€œPush!” Wind Runner ordered.
    Star Flower shuddered and moaned. Wind Runner leaned back, her eyes lighting up. “Another she-kit!”
    Star Flower convulsed again.
    â€œAnd a tom!” Wind Runner purred loudly as she picked up both kits between her jaws and placed them beside Star Flower. She ran her paw over Star Flower’s belly. “That was the last, I think. And the bleeding’s stopped.”
    Pebble Heart darted forward. “May I feel?”
    Star Flower lifted her head groggily and stared at the young tom.
    â€œI want to learn how to help if any of my campmates have kits,” Pebble Heart told her.
    Star Flower gave a deep purr, amusement lighting her weary gaze. “Go ahead.” Her mew was slurred with relief.
    Pebble Heart tentatively ran his paw over her belly, tipping his head to one side, his eyes glazing as he disappeared into his own thoughts.
    Gray Wing knew that look well. Pebble Heart had always been wise beyond his years, staring into the distance as thoughlost in another world when his littermates had wanted to play. Gray Wing’s thoughts flitted to Moth Flight. Perhaps some cats are born to see beyond hunting and fighting.
    â€œWhat do you think?” Star Flower’s mew cut into his thoughts. She was staring at Clear Sky, her three kits squirming at her belly.
    â€œThey’re beautiful.” Clear Sky buried his muzzle in his mate’s neck fur.
    Pebble Heart stepped away. Holly and Wind Runner withdrew to Tall Shadow’s side.
    Gray Wing stared at his brother.
    Clear Sky had lifted his head and was staring at the tiny, slick-furred kits with a look of wonder that Gray Wing had never seen in his eyes. Pure love melted his ice-blue gaze. He leaned gently forward and lapped at one of the she-kits, who was nuzzling deeper into Star Flower’s belly.
    Gray Wing felt his chest soften and his breathing ease. A deep longing tugged in his chest. How he wished to feel the love that was clearly sweeping Clear Sky now. He had felt like a father to Turtle Tail’s kits, and he loved them all. But the pure joy glowing in his brother’s eyes took him by surprise, and he wished that he could one day feel the same.
    Wind Runner shifted her paws. “They all look perfectly healthy, but they’re very small.”
    Pebble Heart glanced at his leader. “Can they stay here for a while, Tall Shadow? Just until they’re a little stronger.”
    Tall Shadow nodded. “Of course.”
    Pebble Heart blinked at Clear Sky. “Will you let them stay?A trip through the forest might expose them to unnecessary risks.”
    Clear Sky glanced at Wind Runner. “What do you think?”
    â€œFor a few days,” Wind Runner advised.
    Holly’s ears twitched. “I’ve never