Rabbitmoon awoke in his den. Rosestar was groaning and shifting beside him. Her kits were supposed to be born a while ago. It was about time. Maybe her kits were coming!
Rabbitmoon arose to go get Niko. It was the middle of the night, so he almost tripped on Branch on his way to her.
When he reached her, he prodded her side with a paw. She woke up groggily.
"What is it?" She asked sleepily.
"I think Rosestar's kits are coming. I don't know but I think so."
That woke Niko up. She bounced up, collecting herbs. "Let's go," she meowed.
Rabbitmoon went back to his nest. Rosestar was awake. "It hurts," she whimpered.
"I know. But Niko's here to help. Don't worry," Rabbitmoon soothed. "You and the kits will all be alright."
Niko pressed her paws against her stomach. Her belly heaved. "Yup. They're on their way!" Niko concluded.
Rosestar stifled a gasp as her belly rippled.
"The first one's coming! And," Niko said, "it's going to be a long, slow birth. There's a lot of kits in there."
Rosestar nodded, slightly aware of Niko. The pain was all that she was focused on.
   "Why is this taking so long?" Fretted Rabbitmoon. His mate couldn't take all this.
   "It's normal. Relax," Niko answered. Rosestar gasped and a small body slithered out into the grass.
   "It's the fist one!" Exclaimed Niko. She pushed the kit to Rabbitmoon, who began to lick it.
   Rosestar wailed in agony as another kit pushed his way into the world.
   "That's two!" Counted Niko, happily.
   Rosestar turned to lick the kit but doubled back as another ripple pasted through her body. She pushed. Nothing came.
   "Ugh..." Niko said looking at Rosestar. "This kit is big. Its going to take a lot of effort. You can do it. Just push."
   Rosestar nodded. She concentrated as another ripple came. She pushed and screamed. Nothing. "Keep going!" Encouraged Niko. Rosestar' face squished up as she pushed even harder.
   "Okay. This isn't working. Um..." Niko fretted. She was scared. This had never happened before. "You push, and I'll pull. Ready, push!"
   "AGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!" Shrieked Rosestar. Niko pulled the kit's head. She tried again. Finally the huge kit came out.
   "Good job! It's alright!" Niko sighed with relief. Rosestar crumpled to the ground.
   "I... can't do it..." she panted.
   Niko looked at her. "Yes you can. Just concentrate."
    Rabbitmoon nodded encouragement. "You can do it, my sweet."
   Rosestar closed her eyes as another ripple passed. She pushed and another kit came out. That was four!
   The ripples stopped. Rosestar licked the two other kits and smiled. It was over.
"Wow!" Exclaimed Niko. "Four kits; two she-cats and two toms. They are fine kits, the she-cats are gray and black tabbies, while the toms are light gray. Well one of them is. The other is dark gray. You're lucky you and the kits survived. Now we'll leave you in peace. Rest now." She started to walk to her side of the den, and motioned for Rabbitmoon to follow. Rabbitmoon stubbornly followed. He went to sit with Niko.
    "Is she alright?" He asked once they were settled.
   "Yes." Niko answered, putting her paws underneath her chest fur. "She might be a little sore and tired tomorrow, but they're alright." She sighed, looking at the stars. "You're lucky you have beautiful kits."
   Rabbitmoon looked into her eyes. They were glistening with something like... sadness. And even a hint of... regret?
   "Why don't you have your own kits with Branch?" He pressed, actually concerned for the Sick-Paw. If she wanted kits so bad, why didn't she have her own?
   "Because if I did," began Niko, "they would get in the way of my duties. I just... can't." She turned around and laid her head down.
   Rabbitmoon was about to reply, but he closed his mouth. She probably didn't want to be messed with.
   Rabbitmoon closed his eyes, and soon fell into a dreamless sleep.