First Glances

[//Sunneh// is FuMiNg]

Brackenkit

Brackenkit's lip jutted out in an irritable pout as his father's face took on a horrified look. The kit didn't even have to hear Oakpelt's reply - he was already sure what the tom's answer would be. "You get to be an apprentice before you become a warrior." Brackenkit's jaw slackened in a horrified expression that matched his father's almost identically. Great, he fumed. More waiting. "An apprentice trains to be a warrior," Oakpelt continued, "and if they train hard, they get to be one by twelve moons. You get to become an apprentice at six moons. I guess that answers all of your questions. You can't become now, oh no." Brackenkit's pout became even more pronounced and his father went on. "You can to get much, much bigger!"

Much, much bigger? That was a lot. Brackenkit let out a sigh, which turned into a yawn, and soon he was struggling to keep his eyes open. The kit swayed slightly, a movement not unlike the one Thistlekit had made earlier when he had struggled to walk, then steadied himself. His eyelids drooped, snapped back open, then drooped again. He glanced at his father, thin whiskers twitching as he decided to join his siblings in their sleep. If he didn't do it out of his own free will, then Oakpelt would have to tell him to, and he didn't want that. Once a rebel, always a rebel. Brackenkit nestled beside Willowkit and Thistlekit, almost instantly falling asleep the moment he settled down on the moss.

[Seafeather]

Oakpelt

Oakpelt watched as his son, Brackenkit's, eyes flutter. He must be especially tired. He himself was too, but not enough to stay awake to watch every little move his children make. Eventually, Brackenkit closed his eyes and never opened after he had moved himself to sleep by his siblings.

Oakpelt turned back over on his stomach and lay close to his mate and kits. Watching Thicketheart. All the lines of her delicate, beautiful face. The way her ears framed her face and made her eyes look bigger. How could such a beautiful creature be blind? No matter, she was his. And he loved her with all of his heart. No cat in StarClan could separate them. If death came to her early, he would stay alive only to help his children to grow up. If it weren't for them, he would have nothing in this world anymore. He stared at her closed eyes, waiting for them to be opened.