Lotusbloom sighed as he carefully moved through the snow that gently coated the otherwise green grass. Leafbare had finally begun to settle, and the temperatures were only growing colder and colder. However, the tomcats thick pelt happily made up for it, giving him a bit more warmth than what most short furred cats would have. He felt bad for them, now that he thought about it. At least they would manage better in hotter temperatures. The warrior shivered just a little as a cold feeling surged through his body, but he pushed on and kept walking. Although lonely, he still had a bit of a liking for the solo patrols. It gave him time with his thoughts, and they could be quite relaxing. Usually Lotusbloom would even take the time to admire the views and territory, but with all the snow, he couldn’t necessarily admire the flora like he usually would. But no issue, he supposed. He grew closer and closer to the border, now deciding to start bumping his head into the trees he would pass by to leave the Mossclan scent so the border marking would be strengthened once again. However, his walking came to a complete and total stop once he heard the snow crunch beneath someone’s feet, rather than his. Lotusblooms tufted ears perked upward at the sound and he would turn his head. “Hello?” Lotusbloom would call out before opening his mouth just a little to get a better amount of any scents that resided in the air. Eventually he would catch one, but the strange thing was that it didn’t belong to anything he recognized. Not a loner, not an Urchinclan cat and not a Mossclan cat either. He didn’t think it was a fox or anything but that didn’t mean he should let his guard down. Unsheathing his claws, he stalked toward the source of the scent before— “EEK!” A strange cat appeared right infront of him and squealed when he jumped out, curling up into a defensive ball. Lotusbloom was quick to catch sight of the strange thing that curled around her neck and immediately sheathed his claws, deeming her to not be a threat at all. Was this a kittypet? One of those cats that lived with those twoleg creatures. That’s new. What was a kittypet doing all the way in Mossclan? Maybe trying to join, just like him? The second he opened his mouth to speak, the sound of mewling kits would interrupt him. “Please,” She spoke. “Don’t hurt me, don’t hurt them.” Lotusbloom was shocked. For now, he decided to sit down and curl his tail around his form, keeping a more friendly look if it was possible. “I wasn’t planning to.” Lotusbloom would assure her with a gentle look on his face. “You and your kits must’ve wandered a bit too far from your twolegs. What’s your name?” He decided to try and get to know her a little rather than instantly try to scare her off. “Serena.” The kittypet responds, her voice still shaky but it seemed like she was relaxing just a little, her tail moving to reveal her three kits. The Mossclan warrior felt a stab in his chest when he saw them. “It’s cold out here for them. You shouldn’t—“ Lotusbloom choked out before Serena interrupted. “I can’t take them back. My housefolk, they want to send them away to whoever knows where, and I just— I don’t know who they’ll be sent with and if they’ll even be /safe/!” Serena cried. The golden toms ears pinned to the back of his skull as he listened to her words. Lotusbloom could not even begin to imagine the pain that she might just be feeling. But then why did she come here with them? His question was quick to receive an answer when Serena shuffled her three kits closer to him before taking a step back. “I’ve heard things about clans. I trust you’ll be able to care for them,” Serena would sniffle. “So they can grow big and strong, and… and..” “I’ll look after them.” Lotusbloom spoke up, gaining Serena’s attention. “Though there’s— some things I need to do. When are your two legs leaving?” Serena looked at the golden warrior as she tried to recall what the answer to that question was. “I— in one or two moons.” Lotusbloom would nod at the answer, glancing down at the three kits. “Okay. I’ve got two offers. You can stay right outside the territory, not too close to the border, and I’ll come visit you to give you food until you leave and I’ll take your kits with me. Or, you bring them back to your twolegs, and come back with them the day before you leave.” Serena nodded at his suggestion. She supposed maybe it wouldn’t hurt to linger outside for a while, plus this golden warrior would be assisting in protecting her, no? She noticed a small area she could stay in, she could go there. “Okay—… okay. There’s a small den-like place not far from here. That way, somewhere. I need to return to my housefolk to fetch something so I— I need to ask if you can stay with these three, just for a little.”
Stay with these kits? Lotusbloom blinked. Although hesitant, he moved forth and crouched, flinching backward when one of the tiny kits somehow lightly batted him on the nose even with closed eyes. He would have to get them out of the snow as soon as possible or they’d freeze. “I think I know the place. I lived out past the borders for a few moons. I’ll take them there.” The golden tom nodded, lifting one of the tiny kits to place it on his back, before doing the same with the second one and just holding the third one in his jaws. The kittypet infront of him sniffled once again before she quickly ran off. Lotusbloom sighed, before he began to move to where he thought she meant for him to go. It didn’t take much too long to get there. It looked like the tiniest little underground den of sorts, nothing that special. Lotusbloom carefully squeezed through the entrance before placing the kits down on the dens floor, walking a few circles around them before lying down, fluffy golden tail nearly engulfing them at once. He felt pain for them. He agreed to take them into the clan but— who would look after them there? One of the queens? What if they for whatever reason don’t want to look after kits with full kittypet origin? Lotusbloom knew of the worries that came with origins from other places, especially when it happened that he came from a clan known for their violence. The tiny kits had already started to settle by his side, curling up and falling deep asleep with the help of the warmth his thick fur would give. The golden warriors gaze would focus on them for a moment, as he began to consider. Maybe.. maybe he could take them in. Remain in the nursery with them until they were apprenticed. That would be acceptable, right? All he would have to do is let Silverfishstar know. Which meant probably letting her see these kits soon. He had no suspicion that it would be an easy conversation. But Silverfishstar was understanding, so he had no doubt that she would at the very least consider allowing these kits into the clan. And with Lotusbloom adopting them, that’d mean they’re her adoptive grandkits, no? The golden toms gaze focused on the cold outside of the den as he pondered. But it didn't take him all too long to decide. Once everything he had coming now was done-- he'd take these kits in. He'd be their father, and he'd give them the life he lacked. Lotusblooms eyes would water just a little as he looked back at the three kits, smiling just a little. Soon, they'd be-- well. "My babies." _______________________________ Oooogh, this took me a bit to write, so I hope this is good! If Mossclan survives the whole safety fail, then i'll be hosting a litter shortly after Lotusbloom returns from his exploration.
