Sick & (2) dead cats. Please help if you have knowledge of kittens!! (LONG)?

It surely sounds like distemper to me. The timing and symptoms are right, sadly. And remember that the virus can persist in the home environment for up to a year, and can and will infect any unvaccinated or undervaccinated cat you bring in. That means a minimum of two FVRCP vaccines, plus two weeks. Hopefully your cats are all up to date on their vaccines :(