Lillyheart's Secret

Chapter Thirty-Three

Murkfall rested his head on Lillyheart's flank, staring at her with a mix of adoration and annoyance.

"I can't believe you got sick."

Lillyheart chuckled and pressed a lick to her mate's forehead. "I can't believe we're having kits."

Murkfall's eyes softened, and he nuzzled her stomach. "You're going to be a wonderful mother." He hesitated. "I just... you're sick now... and I'm scared. Oh Lillyheart, I'm so so scared. I'm scared that something will happen and I'll lose you again and I can't lose you again an-"

Lillyheart swatted him gently. "Hush. I'm going to be fine. Owltail and Reedfoot will take good care of me."

Murkfall crinkled his nose. "You mean like how they took care of Darkpaw?"

Lillyheart's heart dropped. "You know they couldn't do anything. It was all too sudden and then he was gone." She touched her paw briefly to a feather resting in her nest. "Let's talk about happier things."

"Like kits?" Murkfall purred, nuzzling Lillyheart.

She smiled at him. "Like kits." There was a moment of silence between the two of them, and the noises from outside of the medicine den filled the space before Lillyheart spoke again. "How are things going with Leopardpaw?"

Murkfall perked up. "Oh, pretty good! She's really eager to start learning new things now that the snow is finally melting." He sighed. "I'm going to be so glad when leafbare is finally over." He tapped Lillyheart with his tail. "Ok, your turn. Any news?"

Lillyheart shifted in her nest. "Well, Lizardtuft is still holding in there."

Murkfall nodded. "I'm glad. When greencough first hit, everyone was just waiting for what seemed inevitable."

Lillyheart touched her tail to his flank, gaze soft. "How is Leopardpaw dealing with all of this?"

Murkfall took a deep breath. "She reminds me of you. She tries so hard to show everyone that everything is ok, but I can tell she's hurting inside." He closed his eyes. "I make sure all of our training is done in the mornings that way she can spend time with her family later in the day."

Lillyheart pressed her forehead to her mate's. "This is why I love you," she whispered. "You're so caring, and you're always trying to help. And that's why you'll be wonderful father to our kits."

He smiled at her, but his eyes seemed too glassy and dark for the action.

Lillyheart touched her tail to his cheek. "You ok?"

His eyes flicked back to her, clearing back into the green she knew and loved. "Hmm?"

Lillyheart tilted her head. "You alright? You seem a bit off."

Murkfall shook his head, as if trying to clear it. "Just stuff on my mind. I'll be going now, I suppose. I want to make sure you get enough rest."

He started to get up, but Lillyheart pressed her paw onto his. "Will you stay? At least, until I fall asleep." She curled her tail around herself. "You make me feel safe."

Murkfall chuckled, settling down around her. "Ok then, love. I'll stay."

Lillyheart closed her eyes, his words filling her ears as she let herself fall into the alluring tide of sleep.
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Murkfall sat just outside the medicine den, his whole body shaking.

He wasn't the only one there. Other cats clustered round the entrance, the faces changing as the day drew on, each one waiting for the appearance of the medicine cats, waiting for the words they dreaded.

A shiver ran down his spine.

So many cats had been brought to the medicine cats, and it was so crowded that Reedfoot had started moving some of them to the Elder's den. There were just too many coming down with this sickness.

There was movement inside the den, and all of the cats waiting held their breaths as Owltail stepped out, looking worn and wearied. No one dared to breath as his gaze searched the gathered cats, his yellow eyes stopping right at Murkfall.

No. No no no no no.

He stepped forward, and Murkfall could feel part of himself dying as the medicine cat came closer and closer and—

He walked right past him.

Past him, to Darkice and Fallowsong, who's eyes were widening with despair. There was a rippled sigh from all the cats, knowing that their own loved one was not the one gone in this moment.

Lillyheart was ok. She wasn't gone. She was still here.

Relief flooded Murkfall, but it was cut off just as quickly. He hadn't lost Lillyheart, but they had just lost their last kit.

Panic crawled through his pelt. Was this really what Starclan had meant for them? To have their kits die before them? To lose your mate and live the rest of your life mourning them? To watch as your clan died from the inside out, sickness snatching the weakest among you?

Murkfall shook his head, starting to tremble. He had to get out of here. He had to get away from the waiting faces, from the muffled wails of a mother no more, from the pity that clouded countless eyes.

He ran. He didn't see Nightpaw's mentor rush to comfort Fallowsong. He didn't see Darkice come out of the medicine den with a hollow look in his eyes.

He didn't see Poppytail as she urged her smallest kit to eat. He didn't see was Wavecloud called out to him, fear for her daughter caused by his wild escape from the camp.

He didn't see Owltail slowly exit the den again, eyes searching for someone who wasn't there.

Because as he ran, all Murkfall saw was red.

Hey guys!

It's a bit of a Murkfall POV today! Do you guys enjoy reading in his view? Should I keep doing it?

Also, I'm sorry that this chapter is a bit shorter. I'll make the next one longer to make up for it!

What are your thoughts on this sickness so far? Think anyone else will die? :}

Honestly I feel so bad for Darkice and Fallowsong. They've lost all three of their kits now...

Cant wait to hear what you think!