Dreams In The Dark

Ch 3

(pic of Venus, nickname Beans for her extra toe-beans)

I easily caught up to and overtook the gathering patrol as they weren't in a hurry and I snuck around them and into camp before them, slipping into the warriors den and quickly curling into my nest.

I heard the patrol come back moments after I tucked my nose under my tail and pretended to be asleep.

I heard everyone come in and settle down, and heard a quiet discussion as Tigerclaw noticed Fireheart and Greystripe were missing and Sandstorm telling him they were hunting.

After I heard him leave I somehow fell back asleep.

I awoke just after sunrise, stretching and gently raising to my paws as not to disturb the ever cuddly Falconclaw. I looked around and smiled at the cute site of the two ginger cats that melted together nearby and purred a bit, before making my way out of the den.

I yawned and stretched again, now having room to do a full body stretch and clawed the ground in front of me. I suddenly felt a weird sensation in my stomach, like a grumble of gas but no grumble.

I sighed remembering I wanted to visit the Medicine cat to see what was wrong with my stomach. It's been bothering me for a couple moons now. On and off belly-aches, more than just from hunger.

I sighed, deciding now was better than never, turning and heading towards the medicine den.

I pushed my way inside, hearing a cheery call from inside.

"FleckedRiver! Hi! How are you!" Cinderpaw greeted happily.

"Hey, Cinderpaw. Is Yellowfang here?" I asked, not that I didn't think Cinderpaw couldn't help, but Yellowfang had a certain nack for knowing what ails someone.

"What is it. Who's here so early." Yellowfang grumbled from inside the rock.

"FleckedRiver? What is it. What's wrong." She grumbled, coming out of the nest and dragging some herbs along with her.

"Sort those." She told Cinderpaw.

"Nothing serious. I've just been having these on and off belly-aches for a moon or so and was wondering if you had any ideas?" I mentioned.

"Hmm sit here and lay on your back." She motioned to a nearby nest.

I did as she asked and rolled onto my back, tucking my paws against my chin.

She sat on her haunches and felt around my stomach with a paw.

"Well, I'd say you are healthy. I can't find anything wrong with you, but you should probably take it easy for a few moons. Also no herbs I don't approve of before hand. It'll be bad for them." Yellowfang vaguely informed me.

"Bad for me you mean?" I asked in confusion.

"No. I'm sure you would be fine. But you should try to eat more regularly, thought I know that's hard this time of season. Really chose a bad time, didn't you." She grumbled.

"Bad time for what? Is it like a tapeworm or something?" I asked, starting to get anxious.

"Have you seriously not noticed? Fool." Yellowfang scoffed.

"Oh! Yellowfang! Is she with kits! I knew it!" Cinderpaw exclaimed excitedly.

"What, don't be rediculous. I'm not with kits." I laughed at the idea. When I saw Yellowfang wasn't even amused a bit I quieted the laughter.

"What, but I haven't...... I don't have a...a  mate." I explained, not sure how to explain.

"Plenty of Molly's raise their kits without a mate. You'll do fine. Besides, I'm sure if you asked a few Toms around camp, one would be willing to help you raise your kits." Yellowfang bluntly explained.

"I don't think you understand. I haven't had the interactions.... I can't be pregnant." I tried to explain.

"Oh Starclan. You'll be fine. Queens have been raising kits for generations. I'll be here, Cinderpaw will be here. You have had plenty of training. Your kits will be fine." Yellowfang scoffed, reassuring me on the wrong thing.

"But...but I...." I went to explain again, bewildered. 

"Oh get out, will you? I'll let Bluestar know so your duties will be reduced. You should probably move to the Nursery within the next moon as well. You aren't showing yet but I assume that's from your thick fur. Once your kits start to get big I'm sure you will want the extra room of the nursery as well." Yellowfang chattered, seemingly lost in her own thoughts.

"Lucky you were kicked outta here. Some aren't that lucky." She muttered under her breath.

After that she ushered me out of the den and followed me out. I sat aimlessly outside the entrance, shocked, and watched Yellowfang pad towards the leaders den.

I knew soon Tigerclaw would know and the idea of being weak and unable to defend myself had me almost hyperventilating, then a thought struck me and I realized my KITS would be weak and defenseless against him.

I watched Yellowfang head inside the den, followed soon by Tigerclaw.

After a few moments all three padded out and, like a bad boy-band, made their way over. Bluestar had a shocked but pleased look on her face while Tigerclaw had a smirk on his face, with his ever present sinister look in his eyes.

Yellowfang ducked into the medicine den, effectively leaving me to the wolves.

Bluestar sat close next to me, a strange affectionate look on her face.

"How are you feeling? Yellowfang told me the news, congratulations. The clan will be lucky to have such talented kits joining us." She purred gently, talking to me like a kindergarten teacher talking to a child.

"I'm fine." I chipped at her, uncomfortable. Her being so friendly was odd, and she's never liked me before.

"Yes, congratulations." Tigerclaw all but sneered.

"Don't worry, Tigerclaw will be sure to give you plenty of breaks until you are ready to move to the Nursery. Be sure to tell me when you are ready, I'll help you get settled in." Bluestar cooed.

"Yes, we wouldn't want you overexerting yourself." Tigerclaw stated, but no concern showed in his eyes.

I flicked my ears uncomfortably. This was by far the creepiest interaction I'd had before.

"Yes, I'll be... careful?" I guessed, not knowing the answer they seemed to seek.

"Well, I'll leave you to rest now. Nothing but simple patrol and light hunting for you, and take the day off. Go pick out a spot in the Nursery. You will want only the best when the time comes." Bluestar purred, before standing and leaning forward to rasp her tongue across my forehead and ear. I fought not to cringe away from her.

"Again, congratulations." Tigerclaw rumbled, seeming to almost laugh at my expense.

I watched them go from my spot next to the medicine den, a deep chill settling in my bones. And it wasn't from the snow.