Splashflight's Mistake (book one)

Chapter 21

Morningshine finished the ceremony. She made herself mentor to Fishpaw, the stronger one. And made Snowtip mentor to Heronkit.

Splashpaw padded numbly to the nursery after the ceremony to check on Brightshine. She was curled up in a ball, her big belly rising and falling gently. He placed a gentle, loving paw on her shoulder, and smiled.

"You and I are safe... Don't worry..." He whispered. He stroked her belly. But suddenly a shadow fell over her sleeping figure and Splashpaw turned, ready to stammer an excuse like, "I was just checking on her kits!"

He saw Nightgaze, his blind eyes wide. "Come quick! Aquastar's stuck in a coughing fit and I need your help!" He ordered. Splashpaw's eyes widened and he raced out of the nursery.

He saw his mother, doubled over in her den, hacking and wheezing nonstop. He watched with horror as his mother's body shook violently with spasms and coughs. He shook his head to clear it and grabbed a wad of camomile. Dipping it with the honeycomb laying beside him, he opened his mother's mouth to place it in, and made her chew. "Swallow!" He commanded, and Aquastar swallowed with pained and tired eyes.

Splashpaw watched in worry as her coughs didn't subside. He looked to Nightgaze for guidance, but he was bowing his head.

"It's in the paws of StarClan, Splashpaw..." He whispered. Splashpaw shivered. He knew his mother had only two lives, and if she lost this one, she may still have the sickness. What would happen if Morningshine became leader?

Then it hit him. Morningstar. The river of blood will grow with each strike...

Splashpaw heard his mother's coughs die down, and he knew she was losing a life, but he was too shocked to process it. He raced from the den, and ran into the nursery, ignoring Nightgazes bewildered calls. He burst in.

"Brightshine! Lets go for a walk!" He cried, looking her in the eye knowingly. She stared at him, confused for a second, until the worried light in her eyes gave way to knowledge. She got to her paws and waddled after him.

"What happened? Whats wrong?" She whispered after they were out of earshot from the camp. "Is is about the... The prophecy?"

Splashpaw stared, wide eyed at Brightshine. "Morningshine. Brightshine, Aquastar is on her last life, and Morningshine is deputy! Don't you see?!" He paced the forest floor.

"Morningshine is the Morning Star!!!!"

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Duhn duhn duhhnnnnnn!!!! Shoutout to whoever guessed it xD im in study hall right now so Ill update until 2:20 central time ^•^