Feathermist's Secret

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Feathermist couldn't feel anything. Her whole body ached, and her right hind leg was completely in agony. Feathermist groaned and tried to move her hind but a fresh wave of pain hit her.

"Stop wriggling." Feathermist heard a gentle voice mew.

Feathermist opened her eyes. She was in a barn, curled in soft hay. Feathermist's swollen belly was propped awkwardly beside her. A light brown she-cat was crouched beside her. 

"Are you Coco?" Feathermist whispered.

"Yes, that's me." Coco nodded.

"Where's Snowmist?" Feathermist asked.

"He's hunting with Flower and a few other cats." Coco replied.

"Flower? Have we found the Tallpaw place?" Feathermist mewed.

Coco began to groom her matted fur. "Yes, don't worry. Snowmist told me everything that happened. You fell from a tree and dislocated your back leg. Flower put it back. And—"

"Coco! We're back!" Coco was interrupted by a loud shout.

Several cats came into the barn, Snowmist in the lead.

"Feathermist! You're alive!" Snowmist yowled joyfully and nuzzled Feathermist warmly.

"Of course she would be. Stop overreacting." Flower grunted, amusement sparkling in her eyes.

"Hi Feathermist!" A dark brown tom greeted. A ginger tabby tom next to him mewed a friendly greeting.

"This is Jasper," Snowmist introduced, flicking his tail to the dark brown tom. "He is the father of Mintyleaf, Lillypelt and Izzyclaw. And that is Amethyst. Jasper's son."

"Hello!" Feathermist meowed.

"And this is my sister, Bella." Coco nodded to a tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat.

"And these are my littermates," Flower mewed, her gaze running over three cats. "Lexi, Sunny and Birch."

"Hi there." Feathermist greeted.

"Do you need anything else? I put comfrey on and a stick with cobweb around it." Flower asked.

"No, I should be fine. Just a little sore." Feathermist answered.

"Good. Have a bit of food." Flower gestured towards a pile of fresh-kill.

"Thanks." Feathermist dipped her head.

Snowmist grabbed her a rabbit and she devoured it in a few quick gulps. Looking around, Feathermist saw the other pet-cats take some food and sit in small groups, chatting and eating. Flower went to join her littermates and Snowmist sat next to Feathermist, his fur pressing against her.

"Are you okay?" Snowmist murmured. "You're so silly, yet brave."

"I'm sorry." Feathermist looked at her paws.

"Promise me you'll never do that again."

"I promise." Feathermist mewed solemnly.

"Good. I need you to stay safe," Snowmist nuzzled Feathermist. "I love you."

"I love you too." Feathermist touched her nose to Snowmist's. Feathermist then felt a strong wriggling sensation in her swollen belly, pushing violently against her flank. "Oh!" Feathermist stumbled at the sudden pain.

"Feathermist! I'll go get—" Snowmist started.

"No. I'm fine. I want some fresh air please." Feathermist meowed.