Morning Clouds

Prologue

I hop around some rocks, fear churning in my belly. Why? You may ask. It's only a pregnant she-cat carrying a mouse.

The problem is is that I am the only she-cat in my group. And my leader will be angry that the father of my kits is one of the lowly cats outside of our group.

He may even guess that their father is a Clan cat, the kind he despises.

He hates the Clan cats. They came from far away and stole his forest. They saved the weaklings of our group and held us off from reclaiming our territory.

I used to agree with him. In fact, I still do. There are Clan cats that desperately need to pay.

But, though I've never dared tell him, not all of them are worth less than fox-dung.

Storm Pelt, for instance.

Yes, he is the father of my kits. I know I'm biased. But it's true. He's kind and caring and was willing to see past the fact that our groups are enemies, agreed to be friends, and then more.

I sigh. If only this wasn't so complicated. If only Bee was still alive. Then I wouldn't have to have kits with a member of the group. But she was killed in a fox attack. "Clan weakling." Slash said when she died.

I didn't mention my leader was Slash? Well he is. And I am Swallow. I believe you know who I am.

//-//

Oh, speak of the devil. Here he comes.

I rise to my paws and pick up my mouse as he approaches, heralded by Splinter, one of his right-hand men. Whatever that means. I don't know what a hand or a man is. It's an old saying.

But I'm getting off topic. Delaying the inevitable.

The only cat who can help me rise up or fall down. Here he comes.

"Swallow!"

His meow is sharp. I think that's a bad sign. What is in store for me?

"Yes, Slash?" I meow steadily, though inside I am shaking. Luckily I have always been an actress.

He doesn't say anything, just turns and pads off, flicking his tail for me to follow. I do.

Splinter leaves, shooting me a swift smirk. I have never been his favorite, but it still sends chills down my spine. I don't show them.

Slash leads me through the forest, winding past trees and bushes, alongside streams, through puddles, until we reach the edge of Twolegplace. There, he turns and faces me, and I stop. He sits down, and so do I.

"Swallow." He dips his head to me. I return the gesture.

"I have been wondering what you are going to do about your kits." His eyes narrow and I feel like I am under the lights that come from some of the Twoleg monsters that live in the sky.

"I will take care of them and raise them to be loyal to you," I respond. "What else could I do?"

Slash narrows his eyes to slits. "Give them to their father," he growls quietly. "Clan scum-even half-blooded Clan scum-has only a place in the Clans.

I freeze, panicking. "So you want me to give my kits-cats who will help the group-to a Clan cat who attacked me a couple times because he happens to be the father?" I shoot back. This is just great.

Slash nods. "I don't care if it was an accident."

I slowly nod. "Okay, I'll go to him when they're weaned and he can have them," I promise shakily.

"No," Slash hisses. "They need to go now!"

"They're not even born yet!" I protest as I realize where Slash is going. I am not going to win this, and the consequences will be terrible.

"So you go." Slash responds clearly.

I begin to shake.

Slash sneers at me. "Swallow, don't you want to live like prey with them?" I flinch as he turns my words, when I left the old group with him and pledged my loyalty.

"Slash. I have been nothing but loyal to you. I stole Black Ear. I fought at your side." My tail-tip twitches rapidly as I grasp for even a tiny shred of something that will sway him. "Wait."

Slash tips his head at me.

"This cat loves me. I don't love him back. But I can spy. I can get information. He doesn't know I'm still part of your group."

Slash hesitates, then slowly nods. "I see the value in that. You're a valued member of the group. But no more Clan-scum kits. And Swallow, you know what I will do if these kits decide to honor their background, correct?"

I nod, relief flooding me. Somehow I won!

My feeling of triumph is quickly replaced as my belly ripples with pain. I gape down at it.

"It's time. Get back to camp. Do I have to carry you?" Slash growls.

I quickly shake my head and totter back to camp behind him as fast and best as I can.

There, it's not much better. Ember stares. Splinter whisperes something to Snake. It's obviously not good. Flash, a young new recruit, rises to help me, but Slash cuffs him around the ears and he sits down again, shooting me a sympathetic look. It's not helpful.

I see Splinter go and speak to Slash, and I barely notice the two new she-cats. All I can focus on is the pain.

I give birth to three kits.

One is a ginger tabby, like me. I call him Flame.

One is a black she-cat, who I name Echo.

The last is a little gray mottled tom with white paws. He looks like Storm Pelt except for his paws.

I call him Lightning.

I hear cats speaking outside, but I close my eyes and block myself from it all.

From all the trouble I sense is coming. Just one moment of peace with my kits.