The Medicine Cat Code

Chapter 1

Silverfur padded through the tall grasses, her chest buzzing with excitement. She'd never felt more alive in her life! She was heading for the SkyClan border, her paws itching to see the brown-and-black striped face she always dreamt of.

They had met, as apprentices, at the Gathering one night. He had been introverted then, and frankly alone. He had sat by himself in the corner of the Fourtrees, eyes downcast. She had sat with him, and they had talked.

She promised to visit him next Gathering to help work on his talking skills so he could become a more social cat. Slowly these meetings drifted away from the Gathering and became more interpersonal, along the borders and even crossing into one another's territories.

They had become mates a year ago, and spent happy times together. They often sat in their favorite clearing and gazed up at the stars, the marks of their ancestors.

Finally she came to the border. To her delight, her mate was already there. "Darkpelt!" She cried, racing forward and bumping her head to his chest.

He pushed her away.

"Silverfur," He rumbled gently. "Silverfur, we need to talk."

Her heart dropped. "What's wrong?"

"We can't keep meeting like this." He put a paw down and looked at her. "This isn't right. I can't serve my Clan and meet ThunderClan's medicine cat at the same time."

Silverfur's pelt shuddered. "What do you mean?" She asked, desperate for more information. "Darkpelt, what changed?"

Darkpelt sighed, flattening his ears. "Eaglestar picked me as deputy," He said softly. "I have more than just myself to think about, now. The Clan is my family. I can't live knowing I'm serving my Clan under the code only to break it every night."

Silverfur stared in silent shock. "Oh," She said, her voice coming out choked. Her stomach felt as if it were going to hit the forest floor. "I... I understand. I'm sorry."

"Pride yourself in your work, Silverfur," Darkpelt said gently. "StarClan will forgive us both, and then we can be together."

Silverfur nodded, watching as her mate - former mate - padded back into the depths of SkyClan's territory.

Now she had to face the daunting task of being pregnant alone.