The Medicine Cat Code

Chapter 4

"That was amazing," Thistlepaw mewed as she gazed down at Whitewhisker, who was suckling three healthy kittens. "Absolutely amazing."

"Birth is a beautiful thing," Whitewhisker said tiredly.

Silverfur couldn't keep her eyes off the three babies. She knew who the father was - Whitewhisker's mate, Trouttail, a black tabby spotted tom. She could see his yellow eyes peering into the den nearby.

"They're beautiful," Silverfur hummed. "What will you name them?"

Whitewhisker gazed down at the kits; one of them was pure white like herself. The second was pale blue, with white under the belly and paws. The third was a black tabby, dark brown spaced between the speckles.

"The white one will be Icekit," Whitewhisker purred after a moment. "The blue and white will be Creekkit, and the brown will be Oakkit."

"Congratulations," Thistlepaw said.

"It's a wonderful set of names," Silverfur said gently. "Two mollies and a tom."

Whitewhisker smiled. "May I rest?" She asked quietly. "Trouttail can bring me prey later."

Silverfur nodded. "Of course," She said gently, her heart twisting as her kits kicked in her belly. "Sleep well. Come on, Thistlepaw." She turned and padded out of the den, her apprentice bouncing at her heels.

"How did it go?" Palestar asked, eyes gleaming. "Is everyone safe?"

"Yes," Silverfur said fondly. "She had two mollies, Creekkit and Icekit, and a tom Oakkit. All of them are healthy, if exhausted."

"Justifiably so!" Palestar chuckled. "We'll be sure to hunt extra hard for the kits."

Silverfur smiled, padding to her den.

Thistlepaw peered up at Silverfur with wide green eyes. "I have a question."

"I may have an answer," Silverfur said gently, enjoying how talkative Thistlepaw was being.

"Can you see a kit's destiny if you ask StarClan?"

Silverfur's tail twitched. "What? Who told you that?" She pulled the brambles of the medicine den apart, allowing Thistlepaw to enter first.

"Sedgepaw said if you go to the Moonstone and ask StarClan for a cat's destiny, they'll show it to you."

"No, kit." Silverfur smiled as she entered the dwelling. "StarClan reserves destiny for only their own rank. We will see destiny only when we join them." Her eyes narrowed a little. I already know what my destiny is: to be a good mother to these kits, and see Darkpelt in StarClan!

Excitement burbled in her chest, and suddenly she blurted "Thistlepaw, may I tell you a secret?" Her paws sweated with anticipation.

"Sure!" Thistlepaw perked up, eyes wide with curiosity. "What is it?"

Silverfur smiled, swishing her tail wildly. "I'm expecting."

Silence reigned for a moment. "What do you mean? What are you expecting?" Thistlepaw tilted her head.

"Kits," Silverfur breathed in excitement. "A litter of kits. They're growing in my belly as we speak!" She giggled. "ThunderClan will have new arrivals very soon!"

Thistlepaw's eyes widened with shock. "Kits? You're having kits?" Her ears were flat. "That's against the Medicine Cat code!"

Silverfur flattened her ears. "So what? The Clan needs more kits, and these are more kits. They will welcome them."

"You're wrong," Thistlepaw growled. "You're wrong! The Clan will never welcome forbidden kits."

Silverfur was horrified. This is not how she expected it to go. "Don't tell anyone."

"I won't," Thistlepaw growled. "That's your thornbush to fall into. But I won't be your apprentice anymore." She bared her teeth.

"What?" Silverfur gawked. "You can't! You'll be so behind. You've seen the face of StarClan," She pleaded. "You're a prodigy, Thistlepaw. They need you."

Thistlepaw bore her teeth. "Maybe I'll come back to it when I have a better mentor."

With that, Thistlepaw padded to Palestar's den, and Silverfur stared after her in shock. Was this a terrible mistake?