"StarClan only knows how much I love this cat" Reedstripe meowed softly, trying not to be too loud to wake the sleeping she-cat he was wrapped around. He blinked into the darkness, his golden eyes narrowing as he tried to mentally navigate a path to creep out of the warriors den. He got up slowly as the beautiful pale orange she-cat he was keeping warm meowed in protest softly. Reedstripe licked her forehead softly as an apology and slipped out of the den, unnoticed by the rest of the RiverClan warriors.
He looked back at the large den, woven with cat-tails, branches, and mud. He purred at the recent addition by the apprentices, the entrance decorated with sea-shells. He crept out towards the river, breathing in the frosty night air; he shivered. The tan tabby tom reached the river and looked down into the freezing water, watching the shimmering fish swim happily, unaware of the tom.
He stuck his paw into the water slowly, scaring away any chance he might have had to catch that fish, but Reedstripe didn't mind. He gasped at how cold the water was and pulled back his paw quickly. He licked it a couple times to warm it and blinked at his reflection, now disturbed by the ripple in the water he created. He looked up into the night sky and smiled softly. He couldn't be happier. He was with the cat he loved, and she was expecting his kits! He was overwhelmed with emotion as things between him and Peachwhisker had progressed so quickly the past few moons. He looked down at his paws, all his self-doubt was gone.
He purred and stretched; his short, sleek RiverClan fur bristled from the cold. He padded back towards camp, snagging a small dandelion on his way back. He placed it beside his mate before cuddling up beside her once more, her purrs of happiness brought a smile to the young tom's lips. He licked her muzzle once before laying his head down, dosing off into a dream land full of swirling streams and dancing stars.
Moons had passed since Peachwhisker had discovered she was pregnant. She looked over at her mate who was fretting over how his pelt looked and she shook her head, chuckling.
"Don't worry so much Reedstripe! Minowstar probably has a good reason for choosing you as his deputy, don't let it get under your pelt!" The pale orange tabby licked his cheek and nudged him to go forward, as a small grey tom called out to the other cats for a clan meeting.
Minnowstar spoke softly, obviously still in mourning over Toadpool's brave death.
"As you all know, our valiant deputy, Toadpool, died last night in a skirmish with ThunderClan over the border. He will remain in our hearts for many moons to come, but for now, I must choose a new deputy to serve the clan. Reedstripe, if you're willing, I would love for you to be my deputy, and I say this before StarClan, so they may approve." Minnowstar meowed, his voice cracking with sadness. Toadpool was his litter-mate, so the whole clan knew his sadness.
Reedstripe nodded at the leader and climbed up the pale rock that Minnowstar stood on. He touched noses with his friend and looked down at his clan mates, focusing on his mate. The clan cheered. Reedstripe beamed with pride but saw Peachwhisker, her blue eyes were full of worry. After he spoke softly with Minnowstar, he leapt down and wrapped his tail around Peachwhisker.
"Hey it won't be so bad! Minnowstar says that I'll even have some time off when the kits come" he reassured her.
Peachwhisker frowned.
"But what if something happens to Minnowstar? If you have to take his place, who will help me with the kits? What if something happens to you in battle like Toadpool?" She burst into tears, pressing her face into his lighter tan chest fur. He licked her head and purred.
"Don't be silly, nothing is going to happen to Minnowstar as long as I can protect him. Plus we both know I'm a much better fighter than Toadpool was" he purred. She smiled softly.
"You'll still help me with the kits then?"
"Of course"
"Promise?"
"Promise." He smiled at her before a group of his clan mates rushed him with congratulations. The first cat to approach him was Peachwhisker's litter-mate, Sunbelly.
Sunbelly was named for his loud friendly laugh that almost erupted from him, obviously coming from deep within his belly. Reedstripe smiled as the massive tom nudged him in congratulations.
"Ah little kitty has become a big kitty now!" He joked. Reedstripe chuckled and shook his head.
"I'm not THAT small!"
Sunbelly and many others greeted him with warm, kind words. Reedstripe felt overwhelmed. This was the most the clan had ever paid attention to him since his warrior ceremony many moons ago. He smiled to himself and stayed close to his mate, pressing up against her side.
"I think Reedstripe has had enough attention for one day don't y'all think? How about we give him some space so he can start figuring out patrols and such" Sunbelly meowed, noticing his sister'a obvious dislike of how much attention some of the other she-cat's were giving her mate now that his title was deputy. Peachwhisker smiled at Sunbelly with gratitude and pulled Reedstripe towards the Nursery where she now resided.
"That was fun, but man am I exhausted. Why don't you come here and cuddle with me" she purred to the tom. He nodded, obviously tired as well and curled up around her.
"I love you Peachwhisker. You know that right?" He meowed softly.
"Of course I do mouse brain" she purred back affectionately. Time seemed to pass by slowly as the two laid there, falling asleep wrapped around one another, with only Peachwhisker's swollen belly keeping them slightly apart.
