ShadedOak's Story

Chapter Twenty

After the meeting, Shadedstar noticed Minnowflame was looking off. Worry glimmered in her gaze, and the dappled-tabby padded up to her. "Are you alright Minnowflame?"

Glancing up, the pale-gray she-cat jumped, "Oh, yeah, I'm fine." Her ears twitched nervously.

The small warrior's tone softened, "Do you want to talk to me in private?"

The ginger-dappled she-cat's leaf-green eyes glittered gratefully, "Yes, I'd rather no one else knows of this right now."

"Over here," Shadedstar beckoned her across the river, at the edge of where the waterfall was, drowning out most other sounds, "No one will be able to overhear us here."

Minnowflame took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a heartbeat. The small warrior waited patiently, tail curled over her paws. Then the she-cat began to speak, "This all started when I went to the rogue camp. Raven had been eyeing me up, and later on my father had me go to his camp."

She curled her lip slightly, as if imagining her claws in Raven, then continued, "After I came back to the Gorge, I discovered I was expecting." Her voice trailed off, "I haven't told anyone else this."

The dappled-tabby looked over at Minnowflame in understanding, "It's alright. The clan will help raise them well. Even if their father is a fox-heart. You can always talk to Creekheart, she's had kits before."

"I know..." The ginger-dappled she-cat murmured, "How do I tell Hawkgaze I'm expecting another toms kits?" Her leaf-green gaze was conflicted and confused.

Shadedstar looked at Minnowflame straight in the eye, serious, "Relax, he will understand. I helped raise him for the most part, so I know he will understand. I wouldn't be surprised if he will be a father to the kits."

Minnowflame blinked gratefully, "Thank you for understanding. I just don't know who else to turn to right now."

"Always," The dappled-tabby answered warmly, "Now go see Hawkgaze before you're missed."

The pale-gray she-cat murmured her thanks again, and swam back across the river to greet Hawkgaze, who had been waiting for her. Shaking out her pelt, Shadedstar swam across once they had gone, and padded up to the top of the waterfall.

A few dead stems lay atop a slight mound of dirt, to grow into flowers when new-leaf came. It was also where Stormrunner was buried, one of his clanmates had done it soon after he was killed. She sat down, closing her eyes and just thinking.

Nettle came up quietly behind her, pine-green gaze gentle, "I can tell this is a special place for you."

The small warrior purred softly, "It is. Stormrunner and I used to sneak up here and just be together," She was lost in her thoughts for a moment before continuing, "He was a medicine cat, and medicine cats aren't allowed to have mates or kits."

"Why is that?" The tan tom sat down, curling his tail over his paws.

"Their clan is supposed to be their kits. If they couldn't pay attention to their clan, what would happen then?" Shadedstar answered, "But he knew that we could make it work, no matter how we had to hide it."

Nettlesun blinked sympathetically, "I can imagine you miss him very much."

"Always," She replied, "But I also know he will always be with me."

The two leaned into each other, silent for a few heartbeats. Then Nettle broke the silence, "Do you think we should train the kits on the way back? They've missed a lot training."

"Probably," The dappled-tabby laughed, "This means I can teach them a little bit of my SkyClan skills. After all, knowing how to hunt in trees is useful."

She bristled slightly as she got the feeling someone was watching, then hissed softly, "Go around and block off that cat's escape." Her mate nodded, and they both stood up silently and got into position.

Shadedstar pounced, a screech of surprise coming from whoever had been watching them, and she hissed, "Who are you and what are you doing in SkyClan territory?"

"Get off you great lump!" A familiar voice hissed in annoyance.

"Stone?! What in the name of StarClan are you doing here? You shouldn't be here, I'm sure you know that." Nettlesun materialized out of the undergrowth.

"Oops..." Shadedstar let Stone up, flicking her ears, "But to be fair I don't like it when I'm watched. As Nettle said, what are you doing here?"

The dark-gray tom sat up, shaking out his ruffled pelt, "I came to talk to you." He looked at Shadedstar.

"About?" The dappled-tabby looked at him, beckoning for him to continue.

"I...don't have anywhere to go. My group kicked me out," He looked at the ground, then looked at her again, "May I come with you? There's far too many memories here."

Shadedstar answered quietly, "I'm sure that wasn't a surprise to you..." Then her voice was a bit louder, "And yes you may come with us. I'm sure Nettle's friends will take you in."

He sighed in relief, "Thank you. And now I'd better get out of here before I'm discovered by someone more hostile." His dark-gray pelt promptly disappeared into the shadows that were growing as night fell.

They both looked at each other, puzzled why he left so suddenly. Then for no reason, the two started laughing, and after a few heartbeats regained their breath. ShadedOak chuckled, "He's a 'shady' one, isn't he?"

Nettle laughed, "Was that a pun?"

"Maybe..." The dappled-tabby purred mischeiviously, then added, "Of course it was!" She swatted him playfully with her tail, "Now let's get back to camp so we can get some sleep."

Two days later, Nettlesun, Shadedstar, Pinepaw, and Nightpaw were saying their goodbyes. Shadedstar touched noses with her brother, warmth within her icy-blue eyes.

"I'm glad I came back. I missed you," She murmured.

"I did as well," Darkstar answered, "And I'll look forward to the next time you visit."

Bluespark looked over at her mother, sad that she was leaving, "Do you have any idea when you'll come visit again?"

The dappled-tabby shook her head regretfully, "No I don't, my dear. But I'll visit whenever I can. Whenever my clan can spare me for a while."

"I'd better go and be busy before I start wishing," The blue-gray and white she-cat chuckled, "And before I follow you."

Shadedstar smiled, "Alright my dear."

The white tom cast one last warm look at his sister before she disappeared, "May StarClan light your path." He murmured before turning and walking back into the Gorge.