Bearheart's Shame

Chapter 14

Bearheart awoke to the sound of kits suckling. She looked down and there they were. Silverkit and Snowkit, plus Whisperkit.

Lilyflower was in the den again, her eyes wide open and her kits scrambling over her.

"You're awake." The white she-cat meowed crossly.

"I am." Bearheart returned her glare.

"Antwhisker came and treated you while you slept. You can't go anywhere today."

"Great." Bearheart said sarcastically.

At that moment Sparrowstar came in.

"How are you doing?" He mewed raspily.

"Good as can be." What else could she say.

"Will you tell me what happened last night?" Sparrowstar asked her, suppressing a cough.

Bearheart nodded. "First, one question. What did Pineclaw tell you?"

"That a fox attacked both of you."

"That's a lie." Bearheart delved into the true story, watching Sparrowstar's expression change from disbelief to terror.

When she was finished, Sparrowstar stood still, shaking with horror.

"What?" He said finally. "How? Why? I trusted Pineclaw. But...but..."

Bearheart nodded solemnly. "It's all true. I have scratches that are too thin to belong to a fox."

Sparrowstar dipped his head a retreated from the nursery, his tail dragging on the ground.

Lilyflower was staring at Bearheart, eyes wide with fear.

"I..."

"Don't." Bearheart snapped. Lilyflower recoiled hastily, shaking her head.

"I'm sorry." She whispered.

Bearheart ignored her.

Bearheart was waking up from a nap when she noticed Dustberry sitting by her nest.

"Bearheart, I've something to tell you."

She didn't like his urgent tone.

"Liontail was hunting by Snake Hole, the mouse-brain, and got bitten. He's okay though."

Bearheart had been holding her breath and let out a sigh of relief at his last words.

"Pineclaw was punished, also."

"Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no." Bearheart was panicking. Pineclaw had told her not to tell anyone, and that's just what she'd done.

"When you've weaned your kits, Pineclaw will be allowed to be alone with you, but only after careful watching."

Bearheart hung her head while Dustberry nodded and left the den.

All of the sudden, she threw her head back and laughed.

"I'll never have to worry after this! My problems are huge! I don't have to act like anything is bigger!"

Across the den, Lilyflower pulled her kits closer with her tail, as if to protect them.

But Bearheart's giddy frenzy didn't last.

Soon, reality struck and her eyes became wet with emotion.

She leaned her head forward to comfort her kits.

"It'll be okay. I won't let anyone hurt you."

Whisperkit turned her head and looked up at her adoptive mother, eyes tired and drooping.