Lavenderpaw's Destiny

Chapter 8

Turtlefoot lay in her nest feeling miserable. Her littermates had both received an apprentice three sunrises ago, and she couldn't help feeling sorry for herself. Now that she was expecting kits, she'd probably have to wait moons for an apprentice. I don't even want kits. She thought resentfully. 

The tortoiseshell warrior had convinced Junipertwig to let her stay in the medicine cat's den for a couple more sunrises. She wasn't ready to return to warrior duties yet, not with the knowledge of her unborn kits weighing down on her. However, the extra sunrises were up, and this was her last day in the medicine cat's den. She still hadn't told anyone, and she didn't plan to unless it was necessary. 

The lichen entrance of the den trembled as a cat entered. Turtlefoot was relieved to see her friend, Daisystream, enter. She'd been visiting while she stayed in the medicine cat's den to keep her company. 

"Hi," The white warrior mewed cheerfully. "How's your leg today?" 

"It's fine," Turtlefoot sighed, stretching it carefully. "Junipertwig says I can return to warrior duties tomorrow". 

"That's great!" Daisystream purred. "We can finally hunt together as warriors". 

Turtlefoot nodded, her heart warming; at least there was a silver lining to returning to warrior duties. The tortoiseshell warrior noticed that, despite Daisystream's cheerful mood, she seemed distracted. She was staring towards the den entrance, her tail tip twitching. 

"Are you okay?" Turtlefoot asked curiously. 

Daisystream met her gaze, excitement sparking in her eyes. "Now that Stumpleap is a warrior, we've discussed becoming mates". She explained, giving a little bounce. 

"Wow, so soon?" She murmured. "Just be careful. I became mates with Rowanroot early, and look how that turned out". 

The white warrior's eyes rounded sympathetically. "I know, and I'm sorry about that". She touched her nose to Turtlefoot's ear. "But all I've ever wanted was a mate and kits. That's why I couldn't wait to become a warrior. I want a family as soon as possible". 

Turtlefoot nodded, unable to understand the other she-cat's need for kits. Turtlefoot was expecting kits and couldn't be more unhappy. Suddenly, an idea popped into her head, and she heaved herself to her paws excitedly. "How soon?" She asked Daisystream urgently. 

The new warrior blinked, confusion clouding her gaze. "I... I don't know". She stammered. "As soon as Stumpleap agrees". 

Turtlefoot hesitated, taking a deep breath. "What if I told you I was expecting kits right now?" She whispered at last.

Daisystream's eyes stretched wide and she began to purr. "That's wonderful news Turtlefoot!" 

Shaking her head, Turtlefoot drew the white she-cat closer. "I don't want them. I've never wanted kits". She hissed.

"What are you going to do then?" 

"Well, that's where you come in". Turtlefoot began. "If you can convince Stumpleap to have kits right now, I could give my kits to you and you could pass them off as your own". 

"But... everyone would notice if you got plumper and I didn't". Daisystream murmured uncertainly.

"If we left camp soon and didn't return until after the kits were born, we could get away with it". Turtlefoot's chest tightened as she saw Daisystream starting to shake her head. "Please," She pleaded quickly. "I can't have kits. I just can't". 

Daisystream sighed. "What are we going to tell the clan about why we disappeared?" 

Turtlefoot's heart lifted. Did that mean she would go along with the plan? "We could say we were captured by twolegs! We'll go to the twoleg clearing on our territory where they come to eat sometimes. Then we'll walk through the stream until we're far from clan territory. That way they can't follow our scent trail".