Fernfreckle's Dream

Chapter 8

Fernstar was awoken late one greenleaf night. He lay in his bedding, staring at the walls of his den, wondering why he was awake at such an unusual hour. 

Did.. something wake me up? 

He got onto his paws and stretched. He peeked outside of his den to see his newest warrior, Deerdawn, sitting beside the fresh kill pile with Stormdream, his new mate. He scans camp more, but nothing seemed too unusual. He was about turn around to go back inside when he heard a strange whisper inside his ears. 

"Oh, Fernstar... I'd go check on your nephews if I were you..." 

He perked up with panic and looked around. 

Nobody. 

Anxious, he raced across camp and readies to knock at the side of Pinestride's den. 

"Fernstar?" 

He whipped around to see Skytail, Flowerclan's deputy. He's very old, and should've moved into the elder's den moons ago. However, Darkstar keeps claiming that he refuses retirement. 

"Uhh.. yeah?" 

"Darkstar would like to see you shortly. I'm sorry for the timing. It is late. Just come to Flowerclan camp when you can." 

"Uhhh... Alright." 

He dismisses Skytail and knocks at Pinestride's den. The new warrior pokes his head out. 

"Yeah? Kinda busy." 

"I felt the need to check on you. What are you busy with?" 

"Catnip." 

"O-Oh... Well, I'll.. let you go back to that, I guess." He leaves him be and spots Stoneleap in a hot spring with Honeyshade. "H-Hey, how are you?" 

"We're fine, why?" Honeyshade asked. 

As Fernstar looked into her eyes, he almost saw Bluecreek looking right back at him. 

"Uhhh... I just felt the urge to check on Stoneleap." 

"I'm hot," Stoneleap huffed. 

"Maybe we should get out then," Honeyshade laughed. 

"No. I like it here." 

"Where's Runningpond?" Fernstar asked. 

"If he's not with his kits, I'm not sure." 

"Thanks." Fernstar heads off to the nursery and pokes his head in. He sees Swangaze, fast asleep, curled around two tiny bundles of fur. Lightkit and Riverkit. Birchflight's grandchildren. 

Gah, I need to stop thinking about Birchflight... But.. it's so weird seeing his kits have kits of their own. We aren't THAT old... Swangaze just.. became pregnant very young. We're still in our 40's. But I sure am proud of Runningpond for staying with Swangaze. I've never seen a couple with love that strong. He's a lovely father. The father Birchflight could've been. 

He looks around the nursery a little more. 

He's not here... I.. guess I'll look somewhere else. 

He wiggles out of the den and walks forward a few fox lengths before a cat runs right into him, and they both fall onto the ground. 

"FERNSTAR!" Runningpond cried. "How's Swangaze?? The kits??" 

"They're fine..." Fernstar muttered, still stunned from the fall. "Why..?" 

"Oh, thank Starclan..." Runningpond got onto his feet and shook off. "Fernstar, I'm so sorry... I did something so bad..."