Mapleshade moved through the thick layers of bracken covering the wooden floor, Patchkit's scruff gripped in her teeth and her two other kits bundling on behind her. Finally they had made it to the Riverclan border, only a raging river not standing in their way. The river borrowed though the territories like a weaving snake, letting nothing get in its way. Patchkit had be carried for too long, starting to squirm and whimper, forcing her to put him down.
Mapleshade twisted her head, glaring by into the woodland landscape, looking for any glimpses of movement of pelts. Paranoid, they could be attacked by an enraged Thunderclan patrol at any moment. Knowing that some of her traitorous former Clanmates thought exile was too good for Half-bloods. Which disgusted her.
Patchkit hang his head and tail low in sorrow, "Why does Thunderclan hate us, mother? Why do we have to leave? What do we do wrong?", spending a wave of questions at her. "We did nothing wrong.", Mapleshade growled, "It's them that's the problem, not us!", losing her temper slightly. She turned away from him before she made things worse, "Good for nothing fox hearts.", she muttered under her breath. Sitting down on the sandy earth, she tried to clear her head. Then she felt tiny paws grip her leg as Larchkit reared up on his back legs to meet his mother's eyes, "But we want to go back. I want to go back to camp and the nursery.". Mapleshade shook her head, "Forget about camp. Forget about the nursery. We are outcasts now, you need to understand that. We can't go back. Or they'll hurt us if we do.".
Petalkit took a step closer to the rushing water, staring at it with eyes the sizes of moons. "Do we have to swim in there again?", the she-cat asked nervously. Mapleshade paused looking down at the speeding current, "Not yet.", using her tail to draw her kit away from the edge. The water hissed and spat as it slammed against the rocky shore. The river was a lot higher then she remembered, completely submerging nearby reeds under its murky surface. Her worry only grew as her gaze drifted up stream. She hissed, the stepping stones had been completely submerged as well! Only two pathetic grey stumps were left managing to peek up above the waves, which were useless is trying to cross.
It would be luckily if she made it across in one piece herself, let alone tiny 2 moon old kits. She had to consider her options carefully, if she didn't want anyone being washing away or drowning. She could try and take them over one by one but Oakstar had only given her until Sunhigh to leave and the sun was already flying high in the sky. It would take too long, putting them too at risk of being attacked by a patrol. Or she could carry one while the other swam by her- Was she mouse brained? They wouldn't survive that. She decided to go for broke, simply combining the two ideas together.
She crouched down at the river's edge, "Larchkit, Petalkit, climb on my back.", she told them. They seemed confused but didn't question it as they wriggled on top of her. When they were both in position, surrounded by her patchy thick fur. "Ok, now listen to me because this is very important.", she explained, with both of their full attention, "You must hold onto me as tightly as you can, use your claws to grip me.". Petalkit obediently nodded but Latchkit began to look distressed, "But won't that hurt you?". Mapleshade shook her head, trying not give away how scared she was herself, "Don't worry about me, just make sure to use your claws, as deep as they will go.".
She winced slightly as thorn-like claws dug into her flesh while they shifted around, preparing themselves. As she began to stand on long legs, Patchkit leapt in front of her, "What about me?", he asked blinking. Not bothering to say anymore, she leaned down and took him by the scruff once more. Luckily, no one was making a fuss. With a final deep sigh, Mapleshade took her first step into the water. Immediately, even with little as a paw in, she felt the immense strength of the current. It was also bitterly ice cold, as it creeped down into her bones. The gravel under her paws shifted and shield as it gave under her weight. She dug her claws into sandy shoreline as she took one strenuous step after the other. It was already this harsh and she hadn't even made it half way. For a heartbeat, she felt tempted to leap back onto to the safe dry land but quickly banished those thoughts to back of her mind. There was no going back now!
She plagued into the deep end, submerging almost her entire body, all but her neck, head, and precious cargo. She felt the claws digging into her neck, go deeper. Her fur become soaked as it absorbed the water, weighing her down. It felt like she was carrying a pile of pebbles in her stomach. Patchkit let out whales of terror as the waves began to reach out for his dangling legs. She strained her muscles, trying to raise her head further from the brown swirling liquid that threatened her kit's life. Patchkit's whales faded to timid whimper.
Mapleshade's eyes glanced over to the nearby shore, layers of foam were building up against the jagged rocks, like thick yellowish walls of fog blocking her escape. Speckles of dirty water, splashed up into her amber eyes, the salty texture of it making her eyes sting. She needed to get out this river quickly. Gathering up her strength, she kicked hard at the blue void, heaving herself across the river. Slowly she got into a rhythm like running across the Thunderclan forest, darting after squirrels; kick, pause, kick, pause. Mapleshade was making better progress now, she was over halfway now. Just a bit further- However her long strides with brief pauses for critical moments of rest, soon turned to frantic paddling. She going in the opposite direction she wanted! A swift undercurrent had grasped her, taking her with it. Deshight how much she fought it, how much she willed it, she couldn't win against it.
She kicked harder and harder, the water dragging her quicker and quicker, tiring her faster and faster- A hard grey subject stabbed into her throat as she slammed against one of the sharpened edges of the stepping stones. There was movement from above her as Larchkit and Petalkit jerked at the sudden impact, barely holding on. Pain surged through her as the sharp rock dug into her windpipe.
In that heartbeat, her own body betrayed her. She couldn't help it. The urge was just too great. Her mouth slipped open as she let out a cry of agony, with Patchkit sent hurling towards the raging water. In unison, the family cried out for their falling member, "Patchkit!", as he was swallowed up, dragged under the water's surface. Mapleshade watched helplessly as he flailed desperately to keep above the surface but the current kept dragging him under. Only rarely did his small ginger head bobbed up to get a few important moments to gasp for air. He was being taken away so fast, downstream, it was like a dream. She was dazed.
No! Just before Mapleshade ungripped the safety of the what was left of the stepping step, to go after him, there was movement on the far bank. There was a flash of creamy brown. Appledusk!Her heart soared as her mate darted forward like a fox and plunged into the river after their son. His brown fur disappearing into the swirling blue depths of the river. Move pelts emerged from the swishing reeds of Riverclan's territory, the warriors looked stunned at the strange scene of; Mapleshade clinging on the stepping stone while two kits whaled on her head as they cried out for their brother.
Diving in, they swam towards her, gliding through the rampaging river with ease as a Windclan cat would almost fly over the moors. Larchkit and Petalkit handled together as a pale tom and grey tabby she-cat took placed on either side of Mapleshade. The smell of fish clung to her nose. Her fur bristled as they clamped her down with their flanks, dragging her the last of the way across the river. Her instincts told her to claw their ears off but she didn't. It was against everything she'd been told as she grew up; Riverclan was the foe and they wouldn't hesitate to kill you. But she couldn't, this may be her only chance of living.
Relief flooded over as she began to feel a hard surface under her paw pads again. Safety at last. As they went into the swallows, the pale tom, Splashfoot bit down into her neck fur and forcefully yanked her out the water, throwing her against the shore. She let out a yowl of surprise and anger. Both kits were sent tumbling off her back, rolling onto the ground. When Larchkit and Petalkit saw their mother begin to sit up, they scrambled between her legs, getting to the shelter of her belly. Their heads popped out from under her, nervously, their ears pricked and noses twitching. Mapleshade had her ears flatten, ready for the Riverclan cats' imminent threats. But surprisingly, Eletail's and Splashfoot's attention wasn't on her, instead, their eyes were upstream, she followed their gaze. Then it hit her like a falling tree, "Why hasn't Appledusk returned with Patchkit yet?", she demanded.
Luckily, a short distance away, further upstream, Appledusk gripped the rocks, heaving himself out of the water. With a white and ginger bundle in his mouth. Patchkit was safe! Both cats were soaked to the bone and dripping wet, leaving a trail behind them like a slug as Appledusk padded towards the small crowd of cats. Appledusk gently dropped the kit on the floor. Mapleshade dived on Patchkit, protectively wrapping her paws around him and grooming him down. He violently shivered and was stiff with cold. Coughing up mouthfuls of water. She licked him more, desperately trying to warm him. Whispering into his ear, "I'm sorry, little one. I'll never let you slip from my paws like that ever again. I promise.".
Larchkit and Petalkit went up to their brother, relief scent arose from them. "Make sure not to go on crazy adventures like that, without me next time.", Larchkit teased playfully, prodding at his brother's nose. Patchkit gave off a weak smile.
"Thank yo-", she began to raise her head to her mate, Appledusk but her words were cut off. Instead of seeing a warm welcoming grin she expected, his green eyes were; cold, unwelcoming, bitter, angry and questioning. As she lay there; with her kits in her arms, her heart, which was soaring only a few heartbeats ago, was sinking like a boulder. They were his kits, they were family. Wasn't he pleased to see them? Wasn't he pleased to see her?
"What were you thinking!?", a loud and angry she-cat's voice rang throughout the whole forest, breaking into Mapleshade's swarming clouds of dark thoughts. Mapleshade turned sharply to meet the glare of Eletail, both of their tails lashing. Mapleshade knew this cat from reputation alone; Senior Warrior, Retired queen, mentor of three separate apprentices and proud mother of two successful litters. Her graying muzzle and battle-worn pelt certainly showed that. Eletail continued her rant, "Making kits swim in a river? With high currents? One of them almost drowned!", her eyes flickering towards Patchkit. She didn't make them swim, she carried them, Larchkit and Petalkit were almost completely dry, Mapleshade thought her unspoken argument. "You know, it just shows how terrible of mother you are, when the enemy has to save your own kit.", she muttered. Mapleshade's fur flared, claws scraping across the stone under her paws. How dare you! Mapleshade secretly shouted in her head. But she fought back the snarl forming in her throat. Despite how much she hated it, she had to remain calm and friendly if she wanted any chance of being accepted into Riverclan and giving her kits a future.
What she did and said in those next few moments could decide everything. Eletail flicked her tail tip and tried to nose Mapleshade to her paws, "Come on.", Eletail urged sternly, "You or your kits shouldn't be on Riverclan territory. We know a better way around the river, you can return home safely from there.". Just as Eletail and Splashfoot began to pad away, expecting Mapleshade to follow, she mewed, "Sorry but I can't.". Splashfoot halted, turning his head over his broad shoulder, "I'm sorry, what?".
Mapleshade sat up, puffing up her chest. "We were kicked out by Oakstar.", she explained, "We can't go back to Thunderclan anymore.". The two Riverclan warriors looked at each other, confused. Appledusk continued to hover in the background. Splashfoot took a step forward, sniffing curiously at the kits huddled together behind Mapleshade's front legs, "So why bring them here?".
Mapleshade let out a long-lasting sigh. Her blood boiling from the growing dreed of the terrifying moment that loomed over her. No going back now. She glanced at Appledusk, still as silent and stiff as a frozen tree trunk. "I was hoping you could let us join Riverclan.", she simply said. Splashfoot snorted, "And why would we take in Thunderclan exiles?", he mewed with a taunting tone. Swallowing back another sigh, Mapleshade readied herself for the answer that would change everything. There was no point in lying now. She twisted her tail around her kits, protecting them if something went wrong. "Because those ain't just Thunderclan kits. They've got Riverclan blood in them as well!", she declared. Eletail's muscles strained, "How?", she snarled.
"Because Appledusk is their father!", she announced. The truth was out…
All eyes widen in shock, including the two Riverclan warriors and her own kits. Even Appledusk shifted uneasily in his sitting position, surprised that she had the guts to tell their ultimate secret like that. Splashfoot twisted on his front paw to directly face his clanmate, his smokey grey tail bushed up, making him look as a huge as a Lionclan warrior. "Traitor!", he yowled, lunging, claws first, straight towards the brown tom. Then Eletail ran in, rearing up and grabbing Splashfoot by the scruff mid-air and slamming him onto the hard earth. The struggling cat spat in hatred, "Why are you defending him?".
Eletail had her fur on end and ears flatten, clearing finding it hard not to rip the fur off of Appledusk herself. Ignoring the cat flailing under her weight, her attention turned to Appledusk, "Is it true? Are you the father of Mapleshade's kits?", she asked while growling. Appledusk took while before answering, his expression blank, "Yes.", he finally admitted. Petalkit dashed from under Mapleshade before she could grab the she-kit. Petalkit stared at Appledusk with wide eyes. "You can't be our father!", she shouted. It pained Mapleshade to see her daughter like this, "I'm sorry Petalkit, but he is your father.", trying to soothe the distressed young cat. "But I don't want him to be my father. He smells funny and all the elders were telling me how he's the one who killed Birchface and Flowerpaw!".
Larchkit joined in beside his sister, facing Mapleshade while Patchkit crowded under her, "We don't want a killer as a father!". All the cats around the kits looked at them, speechless. Guilt flooded over Mapleshade. Maybe she should never let Appledusk be the father of her kin, if it caused them this much shame and horror. Surprisingly, Appledusk finally spoke properly, coming to his own defense, "It was an accident. I would never kill a warrior, let alone an apprentice, out of cold blood like that.". Both kits remained silent.
No one dared move. It felt as if time itself had stopped. Splashfoot had finally calmed down, going limp, so Eletail stopped pinning him down, allowing him to stand. Eletail bared her white longs fangs, "We're taking you and your kits back to camp. Only Darkstar will know how to deal with this situation.". Mapleshade hesitantly nodded, "Very well.".
The group set off, leaving the river behind them and padding into the tree-line. Mapleshade felt slightly relieved to get away from the thing that had almost taken her kits away forever. With Eletail marching on ahead and Splashfoot at the rear to make sure no one tried to make an escape, leaving Mapleshade and Appledusk to awkwardly walk side by side. She wanted to say something but didn't want to risk making anything worse. Instead, she made a more subtle move, twinning her thick tail with his long short-haired one. No one noticed but Appledusk. He gave off a sad yet for some reason guilty smile.