Chapter 3:
A Hidden Secret
Moonfang stood and stared at the ThunderClan medicine cat, Leafpool, shocked beyond belief.
"Liontide…my kits…" he meowed, dazed. Leafpool nodded. At that moment Liontide stirred.
"Ah, my stomach aches," she moaned. Moonfang padded over and sat by her head, licking it gently.
"I'm here Liontide." whispered Moonfang into Liontide's fur.
Leafpool smiled and purred. "Liontide, you are expecting Moonfang's kits," she meowed softly.
Liontide looked up, surprised. "Really?" she mewed weakly. Moonfang gently pushed her head back down onto the mossy ground.
"Rest, my beautiful Liontide," he murmured, feeling excited, fearsome, and surprise all at once. He wondered if feeling all those things at the same time was normal.
Liontide purred, closing her eyes.
"I love you, Moonfang,"
"I love you, too, Liontide,"
The two mates fell asleep, their tails twined together. Leafpool watched them, sighing with happiness, and left to get some fresh-kill.
0..0..0..0..0..0
Liontide awoke, feeling a strange sensation in her belly. She stood, suddenly dizzy, and threw up. Leafpool came rushing to her side, examining her closely.
"You'll be alright, feeling woozy in the stomach is another symptom of expecting kits," Leafpool assured Liontide, as Moonfang woke up with a start.
"Liontide!" he meowed, checking over the sickly-looking she-cat. "Are you okay?"
"Yes," Liontide, still feeling terrible, managed.
"Good," Moonfang meowed, looking unconvinced. "Let me get you something to eat…"
"No." interrupted Leafpool. "She cannot eat until she feels well enough to, because she will just throw up the fresh-kill, and we don't want to waste any."
Leafpool chuckled when she saw Moonfang's concerned look. "Don't fret! She won't die." she added.
Moonfang nodded hastily. "I'm going to tell Firestar and the others," he had a hint of pride and joy beside the fear and anxiety in his voice.
Leafpool nodded to the proud young warrior and settled herself beside Liontide.
"How do you feel?" she meowed.
"Tired, and my belly still feels yucky," Liontide answered, although she sounded excited. Leafpool nodded.
"Your belly will feel weird for a while, but you'll get used to it," the medicine cat meowed. Liontide nodded curtly.
"Yes, and it is all worth it in the end," the pregnant she-cat agreed. She stood, stretching, then left the medicine cat's den. Leafpool put her tail on the golden she-cat's shoulder.
"Where are you going? You should rest," Leafpool mewed.
Liontide half-nodded, then sat down. Just as she did, she saw Moonfang and Liontide's sister, Pebbleriver, beside the nursery, hidden from view of everyone else.
He must be telling her about our kits, Liontide thought happily.
But then she saw Moonfang lick Pebbleriver's ear tenderly and whisper something sweetly to her, and Liontide was struck with the cold, hard, depressing truth.
Remember, R&R! -Liontide