Bloodstained Sky

by
Dreamstar's Courage

A/N: There was a tie between the shockers... I won't tell you which ones though!

Chapter Ten: Looking Into Things

Rockwind flattened his ears against his head. "What do you mean?" He spat, pelt bristling, voice full of denial.

"It's obvious to me," Scarletflame shrugged, licking one paw daintily. "You seemed pretty worried about her... foolish tom." Her eyes glittered now. "If anything were to come of it, you know that Dreamstar would-" Suddenly, she stopped speaking and looked away, as if thinking very seriously.

"Anyway," Rockwind growled. "I'm a loyal Clan cat, and Shadowflame gets on my nerves. Definitely not the kind of cat I could stand."

Scarletflame blinked, the mischeivous look returning to her eyes. "Sure," She purred, flicking her tail against his shoulder. "But seriously... don't get into any trouble. I don't think Dreamstar could stand having another troublemaker in the family."

"How can I get into trouble if I don't have feelings for an outsider?" Rockwind protested quietly, eyes darting around to make sure no cat was listening in on their conversation. "And besides, Scarletflame... speak for yourself."

Pelt bristling, Scarletflame drew her lips up over her fangs in a snarl. "I don't know what you're talking about-"

Rolling his eyes, Rockwind padded away, feeling a bit confused. Where had Scarletflame gotten the idea that he had feelings for Shadowflame from? Yes, the rogue was admittedly pretty enough, but she got on his nerves so much...

"I don't know what's wrong with me, Calicofur..."

His ears pricked at his mother's nervous voice coming from Calicofur's den. Looking around, Rockwind saw that it seemed that everyone in camp had gone to sleep, so he crept towards the den, paws making no noise against the ground.

Dreamstar's pale pelt was turned silver in the moonlight, as were Calicofur's blue eyes. The medicine cat's face held a look of concern, and worry touched Rockwind's heart.

"Hmm..." Calicofur murmured. "Explain to me your symptoms. And why didn't you come to see me earlier?"

Dreamstar gave a helpless shrug. "I didn't want to worry the Clan... especially not the kits."
"They're not kits anymore, Dreamstar."

"I feel like they are." After a pause, Dreamstar began to list her problems. "Stomachaches, dizzy spells, much larger appetite than usual-" Right at that moment, she halted. Her amber eyes widened. "Oh no. Not that again!"

"Lie down on your side," Calicofur instructed carefully. Rockwind watched worriedly as she pressed her paws against his mother's stomach. Lifting her head she sighed, "Yes, that again. Congratulations, Dreamstar, you're having a second litter of kits. What are we going to do now?"

At this news, Dreamstar scrambled to her paws and Rockwind stumbled backwards a couple paces. Dreamstar was expecting kits? His mother? Expecting his new siblings? Not possible, not possible, bad thoughts...

"That can't be true," Dreamstar exclaimed.

"I've only been a medicine cat for moons and delivered many litters, including your first," Calicofur replied dryly. "So don't trust my opinion."

"Sorry," Dreamstar mewed. "It's just... I'm a leader now! What will the Clan think?"

"Is there any real rule against leaders having kits?" Calicofur mused. "I mean, knowing you, you'll still boss us all around even when you're having them..."

"True," Dreamstar agreed. "We just won't get into any major battles while this is happening, and I'll be fine... I'm sure I can get ShadowClan to have a temporary alliance with us, and Birchpelt can help me out."

"You can work it out..."

"I hope so."

Feeling dazed, Rockwind padded shakily back to the warriors' den. He decided quickly not to tell anyone and not to ask. Well, maybe tell his sisters. Maybe. It was really Dreamstar's choice, wasn't it?

xxx

"Are we running from our problems?" Moon asked Stormfur quietly as the sun just began to rise above the trees. Camp wasn't really waking up yet, so they had a few moments to talk privately.

"No," Stormfur replied. "Why would you think that?"

"I feel like we are," his son sighed. "Don't get me wrong; I like the Clans. But how long are we going to stay here before negogiating something with Dreamstar, like the original plan? All the others... Shine... they're probably suffering. I don't want Eagleteller to hurt any other cats."
"Neither do I," Stormfur agreed firmly. "But we don't have that much of a choice. It isn't like we've been here that long."

"Every day we stay, we're just growing closer and closer to spending the rest of our lives in the forest," Moon muttered.

"I know." Stormfur's voice was quiet. "You know, Moon... I only really stayed in the Tribe to be with your mother. Now that she's dead... you can go back if you want, but even if we overthrow Eagleteller, I may want to stay here."

Moon blinked, shocked into silence by his father's words. Go home without Stormfur? How could he do that?

"You've lived in the Tribe for seasons," He whispered. "I don't understand how you could just give all that up..."

"I can, and I may. How can you be sure that you yourself won't?"

"I have no reasons."

"Moon?" Scarletflame's sleep-filled voice came from the warriors' den as she padded towards them, flicking Moon's shoulder with her tail. "Want to come eat with me?"

"Sure," He found himself replying. "I'll be there in a minute."

As Scarletflame wandered off, Stormfur murmured, "I'm sure you'll find some reason."

Trying to ignore his father, Moon stalked over to where Scarletflame sat, a rabbit at her paws. She shoved some of it towards him. "Here."

As Tribe custom went, Moon took a bite and pushed it back to the she-cat. She blinked, staring at him in confusion.

"In the Tribe, we share," Moon explained. "You can eat your own, if you want..."

"No, I like your way," Scarletflame admitted, tearing off her own bite and then copying him. The two went on this way for a while until the rabbit was picked clean.

"Lets talk," Scarletflame said suddenly, beckoning for Moon to follow her. "I have something important to tell you."

Feeling nervous, but curious at the same time, Moon obeyed. Once they were deep in the woods, Scarletflame turned towards him.

"I think I discovered who my father is."

Surprised by her announcement, Moon blurted out, "Who?"

"You may not believe it..." Scarletflame whispered. "I barely do... it just fits together. You remember that ShadowClan leader, Windstar?" Moon nodded. "Him. I believe that my mother fell in love with him, and he's my father. They were in the same prophecy together, my siblings and I have his features..."

"Are you sure?" Moon asked.

"No..." Scarletflame shook her head. "It's just a hunch."

Looking into her eyes, Moon saw pain, shock, and confusion. He knew that Scarletflame had known that Robinpelt wasn't her father, but to discover that her mother wasn't as perfect as everyone thought she was?

A soft laugh caught his attention.

"All this time," Scarletflame chuckled. "I thought that my mother was flawless. Beautiful, calm under pressure, savior of the forest... She has a problem. She betrayed our Clan." Bowing her head, she suddenly ran ahead. Moon paused, thought for a moment, then followed.

xxx

The other 'shocker' you guys voted for is coming soon... but there you have it, another litter on its way...