Runningshadow actually ate his prey. And to tell the truth, the thyme didn't really taste so bad. And it only made him feel better about Cinnamonpaw.
Mossflower poked her head into his den. She had done so every once in a while, and now that he was awake she was pleasantly surprised.
"Runningshadow, you're finally awake!" Mossflower cried. "You look much better. Perhaps a little prey helped, didn't it?"
He wanted to tell her about his dream, but he just said, "Yeah, I guess so. Can I leave this den now?"
Mossflower laughed. "Well, if you are sure you feel that much better. I mean, you are the one that judges that, not me."
"I feel much, much better," He confessed. "Thank you, Mossflower." He rubbed her chin with the top of his head.
She purred. "Well, that's good. I'm glad you're better, Runningshadow."
He smiled. "Thanks for watching over me," He said.
"Well, that is what medicine cats do," Mossflower chuckled.
Runningshadow nodded to her respectively and bounced out of the den with a new energy. He felt very reassured about Cinnamonpaw…ever since she had visited him in that dream all blame on her had made him change his mind.
But that chilling prophecy that she had given him…it wasn't the first time that he had heard it. When Cinnamonpaw had tried to drown him, at first he thought that was what it was. But since she really didn't mean to…that meant that Cinnamonpaw was really killed in cold blood and that another cat had drowned him.
But he couldn't let his glad feelings fade away. He had just left his stage of depression- he couldn't go back.
"Runningshadow!" Called Mossflower.
He turned around to see her give him a quick and snappy gesture. She flicked her tail for him to come.
Runningshadow nodded and trotted to her den. "What did you want?" He asked.
"Um, Runningshadow, can I trust you?" She asked, kneading her paws nervously.
"Sure," He said. "You've been healing me for moons, I should be able to repay that favor."
"No, I'm serious, this is a huge secret. You have to keep it. You can't tell anybody."
Runningshadow tried not to sigh. That was only too easy, since every cat in the Clan was angry at him and never wanted to talk to him anymore.
"I can keep a secret," Runningshadow said confidently. He held her gaze to ensure he was telling the truth, just in case. "Nobody in the Clan but you and Ashstar would talk to me."
"Oh no, especially not Ashstar," Mossflower mewed hurriedly. "She cannot, and I mean cannot, find out about this. Please don't tell her."
"You can count on me," Runningshadow meowed. "My muzzle will stay shut."
"Good. Because you're the only one I can tell. I was about to tell Cinnamonpaw, but she…" The black and white she-cat sighed. "Well, I know I can trust such a faithful warrior like you."
"Okay," He said almost uneasily. He was the only one that she could tell? Well, perhaps he was the only one that she trusted to tell such a big secret.
"Well, I'm not sure how you'll feel about this," Mossflower mewed. "Are you ready?"
"Yes," Runningshadow said, standing tall. "I'm perfectly ready."
Mossflower swallowed hard. "Well, you've noticed how plump I am lately?" Runningshadow nodded. "Well…it isn't…necessarily… because I've gained weight. I am…" She cleared her throat and took a deep breath. "I am pregnant."
This was a joke. Was that a joke? Runningshadow couldn't believe his ears.
Firstly, Mossflower swore to StarClan that they would never ever fall in love and also promised to never have kits. She was breaking her oath to be a medicine cat by doing this.
"Well, congratulations," Runningshadow said, trying to sound happy about it.
Mossflower sighed. "Oh come on, don't hide it! I broke the oath and you know it."
"But why should that stop you?" Asked Runningshadow. "Aren't you happy for your kits?"
"Yes, I am very happy," Mossflower said wearily, "But I've just broken the warrior code big time! I mean, what will happen when Ashstar finds out about this?"
Runningshadow looked down at his paws thoughtfully. "Well…she doesn't have to know," Runningshadow said. "When you have your kits, we'll take them to one of the queens, perhaps Ratfur, and let her take care of them."
The black and white she-cat sighed. "Yes, but…the problem is, I don't think I can give them away. I mean, ever since I found out I was pregnant I loved them more than anything…" She shook her head, green eyes tearing up.
"I'm very sorry Mossflower, but I'm afraid there isn't any other way," Runningshadow mewed glumly. "I mean, would you rather have Ashstar find out and kill your kits, or give your kits to Ratfur and watch them grow up, healthy and happy?"
"Well, the choice is obvious, isn't it?" Snapped Mossflower.
Runningshadow tried not to look shocked at her sudden burst of anger.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Runningshadow…I'm afraid that these kits will…change me, in a way. And not in a good way."
"Kits can change a she-cat's life," Runningshadow pointed out.
"And you would know this…how?" Mossflower mewed.
"Well, I don't…but I would think that if I were having kits, I would be as stressed as you were." Runningshadow licked Mossflower's ear. "Don't worry, it'll be fine."
"You say," Mossflower muttered. "Well, you should leave. I think that you're plenty ready to leave the den now."
"Thanks again, Mossflower," said Runningshadow gratefully.
"No problem," Mossflower mewed modestly. "It was really nothing… I mean, I had you to consult about my…you know…"
Runningshadow nodded. "Just call on me when you need anything."
"Oh come on, I'm a medicine cat!" Cried Mossflower. "Whatever it is I can deal with it myself."
He turned away. "Bye!" He called behind him.
Suddenly, Runningshadow saw a golden shape bound towards him. "Runningshadow!" She cried excitedly. It was Summerheart, one of the most beautiful she-cats in the Clan.
"What is it, Summerheart?" He asked.
"You will never believe who is here right now!" She squealed excitedly. "Okay, so here's the story: I was out on a patrol, 'cause we split up, right? Well, I was hunting right out by our border when I saw him…" She shivered with untold excitement.
"Who exactly did you see?" Runningshadow asked impatiently. Summerheart could be a little out of there sometimes.
"It's Skycloud!" She cried. "He's here!"
Dun-dun-duuuuuun! please don't maul ur mossflower figurine...seriously, don't, u have no idea how much importance this chapter has for later in the series... oh well. review and get a summerheart figurine! yay! i've been giving out lots lately!