Chapter Nine

Moonstar and Berrysplash both returned to camp without any issue only a little before sunhigh. Both she-cats were feeling drained from their almost thirty-two hour trek. They had said little to each other concerning the message Shellstar had shared with them, but Moonstar thought she could detect fear in her spirit walker's eyes every time she would glance back at her.

Moonstar was still cheery despite the grim warning she had received, seeing her father had restored her spirits and made her feel ready to lead her clan once more. As they approached the camp entrance, the unfamiliar face of a she-cat greeted them. "Moonstar," the pretty gray she-cat mewed questioningly as they neared.

"Yes, I am Moonstar. Are you one of Blight's group mates," she asked cheerily. The she-cat relaxed slightly, her eyes shining with relief. "I am Jade, one of Blight's forest stalkers. I ususally hunt prey but he asked me to guard the entrance until you returned."

Moonstar dipped her head in appreciation, dismissing the young she-cat. "You may go in to camp now and relax. If there is any prey on the fresh kill pile, grab yourself something to fill your belly," she purred. Jade twitched her whiskers happily and whisked into the camp entrance, her tail barely flicking Moonstar's nose as she dissapeared.

"Well, she seemed pleasant," Berrysplash mewed calmly as she came to stand beside Moonstar. Privately, Moonstar hoped there were more friendly she-cats that Blight had brought along to help guard the group. She didn't know if they would be his kit-mothers or his daughters, but any friendly cats would be welcome to their camp.

She did hope that he had left that prickly cream she-cat she had met before back at camp; she knew that she was one of Blight's kit-mothers, and she knew that the she-cat was jealous of her. For all she cared, the fox-brained she-cat could be as jealous as she wanted. She knew that nothing could change how she felt for Blight, and how he felt for her. Almost on que, Blight slid out of the camp entrance and strode infront of Moonstar.

"Did your ancestors speak with you," he asked hestitanly, looking at Moonstar with an odd expression. She could tell that the thought of her speaking with her dead relatives was making him a little uncomfortable, so she tried to change the subject quickly. "We had no issues, I'd like you to assemble some of my warriors for a meeting in my den."

Blight nodded, the odd expression fading from his dashing features. "I'd like you to gather Maplestripe, Webpelt, and Battlescar," she mewed slowly, thinking over who would be best to discuss this with. Since she had no kit to claim as heir, she usually shared her leadership duties with Battlescar. He was one of the eldest warriors, and he had faced many battles in the course of his life. She also could not deny the wisdom of Maplestripe, her mother, and her leaf mender Webpelt.

Blight vanished back into the camp to gather the warriors, while Moonstar and Berrysplash padded slowly after him. As they padded into the clearing, Moonstar noticed many unfamiliar faces buzzing around the camp; some dropping prey onto the pile and some gathering in groups around the clearing to share tounges or to go on patrol. Everything seemed to be running smoothly, giving Moonstar the perfect time to hold a small meeting.

Berrysplash followed Moonstar into her den, the palm leaf curtain swishing into place as they padded inside. Moonstar's nest was changed and clean, lined with the feathers of the screaming gulls that sometimes fed on the tiny crabs that lived on the beach. She purred as she padded over to it, prodding the soft feathers with her paw. "This looks very comfortable," she commented as Berrysplash followed her further into the den.

The pretty calico murmered agreement before a soft mew could be heard at the entrance, "Moonstar we are here." She turned her gaze to the entrance and called the small party into her den. She noticed that Blight had also brought Shadow, his second-in-command, to the meeting as well. She didn't think it would hurt anything to have the tom there, but she decided she would have to tell Blight later that news concerning her group should only be discussed with members of her group.

Behind Shadow came Battlescar, bristling with excitement. Webpelt was last to enter, his silver and white fur appearing dull. As the group made themselves comfortable, Moonstar felt a tremor of worry for her leafmender as she watched him. He seemed so wary and old, what would happen if he were to join the Star Runners before training an apprentice?

"Now I'm sure you are all curious as to what the Star Runners have shared with me," she began softly. Maplestripe touched her tail to Moonstar's left side from where she sat while she started to explain her vision.

"Shellstar came to me to warn that a darkness has taken hold of our group, and that it will be hard to shake its grasp upon us," she warned. Battlescar raised his tail politely, gesturing to speak. Moonstar dipped her head, allowing her warrior to speak.

"What Shellstar said definitely sounds like we can stop this darkness, whatever it is," he mewed hopefully. She knew that these deaths have affected her group heavily, they didn't want to see any of their beloved friends murdered in such a way.

"Has Shellstar mentioned any way that we can search for this darkness to try and defeat it," Maplestripe asked. Her eyes glowed with happiness as she named her mate, remembering all of the time they shared together during their lives. Moonstar wished that her father would have guided her of where to start looking but he had said that he could share no more.

"He did not, but he did share with me some news that could help to lighten the aura in the camp," she meowed excitedly. All of the cats leaned close to hear what she had to say. Even Blight looked curious! Shellstar had talked briefly with her before Berrysplash had entered the vision, sharing this news with her alone.

"I am to bear an heir to the Beach Runners," she purred happily, looking at Blight a moment longer than everyone else. Webpelt looked pleased, his gaze bright as it rested upon her. "This is excellent news, I had begun to expect that you may be pregnant," he teased her.

Maplestripe rubbed her cheek fiercly against Moonstar's face, her purr rumbling in her chest. "My kit is going to have kits," she squeaked, her purr almost drowing out her voice. Berrysplash also looked pleased, but she stayed a few steps away as the others congratulated her. Shadow mewed a small congratulations, touching his nose to her shoulder.

"I would guess that they're yours," Webpelt purred as he turned to Blight. The tom looked uncomfortable but he also looked quite pleased. "I could not deny that they are mine," he mumbled as the others continued to fuss over Moonstar. Shadow turned to Battlescar for a moment, looking at him seriously.

"I know you assist Moonstar with her patrols and other duties, I would be able to help you while she is unable," he volunteered kindly. Battlescar looked slightly offended, but he would be foolish to turn down the experienced help of the black tom. Moonstar didn't notice that Blight had pressed himself close to her until she heard his soft voice in her ear, "could we be alone?"

Moonstar nodded, raising her tail to silence the others as they continued to plan and discuss the duties of the group while Moonstar was incapacitated. "Blight and I would like to be alone now," she dismissed them in a friendly tone. Berrysplash was first to leave the den, right after touching her nose to her leader's in congratulation. The others padded quickly after, eager to share the news of Moonstar's pregnancy with the rest of the group.

Finally, Blight and Moonstar were alone in the dimly lit den. "Is there any specific reason you wanted to be alone," Moonstar mewed as she padded over to her comforable nest and started to settle down into it. He shook his head as he padded to her side, running his tail down her flank. "I just wanted to talk about our kits," he mewed softly.

Moonstar couldn't help purring, her eyes closing as she imagined the tiny kits wriggling in her tummy. "I think they will be wonderful," she whispered. Blight stayed quiet, thinking his own private thoughts. As the silence stretched on for a few more heart-beats, Moonstar opened her eyes and looked up at Blight. "Is something troubling you," she asked warily.

"No, I'm just thinking about how full Webpelt's paws will be, watching over you until you give birth," he chuckled softly. Moonstar nudged him with a paw, "I'm sure I won't bother him to much," she assured him.

"You should probably rest now," Blight purred as they relaxed into each other's fur. Moonstar knew that she had walked the entire length of the island over the course of a day, she should be plenty tired enough to relax and rest; but, her fur was still buzzing with happiness from the news she had shared.

"Our kits will be wonderful," she mewed again as she closed her eyes and nuzzled her muzzle under her paw. Blight murmered agreement as she felt herself drift slowly into sleep. Despite her light attitude, there was still a shadow of fear hovering in the back of her mind. It will reap everything that you love. Shellstar's voice rung loud and clear in her mind, making her jump back into wakefulness.

Whatever this darkness was, she would be able to stand strong and face it. With the support of Blight and her group, she could conquer anything. The kits in her tummy wiggled faintly, warming her heart. I will also fight hard for you, I will keep you safe and you will always be loved, she thought to her tiny bundles inside of her. She would never be alone in leadership again, she would soon have an heir.