Chapter 20

Happiness swept over Silverleaf as she watched her belly grow larger. She had visited the medicine cat's den after feeling a stomach a few days ago. Robinwing had told her that she was expecting kits, and when he asked who, he didn't look the least bit surprised.

Now she sat in the nursery as Minnowtail's kits constantly asked questions. Jaykit was the biggest of the two, while Whitekit was slightly smaller than Frostkit. All three were going to be apprentices soon.

Silverleaf could only imagine what her own kits would be like when they grew up. One would be as big and strong as Foxfrost. Another elegant and delicate like her.

"I can't believe a cat as young as you wound up here," Minnowtail snorted when she noticed Silverleaf's expression.

"At least I have a mate who cares about me!" Silverleaf winced after shouting those words.

Minnowtail's eyes glowed with outrage. For a moment Silverleaf was afraid she would attack. Than Minnowtail's eyes clouded over, and sorrow showed within them.

"No, he cares about them," she rasped. "He cares..."

"Mom?" Jaykit poked his mother warily.

Worry clawed at Silverleaf's heart after she realized what she had done. She was so happy with herself that she didn't even think of what to say to Minnowtail. The young cat must have felt distraught after realizing that Hawkstar didn't care.

Silverleaf flicked her tail before thinking of something wise to say.

"Maybe you should see Robinwing," she whispered. "I'll look after your kits," she added when Minnowtail glared at her once more.

The dark gray and white she-cat looked as though she didn't hear her. But instead of showing signs of anger, she rose to her paws and retreated from the nursery. Silverleaf let out a sigh of relief once she was gone.

I hope this doesn't backfire on me, she thought guiltily.

She got to her paws and looked back at Minnowtail's kits. By now they were begging Beaverclaw to give them a ride on his back. The huge tabby grunted in surprise when they tackled him to the ground. Silverleaf couldn't help but purr with laughter as she watched them.

She stalked across the clearing until she heard a wail of surprise. Silverleaf's heart nearly skipped a beat when she realized it was Robinwing.

Without thinking, she reeled towards the nursery. Her eyes widened in horror when she saw Minnowtail trembling on the ground. Robinwing stood in front of her, pelt bristling with shock.

"What happened?" Hawkstar pushed his way past Silverleaf, sending jolts of surprise through her.

"Deathberries," Robinwing rasped. "She ate my last supply of deathberries."

"Why did you even have a supply of deathberries?" Silverleaf demanded.

Why would she want to eat them in the first place? she added silently.

"Minnowtail, I'm sorry." The medicine cat's voice was barely a whisper. Silverleaf could see real pain in his eyes.

Pity welled up within her. This wouldn't have happened if Hawkstar had cared for her. Silverleaf knew that was the reason Minnowtail had eaten the deathberries. She didn't want to have to suffer any longer. Even if it meant leaving her kits behind.

"We will hold vigil for her tonight," Hawkstar murmured.

Silverleaf looked at him in surprise. He seemed so calm for someone who had lost his mate. Her teeth clenched together as she wondered if this was how all toms reacted. She sure hoped not, otherwise everything she had been taught would be wrong.

. . .

Ravenflight followed Coal across the forest. It was time to end this journey. They had left early this morning after sharing a few words with Riverspirit. She didn't miss the hurt in her sister's eyes. But she also missed Eden more than the forest.

Coal changed into the form of a fox to get a better sense of smell. Ravenflight felt the fur along her spine stand on end. She tried not to let instinct take over.

Foxes were a cat's enemy. But Coal was different. He was also a cat who could change into a fox. From what she knew he would never harm another cat unless he was forced to.

And that led her to wondering what he would do when they found the trespasser. Would he run away like a coward? Or would he be willing to fight back? She wasn't even sure. She had to hope that he would fight alongside her.

"He's in ShadowClan territory," Coal said after changing back.

"Wonderful," Ravenflight hissed under her breath.

That just made their challenge more difficult. If they came across a patrol they would be shredded. ShadowClan cats did not enjoy trespassers on their territory, and rightfully so.

"What now?" Coal glanced at her in concern. She had told him stories of ShadowClan and what they were capable of. He feared them like any other warrior.

"We keep going," she replied. "We need to finish this before it's too late."

She had a feeling that if they didn't hurry, Eden would fall apart. The tree had already started losing leaves when they left. It was only a matter of time before it died all together.

Coal simply nodded and followed her as she led the way. She remembered Riverspirit telling her about a tunnel that ran underneath the Thunderpath. Bushes grew around it to conceal it from prying eyes.

In a heartbeat Ravenflight spotted it and padded forward. The tunnel stank of ShadowClan. Her nose wrinkled in disgust as she led the way underneath.

"That wreaks," Coal hissed.

Ravenflight couldn't help but nod in agreement. This was worse than traveling across WindClan territory. At least they smelled of heather and rabbit. ShadowClan... she didn't even know how to describe their scent.

It felt like moons had passed before they finally saw daylight. Ravenflight's shoulders sagged in relief when they padded out of the tunnel.

She noticed a small path had been created where several cats wandered through. The ground underpaw was covered in pine needles. To her surprise they felt soft rather than sharp underpaw. The forest itself seemed so open compared to ThunderClan's territory.

I don't know how they can stand it, she thought.

"Now which way?" She looked at Coal hopefully.

"I don't think we'll have to go very far," he murmured.

Ravenflight looked at him in confusion. She flinched when another rancid stench filled the air. This one was different from ShadowClan's scent. This one was more hostile, ready to spring at any moment.

She whirled around to see a familiar face glaring back at them. The fur along her spine rippled when she realized that her haunches had been right. The attacker was more familiar than she had hoped.

AN: And with that, I leave you on a cliffhanger. Thank you, thank you for your applause! :P Thanks to Jayleaf1 for reviewing! You've earned a Riverspirit plushie :D