5 Moons, 4 Sunrises since the Dark Forest Battle.
"You aren't listening to me!" Littlecloud snapped impatiently. He had been arguing with Blackstar, Rowanclaw and Nightshade all morning about his vision he had seen at the Moonpool. He had out it off for long enough. That cats should be brought in to renew bloodlines, as more and more kits are being born with deformities due to this. However, these cats couldn't wrap their brains over this. It'd been almost a half moon but they still ignored him.
"Because mating with other Clan cats is disloyal to the warrior code!" Rownclaw retorted, her dark ginger fur bristling. Littlecloud rolled his eyes as the she-cat kept on at him. Until eventually Blackstar spoke.
"If we are going to get technical, Rowanclaw. Tawnypelt was born in Thunderclan." His deputy whirled round, furious with the remark.
"Tawntpelt is a Shadowclan cat, through and through! How dare you imply otherwise!"
Littlecloud's ears pricked up, when it seemed that Blackstar was starting to see the argument from his point of view.
"But she was born in Thunderclan."
"And?"
"Her bloodline is different from our bloodline! Your kits, have no health problems." Blackstar nodded at Littlecloud. "Same with our daughter, Ratkit is a very healthy kit. But Nightshade is not Clan born. Which would be the most likely reason."
Rowanclaw just continued to glare.
"However, Littlecloud." Blackstar continued slowly. "How do you think the other Clans would react if we suggested this to them."
"Ah…" Littlecloud went quiet, he couldn't imagine them taking it well. "I'll speak to the other medicine cats about it at Halfmoon. I'll see what they say!"
Leafpool sat at the Thunderclan stream. Waiting patiently for Littlecloud. Jayfeather had gone on ahead, not wanting to be rained on, grumbling all the while. She couldn't help but think he was almost as scratchy as Yellowfang as he got older and older. The rain started to come down, gently splashing on the bridge of her nose.
She blinked her amber eyes, and narrowed them against the wind, and could make out the small, kitten like shape of Littlecloud in the dark. As he got closer, she saw him hesitate at the edge of the stream, before backing up, preparing to spring.
As she watched him leap, she felt her heart thud against her chest, as the little cat landed short, and smacked his chin against the bank. Leafpool quickly ran forward, and lifted the little cat out of the stream.
"Th-thanks Leafpool." He mewed, his teeth chattering in the cold.
"Your welcome Littlecloud!" she purred, and the two started to travel through the thick, leafy undergrowth. After a long time of walking in silence, Littlecloud finally found his voice.
"Leafpool?"
"Yes?"
"Have you noticed the rise of deformed kits?"
This made the she-cat hesitate. "I haven't seen them in Thunderclan, but I am aware of it. Why?"
Littlecloud let out a weary, tired sigh. "I spoke with Starclan a few sunrises ago. Russetfur and Flametail told me the lack of clear bloodlines, will make future generations worse and worse off than the last."
Leafpool didn't reply, she just ducked under a low hanging branch. "I see?"
"So, I think we should have some warriors move to other Clans."
Leafpool stopped in her tracks, and eyed him doubtfully. "Why?"
"It will renew bloodlines for generations!"
"It's against the Warrior Code." Leafpool replied evenly, turning around to continue their journey.
"That didn't stop you." Littlecloud muttered angrily. But notquietly enough for Leafpool to miss it. She just ignored him and continued the journey, moving faster, so the little tabby couldn't keep up.
Littlecloud hurried back to his territory as the moon sank in to the sky. The other medicine cats had simply ignored his vision. He lashed his tail furiously. If Jayfeather had that dream, every cat would have listened!
He continued to shake his head as he walked. He'd just have to try and match suitable blood lines in his own Clan.