Chapter 14: The Confession
Silverstripe slept in a bit longer than he wanted. He was tired and knew that he should sleep longer. He yawned and got to his feet. He moved his way over to the prey pile to eat. He grabbed a mouse and sat down. He started to remember back to yesterday about what Nightmist wanted to tell him. I wish she had told me! Now i really want to know! He thought. He was so fixed on the thought that he didn't even notice that the mouse was finished. He looked at the mouse in shock and chuckled to himself feeling stupid. He got up and headed over to the Medicine Den to check on Breezepaw. He arrived at the entrance. He stepped in and saw Gingerpad cleaning her sleeping quarters.
"Hello Gingerpad, I was wondering if me and Breezepaw could talk yet?" Silverstripe asked, now sitting. She looked at him and nodded. He made his way to Breezepaw who was awake. Breezepaw looked at Silverstripe.
"Oh! Silverstripe!" He meowed excitedly. Silverstripe walked closer to him and sat down.
"I wanted to tell you something." Silverstripe meowed quietly. Breezepaw's expression started to go blank.
"What do you mean? Did something happen?" Breezepaw asked.
"Well." Silverstripe began. "Swiftpaw, now Swiftbranch, came to the gathering place looking for you. I told her that you were hurt and won't be out and about for a while." Breezepaw looked horrified.
"I-I told her I would come every night." Breezepaw stuttered. Silverstripe scootched closer to Breezepaw to comfort him.
"It will be okay. She understood instantly. She wishes you well." Breezepaw didn't respond.
"She likes you a lot you know." Silverstripe meowed. Breezepaw cracked a smile. "I'm going to head out now. Do you need anything?" Breezepaw shook his head. Silverstripe walked out of the den and the middle of the camp. He looked into the sky. The sun had just begun to set. I slept in really late! He thought. He walked over to the Warrior's Den and decided to waste time by getting new moss. He walked over behind the highrock and continued the opposite way of the rock. He looked behind himself and saw the rock getting smaller. He reached the trees where everyone got their moss. He ripped off some and walked back seeing the rock getting closer. As he got back into the camp, he noticed the darkness had intensified. It is almost time! He thought. He wondered if Nightmist would tell him the thing she wanted to tell him. For a brief moment he forgot what he was doing. He brought the moss to his den and replaced it with the old dry moss. He tinkered with it until it had no bumps or lumps. He gave a satisfied look and headed to the border to see Nightmist. He arrived early as usual and sat on their rock. He watched a shooting star go by in the clear night sky. He knew he had to make a wish. He thought for a moment. I wish. I wish. Silverstripe was interrupted by Nightmist.
"Hey Silverstripe." She meowed sluggishly.
"You look exhausted!" Silverstripe meowed, jumping off the rock to support Nightmist. "Why did you come if you are this tired!" Silverstripe argued. Nightmist stumbled a bit. Silverstripe caught her. "Here, lay down." Silverstripe meowed, easing her to the ground. She rolled onto her side, panting hard. What has she been doing to be this tired? Silverstripe asked himself. Then, he noticed her belly. He saw it was bigger than normal. Has she been eating too much? Silverstripe questioned. He eventually put two and two together and realized what was going on. He was shocked. Nightmist saw the expression.
"I think you have figured it out." She chuckled. "Guess who is the dad?" Nightmist meowed looking at Silverstripe. "This is what I wanted to tell you. I couldn't bring myself to do it last time we met." She meowed.
"How long have you known?" Silverstripe meowed, still shocked.
"Long enough" She smiled. Silverstripe couldn't speak. He breathed uncontrollably. He took it in for a moment longer, then sat down next to Nightmist. She got to her feet too.
"This will change our lives!" Silverstripe meowed excitedly. He couldn't think straight. He was so happy. He made himself calm down and felt the exhaustion after all the work-up. As much as he wanted to stay longer, he knew he must go home. They parted feeling the need to sleep. Silverstripe was ready for every job needed to be a father. He reached his den and passed out on the nice new moss for the best day-ending sleep he could ask for, a day that changes everything.