CHAPTER 5 : Good News and Gathering.
Days passed since Thunderclan returned to their detroyed camp and the entire Clan was working hard to rebuilt it with whatever they could find. Even Cloudpaw , Fireheart's apprentice, was helping too and no one now questioned his loyalty. Goldeneye had noticed the look of proud the Flame pelted Tom gave to his apprentice and always smiled. The White and Honey furred Molly was helping too as best as she could.
And when she wasn't patrolling, hunting or helping someone , the Golden eyed molly always looked at the Elders Den with a sad frown. Now that Patchtpelt and Halftail were dead , the den seemed...empty. She wasn't the only one to think this way as Cloudpaw was telling the same thing to his uncle ,Fireheart who was just ordering him to take a break.
When the white apprentice FINALLY stopped arguing, the Flame pelted Deputy glanced at the Leader's Den under the Highrock as he made his way toward it. Goldeneye knew what her mate was thinking : Bluestar refused to send the dead cats to their starry ancestors and Whitestorm had to do it instead.
Then the Golden eyed Molly looked at the Apprentices Den with a smile : Cloudpaw was laying on the ground while Brightpaw was grooming him.
Goldeneye knew that the white apprentice had a crush on his den-mates and she chuckled as she suddenly saw Cinderpelt , the now full Medicine Cat of the Clan, coming out Bluestar's den. The twisted legged she-cat seemed quite grumpy right now so Goldeneye decided to talk to her "Are you alright Cinderpelt ? You are looking like Yellowfang right now~" she remarked as she said the last part in a teasing manner.
The gray she-cat looked at her with a playful glare "Who wouldn't with a leader who refuses eating her herbs ?!" the Medicine Cat asked with an irritated look on her face. Goldeneye smiled as she replied "I can't blame her though...Some of your herbs tastes awful !" Both of them shared a laugh before the two of them saw Fireheart stepped out of his Leader's Den. The first thing they noticed was the look on his face : shock.
The two mollies became worried and they were about to approach him when the Fire colored tom walked toward Whitestorm before mewling something to him. The two she-cats watched from the distance as the two toms were discussing about something and after a moment, the two males nodded to each other before separating.
Cinderpelt and Goldeneye approached the Deputy who purred when he saw his mate. " What were you saying to Whitestorm ?" the Honey and White furred Molly asked her mate as the two nuzzled each other "Bluestar is not in good health to go to the Gathering Tonight… I have to represent Thunderclan..." Fireheart responded nervously. The twisted legged Medicine Cat nodded in understanding "Are you sure its a good idea to go to the Gathering ? We can always go next Moon..."
Fireheart shook his head "No we can't...If we didn't go we will appear weak to our rivals and we can't let that happen ! " The two mollies nodded in understanding before the three began to chat before Cinderpelt left to do her stuffs, leaving the other two alone. Goldeneye licked her mate's cheek gently before approaching the nursery where she was greeted by Bramblekit and Tawnykit who seemed ready to pounce on her. Purring, the Honey and White furred approached them with a smile as she was ready to play with them.
As the sun began to set, Fireheart was eating with his mate who was feasting on a mouse while he chose a shrew. "Who did you chose to go love ?~" she asked him between bites "You will see later..;I don't want to spoil the fun~" he replied with a grin and as expected, Goldeneye pouted and began to whine "Pleeeeeeaaaase tell me…." "No…." "Meanie..;" The White and Honey furred Molly grumbled in annoyance as she batted a paw against his muzzle.
Smirking , he licked her neck before jumping onto Highrock and summoning the Clan. As they gathered in the clearing Fireheart announced them that Bluestar will not be attending tonight . Darkstripe questionned if they'll go without their leader, and Fireheart replied yes in a neutral tone. Goldeneye couldn't blame her mate for hating the black striped tabby as she had a bad feeling about him too.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the ThunderClan deputy who mewled that they must prove their strength to their enemies despite the fire. When the Clan nodded in approval, Fireheart named the cats attending with him and Goldeneye was shocked when her enemy's name was pronounced but she was happy that Sandstorm was in the party. However she was a bit disappointed that her mate didn't chose her to come.
She regained her sense when Darkstripe asked if there would be enough warriors to defend the camp and Fireheart insisted they must take a good number of cats, as to not show any weakness in front of their rivals. Most of the ThunderClan warriors nodded in agreement at those words and then the Deputy leaped off Highrock. Goldeneye approached him with a frown "Why can't I come ?" He looked at her at those words " I want you to stay and guard the camp with Longtail and the others… " his mate sighed deeply before pressing her head against his neck , nuzzling it which he happily returned.
"Have fun Fireheart but don't think I will forget this~" Goldeneye remarked in a soft tone but with an undertone that stopped him dead in his track when he walked toward those he chose to tend to the Gathering. The Flame pelted Deputy looked at her smirking face before hurriedly trotted toward the gorse tunnel followed by his chosen comrades.
Goldeneye watched them disappear with a sigh before suddenly feeling nauseous. "Goldeneye are you alright ?" the strong voice of Whitestorm surprised her as the white tom approached "I don't know..." she began to say before vomiting. "Come you need to see Cinderpelt !" Whitestorm ordered as he helped her reaching the Medicine Cat's Den . The twisted Legged she-cat was organizing her stuffs but quickly stopped when she saw the newcomers.
Then she noticed Goldeneye's state and she hurriedly approached her "What happened ?" she asked the White tom as she gestured to her friend to lay on one of the nest "I don't know….She was fine a moment ago and then she throw up..." the Old Warrior explained with a frown and Cinderpelt nodded before saying "You can leave now...I will take care of her.." With a nod, the white tom with yellow eyes left the Den.
Cinderpelt then approached her patient as she gently examined her. Goldeneye laid on the nest waiting. She didn't know why she felt nauseous all of a sudden.
When the Medicine Cat looked back at her , Goldeneye was surprised to see her...smiling ? " I have a good new for you Goldeneye..." Cinderpelt began to say before stopping as she noticed the frown of her friend's face "What is this new ? Does it have a way with why I vomited ?"
The smile of the twisted legged she-cat's face grew as she said those words "Congratulations Goldeneye ! You are expecting kits !" The White and Honey furred Molly looked at Cinderpelt with wide eyes of shock "Are you sure ?!" she asked her with surprise but also she seemed overjoyed "Yes ! You are pregnant !" Goldeneye squealed in delight as her eyes were filled with joy and happiness "Wait until Fireheart hear about this !"
Cinderpelt purred as she nuzzled her friend joyously "You will be perfect parents to those kits !" Goldeneye blushed at her friend's comment before mumbling "I don't know about us being 'perfect' parents..." "Of course you are : Fireheart is a loyal , caring and patient tom while you are kind-hearted , gentle and equally patient ! Those kits would be well-raised !"
"I will wait Fireheart's return to announce him the new ! I can't wait to see his face !" Goldeneye purred at the thought and Cinderpelt giggled as she imagined the shock on the Flame pelted tom's face. "I think you should rest for a bit now..." the Medicine Cat began to say before her friend interrupted her "But I have to help guarding the camp !" "I will tell Whitestorm that you need rest ! He will understand don't worry!"
Goldeneye wanted to argue but then she conceded as she made herself comfortable on the nest she laid on. Then she looked at her belly with a warm smile before closing her eyes and falling asleep. Cinderpelt watched her sleeping with a smile before stepping out of the Den. In her sleep, the White and Honey furred Molly was dreaming about her kits and a smile appeared on her face. She couldn't wait for her mate to hear about this.
( To be continued…)