What if Mapleshade's kits survived?
Water smashed into Mapleshade from all sides. ''Petalkit! Larchkit! Patchkit!''
She screeched desperately as she saw her kits heads disappear. She then saw a flash of brown fur and hope kindled in her chest. Appledusk!
She saw the tom pelting towards her followed by two warriors one a pale grey tom the colour of the pebbles, the other a grey and black tabby she-cat that blended in with her surroundings.
Appledusk saw her and she saw panic seared into his eyes.
''Mapleshade!'' He called and scrambled towards her.
Mapleshade saw a branch and clung onto it her claws digging so deeply into it that she peeled strips of bark off.
''Mapleshade!'' Appledusk called ''Get down from the branch!'' he yowled.
''Save the kits!'' Mapleshade cried panic flooding her at the thought of her precious kits-gone!
Appledusk's eyes widened with horror, and he meowed something to the she-cat and tom beside him before they smoothly entered the water.
Mapleshade narrowed her eyes and managed to see a flash of fur.
She heard a meow and blinked in surprise as she realised her kits had managed to scramble onto the first stepping stone and now stood huddled on it.
Appledusk had sighted the kits too and began moving towards them his paws parting the water in smooth strokes followed by his Clanmates.
Mapleshade watched as her mate grabbed Patchkit gently putting him atop his back and motioned for the others to follow suit.
She watched as the RiverClan cats swiftly glided through the water and clambered onto the bank their paws dislodging clumps of earth in their hurry to get the kits safe.
Appledusk softly placed Patchkit on the ground and gazed at Mapleshade his eyes alarmed.
Mapleshade dug her claws in the branch but felt everything dim.
She was faintly aware of strong claws in her pelt dragging her through the water.
She felt herself being heaved onto the stones and coughed up a stream of foul-smelling river water.
''What's a ThunderClan cat doing in the river? With her kits?''
The grey tom meowed that Mapleshade recognised as Splashfoot-she had seen him at the Gathering once, boasting about RiverClan's triumph over Birchface and Flowerpaw- bitter about ThunderClan's victory over Sunningrocks- his nose scrunched up in confusion.
The grey and black tabby she-cat's fur bristled ''How could you be so minnow-brained?'' She hissed at Mapleshade.
''You decided to swim across the river? In the storm? With your kits?'' The grey and black tabby she-cat growled.
Mapleshade remembered vaguely at a Gathering moons ago RiverClan had announced that the she-cat's kits had perished in a flood- Mapleshade thought her name was Eeltail.
Perhaps that was why she was scolding Mapleshade for making the ill-fated trip across the river.
Mapleshade managed to push herself up ''ThunderClan threw us out'' Mapleshade explained the words feeling bitter on her tongue.
She lowered her eyes ''We have nowhere else to go'' Mapleshade meowed feeling the words drag as she spoke.
''We should get these kits and her to RiverClan'' Appledusk meowed his words light.
Eeltail frowned at him ''Why?'' She asked curiosity glimmering in her green eyes.
''We need to find out why they came to RiverClan'' Appledusk meowed.
There was a note of strained silence before Patchkit broke it.
''Is it true we're- '' He began before Mapleshade cut him off.
''Birchface's kits.'' She meowed before turning around and fixing him with a look.
Patchkit's eyes looked puzzled then lit up with a look of realisation.
Eeltail and Splashfoot exchanged amused looks at Patchkit's outburst and Eeltail sighed.
''Fine. But only because we need to know if you're a ThuderClan spy'' She growled. Mapleshade felt her fur bristle before she smoothed it.
Eeltail and Splashfoot walked up front together their heads hunched close muttering to each other and occasionally looking back as if they were worried, she was going to go crazy and try and dash off.
Petalkit, Larchkit and Patchkit trotted behind her talking to Appledusk their eyes bright.
''Is it true you're our father?'' Patchkit meowed hopefully and Apledusk gave a purr of amusement.
''Yes, I am.'' He meowed.
''Will RiverClan accept us?'' Petalkit meowed her eyes wide.
''Of course.'' Appledusk meowed confidently. 'I remember you swimming.''
Appledusk purred. ''You're a true RiverClan cat-I've seen you swim!'' Appledusk meowed at Patchkit and Mapleshade watched her son puff his chest out in pride and take the front his tail held high.
Splashfoot and Eeltail wound their way between two tall reeds on a narrow path of dense brown soil.
Mapleshade followed cursing silently as stones pricked her paws.
She padded onwards following the RiverClan warriors until it opened into a clearing raised from the water by heaps of more soil on top of tightly woven branches- similar to a huge nest.
Mapleshade caught sight of cats peering down at her eyes alight with unbridled curiosity.
An orange she-cat run up to Appledusk who had stopped talking to the kits and now stood there.
Mapleshade noted with displeasure that it was Reedshine; the warrior who had been simpering all over Appledusk at the Gathering.
Mapleshade curled her lip at the orange she-cat. Stay away from Appledusk, Reedshine! He won't have time for you now- he's the father of my kits!
Reedshine's eyes roved over Mapleshade and her kits and looked shocked.
''Did someone fall in the river?'' Reedshine gasped her eyes bulging. ''Are you okay?''
''I'm alright Reedshine'' Appledusk meowed softly touching his tail to her flank.
Mapleshade's eyes narrowed at this gesture.
''I need to talk with Darkstar'' Appledusk explained gravely.
Reedshine stood rooted to the spot her gaze drifting over Mapleshade and her kits. ''Why is she here with her kits? What's going on Appledusk?''
There was a rustle of movement at the far end of the clearing and Darkstar stepped out of the reeds her face solemn.
All cats fell silent their eyes full of anticipation.
Appledusk stepped forward. ''Mapleshade has been cast out of ThunderClan alongside her kits'' he announced.
Mapleshade held her breath. Darkstar's eyes narrowed to tiny slits, and she meowed ''But why have you been thrown out of ThunderClan, Mapleshade?'' and Mapleshade felt her insides turn to ice.
''I- '' She stammered before she heard a small voice ring out. ''Appledusk is our father!'' Slowly Darkstar turned around to meet the tremulous gaze of Larchkit who stood clustered near his siblings.
''What do you mean by that?'' she hissed.
Mapleshade inwardly wailed.
No, Larchkit! They weren't supposed to find out like this!
Larchkit stood uncowed his fur fluffing up under Darkstar's icy look.
''Appledusk is our father.'' He squeaked.
Larchkit chanced a glance at Appledusk who stood still as stone.
''Right Appledusk?'' Larchkit meowed expectantly.
Darkstar turned her focus towards the brown warrior scrutinising him.
''Is that true Appledusk?'' Darkstar meowed coolly.
Appledusk turned his head to face Darkstar's frosty contemplation.
''Yes. Yes, I am their father'' Appledusk meowed his voice low but strained.
Gasps echoed around the clearing and a rumpled old tabby tom crouched at the edge of the Elder's den his tail lashing like a snake hissed ''Traitor!''
Mapleshade heard Reedshine let out a wail and Mapleshade felt her mouth curve upwards. At least there's one good thing
''But this means we can stay in RiverClan right?'' Patchkit blinked his eyes expectant.
Darkstar peered at him and Patchkit, emboldened by her silence continued ''We're half-RiverClan so we can stay, can't we?'' Patchkit mewed brashly.
Darkstar fixed him with a cold glare. ''No. Half-Clan cats have no place here. Mapleshade broke the Code.'' She informed him coldly.
Patchkit wilted looking forlorn.
Appledusk spoke up ''Darkstar think about it. We only have one apprentice and Leaf-Bare is nearing. By taking Mapleshade and her kits in we not only send a message to ThunderClan that they have made a mistake by exiling them, but we gain three healthy warriors.'' Appledusk conceded.
Mapleshade watched Darkstar contemplate Appledusk's statement her face thoughtful.
''Spiketail come with me. We need to discuss this matter.'' She told her deputy.
Spiketail nodded and padded after her his greying whiskers twitching thoughtfully.
Mapleshade felt hope bubble up inside her like an overflowing brook.
Before they reached her Den Darkstar turned around ''This does not immediately mean your kits will instantly be accepted into RiverClan'' Darkstar informed Mapleshade.
Mapleshade's hope shrivelled up at her words sending a chill through her.
What does this mean? Will my kits be exiled?
Minutes trickled by like churning river Mapleshade had escaped from and Mapleshade dug her claws into the earth clutching it as a hawk would grip prey.
After what seemed like three seasons Darkstar slunk out of her Den followed by Spiketail.
Darkstar leapt nimbly onto a large rock and called out ''Let all cats old enough to swim gather to hear my words!''
Instantly the RiverClan cats clustered around the rock their eyes bright to hear what their leader had to say.
Mapleshade pushed her way through the throng of cats earning hisses and fierce glares.
She met them lifting her head up and meeting their eyes.
Patchkit, Larchkit and Petalkit trailed behind shifting their paws.
Appledusk sat silhouetted at the edge of the clearing. To Mapleshade's fury Reedshine sat beside Appledusk talking to him.
Mapleshade could not hear them but made out their expressions.
Reedshine looked saddened while Appledusk looked like he was trying to convince her of something.
At one-point Appledusk touched his tail to her flank his gaze soft and Mapleshade felt her belly turn to ice.
She was not just a Clanmate to Appledusk.
Mapleshade turned her attention to Darkstar who was skilfully balanced on the vast rock her tail curled neatly around her paws.
Mapleshade hovered near the cats seated the closest to Darkstar and inhaled feeling her belly squirm like there was a live snake.
This is it. This is when I join RiverClan. Or leave it.
''Cats of RiverClan!'' Darkstar meowed, her azure eyes blazing as she looked down on the assembled cats.
''I have come to a decision about whether Mapleshade's kits should stay in RiverClan or not.'' Darkstar declared.
A murmur rose from the amassed cats sitting before her.
''I have decided that Mapleshade and her kits should-'' Darkstar paused and looked like she trying to force down a fishbone before continuing ''They should be allowed to stay in RiverClan.''
The reactions varied at her announcement. Some cats inhaled in disbelief while others turned to their neighbours hissing about what happened.
Some yowled their displeasure. A few were quiet, looking gobsmacked.
Joy flooded Mapleshade at Darkstar's words.
She twisted around to purr at her kits who looked puzzled at Darkstar's proclamation.
'Are we staying in RiverClan?'' Petalkit mewed her face scrunched up in bewilderment.
''Yes. Yes, we are'' Mapleshade purred. ''However, in order to stay in RiverClan Mapleshade and her kits must adhere to some changes.'' Darkstar affirmed.
Disbelief blazed through Mapleshade at Darkstar's pronouncement.
''If you show ThunderClan any mercy while fighting against them or help them in any way then you will be exiled from RiverClan, Mapleshade.'' Darkstar informed Mapleshade.
Mapleshade felt her fur prickle and her claws pulled tufts of earth up though she flattened her fur and attempted to calm down.
''If you show any loyalty to ThunderClan or hesitate against them in battle you will be exiled.'' Darkstar told Patchkit, Larchkit and Petalkit.
Mapleshade felt like yowling her displeasure at Darkstar but knew that the RiverClan leader would instantly banish her and her kits from RiverClan the moment she showed any dissent.
''Thank you Darkstar.'' Mapleshade meowed bowing her head.
''You will not regret letting us into RiverClan and we will protect it until our deaths.''
Mapleshade bit into the trout savouring the tangy aroma.
Nearly four moons had passed and Mapleshade was working hard on belonging in RiverClan.
She had adjusted to the taste of fish and was now able to swim- albeit clumsily.
She recalled her last battle against ThunderClan and purred as she remembered her claws shredding a ThunderClan warriors fur and felt a fierce jab of satisfaction. Those mouse-brains will regret exiling me!
She heard a meow ''Mapleshade!'' Mapleshade rose from her half-eaten fish and padded towards the source of the noise feeling a smile drift across her face as she saw who it was.
Petalpaw, Patchpaw and Larchpaw thundered towards her shadowed by Beetlestorm, Featherpool and Hawkclaw who dragged their paws as though they didn't want to catch up with their over-enthusiastic apprentices.
''Mapleshade! I caught a minnow today!'' Petalpaw meowed eagerly.
Mapleshade purred ''Really? Well done, Petalpaw!''
Petalpaw nodded proudly and gestured towards the fresh-kill pile with her tail where a lone minnow was silhouetted.
Larchpaw cut in his eyes shining ''I'm the fastest swimmer!'' He purred.
''No, you're not!'' Petalpaw squealed and soon the two apprentices were tusseling on the reed-strewn ground.
Eventually Larchpaw and Petalpaw stopped fighting and scrambled up.
''Maybe Piketooth will tell us a story about Sunningrocks!'' Patchpaw meowed to his siblings his green eyes shining.
Promptly the three cats sped off towards the Elder's den-Mapleshade hearing them meowing as they went- ''I'm faster than you!''- ''No you're not!''
Mapleshade rose to her paws abandoning the remains of her fish.
On her way she noticed Reedshine padding towards the fresh-kill pile and frowned when she noticed the she-cats plump belly.
Perhaps she had been having too much fresh-kill?
Mapleshade padded towards the edge of the river and allowed a purr to rumble in her throat.
Everything is as it should be
