The Blood of Forbidden Love III: Forbidden Kits

Chapter 2

"I don't want to give them up, Cinderpelt, but I'll be banished, and I know it." Leafpool thought about Silverstream, the beautiful silver tabby, mother of Stormfur and Feathertail, and a hunter of StarClan. She died birthing her and Graystripe's kits. Will the same happen to me, she thought sadly.

"Firestar…is a noble leader and will understand what happens when a warrior loves a medicine cat. He did, and he was the first to know about Yellowfang's kit. Now, the father isn't of ThunderClan, is he?"

"No…WindClan. It's Crowfeather."

"I knew you had feelings for him, but I'd wait to see if you decided to forget him. We have a problem."

"I'm telling the Clan now, right now!" Leafpool ran (once again) to the Highrock and leaped onto it, adrenaline pumping through her. "ThunderClan, gather around. I have an announcement. I have broken the warrior code in a large way, and I hope you'll forgive me. I'm pregnant."

Firestar looked on his daughter, aghast. He pushed her off the rock and leaped on it himself. "Silence! This has happened before. Everyone knows of Yellowfang and she was one of the greatest cats the forest had seen. Leafpool, you will not be banished, but severely punished. Until these kits are apprenticed, you may not attend Gatherings, go on patrols without Graystripe or I with you and you may not resume medicine cat duties. Only until they are apprenticed. Meeting adjourned," Firestar retreated to his den with Sandstorm. ThunderClan cats seemed pleased with her punishment, and did not look badly on her. Leafpool bowed her head and went to lie on her moss bed.

"Leafpool, what you did was noble, but foolish. The Clan needn't know this early, but it's more than I ever did. StarClan is proud of you and will not curse these kits," Yellowfang looked on the young medicine cat. Leafpool smiled and watched as Yellowfang drifted back to Silverpelt.

"Cinderpelt? Do I have to move into the nursery? Can't I stay here?"

"No, Leafpool. You aren't given that privilege. You will sleep in the nursery, like the other queens. Go, you aren't a medicine cat for now. But Firestar informed me that you will still go to Moonpool." Leafpool's spirits heaved and dropped like waves, happy and sad. Crowfeather would want to know and decided to send a message to Crowfeather through Barkface.

The half moon had arrived. By now, Leafpool would soon have her kits.

"Leafpool?" It was Barkface. "Crowfeather asks how you and the rest are."

"Tell him we're fine and that I told and won't be banished, just restricted."

That night, she shared dreams with StarClan. Yellowfang came to her.

"Leafpool, you must give a kit to WindClan…to Crowfeather. Let him have a kit, and name her Featherkit."

"I'll have a she-cat?"

"Three. And a tom."

"Wow."

"Leafpool, be careful. StarClan won't curse these kits, but we can't stop them as warriors. Three kits will be the greatest cats the forest has seen, but one will bring darkness through the Clans."