Chapter Eight

Since Stonetail's first meeting with Silversky, the two cats had met in secret the next few moons. Stonetail always enjoyed the LeafClan she-cat's company, as the two of them would talk about their lives or playfully chase each other through the trees. Stonetail had never felt happier in his life, and he even managed to carefully balance his duties to his Clan. As far as he knew, no cat suspected his secret meetings with Silversky; something he was deeply hopeful of.

Newleaf was around the corner now, the buds on the trees beginning to bloom after a harsh leaf-bare. Briefly he recalled the greencough outbreak that had swept through camp; taking one of Willowstar's lives and claiming both the lives of Blizzardtuft and Rushwing, two ReedClan elders. Reedsplash managed to get a grip on the outbreak thanks to herbs from BreezeClan. However the herbs only helped so much, as Willowstar lost another life shortly after from the toll the greencough had taken on her body. Every cat knew that the old she-cat was on her last life, from the way she began to isolate herself in her den; too weak to leave and address the Clan properly. Since then, Icespirit had taken up most of the leadership duties, even volunteering to go to the Gathering in her place.

Shaking the troubles of his Clan from his mind, Stonetail made his way to the typical meeting place by the hidden reeds, careful that no cat had seen him sneak away. The ground underpaw was soggy was melting snow, and he carefully slid into the ice cold river, shuddering at its chilly embrace. The two of them had planned to meet slightly earlier, as the Gathering was tonight. Stonetail had hoped to go, wondering what the other Clans would have to say about Willowstar's absence. However, that meant he would get little rest for the night.

Pushing himself up on the other side of the river, he padded over to the reed clearing. Silversky wasn't there yet, but Stonetail could smell her sweet scent nearby; she wasn't far away now. Purring loudly as she came into view, he wrapped himself around her as she touched her nose to his cheek. Nothing matter right now. All that mattered was that Silversky was here with him right now in this moment. Meeting her beautiful silver gaze, Stonetail took a deep breath.

"Silversky," he began, feeling nervous. "There's something I've wanted to tell you for a while now..."

Expectantly her gaze bore into him. "And that is?"

"I, er, uh," Stonetail fidgeted a bit. Tell her already you fish-brain! Shaking out his pelt, he steadied himself. "Silversky, I love you."

Eyes glowing with amusement, Silversky touched her nose to his. "I love you too, you big lump."

Happiness warmed Stonetail's body as he stared into her eyes. The same warmth and loved were reflected back to him, and nothing could have changed that moment. Not wanting to break away from Silversky's beautiful gaze, he flinched when she suddenly shoved him into the reeds. Before he could ask what had gotten into her all of the sudden, he saw a russet-furred she-cat prowl her way through the reeds, hackles raised angrily.

"Silversky! I knew something was going on with you!" she accused. "And now I see why! You're meeting a ReedClan warrior, and worst of all, him?"

Silversky met the she-cat's gaze steadily. "Foxchaser how dare you follow me? This has nothing to do with you, or with LeafClan!"

Foxchaser spat angrily, as Stonetail climbed out of the reeds to stand beside his new mate. "You're betraying your Clan by meeting this...this...tom here! Aren't there plenty of cats to choose from in our own Clan?"

"No, none that are like Stonetail," Silversky defended herself. "I don't care what you say Foxchaser, I will see him as much as I like. I do my duties to the Clan. I deserve to be happy just like everyone else."

Hissing, Foxchaser whirled on Stonetail. "You're on LeafClan territory fish-breath! Get out of here before I sharpen my claws on your pelt!"

Silversky darted in front of Stonetail, shooting him an apologetic look. "He'll leave, keep your pelt on!" she snapped at her sister. "Stonetail," she looked at him with pleading eyes. "I'll try to see you later, okay?" ignoring the defiant hiss of Foxchaser, she went on. "Meet me by the Great Oak in two days," she whispered before following Foxchaser out of the clearing.

Both irritated by the sudden intrusion, and nervous about being found out, Stonetail carefully made his way back to camp. Uncertain of what the future held, he crept into his nest and curled up tight, letting sleep take him.

Despite being found out by Foxchaser, Silversky had managed to keep her sister quiet about their meetings. Since then, the two cats had met by the Great Oak for the next moon. Stonetail paced eagerly along the bottom edge of the ravine, moonlight bathing the clearing in a silver glow. The moon was nearly full and Stonetail knew that meant the next Gathering was close by. A lot had happened in the past moon; Icespirit was now Icestar, Willowstar had lost her last life in a fight with a badger. The old ReedClan leader had managed to drive the badger out of the territory, at the cost of her final life. Icestar had chosen Lotusflower to be his deputy, while Twigfur and Milkweed retired to the elder's den.

Life was fairly normal despite Willowstar's brave death. She had chosen well when she made Icestar her deputy all those moons ago. He was a fair leader, and led with reasonable judgment and concern. Staring up at the flowers growing from the Great Oak, Stonetail frowned. What was taking Silversky so long? Was their trouble back in LeafClan? Did she run into trouble on the way to meeting up? Before anxiety could take over, he saw a flash of silver at the top of the ravine and sagged in relief. Silversky carefully slid down the side and rushed towards him. The two cats embraced for a moment, before breaking apart.

"Sorry I'm late," She panted, sitting down. "We have greencough in the camp, and Whispersong needed an extra set of paws to help treat some of the cats sick."

Stonetail instantly was alert. "Greencough? Are you okay? You're not sick are you?" he fretted.

Silversky purred. "No, at least, not like that," she added. "Though I did need to tell you something."

Heart pounding, Stonetail looked at her. "What is it? Is everything okay?"

"Everything is perfect," Silversky assured him, her eyes glowing happily. "I'm expecting kits."