Chapter 27
Duskpaw's eyes trailed over the herb supply. They had an abundance of tansy and lots of yarrow and chervil. They also had lots of poppy seeds, marigold, golden rod, and mostly everything. They were only low on catmint. Just then a strong wind blew into the den. Duskpaw fluffed up her fur against the chill.
Leaf-fall is almost here, she thought as she worriedly examined the catmint pile. Just then she heard paw steps behind her. Turning around she saw Foamfur standing outside of the den.
"Is there something you need Foamfur?" Duskpaw asked. The golden she-cat glanced around nervously before entering the den.
"I have something important to tell you," she mewed. Duskpaw pricked her ears. "I-I-I," she stuttered. Taking a deep breath she continued. "I'm expecting kits," she finally managed to mew. Duskpaw was surprised by this.
"Who's are they?" she asked.
"Orcafin's. I found out I was pregnant the day before he died," she explained. Duskpaw noticed that Foamfur's stomach was getting rather large. Inwardly she scolded herself for not noticing before. "I'm worried Duskpaw. What kind of life will they have without a father?" she asked.
"Don't worry Foamfur. The clan will help you raise these kits. They can never replace Orcafin but they will do their best," Duskpaw comforted the distressed queen. Foamfur looked into her eyes.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"I'm sure," she answered. Foamfur let out a relieved sigh. "Why don't I help you move into the nursery?" Duskpaw offered. Getting to her paws she lead Foamfur across the clearing to the nursery. Whitefox looked up when they entered.
"Is there anything I can do for you?" the white queen asked. Furledkit and Bigkit looked at then curiously from where they were laying in the nest.
"Foamfur's moving in," Duskpaw explained. She could see her own surprise echoed on Whitefox's face but, the queen didn't ask anything. Standing up she walked to Lichenheart's old nest. Pawing it together she stepped out of the way. "You can use that until Heronpaw brings some new moss for a nest," Whitefox mewed kindly.
Foamfur nodded and settled down into the moss. Duskpaw waited until she was settled to back away.
"I'll tell Heronpaw to gather some moss," she mewed before leaving the den. Entering the camp she looked around for the only apprentice. She spotted him eating a tern with his mother. Duskpaw hurried towards him. "You need to gather moss to make Foamfur a new bed in the nursery Heronpaw," Duskpaw ordered the young tom.
"Now?" he asked.
"Yes," she mewed. The brown tom sighed and got to his feet. Dipping his head in farewell to his mom, he left the camp. Duskpaw turned back to Lichenheart when he had left. "Do you know where Silvertear is?" she asked.
"She went on a walk with Snowyowl," Lichenheart answered. Duskpaw lashed her tail in frustration. "Why do you need her?" Lichenheart asked, sensing Duskpaw's aggravation.
"Leaf-fall is almost here and the supply of catmint is dangerously low," she explained.
"I'll gather catmint with you," Lichenheart offered. Duskpaw glanced at the she-cat. Lichenheart finished her tern and rose to her paws. "I can go right now if you like," she mewed. Duskpaw nodded.
"Let's go," she mewed.
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A cold wind blew through the forest, rattling the branches and blowing away the leaves. Silvertear shivered and moved closer to Snowyowl. The fluffy white tom glanced at her. He grinned.
"Cold Silvertear?" he asked.
"What do you think?" she shot back. Snowyowl laughed. She nudged him. He nudged her back. Silvertear swatted at him. Snowyowl flicked her ear with his tail.
"Is that any way to treat your elders?" he asked.
"You're not my elder," she mewed. Snowyowl fluffed up his fur.
"I am older than you," he pointed out. Silvertear rolled her eyes. "Well I am," he insisted. Silvertear smiled.
"I know, I know," she sighed.
Snowyowl pushed his fur against her comfortingly. Silvertear cuddled against him. He licked the top of her head. She purred. "Sorry if I was being seal-brained and annoying," he apologized.
"You can't help it. It's how Starclan made you," she teased.
"Well Starclan made you like a beautiful, sweet, funny cat," he mewed. Silvertear smiled
"Thanks," she purred.
"Oh wait. That's how I wish you were," he joked. Silvertear huffed. Sticking her nose in the air she stalked into the woods. "Silvertear," Snowyowl called chasing after her. Silvertear glanced back at him mischievously. Waiting for him to get close she took off. Snowyowl followed close behind.
"You'll never catch me," Silvertear called over her shoulder.
"Just wait and see," Snowyowl called back. Silvertear laughed as she ran into the woods. The two chased each other through the trees. Silvertear maintained a steady lead but Snowyowl never fell behind.
Bursting through a bush Silvertear crashed into another silver tabby. Snowyowl ran into a brown mottled she-cat.
"What are you doing?" the silver tabby demanded. Silvertear backed off to find Duskpaw laying beneath her. Snowyowl had crashed into Lichenheart. The mottled she-cat let out an annoyed hiss and glared at him.
"Sorry Duskpaw. We were playing tag," she explained. Duskpaw glared at her.
"You should be hunting. Leaf-fall is practically here and soon there will be more kits to feed," she growled. Silvertear glanced at Snowyowl. He looked baffled.
"Who's expecting kits?" she asked.
"Foamfur is having Orcafin's kits," Duskpaw huffed. Silvertear smiled at the news. Snowyowl's eyes grew wide. For a moment they were clouded over by guilt.
"I'm so sorry Orcafin," he muttered under his breath. Then he blinked and his eyes returned to normal. He smiled. "That's wonderful news," he mewed. Silvertear twitched her ear with confusion. What was that about? she wondered. Shrugging she turned back to Duskpaw.
"So what are you doing?" she asked.
"Gathering catmint before the frost kills it," she mewed. Silvertear nodded.
"Let's go hunt Snowyowl. We should be doing something useful," she pointed out. He nodded and headed into the woods. "Bye Duskpaw," she mewed to her sister. Waving her tail in farewell to Lichenheart she followed Snowyowl into the woods.
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Duskpaw walked back into camp with her mouth full of catmint. Lichenheart was also carrying a good load behind her. Dropping the herb in its slot she walked out of the den. Heronpaw was running into the nursery with wads of moss. Duskpaw nodded to him.
Whitefox and Stormstep where laying outside of the nursery while their kits played with a ball of moss. Tundrafoot was playing with them. Lichenheart was joining Shardclaw by the freshkill pile where he was snoozing.
Maplestar was sitting with Twigshade outside her den. They were deep in discussion. Just then Silvertear and Snowyowl returned from hunting. They dropped their catch, a tern, a rabbit, and a lemming, onto the pile. Then they settled down outside the warriors den to share tongues.
Duskpaw felt rather sad as she watched her clan. Each of them were with someone. They were all together, except her. She would have sat with Silvertear but she only hung out with Snowyowl now.
Sighing she walked to the freshkill pile. Picking out a rabbit she settled down to eat it. As she ate Whitefox called her kits into the nursery for a nap. She disappeared into the den with them. Tundrafoot and Stormstep walked into the warrior's den for the night.
Maplestar and Twigshade stopped talking and separated. Maplestar walked into her den while Twigshade approached her.
"Did you get more catmint?" he asked. She nodded. "Well done," he praised. Duskpaw smiled at him. She half hoped he would sit next to her while she ate but, he just went inside the den. After he left the other cats began to head for their dens. All that was left was Duskpaw Silvertear, Snowyowl, and Lichenheart, who was keeping watch that night. Yawning tiredly she entered her den to sleep.
A/N:
Yet another boring chapter. Sorry. The next one will be much better. It's going to be about Silvertear and Snowyowl. They are just so cute together. Sorry if I'm obsessing over them but I just love that couple. Well thanks for everyone who reviewed on the last chapter. Make sure you review again.