Chapter 12: Greyleaf

When she awoke, Greyleaf was still groggy with sleep, and her eyes seemed to be covered in a warm shroud. She sat up in her nest, well rested and eager to start the day, but there was something nagging at her mind, an unknown action she needs to preform.

Oh well, I'll remember later. She thought, shrugging it off.

The tabby she-cat stood up and lumbered out of the nursery. Head in the clouds, the world around her far and distant, she walked aimlessly forward, lost to a world within her mind. Her muzzle slammed into something soft and furry, and Greyleaf blinked, clearing her vision, to see the shape of Blackfur in front of her.

"Oof!" Greyleaf mewed as she tried to move sideways and ended up bumping into the dark tom's flank. The collision rattled her brain more than she thought it would, and she sat down immediately to prevent herself from falling over. "Ohhwww," She moaned, the world spinning around her, "That hurt more than it had any right to."

"I am so sorry, Greyleaf," Blackfur apologized, fiddling with his paws, "When I heard the news, I couldn't help but wait outside for you."

His green eyes showed concern, but it wasn't enough to mask his happiness. He had a large grin, his tail was held high and proudly, and his coat gleamed from a recent washing.

I wonder how he'd look if he knew the truth. Greyleaf thought guiltily as he helped her up. She forced a smile, but it didn't seem to work because Blackfur's tail drooped and his smile faded.

"Aren't you happy? I thought that you would be thrilled that we're going to have kits." He pouted, his head hanging low with his ears drooping.

"No, no, It's not that," she spoke quickly, eager to reassure him, "It's just this darned headache," she mewed as she placed a paw on her head, "I think I just need to lie down for a bit."

She didn't wait for him to be chivalrous, quickly walking across the stone hollow to settle herself on the warm sunning rocks near the Elder's Den. There, she dozed peacefully until she heard a commotion coming from the Highledge.

"The cats joining the gathering tonight will be Goldenfur, Lilytail, Fernfoot, Mousflight, Featherheart, Leopardheart, and Rosepaw. I'll give you all a couple minutes to eat." Sunstar called to the cats below, looking down upon them with joyful eyes.

That's what I needed to do! She thought, the revelation suddenly dawning upon her, I can't be left behind! I have to let Pinestar know!

"Wait!" Greyleaf yowled, scrambling to her feet, "I want to go too!" She got up and ran as fast as she could to the Highledge, determined. When she reached her destination, Greyleaf was panting with exertion. "Please"—pant, pant— "Sunstar"—wheeze— "I want to go to"—sharp intake of breath— "The gathering."

Sunstar was skeptical, and he narrowed his brown eyes a bit. "I doubt you're in shape to make it there, Greyleaf," he mewed, though not unkindly. Sunstar had always treated her like a daughter,—he was very close friends with Featherstorm—and was particularly protective of her.

"But this might be my last chance to go," Greyleaf retorted, stubborn to no end, "I want to do at least one more warrior activity before I'm stuck in here for moons!"

"Fine, you may come," Sunstar meowed, giving in, "But Blackfur must come with you, and you must be careful, losing future warriors is not something I take lightly."

Greyleaf smiled happily, not really caring about Blackfur tagging along, she was only glad that she could see Pinestar again.

Chapter 12: Pinestar

Pinestar wearily climbed up the great tree at the gathering. He had lost weeks of sleep due to his, 'late-night ThunderClan border patrols.' Exhaustion was taking its toll on him: paws felt like dead weights, legs ached with fatigue, eye sockets were heavy boulders threatening to crash down. It took all of Pinestar's strength to drag himself up the old, gigantic tree, and it took all of his patience not to snap moodily at the other leaders and the cats gathered below.

If I make it through tonight, I'm definitely canceling the night patrols with Ravenclaw. He thought crossly, huffing.

The gathering commenced them, dragging the crabby tom out of his thoughts.

After Pinestar relayed ShadowClan's recent growth in strength as best he could, barely managing to make it through, the other leaders began their clan updates. Breezestar and Reedstar's speeches seemed to be a monotonous drone to Pinestar,—it was always prey is running well, we are strong, nothing new—but it was Sunstar's joyful proclamation that finally caught his attention.

"StarClan has blessed ThunderClan with a new Queen, Greyleaf!" The golden tom exclaimed proudly.

Greyleaf? There is no way in StarClan that she could be expecting kits! There has to be some mistake!

To his dismay, the beautiful grey she-cat stood up in the crowd, her grey fur shimmering in the light of the full moon. A large black tom stood up next to her, head high and tail rested comfortably on top of her back. Pinestar remembered the little brat from the border patrol.

Unfortunately, the thought that the kits could be his didn't cross his mind, all he could think about was the bad. Did she decide to take a mate in her clan? How could she? Why would she? Does she not love me anymore? Did someone find out?

Pinestar could barely mask his shock and worry. Thankfully, his tired state allowed his emotions to remain hidden, but the dismayed look in his eyes could not be concealed.

"Concerned about how fast and large our clan is growing Pinestar?" Sunstar quipped, smiling jovially.

Quick to cover up his real reason for being concerned, Pinestar replied, "Yes, actually. What is that, three Queens now?"

"Four, with six soon-to-be-apprentices and more on the way," the more experienced leader replied matter-of-factly, "But don't worry yourself, as long as your clan sticks to their side of the border and doesn't steal our prey, you'll be safe from the wrath of ThunderClan."

Pinestar, not really caring about his pride or image, just nodded dumbly. It seemed that the speech part of the gathering was over, so he descended the tree quickly, eager to get to the floor.

I must see her before the gathering ends! If she took a Blackfur as her mate, there must be something seriously wrong. But why? Why did she have to go so far as to have kits with him?

Pinestar walked in the general direction of where Greyleaf and Blackfur were sitting, but he dared not get to close. When he was sure Greyleaf had spotted him, he ruffled his fur, flicked his tail towards the east edge of the island, and headed in that direction. Once there, he cast a quick glance around, dove through the bushes, and sat behind them to await her arrival.

After a few minutes, he heard a murmured apology and an excuse about needing to use the dirtplace. Soon afterward, Greyleaf was squeezing through the bushes to sit next to him.

She looked tired and worn out; her fur was a bit dirty, her ears were starting to droop, and she smelled of exertion. Now that Pinestar was closer, it was obvious that she was pregnant. Her body had swelled and she already smelled faintly of milk. Plus, her whole stance had changed. Where it once was confident and tall, she now stood huddled and protective, as if she was trying to protect her unborn kits from any harm that they might come to.

"Pinestar," Greyleaf whispered, "I'm so glad that I'm seeing you again. This last moon has been just horrible."

He looked at her gravely. "Greyleaf, was it so bad that you had to take Blackfur as your mate? That you had to have kits with him?"

She gave him a steely glare, her left ear swiveling back like it always did when she was irritated. "Pinestar, I would never, ever, do that. Blackfur being my mate is just a cover-up." She stopped glaring then, and she started to purr softly. "The kits are yours. I have no idea how it happened, just that it did. It's a gift from StarClan, Pinestar! I just know it!"

What! I'm the father? Wait! I'm a father! Pinestar's melancholy mood immediately lifted. He almost let out his deep, rumbling purr, but he held it back in fear of them being discovered.

"Oh, Greyleaf, I-I don't know what to say," He mewed, "just know that I'm so happy! And that I wish I could be there for you." He choked out the last part. It burned him that he couldn't be with her while she was a queen, making sure she was safe and being by her side for the kitting.

She nodded, dazzling green eyes full of love and a pinch of sadness.

They then groomed each other to pass the time, sharing the news of what had been going on recently. On any other occasion, he would have told her about his problems and asked for her help in solving them, but he didn't want to dampen the happy mood. So, he just told her that he had been doing late night patrols recently, and clan life had been very busy.

She gave him an inquisitive look, seeming to sense that this was not all, but Pinestar acted nonchalant about it enough to dissuade her.

They continued enjoying each other's company for some time before the sound of leaders calling their clans to lead them home ended their cheerful meeting.

Pinestar sighed. "We have to go," He warned, "I've gotta take my clan home, and you need to get to the nursery. I don't want you getting hurt." She opened her mouth to protest, and he knew she was going to say she was perfectly capable of defending herself. He silenced her with a lick to the head. "Goodbye, Greyleaf," he whispered, hating to leave once again, "I love you, and stay safe."

The tabby tom reluctantly padded around the bushes until he was far away, jumped out, and led his clan home, all the while thinking about Greyleaf and his kits, and what could possibly happen while he was gone.

Sorry, this revision is a bit choppy. I just didn't know how to exactly fix it to perfection.