Leafpool's eyes snapped open. She was crouched at the edge of the Moonpool. In panic she peered over the edge, but her reflection was there. She sighed and tried to relax but she couldn't. The water in her dream hadn't behaved how it should. Th night sky was the only thing that had been reflected. The dark night had poisoned the pool. She shook herself and meowed quietly to herself.

"You are not a kit now. No need to be so frightened. You are Thundeclan's full medicine cat. You are not allowed to be so weak." She shivered and thought of her unborn kits. What would happen to Thunderclan when they were born. Would she have to give them up?

She pushed these thoughts aside and leaned across to Mothwing who was dozing looking comfortable on the edge of the pool. She poked her gently with a white forepaw.

"Uhhh..." Mothwing turned over "Oh Leafpool. Thanks, last time Barkface almost caught me." Mothwing sat up and gave her chest a few licks.

Barkface and Littlecloud stirred and sat up. "Nothing out of the ordinary tonight." Barkface meowed matter-of-factly.

"No only the warning of rivalry, but when does that not happen" Littlecloud meowed.

"Young warriors, that's what it is." Mothwing meowed "Showing off. Trying to impress she-cats with their bravery"

All the medicine cats purred in amesument and Barkface said "You are spot on there Mothwing"

Littlecloud glanced at Leafpool and meowed "Are you ok Leafpool you look as if something's distracting you?"

Leafpool felt as if their were ants caught in her pelt. Had she been guessed. "Just incredibly tired at the moment. Been a moon. What with the badgers and all."

"Of course. Well take it easy. Thunderclan's medicine cat can't get ill."

The set off down the hill. Barkface and Littlecloud were walking several foxlengths ahead of Leafpool and Mothwing who were plodding along at a slow pace. The moon glistened low in the night sky and the horizon behind them was stained pink. Leafpool knew she had to tell Mothwing sooner or later. Thunderclan's territory had started a while ago. Leafpool sat down shaking from nerves. Mothwing looked at her and followed her lead. When the other two medicine cats were out of sight Leafpool started.

"Mothwing I have to tell you something." She meowed it quietly.

"Yes" Mothwing meowed and after a while of silence "Come on then Leafpool."

"Err. Okay. Several moons ago. You remember when the bridge to the island was made"

"Yes.."

"Well at the same time I was defending Thunderclan from any possible attack. I was keeping a look out from the top of the hollow. Suddenly out of nowhere two Shadowclan cats charged through. They saw me and came at me. I was standing right at the edge of the hollow and the didn't stop. They ran straight off the edge of the cliff taking me with them. I managed to grab ahold of the edge but they fell tot heir deaths. I was trying to get back on the ground...but me hind paws. I couldn't find a grip. I was about to fall when Crowfeather came. He reescued me."

Mothwing's eyes were wide."Wow that's scary are you having bad dreams about it?"

"No that's not it. As we lay there he told me something. It went agaisnt all the rules of Starclan but I knew it was true. He told me he loved me"

"Oh I knew that." Mothwing meowed

"What?!" Leafpool gasped. Had it spread through all the clans so quickly?

"Yeah. I could see the way he looked at you during gatherings and whenever he met you. He couldn't take his eyes off you."

"Well the thing is. I love him too. And well at the time... We kept seeing each other. Less than a moon ago. Cinderpelt found out. She was angry so angry. We fought and... I was scared I ran off. To the moonpool. Spottedleaf told me to follow my heart. So I...Me and Crowfeather ran away together" Leafpool's voice was cracked with emotion.

"But... You came back" Mothwing meowed.

"Yes, we couldn't leave our clans. It tore me apart to come back. But I had to. I had no choice."

Mothwing's eyes were wide "I never knew you and Crowfeather felt.. that way."

"Well he doesn't anymore. Him and Nightcloud are together now. And having kits." Leafpool almost died from the pain of admitting that.

"That traitor! I kill him He just left you?!" Mothwing's voice was raised in fury and protection for her friend.

"No Mothwing that's not the problem. I... I am going to have his kits."

"What!" Mothwing yowled.

"What!" A voice came from behind Leafpool. Leafpool spun around.

Squirrelflight stepped out from the shadows.