Here's the next chapter! It's taken a long time to write, but I hope you enjoy it. I've already got the next chapter all planned out...
Squirrelflight swivelled around. "Is that for us?"
Birchclaw dropped the rabbit he was holding and pushed it towards her. "Who else would it be for?" he replied, grinning.
Squirrelflight grinned back, then turned to the fresh-kill and began to eat, her kits beginning to mew in high-pitched voices as they felt their mother move.
"How's been a warrior going?" Ferncloud asked her son, flicking her long, gray tail as Squirrelflight's kits moved towards her.
Birchclaw sat down and curled his tail around his paws. "I'm enjoying it."
Ferncloud gave a soft purr. Birchclaw noticed that her belly was just starting to become plump as her unborn kits - Birchclaw's siblings - grew. In the meantime, she was busy feeding Squirrelflight's kits, as she had done ever since they'd been born and Squirrelflight found out that she could not feed them herself.
"How are the kits?" Birchclaw twitched his ears towards them.
Squirrelflight swallowed a piece of rabbit. "They're strong and healthy," she reported, licking her lips. "So far, there's nothing wrong with them."
"Good," Birchclaw smiled. He leaned over and gently touched his nose to the gray tom kitten. The tiny kit immediately turned to face him, and Birchclaw noticed something. "His eyes are open!"
"What?" Squirrelflight quickly glanced at her kit. He looked back with wide, light blue eyes.
"Your first kit to open his eyes," Ferncloud murmured softly. "I'm sure Jaykit will grow up to be a strong warrior one day."
Jaykit gave a tiny mew.
"Do you want me to go and get Brambleclaw?" Birchclaw offered. "I bet he'd love to see this."
"Thanks, Birchclaw," Squirrelflight meowed, not taking her eyes off her son.
Birchclaw exited the nursery and headed for the warriors' den. "Brambleclaw?" he called, sticking his head in the den. "You might want to go and visit Squirrelflight."
Almost immediately, the dark brown tabby emerged. "Nothing's wrong, is it?" His eyes flashed with alarm.
Birchclaw shook his head. "No, it's good news."
Brambleclaw glanced at him for a moment before hurrying over to the nursery. Birchclaw padded slowly across the clearing, absentmindedly listening to the murmurs from the nursery.
It would be nice, he thought, if Appleheart and I could have kits. He quickly shook off the idea. If Appleheart did have their kits, they would grow up to be ShadowClan warriors, and Birchclaw might have to fight them one day. He wouldn't be able to spend any time with Appleheart during her pregnancy, either.
Not for the first time, Birchclaw wished she was a ThunderClan cat. He couldn't wait to see her again; he loved her so much it took his breath away at times. And not only that, she loved him too.
He'd see her tomorrow. He'd get to see her again, and once more they could spend a night together.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Appleheart!" A voice called from across the clearing.
Appleheart looked up. "Yes, Russetfur?"
The dark ginger she-cat padded over to her. "You're on for the RiverClan moonhigh patrol tomorrow."
Appleheart froze. "Tomorrow?" she repeated.
"Yes, tomorrow," Russetfur sighed. "You haven't done one in a while. Rowanclaw will be leading the patrol."
As Russetfur stalked away, Appleheart felt panic rising through her. She'd agreed to meet Birchclaw tomorrow night, and now it looked like he'd turn up, and she wouldn't be there. Birchclaw might think she didn't love him anymore!
Taking deep breaths, Appleheart suddenly knew what she should do. Tawnypelt couldn't do anything; she was too heavily pregnant. But there were other cats in ShadowClan she trusted with all her heart…
Standing up, she went to look for Marshpelt.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"What?!" Marshpelt stared at her, his amber eyes wide. "You've been meeting up with a ThunderClan cat?"
Appleheart nodded. "I love him," she reminded her brother. Appleheart had found him while he was hunting, and quickly told him the whole story.
Marshpelt shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. "I know, but… oh, StarClan help me," he muttered under his breath.
"All you need to do is go to the ThunderClan border tomorrow night, by the lake, and tell him I'm on patrol," Appleheart explained.
Marshpelt kept staring at her. "My own sister," he murmured. "Who would have thought it?"
Appleheart placed her paw on his, like they did when they were kits. "I'm trusting you to keep my secret safe, and to help me." She opened her eyes wide, trying to look innocent. "Please help me."
Marshpelt groaned. "Don't do the innocent eyes… Alright, fine! I'll do it!"
Appleheart looked hopeful. "Really?"
"Yes, really." Marshpelt gave his chest a few licks. "Can't say I'm too happy with it, but I'll help you."
Appleheart covered his face with licks. "Thank you, Marshpelt!"
Neither of the cats noticed the pair of narrowed blue eyes in the shadows.