Chapter 3
...
Leafpool woke the next morning. She was ready to find a cat.
She decided to start with Ferncloud. Ferncloud wouldn't give anything away, would she?
"Ferncloud," she whispered.
She led Ferncloud into the forest.
"Okay, I need someone to do me a huge favor."
Ferncloud waited.
"Of you don't agree, you can't tell anyone about it. Okay?"
Ferncloud nodded.
"Well, I started meeting Crowfeather again, and I'm having kits. Can you care for them?"
Ferncloud thought for a moment. "I would, but I don't want to lose Dustpelt's trust. I promise not to tell, though."
"Okay, thanks."
"Wait, one more thing. Try Mousefur."
"Mousefur?" Leafpool couldn't believe her ears. "Why Mousefur?"
But Ferncloud had already gone back to the camp.
Leafpool slowly followed, wondering if she should do as Ferncloud said and ask Mousefur. She may as well.
She began to doubt herself. What if Mousefur didn't agree and told the entire clan?
Leafpool pushed the thought away and entered the elders' den.
"Mousefur, will you come with me for a second?"
"You owe me fresh-kill if I do." Mousefur growled.
"If you agree, you'll get the plumpest piece on the pile." Leafpool assured her.
"That got Mousefur's attention. She went with Leafpool.
"Well, there's a favor I need done. If you don't agree, you can't say anything about it to the clan."
"What is it?"
"I'm going to have kits. I need a cat to claim them. Will you do it?"
Mousefur hesitated.
Leafpool's heart pounded. Maybe asking Mousefur had been a big mistake.
Mousefur made up her mind. "Yes."
