Runningshadow's jaw dropped in amazement. "C-can't be deputy anymore?" He spluttered. "Why?"

Summerheart blushed and mewed, "Well, I…something very important is going to happen with me," She mewed almost happily. "A…well, miracle of sorts."

"And what would that be?" Runningshadow growled angrily. All of a sudden he felt furious that the she-cat was basically shirking her responsibilities as deputy. "Are you going to give yourself up to StarClan and become Mossflower's apprentice?" He spat sarcastically.

"I thought that you wouldn't be angry with me!" Shrieked Summerheart. "No, that's not what's happening! I thought that you were going to guess by yourself, but obviously I have to tell you," She growled with a roll of her eyes.

"I'm having kits."

Runningshadow was even more shocked. "Having kits? You? Who is the father?" As if he couldn't guess!

He practically mouthed the words as Summerheart mewed, "Skycloud is the father of my kits. I think."

"Isn't Skycloud in a different Clan?" Asked Runningshadow. "That would be against the warrior code!"

"Well, I'm honored that a great warrior such as he would be the father to my kits."

"That means that you've been visiting him?" Runningshadow growled suspiciously.

"Yes, I have!" Snapped Summerheart. "Satisfied? And why are you so angry about this anyway? This isn't the first forbidden love in the Clan," She added.

Runningshadow felt his stomach lurch. Summerheart hadn't found out about Mossflower, had she?

"Wh-who exactly are you talking about?" Runningshadow asked.

"Isn't it obvious?" Summerheart asked. "I heard you talking to Mossflower in her den."

"Please don't tell anyone!" Runningshadow feebly meowed. "I-" He paused for a couple of seconds. "Wait a second!" He snapped. "Have you been spying on me?"

Summerheart snorted. "I have not!" She snapped. "I was just getting some mouse bile for poor Cloverpaw one day when I heard you talking to Mossflower. I didn't want to bother you, but couldn't help but listening in."

Summerheart lowered her eyes. "And," She added, "You've been giving your apprentice too much work to do. There is hardly any other chores for the other apprentices!"

Runningshadow shook his head. "But I want Cloverpaw to look like she is a worthy warrior in Ashstar's eyes," He murmured. "Wouldn't you like the best for your apprentice?"

"Yes, but I wouldn't keep my apprentice working all the time! Runningshadow, I can tell that Cloverpaw really likes you. I'm pretty sure that she would like to spend less time doing chores and more time with you."

Runningshadow sighed. Was it really that evident that the two had feelings for each other?

"Well, why are you even giving up your job as deputy?" Runningshadow growled, changing the subject. "It's practically shirking your responsibility!"

Summerheart looked insulted. "I haven't been shirking my responsibilities! Listen, I want my kits to have a wonderful kithood with their mother. I don't want them away with another she-cat while I'm busy attending to business. Wouldn't you want that for your own kits?"

Runningshadow sighed. Summerheart was giving up her duty for good reason- perhaps it wasn't so bad after all. "I guess you have a point," Runningshadow huffed. "But about the kits…"

"Yes?" Asked Summerheart.

"What will Ashstar say when she hears this?" Runningshadow mewed. He had brought up a good point- Ashstar would be angry when she heard that the deputy she had appointed herself would be resigning.

For a few moments, Summerheart was silent. But she finally spoke. "I will tell her I am having kits," Summerheart mewed.

"What about the mate?" The light brown tom asked suspiciously.

"The tom?" Summerheart exclaimed. She started shaking her head. "Oh no, ohno ohno…" She sighed loudly. "I- I'm going to have to tell her I have a different mate."

Runningshadow suddenly felt a sharp pain of sadness in his heart. Poor Summerheart couldn't even tell the truth about her mate. That would be hard for any cat.

"He'll have to be someone that looks like Skycloud," Runningshadow pointed out. "Just so nobody gets suspicious."

Summerheart nodded. "Good idea, Runningshadow," She praised warmly. "You are very smart and strong- you should be made the next deputy."

Runningshadow blushed again and felt like a heavy rock had dropped to his paws. No way would he be the next deputy! He wasn't worthy enough. Besides, every deputy needed an apprentice, and Cloverpaw hadn't even been a warrior yet. But she probably still counted as an apprentice. It was possible he would be the right choice…

"I don't know many gray cats in the Clan," Runningshadow meowed quickly. "Except for Spiritwing. But Ashstar won't like that…"

Spiritwing was Ashstar's mate, and it had been that way since they were apprentices. It would break the leader's heart if she was told that her deeply-loved mate was fathering some other she-cat's kits.

"Well…" Summerheart said reluctantly, "There still is one choice…"

"Poisonpaw," Both of them grumbled in unison.

"But- but he's way too young for me!" Summerheart mewed in distress. "And we've never had any kind of…bond before!"

Runningshadow nodded, sheathing and unsheathing his claws thoughtfully. "Well, there still could be more choices," He said desperately. "Thornclaw is light gray. He could be the right one."

"You're right," Summerheart mewed gravely. Thornclaw was a better choice to cover Skycloud than Poisonpaw, but at least he was around Summerheart's age area and it was very probable that they could fall in love. Thornclaw had had a mad crush on Summerheart since they were apprentices.

"I guess my "mate" is Thornclaw now," Summerheart said sadly. "At least I'll have a good cover, though."

Runningshadow nodded, hoping that the aspect of becoming a queen would cheer up the battered young deputy. But in her eyes, he saw nothing but pure sadness. Was that a hint of regret he saw there?

Suddenly, there was a rustle in the bushes. There was a loud, gruff call coming from there. "Come on, over here!" Called the rough voice of Mudpelt. "There might be at least some more prey in this clearing over here!"

Summerheart jumped at the sound of his voice. "We've got to go!" She whispered sharply. She turned and dashed away, making a beeline for the spot next to the nursery that had been formerly used by the two.

Runningshadow hurried after her, but as usual couldn't keep up. He was one of the slowest warriors, and it bothered him how he could never keep up with any cat when running.

Runningshadow, he thought bitterly. What a horrid name for a cat that doesn't run fast! He wondered if his mother was being ironic, or didn't know that he would turn out to be such a slow runner.

At once, he caught sight of the yellow tabby fur. His heart fired up with relief, but he caught Mudpelt's scent on the air. He and his patrol was getting closer.

Not calculating the risks, Runningshadow burst after Summerheart and into the clearing, the shade chilling him quickly. But Summerheart was frozen on the spot.

Ashstar was standing right over them, glaring down with her sharp eyes. "And where, may I ask, have you two been?" She asked threateningly.

DUN DUN DUUUUUUUN-UH! cliffy! so summerheart is pregnant...i wonder how this will turn out!