Chapter 18

The days had begun to merge together as Willowcloud spent much of her time with Leopard or Embertail. She had often surprised herself when she found herself talking mostly with Embertail, whose conversations always left her feeling better. At least one cat knew much more about the Clans.

I feel guilty for speaking to her and not confiding my feelings with Leopard, Willowcloud thought. I shouldn't considering I barely know him.

Her feelings for Leopard had grown in the past few days since she'd last seen Sparrowfur. She knew what those feelings really meant. Sooner or later, one of them would have to confess how they felt. Leopard was too proud for his own good – he would never go to such lengths unless it meant his own survival was at stake. She shook her head as she tried not to think about it. The Clans' future was in peril, and all she could think about was him.

The ground was getting colder underpaw as Willowcloud crept along the rocky outcrops. Her blue eyes were bright with excitement as she caught the scent of a mouse. It was hiding between the cracks, but she knew that it would come out soon. Prey always had to come out sooner or later, especially if they had a nest calling to them. Her attention was drawn from the prey when she heard pawsteps approaching.

Willowcloud whirled around, hackles raised in defiance until she saw who the cat was. "Leopard, what are you doing here?" she asked.

"Embertail wanted me to bring you back to her," he replied with a shrug. "I suppose it has something to do with the Clans." His green eyes were narrowed when he mentioned the Clans. "Sorry about the mouse, by the way," he added when he saw the tiny creature make its escape.

"I have a full belly anyways," Willowcloud muttered.

In truth hunger had been ravaging her belly lately. She couldn't understand why. When she had excused herself from Embertail to go hunting, the medicine cat had simply blinked in understanding. Perhaps Embertail knew more than she was letting on.

The two of them moved together; their pelts were brushing as Leopard guided her along the path she normally took. Sure enough Embertail was waiting for them outside her den. Her slim appearance had changed over the past couple of days since she'd arrived – by now most of the patches of missing fur was already growing back, and the scars were barely visible.

Embertail blinked in greetings as Willowcloud settled down in front of her. Leopard looked like he was ready to leave when Embertail gave him a cautious look. His green eyes narrowed for a moment before he slipped away into the undergrowth. Willowcloud looked over her shoulder, concerned that something had happened between the two. The medicine cat seemed oblivious to her concern as she eyed Willowcloud in amusement.

"Willowcloud, haven't you been acting strange lately?" she asked calmly.

Willowcloud blinked for several heartbeats. She looked down at her paws after realizing where this was heading. Embarrassment washed over her. Embertail knew exactly what was happening – the signs were obvious, and she knew it. She looked back up when Embertail coughed lightly. The medicine cat's gaze grew serious when she held Willowcloud's gaze.

"I…I can't be," she stammered. "What about…the warrior code?"

"Where you are living now the warrior code doesn't matter," Embertail replied. "It seems StarClan has given you a gift." Willowcloud didn't see it as a gift. She saw it as a burden to herself and the Clans. What if something happened to them while she was away? She would feel worried sick about their safety. "Willowcloud, no matter what happens, those kits are yours," Embertail added when she saw the doubt in Willowcloud's eyes. "I will help you throughout these troubling times."

Willowcloud felt too overwhelmed for words as she thought of the future that would follow. She knew too well what would happen in forbidden relationships. Kits had died, mothers had died giving birth, and even the father could die as punishment for breaking the warrior code. She was worried about what StarClan would do to her. If the stories were true, then she knew that trouble would soon follow.

She turned away before Embertail could speak another word. She knew that Embertail was right – she couldn't turn away from what StarClan had given her, even if it was wrong. Leopard probably didn't know. She would have to tell him, even if it meant ruining their friendship.

She was relieved to see him watching the river surge by. The ginger and darker ginger dappled tom seemed content with remaining silent. Willowcloud lowered her gaze as she thought of what to tell him. Either he would be angry with himself, or ignore what she had said. She knew each result weren't good. If kits were part of their future, a father was what they needed.

"I heard." Leopard's voice was calm, though there was a hint of worry in it as he spoke. "I wanted to come here to think about it." He glanced over his shoulder to meet her gaze. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," she whispered. "I'm…glad. We can start a family…maybe even a Clan."

"What about the other Clans?" Leopard tilted his head to one side. "Surely they wouldn't allow a new Clan to be formed after what has happened between them."

Willowcloud's shoulders heaved as she thought of what he had said. He was right, in more ways than one. She knew that the Clans would never accept a new Clan, especially with Ghostwind and Rainstar alive. Both cats were more than likely to turn on them, and the gorge would leave them trapped.

He's right…. I could never put kits or Embertail through that.

"We'll think of something," she meowed determinedly. "The kits will have Clan names, if that is what you would agree with." She felt relief wash over her when Leopard gave a slight nod. He seemed happy with what she said. "Do you think they'll be safe here in the gorge?"

Leopard blinked in surprise at her question. She was worried about the high cliffs. A small kit could easily fall into the river if one wasn't watching them. Someone would have to keep a constant eye on the kits, if there was more than one. She was already feeling protective over the kits that were unborn. Perhaps this was how Mistybird had felt before she'd left her mother behind. For the first time in moons she felt sorry for her mother.

I should have asked mother to go with me, she thought guiltily. But then I would have never met Leopard…I don't know what to say. If Mistybird had stayed with me, maybe we could have formed a Clan together. But her loyalty to LeafClan is too strong. She felt torn between what her mother would have wanted for her and what she wanted for her future.

"These kits would be safe here," Leopard meowed through the heartbeats of silence. "Think about it…they can see what the river looks like around sunset. They will know of the Clans and the world beyond them." His voice was filled with longing as he watched the river.

Willowcloud sat beside him as she listened. She could almost imagine what he'd told her. She knew that he was partly revealing his life story. He was desperate to show these kits what he had never faced – a fatherly figure and a mother who cared deeply about their kits.

"They will have a father and a mother to care for them," she whispered after noticing the look he gave her. "I will not abandon them."

Leopard rubbed his shoulder against hers in approval. "I can only hope that they do not suffer the same fate I or my siblings had," he murmured.

"Your mother would be proud of what you have become," Willowcloud told him.

"My mother…. She did nothing to help me survive," he said bitterly. "My siblings died because of her. I could do nothing to save them."

"I'm sorry." Willowcloud looked away as she thought of what had happened to him. "I wish there was something I could do."

"You can't change the past." Leopard rose to his paws after saying that. "But we can help improve the future." With that he turned away, leaving Willowcloud to her own thoughts.

Yes…we can change the future…these kits are our future, she thought. One day they will be strong enough to lead their own lives. And one day…we can stop Ghostwind.

A/N: Took me a while to get this chapter up. So yes, she is having kits. Feels a little rushed, but that's how I wanted it. Hope I see more reviews!