A/N: Wow, this is my longest chapter yet! Anyways in this challenge we had to write about a she-cat in loveless relationship with a tom. She's meeting with another tom form a different Clan and ends up having kits with him. She has to try and keep the kits a secret though.
Charactrs:
Spottedfall- Silver spotted she-cat with green eyes
Reedstripe- Brown tabby tom with yellow eyes
Grassnose- Sandy-grey tom with amber eyes
Greystar- Grey potted tom with black paws
Spottedfall
The grey spotted she-cat yawned. It had been three moons after the embarrassment she caused her Clan and two after she and Grassnose became mates, though it wasn't going well for Spottedfall. Tonight was the gathering and the silver spotted she-cat was finally able to go after missing the last one.
"Are you ready love," Grassnose asked Spottedfall. The grey she-cat nodded as ShadowClan prepared to leave for the night's event. Slowly making her way through the pine forest, Spottedfall enjoyed the strong scent of pine and rain after the storm from the night before. For some reason, it soothed her. Finally, ShadowClan had made it through the muddy marsh and to the gathering place.
"Spottedfall we're here lovely. Now please, can you not act like you did last time at the gathering," Grassnose asked with a purred. The warrior nodded, but was getting a bit annoyed by her mate. The gathering was going to begin soon and Spottedfall was happy to be back. Looking around the gathering island, Spottedfall remembered when she played the prank on Reedstripe.
The spotted she-cat grabbed the stick with a wicked smile. This is going to be amazing, she thought to herself. Dipping the stick into the pile of dirt, tiny red bugs began to climb on it. Finally, Spottedfall was ready. She quickly gazed around the gathering to find the victim of her prank. She did so with a brown tabby RiverClan tom. Creeping up, she placed the stick by his tail as quietly as possible, hoping no one would catch her. Before she could get away though, Reedstripe yowled as an ant bit him. Everyone looked in their direction with the tom furious. Spottedfall felt like a kit with everyone staring at her, like she was being scolded by everyone at the gathering.
"Greystar, what is the meaning of this," Pebblestar asked with a hiss. The ShadowClan leader shook his head, clearly disappointed.
"I-I have no idea. Er-ShadowClan, time to go," the tom called, obviously embarrassed as well as ashamed.
A sigh escaped from Spottedfall as the memory finished.
"That is all I have to report for SkyClan," Birdheart, who was filling in for Robinstar who recently had kits, finished.
"ThunderClan is doing great. Prey is running well and we have a new elder and four new warriors. We welcome Branchstorm as our newest elder and Oatpelt, Pinespots, Lakestorm, and Featherspring out newest warriors. That is all I have to report." The Clans began to cheer the names and the gathering came to a close. Every Clan stayed and mingled for a bit and Spottedfall decided something important. She'd find Reedstripe and apologize to him. Looking around the gathering place, she finally found the RiverClan tom. Padding over to him, Spottedfall began to act out what she'd say in her head.
"Uh hi," the ShadowClan warrior began. Reedstripe grunted, ignoring her.
"Er...I-I just wanted to say sorry about what happened at the last gathering I was at. Um I-I hope you forgive me and…yah. I guess I'll just go," the she-cat finished awkwardly. She began to walk away before she was stopped.
"Please wait Spottedfall. I-I think I forgive you, but hey who knows. May-Maybe we can meet by the border tomorrow night. You now...to talk," the tom suggested. Though hesitant, Spottedfall finally agreed.
"It's a deal," she replied.
The crickets chirped and the cool new-leaf breeze shook the branches of the pines and ruffled the she-cat's fur. Spottedfall inhaled deeply as she crossed the thunderpath to the RiverClan border. Her paws crossed the rough black rock with fear coursing through her. Finally, Spottedfall had crossed the thunderpath and onto RiverClan territory. She looked around for Reedstripe, who she couldn't find.
"Reedstripe…Reedstripe," Spottedfall called in a hoarse whisper. As she waited, a noise sounded from behind some bushes near by causing her to tense up.
"Don't worry it's just me," Reedstripe replied gruffly. Spottedfall nodded, feeling guilty that she was basically going against her farther, Greystar, again.
"So why did you want to see me," the ShadowClan warrior asked.
"You really forgot? Well I just wanted you to apologize to me. Now can you do it please," the tom asked.
"Well if you're asking…no. I mean that's why you wanted to meet? How rude," Spottedfall replied with a mocking tone.
"Well then I guess you'll now be called Spottedfall the jerk," Reedstripe replied pettily.
"Well yah whatever. If it will make you feel better I'm sorry. Satisfied," the she-cat asked. The RiverClan tom didn't say anything for a few moments.
"Yes, yes I am. Thank you," Reedstripe lightly teased.
"Well I probably should go then. Hey do you want to meet me here again," the silver spotted warrior asked. Reedstripe nodded.
"It was surprisingly fun, thanks for coming. How about we meet again in three nights," the tom replied. Spottedfall thought for a moment before replying.
"Okay maybe," the silver warrior replied.
"Guess I'll see you then," Reedstripe called before returning back to his camp. Spottedfall left with a warm smile. The warrior quietly slipped back into camp hoping no one would see her.
"Spottedfall where were you," the harsh voice of Grassnose asked.
"It's none of your business. You're not my father," the she-cat retorted.
"I don't care. No tell me where you were," the tom threaten. Spottedfall ignored him and padded into the warriors den tiredly.
Reedstipe
Reedstripe ran through RiverClan territory, looking for his new friend.
"Spottedfal you here," he called carefully. There was no reply. He tried again.
"Spottedfall?"
"Yah," came the out of breath reply.
"How are you," the tom asked.
"Fine and you," Spottefall asked.
The brown tabby tom stalked the mouse. It had been three moons after he and the ShadowClan warrior, Spottedfall, met. So far, he liked the she-cat's humor even if he was affected by it once.
"Reedstripe, you missed your kill," Waspclaw, his former mentor, hissed. Surprise was spread across the tabby's face.
"Oh what? S-Sorry Waspclaw."
"What are you distracted about anyways? Your skills seem to have been declining recently," the sandy tom commented. Reedstripe shrugged. As he and Waspclaw spoke, his apprentice and Waspclaw's daughter, Mosspaw, padded up with a fish in her jaws.
"Look what I caught Reedstripe," she meowed proudly.
"Great job," her mentor praised.
"Pretty good Mosspaw! I'm so proud," Waspclaw purred. Hi purring was quickly drowned out by a loud blast of thunder.
"We probably should be getting back to camp. Before the storm comes. Hopefully it will just pass over," Waspclaw stated gruffly. He began to pad back to camp with Reedstripe and Mosspaw close behind. Worry began to prickle at the tom's pelt as he realized that tonight was another meeting with Spottedfall. Gulping, the tom knew he had to get to the she-cat before she left. Slipping from his camp, Reedstripe made his way to ShadowClan territory.
Spottedfall
Spottedfall could tell a storm was brewing. Tonight, she and Reedstripe would have to make their meeting short. Running across the territory, the silver she-cat looked around to make sure no one was following her. When she was sure she was safe, Spottedfall continued to move through the territory. By then, rain was coming down quickly.
"Maybe I should go back," the she-cat mumbled to herself, but her legs kept going. Finally, she reached their meeting spot.
"Reedstripe are you here," she called quietly like before. No answer. After a few more calls, Spottedfall became fed up and left. But as she did so, a rumbling came from behind. Turning around, the silver she-cat saw a wave of water coming towards her. Spottedfall turned to run, but the water swept her away.
"Help," she gurgled through the water. Though Spottedfall was use to the wet marshes of ShadowClan, she didn't know how to swim. Bobbing in and out of the water, the she-cat struggled to stay afloat.
"Help," she called again, hoping someone would hear her. Finally her head went back into the water and didn't come back up. Slowly her vision began to fade into darkness, but before her eyes closed, a shape burst into the water and began bringing her back up to the surface. The dark shape brought her onto a higher area of land. Quickly, Spottedfall began to cough up water and blink her eyes open. In front of her a soaked, panting Reedstripe sat.
"Are you strong enough to climb the tree? It's the highest ground we have," the tom meowed quickly. The ShadowClan warrior nodded then got up on wobbly legs. She made her way over to the tree and began to slowly climb it.
"Hurry up before the water gets higher," the RiverClan tom snapped. Moving faster, Spottedfall finally made it to a good spot in the large oak.
"T-Thank you," the silver warrior purred. Reedstripe nodded.
"Don't mention it. Are you alright? Are you hurt or cold," the tom asked.
"Seeing as I almost died by drowning I'm still traumatized, but other than that I'm fine," she replied sarcastically.
"Come on Spottedfall I mean it! You almost died because of me! If you weren't going to meet me you could've been in camp sleeping in a warm nest next to your friends and family. If not that I should have come sooner to warn you," the tom sighed. Spottedfall nodded and smiled.
"Thanks for helping me. I probably would've died if it weren't for you." Reedstripe didn't reply, he only stared.
"You mean it," he asked. The ShadowClan warrior nodded. For a few minutes both cats shook their fur dry and kept quiet. Spottedfall glanced at her friend and moved in closer, hoping for warmth. When she did so, Reedstripe flinched.
"Is-Is there something wrong? I can move away if you'd like," Spottedfall meowed sheepishly. The tabby shook his head
"No, no, it's fine," he purred. Spottedfall nodded. The she-cat enjoyed the warmth from the larger warrior and grinned to herself. The next thing that happened shocked her. She felt Reedstripe's tongue over her ear.
"I love you," the tom blurted out of nowhere. Spottedfall felt her pelt grow warm with happiness.
"I-I love you to," she replied unexpectedly. Reedstripe's face lit up.
Y-you do," he asked. Spottedfall found herself nodding. For the rest of the night, the warrior slept together with happiness.
It was almost seven mornings after the storm and Reedstripe's reveal of love. Spottedfall was excited to meet him that night once more. Of course, she had to deal with her Clan, especially her mate, before she could do anything.
"Hello Spottedfall, want to go hunting," the tom asked. Spottedfall shook her head.
"I'd like to wait a while," she replied.
"Let me rephrase that then. We are going hunting now whether you like it or not. Now come on," the tom demanded. Spottedfall growled, but didn't reply. She began to follow Grassnose.
"Okay I'm going over here and you over there. Please don't mess it up," the tom stated sharply.
"Whatever. Let's just get this done," Spottedfall replied. Grassnose nodded and went on his way. As she hunted, the silver warrior began to feel sick. Stop it, she scolded herself. You're fine, besides, if you're sick then you can't see Reedstripe, she told herself. Quietly she hunted, searching for a mouse. Alas, she couldn't find one. Giving up, she decided to go back to camp.
It was nearly sundown by the time Grassnose got back. He was clearly angry.
"Where were you?! I thought I said we'd hunt," the tom growled, on the verge of whining. Spottedfall shrugged.
"Well sorry, I was feeling sick, so I went back to camp. If you have a problem with that I don't really care." With that said, the silver warrior padded away. Finally, it was sundown and Spottedfall slipped out of camp. She was excited to see Reedstripe again. With a smile, she padded to their meeting spot and called for his name.
"Hey Reedstripe," she greeted, but the tom wasn't there.
"Reedstripe it's me, Spottedfall. I'd love to see you again," she tried again. Once more she waited.
"Hellow," she called. Again, no reply. The she-cat waited for hours before giving up and heading back to camp. Maybe he got held up with something, she tried to convince herself. Of course, that wasn't the case. She tried for over three weeks, but the tom never showed. She wanted to tell him some news that she meant to share with him for a while, but she had finally given up, faced with the fact that he might have settled down and got a new mate in RiverClan.
"I just want to tell you about our kits. Maybe I can tell you tonight at the gathering if I'm able to go," she whispered to herself.
Settling down and ready for the gathering, Spottedfall looked for her RiverClan mate, but he wasn't there. Each of the leader's new passed by without her caring. Soon Birdstar the new leader of SkyClan finished and it was Waspstar's.
"Riverclan is doing great. Food is running well and we have a new warrior, Barkstripe. Though with all this happy news we have some sad ones. There was a badger attack in our camp and we lost Berrykit and a great warrior, Reedstripe. That is all I have to report," Waspstar finished. Shock and sorrow filled Spottedfall's heart. Reedstripe dead? How could he when they were going to have kits? Spottedfall felt like her world had crashed and crumbled into a million pieces. The thing that mattered most in her dimed life was gone and that part of her heart would never be fixed. The silver warrior wanted to cry out in pain and have everyone else feel what she felt, but she kept her emotions to herself.
Grassnose padded up to the she-cat. She was due any day, but he didn't care.
"Hello Spottedfall, are you taking care of yourself and our kits," the tom asked with an edge. The warrior wanted to claw his face, but she didn't.
"Yes I'm fine," she hissed.
"What a temper. You know you won't make a good mother with an attitude like that right," the tom ask with a snarky tone. Spottedfall controlled her anger much more which was beginning to bubble over a bit.
"Can you just shut-up? Why act like you love and care for me when you don't," the she-cat asked.
"Because I can. You're just a stupid she-cat who causes problems for her Clan and only cares for herself." Finally he had done it. With her anger boiling over, Spottedfall got up.
"Why do you just quit it Grassnose! I know you hate me and only "love" me because I'm the leader's daughter! You're a sick piece of fox-dung and I hate you! In fact, I'm happy thee kit's aren't yours at all! You'd make a terrible father and I hope you rot in the Dark Forest," Spottedfall huffed. As she enjoyed her moment of freedom as she realized her mistake. Everyone ShadowClan cat gazed at her with shock and whispers began to rise.
"You what," Greystar demanded. Spottedfall knew she had done it. The Clan knew about her half-Clan kits now, she messed up once more, but was happy. Whatever would happen to her and her kits, she was willing to live through it.
One Moon Later
The silver spotted she-cat gazed down at her three kits. She had two toms and a she-cat. The first tom was a large brownish-ginger tom, much like Spottedfall's mother, Creekstep while the second tom was a silver and black spotted one. Finally, the only she-cat was a small brow tabby.
"What are you going to name them," Greystar asked. Though he was still disappointed that his daughter's kits were half-Clan, he had forgiven her with love. Though as soon as she returned to her warrior duties she'd have to be confined to camp for another two moons.
"I think the gingery tom should be Marshkit and his brother Pebblekit." After his RiverClan heritage, she thought.
"And the she-cat," Creekstep asked. Spottedfall thought for amoment before thinking of the prefect name.
"Reedkit, after her father," the ShadowClan warrior purred. She leaned down to her kits with a smile.
"I will always take care of you three. Reedstripe's spirit runs through you and I know you'll all do great," Spottedfall whispered. Even then she could feel her mate's spirit right next to her.