Hmm…-evil grin-

EXILE

"The black she-cat can be Ravenkit, and the pale gray tabby tom can be Hawkkit." Brookstripe gave each tiny kit a lick between the ears and rested her head at Swiftfoot's paws. He purred and nuzzled her.

"Swiftfoot? Where are you?"

A voice startled both cats, and Brookstripe gasped, her gray tabby fur bristling. "Swiftfoot…it's your Clanmates!"

The black tom nodded. "Run, Brookstripe! Go back to RiverClan! Hurry! Before they see you!"

"But…the…the kits!" Brookstripe gazed longingly at the two small kits that lay at the curve of her slender belly.

"I'll take care of them." Swiftfoot's amber eyes sank into hers, and she knew he was telling the truth. "They'll come live with me, in WindClan."

Brookstripe's eyes filled with tears as she turned and bounded away from the river. She crouched behind a convenient bush and peeked through the leaves.

Three cats, two of which Brookstripe recognized as Goldenwing and Bouncepaw, approached the river. "Swiftfoot!" a dark gray tom yowled. "What are you doing in RiverClan territory? And why do you have these kits beside you?"

Brookstripe's belly clenched as Swiftfoot carried Hawkkit across the stepping stones, then went back for Ravenkit.

When both kits were safely across the river in WindClan territory, the dark gray tom demanded, "Whose kits are these?"

Swiftfoot hesitated, and Brookstripe held her breath; her mind whirred with fear and wonder of what he'd respond. What would they say when they found out that their medicine cat had kits?

"They…they're mine, Smokefang," Swiftfoot sighed.

All three of his Clanmates gasped. "They're yours?" Smokefang looked as though he were struggling to stay calm. "Who is the mother?"

"I…I can't say." Swiftfoot glanced at his paws, his whiskers drooping.

StarClan, no, Brookstripe prayed silently. He's going to get in a whole lot of trouble all because of me. Please, don't let them do anything too harsh, StarClan. If you punish any cat, punish me…please!

xxxxxx

"Swiftfoot." Skystar's expression was grave and grim. "Smokefang has told me that you were found on RiverClan territory with two kits, whom you claim to belong to you. Is this correct?"

Swiftfoot nodded, his heart aching for Brookstripe already. Had she gotten to camp safely? Was she in trouble, just like he was?

"I'm sure that you're aware that it is against the warrior code for medicine cats to have kits," Skystar meowed. "And since you were on RiverClan territory, I must assume that your mate was from RiverClan."

Swiftfoot stared at his paws, dreading what his leader would say next.

"I must talk to Fogpelt about your punishment." Skystar flicked her tail, dismissing herself into her den. Swiftfoot didn't move from his stand to the side of Skystar's den. Fogpelt padded after her, scarcely acknowledging Swiftfoot's presence.

After a few tense heartbeats, Skystar and Fogpelt returned, flicking their tails for Swiftfoot to follow them. He swallowed hard and leapt onto the Tallrock after Skystar.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey meet beneath the Tallrock for a Clan meeting!" Skystar yowled. Cats slowly crept from their napping places and crawled towards the clearing.

"Swiftfoot was found on RiverClan territory with two kits that he claimed to be his," the white leader went on. "I can only assume that his mate was a RiverClan she-cat, so that means he has broken the warrior code in two ways. Fogpelt and I have agreed on an appropriate punishment."

The WindClan cats below the Tallrock murmured in anxiety and wonder. Swiftfoot tried not to look directly at them, for they were most likely shooting him nasty glares.

Skystar drew in a deep breath before finishing with one final word: "Exile."

I know exile is not an appropriate punishment for a medicine cat, but let's just pretend that Skystar is an unreasonable leader, and that Swiftfoot has an apprentice that already has his or her full medicine cat name, and can take his place. Okay? Okay!

xx-Starfall-xx