Chapter 3
She had coughed so much that here back was sore, she was extremely weak, and limping? How mouse-brained could she be? That was just about the worst lie she had ever heard. Nettlefur sighed in distress. I just need to gather some borage and a few poppy seeds. They would have a long journey ahead of them. I can't bear to leave my Clan, she thought , but what choice do I have? I'm a traitor. There's no room for betrayal in ThunderClan. She heaved a sigh.
"Nettlefur, is that you?" She heard the familiar voice of her apprentice, Hawklily.
"Yes," she glanced around in alarm as she tried to make it look like she hadn't been preparing herbs for her journey, "I'm just tidying up the herbs."
"I could have sworn I just did that yesterday," Hawklily said, affectionately flicking her mentor on the shoulder, "You are always so tidy!"
"Yes, yes. Are you going to stand there all day or are you going to help me?" Nettlefur snapped.
"Sorry," she muttered.
They gathered all the herbs. Nettlefur looked up and said, "Hawklily, I want you to know that I am and always will be proud of you. You have been a great partner and I am glad I got to devote myself to teach you the ways of a medicine cat." She then walked out of the den and into the clearing. She looked around. She had to find Falconheart and Brackenstar and talk to them, one last time.
She padded to Brackenstar's den where he found her leader and deputy sharing tongues in low voices. She cleared her throat and they both looked up.
"Hello, Nettlefur." Brackenstar said warmly.
"Yes, greetings," Falconheart put in.
"Look, both of you, there's been something I have been meaning to tell you," Nettlefur said slowly. "I made a huge mistake," Brackenstar raised his tail for her to stop.
"We already know," he said solemnly. "You have had kits. I could smell the milk on you from here to RiverClan. You have broken the warrior code badly and would like to seek forgiveness, am I right?"
Nettlefur grimaced. Only Brackenstar could cut to the chase like that. "Actually, no. I've come to say goodbye."
"Come to say goodbye?" Falconheart exclaimed, "Why, that's ridiculous! I'm sure StarClan would forgive you!" She had risen to her paws and was bristling from head to toe.
"Sit down, Falconheart," Brackenstar murmured, and to Nettlefur he said, "Very well. I can see that there's no stopping you. I will call a Clan meeting at once."
"I really am sorry to have let you all down. It's just, I miss Lionclaw. He- he was my mate you know," she explained. Lionclaw had been her beloved mate. But he had disappeared the day she had told him that she was having kits. He was too ashamed of himself for being so foolish, but still shone with pride at the thought of her having his kits. Lionclaw had said he was sorry for ruining her life like this, so he disappeared so he wouldn't cause her any more trouble. It tore her to pieces that day did. She whimpered, but remembered she was in the presence of her leader and deputy. She could not show them how much of a kit she felt like. Nettlefur just wanted to snuggle up to her mother's belly again as she told her it was alright.
"It's okay," Falconheart whispered as Brackenstar was heading out of his den towards the Highrock, "You will always be my best friend. Sort of like a sister," she said affectionately.
Nettlefur knew she had better be going soon, the kits would be hungry and very annoyed. She couldn't risk losing any of them. They were her life now.
