Code Eight

Medicine Cats cannot have a mate or Kits until they retire and join the Warriors.

There was a time when Medicine Cats were able to have a mate and Kits; however, in doing so, it made them unable to fulfill the other requirements of being a Medicine Cat.

This Code comes from the SunClan Leader.

Forbidden Love

"Shellheart, how are you feeling today?" Whiteberry asked.

"A little stiff is all."

"Try walking around first to stretch your muscles out," the Medicine Cat instructed. Shellheart stands up and walks around the den stiffly.

"Wow! That feels much better!"

"Shellheart, follow me." Shellheart follows Whiteberry to her nest.

"What is it, Whiteberry?"

"Lay with me." Shellheart curls into the nest with Whiteberry and together they go to sleep. For the next few days, Shellheart and Whiteberry keep to the secret meetings. During the fourth meeting, Whiteberry has wonderful news for Shellheart.

"How long before we can tell the Clan that we're mates?" Shellheart asked.

"We can tell them soon. Do you know why?"

"No why?" Whiteberry purrs as she rubs her muzzle against Shellheart's muzzle.

"I'm going to have your Kits." Just then, Brambleberry, the Medicine Cat Apprentice, charges into the den. Shellheart and Whiteberry instantly jump apart. "What's so urgent?"

"Vinetail's Kits are coming!" Brambleberry said. There is a slight irritated tone to Whiteberry's voice as she replies.

"You're a Medicine Cat Apprentice can't you do it?"

"Why are you so agitated?" Brambleberry asked.

"She's expecting Kits," Shellheart said.

"Is that allowed?"

"There is no Code saying that I can't," Whiteberry said. Whiteberry stands and follows Brambleberry to the Nursery. "I don't need any help so you may go." Brambleberry dips her head and goes to Hailstar's den so she can talk to him.

Nursery

Whiteberry goes into the Nursery; her round belly almost does not allow her to get through the small-protected opening. Vinetail is lying on her side, her belly heaving.

"Okay, Vinetail, I need you to be very calm during this process and listen to everything I tell you to do," Whiteberry said. Vinetail answers through gritted teeth.

"Okay!"

"Whiteheart, Dappletail, and Splashheart I need your help as well," the expecting Medicine Cat said.

"What is it, Whiteberry?" asked Splashheart.

"Splashheart, you can gently lick Vinetail's head to keep her calm."

"What about me?" Dappletail asked.

"And me?" Whiteheart asked.

"You two will clean the Kits when they come out, okay," Whiteberry said. Whiteheart and Dappletail nod their heads. Whiteberry turns to face Vinetail. "Now, Vinetail, push!"

Vinetail pushes until there are four bundles of fur in the fold of her belly. Whiteberry gently cleans the two Kits in front of her while Whiteheart and Dappletail clean the remaining two. After the Kits are cleaned, Whiteberry gently sniffs them.

"Splashheart, Dappletail, and Whiteheart you can return to your own nests," Whiteberry said. The three Queens return to their nests and hungry Kits. "Vinetail you have two toms and two she-cats. Do you have names for them?" Vinetail lifts her head wearily and looks at her suckling Kits.

"The ginger she-Kit will be Gingerkit named after her father Gingerstorm. The calico she-Kit will be Dapplekit named after Dappletail. The blue-gray tom will be Splashkit named after Splashheart. Finally, the white tom will be Whitekit named after Whiteberry and Whiteheart."

Hailstar's Den

After Whiteberry dismissed her, Brambleberry went straight to Hailstar's den. "Hailstar?" Brambleberry called.

"Come in Brambleberry." Brambleberry enters the den feeling uneasy. "To what do I owe the visit?"

"It's about Whiteberry."

"The Medicine Cat?"

"Yes."

"What about her?" Brambleberry takes a deep breath before answering.

"She is expecting Shellheart's Kits." There is sheer outrage in Hailstar's voice as he speaks.

"WHAT?"

"Do you want me to get her?"

"I'll get her, you can return to your den though." Brambleberry leaves Hailstar's den and heads to her own den. Hailstar pads to the entrance of his den and watches as Whiteberry leave the Nursery. "Whiteberry can I have a word?" Whiteberry looks up at Hailstar.

"Sure." Whiteberry follows Hailstar into his den. "What is it?"

"I heard from Brambleberry that you're expecting a litter of Kits." Whiteberry stammers as she replies.

"Well, yes…"

"That's good news; however, you can't be our Medicine Cat while you have Kits." There is shock in Whiteberry's voice as she replies.

"WHAT?"

"I can't expect you to look after your Kits and the entire Clan. Therefore, you have to give up one or the other."

This may be my only chance to have Kits. Brambleberry is fully trained so she can take over as Medicine Cat and I'll retire and join the Elders… I guess… Whiteberry thought.

"What is your answer?"

"Brambleberry can take over as the Medicine Cat and retire but after my Kits are Apprenticed, I'll have to join the Elders…"

"No you don't."

"What do you mean?"

"You're still young since you didn't take on the responsibility of a full Medicine Cat until about two seasons ago right."

"Yes."

"So instead of joining the elders after your Kits are Apprenticed you can join the Warriors. How does that sound?"

"Wonderful! Thank you Hailstar!"

Clan Meeting

Camp Clearing

"Let every cat old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Great Stump for a Clan Meeting," Hailstar called. The cats gather quietly. The Elders sit just outside their den. The Queens including Whiteberry sit not too far from the Nursery. The Warriors and Apprentices scatter themselves throughout the camp clearing.

"What's wrong, Hailstar?" Cherryflower asked.

"There is good news. I would like to welcome Brambleberry as the full Medicine Cat of SunClan!" The Clan cheers for Brambleberry.

"So Whiteberry will join the Elders?" Splashheart asked.

"No. Whiteberry will go to the nursery since she is expecting Shellheart's Kits. Then after her Kits have been Apprenticed, she will go to the Warriors' den as a Warrior of SunClan. Finally, at the next Gathering I will suggest an addition to the Messenger Code: Medicine Cats cannot have Kits or a mate until they retire and join the Warriors."

This is the Eighth Code