Chapter Twenty-one
"What did you want to tell me?" Thrushpelt asked his mate gently. They had just watched the elders bear away Shadowclaw's body.
She turned her head away. "It can wait."
He didn't press her further. Shadowclaw's death was hard for the whole Clan to cope with. His vigil was over, and the air felt heavy with his Clanmate's, as well as his own, grief.
Goosepaw had left for Highstones with Pinestar just moments before. They had started off at first light. Having Goosepaw made a full medicine cat as soon as possible would be good for the Clan. They needed uplifting so that they wouldn't despair in the terrible times that had been going on.
Talonclaw seemed to voice Thrushpelt's thoughts. "First the battle, then Snowowl, the storm, and now Shadowclaw. What is happening, ThunderClan?"
She seemed to be talking to no one, lost in her own thoughts. He was worried about her. Her eyes looked strained, and her fur looked a little unkempt.
"Are you alright, Talonclaw?"
She whipped her head around, as if she had been jolted awake. Then she sighed. "I'm exhausted. But," Her blue eyes suddenly sparked with happiness. "I guess that's what happens to queens expecting kits."
Thrushpelt's eyes widened in amazement. His whole body felt as though a flood of midday sun had poured over him, after days of constant darkness. "You mean... you mean -"
"Of course that's what I mean!" She bumped her head against his shoulder. Her voice softened, "I went to see Shadowclaw while you were hunting yesterday."
"This is, this is wonderful!" He nearly bounced like a kit. He let out a humongous purr and licked her ear. "They'll be beautiful. Where there is new life, there is promise."