Blackpaw lay in her nest, staring out into the camp. Spiderpaw was sitting beside Boldpaw, talking. The black apprentice wished she could know what they were talking about, but their words were hushed. She sighed and looked over to where Shinningflower and Oakstorm were consulting with Goldenstar, most likely about her.
Now days, the world seemed to evolve around her. But, she guessed it wasn't common for a young 9 moon old apprentice to have kits.
"Hey, Blackpaw." Birdfeather padded up to her. He had earned his warrior name half a moon ago and was still acting like a mouse-brain.
Black paw sat up. "Hi." She meowed softly and looked over at Spiderpaw who had made his way to the fresh-kill pile with Boldpaw behind him. "What do you think their talking about?" She asked Birdfeather.
The warrior looked over his shoulder at the two apprentice's, then back at Blackpaw. "Dont know. They've been talking since last night." He meowed. "You'd better get some rest. I'll leave you be."
Blackpaw nodded and curled up tight in her nest, salty tears streaming from her closed eyes. Soon, she was able to fall into a deep sleep.
When she woke up, it was nearly sundown. She blinked her eyes open and looked around the dark den, sighing. Beside her, Spiderpaw lay curled up, purring. She decided not to wake him and instead padded out the den entrance alone and into the dark outside.
As she walked out, a swift, ice cold breeze blazed through her fur, making her shiver. The camp was quiet, except for the silent discussion between Boldpaw and her mentor in their den. Boldpaw looked over at her sister and gave a swift nod before turning back to the herbs at her paws. Blackpaw stood where she was for a moment before padded over to the fresh-kill pile to get a mouse.
Once she had picked out a small, measly mouse, she took it over to the apprentice stump and began to eat. Not long after she had started, Spiderpaw padded up to join her, yawning and licking her on the cheek.
"Hey." He meowed softly, sitting beside her. "How are you feeling?"
Blackpaw swallowed down a large chunk of meat and shrugged. "Fine, I guess. The pain in my side is still there, but it's not as bad as yesterday." She told him.
Spiderpaw sighed and pulled her closer until she was leaning on his shoulder. She didn't resist, knowing his hold would comfort her. She closed her eyes and thought of the kits. In her mind, she saw four kits, bouncing around Spiderpaw out in front of the nursery, Blackpaw smiling beside the entrance to it. One of the kits looked exactly like Spiderpaw, same green eyes and dark gray pelt. He bounced around his father and soon the dream faded as Spiderpaw spoke.
"I wonder which on of them will be like their mother." He purred in her ear
Blackpaw smiled and looked up at the cloudy sky. "I don't know. I just hope one of them will be like their father."
Spiderpaw chuckled and purred, licking her between the ears. At the moment, Blackpaw felt safe, and not vulnerable. She sighed happily and purred back.
"Goldenstar! We have visitors!" Stormfire yowled from the entrance of the camp. Blackpaw opened her Amber eyes and looked at the gray tom. His pelt was bristling as he stood in front of Mudstar, leader of ShadowClan, and Scarletfang, medicine cat of ShadowClan.
Goldenstar padded out of her den and flicked her tail for Stormfire to go back to his post. The warrior obeyed and hissed at Mudstar and swiftly moved past him. The ShadowClan leader took no notice and moved forward to greet Goldenstar.
"Goldenstar, greetings." He meowed in a deep voice. "Scarletfang has some news she needs to discuss with your medicine cat."
Cloudfang padded out. "Sure, let's go to my den." He led Scarletfang into his den.
Goldenstar looked back at Mudstar. "I have a feeling you're not just here because of Scarletfang." She meowed.
The ShadowClan leader sighed and shook his head. "No, I'm not. I need to speak to you in your den, privately."
The ThunderClan leader nodded and led him to her den and slipped inside, Mudstar glancing at Blackpaw and slipping inside.
Spiderpaw watched them leave and looked down at Blackpaw. "How about we go for a walk out in the forest?" He suggested.
Blackpaw nodded and stood up, stretching her legs and following him out the camp and into the forest lit solely by moonlight. Above birds chipped their last song as the sun drowned in the hills of WindClan. Blackpaw sighed and leaned on Spiderpaw, purring. As they walked, the moon shone upon them like the sun of night. It was so peaceful, so comforting, she felt like sleep was the only answer. She closed her eyes and imagined once more about her kits...
Spiderpaw led her to a large tree beside a pool of water and curled up in a mossy spot, Blackpaw at his side leaning on him, eyes closed with pleasure. Soon, Blackpaw felt him fall asleep and sighed, snuggling closer and starting to drift off into sleep...
Yowls. She could hear yowls in the night air. Blackpaw pricked her ears towards the sounds, eyes fully open now. The howls were coming from the camp! Behind her, Spiderpaw stirred and looked up.
"What is it?" He asked.
Blackpaw listened harder to the sounds. "Don't know." She replied softly.
Spiderpaw stood up and sniffed the air. "No enemy scents. Probably just Squirrelpelt having her kits."
Blackpaw nodded and closed her eyes, forcing herself to see if it was. She traveled to the nursery and saw Squirrelpelt laying in her nest, howling in pain. Cloudfang and Boldpaw were beside her, helping her through it. Outside of the nursery Bramblefur was pacing around, tense. Blackpaw smiled at the sight of three new kits beside Squirrelpelt and opened her eyes, letting it all fade.
"Yep. Must be." She meowed happily.
Spiderpaw sighed and curled back up. Blackpaw curled up beside him and looked up at Silverpelt. "I wonder if they are watching us right now?" She asked.
Spiderpaw purred and looked up as well. "Most likely." He licked her and lay his head on her shoulder. Blackpaw kept her eyes on her ancestors for just a moment longer, then lowered her head as well, letting sleep consume her...