Morningdew

Those last words struck me harder than any battle could. He doesn't want to be my mate anymore? Even if I explain he still wont agree!? Panic began to rise in my stomach and my throat tightened. Nightfang gave me a curt nod and ran to catch up with his clan. "Morningdew, are you alright?" Ivypool asked coming up behind me, her gaze wide with concern. "Oh, yes I was just thanking Nightfang for helping me and congratulating him on his new position." My voice squeaked as I tried to contain my panic.

I followed Ivypool closely because I was too distracted to pay attention to where I lay my paws. I had stepped in two mole holes and a pile of bird dung before Ivypool insisted I let her lead me home with the others. "Sorry Ivypool, I am just not myself I don't know if I could cope without-"

"We all understand your grief Morningdew, loosing a mate is hard on any cat, but you are one of the strongest warriors Thunderclan has and I have no doubt you will preserver. Its what Scorchflame would have wanted." Ivypool interrupted, her soft tail brushing my face in a sympathetic gesture. Scorchflame had been buried this morning as is vigil was longer than most, and ever since every cat has been offering to hunt for me and take over my duties so I can rest.

Though I appreciated their offers I insisted I do it myself because I didn't want to stay in camp and mope all day. I didn't think Bramblestar would have let me come to the gathering had I not insisted. I had to talk to Nightfang and even though he thought we weren't meant to be together because of what happened the other night, I knew that once I told him about my dream with Bluestar he would understand.

I felt a swirling in my stomach as the kits stirred at their fathers name and my love for my unborn kits grew. When we returned the moon bright in the sky, its glow stirring my primal urges to hunt and then I let out a huge yawn. "That's the old Morningdew I know." Ivypool joked as went moved to the warriors den where we were greeted with the restful noise of our clan mates. Some space had been cleared out since Cloudtail and Brightheart had moved to the elders den.

Even though I was tired I couldn't sleep, not with my thoughts racing between Nightfang and our future, or lack of one and the kits. I wondered what they looked like and what their names will be, I want to name on after Scorchflame. Maybe he will see my offering and hear my apologies and be able to rest peacefully. I must have dozed off because I was awoken by the songs of the early birds.

I crawled out of the den before I stretched my stiff limbs. Judging by the color of the sky I was about to be late for my meeting with Nightfang. Pushing myself into a brisk run I made my way through the forest and didn't stop until I could see the rocky slope in the distance. Bunching my haunches for the jump I went skyward and grasped the stone in my claws, then a sudden cramp in my stomach caused me to freeze in pain. Loosing my momentum I began to slide backwards, I let out a frustrated yowl but a black blur filled my vision and I felt Nightfangs teeth grab my neck. He was surprisingly gentle considering all that occurred I was relieved to see some form of affection from him. His eyes blazed orange as he flicked is tail in annoyance, "Why didn't you just wait down there? I always help you up the slope, you could have gotten hurt." Normally I would be offended that he doubted my skill but all I could do was chuckle at how mature he sounded.

"Well don't you sound like a grumpy elder." I joked unable to hide my chuckle. His eyes softened a bit and if I wasn't mistaken I saw a hint of a smile. Regaining his composure he spoke firmly, "Alright, I intend to listen to you but as I said last night I cant continue our relationship. I am Windclans deputy now." I rolled my eyes as I always did when he brought up the fact that he felt guilty for loving me.

Remembering why he was mad in the first place I took a deep breath and began my story.

"Ok ill start from the beginning. Scorchflame and I grew up in the nursery together, we were the only kits in our litters so we were very close. I knew Scorchflame favored me early into our training but when I met you I couldn't picture us together at all."

Nightfang listened intently as I continued.

"Back then I didn't think anything would have come between us so I encouraged Scorchflame that we may be more that friends. He asked me to be his mate the afternoon before we confessed our love.

Nightfangs mouth began to curl in a snarl so I had to speak quickly,

"Its not what you think, I wasn't even paying attention to him when he asked because all I could think about was you and how amazing you are. I said yes to his question without even really knowing what he said. I wanted to break up with Scorchflame but he was so excited and so was the clan and I didn't want to embarrass him in front of every cat and days turned to weeks, which turned into years." I sighed heavily,

"He was always so busy with patrols and battles training, he practically followed Bramblestar where ever he went and the times I could get alone with him he would go on about how happy he was and how good we were together and that I am the only one who can truly understand him. I just got cotton mouthed every time I wanted to say something so I just kept the distance as much as I could. I only wanted to be with you Nightfang."

Nightfangs expression dimmed to a sympathetic understanding and he let out a large sigh of relief. "I was so worried that our years together were a lie. That you were just using me for companionship." He whispered and I could see his eye glaze with tears. I pressed my head deep into his lean chest, "Never you mouse brain, I love you more than my own life." I breathed and he began to purr loudly, we stay silent a moment just embracing each other. He finally pulled away a hairs length and I looked up into those harvest moon eyes that finally filled with the love and compassion he had shown me all these years.

I could tell he could see the same in my eyes because he pressed his nose against mine and between purrs and rubs the morning sun peaked over the trees and shown down on us. "Oh Morningdew, I am sorry for the way I acted. Im sorry for what happened to Scorchflame, I didn't want to kill him. You know that right?" he asked breathing into my neck and I nodded in return.

"But Morningdew, I am still the deputy of Windclan. Onestar wont choose any other cat for the position and I fear that Starclan will not except me as the future leader if we remain together." his worried tone almost made me cry, then it dawned on me that I needed to tell him about Bluestar.

"Nightfang, Thunderclans past leader, Bluestar, came to me in a dream and told me that she had taken and mate and had kits with a cat from Riverclan. Don't you see, she still became leader even though she broke the warrior code! You can still be with me and become leader." He didn't look convinced in fact he looked even more worried,

"But how? Starcla-"

"Starclan and the warrior code only asks for you to be the best warrior you can and defend your clan to the death. You can put your heart and soul into your duties and leadership and still love me. Even if its in secret, every cat is entitled to a secret." I said looking at him pleading for him to let go of his pride and just except that he loved a cat from another clan and that it doesn't make him a bad warrior.

"Please Nightfang, for the kits." His head shot up as if he forgot that I was expecting his progeny. "The kits, what are we going to do about the kits? Will I even get to meet them?" he fired the questions at me and I broke out into a laugh,

"Of course you will meet them. That's the decision I made, I want us to stay together and raise our family in the same way we have been keeping our relationship strong." I said and his mouth dropped, "What! How will you be able to sneak them here? Wont they be angry that their father is a warrior from a different clan? wont they tell!?"

"I will wait until they are older to travel, they will love you because I love you and no they wont." I said with a shrug and he shook his head as if to erase my crazy plan, "But your clan thinks they are Scorchflames, do you plan to tell your clan about us?"

"I don't want to besmirch Scorchflames name in the minds of my clan, if they want to believe they are his then I wont argue."

"So you will tell our kits that Scorchflame isn't their real father but I am and to go ahead and let all of Thunderclan believe the lie, not to tell any cat the truth and go through their lives as normal? You believe they will go along with that?" he burst his tone increasing in a panic,

"Yes" I said boldly and he just stared at me like I just grew wings and another tail.

"Morningdew, you cant be serious." He laughed and when I didn't change my expression he began to pace. I heard him muttering under his breath as he paced, "Wont work", "No way", "We will get caught." And after a moment the mutters changed to, "Well maybe if", "I could teach them how to", "Starclan knows about us." He stopped suddenly and he raised his head into the sunlight and took a long deep breath,

"I cant believe I am saying this but it might work."

I almost burst out of my skin, "Really, you want to try!?" he slowly nodded his head. I crushed myself into him so hard I thought he would fall over the edge. "You'll see Nightfang, we will be the happy family we both dreamed about."

Nightfang

"Whoo the summer sure is going by fast, can you believe leaf fall is right around the tree trunk?" Hawkberry said as we did dawn patrol. "Yeah, its crazy." I said looking at a nearby tree whos leaves were already beginning to change color. I suppressed the urge to yawn, Morningdew and I had spent the night together and I barley had enough to sneak back into camp before dawn to set up the patrols.

She was getting very plump now and we suspected she would give birth any time. But because of this she has been having a hard time getting out of camp without being hounded by warriors telling her to rest. However she was able to come last night and with any luck we will be meeting tonight as well.

I wasn't sure about her plan at first but we spent the whole summer planning out how we were going to include kits in our relationship and even though I was still worried, I began to believe we could make this work. Morningdew will give birth in her nursery and will notify me as soon as the kits are old enough to travel. I had planned to ask Onestar if I could offer my congratulations to her, seeing as how I helped her and Scorchflame I thought it would be nice to greet his kits.

I had to plan my request better or he might get suspicious but I didn't think I could wait until they were old enough to walk to meet them. Hawkberry and Windybird were also expecting their second litter and despite pressure from them and my parents I haven't taken a mate. "I cant believe you don't have any interest at all at taking a mate. Your not getting younger you know." Hawkberry teased, "I am just not ready for a family." I shoved back and Weaselfur and Crowfeather snickered at our antics.

Despite my words I was actually very nervous about my kits, what if they didn't except me as their father? What if Morningdew is wrong and they wont keep quiet? These thoughts made my stomach churn and I spent the rest of the patrol in silence. The rest of the day was nothing but patrols and meetings, normally I enjoy my duties as deputy but lately all I could think about was my kits.

Heathertail and Breezepelt offered to share a rabbit they caught and though the rabbit was large, I couldn't stomach more than a few bites. "Is something wrong Nightfang?" Heathertail asked looking at me with concern, "Nonsense, he is probably just thinking about new battle moves." Breezepelt cut in getting a stern look from my mother.

"Im fine mother, just a bit tired." I said faking a yawn to prove my point. A wheezing cough filled the camp and we looked to where Kestrelflight and Featherpool were frantically trying to calm Harespring down. My temporary post seemed to be a permanent one as Haresprings condition worsened. Kestrelflight has been doing everything he can to ease the coughing but nothing helped, we worried now that it would develop an infection in the winter.

"Poor Harespring, Onestar must be very concerned. They are old friends you know." Heathertail said, "He shouldn't be, Nightfang is a better deputy anyway." Breezepelt snorted. "How can you say such a thing Breezepelt, Harespring was a fine deputy." I began to slink away as they got into another heated argument and decided to take a walk before meeting with Morningdew. The sunset was beautiful in Windclan, the wide open fields made the oranges and reds and purples span as far as the eye could see.

I took a deep relaxing breath and just enjoyed the quiet. I pictured me teaching my kits how to hunt rabbits and use their tails to make tight turns. I even hoped that someday maybe they could meet my clan outside of the gathering but even I knew that wouldn't work. Either way I was just happy I would get to see them at all.

At the mouth of the cave I decided to tidy up a bit, Morningdews belly was large and she dragged it through the ground leaving trails where ever she moved. I also fixed our nest up a bit, all summer we brought in new feathers and moss and Morningdew even found some cedar tree bark and sticks from a tree that fell during a harsh summer storm.

I got so preoccupied that I didn't realize the time until I herd Morningdews mew. I jumped down to greet her, "Hello love." I said touching my nose to hers, she returned the gesture with a purr. "Hello my big important deputy." She seemed a bit tired already and even though I was full of energy I was ready to watch over her as she slept, "Are you feeling alright? Are you hungry?" I asked guiding her up the slope carefully, her belly large and firm I could hear the kits moving inside. "No, I mean yes, I am fine." She gasped as we made it to the top. She needed to rest minute before she could walk to the cave, I let her lean on me for support.

"How was your day." She asked settling into the freshly made nest, cuddling up behind her I told her about patrols and Hawkberry's new litter that was on its way, "I was there for the birth of his first litter, they were so fuzzy and playful. You know they consider me their uncle? Hawkberry insisted I be there since I was his best friend." I chuckled remembering last winter when his first litter was born. They were all apprentices now and Windybird was more than happy to have another.

"A queens duty is to provide warriors." She would say, and she was a fine mother. Patient and loving it seemed Windclan had a new Nursing Queen. Morningdew seized up and she cringed in pain, "Morningdew!"

"Its alright Nightfang, its just a little cramp. Iv had them my whole pregnancy, Leafpool says they are normal." She tried to smile but I could tell something wasn't right. I began to lick her ears in an attempt to distract her from the pain but before long she cried as another cramp came. "Nightfang, I think the kits are coming." She panted right before another cringe of pain caused tears to brim her eyes.

"What! Now, here? Oh Starclan." I yowled, I couldn't grab a medicine cat or our whole plan would be ruined, I looked around the den and didn't see anything that would help ease the pain. Starclan we didn't prepare for this, we weren't supposed to have the kits here! "What do I do Morningdew, I don't know-"

She cried out in pain again and my heart broke seeing her like this. "Theres nothing we can do now, these kits are coming now." She gasped and gave a hard push, nothing. I bent over the rub her lower back the way I saw Featherpool do with Windybird, I could smell blood coming from her efforts and my heart raced with fear, "Are you alright?" I gasped

"No, Im not alright you idiot." She growled giving another long push, I could feel a small lump moving along her body and I jumped behind her to see a small tail emerging, "I think its almost out Morningdew, can you push again?" she was breathing hard and with one more deep breath she gave another push, and right before me lay a wiggling, squealing kit. I was full of shock, excitement, terror, and love as I froze at the sight of my first born.

"Don't just stand there silly, we have to clean it and-" she was interrupted by another contraction and I knew the next kit would come any second. I hurried to my kit and licked it dry, "It's a boy Morningdew, our son." I whispered almost breathless as our son crawled at the ground at the scent of milk. I nudged him closer to Morningdew so she could see him, she smiled at him giving him a loving lick and the love in her eyes made them glow. The introduction was short lived as she went into another contraction, breathing hard she pushed and I moved back behind her so I could see to our next kit. This one was a larger kit, also a tom and it took me a little longer to clean the birth from him. He also squealed and wiggled and I looked to my mate to show her our second son, "Hes beautiful." She panted, her voice was shallow now and her eyes heavy.

I nudged our two sons closer together and rubbed my head with hers, it was damp with sweat. "You did amazing." I breathed, "Its not over yet, I can feel another one." She panted and in preparation for another contraction she braced her limbs. I began to rub her belly this time as gently as I could and soon I felt the same small lump pass through her, "Almost there my love, just one more push." I encouraged and with one more yowl she pushed and out came our last kit and the rest of the birth.

I picked it up and moved it away from the ruined bedding so I could clean her properly. A she kit this time I licked her clean and though she didn't squeal like her brothers, she snorted and wiggled vigorously, "Hold on little one, I havnt finished yet." I chuckled licking her neck and belly, she finally let out a frustrated squeak as I kept her from finding milk. Smiling bigger than I have my whole life I let her crawl to her mothers warm belly. Morningdew was panting so hard I was worried she couldn't breath but after a second her breathing slowed and became deep and even.

"Morningdew, you did it, our kits are here."