Soft ferns brushed against her sleek pelt as Leafpool padded up the bank of the gentle stream, lapping against the smooth pebbles like a cat's tongue. Cracks in the canopy allowed the layer of dim shade to be broken up by ripples of light. Birdsong filling the high branches allowed Leafpool's mind to wander as she sniffed around for a patch of nettles. Had she done the right thing to employ Brightheart's help? To take the risk of exposure, when it could endanger a litter of innocent kits. Even if she had been unfocused recently, Leafpool was still confident that her mentor had finished her training before her untimely demise. Well, if it meant the difference between someone losing their life or not, then so be it. There was no going back now, she just had to make sure to keep her plan even concealed.
And the first step to that plan was the common plant, Stinging nettles. To most cats, they weren't worth a second glance. However, despite being a hassle to collect without being stung from nose to tail, the prickly leaves did their jobs in keeping down wounds from swelling. The only question was, would it do the same for a pregnant belly? All the more effective alternatives, were only available during the greener seasons and there wasn't enough in her store for herself and any patients that may need them later. Nettles was her only option.
Yet annoyingly, even something as pesty as this weed wasn't safe from the frosty bite of Leaf-bare, all the patches she'd found too rotten to use. So her journey had taken her deeper and deeper into the forest, until she began to find herself at every edge. Crunching lower to the leafy floor, Leafpool tasted the air, yet no fresh scent meet her glands. Thinning out, the stocky trees made way for long stretching moorland of Windclan, dotted with scrawny heather and scrubs. The grasses made from a wide range of pale, dark and dull greens. Being this close to the border, brought back painful memories.
Licking her lips, Leafpool slid through the undergrowth, forcing herself onwards. If she was lucky, she could stay out of trouble with any Windclan patrols. At the bottom of the slippery slope of loose pebbles, run a curving stream of bubbling foam. Hopefully, the frosty water granting serval plants life against it's bank, in this lifeless season. Finding a flattened path within the scrawny grass, Leafool followed it, studying each patch of undergrowth as she pasted: Ferns, Thorns, Brambles, Gorse- Nettles!
Amongst a tangle of other bushes, stuck out a bunch of the stinging leaves. A decent size too. Probably enough to last her the moon. Rearing up onto her hind legs, Leafpool balanced herself on thin brown vines, stretching up. Wrapping her teeth around the base of the stem, she bit it clean off with a snap. Going down on all fours again, Leafpool careful to keep the leaves away from her face, in an effort not to get stung.
"Think I wouldn't notice you, Leafpool?", a familiar and calm voice suddenly sounded from behind her, making Leafpool's fur spike. "I'd know your scent anywhere.", Crowfeather greeted, sitting neatly on the stream's bank, his sleek tail laid over his paws. In the shade, his thin grey build appeared like a slender shadow, passing the scent marks without a sound. How had he found her?
For a moment, she was breathless. Yet, quickly gained poseur. Dropping the herbs to her paws, Leafpool stared at her old mate, "Crowfeather?", she gasped, "Aren't you supposed to be on patrol?". The kits growing inside her now more apparent than ever, a large strain on her stomach, as if they could sense their father's presence, squirming. The dreading question making her mind boil with terror. Should Leafpool tell him? Barely noticing, he was still speaking.
"I am. I've been asking to patrol the Thunderclan border as often as possible.", he mewed softly, a loving spark in his eyes, trying to take a step towards her, "See how you were settling back into ThunderClan. Everything alright, isn't it?". As he continued to try and approach her, Leafpool backed away and rapidly shook her head to make him halt in place with a disappointed expression.
"Crowfeather- please. You need to stay away.", she insisted, "It's too dangerous, you know what we agreed.". To this, Crowfeather becomes thoughtful, glancing at his shimmering reflection in the rippling water. As if he was reminiscing about an impossible future. One where they could raise those kits as truly their own, never forced to give them up. Yet duty and responsibility called them elsewhere. I'm sorry, Leafpool silently thought, but It could never happen my love.
"Then I'll get to the point.", he mewed in a steady tone, "Was staying really what you want? It's never too late to change your mind, Leafpool. Do what's best for you.". The smokey tom watching her silently as she tried to gather her thoughts. It was too late now. The plan had been made and truth sealed. Thunderclan needed her to survive and Brambleclaw needed her kits to keep focused under the weight of his mother's upcoming death.
.
"I'd love nothing more than to be with you, truly.", Leafpool muttered, piling up the scattered nettles before turning to him again, "But this isn't just about us, it's what best for our Clans. They need us. I'll always love you, but for the sake of everyone, please, just go home.".
Ear twitching, Crowfeather's dark obnoxious blue eyes dulled over, "Is this really your decision?", he murmured. With great sorrow, Leafpool had to force out the simple answer, "It is.", guilt making her voice crack. Quietly, Crowfeather slipped closer to the Windclan border, his long tail sliding against the dew covered grass. Bowing his head as he went, "Then so be it. If this what you want, I won't try to stop you. Good luck.".
Her head scrambled, Leafpool clang onto the only words she could find, echoing the dark tom's words like a lost kit, "Good luck.". Silence settled amongst the former lovers, as they just stared at each other for what felt like the endless amount of time, heartbeats dragging on painfully slow. Despite being alone, it felt like many pairs of eyes was burrowing into their skin from impossible places. Was Starclan watching this?
Yet the looming atmosphere was shattered when a ringing voice sounded from the direction of Windclan, "Crowfeather!". Both turned to spot a lean black she-cat standing tall on the hillside. With the grace of any Windclan cat, she cleared the frosty slope in only a few bounds, leaping the stream like a deer and nimbly landing next to them without a step out of place. Leafpool flinched with the nerves. Was Nightcloud on Crowfeather's patrol? How much had she seen?
"Where did you run off to?", she scolded, glancing over curiously to the Medicine cat, "Care to explain?".
Without a heartbeat to lose, Crowfeather shifted his posture before his clanmate could get suspicious, tense muscles, straightened legs and puffed out chest. Switching from a love-sick tom to a serious warrior defending his borders. The rapid switch between personas, shocked Leafpool. In a purposefully deeper and gruffer voice, Crowfeather informed Nightcloud, "Simply making sure the Thunderclan Medicine cat doesn't accidentally steal our herbs.".
Alarmingly, Nightcloud seemed to see right through it, flickering her suspicious gaze between the two cats. Yet it didn't stop there. The black she-cat pressed firmly into Crowfeather's chest and wrapped her tail tightly around him, subtly pushing him towards her. Confusion crept up the Medicine cat's spine. Crowfeather would never allow the average Windclan cat hold him like that. Their interactions were beyond the realms of simple clanmates.
"If you're just picking herbs, then forgive Crowfeather, he's not usually like this.", Nightcloud mewed half-heartedly, strictly glancing up to an awkward Crowfeather, "He should know the rights of a Medicine cat.". Shifting around uncountably, Leafpool nodded, "It's all alright.", trying to not to make anything worse. Attempting to look busy by wrapping the herb again, Leafpool struggled not to sigh. Well, she had to admit it made sense. Even if Leafpool couldn't gain a new mate within Thunderclan, there was no reason why Crowfeather couldn't in Windclan. If it made moving on easier, so be it. Yet Leafpool would be lying if she denied the pricks of jealousy on her fur. Ignoring it, Leafpool learned the hard way not to blindly follow your emotions.
"But-", Nightcloud began abruptly, her snarl causing Leafpool to flinch, "Regardless of what you're doing at the border, you'd do well to stay clear of Windclan territory. After you distracted Crowfeather from his duties, I've worked hard to prove to my Clanmates it was a mere lapse in judgement. And I won't let a potential father of my kits go to waste. A proper future already exists for Crowfeather back in Windclan with me. Not whatever impossible fantasy you dragged him into."
Due to her rank, Leafpool rarely felt threaten by a warrior, so was unsure how she should act in an intense agruement. Simply Leafpool flattening her ears, dipping her head, "It's was a rash decision on our parts, I'll admit to that. But it just proved how important our Clans really are. Nightcloud, you can report to Onestar that me and Crowfeather have parted ways.".
Nightcloud shrugged, "Good.". The whole time, Crowfeather was speechless at the she-cat's harsh words. Unable to face his pained expression, Leafpool wished she could communicate it was all a necessary act. She'd never truly want to call her mate rash. Yet, their Clanmates would never trust them if they didn't sprinkle in a few white-lies to the story of their one night alone. Nudging Crowfeather to his paws, Nightcloud flanked him across the border, "Come on, Windclan cats don't belong anywhere else but the moors.", she commented. "Could you imagine?", Crowfeather awkwardly added, finally snapping out his daze. With clear hesitation, he joined her side, allowing their tail to twin together like two flowers growing around each other. Together, they returned to their side of the border, ascending up the grassy moors.
Even after they were far out of sight, Leafpool still continued to watch them, unmoving. Pressing her paw to her belly, Leafpool felt the slightest of movements. Would they ever forgive her for sending their father away? For sending them away? Just hoping, it didn't bring them too much pain. At least, recognize she's only trying to protect them.
Maybe, they could get some loving half-siblings from Nightcloud, even if they didn't know it. With some luck, Nightcloud would be a good mate to Crowfeather. After the loss of his first love and the rejection of the other, he deserved it.
Wasting enough time, Leafpool gathered up her herbs, setting off for camp. There was a lot of work to be done.
Passing the last corner of undergrowth, Leafpool spotted the cliff tops of camps peaking above branches. Yet, just before Leafpool could reach the thorn tunnel, she found Whitepaw scraping her claws at the base of an Oak, tearing off large clumps of moss. "Is that moss difficult to catch?", Leafpool teased, glad to see her friend.
"Glad to see your hunting trip went well. I'm sure our clanmates would love dinning down on Stinging nettles.", Whitepaw countered, licking scraps of bark from her paws and stuffing the moss supply in her mouth, plodding along with the heavy load. Falling into step, Leafpool relieved to get the brief chance to just chat after so much stress, "How do you manage to talk with all that in your mouth?", Leafpool exclaimed, a roof of leaves coming over them.
Whitepaw just shrugged, "Like hurting or fighting, there's an art to it.", she purred, voice still muffed yet somehow clear.
While padding beside her, Leafpool had to admit it was strange. The bulky white she-cat was larger than Leafpool and had reached her full height quite a while ago. Remembering how she had been so protective of Leafpool in the nursery, acting more like a Queen than a kit. Whitepaw was older than her. Yet here she was, still cleaning ticks and dragging moss round as an apprentice. And nothing was holding her back. As skilful as any warrior and twice as driven.
"Thinking of getting your warrior name soon? I know you're holding out for Birchpaw. But he won't be alone anymore if you leave.", Leafpool asked, hoping she wasn't going into anything too personal. Seemly taking no offence, Whitepaw held her head slightly higher, "It's still a few days before Daisy's litter officially joins us – So I'll wait til then-"
Right on queue, the forest itself began to rumble as a stampede erupted through the Thorn tunnel like stags during the rutting session. The latest additions to the Apprentice's den came charging through, almost knocking Whitepaw and Leafpool off their paws. Of course, Berrykit in the lead. Behind them, three exhausted warriors fought to catch their breath, barely keeping up.
Emerging into the rock hollow of camp, Whitepaw went to deliver the moss in the Elder's den while Leafpool stayed behind to see what the fuss was, "What happened with you lot?", she asked. Gulping down mouthfuls of air, Spiderleg straightened up, "Those mousebrains had to sneak out of camp before their ceremony. We barely stopped them from being eaten. I was almost tempted to let it happen.", he scoffed. Leafpool glanced over, nobody seemed badly injured, with no visible blood or scent of it.
While Spiderleg casually groomed himself a fox-length away, Brightheart and Dustpelt were gathered around the littermates, giving them stern words. Though Leafpool wasn't concerned, they'd soon have mentors to put them into place. While treating Firestar's foxtrap wound, Leafpool was already aware they were going to be Brambleclaw, Spiderleg and Dustpelt. Hopefully, her father was wise enough not to let Spiderleg teach Berrykit. Nothing good could come out of it, only bloating their egos to insufferable levels.
"But it was Berrykit's idea!", Hazelkit's squealed behind Leafpool. However, Berrykit was having none of it, defending himself against his sister, "It could have destroyed the whole Clan!", he exaggerated. Dustpelt lashed his tail, trying to calm the overhyped young cats, "Hush! None of you is ready to take on a fox. Because of your foolishness, your first day as apprentices will be camp chores.". They all hang their heads in shame.
On her return, Whitepaw overheard the mention of a fox, pricking her ears in alarm, "What about a fox?". Dustpelt explained, "We found a fox near the southern border, a pregnant one. But we scared it off in the direction of the Horse place before anyone got badly hurt. Only ruffled up a bit.".
Whitepaw's ears twitched nervously, at the presence of the red beast lurking round. Especially one which was pregnant in leaf-bare. The more desperate they were, the more dangerous they become. Soon the apprentice's den would have four denmates, vulnerable to be snatched up. "You better report this to Firestar." Leafpool warned. Nodding, Dustpelt bounded up the boulders without another words, ducking into the Leader's den.
Hearing all the commotion, the Queens and kits wandered across the clearing, eyes wide in worry. "You're not hurt, are you?", Daisy exclaimed, circling her tail around them protected like they were still in the Nursery. Finished flattening his fur down, Spiderleg strolled past the scared mother, flicking his tail over her ear, "You don't need to fuse. If I mentor one of your kits, I'll knock some sense knocked into them."
As Spiderleg left with his departing words, Berrykit leapt at the chance to boost behind the black tom's back. He pointed to each littermate in turn, "Hazelkit grazed her shoulder. Mousekit lost a claw. And I got a thorn in my pad.", he mewed, puffing up his chest.
Sorreltail's litter, crowded their old nursery mates with a glint in their eyes. "Wow!", Honeykit exclaimed, "Real battle wounds!". Pretending to be a warrior, Poppykit lunged at a nearby twig, tearing it into splitters in her claws. Rolling back onto her paws, she shouted out, "See that? We're good enough to apprentices as well. I want to join Hazelkit!". With delight, the old friends reared up, trying to reach each other with flailing forepaws.
Whitepaw stepped in, nudging them away, "You'll join us soon, I promise. But you just have to wait a bit longer.", she mewed. Suddenly, Molekit came crashing between them, springing like a mad hare, "I've got an idea!", he announced, "Why don't we have a double ceremony? Dasiy's litter can be apprentices while Whitepaw becomes a warrior.".
Whitepaw chucked with amusement, "Well, ain't you the little genius?". Molekit tried making himself look like a Lionclan warrior, puffing up his chest and ruffing his black fur.
Coming into back up the senior apprentice, Sorreltail stood over her kits, "I'll have to see with Firestar. Now let's leave everyone in peace, Leafpool needs to check on your friends.". Groaning in disappointment, the litter obeyed her mother, stomping back to the Nursery.
Reminded of what she needed to do, Leafpool approached the three apprentices to treat their minor wounds. Despite loving being a Medicine cat, this was not one of those moments. Yet Brightheart stepped in, shaking her head, "This is the whole reason I here, Remember? You're got more important things to dealing with.". Hesitantly, Leafpool nodded, quickly passing a single nettle leaf over to her, "Use this.".
From afar, Cinderkit watched curiously as Brightheart got to work, tearing the leaf in half and pressing the pieces into Mousekit's toe and Hazelkit's shoulder. Daisy paced around them, "Thank you.", she quietly muttered.
Everything settled down now, Leafpool and Whitepaw separated from the small crowd. Yet she was surprised to see Daisy following her, "Leafpool, I need to talk to you!".
Halting just beside the fresh-kill pile, Leafpool laid her tail on the seemly confused she-cat, "I'm listening.".
"It's just that, since my kits are becoming apprentices- I don't know what to do with myself.", she breathed, "I don't have any training. Spiderleg even suggested I should get training or go back to the Horse Place.". Overhearing them as he grabbed a fresh sparrow, Leafpool shot him a narrowed glare.
The Black and brown warrior quickly defended himself, "And I meant every word. ". Then he ducked away in embarrassment under the judging gaze of a Medicine cat. Of course, once confronted about his insults, he withdrew like a scolded kit. Spiderleg was always a nasty piece of work.
"I'm really not sure.", Leafpool mumbled, trying to gather her thoughts, "It should really Brambleclaw or Firestar you should be discussing this with. Or- actually, you should go to Goldenflower.". Blinking, Daisy questioned her, "The elder?".
"Before she was that, she was a full-time Queen.", Leafpool remarked, remembering stories told by Sandstorm in the Nursery. Daisy's darker mood seems to brighten up like sunset creeping over the horizon, "That's really possible?".
"We haven't had for a while but yes. She-cats don't have to leave when their kits do, some choose to stay and help other Queens.", Leafpool mewed. Thoughtful for a moment, Daisy licked Leafpool's shoulder out of respect, rushing off towards the Elder's den with a hopeful sparkle in her eye. Hoping Goldenflower was in a well enough condition to deal with Daisy's rapid questions.
Then, Leafpool glanced around nervously at her Clanmates gathered around camp, making sure no one was watching – Either lazing around or deep within their own conversations. Quickly, the Medicine cat snatched two plump mice from the fresh-kill pile, double her fair share. Making sure it was her sister's favourite meals. Even one of them wasn't fully for Leafpool, having to make do with only half her usual share. Yet this all had its purpose.
At last, Leafpool slid the poppy seeds in between the leaves, pressed down with her paw and closed the seal shut. Too exhausted to care anymore, she chucked the leaf seal randomly into the herb store, putting it in its proper place tomorrow. Leaning against the stone wall, Leafpool allowed herself only a few heartbeats of rest. Alone, in her little grey borrow, her own cut off world, just left with her thoughts. Outside, dusk had finally settled in, after a day that seemed to drag on and on. Before Cinderpelt's death, Leafpool wasn't aware just how much alone Medicine cat had to do. Her own apprentice would be welcomed any day now.
Her regular duties had taken her this long, yet still had to cover up her pregnancy on top of that. It was almost overwhelming. Unsure if she could actually go through with this. Yet a soft voice gave the motive she needed, "Leafpool? You ready?", Squirrelflight muttered in the entrance.
Inviting her in with a tail flick, Leafpool groggily forced herself to stand. Oddly patient, her sister took her place in the centre of the den, without complaining Leafpool had nothing set up yet. Trying to catch up, at the back of the cave, Leafpool upturned a pile of smooth pebbles, containing her secret supplies. Lining them up neatly in front of a Squirrelflight: Borage Leaves, Parsley, Stinging Nettles and Preserved mice.
Without waiting for her to ask, Leafpool pointed to each herb, doing her best to explain, "You'll take the borage leaves, which should start you're milk production. And you have to need put on weight, in order to fake a pregnant belly. While I'll do the opposite: Parsley to halt my milk while Nettles to keep my belly from swelling.".
Leaning forward, the ginger-she sniffed at the four pieces of fresh-kill warily. Leafpool had spent all day trying to snatch extra fresh-kill whenever she could, including her own meals and Clanmates' leftovers. What made it worse was the fact Leafpool knew, that food could be going to clanmates who needed it during leaf-bare. The prey's fur was greased with a thin layer of pale honey, having to admit it didn't look like the most appetizing. Squirrelflight sat back up, "Are you sure it's safe? How old is it?", she questioned. Probably painfully aware as well, they were making others go hungry to protect themselves.
Beginning to shuffle her own herbs towards herself, Leafpool couldn't face her sister's green gaze, "The honey should prevent it from rotting. Also just to make it easier to swallow. You have a lot to get through. It's safe, I'm sure of it.".
"Then I trust you. Let's save those kits.", she mewed, crouching beside the herbs. Leafpool taking her place as well. Nothing else needing to be said, they gulped down the supplies that would kick-start this life-long lie.
Wanting to get it over with, Leafpool rolled the Parsley and Nettles into a tight ball, stuffing it down her throat in one go. The odd mix of Minty and Salty tastes whirling round her tongue, made her gag slightly. Despite taking so many herbs in her life-time, she still never got use to it. If herbs weren't one thing, it was tasty. Lacking the experience of the Medicine cat, Squirrelflight had to awkwardly grasp each invisible leaf, taking even longer to chew at their rubbery textures. Yet the worst was yet to come, as Squirrelflight still needed to scoff through all that grimy fresh-kill.
Trying to be useful, Leafpool crammed herself into the Herb store, in search of Burdock Root, putting the Poppy seeds in their right spot while she was at it. By the time she returned with the root, she shocked to see, that half the fresh-kill was already gone and Squirrelflight choking! Her Medicine cat training taking over, Leafpool sent heavy blows onto her sister's shoulder blades, making her head jerk violently. After a few more heartbeats of shivering, she seemed to get a grip of the fresh-kill, finally swallowing.
Leafpool scolded her foolish littermate, "Slow down!", rubbing Squirrelflight's back as she coughed some more, "I understand you want to get it out the way, but don't kill yourself in the process.". Squirrelfight straightened up, the fur around her mouth now grimy with honey, "I'm acting like a kit, ain't I?", she grinned.
"Yes- you are.", Leafpool half purred and half sighed.
Maybe it was best they did this some other time, Leafpool beginning to drag the leftovers away. Yet Squirrelflight still wanted more, despite looking like she could be sick at any moment, grabbing it back, "I can finish it off, trust me.", she insisted.
"Alright then.", Leafpool hesitantly agreed, "I suppose it's best to get it out the way. You need to put on a lot of weight to be convincing.", she admitted.
Taking clear effect to ignore that statement, Squirrelflight gulped down the last of mouse chucks with more care this time. A worn out Squirrelflight let herself flop onto the stone floor, legs dangling and groaning, looking like the dead mice she'd just eaten. Rolling onto her stomach, Squirrelflight faced Leafpool with an unpleasant look, "How often will we have to do this?".
Leafpool wished she didn't need to answer, it certainly wasn't going to a pleasant process, but the last thing the two sisters needed between them was dishonesty. "About every 2 nights, maybe more." , the brown she-cat muttered.
Annoyed, Squirrelfight gridded her claws into the smooth surface of the den, "I swear, I'd be more bloated than a kittypet by the end of this.", she grumbled.
Leafpool shrugged, "Real Pregnancy isn't much better.", putting the Borage root away, her fiery sister clearly not suffering from a bellyache, even after downing the entire lake's worth of prey. "As long it means the kits will be safe, We'll do it.", Squirrelflight purred, pressing her head into Leafpool's check, regretful for her warmth. Leafpool couldn't have asked for a better sister, very few would be willing to sacrifice so much. Honestly, Leafpool didn't know if she really deserved it.
Then flinching as they both noticed the smokey grey figure blocking the entrance, with an obvious strain on his muscles. The moonlight sweeping over his pelt, giving him the same shine as Silverpelt. Eyes flashing over with a blue fire, Ashfur spat at Squirrelfight with frustration, "You have dawn patrol, mousebrain! Get to your nest.", he ordered, swiping his tail towards the Warrior's den with such force, it was like slashing claws.
"Remember, you're not the leader, Ashfur.", Squirrelflight retorted, barging past both cats and eventing the night. Strangely, instead of moving on, Ashfur remained in place like a rooted tree, staring Squirrelflight with a immense intensity, for her whole trip between the two dens. Making Leafpool's neck fur rise, unnerved.
Noticing the still healing wounds scattered across his body, Leafpool decided to check Ashfur now that he was here anyway. Flicking her tail for him to join her, Ashfur obeyed with distaste. While Leafpool sniffed every spot with her small pink nose, Ashfur just remained stiff and silent the whole time. Well, if he wasn't going to speak up, Leafpool would. "Any new she-cats caught your eye?", Leafpool mewed, trying to sound pleasant.
Alarmingly, Ashfur drew his lips back into a hateful snarl, "How can I trust any she-cat? After that one betrayed me like the ungrateful brat she is.", he hissed bitterly.
Head snapping up in offence, Leafpool just decided to get to the point, "That she-cat has a name and she's my sister! I saw the way you just looked at Squirrelflight. This has gone too far, Ashfur. It's been over a moon, you need to move on already. It's not healthy.".
Yet the words didn't seem to crack his spikey defence, just snorting with amusement, "You think you're the first to tell me that?", he growled, creating distance between them, "You're all the same.".
Leafpool inhaled, trying to keep herself calm, "If so many cats are telling you the same thing, shouldn't you be taking it seriously? Especially from a Medicine cat?", she questioned.
"Some lying excuse of a Medicine cat you are.", he spoke with distaste. Leafpool froze. Could he know? No- this was different. Was this seriously about the time he suggested Leafpool had faked the dream about Brambleclaw's deputyship? Yet, staring into Ashfur's eyes, Leafpool could tell he didn't even believe his own words, making it up only to get to Squirrelflight.
"You're a respected warrior, Ashfur.", Leafpool advised, "Don't ruin that for yourself. There are plenty of Clanmates willing to see if you're the right one. You're not alone, many cats have gone through rejection and willing to help you.".
"No cat has gone through what I have. Like you know anything about rejection anyway.", he mocked. The irony of his statement, making Leafpool's heart shrivel at the thought of Crowfeather. Ashfur carried on, "Spare me your pity. If you really wanted to be useful to me, you should of returned her to her rightful place. But it's too late now. She already has those fleabags growing inside her.".
Disgusted, Leafpool had lost patience, "Enough.", she stated, "Squirrelflight is her own person and you have to respect. Our Clanmates have gone out their way to help but if you can't accept it, that's your own problem.". Infuriatingly, Ashfur didn't seem to be fazed by her stinging words at all, a bored expression. He didn't even care.
Switching back from protective sister to Medicine cat, Leafpool turned away, "You can restart your Warrior duties tomorrow. Just avoid anything too dangerous.", she informed, flicking her tail, signalling him to leave. His echoing pawsteps fading into silence.
Knowing Squirrelflight could probably handle the grey tom herself, Leafpool just decided to head towards her nest, burying herself deep within the moss. All the while trying to falling asleep, Leafpool was eerily aware that Ashfur had never properly left, still looming outside the entrance. Yet she was too exhausted to do anything more, sleep gripping her.
