It was a bizarre concept to grasp. Starclan didn't have all the answers. Forces greater than them in both scale and power. How many afterlives were out there and how far did it go? But in truth, the tales taught to all Clanmates only explained what happened after death. It still didn't tell them how the earth they walked on formed. What drove the seasons in an endless cycle. Not even knowing what the moon and sun were, as they hung in the sky, constantly staring at the living creatures far before. Were they even living thing themselves?
Personally, Leafpool had even encountered similar starry spirits herself like Brook's ancestors, the Tribe of Endless Hunting. Feathertail able to walk both skies due to her ultimate sacrifice. Beginning to wonder, if she'd hadn't died to save Crowfeather, would she be the mother of Leafpool's destined kits? Well, there was no points of ifs, only the now.
Just like the disappearing catmint stock that had eventually led to Rainwhisker and Molepaw's deaths through a long road of coincidences. But Leafpool could only accept it as such. Since it hadn't been an omen from Starclan, Leafpool could only put it up to the mysterious forces of nature.
It would of been pointless to come up with the possibly endless strange ideas on how catmint could have switched locations. But there was not a scrap of evidence to confirm anything. When she had other pressing matters that needed her attention. So Leafpool was forced to leave it as just that, a mystery.
By the time Leafpool was within Thunderclan's borders, the Sun had already risen high into the sky, almost midday. Despite this though, the sun remained barely visible, only a pale dot behind the thick overcast that had been dragged in from the building wind. They floated down through the almost bare canopy, only a few rotten leaves clinging on life, latching onto the shrivelled branches like leeches. Before Leafpool knew it, small white flakes were fluttering down in sheets. Like flies, a few flakes found their way into her nose, threatening to make her sneeze.
The first snow of the season. For now, it was only a light fall, the pure white snowflakes quickly reduced to water as it touched the forest floor, turning the earth damp. A new sharp cold digging through Leafpool's pelt to the skin. As soon as she was in camp, the better. Doing anything to get a decent fresh-kill and a nap.
"Leafpool!", Firestar's voice cracked through the branches. The ginger tom leads the way out of nearby bracken, a patrol of cats streaming out behind him, Stormfur, Mousepaw and Dustpelt.
"Did you make it to the Moonpool fine?", Firestar mewed, briefly touching noses as he reunited with his daughter. Leafpool dropped the Algae, curling her tail as she settled down, "Just made it in time to have the full dream.", she confirmed, "But did I say you could go on patrol yet?", she scolded.
Even if the skin had grown back where the foxtrap had dug in, no fur had yet, still red and sore. If he sagged it on a plant or got attacked, it could easily reopen the wound. At least, Firestar seemed to improved from last night, able to carry his head and tail up high. "I know my limits.", he insisted, "It's a simple border check. And if any fight breaks out, I'll be used to fetch backup.".
"Alright- that's fine.", Leafpool accepted, "But come down to my den afterwards for some more Burnet.". After finishing, she grabbed the algae again, padding between two trees and out of the small clearing, in the direction of camp. Behind her, she overheard Mousepaw sniggering, fully aware of the herb's reputation. "I'm sure that's the last dose you need to take, Firestar.", Stormfur commented, trying to be supportive than the apprentice.
Leafpool silently purred herself, wondering what was truly the most disgusting herbs. Began the world began blur out as her trip home wore on, noticing the ground getting sandier and undergrowth scrawnier, allowing for wider spaces as the trees grew further apart. Cutting straight through a clump of brambles, Leafpool emerged into the Training grounds, moss clinging to everything, from the ground to the trees.
At the centre of the clearing, was Birchpaw and Ferncloud locked together in a tight tussle. At the sidelines, Ashfur watched intently, claws flexing in frustration. Maybe Ashfur was helping to refine his littermate's warrior skills after such a long absence as a Queen? Remaining to the shade of the bushes, Leafpool decided to observe the grey tom, in order to see if he had finally improved after Squirrelflight's rejection.
Keeping his claws in, Birchpaw shoved away his mother with his hind legs, giving himself space. As she stumbled back, the apprentice reacted quickly, rolling into her blind spot. Purposefully, Birchpaw missed the front swipe, skimming the tips of Ferncloud's ears. Giving the former Queen the chance to corner attack, rearing up.
Outstretching both paws, Birchpaw flailed them wildly trying to defend himself. However, the wall of flying paws wasn't enough as Ferncloud came down and wrapping her front paws around him. After being slammed him to the ground, with flimsy effect, Birchpaw weakly scrapped his four legs against Ferncloud's chest and belly, no way enough force to knock her off. Was he going easy on her?
Thinking the same thing, Ashfur's eyes flashed with anger, "Brichpaw, fight properly!", he snapped. Head lunging forward like a fox, Ashfur roughly yanked his apprentice away from Ferncloud by the scruff, teeth digging in so deep, it drew blood. Having Birchpw violently pulled out from under her like that, Ferncloud collapsed as well.
Standing over his apprentice as he shook the moss from his fur, Ashfur lashed his tail, "What do you call that? Are you incapable of doing the most basic task?". Birchpaw got to his paws, struggling to keep his brown pelt flat. "I don't want to go rough on my mother!", he argued.
Though Ashfur didn't seem convinced, his nostrils flaring in a snort, "Ferncloud isn't a kit. Don't you want to help her get stronger?", he questioned, shoving his muzzle into Birchpaw's face. Hurriedly, the Queen put herself between her quarrelling son and brother, "Ashfur, please, enough. If you want, I can train with someone who isn't kin. Maybe that's best.", she mewed calmly.
However, Ashfur took an unnecessary amount of offence from the simple suggestion. His fiery blue stare burnt into Ferncloud, flattening his ears against his head, "You were the one who wanted to train in the first place! Is that suddenly not good enough for you now?", he retorted bitterly. As Ferncloud staggered back in shock, Leafpool finally decided to act, sliding out of the green cover, "Everyone, calm down!", she called.
After marching up, Leafpool halted in front of them, addressing to each cat in turn, "Birchpaw- Ferncloud is as capable as any warrior, so just treat this as any training session. And Ashfur, don't be so hard on your apprentice. Especially don't pull him like that, you could injure him.".
However, still Ashfur wouldn't back down, curling up his lips in a revengeful snarl as if she were the enemy, "Says the she-cat who's never trained an apprentice in her life. So don't tell me how it's done. It's you who should be taking advice from me.", he growled.
"Don't bare your teeth at a Medicine cat, Ashfur. She's only trying to help.", Ferncloud scolded her brother as if he was one of her kits. For the longest time, Leafpool expected Ashfur to angrily snap back again, opening his mouth to actually do so. For a heartbeat though, he paused. Searching among the alarmed cats in deep thought. Sometimes seemed to click, as he finally realized his crumbling reputation and growing suspicion if he kept up this behaviour. Ashfur snapped his jaw shut.
Do you finally understand? Leafpool silently questioned him, staring directly into him. With a snort, Ashfur twisted round, signalling for Birchpaw to join him, "Let's just forget about it. We'll pick it up some other time.", he muttered, "Birchpaw- hunting.".
Unreadable annoyed words came from Birchpaw's lips before the brown apprentice hurried after his mentor. For the briefest heartbeat, Birchpaw seemed to be limping as he went deeper into the forest but disappeared before Leafpool could confirm it. Only leaving the two she-cats in the Training hollow, Ferncloud sighing, "Thanks for doing that. At least that's a step in the right direction. Last time it ended in Ashfur refusing to train Birchpaw at all.".
"You need to go to Brambleclaw or Firestar with this. He can't get away with training Birchpaw like this anymore.", Leafpool advised, "I'll contain to keep an eye on Ashfur.". She felt a stinging pity for all of Ashfur's kin, needing to put up with the troublesome tom. "I'll do that.", Ferncloud murmured, unfocused and staring down at the floor. "What's been happening?", a gruff voice sounded from the brush. Stepping out from the tendrils, Dustpelt strolled into the Training hollow. A patrol consisting of Hazelpaw, Mousepaw and Spiderleg behind him.
"Ashfur been getting aggressive with Birchpaw again.", Ferncloud mewed, ashamed. Flatten his ears, Dustpelt signalled to the patrol, "Spiderleg, could you take the apprentices hunting instead? I need to speak to your mother.". The brown and black tom's bitterly hissed at the whole situation, briskly rounding up the confused young cats. Alone, Dustpelt pressed his flank protectively into his mate. Dipping her head, Leafpool mewed before leaving, "I'll be in my den if you need anything.". Then she ascended up a slope without another word.
That restrained reaction was a step in the right direction, but there was still a long way to go for Ashfur. Medicine cats had generations worth of knowledge for physical healing, but they'd barely scratched the surface for mental. There were dandelion leaves, however, they could only soften the most extreme of shock, usually, grief from a loved one's death.
But Ashfur wasn't in shock, he could still function perfectly fine, patrolling and hunting like any warrior. This was long-term, slowly allowing the bitter emotions to boil up. No one herb could cure the poisons of the mind. Yet even still, many Clanmates had offered help through their sympathies or listening to his problems. However, Ashfur spat at every single one with disgust, acting as he knew better. Feeling entitled to those emotions, as if Squirrelflight deserved the hatred.
All Leafpool could think to do was put Ashfur on the same treatment as Brambleclaw, giving him a decent sleep each night with poppy seeds. While completely lost in her thoughts, Leafpool had failed to see she was already in front of the camp, the thorn tunnel enclosing around her.
It was like Leafpool had never left camp at all, as it was bursting with life. Apprentices rushing past with moss to replace old nesting. And warrior crowding round at the base of Highledge to be assigned their daily duties. Fully fitting into his temporary role, Thornclaw stood proudly beside Brambleclaw, aiding to sort everything out.
While his brother took a break from it all, as Brackenfur laid beside his mate, Sorreltail outside the nursery as they watched their kits crunched their paws curiously against the thin layer of fresh snow. Rainwhisker or Molepaw not among them. They seemed to be coping better than last night at least. The sight of an emotionally drained, almost dead Sorreltail, making Leafpool flinched. The rocky surroundings allowed the snow to stick to the floor without melting away, creating a pattern of browns and whites like a mottled cat pelt.
The only thing Leafpool wanted now was the familiar sight of Squirrelflight, the overwhelming secrets threatening to erupt from her. However, an unexpected visitor approached the Medicine cat, the bright pelted elder, Goldenflower, a small leaf bundle in her jaws. Carefully, she had to put it on the rim of her lips, away from her painful rotting teeth. The ribs sticking through her flanks like branches, thinner than most of her Clanmates for the leafbare season like a twig against a pile of logs.
Dropping the herbs at Leafpool's paws, Goldenflower began to explain, "This was left by Brambleclaw's nest. He hadn't even touched the poppy seeds. He insists he has to look after me, but maybe he'll listen to a Medicine cat".
"Again?", Leafpool huffed, dragging the poppy seeds besides the Algae herb, "I'll talk to him again and if that doesn't work...We'll need to get Squirrelflight involved.". Her sister's tongue was sharper than claws and more painful than a bee sting, surprised she wasn't able to win her battles with her words alone.
The Elder nodded, pleased, sweeping her tail over Leafpool's flank, "It'll be good to see him start focusing on his precious kits rather than worrying on his dying mother.", she purred. Leafpool's eyes widen in horror but Goldenflower padded away before she could respond. Goldenflower seemed oddly peaceful as blissfully stared off into the pale sky. How could Goldenflower be so calm about her own death?
Though admittedly, Leafpool wasn't anywhere close to becoming an elder, both her parents still warriors themselves. Goldenflower was the oldest cat in Thunderclan, alive before even Bluestar's leadership, having a long time to prepare herself. The golden she-cat had led a long and honourable life and no one could live forever. Goldenflower wished Leafpool to take care of her son first and she would respect that.
By now, the warriors circled round Brambleclaw and Thornclaw began settling into smaller groups as they were about to set off as either patrols or chores around camp. Without others needing his help, Brambleclaw slowly stalked towards the Thorn tunnel alone like a defeated warrior fleeing the battle. Lifting her tail tip for Brambleclaw halt, Leafpool gilded him towards a hidden corner where they wouldn't be disturbed.
"Where are you heading?", Leafpool asked sternly. Half-heartedly Brambleclaw shrugged his sagging shoulders, "I need to hunt for Goldenflower again. So if you excuse me-". However, Leafpool remained stubborn, sidestepping to completely block Brambleclaw's path, making him snort with annoyance. "You didn't eat the poppy seeds, did you?", she accused, pushing the seeds toward him as proof.
When it was clear he wasn't going to answer, Leafpool decided to bring in the good news, "I've got good news from the Moonpool meeting.", she mewed, "Littlecloud suggested a good supply of prey Goldenflower can eat. There are frogs in a small swamp between Twoleg nest and Shadowclan border. All it will take is a single hunting patrol to focus on that area and she'll be fed. You don't need to do this by yourself anymore. You can allow yourself to rest, Brambleclaw. So go your nest now and take the poppy seeds, please.".
Annoyingly, Brambleclaw's eyes only lightened up by a single shade of amber, still as dull as dying embers. Was Goldenflower not the only problem? "I will- I will, I promise.", he staggered over his words, "I just need this time, to think.".
Finally, Leafpool decided to put her paw down and to let all the bitter yet true words come out, " I know we've struggled to trust each other over the moons but- I'm still your Medicine cat. And it's my duty to heal you meant, not only physically. So what is it? Goldenflower? Your kits?".
Brambleclaw struck down in his pelt like a snail retreating into its shell, unable to meet Leafpool's gaze, "I don't know, it's a lot of things. It's a mix.". Carefully, Leafpool studied the tom, hunched over, anxiously licking at his neck fur. His neck. "Is it Hawkfrost?", Leafpool stated, the image flashing in her mind of the blood waterfall streaming from Hawkfrost's neck as the stake embedded itself.
With the mention of his traitorous brother, Brambleclaw flinched, his eyes suddenly lighting up a furious blazing fire, burning into Leafpool's pelt. "You don't think I'm loyal? Even after I had to kill him?", Brambleclaw whispered sharply, in an effort for their passing clanmates not to overhear.
Though Leafpool refused to be afraid, sitting up a little straighter. This wasn't going to be another moment of her usual tolerance. The future father of her kits was being tortured by his memories and she was going to heal him, whether he liked it or not, through tough love if she had to.
"I think you're too loyal.", Leafpool said in a calm yet firm voice, "What happened to Hawkfrost, wasn't your fault. He made his chooses when he could fight against your father. You're the evidence of that. Hawkfrost tried to kill a Leader. Then you, his own brother. Only he's reasonable for his own death. I talked to Mothwing before about this. She's had to live with him her entire life. And with Hawkfrost gone, she's happier than ever."
The fur running down Brambleclaw's spine bristled as razor as fangs, "You expect me to be happy about my brother's death?", he growled, the raw emotions boiling to the surface. The usually strong-willed tom cracking.
Swift Leafpool reassured him, "No. But you have to realise, Hawkfrost abused his own sister and then tried to murder you.", she forced herself to brutally honest, " He never cared about his kin and he never will.". This hit Brambleclaw like a falling branch, stressfully curling his claws into the frosty snow. Further up the cliff wall, Squirrelflight had realised the tensions between her two kin, for now keeping her distance, deciding whether to get involved or not.
Flickering her head, Leafpool pointed out Squirrelflight in the distance, she quietly muttered, "But luckily, there are cats who do.". His anger rapidly shifted to anxiety as he stared at the daughter of the leader he'd been tempted to kill. Leafpool would be lying if Brambleclaw's heartbeats long hesitation to save his own mentor still didn't disgust her.
"What would she do if she ever found out?", he gasped, unable to draw his gaze away from his mate.
Feeling like the wisdom of Starclan itself pulsing through her veins, Leafpool nodded, "Pretending the past never happened, doesn't help anyone, Brambleclaw. At least you could do it for the mother of your kits.".
After a moment where time itself seemed to freeze in ice, Brambleclaw finally uttered his answer, "You're right.", he said in a weakly, his throat dry. Reluctantly, he grasped the poppy seeds, padding away to drop the seeds at the Warriors den, Leafpool adding on, "Tell Ashfur he needs to take a few as well.". Brambleclaw's twitching his ears in acknowledgement.
As he exited the den again, he had no other excuses to avoid Squirrelflight any more. Searching for Leafpool's guidance, Brambleclaw's face turned towards her and all she gave was a silent nod. Forcing every step and trying even harder to face the ginger she-cat, Brambleclaw finally called out to his mate, "Squirrelflight! I need to speak with you."
Blinking in surprise, Squirrelflight suspiciously accepted, twinning their tails as Brambleclaw led the way out, the two mates fading into a thorn tunnel like silent shadows. Breathless for a moment, Leafpool felt a small smile edged across her lips. This is what she lived for. The satisfaction of helping cats never got old. The life of a Medicine cat.
Confident, Squirrelflight could take it, all of it. She may not all the details, but she'd always been aware of Brambleclaw's darker side. And it Squirrelflight who gave Leafpool the sense to keep the unborn litter safe from the burden of being half-clan. If her littermate could handle her secrets, Leafpool was certain she'd handle the deputy's. Not forgetting to scold Brambleclaw to process though.
In the distance, she overheard Sorreltail soft voice, each word strained as grief still clang to her, "Let's get back in before you catch a cold, you three!", she sounded to her remaining kits, "Brackenfur going to teach your first battle move.". All three she-cat squealed with delight, as they tumbled into the Nursery, still like kits, their father following in after them. Once the apprentices recovered enough and started their training properly, those brambles would be deserted for moons.
Ever since she returned, Leafpool wanted to say something Sorreltail. Anything. Being the only witness to Rainwhisker's death. Yet she hadn't even been there for Rainwhisker's or Molepaw's vigil. Leafpool knew she was being selfish. Not even checking on her old friend. Yet she couldn't force herself to care. Drowned in her own personal problems. So maybe it was best for her to keep her distance, let others who actually had the energy to care. It was probably better for no words to be said at all, then fake sympathetic ones. Just more lies. And Leafpool breaded to uttering a lifetime's more of them.
For a while, Leafpool seemed to be in a confused haze, satisfied to just watch her clanmates shuffle to and throw. Like a nameless tiny fly buzzing round massive creatures, freely drifting around without fear of borders, loyalists or rules. Able to observe a whole other world but never had the pressure of being apart of it. But no matter how Leafpool could wish or dream about it, she couldn't escape the life she'd created herself.
So with a heavy-heart, dragged herself back to the Medicine den, for regular reunite. Not even the recent deaths being an excuse to halt it. For now, the kits remained hidden tucked away in her belly and the Algae blagging lifeless in her grip. Seeing her return, Brightheart rose from the corner, dipping her head, "How did the meeting go?", she mewed.
"Made it just in time.", Leafpool breathed, "Has Sandstorm's greencough gone down?", spotting her mother still stuck in a nest, twisting restlessly, trying to occupy herself by repeatedly grooming her pelt until it was spotless. Brightheart flicked her tail towards a few scattered catmint leaves on the floor, "I gave her some extra catmint to be safe. The symptoms went down during the night and today there's been nothing at all."
"Thank you, Brightheart.", Leafpool purred, "You've ended up saving more clanmates then I have today, more than I could ever ask for. So I think it's only fair if I handle things alone for now.". . Brightheart's signal eye blinked gratefully at Leafpool, nodding, "It would be nice to spend some time with Whitewing and Cloudtail. I do enjoy helping you Leafpool, really - Though it's best if you look for a permanent apprentice. I'll always be here for emergencies though.".
For one last act of kindness, Brightheart quickly piled up the left over catmint and placed it outside the Herb store. As she exited the den, she overlooked her shoulder, "Get well soon, Sandstorm!", she called to her pale clanmate.
After placing the Algae on the pebble stack used to hide her secret herbs, Leafpool sat at her mother's side, "How does your throat feel?". Sandstorm stretched out her legs, finally able to get away with sitting up straight, "Sore.", she remarked, "But I haven't had the slightest cough since dawn.".
"Then I think you're safe to return to your regular patrols and hunting.", Leafpool explained. Quickly taking the time, to place the catmint in its usual place and fetch the Tansy from the Herb store, the herb's sharp taste on her tongue. Returning to Sandstorm, she dropped the tansy in front of her, "It will just help with a sore throat. But if you ever feel your greencough return, come straight back here. We can't risk it spreading. Not again...", unable to stop herself trailing off her own words. Imagining there should a soft pile of black fur in another nearby nest.
Sandstorm laid her tail sympathetically on Leafpool's shoulder, "Molepaw was too young to die.", she muttered, "And I know you took his death hard- So if you ever need to talk to me or your father, we'll happily listen.". Leafpool only nodded, as Sandstorm chewed down the green stems. Before the Medicine cat knew it, her mother had already finished the herb and left, leaving Leafpool completely alone.
Unable to ignore it any longer, Leafpool hunched over slightly as the aching pain of hunger shot from her belly. Feeling a pile of fur wrigged inside her, as the kits begged her to keep her body strong. Waiting for the Hollow to clear slightly, Leafpool sneaked towards the Fresh-kill pile, knowing she'd had to steal extra prey once again.
The snowy floor was like icy thorns, pricking at her soft pads. Like jumping stones across a river, Leafpool needed to place her step carefully in each bare rock parch, to avoid the chilly sting. And to think, this was the only beginning of many more snowfalls to come.
It wasn't as stocked as she would of liked, only the height of her chest. Veering round it like a fox circling crow-food, she sniffed at its edges for the plumpest prey she could find. Eventually selecting a mole and sparrow that struck from it edges. Unable to risk getting caught, Leafpool used her tongue to fluff out the sparrow's feathers, she had awkwardly place the two fresh-kill in her mouth, the mole hidden behind the sparrow's wall of wet feathers.
At the same time, Squirrelflight burst through the Thorn tunnel like a stag, her ginger pelt rippling like a flickering fire. Soon, Brambleclaw followed after, but he didn't dare go near her, darting away to the other side of camp, crouched down warily. Could have gone worse. They could have literally bitten each other's heads off.
Leafpool was going to leave her littermate alone, thinking she needed time to process all the emotional details of Brambleclaw's story, but Squirrelflight insisted other wises. Pressing her flank into Leafpool's, she half gilded, half shoved her sister into the Medicine den. Making Squirrelflight slow her pace, Leafpool dumped the prey onto the den floor.
Uneasily, she turned back to Squirrelflight, as she flexed her claws and angry smoke foamed off of her. After a few heartbeats, Squirrelflight managed to swallow down a bit of fury, allowing Leafpool to ask the question, "How are you feeling?".
"It was nothing I didn't already expect. But that doesn't make the details any less shocking.", she muttered bittered. Instantly, Leafpool became alarmed if she'd ripped the future parents of her kits apart. "Will you forgive him?", Leafpool painfully asked.
"I will eventually.", Squirrelflight confirmed, "It'll just take time to settle in.", her angry words swapping out for regret filled ones. Then her attention turned to Leafpool, "Were you serious about what you said earlier at the Vigil? Do you really want to call everything off?".
"No, I wasn't. I shouldn't have shouted at you, Molepaw's and Rainwhisker's deaths got to my head.", Leafpool muttered, "The Plan was decided a long time ago, there's no going back now."
"So were their deaths just a tragedy?", Squirrelflight wanted to confirm. Leafpool nodded, with Squirrelflight accepting with a swallow blink of her green eyes. At least, they could rest in peace, knowing they weren't some pawn for Starclan to punish Leafpool.
Trying to move on, Squirrelflight began speaking again, "And to think, we're no better than Brambleclaw. Do you think it's fair to tell him our secrets after he did it for us?", Squirrelflight mewed, thoughtful, considering their options carefully. It was clear, even if Squirrelflight was better at hiding it then most cats, guilt still gnawed at her from the inside like a hungry fox that was never satisfied. Leafpool was all too familiar with the feeling.
"No.", Leafpool mewed dryly, no power behind it, "I haven't told Crowfeather either. When I spoke to Starclan, they warned me above all else, I have to make sure the kits grow up normally. We can't take any risks, not even with our mates.". Envisioning Crowfeather now as run across the far-stretching meadows, overflowing with sweet scenting heather and rabbits hopes among the scrawny thicket. Her heart aching for the territory her kits would never get to experience with their father.
Threatening to crack under the shame for Crowfeather, and Squirrelflight's mate, Brambleclaw. Those toms had entrusted them with their very lives and maybe even one to create a new life together as well. Yet they'd trampled on their love like foxdang. The first not allowed to be a father and the other tricked into it. Was this was even worth it?
Squirrelflight's words like claws cut straight through Leafpool's murky thoughts, "That dream really affected you, didn't it?", the ginger she-cat sounding impressed, "From what Brambleclaw says, you were like a whole other cat when you spoke to him. You seemed wiser then Firestar.".
"Well, I don't feel wise. I feel like an idiot. So much could have been avoided.", Leafpool murmured as silent as a breeze. Squirrelflight stood boldly in front of her like a Lionclan warrior, not tolerating her sister whining, "Hey.", she exclaimed, "Don't go giving up on me. What's done is done. We've already had it planned out, remember? And by that sounds of it, Starclar wants us to stick to that plan. So let's please the ancient fleabags. And if not for them, for the kits. And what are we going to do for them?".
"To keep them safe.", Leafpool answered, head lowered. "Then that's exactly what we'll do", Squirrelflight breathed, upturning the pebbles piled up in the corner, exposing the secret supplies: Borage leaves, preserved prey and Parsley. Leafpool nudging the sparrow and mole into the line of extra prey with her muzzle.
Then, Squirrelflight seems to notice the new addition to the secret supplies, the algae, hooking it and letting the long wet green strip dangle from a single claw. "What is this stuff?", Squirrelflight gasped, grossed out.
"It's a newly discovered herb called Algae. Apparently, it help reduce weights. Hopefully, it'll be effective than those no good Nettle Leaves.", Leafpool mewed, taking it herself, not looking forward to eating it. Shuffling her paws, Squirrelflight flexing her claws across the Borage leaves with irritation.
"You're having the same problem, huh?", the ginger she-cat scoffed. Leafpool looked up from her crouched position as she rolled up the Algae, blinking nervously, "What do you mean?", she asked.
"It's those useless leaves.", Squirrelflight pointed out the Borage with her tail, "It's been days and I still haven't scented a trace of milk.".
"And I don't expect to.", Leafpool tried assuring her, "You're not even pregnant, so of course, it will take a while for the Borage to take effect. That''s why we've done it so early on, just to be safe.".
Squirrelflight seemed thoughtful for a moment, nuzzling at her belly, "But what if my body doesn't recognise I'm adopting kits and doesn't produce milk? What if I can't nurse them?", she questioned more herself then Leafpool.
"Your body's instincts will kick in, I promise. Daisy's kits gone off her milk for moons, and she's still got plenty spare.", Leafpool wrapped her tail about Squirrelflight's shoulders. Luckily, she expected Leafpool's expectation, shrugging, "Well- You're the Medicine cat."
They settled down and for the second time now, began the long process consuming all the herbs and prey needed to simply fake a pregnancy. How much longer could this go on for? Surely they couldn't keep this up until the actual birth, could they? Herbs could only do so much. Would this Alage be so effective, it could prevent a belly swelling, even when there's fully developed newborns on the inside of it?
