Using her tail, Leafpool brushed aside the last of the leaf wraps and after wandering out from the Herb store, she surprised to find herself with nothing else to do. Just standing there idly for a moment. Thinking hard on something she'd missed. Yet she couldn't. She had; checked up on the separate dens, counted all the seeds and preserved every herb. And it wasn't like she could go into the territory to gather even more herbs, it would be a waste, as the plants needed to be left alone to grow for future seasons. The Catmint stock especially plentiful, any attempt greencough made to sprout up in the Clan again, had swiftly been taken care of.
Realising this wasn't normal in the slightest. Even Lone Medicine cats in the middle of leafbare, had some free time to spare. Crouching down on the hard floor, Leafpool gazed round the cave. For a moment, she considered going back to her nest, but quickly decided against it. All she'd done recently was work and sleep. Not having shared tongues or have a friendly conversation in days.
This had become her unspoken prison, forcing herself to stay within the grey walls for as long as possible. Desperately needing to avoid her Clanmates to stop the detection of the kits growing inside her. Reaching to her paws, Leafpool began to pace against the back wall while in her thoughts.
It had been four sunrises since the Moonpool meeting, where the exposure of her pregnancy really should have happened by now. Usually, by a half-moon in, which Leafpool was roughly now, the pregnant belly would be visibly swollen enough for keen eyes to notice. Experienced Queens like Daisy and Ferncloud should of definitely noticed at the very least. Yet they hadn't.
To most cats in her situation, this would of been a good thing. Nobody suspects a thing. But Leafpool's Medical knowledge told her to know better. It was the opposite problem now. No longer was the threat coming from outside but inside. The Algae had done a remarkable job keeping her stomach down. Besides from becoming more solid, it had actually reduced the size. However, now Leafpool feared for the development of her litter, not having enough room to properly grow if she continued to halt the natural processes.
Worse, Leafpool had to make-do with even smaller shares of prey then she'd usually get for Leaf-Bare, needing to sacrifice it to plump up Squirrelflight. Which was starting to take effect, her sister having gained more fat around the belly. Which to the sisters' relief, had shattered the slightest chance of doubt from everyone about Squirrelflight's pregnancy.
Besides from Goldenflower, Leafpool was the thinnest cat in the Clan. And even that was being challenged. Like an owl spying for prey, Leafpool watched as her Clanmates went about their business, seemly her new hobby now.
Outside the Elder's den, Mousefur was daring Longtail to taste Goldenflower's frog, the blind tom adamantly refusing. Even if the slimy prey could only be enjoyed by Shadowclan cats, since it meant the difference between life and death, Goldenflower had happily taken the meal. Every hunting patrol Brambleclaw led, had been working overtime on that one small marsh patch, to simply bring back a single frog or two.
Since it was Leafbare, any prey like frogs and lizards were rare, needing to find their hibernation spots, which was harder said than done. Unclear on just how longer Thunderclan's only marsh could provide a steady supply of eatable prey for Goldenflower. For once though, it had allowed
Brambleclaw to finally relax, taking back his apprentice's training from Brightheart. Berrypaw bounced eagerly after the brown tabby, as they joined the other mentors and apprentices for training session. It included his littermates, Hazelpaw and Mousepaw, starting to recover from their grief. Though it would proably take Sorreltail's kin somewhat longer to get back into a regular routine.
From on top of the Highledge, Thornclaw stormed out of the Leader's den, Firestar hurriedly following after him. Ignoring his leader's pleas for calm, Thornclaw stumbled down the boulders in a huff, suddenly going from a secondary deputy to a regular warrior again. Showing good signs, Firestar strongly lashed his tail as he stood firmly on the ledge. The neck wound reduced to nothing but a slightly thinner strip of fur, almost fully recovered.
Even Ashfur had improved, not acting aggressive to everyone around him. He had a sudden shift, sparking up his old reputation as a reaspect warrior like the last few moons hadn't happened. Despite his casual interactions with his Clanmates, he'd neglected to maintain any close relationships, purposefully ignoring Ferncloud and Birchpaw.
It was ironic, all her patients were on the path to full recovery, but the one responsible for healing them, was the only one worsening. And Thunderclan needed it as well. Once all their personal problems are taken care of first, they could all unit later for the looming threat of the longer and colder nights Leafbare had yet to bring.
Grinding her stubby claws into the floor, Leafpool searched through her mind for a task that had to get to be done. Though for a slit heartbeat, Leafpool thought she could see her old mentor, Cinderpelt in front of her. After a shake of her head, she realised it was only little Cinderkit, her tabby pelt and straight back leg nothing like her deceased kin.
She came plodding into the cave, carrying a juicy vole. "Oh, hello Cinderkit.", Leafpool greeted the kit, "Is that for me?".The grey tabby forcefully shoved it from her grip to Leafpool's, "Cloudtail told me to give this to you, because Brightheart thinks you're not looking after yourself.", she scolded the Medicine cat, "So make sure to eat every bite. You need to stay big and strong for Thunderclan.".
Leafpool stared at the younger cat, jaw hanging open. Unsure of whether she should be impressed or insulted. Though Cinderkit gave the expression no mind, beginning to wander back outside. Quickly dismissing it, Leafpool decided to grab the chance while it was still there, "Cinderkit, can you hold on for a moment.".
Cinderkit paused, blinking in her eyes in the dusky light, eerily the exact same shade of blue as Cinderpelt's, waiting for Leafpool to carry on. Refusing to be intimidated by a mere kit, Leafpool tried approaching in a calm manner, "I've noticed you have a keen eye for your Clanmates health.", she mewed, "Have you ever consider becoming a Medicine cat?"
The question didn't seem to surprise the young she-cat, casually scratching her feathery check fur with her back paw, "I have.", she admitted, "But it seems kind of boring- I really want to do something new. Sorry, Leafpool.". Ignoring Cinderkit's strange wording, Leafpool shook her head, wrapping her tail around her body, "You don't need to say sorry, I was only asking.", Leafpool meowed, "Though, if you or your littermates are ever interested, you're always welcome to ask a few questions.".
Leaning over the limp vole, Leafpool pricked at it thoughtfully with her claws, deciding which parts to spare for Squirrelflight. However, her neck fur rose when she realised Cinderkit haven't left the den, her chilling words making Leafpool shiver, "Molepaw probably would of liked being a Medicine cat- He never liked hurting others.", she muttered.
Turning her attention back to Cinderkit, Leafpool could only stare at her, wordless. Though a wisdom and calmness radiated off the young cat, like dew steaming off a grass blade in the sunlight. "I know you've been blaming yourself for my brother's death. But I don't blame you, none of us do. You tried saving him.". Before a single breath could escape Leafpool's lips, like the wind, Cinderkit had already exited the den and meet up with Cloudtail on the other side of camp.
With nothing else to do, Leafpool laid down, clutching the vole in her front paws. Cinderkit was right. She had been the one to try and save Molepaw, not indirectly kill him through her forbidden mate. Even Starclan had confirmed the two had no link.
This wasn't the first time Leafpool had a clanmate slip away within those stone walls and it wouldn't be the last. But every time, she always had Cinderpelt by her side, the best healer she'd known. When cats died under her mentor's care, Leafpool truly knew there had been no hope for them. But without Cinderpelt, without that reference, Leafpool would never know if any her patients were beyond saving or not. She didn't know her own strength as a Medicine cat.
Would Molepaw and Rainwhisker be alive if someone else had cared for them?
If Leafpool didn't trust herself, then she could trust Cinderpelt. There was a reason her mentor had allowed Leafpool to carry her full name and hadn't kept her an apprentice. Leafpool was ready. Everyone kept insisting she just had to do her best and that's the only thing she could really do. Afterall, She was only a cat.
Feeling like a boulder had been lifted from her shoulders, Leafpool finally embedded her teeth into the Vole, it's rich flavours washing over her mouth. Lost in her greed, she was unable to stop herself from gorging down the majority of the fresh-kill. Despite how much she wanted to simple luxury of a full meal, Leafpool forced herself to leave the Vole's head and lower back untouched, needed for the fake pregnancy.
Burying the food scraps under her nest for future use, Leafpool paused for a heartbeat, revelling in the feeling of an almost full belly. When she twisted her neck back, about to start cleaning her scrappy coat, Leafpool caught a glimpse of the outside world. Returning her gaze, Brightheart and Sandstorm stood side by side, lowered heads, whispering. Making Leafpool's fur ripple like the tiny waves on the Lake's shore. They weren't suspicious of her, were they?
Hastily, Leafpool attempted to make herself look busy, stalking into a shaded corner, kneading at an already plump nest with her front legs, plumping it up to excess. It was no good, as Brightheart stopped out of the gloomy chamber, like a crow pecking around a wormhole for it's wriggling prey. Vaguely, she had hoped Brightheart would come to Leafpool, but that quickly turned out not to be the case.
Instead, Brightheart remained just beyond her rocky hideaway, in the open light, her silent waiting forcing Leafpool to emerge. "We're getting worried, Leafpool.", Brightheart got straight to the point as the Medicine cat approached, "Why haven't you been eating properly? How do you expect to care for the Clan if you can't even care for yourself?".
Stop Talking! Leafpool desperately wanted to cry out aloud. They were clipping away at her walls of lies, threatening for the dark truth to slip out like a disturbed ant's hill. While her mind was raging battlefield of needed ideas, Leafpool's face remained a blank as a sheet of ice. Say something, you stupid she-cat!
"Leafpool?", Brightheart asked gently, blinking, slightly unnerved by an unmoving Leafpool.
The orangey patches of Brightheart's pelt seemed to spark into a fierce fiery red, melting away the snowy white uncoated. Imagining a dark ginger she-cat, Squirrelflight standing there instead of Brightflower. Leafpool needed her sister more than ever before.
Before she could control herself, a lost Leafpool allowed her frantic thoughts to form into pathetic words, "I need your help.", she slipped out to Brightheart.
"Do you need me back in the Medicine cat den?", the ginger and white guessed, tail tip twitching. Unsure how Leafpool had gotten there, she just allowed the strong current of the conversation sweep her away, blindly following where it went. As long as it leads in the opposite direction of her kits. "Yes.", Leafpool abruptly spoke, making up everything on the fly, "I wasn't as prepared as I thought- So you mind coming back? Only for a little while.".
The warrior briefly gazed into empty space, before returning to Leafpool, "Have you tried looking for an apprentice yet?", Brightheart mewed calmly.
"I'm trying.", Leafpool replied, "I've asked Cinderkit to spread the word. But I can't force anyone to be my apprentice if they don't want to.". A hovering thought abruptly hit Leafpool like a speeding monster; since her kits would only think of her as their mother's sister, they could very well consider becoming her apprentice. Delight struck through her like a lightning bolt. Even if she couldn't be a mother to them, she'd promise to be the perfect mentor!
"So- It's this all it is?", Brightheart wandered, breaking into Leafpool's hopes for the future, "Struggling to adapt without Cinderpelt?". Needing to get out of this situation, Leafpool simply nodded. Though Brightheart didn't seem convinced, still pressing on like a strong river current, "Are you sure?", Brightheart mewed.
"I'm sure.", Leafpool spoke firmly, trying to get Brightheart off her trail, like trying to scratch off a stubborn tick. Only this one could expose a lot more than just a drop of blood. At last, the white she-cat shrugged, "Very well.", heading in the opposite direction, "Call me when you need to.".
Unable to afford another single scrap of suspicion, Leafpool instantly span around on the spot, rushing towards the Warrior's den. A fox-length from the entrance, Squirrelflight was sharing tongue with Whitewing, while Brambleclaw awkwardly crouched on the outskirts. Ignoring the slow forgiveness between the two mates, Leafpool prodded Squirrelflight with her muzzle.
Raising her head from Whitewing's fluffy white fur, a dozy Squirrelflight took a while to recognize the panic on Leafpool's face. However as soon as she did, she abruptly got up, Whitewing and
Brambleclaw blinking in confusion.
"We should of thought of this earlier!", Squirrelflight hissed at the musty air, sharpening her claws on a tangling tree rot like a warm from bursting from the ground. Away from camp, the sisters had found the trees opening up for a small mossy mound, serving as good vantage point for any possible spies in all directions. Choosing the distant backdrop of Shadowclan's pines rather than Windclan's moors. Despite how unlikely as it was, Crowfeather couldn't be allowed to spot them if he was out on a border patrol.
"Agreed.", Leafpool huffed, guilt sparking up from her gut, as the kits seem to become more active than ever, beating down hard on her belly, even stronger than her rushing heartbeat. Smoothing her aching belly down with her tongue, Leafpool somehow expected to calm unconscious bundles of fur. I and your mother will keep you safe, little ones, I promise.
"And to think this entire time we didn't have a long-term plan. How can we be so mouse-brained to think, you can somehow give birth while still living in camp?", Squirrelflight questioned, unclear if she asking Leafpool or to herself. Though it didn't matter. Every suggestion or concern in this conversation could not be afforded to be ignored.
"The problems will come much earlier than that, Squirrelflight.", Leafpool pointed out, "Herbs can only do so much before someone is bound to notice me plumping up in the middle of Leafbare. Cats are already questioning my changing eating habits, including Sandstorm.".
"But I thought the Algae was keeping the swelling down?", Squirrelflight exclaimed, wide-eyes in surprised. While Squirrelflight had reaped the benefits of their extra prey, now having the plumpness to rival a Riverclan cat, Leafpool had become as scrawny as a struggling rouge. And to think Crowfeather and her thought they could raise a family in the unknown world outside the Clan territories.
"It is but not in the way we want.", Leafpool revealed, "It's making me actually lose weight. At this rate, it could actually put the kits in danger. Squirrelflight- I don't know what to do." For the longest time, no one dare speak expect the rippling breeze weaving among the hanging branches, rattling them like chattering teeth. Questions racing through her head on what in the name of Starclan they could do.
A single answer always tried creeping to the surface, but Leafpool kept banishing it to the darkest corners of her mind. There was only one option. But she couldn't. Not after she caused so much suffering to Thunderclan. Though, what other choice was there?
Only Squirrelflight had the guts to finally speak the unspeakable words, "Then we have no choice.", she whispered as harshly as the bitter frost surrounding them, "You have to leave Thunderclan territory to give birth to those kits.".
"There has to be another way.", Leafpool gasped, stumbling to find some excuse in her the jumbled mess of her mind. It's was pointless to try and fight it anymore. As Leafpool knew deep down it her heart, that every word that Squirrelflight said was true.
"You said yourself the kits' growth could already be affected. We're not taking more risks.", Squirrelflight painfully reminded her, "You have to get out of here and focus on yourself and them. It'll be a moon at most. Thunderclan will fine.".
"A whole moon without a Medicine cat, Squirrelflight!", Leafpool repeated, "Too much could happen.". Thinking of the endless possibilities of how Clanmates could get injured or sick, slowly sinking further down, left there to rot in a nest with no Medicine cat. Could Greencough break through their only cures? There couldn't be a repeat of Molepaw's and Rainwhisker's death.
"But we're not helpless.", Squirrelflight argued, refusing to believe Thunderclan's weakness, "You're already working with Brightheart, ain't you? And Sandstorm knows some basics as well. Their combined effects will be enough to last the moon, I sure.".
For once, Squirrelflight caught the harshness in her own words, flattening her pelt again, her mews more gentle, carrying on, "It'll only temporary- Once you get back, you'll take up the position as nothing happened. It's either this or your kits end up like Stormfur. Or worse.".
Having to admit defeat, Leafpool's head drooped down in a sigh, "So how exactly are we going to do this?", she breathed shallowly.
"Well-", Squirrelflight started abruptly, suddenly all the confident assurance drained out, "You'll have to find somewhere to hide away from the Clans but also safe enough to raise kits."
Leafpool flattened her ears, "Staying within any of the other Clan territories is completely out of the question.", she mewed, "A mouse is more likely to sprout wings then Shadowclan is to keep our secret.", she remarked, feeling like she was in Squirrelflight's pelt for a heartbeat.
The tiny whirlpools within Squirrelflight's head started spinning as she attempted to come up with ideas. Her lips twitching as she muttered quite words to herself. "What about the island for Gatherings?", Squirrelflight finally suggested, "It's small and low on prey, but it only needs to support one cat.". Seemly impressed at herself, tail tip stuck straight up.
For the first time though, it was Leafpool's logic who surpassed her sister's creativity, "Where I am supposed to go during the Gathering though?", Leafpool asked, "And I'll still be within the Clan borders for anyone to see."
Small fireflies flared up in Squirrelflight's green eyes as a moment of brilliance slipped in, "The Horse place then!", she exclaimed excitedly, relieved, "It's perfect. No Clan cats will patrol there and it would be the safest place for your kits.".
Memories washing over her vision as she recalled Daisy stumbling into camp all those moons ago, trying to get three helpless scraps of fur to safety from the Twoleg's clutches. "Don't you remember why Daisy left there in the first place? That other loner, Floss, had her kits taken away by the Twolegs.".
Her heart pounding against her chest, when she released this would be her - Take on the relentless and lonely task of keeping her kits safe in their first days of life, against the entire world of dangers waiting to lash out.
Even cats she'd grown up with her entire life were a threat. Echoing Leafpool's hidden thoughts, Squirrelflight sorrowfully and slowly shook her head, "There will be threats no matter you go, Leafpool.", she pointed out, "It's either Twolegs and Loners in the Horseplace- Or foxes and badgers in the wilderness. At least Twolegs are easier to avoid.".
"You're right-", Leafpool muttered, "But that still wouldn't explain my explicable disappearance and return for an entire moon.".
Clearly forcing herself to speak it aloud, Squirrelflight hesitantly answered, "Greystripe.". Instantly making Leafpool shudder like a frightened mouse, not liking where this was heading. Though Squirrelflight carried on regardless, "When you'll have to leave for the Horse place soon, I could claim you were stolen by stolen by Twolegs. The only difference is, that you can claim you escaped them when you eventually return.".
"H-how soon will this have to be?", Leafpool asked. voice trembling, threatening to crack under the stress like she was being crushed by a landslide. Unable to face her, Squirrelflight's vacant expression drifted into empty space, dully shrugging, "Thunderclan already suspicious, so we haven't got time to waste. It will either have to be today or tomorrow."
The words rang hollow for a heartbeat, like trying to catch a thin thread of cobweb caught in a breeze. Soon it all came caving in, legs threatening to topple over like trees in a mighty gale.
All her kin and friends. How could she betray them like this? Their father had already suffered through the loss of his best friend. Now they were going to make him think the same fate had met his daughter- Sandstorm as well.
Yet Leafpool bitterly repeated Starclan's warning under her breath, "With each new breath you take, you must tell another lie", she whispered with a disgusted snort. No matter how much she hated it, she still had to force herself on.
"If we're going to do this-", Leafpool muttered, "We have to make sure Thunderclan is prepared. Could you help gather as many herbs as possible?". Reaching to her paws, Leafpool slid down the earthy hillside, flickering for Squirrelflight to join her, running through the most vital herbs Brightheart would need. Without complaining, Squirrelflight pressed her flank into Leafpool's as they began the long task, the Medicine cat pressing her muzzle into a tuft of scrawny grass. Snuffling like a wild hog in search of seeds and roots.
No one batted an eye when the sisters emerged from the Thorn tunnel, even when dusk was creeping across the sky. Unsurprising the two she-cats would spend the whole day together, having each other's back since their birth. Which Leafpool couldn't be more grateful. The only small detail that sparked curiosity was the absurd amount of herbs overflowing from their jaws like green waterfalls.
Despite the chilling bite of leafbare having gotten the majority of lush greenery from the previous seasons, Leafpool had used every scrap of knowledge to relentlessly search for those few previous surviving stems and leaves. Even a single tiny bulb on a dead branch would do. Though a day's trip could only do so much, only having time to gather the most basic and wide-use herbs before Leafpool was forced to leave. Sooner then she cared to admit.
Back in camp, Squirrelflight and Leafpool would have usually separated due to their clashing duties. However needing all the help she could get, the Ginger Queen helped regardless, simply keeping everyone's questions are bay with her venomous words. Until sunset, they worked overtime to count, preserved and stocked every last herb. Though without even a basic knowledge, Squirrelflight was stuck just taking orders, much to her displeasure.
By they finished, the Herb store organisation was completely uneven, different plant piles towering over others. Somehow seemingly even more baron then before. Though they had no time to fuse over it or even catch their breath, as they still needed to make sure Thunderclan was in safe paws in Leafpool's absence. While Squirrelflight searched for Sandstorm, Leafpool called for Brightheart.
Earlier setting up a long row of herbs for Brightheart's memorise, they kept on looping between each name, ingraining into the helper's mind. "-Yarrow for making cats throw up and clear poison and Feverfew is to keep down chills.", Leafpool stated, pointing out each herb with her tail,. The white and ginger Warrior took a pulse, repeating them back to Leafpool, "Juniper berries for belly aches. Daisy leaves for joints. Yarrow for poisons. Feverfew for chills.", she repeated.
Quickly nodding to signal she'd gotten it right, Leafpool nervously glanced out of the Medicine den. Curled up beside the Fresh-kill pile, Squirrelflight had been busy trying to subtly test Sandstorm's medical knowledge through the cover of casual conversation. Though the only the thing the barrage of endless questions seemed to be testing was their mother's patience.
Don't be suspicious, Leafpool silently begged her sister, turning her attention back to the teaching. Though the eventual moment where Brightheart would get fed up had finally come, as
Brightheart's signal green pierced into Leafpool like slashing claws, "Look- Leafpool. I know you said you wanted my help- and I do enjoy it. But at this rate, I'll become your apprentice.", Brightheart mewed, half joking, half serious.
"I've kept you here quite a while, haven't I?", Leafpool admitted, swallowing in unease.
"It is a bit much, honestly.", Brightheart sighed, tiredness croaking her voice, "Needing to learn all those herbs on top of my regular warrior duties.".
It was true. Once Leafpool had faked her kidnapping by Twolegs, it would probably be Brightheart forced to take her place. Even if it was temporary, no one else would know that. For all Brightheart knew, she'd be in an unwanted position for the rest of my life. Forgive me, Leafpool silently cried out, if innocents kits weren't involved, I wouldn't make you go through this.
"I think you've done more than enough actually, Brightheart.", Leafpool praised, starting to brush the leaf wraps acrosses the Herb Store, "So I'll only call you for the real emergencies from now on.". Before leaving, Brightheart brushed her tail against Leafpool's flank heaving with nerves, "You're ready to serve Thunderclan alone, Leafpool, even if you don't think it - Overcoming every challenge, from the Great Journey to Crowfeather. You're proven yourself more than enough times.", she purred. Unable to find the words in time, Leafpool just watched Brightheart pad away into the crisp twilight, tainted in purple.
Soon, another cat took Brightheart's place in the den as Squirrelflight dipped her head, satisfied, "Sandstorm seems to remember most of the basics.", she reported. At least one piece of good news lifted Leafpool's rapidly declining mood, putting some of the pressure off of Brightheart.
"Then Thunderclan will be safe.", Leafpool purred, relieved.
