Nippy white shards pricked at Leafpool's numb pawpads as she blinked against the dim dawn light. Up much earlier then she'd wanted. Solid snow had settled in the camp, hardening like a new layer of gleaming stone. The pale sun's long rays caught at just the right angel, a million stars gleaming like a frosty version of the Moonstone, long forgotten back at the Old Forest. Arching her spine, Leafpool failed to get the grogginess out of her system, having gotten pitiful sleep.
Yet no matter how much she had tousled and turned around in the moss last night, like hovering flies, guilt and fear had refused to let her mind settle. Taking a moment to enjoy the chilled crisp air as it filled her lungs as she stood in the open clearing. Relieved to escape her claustrophobic den, feeling narrower with each passing day. Branches of the fallen tree rattled as Daisy slid out from Elder's den, carrying dirty moss, dumping it outside of the Apprentice's den for one of its members to clear out later.
Since there were no kits in the Nursery, while Ferncloud had returned to her warrior duties, Daisy had taken up caring for the oldest instead of youngest. As she plodded past, Dasiy gave Leafpool a pleasant dip of the head, who stood there as a drained husk. Before Leafpool's slow-moving brain could process a response, Daisy had already vanished into the gloomy shelter again. Hissing to herself that she'd missed the chance to lighten this bleak situation with a polite conversation. Especially with the Queen who was likely going to help raise her kits once they were in Squirrelflight's care.
What time was it anyway? Attempting to knock herself out of her confused daze, Leafpool's blurry vision swept across the edges of camps to see who was awake. Though roughly four or five clanmates were active, everyone else still tucked away in their dens. Only Dawn patrol and last night's guard were working this early in the day.
Like cruel claws of ice scraping down her back, a freezing wind managed to burrow its way beyond the cliff barriers into camp. Instantly the few cats around scattered like ants into thicks bushes or caves, desperate to escape the weather. Reluctantly, Leafpool had to retreat back into her lonely corner of Thunderclan. Recently Leafbare's reign had gotten so harsh, Firestar had ordered all cats without duties to keep warm in their dens and reserve their energy. For once a valid excuse for Clan cats to act like Kittypets.
Slumping down onto the cold stone, Leafpool kept her eyes firmly on the entrance. Vaguely hoping to spot the faces of the kin and friends she'd grown up with all her life. Yet the bitter wind kept it the rock hollow empty and barren of life. It was a hard concept to grasp, that from this day on, apart from Squirrelflight, all of Thunderclan would think Leafpool been kidnapped forever. First their old deputy, Graystripe and now their Medicine cat. She'd be making her Clanmates think Twolegs were even more of a threat.
Curling up into ball, Leafpool had never felt more alone in life, with no hope of escaping it, sworn into silence by Starclan itself. Yet an abrupt wriggling sensation came from under her soft belly like swimming fish, reminding her otherwise. Would you even remember our short time together, my kits? It's not that it mattered what Leafpool felt anymore, it was only about them.
"None of this is your fault, little ones.", she whispered, pressing her muzzle to her flank, "Me and your father made an awful mistake and we're punished for it. But you don't need to worry. You'll grow up happy under loyal parents, just like you deserve.", she breathed, the purr beginning to rise up in her throat. Relishing in the wonders of motherhood while she still could.
"And I promise, even if I can't be your mother, I'll do everything I can to protect you.", she announced, trying to make out their tiny heartbeats as her ear lay flat against them, "You're a blessing from Starclan and I'll always love you, even if you don't know it.".
No matter how much Leafpool wanted a response, the underdeveloped scraps under her pelt didn't even twitch. Even if they could somehow hear her, there was no way her kits could understand a single word. And they shouldn't either. They needed to keep safe from the harsh truth and so couldn't be allowed to remember anything hinting towards Leafpool's true relationship with them.
Yet Leafpool's self-pitying wasn't allowed to last as rustling came from elsewhere. However instead of it being one of the dens, it came from the thorn tunnel as Squirrelflight appeared, her fur bristled up as a spiky barrier against the unforgiving cold. Braving the freezing waves of wind, Leafpool went to clearing to greet her, "How are you returning to camp?", she gasped, pressing close together to share their warmth, "How early did you wake up?".
Even if no one else was daring to venture outside of their warmer dens, Squirrelflight still lowered her head, whispering, "I have the luxury of staying in camp the next moon, so it's only fair I do this last bit of work.", she mewed, "The scene already been set up, two twoleg scents and everything.".
Nearby, Spiderleg was on guard duty, struggling not to fall asleep. As the sisters approached, it finally gave the bored tom something to do. "Sneaking off to see Crowfeather, are we Leafpool?", he coldly snorted. Leafpool flinched violently at the remark. Please don't let that be any more than a joke! Sharply turning her head towards Spiderleg, Squirrelflight spat back, "Oh, shut up! It barely lasted a day and nothing come out of it. Let it go already.".
Holding up his paw defensively, the black warrior narrowed his eyes, "Fine- Whatever! Keep your fur on, foxheart.". Keeping her head down in shame, Leafpool silently trodded out the camp while the stubborn clanmates stared each other down. Out in the forest, Leafpool could finally speak freely, "What excuse did you use to get up so early?", Leafpool added quickly.
Squirrelflight shrugged, "Just said the kits were fidgeting, so went on a night's run to deal it. Does that sound weird for me?".
All Leafpool could do was be completely honest, "Sounds just like you to me.", she admitted. "Exactly.", the ginger she-cat rasped.
Just as Squirrelflight finished speaking, the sound of crunching paws against snow caught both their attention. Brambleclaw approaching, leaving deep tracks in his path from his heavyweight, "Did exercise help with the pain at all?", he asked warily, pressing his muzzle to his mate's plump belly, "Not even born yet and those furballs are already as feisty as their mother."
Still awkward from Brambleclaw's exposed secrets, Squirrelflight made him keep his distance with her tail, "Not yet.", she still purred at the joke, "But I'm heading out with Leafpool to grab the right herb.".
Hearing this, Brambleclaw's amber gaze drifted over to Leafpool, ear twitching curiously, "You seriously don't have anything stocked after that herb spree yesterday?", he asked in disbelief.
Leafpool snorted, "Even a whole day isn't enough to collect every herb type, Brambleclaw.". Though what she technically said was true, deception still lurked underneath. As Leafpool and Squirrelflight had purposefully left out borage from their last trip, so they'd have the excuse to go out a second time.
Brambleclaw blinked thoughtfully for a moment, "If this carries on, do you think Squirrelflight will need to move to the Nursery?", he finally asked. Of course to this, the independent Squirrelflight had an instant and strong reaction, "Excuse me, I'm the one who's pregnant.", she snapped, beating her tail on the white floor, "So I'll decide that!".
Leafpool cooly laid her tail over an enraged Squirrelflight, like flinging solid ice into a blazing fire. Calmly she explained, "Most Queens don't move until a moon in and Squirrelflight is only a half-moon, so it'll be awhile to go.", she mewed. Both of them reluctantly nodding, Leafpool changed course towards the Thorn tunnel, "We should get going.", she mewed, calling back to Brambleclaw, "Tell Firestar we're out if he asks.".
As they passed a dozing Spiderleg and the Thorn tunnel, the forest stretched before them, stained white, with sharp snow or ice clinging to every surface like a pest. Thick grey clouds gathered on the corner of the sky like a hunter waiting in hiding to strike and drown the landscape ever further in Leafbare. All trees had been struck bare of leaves, leaving their naked branches to be battered by the cruel wild. Would the Horse Place allow her kits to escape this harsh season? Would Squirrelflight be able to handle it and keep up the lie at the same time?
After awhile, Leafpool finally felt confident enough to turn to Squirrelflight, "Actually, Brambleclaw has the right idea. Since you're only plump from food, we can't afford you to be burning fat on Warriors duties, or you'll lose your pregnant belly. So, I know you'll probably say no but- could you move into the Nursery early? Maybe in reaction to me disappearing. It could make it look more convincing. ", Leafpool stammered off into silence, she wondered if her littermate had even heard half of her rambling.
However, Squirrelflight responded with a groan so impressively loud, Leafpool wasn't aware that was possible for a cat, "I'll do what's necessary for the kits. But don't expect me not to moan about it.". Twisting her neck like a snake, Leafpool stared directly at Squirrelflight. Up until this point, she hadn't truly recognized just how lucky to have someone at her side. To all those other forbidden mates who were completely alone is world waiting for snap at them with death or exile. At every turn, with no hope of escape. Leafpool couldn't dare to imagine.
With the deepest of sighs, Leafpool began her long painful speech, "I'm sorry for having to make you do all thi-". However, suddenly her open jaw was filled with a mouthful of fur, blocking the words. "That's enough.", Squirrelflight ordered.
Before Leafpool could spit out the tail and reply, Squirrelflight suddenly threw herself at a nearby oak. With bursting speed, true to her name, she scaled the nearly vertical trunk with the skill of a squirrel, disappearing into its branches. Leaving Leafpool standing there, lost for words.
Using all her body weight, Squirrelflight slammed onto the lowest branch, a large clump of snow piled on top. Unable to react in time, the icy powder drenched Leafpool from head to tail, the sudden stab of cold making her gasp.
Instinctively, Leafpool rapidly shook off every flake from her brown pelt, coming down in a waterfall of white. Instead of giving an explanation of her immature behaviour, as soon as Squirrelflight's paws hit the ground, she swerved, tumbling into the scrawny thicket. "Squirrelflight!", Leafpool called, "Where are you doing? This is serious!".
However as the rustling faded into the distance, it becomes clear she wasn't coming back, forcing Leafpool to give chase. What was her sister playing at? A forest all it's own, Leafpool blindly stumbled through the massive plant patch, dead roots tugged at her paws and sharp twigs scraped against her face. Brown leaves now too heavy for their shrivelled stems slumped over to create an arching roof, sealing Leafpool inside.
The only guidance in this lake of rotting undergrowth was the hushed crinkling of flattening leaves as Squirrelflight trampled them, somewhere out there. Straining her ears, Leafpool struggled to locate the subtle noise against the wall of howling wind high above. Did Thunderclan's hunters have to go through this everyday?
Then a sharp hiss rang as her littermate must have stepped on a sharp object, giving Leafpool all the direction she needed. Spinning round, the Medicine cat traced the source of the sound to the edge of a thicket. However, Squirrelflight picked up on Leafpool nearing, giving up on hiding and just trying to escape, bolting out from the tangle of roots like orange lightning.
Refusing to play this game any longer, Leafpool legged it after her, using every piece of energy she had to spare. Now in the open, only speed could decide who would be victorious. "Can we stop this now?", Leafpool begged loudly, her voice heavy with panting. Nimble as ever, Squirrelflight causally leapt from log to log like a toad, having a great time. "Only when you catch me!", the ginger she-cat cheered.
What were they, kits? They were supposed to be protecting actual kits, not pretending to be one! Having enough, Leafpool decided to pull Squirrelflight's own trick against her, halting suddenly and ducking under a decaying stump. It took a few heartbeats for her prey to notice the lack of a hunter, searching her forest surroundings.
Pressing hard against the bark, Leafpool hoped its musty tang would be enough to conceal her Thunderclan scent. Stinking her muzzle to the bare earth, Squirrelflight's nose and eyes scanned every surface, slowly edging towards Leafpool's tree stump. Trying to remember the little she knew of hunting, Leafpool gathered her weight under her, piling it into her legs as she crouched there.
Steadying her back paws, she waited for Squirrelflight to come into pouncing distance, then struck! Leaping into the air, Leafpool quickly focused the force onto her littermate's shoulder, knocking her down. Unable to find her footing in time, both were sent tumbling down the sloping hillside in a ball of rolling fur.
Luckily Squirrelflight managed to detach from the flailing paws, twisting to grab Leafpool's scruff and grinding her claws into the snow until they came to a shakey stop. Shaking down their ruffed pelts from the snow and dirt, they had landed in a shallow gully at the bottom of the hill, carved out by an ancient river, now long dried up. Trees desperately clung to it's steep sides at odd angles, upturning the earth and exposing their snaking roots. Ready to topple at any heartbeat.
Leafpool flatten her ears in annoyance, she stared down at her mouse-brained sister, who still cleaned her messy coat, "When you go into the Nursery soon, do you want to be a Queen or a kit?", she hissed, not in the mood anymore.
Nudging a twig out from behind her ear, Squirrelflight just snorted, "If you're going to leave, then I make you leave smiling. Not like the miserable lump you've been over the past few days.". Flinching at those words, Leafpool couldn't help but silently agree. Since she'd realized she was pregnant, all she'd been doing was moping about her den and drowning in her self-pity.
"I guess having a bit of fun before I go wouldn't hurt.", Leafpool weakly purred, sitting back on her haunches, trying to relax. Squirrelflight pressed her flank against Leafpool's, brushing her silky tail against her check, "Even if you made a mistake Leafpool, that doesn't mean you're not allowed to be happy.".
"I guess.", Leafpool sighed, feeling the shame drain away to cold numbness. Feeling strangely weak, Squirrelflight allowed Leafpool to lean on her shoulder as the journey made them follow the rest of the ditch. Along the way, Leafpool collected every herb the barren rocky path had to offer. To give the impression that they'd actually been collecting herbs. Though the selection was pitiful, only a few strands of withered yarrow and tansy. Through wedged deep between two boulders, Leafpool divorced an upturned Borage plant, blew down by the wind.
"Good find!", Squirrelflight exclaimed, "That will be useful for secret supplies.". Carrying the drooping stems, Leafpool tried answering through closed teeth, "Even when I'm gone, you'll need to remember to keep up the borage doses and extra prey.". Ear twitching, Squirrelflight glanced down at her growing belly with a groan, "Can't wait.", she drily remarked.
Soon, the tall walls of the gully sloped downwards, until eventually, they were non-existent, joining together at a single point, creating a dead end. Scrambling up onto higher land again, Leafpool finally noticed the wide spaces between trees, without much greenery to fill in the emptiness left behind. Only large mounds of mushy fallen leaves gave this place any distinction.
Tasting the air, Thunderclan's scent marks grew faint, now mingling with outside scents of foxes and twolegs. Laying a paw onto the damp ground, Leafpool now stood on the Thunderclan border not shared by any other Clan. Signalling the end of Leafpool's beloved home and the start of the vast unknown worlds beyond.
Yet it wasn't over, as Squirrelflight made them follow the border even further up, where the oaks made an eerily perfect circle, creating a neat forest opening. Then it was clear why she'd been brought here. Round the clearing; claws marks were scraped into the bark of trees, fallen leaves were wildly scattered round while earth and snow tracks remained upturned.
"Convincing?", Squirrelflight mewed with pride and she had every right to. It certainly resembled the aftermath of a gruesome struggle. Telling a detailed story of a cat desperately lashing out and clinging to the ground as they were hauled by a larger creature they were helpless to defend themselves against.
"It's certainly is.", Leafpool gazed, feeling impressed and uneasy at the same time. Even worse when she remembered this was all for her. This is what her Clanmates would inversion her when Squirrelflight claims she was kidnapped. But what she didn't expect, was the nasty smell twoleg hanging in the atmosphere.
"How did you get it smelling like Twolegs? This is amazing.", Leafpool exclaimed, following the edges of the clearing with her muzzle. Remaining sitting at the centre, Squirrelflight shrugged, "I had to roll in twoleg gardens last night to get it over here. I smelt worse than a Shadowclan cat covered in foxdang.".
After laughing at her own joke, burying down the pain, Squirrelflight hurriedly moved on. Arching her ears, she pointed out a distinctive elm tree among this oak filled landscape. At the exact centre, the trunk was snapped in half, like a giant claw has slashed through it, threads of the sorter and paler wood pouring out of the wound.
Brushing her tail against the rough timber, Squirrelflight mewed, "When the kits are born and ready to be picked up from the Horse Place, leave a scratch mark on this tree. A patrol will definitely report that and I'll know it's you.". Nerves pricked at Leafpool's fur, needing to risk coming so close to the border when she was supposed to be missing. Though it was necessary, the safest way to communicate.
Testing it, Leafpool flexed her claws into the dead trunk, soft from decay, perfect for a clear scratch mark. While she fused over the scenery, she barely noticed Squirrelflight dragging out a chestnut brown hare from a clump of brambles. "And one last thing-", Squirrelflight mewed, letting it fall limp on the floor, "A Rabbit served fresh from the moors. A gift from Crowfeather.".
Instantly, Leafpool stared at Squirrelflight, massive fear rapidly building like a fire, "You didn't tell him about the kits, did you?", she gasped.
To her relief, Squirrelflight quickly shook her head, "No- no. I came across him on a border patrol and told him you wanted to taste Windclan rabbit again.", her sister mewed, "So we made a little trade- A Thunderclan squirrel for this rabbit."
Nervously, Leafpool poked at the limp prey with her paw, very tempted by it, "But what if Onestar finds out about this?", she asked, "He'll think Thunderclan stealing prey.". Dreading to think what the impulsive Windclan leader could do to Thunderclan without its Medicine cat.
"Relax.", Squirrelflight insured, nudging it towards her, "Crowfeather hid its scent before it even crossed the border.". Sniffing at its wispy fur, there wasn't a trace of heather on it. Instead only the moist reek of mushrooms, freshly rolled in the fungi. Confident it was safe to eat, Leafpool nodded gratefully towards Squirrelflight, before tearing into the sweet meat.
It had been so long before Leafpool had an entire fresh-kill all to herself, she almost felt greedy. But those feelings of guilt were quickly washed down by the juicy taste of Windclan, crewer then Thunderclan's usual prey. Unable to remember the last time Crowfeather had hunted for her. Even if he didn't know it, he was helping to sustain the development of his kits by keeping Leafpool fed. I'll make sure every one of our litter survives to become proud warriors, Crowfeather, no matter which clan they belong to.
Soon, the delicious rabbit was reduced to thin bones and a furry hide, Leafpool sitting back and lashing up the last food scraps from around her muzzle. Satisfied to allow this moment to last forever. However knowing she couldn't pulse time, Leafpool forced herself to reluctantly bury the leftovers under the scattered leaves. Crowfeather's gift would not to go waste.
The whole time Squirrelflight had patiently waited for Leafpool without a moan, crouched at the edge of the messy clearing. Padding over with a full belly, Medicine cat's throat soon dried up. "This is it, isn't it?", Leafpool whispered.
Attempting to hide her emotions, Squirrelflight just shrugged, "Yeah. I guess it is.", she muttered, forcing a pleasant twitch of the whiskers. The wind weaving through the rustling bracken was like the forest itself whispering to her, beckoning Leafpool.
Beyond the border, the trees kept diminishing in number, fewer and fewer, until there was nothing at all, only long fields of grass and weeds. Nothing in the outside to remind her of home. Even though she was facing the dangerous outside world alone, she still wanted to know that her clanmates distant hopes and prayers could give her strength through it all.
"Don't give it away, but when you tell Thunderclan a Twoleg caught me- remind them I'm not actually dead and can still come back.", Leafpool begged, "I want them to have some hope.".
Brushing her tail against Leafpool's boney flank, Squirrelflight softly purred, "Of course I will.".
Though there was a hollowness in that purr.
For all this time, the sisters had sheltered themselves under their wall of lies and silence. Yet they no longer had that luxury. Despite the details being a lie, those words Squirrelflight would utter to the whole clan would be true - Leafpool would actually be missing, going past the Clans' domain, where anything could happen to her or the kits and they would be none the wiser.
Even moments away from leaving, Leafpool still couldn't help herself but continue supporting her sister, "So- Make sure you keep up your extra prey and Borage leaves.", Leafpool reminded her in a stuttering voice, "And even if you don't know that much- Could you help Brightheart and Sandstorm whenever you ca-".
For her own good, Squirrelflight interrupted her with a sharp yap, "Leafpool!". Flattening down her burning brown pelt with her tongue, "It's best you just go. Don't make this any more painful.". The sisters shuffled closer together, burying their heads into their shoulders and tail curled round in a circle. Their breathing perfectly in sync as if one living creature. For the longest time, nobody dared move.
What could have been a heartbeat or a moon, desperately Leafpool gripped onto Squirrelflight, the only one who understood. A cat who would still love her even if Leafpool had a river of innocent blood at her feet. Starclan had truly blessed her with the best sister.
Though for the best, the ginger she withdrew her glowing warmth from Leafpool as she stepped back, letting Leafbare's chilling grip burrow down into her bones once again. Forcing herself not to glance back, Squirrelflight grabbed the herbs and silently slipped across the scattered remains of the clearing, soon lost to the sea of greeny.
With nothing to else to do, Leafpool drifted in the opposite direction, like a lost chick who had dropped out the nest.
Swiping the prickly weeds from her face, Leafpool stepped out from the large patch of tangling brush. Ahead of her were dense unfamiliar shrubland of dull greens and yellows, stumpy short trees barely peeking out from the tufts of long grass. Sloping downwards to the hard surface of black sticky stone of a small Thunderpath, burning with a smoke-like scent, venomous to her sensitive nose. Without Monsters zipping past at blinding speed, the Thunderpath seemed mostly abandoned, allowing brown dust to settle.
More snow had flattered down from the heavens, crisping up the surrounding thicket. Though the heavy grey clouds had cleared up to either side of the sky, that didn't stop the sunlight dimming as the sun crept towards the horizon. The Thunderclan border was long out of sight, only a narrow line of green in the far distance.
By now, Squirrelflight must have already lied their Clanmates that a Twoleg had snatched Leafpool away. How were they all handling it? Her parents especially must have been having an awful time. This wasn't the first time a daughter had disappeared, happening before when Squirrelflight had left for the Sun-drown place. Yet this wasn't the same. At least with her littermate, she had five traveling companions to help protect her. But for Leafpool, she was alone, with unborn litter to take care of.
By placing the blame on a twoleg, twisted everything to become darker and uglier. All cats painfully aware of the power Twolegs held over them, first destroying their forest territories and then snatching away their former deputy for seasons on end. Now Thunderclan thought the same fate had fallen upon their Medicine cat.
Without Leafpool, Brightheart would think she'd have to take up an unwanted rank for a lifetime despite having a mate and kit. Would she handle the stress of it all? Could Sandstorm provide any aid in her grief?
Was the emotional manipulation of everyone they knew really justified? On the assumption that Thunderclan's hatred might be so much, they'd ignore the warrior code to punish innocent kits? Weather Leafpool was being selfish or selfless, it was impossible to say anymore. But there was no point in turning back now.
"I'll be back soon.", Leafpool quietly promised, somehow wishing the rippling breeze to pick up the words like a dead leaf, delivering the message home. Sighing, she pressed onwards.
Crowfeather's rabbit had given her the energy necessary to make the long journey to Horse Place, but that didn't stop her becoming breathless and her paws numb. Usually, the treck would have been reasonably short, able to easily make within a day. However, Leafpool has been forced to make a large detour from the usual path, travelling in a long arch outside the territories instead of cutting straight through them.
Not even able to travel near the borders, as if she was spotted by an enemy patrol, Squirrelflight's story could be shattered at the next Gathering. So the only route possible, were in those barren hills far away from the lake, not another Clan cat in sight. Unless Thunderclan sent out a search patrol, attempting to track her scent. Yet even that wasn't enough, as Leafpool smelt of nothing but frosty snow, rolling in it from head to tail.
Following the dusty Thunderpath up north, it veered back in the direction the Lake, Shadowclan's pines and Windclan's moors growing larger. However just before Leafpool came dangerously close to exposure, the hard stone surface of the Thunderpath turned to a dirt track underfoot.
Soon, Leafpool found herself at the end of the shrubbery, the only plant life outstretching in the vast field was short grass, almost trimmed to their roots. Everything else was a strange twoleg object beyond a cat's understanding.
Pacing round its borders, Leafpool considering turning around and giving birth out in the wilderness somewhere. However a sudden blast of wind swept fresh fox scent over her, alerting her to its recent presence. Even worse, was that milk was among the rotten smell. It must've been the pregnant fox driven out of Thunderclan territory serval sunsets ago.
Squirrelflight was right: It's was either foxes killing her or Twolegs capturing her. Gulping, Leafpool returned to the the Horse Place. Crisscrossing white twolegs fences marked the start of a Twoleg's territory, solid masses of red stone and wood laying at its center. Barricaded among the fences, the huge muscular frames of horses trotted around the confined spaces. If Twolegs could contain such powerful animals, they could easily do the same to Leafpool.
She knew that better then most from her own experience. Back when she was only Leafpaw and fleeing the crumbling forest, along side other Clan cats, Twolegs had briefly imprisoned her inside boxes. Would the ones from the Horse Place do the same? From Firestar's kittypet tales, they seemed impossible to predict: Some tried feeding cats while others would give chase. It was best just to assume all Twolegs as the enemy.
Leaning against the outermost wooden post, she hesitated to enter inside, Leafpool fearing either the heavy hooves of the horse or the grasping hands of Twolegs. Was this really the best place for her kits? What if she couldn't hide her kits from the Twolegs and they took them away like Floss's kits?
Could Leafpool even trust the Horseplace cats to keep her secret? They're disconnected to the Warrior Code was a blessing and a curse. They'd only see her litter as innocent kits, not Half-clan filth like some Clan cats would. However they could accidentally spill secret, unknowing of the danger it would her family in. Well, if she was staying with them for the next moon, she'd make them understand. She had to.
However, all those dreaded questions were cut short when the fence above her swayed under a cat's weight. "Howdy down there! You're one of Daisy's Clan friends, ain't ya?", a silvery voice called. Perched on the fence, a lean grey and white tom peered down at Leafpool with a curious yellow gaze. It was Smokey, Dasiy's fellow loner.
Dipping her head in greeting, Leafpool answered, "Yes, I'm Thunderclan's Medicine cat, Leafpool. Do you remember me, Smokey?". With a moment's thought, the loner's fluffy tail twitched approvingly, "Oh boy I do.", Smokey exclaimed with laughter, "That wacky cat obsessed with plants. So how are my kits?".
Ignoring his annoying comment, Leafpool just focused on the question, "Daisy's lot? They're doing well.", she informed him, "All three of them have been appointed apprentices, so they're now: Berrypaw, Hazelpaw and Mousepaw.".
Seemingly relaxed in the Clan cat's presence, Smokey licked at his paw and swiped it over his face before answering, "So that's what those furballs are called now? Wow, you Clan cats sure like your wordy names.". Leaping down from the fence, Smokey landed on the rough grass, uncomfortably close to Leafpool, brushing his tail against her flank, "So what can I do for a fine she-cat like you?", he asked smoothly with slow blinks.
He's trying to flirt with me! Heating up with embarrassment, she quickly shuffled away from him. Straightening up, Leafpool got down to business, "I know this is a lot to ask of you.", she admitted, "But I need a place to give birth to my kits. Away from the Clan territories, they can't know of their existence.".
A flash of disappointment went over Smokey's face with the mention of her pregnancy, those it was quickly replaced with disgust, "Sounds nasty.", he growled, "Do they actually forbid some cats having kits?". Flattening her ears, Leafpool hated to confess any flaws in the group she'd grown up with but it had to said. "Well yes, Unfortunately.", she replied.
To her relief, Smokey just shrugged, "Hey, ain't my business." he sneered, "So stay as long as you want."
Leafpool's pricked with pleasant surprise, "Really?", she mewed, "With all due respect- I didn't expect you to be so calm about this. You're letting a stranger into your home afterall.". Instead of standing around to have the rest of the conversation, Smokey crawled onto his belly, inviting Leafpool to join him with his tail. While still moving, Smokey answered her, "We've got more food and room to know what to do with. So the extra company would be nice.".
Then, they were ducking and weaving between a maze of white bark, edging towards the Barn-like structure at the centre. After a pause, Smokey added on in a serious tone, "And if kits are really in danger for whatever reason, you won't find me standing aside.". Leafpool couldn't help but admire the loner's courage to protect her unborn litter, even if he wasn't their father.
"Will your twolegs mind me around here?", she asked as they followed a sandy path free of snow, probably cleared out by the local Housefolk. Unbothered, Smokey shook his tail dismissively, "As long as you say away from my Nofurs' nest, those big lumps wouldn't even notice if I dropped dead right now. I think they only keep us around for the mice.".
Briefly, Leafpool kept unsure how to handle the Loner using another name for the Twolegs, but quickly choose to ignore it. She blinked in confusion, "Why would large twolegs need you for such smaller creatures?", she asked. How could they control massive creatures like horses but not deal with tiny mice?
"Not the slightest clue.", Smokey chuffed with amusement, "But believe me when I say, put a mouse and a twoleg in the same room and it's chaos. It's quite hilarious actually.". That was certainly hard to imagine. Where Twolegs really as scary as she thought they were? No wonder so many kittypets enjoyed living with them like Kin.
Finally, they made it to a large Twoleg nest, its walls made of pale stone while the doors hung open, made from narrow strips of wood. Shouldering their way through the small split, the air turned stuffy, a stark contrast from an empty and cold atmosphere of the outside. Fiery twilight filtered through openings in the Barn's walls, tinting the golden hay piles purple.
As soon as she was in the shelter of the Barn, Leafpool shook down her wind-battered pelt, scattering snowflakes. "I'll be right back.", Smokey mewed, disappearing round a corner into the wider opening. While he was gone, Leafpool took the time to assessed her temporary home. Short pattering of paws told prey wandered among those walls.
Resisting the urge to hunt, she poked at the dried grass with her paws, even softer than nests back at camp. At the far end of the Barn, smooth silver and wooden objects were balanced against the wall, many like huge craved claws. At last, a weak purr crept out of Leafpool's throat. The guilt of abandoning Thunderclan a second time would always weigh her down but now she had everything she needed: Prey, shelter and warmth.
Settling down after the exhausting experience, Leafpool whispered to her kits, "You're safe now.", she announced with relief. The Barn came in two levels, an elevated platform made from a floating log, created extra storage for hay. From atop of this came Smokey's excited yowl, "Floss! We're got a new friend!".
