The time with Floss and Smokey had taught Leafpool more kittypet terms she'd care to admit. For example, the square holes within the shed's walls were called windows. Quickly, she stopped herself listing all the fascinating names. If she gave in to the temptation, she could start becoming a kittypet herself.

Neatly folding the ivy wrap, Leafpool concealed the borage in a leafy casing. Even without Thunderclan to care for, Leafpool couldn't suppress her Medicine cat training. Gathering and preparing herbs to guarantee a smooth birth. However, without any Oak trees in the area, Leafpool been forced to make-do with ivy leaves. If she remembered correctly, Littlecloud actually preferred those for his storage leaves.

Which she'd never understood. Their strange triangular shape was infuriating to work with. At last, she could brush aside her finished bundle in between two clay stacks. Leaping onto a rotten window ledge, she checked the drying herbs in the fading twilight. However the frost kept a tight grip on the shivered plants, more crispy then dry. Since it the best she was going to get in Leafbare, she scooped them up and preserved them for future use.

The shed's herb stock only contained Borage for better milk and Raspberry leaves for painkillers. Not that she could get much better anyway. The presence of Twolegs narrowed Leafpool's options of plant life. Instead, Twolegs seemed to grow their own bushes in square patches of dark soil. The strangely colourful shrubs were unknown to Leafpool, the only familiar one being Raspberries bushes. Too bad no berries were sprouting.

Despite night approaching by the heartbeat, Leafpool had only recently woken up. Listening to Smokey's advise had paid off, as the Twolegs could hardly function without light. So she'd fallen into an uneasy routine of hunting, gathering herbs and resting. All in preparation for that fateful day. Closer than Leafpool cared to admit. It was hard to imagine, but soon, she'd be welcoming her kits into the outside world.

Even in those early stages, their personalities were starting to emerge. With a litter of two or three, one gave Leafpool more stomach pains then the others curled up on the left side of her flank. Imagining this kit being determined to serve their Clan no matter what. Even now, she knew she had a fine warrior in the works.

Could she be a good mother in the short time they had together? What could she call them? Surely they couldn't remain nameless before Squirrelflight adopts them. Well, Leafpool was prepared as she could be when the birth would be random. Hopefully, when the moment came, she'd naturally know what to do.

Without the constant need to hide her pregnancy from her Clanmates, it's couldn't be more obvious now, swelling to double its size. So on the off-chance, someone were to spot her, they'd know instantly. Not that it was likely. Since Firestar's visit, no other Clan cat had bothered them. And Leafpool had the foresight necessary to avoid Daisy in her eventual stay.

Though only serval sunsets had passed since Squirrelflight announced her missing, but it felt like seasons. Leafpool was fully grown, after all, so she wasn't helpless without her littermate. However, she still felt vulnerable. Never feeling so numb in her life. Somehow it was different when the six travelling cats set off to find the Lake.

There was always that unspoken spiritual connection between her and Squirrelflight, no matter the distance. Yet ever since that Prophecy's completion, that connection had been severed. No matter how much Leafpool reached out with her mind to sense her sister's wellbeing, it only brought endless fog.

The first star in the dusky sky was starting to peek through, peering down at the Medicine cat.

Is it time for the next generation of chosen cats, Starclan? The imagery of the blinding three stars of blue, green and gold emerging. What Destiny could be so grand, that her litter controlled the fate of Starclan? Could they ever be happy living under such a crushing burden?

Digging her claws into the hard surface, Leafpool whispered to the howling wind, wanting the message to be carried beyond this, "Stay away from my kits, Tigerstar. You can drag your son down with you, but won't lay a claw on anyone else.", hissing as she finished the sentence. The thought of the Dark Forest targeting her litter shook her to her core. You're the strongest cats in the Clans, my kits and if you understand that, no one can hurt you.

Finishing her prayer, Leafpool turned to the usual spot for her fresh-kill. Yet nothing lay there but old bones and fur. There was no choice but braving the harsh weather outside. Nervously creeping through the entrance, unturned snow laid piled around it. She'd been forced to dig it up before it could literally trap her inside the Twoleg structure.

The ever growing layer of snow was a nightmare, threatening to swallow her down under its bone-chilling surface. Like a deer, each step of Leafpool's was really a lunge, edging her way across the white plain. For once the local Twolegs had been helpful, clearing out pathways from the snow. Staggering into an open path, Leafpool shook the flakes from her pelts.

It would take a miracle to find prey in this snowy wasteland at night, but Leafpool pressed on. While her situation was still stable, she needed to sharpen her hunting skills and not rely on the free pickings in the Barn. Just in the case, the worst were to happen.

Pressing against the fences, she made her way towards the nearby Beech woodland. It wasn't quite the Oak trees of the Lake, but it was a forest nonetheless. The overhanging branches offered some shelter from snowfall, only allow scarce patches, unlike the flat fields of Horse place. The mixing of the whites and browns creating a dappled pattern like a cat's pelt.

If any wild creatures were stirring, it would be around here. Falling into her best hunting crouch, Leafpool tried to balance her weight so she wouldn't crinkle any dead leaves. The increased Twoleg activity in this area reduced the only undergrowth to hardly ferns and brambles. For the longest time, her efforts were fruitless, either the bushes being barren of life or the prey escaped.

Time dragging on, she stood up in a huff. She was a Medicine cat. Surely, she could use her unique skills to catch something? Despite knowing plants that could save lives, she also knew a few that could take them instead. Regretfully, she slowly went down the list of poisons; Deathberries, Foxglove seeds, Water hemlock…

With the unforgiving climate, it was unlikely to find any berries or Hemlock, yet seeds were almost always buried deep within their parent plant. So gaining Foxglove seeds were still a possibility. Heading south of the fence line, Leafpool eventually came to the edge of the trees, near the Horse Place's neighbouring Twoleg structures. Out of the shelter of a canopy and so close to the Twolegs' domain, Leafpool was more like exposed prey than a hunter.

Various methods were used to mark the guardians' borders, from wooden fences to stone walls. Though it specifically high hedges that Leafpool was interested in. Ignoring the unpleasant scent of kittypets, Leafpool quietly crept to the nearest hedgerow. Its leaves tinted a fierce golden from the light that radiated from the Twoleg nests.

Underneath the towering bush, the earth's nutrients had been sucked dried, only allowing scrawny weeds to grow. However, the tall stems she was looking for were tough themselves, able to thrive in Twolegplaces.

Scanning the area, Leafpool soon found it: Long tendrils that once supported purple flowers and clusters of flat leaves around their bases. While the flowers wouldn't blossom until Newleaf, their bulbs still clung to the stem. Nipping a few off, Leafpool scavenged any blacks shells from the green insides with her claws.

Careful not to swallow any, Leafpool gently wrapped the Foxgrove seeds in a leaf and headed back to the Beechwood. It was hard to even call this a herb since it was so high risk. It was meant to cure heart problems, but could easily worsen it instead. Leafpool herself had never used it and while Cinderpelt was alive, she rarely collected it for their store.

For Leafpool's apprenticeship, Cinderpelt kept the seeds in the highest corner, so she couldn't make the fatal error of mistaking them for Poppy seeds. But in this case, Leafpool intended to use its more dangerous side. Dropping the herb in the long grass of a small meadow, the brown she-cat ducked into shrivelled bracken and waited. Directly at the centre, the foxglove seeds exposed for any prey desperate enough to snatch them up.

Leafpool's only hope was that cats weren't the only creatures who could be tricked into thinking they were poppy seeds. Not long at apparently. Soft ferns rustled at the edge of Leafpool's vision, as a tiny brown shape limped into the open. Ragged and old, the grey speckled vole was in its final days. At last, luck was on her side, as this should be an almost guaranteed kill.

Straining her twitching muscles, she forced herself to let the rest of the plan unfold. The starving vole was so eager, it plunged into the seed pile without even sniffing them. Mid-chew however, it recognised its own fate, as it attempted to spit out the mush and scamper away. However, the poison had already sunken into Vole's old bones.

Just short of the safe undergrowth, the Vole's chest suddenly tightened and collapsed without a sound. Quickly hoping over to her catch, Leafpool could see the Vole was still alive, its tiny paws flailing. Without Leafpool, the seeds would give it a much slower death. Mercifully, she wouldn't let that happen, finishing it off with a single swipe.

Raising it proudly in her jaws, Leafpool purred to herself. Her first fresh-kill in literal moons. A new apprentice could probably catch this sickly vole but Leafpool didn't let that ruin the moment. It was a narrow chance, but nonetheless, it proved she could survive alone.

After the excitement faded away, Leafpool had to deal with the foxglove seeds. Slicing open the Vole's belly, Leafpool discarded the whole stomach organ over the dead leaves. Eating the seeds in any form could still mean certain death.

However, the hunter soon becomes the hunted, as a sharp snuffling came from the outer rims of the forest clearing. Twisting around, Leafpool briskly scented the air to locate the source of the sound. In between the roots, a twitching black spot hovered through the darkness. That was before Leafpool noticed the dark red contrasting the forest surroundings.

Out of nowhere, a fox exploded from the bushes, barking wildly. Instantly, Leafpool ran for her life, forgetting her fresh-kill. The Horse Place's border was only a few tree-lengths away.

Not as clumsy as a badger, the fox nimbly followed Leafpool's zigzagging path. His paw steps almost as light as a cat's. With no milk scent and a larger build, Leafpool assumed this was the mate of the pregnant female. Its ribs jutted out like teeth, so hungry, this fox was driven to hunt prey as dangerous as a cat.

The air rippling with the male Fox's pants, Leafpool was forced to make a crucial decision; either climb a tree or continue running for the Horse fields. Yet, they'd already come to the edge of the beech trees, unable to climb up one without making a dramatic turn and leaving herself vulnerable. All she could do was run.

Not under the forest's canopy anymore, she was forced into thicker layers of snow, reaching up to her belly. Every step turned into a leap, exhaustion quickly gripping her lungs. Though the fox suffered through the same struggles, staggering behind. Now the fence was in reach and confined within, was the slumbering horses. It was stupid. It was reckless. But it was Leafpool had.

Driving under the wooden poles, the ground transformed from ice to trodden grass and mud under Leafpool's paws. Daring a glance back, Leafpool's fur brisked as the stubborn fox shouldered his way through the fence. His jaw hanging open to display sharp fangs, hungrily wanting to get his teeth around her throat.

Forced to enact the rest of her thin plan, the Medicine cat leads the chase in a long circle, spiralling towards the massive silhouette at the field's centre. A white horse streaked with black emerged from the darkness, it's muscular head tucked into its shoulder, asleep. But not for long, as Leafpool let out a deafening screech, snatching it from its peaceful dreams.

Startled, the huge creature instinctively reared up, towering over Leafpool and the fox directly under it now. With the gift of foresight, Leafpool was able to immediately twist on her heel and dart away like a hawk as the horse flailed its hind legs. The male fox wasn't so lucky.

Unable to react fast enough, all he could do was let off a sickening scream. The Horse brought all it's weight down, crushing him. The sound of bones cracking and blood splattering filling the air. No glance was necessary to know the fox died instantly.

Yet it wasn't over for Leafpool either. Rolling into the Horse's blind spot, she desperately scrambled to all fours. However, she'd only stumbled a few steps, before there was an explosion of pain in her side.

The world was reduced to a whirlpool of smudged colours as she was mercilessly thrown. Leafpool barely made out the sharp hoof reasonable for kicking her, now stained red. Landing awkwardly, the Medicine cat gasped. Not thinking anymore, adrenaline surged and drowned out any pain, beginning to drag herself towards the Barn in the distance. A large gash was torn into her flank, her brown fur shredded into loose clumps.

Behind Leafpool, the Black and White horse rapidly shook it's mane in confusion and anger, whimpering. Still too doozy from sleep to fully understand what happened. "Floss! Smokey!", Leafpool cried out with her draining energy. With every passing heartbeat, more blood gushed out from her deep wound in a waterfall. Soon laying in her own blood as it pooled around her.

Crawling like a slug, Leafpool gritted her claws into the frosty earth. It more like climbing a vertical cliffside then slivering on flat ground. Eventually, her training kicked in again, knowing all this effort was pointless. Her only hope was Smokey and Floss. For now, all Leafpool could do was delay her own death.

Sides heaving in exhaustion, she curled up, reserving her energy. Stripping grass blades from their roots, Leafpool rolled it up and stuffed the clump into her own upturned flesh. There was nothing else she could do to prevent the blood loss. Tightly wrapping into a ball, Leafpool braced herself for the waves of agony.

Fortunately, she'd managed to drag herself a good distance from the disturbed horse. It seemed distracted by the dead fox anyway, cautiously prodding its unexpected prey. One last time, Leafpool's mouth slipped open, "Help me! Smokey- Floss!", she yowled, weakening with each word.

With great effort, Leafpool swung open her heavy eyelids. Two blurry outlines slipped out of the distant red structure of the Barn. With great speed, their silhouettes gradually grew clearer as they rushed across the open grassland. With obvious experience, the two cats reaspectfully passed the giant beasts - Shifting their walk cycle to light skips, traveling round in a long arc. Soon, Smokey's gasps rippled her ruffled pelt as he leaned over her, cycling through curses too rude for Leafpool to acknowledge. Finally the grey loner remarked something civil, "Leafpool, what happened?".

"That's doesn't matter! She's too weak to speak anyway.", Floss snapped, "Our Twolegs will know what to do.", her needle-thin fangs beginning to drag Leafpool by her scruff.

Those alarming words brought strength into the brown tabby, allowing her to flinch herself away from the loner's grasp. Both cats shocked to see she was conscious.

"No- You can't.", Leafpool pleaded, "We can deal with this. Just take me back to the Barn.". Doubtfully, Smokey and Floss pressed their flanks onto either side of her, together lifting her off the ground. "Alright.", Smokey muttered, "I'll trust you know you're doing. Don't die on us.".

There's was no way, Leafpool could allow herself to die or be captured. She had to deliver her chosen kits safely back to Thunderclan.

Leafpool was violently jerked as Floss and Smokey clumsy stumbled with the dead weight. Soon, they got into a rhythm of a light jog, balancing between rushing her to shelter while not worsening her wounds.

The pain almost overwhelming, Leafpool barely noticed the ground streaming underneath her like a water's current, as she was carried off. Grudgingly, the texture of the floor changed from grass to snow and eventually to the Barn's wooden floor. Carefully, Smokey and Floss laid her down on golden straw tucked away in the deepest shadows. Their soft pelts were now sticky with her dried blood. However, fresh blood still oozed around her flank.

Black mist was edging across Leafpool's vision, Smokey and Floss's panicked bickering sounded distant in her failing senses like they were underwater. This couldn't be her death place. "Fetch Cobwebs and Dock leaves!", Leafpool abruptly sounded. After sharing a glance, they knew silently their roles, dashing off.

Those were the most common herbs any cat could reconvince, even without a shred of training. In easy reach too as a cluster of them grew against the Barn's wall. With the area and season, Leafpool's options were limited. The main question would be if Docks were a suitable alternative for the many herbs used for infection. Usually, the leaves were used to smooth scratches, but could it stop infection for a massive gash?

The first to return was Smokey, only needing to head towards the Barn's dusty corners to grab a Cobweb stack. Instantly afterwards, Floss brought back not only the docks leaves but the whole plant, including the dirt-drenched roots.

"Now...you have to chew up the dock leaves and put it onto the wound.", Leafpool explains. Though Smokey leaned over the herbs blankly, "You mean spit it out? Like a bird?", he muttered, grossed out. Unlike her mate, Floss didn't act like a kit, following instructions without a complainant. While she that, Smokey gently cleans out the bloody grass from Leafpool's wound.

Spitting it out, Floss nervously started spreading the herb pulp, but Leafpool stopped her to pluck out the half-chewed roots. Dangerous to let untrained cats treat her wound, Leafpool groggily sat up to operate on herself. Working strangely well, she shifted from the dazed patient to the focus Medicine cat.

Weaving the cobwebs between the edges of the injury, she presented Smokey the final white tread. "Tug on this and tighten the web.", Leafpool mewed, not strong enough to seal it herself. Quitely nodding, he took it between his teeth and snap the wound shut like jaws, Leafpool hissing in pain.

With everything drained out of her, Leafpool went limp on the dried yellow grass like a dead fish. Whether she was falling asleep or dying, only time would tell.

Yet fate was cruel, not allowing Leafpool this one moment of rest. There were heavy footsteps of crunching gravel, it echoes loudening as it approached the Barn. Within the gap of the open door, a shadowy twoleg clasped a black stick with a glowing orb, streaming fierce yellow light like a firefly. Was it disturbed by the racket of the fox chase?

Her muscles already asleep, Leafpool simply laid there, blankly staring onwards. Springing into action, Floss kicked clumps of hay over the tabby she-cat, burying her alive. Not a heartbeat to spare, an elderly male twoleg appeared at the entrance. That must've been the keeper of this twoleg territory, the Farmer.

Dull pelts of greys and greens hung loosely around the Male's hairless body, only a tuft of russet fur on his head. It's wriggled face darted in every direction, searching for the noisy pests. Between the cracks in the grass blades, Leafpool overhears Floss's whispers, "Smokey, lead him towards the fox corpse.".

Coming naturally to them, Smokey confidently slipped over to his housefolk. The Twoleg's foul mood lighten, grooming the grey loner with its a large cream paw. Circling around the Twoleg's feet, Smokey began tugging its green pelt in the direction of the field. Unlike most animals, the Twolegs tolerated the aggressive behaviour and seemly understood, following Smokey as he dashed off.

Leafpool's limited vision was abruptly blocked as Floss settled down, using her own body to hide her. The added warmth made it a losing battle and Leafpool finally slipped into darkness.

For an unreadable amount of time, Leafpool was drifting from reality to sleep like she was caught in a black river's current. Never able to quite grasp those flashes of the waking world.

Yet slowly yet surely, the visions' lengths increased, one heartbeat at a time.

Deep from within Leafpool's slumber, a muffled sound slowly grew louder, tugging her out of the drifting void like thorns tangling around her legs. Leafpool was crammed into a narrowed space, walls pressed against either side of her. However as her senses focused, she noticed the open air ruffling her fur.

Lifting her head, still in a daze, she finally noticed Smokey and Floss curled up around her, in a giant bundle of fur. A small pure rose in Leafpool throat. Only a few sunsets together and they were already treating this demanding stranger like a Clanmate. She didn't know whether it was foolish or brave. Her surroundings had shifted, still within the cosy hay but no longer on ground level. Instead, she was on the elevated platform serving as a second floor.

Connecting the separate floors, was what Smokey called wooden stairs, shaped like vines but crafted from logs. The two loners must have carried her up here while she was asleep. It certainly wasn't the Twoleg since they'd put her in a box container.

The red light setting the Barn's atmosphere ablaze with a fiery tint told Leafpool of the sun dipped around the horizon. How long was she out for? Shaking her head to become fully awake, Leafpool finally absorbed in the whole situation. She was alive. Which was an achievement in itself?

Shifting round, the makeshift herb coating on her flank had held up. All the red staining her fur was now a harmless crust. So she wouldn't die of blood loss at least. But now her focus was on the long-term and avoid it getting infected.

Now the most difficult question of all: Were her kits effected? As long as it wasn't near the stomach or a serious infection, most Queens could get injured without consequence to their pregnancy. However, Leafpool took a direct kick to her flank, just above the stomach.

Dreading the absolute worst, Leafpool literally had to force every movement, edging her nose towards her shredded side. Behind the reek of raw blood, there were no smells of other body fluids, like if an organ been punctured. Able to breathe again, Leafpool able to say it was only skin and fur was damaged. In spite of this, this didn't stop the kits being shaken to the core. Usually, after waking up, the healthy scraps would be squirming inside Leafpool, but now, they lay limp like fresh-kill.

The blasting of high-pitched yaps almost made Leafpool leap out of her pelt. Outside of the Barn walls, the fierce wind carried the desperate pleas of a fox. It wasn't possible for her earlier pursuer to survive being crushed under the Horse's weight. She'd seen the mangled body herself. Unless that wasn't the same fox. It must have been the pregnant mate. Strangely, Leafpool's tail twitched as a wave of sympathy rushed across her. That easily could have been her and Crowfeather.

Don't be mousebrain! If all species start feeling guilty for each other, everyone would starve. The constant barking of the mother fox interrupted Floss and Smokey's sleep, beginning to steer. Flipping onto his back, Smokey stretched out his legs, making Leafpool grunt as they accidentally prodded at her face.

The two loners swiftly stood up, their ears pricked and nose twitching. "Stupid foxes.", Smokey hissed to himself. Both of them flinched as they realised Leafpool staring up at them. Before she could open her mouth, Smokey and Floss piled on top of her, nuzzling and purring like crazy. "You're actually alive!", Floss squeaked, voice cracking under sheer excitement.

Great Starclan, they were overemotional. Though it made sense, given their sheltered lifestyle, a twoleg constantly at their beckoned call. She doubts they had been responsible for saving a dying cat before, especially a pregnant Queen.

She knew other Clan cats would be disgusted by the loners' soppyness. But Leafpool's experience Daisy and Firestar had taught her better. Since they'd gone out their way to feed and shelter her, it would just be rude and petty to judge them.

Starting to boil under the mountain of fluff, Leafpool was forced to shove them away. "Yes I'm alive-", Leafpool gasped, "All thanks to you two.", she added with a purr. With the eagerness of apprentices, Smokey and Floss rambled on like magpies, "You should have seen you're self! Even horses ain't enough to take you down.", Smokey exclaimed proudly.

"You knew exactly what to do. Is this your job back in Thunderclan?", Floss's meow filled with curiosity. Adjusting her position to become more comfortable, Leafpool felt like a mentor as she explained, "It's a Medicine cat's sworn duty to save our Clanmates from sickness and injuries. We use herbs like our docks and cobwebs to heal.".

"So that's why you're obsessed with plants!", Smokey blurted, "Never knew all that green stuff could be useful to cats.". His pale blue eyes sparkled like frosty stars, mystified by the Clan's way of life. Completely contrasted by Floss, who didn't show a hint of interest.

Curling her tail round Leafpool, Floss started to licking away the dried blood. "Mind grabbing some mice, Smokey?", the loner asked, breaking into Smokey's daydream. Like an obedient dog, he rapidly nodded his head, eager to follow his mate's suggestion. Smokey bounded down the stairs and into the thicker shadows of the Barn, where the patter of prey pawsteps echoed.

"How are your kits?", Floss's quietly muttered mid-groom. Leafpool peered at her wound before answering, "The Horse's hoof didn't seem to go too deep. So I think- I know my litter won't be affected.". Floss's hot breath ran down Leafpool's neck as she pressed her head into her brown tabby pelt, "Whatever happens, Smokey and I will do whatever we can to support you.", she mewed.

As those words rang out, Leafpool instantly knew it came from a deeper place of understanding. From personal experience. From Leafpool's many seasons as a Medicine cat, she knew the tone couldn't found anything else besides from a grieving parent. Just how much were their missing kits affecting the Horse place cats? There was a reason Daisy left in the first place.

Moving on before it got too uncomfortable, Leafpool asked more pressing questions, "Any chance that female fox could make its way to the Barn?", she asked.

"If there is any chance, it's very slim.", Floss answered, "Lived here my entire life and there's never been a wild animal stupid enough to come as far as the Barn. You spotted our male Housefolk, didn't you? Nasty temper that one. Nothing wants to deal with him.".

A mumble that only vaguely resembling a thank you escaped Leafpool's lips as she sunk deeper into the hay and dimness clouded her sight. Maybe it was better to remain awake for the fresh-kill, but she needed to properly rest either way. Fainting wasn't the same as sleep after all.

Yet thin tendrils of doubt tugged her away from even dozing. What was it?

Leafpool's neck sharply snapped afterwards, heart pounding, "What moon cycle is it?", she demanded. It took a heartbeat for the question to sink into Floss's skull, her answer laced with alarm and confusion, "It'll be the full moon rising soon. It that important or something?".

It was Sunset already? She'd been knocked out for an entire day! Leafpool had been hibernating longer than a dormouse on poppy seeds. "It might be.", Leafpool mumbled vaguely, too deep in thought to carry on the conversation.

With the Gathering tonight, rows upon rows of Clan cats would be streaming past the Horse Place. Usually, Leafpool would have nothing to worry about. They almost never a reason to enter this Farm's domain. Yet there was one individual Leafpool had in mind and this Gathering was the most likely time they were to come.

Earlier when the Thunderclan patrol had been searching for her, Cloudtail had mentioned Daisy's inevitable visit to her old home. At first, Leafpool hadn't considered it much of a threat. Not to be harsh to the Queen, but she was not the most competent of their clanmates. Leafpool had been confident she could avoid her by sending a few days in the surrounding wilderness. However, the recent fox incident had changed everything.

Her plans to stay in the birch woodland were now out of the question. While Leafpool was injury, it was impossible to survive on her own, she'd have to ask the loners to hunt for her daily. Especially with the female fox still lurking out there, hungry for revenge.

The question was, where could she shelter? The Barn's warmth would provide the quickest recovery but undoubtedly it is the first place Daisy would visit - The main home of the Horse Place cats. Also, there was a local Twolegs to consider. Though their visits were occasional, it was still common enough that the Barn couldn't be a hiding spot.

The last sensible answer seemed to the Abandoned Shed. While it was still within the Horse Place, it was near the border and run down. Surely Daisy would have no reason to visit the crumbling building, would she? If Leafpool remained quite and the Loners could occasionally sneak her some fresh-kill, maybe she still goes undiscovered. It required blind luck but it was all Leafpool could do.

Deep within her planning, Leafpool barely noticed Smokey scrambling up the stairs, carrying a massive rat. The sight of the vile creature made Leafpool recoil back. After dropping it, Smokey perfectly reading her reaction, "Won't find a speck of dirt on those rats, my unenlightened friend.", he chucked, "Every prey around here healthy and plump. Nothing like those gross things from the Rubbish dump.".

Nudging it closer, Leafpool has to admit he was right. Apart from the ragged teeth jutting out from its lips, the rat's pelt had a silky softness, almost like a larger mouse. Tucking his paws under, Smokey snorted, "I ain't-a blind mole. You Clan Cats' judging stares aren't subtle. Though us Loners like to think we have some sense of pride. Enough to bring a pregnant she-cat high-quality prey.".

A wave of shame spread through Leafpool. It was true, even she wasn't innocent of it. The Four Clan turned their self-righteous noses up at all outsiders that come their way. Was it earned, either way, she wasn't sure. The Clans' Medicine cats have connections to powerful spirits like Starclan, yet the Horse Places cats were allies with Twolegs.

Since the first day here, Leafpool had been surprised by the unique skills and knowledge the Loners held - Able to live peacefully with dangerous animals like Horses and Twolegs, which her Clanmates had never done.

"Subtle", Floss attempted to joke, but couldn't hide her uneasiness. Smokey's back was straight and unmoving, shrugging, "Hey- for once I'm serious.", he mewed. At her mate's words, Floss slipped into silence, betraying her secret agreement.

With a playful sigh, the grey tom loosens up, dropped down beside Leafpool. Nudging her in the shoulder, Smokey sounded encouraging, "It's not meant to be personal. It's most of Clan fellas, not just you. It's nice to take things off your chest.".

New respect had sparked inside her. She should have the decently to least do that for how much she owed them. It was the first time she could admit they'd become her friends, despite their separate backgrounds. Without another word, the awkwardness soon passed and all three shuffled round to share the large fresh-kill.

With each mouth full, new strength was brought into Leafpool's shaky body. The meat chewy yet juicy over her tongue. Struggling not to gulp the entire rat as if she was starving, relieved to fill the hollow space in her stomach.

Which was partly true, considering she'd slept for so long. Too quickly the meal was reduced to bones and fur and Smokey disappeared to dump the leftovers elsewhere. The three cats had been so distracted gorging themselves, they hadn't noticed the darkening twilight fluttering through the window. The Gathering Patrols!

"Can you help me get to that window?", Leafpool asked, pointing it out with her tail. Unlike the others, the single window for the second floor was only levitated a fox-length from the ground. Much narrower and smaller as well. With a brisk nod, Floss leaned the weakened cat on her shoulder and gilded her over.

Using the stacked straw to boost her, Leafpool could barely peek above the wooden ledge.

Her heart skipping a beat when her worst fears were realised. Gleaming in the full moon's silver rays, long crowds of Clan cats passed the Barn in the distant night. The draft blowing through the window swept Windclan scent over Leafpool's face.

Her eyes moving on their own, Leafpool scanned the many moving blurs until finally coming across a dark grey pelt. Like two shadows melting together, Crowfeather and Nightcloud's flanks brushed. Even from here, Leafpool could spot flashes of pink as the black she-cat constantly rasped her tongue over her stiff mate, no matter how often he tried to flinch away.

This new relationship was doomed to crumble unless Nightcloud learnt quickly that Crowfeather liked his personal space. Yet the most alarming part was the distinctive bulge around her belly. Great Starclan, what have those two done? It has been just under two moons since Leafpool and Crowfeather went their separate ways.

For Nightcloud to become his mate and pregnant in that short of time was mousebrained. Any cat with a whisker of sense could see a stable romance couldn't develop like that. Was either of them ready to be parents? While her mind was swirling with concerns, the Windclan patrol was already out of view and Thunderclan took their places.

Despite his recent hardship, Firestar was able to match proudly in the lead, his deputy close by. Officially a pregnant Queen now, Squirrelflight wasn't considered fit to travel among them. Resisting the urge to name every one of her dear clanmates, Leafpool rapidly located the most crucial one. Veering off from the others, the creamy queen, Dasiy was heading right in the direction of Barn. The time to act was now!

Ungracefully sinking back onto stomach, Leafpool's head sharply turned towards Floss, "Dasiy on her way over here. We have to hurry if we want to avoid her.", Leafpool mewed. Heaving her onto her shoulder by the scruff, the grey she-cat blinked thoughtfully, "Is this really necessary for Daisy?", she questioned, sounding offended, "That softball couldn't hurt a mouse. Daisy still a Farm cat, born and raised - and she'd never get into this pure-blood stuff.".

Her paws trembling as she began going down the stairs, Leafpool shook her head. "You're definitely right. Alone, Daisy would never harm a kit. However, it's all too easy for her to accidentally blurt it to more dangerous cats.".

"I suppose she can be careless.", Floss admitted uncomfortably. Each step took painfully long, as Leafpool's injured flank made it difficult to breathe. After serval heartbeats, they still weren't on the ground floor of the Barn. "This taking too long.", Floss quietly grumbled, "Smokey!". Soon the large tom served round the door, his muzzle grimy with meat juices.

"You summon me, oh great ones?", Smokey chucked at his own joked as he wondered over. "Listen up.", Floss sternly instructed, "Daisy arrived and we nee-".

At the name of his old friend, Smokey's face lit up with the brightness of a dawn sun. "Sweetheart finally here?", Smokey exclaimed, instantly spinning round and bouncing away like an overhyped rabbit. Before either she-cat could stop him, he was gone. "Forget it! We don't have time- I'll scold him later.", Floss hissed.

No matter how much Leafpool pushed her screaming muscles, Starclan had a forbidden a speedy procession. The Barn's dusty floor had been scuffed as she kept on stumbling over her own weight, despite Floss's support. As they just reached the swinging door, excited yowling swarmed around their ears like bees. "Looks like he's found her.", Floss muttered, guilt pricking her fur.

"We have to take advantage of this while we still can. Keep moving.", Leafpool begged, high-pitched with tension. Now outside, they silently stalked down the Barn wall, attempting to round the corner. The Horse Place offered little when it came to hiding spots, vast and open. All the undergrowth was too short and Fence posts were too narrow. It would be a mad dash to the Abandoned shed, relying purely on the night to conceal them.

Of course, it was pointless. It would be insulting to assume Daisy couldn't notice her own Clanmate's scent without any disguise. "Leafpool!", Daisy screeched with bewilderment.

In the instant, everything shattered around Leafpool; the plans, the future, the prophecy. It was over. Her mind draining of rational thought, a cold numbness set in. The energy disappeared from her muscles, becoming dead weight, jaw scraping against the frost-tipped dirt. A presence loomed over her as Floss washed out the sand from her wound.

Suddenly the hollowness burst into a panic! Gripping the ground with claws until it becomes painful, Leafpool darted upwards into an awkward sitting position like a snapping branch. What was going to happen to her kits? Would she have to give them away as kittypets? Or would she allow them to face Thunderclan's wrath?

Within her blurred vision, Leafpool sensed a creamy mass hovering in front of her. Focusing again, she meets Dasy's light blue eyes like the pale dawn sky. Her fluffy fur was being pressed against Leafpool's, as she circled her, purring with joy.

Unable even speak as Daisy bombarded Leafpool with endless ramblings, "Oh, this is a miracle! I'd thought we were all be doomed without our Medicine cat! Are you here because you escaped those horrid twolegs?", Daisy finished, only because she'd worn her throat out.

Leafpool's mouth hung open, but no words escaped, paralyzed into muteness. Before she could snap out of it, Dasiy's gaze had already drifted down to her pregnant belly. "Dasiy?", Floss mewed softly, attempting to reach out to her old friend.

"I don't understand.", Daisy mewed, "When did you get pregnant? And so far in too!". Before anyone could stop, Daisy shoved her muzzle into her stomach, sniffing intensely. Drawing back, her face sparkled with a Queen's pure love of kits, but her tail twitched anxiously. "But you've only been gone for half a moon... Are the little ones alright in there?", she asked.

"It's not your concern, Dasiy.", Floss spoke sternly, holding back her impatience. Her own missing litter probably made her fiercely protective of all kits, even if that meant snapping at others. Both their heads jerked back as they felt Smokey's hot breath behind them, whispering, "Oh come on- What up with you, Floss?", he grumbled, "Daisy is still one of us.".

"This isn't about us, Smokey.", the white loner pointed out, "If you had listened, a Clan cat wouldn't have discovered Leafpool's forbidden kits.". The whole time, Dasiy had been blanky listening, struggling to make sense of the unusual situation. Floss spoke truthfully. It was Leafpool's decision on how to handle her clanmate.

Any web of lies offering a way out for Leafpool had now seemed to burn away. There was no wriggling out of this one. There was nothing to do but slip the truth and beg to Starclan, the cream she-cat saw it was necessary to keep it hidden. And in that way, it was lucky. Out of all the Thunderclan members, Daisy was one of those Leafpool would trust the most. There wasn't a bad bone in that cat's body.

Surprisingly, Daisy didn't need Leafpool's explanation, everything slowly clicking into place for her. Then her fur bristled in fear, "Was Squirrelflight lying about the kidnapping the whole time? Where has this selfishness come from Leafpool?", she gasped, voice rising to a wail, "All the Clanmates I had to watch suffer. I suffered. I thought my kits were in danger from the Twolegs again!".

Guilt rising like bile in her mouth, imaging all the details of how Thunderclan reacted to her disappearance. The Medicine cat didn't want this is happening. "Should we ask Daisy to leave?", Floss whispered into Leafpool's ear. The drastic suggestion seems premature and made Leafpool shiver.

"Don't be so drastic, Floss.", Smokey cooly advised, "Daisy reasonable and Leafpool good with words. Those two will deal with everything in the breeze. Watch.". The large tom nodded encouraging at the Medicine cat. It was pleasant to have a cat who faith in her when she didn't have it in herself.

With Smokey's assurance, Leafpool managed to limp forward and lay her tail on the panicked Queen, "Yes, Daisy. I have done something very selfish.", she admitted, "Believe me though, I'm not doing this for myself. Just like you need to protect your kits, I have done the same for mine.".

"If you call sneaking off alone- protecting your kits, that's the silliest way to do it." Daisy scolded, "Thunderclan already has perfectly good Nursery. You can join your sister and everything.". The mention of Squirrelflight's non-existent litter was like a thorn in Leafpool's side. How could she explain a concept so complex and twisted to Daisy? To anyone?

Smokey and Floss kept a respectful distance, this squabble going to the realm of purely Clan concepts. Her Medicine cat training was proving to helpful, as Leafpool was able to remain calm, "It's not that simple, Daisy.", she mewed gently, "I know you haven't been with Thunderclan for long - But can't you remember Medicine cats ain't allowed to have kits?".

This took the former loner off guard, head drooping towards the frosty earth. "I guess I remember something like that.", she replied, ashamed she'd been wrong all along. Silence hung around the group like a fog, the only sound was the quiet night breeze high in the sky. Sighing, Leafpool settled down to Dasiy, hating herself for getting another cat wrapped up in this mess.

Despite it being painful, Leafpool had to press on with the conversation, "We both know how jumpy the Clan-borns can get around outsiders. Stormfur, for example. My kits will be treated like him or worse if the Clans discovered their heritage."

Daisy raised her head, "Stormfur.", she repeated thoughtfully. Then turning her attention back to Leafpool with a new understanding, "He's what they call half-clan, isn't he? Is the father of your kits from somewhere exotic then?". Once Crowfeather discovers someone called him exotic, he'll be fuming. Not that Leafpool could blame him, it'd be the last word she'd use to describe her complicated mate. Something Nightcloud might never get used to. It was a miracle in itself to ever reach the sensitive cat deeper under those barriers of thorns.

"Not exactly.", she mewed, "I hope you understand, it's best that I don't tell you.". Like a speeding pigeon, the words fly right over Daisy's head as she muttered names under her breath. Surely she couldn't figure it out, could she? But this day kept up its plans to be an ironic one.

"It must be that Windclan tom you ran off with during the Badger attack.", Daisy blurted, " I can't say I blame you. He's certainly got a unique charm." Both Floss and Leafpool glanced awkwardly in Smokey's direction as his old mate fused over another tom. Strangely, the grey tom seemed unbothered. At least he didn't have double standards. Considering Smokey himself didn't restrain his flirtatious side for the sake of one mate.

"Yes, you see-", Leafpool began nervously, "That's the messy part. The father to raise those kits will Brambleclaw. Squirrelflight's pregnancy is nothing but plumpness from extra prey.". As expected, Dasiy didn't have the calmest of reactions, "I knew her belly shape was odd!", she declared.

Hurriedly, Leafpool kept up with the explanation before Daisy could say any more, "Squirrelflight has agreed to this from the start. I give birth to the real kits here while my sister has a fake pregnancy from extra prey. Then she'll pick them up once I leave a signal for her on the border."

The long pause as Dasiy's stared off into nothingness. Leafpool could only imagine what could be going through her clanmate's mind. After admitting all her mistakes and lies aloud, it seemed worse than ever. For a heartbeat, she felt like she was among the ranks of long-dead troublemakers like Hawkfrost or Mudclaw.

After all, if they'd been exposed while they were alive, those traitors would be put on trial and punished as Leafpool would be. She hated the labelled traitor, but it was undeniably true to some degree. Though logic swiftly trumped her emotion. Forbidden relationships were nowhere the realms of murder and conquest.

At last, Dasiy opened her eyes again and bowed her head low, "I want to help you in any way in I can. So if you still need anything to be done, name it."

For a heartbeat, Leafpool couldn't make sense of her answer. Then the meaning struck her like a falling branch, "What?", she gasped, "D-Dasiy, I only need you to do is keep the secret but nothing else. This isn't your burden to bear."

Yet Daisy remained calmly sat, ruffling up her fur and puffing out her chest proudly. Briefly, Leafpool wasn't in the presence of a jumpy kittypet but a Lionclan warrior. "I'm Thunderclan's senior queen now.", she announced, "Goldenflower entrusted me with the duty to keep every kit safe. And I plan on fulfilling it. Because the thing is- I think I've spotted a hole in your plan that requires an extra cat."

"Where?", Leafpool uttered, a bitter shame pulsing through her veins. She'd failed her kits again. Before Daisy came, she'd been planning to blindly lead them in inevitable danger.

"The transport of your litter.", Daisy explained, "If you gave birth to three or more - how can Squirrelflight carry those newborns to the Nursery alone? That's where I think you'll need an extra set of paws.".

Despite not wanting to, Leafpool had acknowledged she was right. "A second cat will definitely be needed for that.", the Medicine cat agreed, "But what about the details? How can two Queen disappear without arousing suspicion?"

Daisy licked her lips, unsure, "You know you're sister better than anyone. What seems natural for her?".

Without a second thought, Leafpool instantly knew what her lively littermate would do, "Well- She certainly doesn't like being stuffed in the Nursery.", she mewed, "So she'd use any excuse to get out. But that wouldn't explain why you're going along with her. With all honestly, you two ain't exactly close."

Shuffling her paws on the ground uncomfortably, Daisy hesitated before answering, memories rising to the surface. "Everyone says I should get some basic hunting skills at least.", the light she-cat admitted, "So maybe Squirrelflight could claim she's giving me training sessions. And we'll just say she accidentally gave birth during one of those.".

It was definitely an impressive sacrifice for those kits. To not only admit her flaws, but Daisy was putting herself in an embarrassing position. Having to do training usually reserved for the youngest apprentices as a fully grown cat. Daisy was truly worthy of calling herself a Queen, unlike Leafpool. "That's would work perfectly.", the brown she-cat purred with relief.

With a mutual understanding finally created between the two Clan cats, Smokey stepped out from the background, whiskering twitching approvingly, "Glad you two could settle everything.", he mewed, " Now- I think we all deserve to relax after that, so let's get into Barn and welcome Daisy home!".

With the group heading to the Barn, Floss was able to greet Daisy properly since she arrived, "Wow, Dasiy. You never fail to impress me when it comes to kits", the she-cat breathed, bumping foreheads, "You were right to leave the Farm before your kits". Twinning tail, the old friends pressed close together, reminded Leafpool of her and Squirrelflight.

As they overtook a staggering Leafpool, she overhead words that weren't meant for her ears, "It was just luck.", Daisy silently assured Floss, "I'm sure your kits are safe, no matter where they are.". Was that good enough for the Loner though? She knew Floss said herself she probably of wouldn't have handled being a mother. However, she'd never truly know until she personally experienced it.

Trying to take another step was proving to be impossible. Leafpool halted, gasping to refill her lungs with the crisp night air. The others craned their heads towards the injured cat, corned. "I truly sorry, but I can't join you yet.", Leafpool panted, "I need to treat my flank and my herb store all the way back at the shed.".

Leaping to her side, Smokey wrapped his tail protectively around the pregnant she-cat, "Shame. But no biggy.", he tried joking. Floss called over to them, "Could you take this one, Smokey?", she mewed, "I haven't managed to catch up with Daisy yet."

Side by side, the friend served round the door into the gloom of the stuffy Barn, Dasiy's last words ringing, " I promise I'll speak to you later, Leafpool!". Left alone with Smokey without Floss's supervision, Leafpool had a growing suspicion she was going to be dealing with an overgrown kit.

"Alrighty. Come on you.", Smokey sounded cheerfully, grabbing Leafpool by the scruff and effortlessly swinging her over his broad shoulder. Baffled, Leafpool dug her paws into his thick neck fur, trying not to slip off. Wasn't this how the Twolegs rode their Horses? "This isn't the way Floss's carries me.", Leafpool mewed.

"This isn't Floss's way. It's mine. Which means it's more fun.", he boosted arrogantly, like his son, Berrypaw. "Is this dangerous?", Leafpool asked warily.

A cheeky grin grew over the tom's face like a weed, "You worry too much.", he remarked, "Hold tight.". Which was good advice considering Smokey had already bunched up his lean muscles. Just in time, Leafpool twisted on his back to get a decent grip, before he launched like a deer into a sprint. Soon, they were crossing the Farmland at blinding speed, wind whipping her face.

For a one moment, it felt like all her responsibilities and fears never existed. Almost like she was an innocent apprentice again, not making all the mistakes her adult self had made. Unable to stop herself, Leafpool let off terror and thrilled mixed yowl, almost forgetting her shredded flank.