Mapleshade padded along the treeline near the Riverclan border, watching the border carefully for signs of the pale brown warrior she'd been waiting to meet for a few nights now. Her pelt prickled anxiously as she tried to see if he would appear so she could ask him why he hadn't been meeting her like they agreed, but the sound of approaching pawsteps made her glance back. A speckled golden she-cat trotted up to Mapleshade and studied her, her dark amber eyes full of curiosity.
"Mapleshade! There you are. Oakstar wanted you to join the patrol for the Gathering tonight, why are you out here?" The golden she-cat tilted her head.
Mapleshade's pelt burned as she struggled to answer her clanmate, unsure of what to say. The battle over sunningrocks left Thunderclan and Riverclan tense. Just say something mousebrain! "Just patrolling, Frecklewish. A walk usually helps me clear my mind."
Frecklewish nodded with understanding, her eyes flashing with anger before they filled with empathy and she pressed her flank to Mapleshade's. "I figured you were. After Appledusk killed Birchface and Flowerpaw I can't blame you. Come on, Oakstar is waiting for the patrol to meet at camp."
Mapleshade glanced once more at the Riverclan side of the border, her heart sinking with disappointment before she followed Frecklewish back to camp. She didn't dare say anything on the way, worried she'd give herself away. She had news to tell Appledusk and it had fo be soon. I hope he's at the gathering, it's important.
The full moon shown brightly in the night sky, the stars twinkling around and lighting the forest. Mapleshade padded with her clanmates to fourtrees, her paws prickling with unease as she neared the clans' meeting place. Thunderclan losing two members to Riverclan's greediness was sure to make this gathering tense. And if Appledusk isn't here how am I supposed to tell him! He hasn't been waiting at our spot for many nights! Mapleshade's stomach twisted with worry as she glanced at Frecklewish, noting the she-cat's stern expression as they finally entered fourtrees. The scents of the other clans filled Mapleshade's mouth and she shook out her pelt, looking around at the gathered cats, looking for a pale brown pelt.
"That's my tail! Watch it, Thunderclan, we already took two of your clanmates," snarled a voice by Mapleshade's ear, the scent of fish strong. She wrinkled her nose.
"Apologies," She growled back, glaring at the warrior as she continued through the crowded area. A pale brown pelt moved in the shadows and Mapleshade's heart soared. Appledusk!
Mapleshade padded over carefully, making sure her clanmates couldn't see her. Her pelt warmed at the sight of the tom and she pressed her muzzle in his neck fur, inhaling his scent. She felt his nose and warm breath on her ear and her tail tip twitched happily. My Appledusk.
"You've got to be careful, Mapleshade. What would your clanmates think if they saw you over here with me?" Appledusk murmured, pulling his head back gently to look at Mapleshade.
"I don't care right now, I'll find an excuse. I've missed you, you haven't been meeting at our tree," Mapleshade blinked up at him, curling her tail around her paws.
Appledusk looked over her, likely at the cats mingling behind them where the light was. "Patrols were doubled, I can't sneak from camp. Not for a while at least, I'm sorry."
Mapleshade stared at his holly colored eyes and sighed, closing her eyes as she inhaled his scent for a moment longer. "That's fine, but I have something to tell you."
His eyes flashed as he glanced at her and then back over her, and she knew they were running out of time. "Can it wait?"
"No, Appledusk. I'm expecting kits," Mapleshade purred quietly, glancing over her shoulder to make sure no one was approaching.
"Kits?" His green eyes widened. "I'm a father? Are you sure? What will you tell your clanmates? How will they feel about the kits being half clan... Half Riverclan Mapleshade."
"They'll know the truth, but why does it matter? We'll have warriors both clans can be proud of," Mapleshade meowed, looking at him with a small flutter in her heart. "I'm sure they'll grow to love the kits even after they learn the truth."
"You have much faith in your clannates... Starclan knows they may not be as accepting," Appledusk looked at her with affection before his gaze snapped up and he briefly nuzzled her head, "Stay safe Mapleshade, I can't wait to see them." And with those words the tom padded into the light as a dark orange she-cat approached him.
"Appledusk! There you are, I was wondering where you ran off to! This Shadowclan elder was just telling me this story, it's so funny you have to hear it!" The she-cat rubbed against his side and Mapleshade flexed her claws into the soil. He's mine, Reedshine.
Reedshine padded ahead of Appledusk and he glanced back at the shadows where Mapleshade remained hidden, then padded after Reedshine hurriedly. Mapleshade emerged from the shadows and rejoined her clanmates, sitting beside Frecklewish who looked at her.
"Where did you run off to?"
"Mousebrained Riverclan warrior thought it was wise to make a comment, I just gave them a scolding," Mapleshade lied, flicking her tail dismissively.
"They really need to stay in their place," Frecklewish snarled under her breath before silence fell through the gathered cats and their attention turned towards the leaders. Mapleshade couldn't bring herself to agree with her friend, after all, she was secretly mates with her brother's accused killer.
Mapleshade opened her eyes and lifted her head from her nest as a ginger head poked through the warriors' den entrance calling her name softly.
"There you are! Beetail needs you for patrol, why aren't you awake yet?" The ginger tom sounded half-scolding and Mapleshade rose to her paws, feeling the weight in her belly shift.
She purred with amusement as she approached the apprentice and looked down at him, "Is that any way to soeak to a warrior, Nettlepaw? What would Deerdapple think if I told her you were speaking that way to me?"
The tom's eyes rounded and he scuffed his paws on the ground sheepishly, "Don't tell her! I'm sorry Mapleshade."
Mapleshade rested her tail on the young cat's flank and blinked at him with a soft mrrow of laughter. "All is well. Now you go join the patrol, I have to talk to Beetail."
Nettlepaw nodded and raced off to the camp entrance where the patrol was waiting, his tail held high with his change in energy. Mapleshade shook her fur out and padded to the highrock where the clan deputy was sitting. He looked at her in surprise as she approached him.
"Mapleshade, you're awake. Didn't Nettlepaw tell you, you're supposed to be on patrol," The brown striped tom meowed.
"Actually I came to talk to you about that," Mapleshade's pelt tingled anxiously as she readied herself to tell the tom.
Beetail tilted his head, clearly confused with her words, looking unamused as if he thought she was about to say something mousebrained. "Oh? And what is it that's so important you're skipping a patrol?"
Mapleshade felt a pang of annoyance and her twitched. She forced herself to stay calm as she informed the tom, "I won't be able to carry out my usual duties for a while." She curled her tail over her belly and the tom's eyes widened as understanding flashed over his face.
"Ah, and the father?" Beetail inquired carefully, his ears twitching.
Mapleshade's fur prickled with anxiety as she shifted her weight and lowered her head, ready to soeak the truth, but the tom rested his tail on her shoulder.
"If it is too painful, I understand. You needn't say anymore," Beetail told her gently. "I'll inform Oakstar you'll be moving to the nursery."
Confusion clouded her mind as Beetail padded away. Too painful? Did he just assume the father was... Birchface!? Her pelt prickled uncomfortably. She didn't even have the chance to correct him. Mapleshade's tail twitched and she felt unease in her stomach. Should she accept it and just let them believe the kits' father is their most adored warrior?
Mapleshade shifted in her new nest in the nursery, feeling guilt twist in her stomach as she realized the talking around camp left her in the position of lying. Her clanmates all believed Birchface was the father of these kits, and it did make sense, she and the dark tom were close friends. A familiar scent caught her attention and she looked to see Frecklewish entering the nursery, her dark amber eyes alight with joy.
"Is it true? Are you really expecting kits?" Frecklewish meowed, sitting beside Mapleshade's nest. "My brother will live on through this kits won't he? Oh thank you Mapleshade!"
Mapleshade blinked, feeling uncomfortable with the unintentional lie. Is Starclan trying to offer me a way for these kits to stay here? For them to be accepted? She flattened her ears, Frecklewish's excited rambling keeping her from being able to speak or correct the she-cat. These kits were not of Birchface's blood, but all of her clanmates already believed they were. Could she even tell them the truth now?
"I'll make sure you and the kits are well taken care of, Mapleshade. Thank you for carrying my brother's legacy. You've given me a reason to live again. You mist be hungry," Frecklewish purred, resting her tail on Mapleshade's flank before she rushed from the nursery, going to fetch Mapleshade a piece of prey.
Starclan what am I supposed to do? I never wanted to lie to my clanmates! What do I do about this? Mapleshade felt helpless as she lowered her head onto her paws. This wasn't how things were supposed to go.