Crookedstar’s Promise

Chapter 38

Crookedstar tossed another trout to Timberfur lying by the reed bed. A good day’s hunting had given the Clan all it needed for the feast. The past four seasons had treated them kindly and they were well fed and sleek. The sun was finally slipping toward the river and a cool greenleaf breeze wafted over the camp.

Stonefur rolled on to his back. “I’m stuffed.” He lapped awkwardly at his bloated belly. For a young warrior, he was as solid as his senior Clanmates and longer-legged.

Mallowtail poked him with a paw. “You deserve it,” she purred. “I’ve never seen anyone chase off a Twoleg before.”

Graypool’s ears twitched. “I wish you wouldn’t take so many chances, Stonefur,” she chided. “It wasn’t long ago you were an apprentice.”

“It wasn’t just me,” Stonefur reminded her. “It was the whole patrol.”

Mistyfoot gently nudged Graypool. “You worry about us too much.”

Graypool snorted. “Well, someone has to.”

Timberfur swished his tail. “You did get a bit close, Stonefur.”

“It shouldn’t have come so near the camp,” Stonefur argued.

“Attacking Twolegs can only lead to trouble,” Echomist fretted.

“He didn’t attack it,” Mistyfoot defended her brother. “He just hissed at it.”

“And now it’s gone off yowling to its Clanmates about you.” Echomist shook her head. “They’ll be invading the camp, just you wait and see.”

Rippleclaw yawned. “Twolegs are too dumb to organize an attack.”

Crookedstar sat up and stretched. “We’ll send out extra patrols just in case.” He glanced at the fresh-kill pile, wondering whether to offer another carp to Willowbreeze. She was always hungry these days.

Fallowtail got to her paws and stretched. “I’m sleepy.” She nodded to Birdsong. “Are you ready for your nest?” Fallowtail had moved to the elders’ den last leaf-bare, after Tanglewhisker had died. She’d been feeling her age for moons, and keeping Birdsong company had been a good reason to give up her den to Mallowtail and Dawnbright.

Birdsong shook her head. “I had a long sleep this afternoon,” she rasped. “I’ll just lie here a little longer and listen to the warriors boast.”

“We don’t boast!” Dawnbright puffed as Fallowtail headed up the slope.

Loudbelly purred. “Doesn’t telling us you caught three fish in three dives count as boasting?”

“It was true!” Dawnbright sniffed.

Crookedstar licked a paw. “I suppose you never boast, Loudbelly.” He wiped his muzzle clean.

Frogleap’s whiskers twitched. “He collects a reed for every warrior he’s fought and weaves it into his nest!”

“I have to keep count,” Loudbelly meowed. “We’ve won so many battles these past moons, it’s hard to remember them all.”

Crookedstar began to wash his ears. He loved to listen as his Clan shared tongues, proud of his strong, loyal warriors. No other Clan had dared threaten their borders since newleaf. And they’d taken back Sunningrocks. Sunstar’s mission to the RiverClan camp had only given ThunderClan the rocks for a few moons.

“Crookedstar?” Willowbreeze called softly to him. She was on her paws, beckoning him away from the clearing.

“What is it?” He followed her toward the entrance.

“I thought you might want to go for a walk.” Her amber eyes glowed in the fading light. “There’s something I need to tell you, away from prying ears.”

Crookedstar tipped his head on one side. His mate was definitely acting a little strange. “Are you all right?”

“Of course.” She flicked his ear with the tip of her tail as she ducked out of camp. The stones on the shore were still warm from the sun as they wandered downriver.

“So?” Crookedstar glanced at her expectantly. “What is it that can’t be said in camp?”

“I’m going to have kits.”

Crookedstar halted, his heart pounding with delight. “Really?”

Willowbreeze purred. “Really.”

“When?”

“About three moons.”

“How many?”

She snorted with amusement. “I don’t know!”

“You should move to the nursery at once.” Crookedstar wasn’t taking any chances. Too many RiverClan queens had lost their kits.

“Don’t be silly,” Willowbreeze argued. “I can carry on with patrols for ages yet.”

“Then don’t catch anything heavier than a minnow.”

She looked at him, the tip of her tail twitching impatiently.

“Okay!” Crookedstar realized he was fussing over fish-brained details. Willowbreeze was having his kits! He pressed his muzzle against hers. Happiness sparkled beneath his pelt. “I have to tell Oakheart!” he meowed. “I have to tell everyone.” He charged away, skidding to a stop as he hit the grassy path. “It’s okay, isn’t it?” he asked, looking back. “If I tell everyone?”

Willowbreeze nodded.

Crookedstar raced into camp. “Willowbreeze is expecting kits!”

“Congratulations!” Owlfur was on his paws at once.

Oakheart stopped washing. “At last!” He trotted across the clearing and weaved around Crookedstar.

Softwing nodded. “It’s about time.”

“Did someone say kits?” Fallowtail ducked out of the elders’ den, ear pricked.

Birdsong’s whiskers twitched. “Willowbreeze is expecting.”

Fallowtail hurried stiffly down the slope. “I hope she’ll be moving to the nursery,” she mewed, sounding fretful. “Where is she?” She scanned the camp as Willowbreeze padded through the entrance. “Come and rest, dear.” Fallowtail hurried over to her and guided her beneath the willow.

Shimmerpelt sniffed. “Stop fussing. She’ll be fine.”

Crookedstar nodded to Timberfur. “I want her taken off border patrols.”

Willowbreeze bristled. “You’ll do no such thing,” she told Timberfur. She looked at Brambleberry. “I don’t have to lie around like a helpless kit, do I?”

Brambleberry shook her head. “Of course not.” She glanced at Crookedstar. “But let him fuss a little. It’s not every day a warrior hears that he’s going to be a father.”

“I’m not fussing!” Crookedstar puffed out his chest. Above him, the sky was darkening. It was getting late. “Perhaps you should be resting though, Willowbreeze. I’ll see you to your nest.”

Willowbreeze purred as he nudged her toward their den in the roots of the willow. “Aren’t you going to sleep, too?” she meowed as he began to nose his way out through the moss.

“Later,” he replied. “I’m too excited to sleep.” He padded into the clearing.

His Clanmates were heading for their dens. Cedarpelt nodded to him as he passed. “Congratulations, Crookedstar.”

“Thanks.” The moon was rising and stars were beginning to prick the sky. The camp suddenly felt small and stuffy. Crookedstar headed out through the reeds and followed the trail toward the willows. The sky was as dark as moleskin as he wove between the slender trunks. Wildflowers scented the air. His paws were wet from the dewy grass.

Thank you, StarClan. Please protect her.

Memories stirred behind his eyes, crowding into his vision even though he tried to force them back. He could see Rainflower lying on the shore, her eyes clouded. He felt the weight of Hailstar’s body on his back.

“Willowbreeze is mine, Mapleshade!” he yowled into the trees. “Do you hear? She isn’t part of my promise, whatever you think! Don’t you dare hurt one hair on her pelt!”

He stared around the clearing, alert for any paw step, tasting the air for the familiar bitter scent. But only the willows answered, with the rustling of their leaves.

Crookedstar sniffed the air. The flowery scents of greenleaf had deepened into a musty richness; leaf-fall was closing in. Timberfur, Sunfish, and Stonefur streamed past him into camp. They’d patrolled the Sunningrocks border, re-marking the scent line. Crookedstar padded through the reeds and stopped in the clearing. He checked the fresh-kill pile. It was well stocked with fish.

“Willowbreeze!” He gasped when he saw her, vast-bellied and tottering as she tried to drag a bundle of reeds from the shore. “What in the name of StarClan are you doing?” She was far too close to kitting to be doing such heavy work. Crookedstar darted over and pulled the reeds away from her.

Willowbreeze bristled. “What’s the matter?”

“Can’t someone else do this for you?”

“I can make my own nest, thank you!” She glared at him, a challenge in her eyes.

Crookedstar swallowed his frustration. “Then at least let me help you,” he meowed. He picked up the bundle before she could argue and carried it to the nursery. Hauling the reeds inside, he dropped them beside her nest.

Sunfish looked up from the edge of the den. She was expecting Beetlenose’s kits and would be kitting soon after Willowbreeze. “I told her she should ask for help.”

Willowbreeze squeezed, puffing, into the nursery. “I don’t need any help,” she muttered through gritted teeth.

“Who needs help?” Brambleberry slid in after her.

Crookedstar flicked his tail. “Willowbreeze thinks she should be dragging reeds around camp!”

Brambleberry shrugged. “Of course she wants to fix her nest before she kits. It’s perfectly natural.” She glanced at the bundle Willowbreeze had collected. “I’ll ask Shimmerpelt to give you a paw weaving those in.”

“Thanks.” Willowbreeze was still glowering at Crookedstar.

Crookedstar glowered back. “I still think you shouldn’t be—” He stopped as Willowbreeze started coughing. A chill rippled along his spine.

Brambleberry narrowed her eyes. “When did you start coughing?” She padded to Willowbreeze and pressed an ear against the queen’s flank.

“This morning,” Willowbreeze spluttered. “It’s just a tickle. I must have swallowed a feather in my sleep.”

“It’s probably nothing,” Brambleberry meowed breezily. “But I’ll get you some catmint and marigold anyway.”

Crookedstar watched the medicine cat carefully. He knew how well she could guard her true feelings. He’d visit her later in her den to make sure that Willowbreeze wasn’t in any danger. Just to be sure.

“Ow!” Willowbreeze gasped and dropped into a crouch.

Crookedstar froze. Willowbreeze was scowling with pain.

Brambleberry touched Willowbreeze’s belly with a paw. She looked a little surprised. “Well! The kits are coming.”

Crookedstar stared at her in shock. “Now?”

Brambleberry nodded. “Fetch Mudfur and Fallowtail.” She glanced at Sunfish. “It’ll be your turn soon enough. Do you want to watch?”

Sunfish’s eyes glittered. “Yes, please,” she mewed nervously.

Brambleberry whisked her tail toward Crookedstar. “Hurry up!”

Crookedstar squeezed out of the nursery and raced across the clearing. He poked his head through the medicine den entrance. “Willowbreeze is kitting!” he called to Mudfur.

The medicine cat’s apprentice was sorting through herbs. He looked up, ears pricking. “Okay, I’m coming.” He grabbed a pawful of leaves.

Crookedstar ducked out and headed for the elders’ den. “Fallowtail?”

The old queen looked up from her nest. “Has she started?”

“How did you guess?”

“You look as scared as a kit dropped in the river for the first time.” Fallowtail got stiffly to her paws and headed for the entrance.

Crookedstar followed her down the slope and watched as she disappeared into the nursery. Mudfur trotted across the clearing with a bundle of herbs between his teeth and followed her inside. Crookedstar’s pelt pricked with frustration. He paced the clearing, trying to block out memories of Brightsky’s kitting.

Oakheart padded into camp, a fish in his jaws. One glance at Crookedstar and he dropped the fish and raced across the clearing. “Willowbreeze?”

“She’s just started kitting.” Crookedstar kept pacing. “Brambleberry’s with her.”

“She’ll be fine.” Oakheart fell in beside him, gently slowing the pace. “She’s a strong warrior. I’ve seen her beat a ThunderClan tom with a single swipe. A kit or two won’t be any bother.”

Crookedstar’s heart was racing.

“And what a hunter! She can hold her breath underwater even longer than Rippleclaw,” Oakheart went on. “And everyone knows Rippleclaw’s half-cat, half-fish.”

Ottersplash padded out of her den. “What’s going on?” The old warrior squinted across the clearing. Timberfur had been trying to persuade her to move to the elders’ den for moons, but she insisted she could carry on with her warrior duties for as long as he did. They’d been mates for moons and the whole Clan knew she’d be lonely away from the graying Clan deputy.

Oakheart padded to her side and guided her to the edge of the clearing. “Willowbreeze is kitting.”

“I thought I smelled fear.” Ottersplash sat down. “Yours, not hers. Don’t worry, Crookedstar. She’ll be fine.”

Timberfur trotted over and sat beside her. “I think he’s forgotten that it’s Willowbreeze doing all the work.”

It was sunhigh by the time Mudfur slid out of the nursery. “Three kits!” he yowled triumphantly.

Crookedstar blinked. “How’s Willowbreeze?”

“Doing fine.” Mudfur beckoned him toward the entrance. “Come and meet your daughters. They’re all she-kits!”

Crookedstar squeezed inside, excitement fizzing in his paws. Willowbreeze was lying in her nest, her eyes dark. Fallowtail crouched beside her. Sunfish was sitting up in her nest, straining to see the new kits.

Brambleberry nudged Crookedstar forward. “She’s very tired,” she warned.

Willowbreeze coughed.

“She’ll feel better after a long sleep,” Fallowtail murmured. “Why don’t you welcome your kits to the Clan, Crookedstar?”

Crookedstar dragged his gaze from Willowbreeze to the three tiny, damp bundles lying at her belly. They looked perfect. He leaned into the nest and sniffed them one at a time. The biggest was dark gray, the middle-sized one almost black, and the smallest a silver-gray tabby just like her mother.

Crookedstar’s heart ached with love for them. He pressed his muzzle against Willowbreeze’s cheek. It felt warm.

“They’re beautiful,” he whispered.

“I know,” she rasped.

Pride swelled in him, blossoming like a flower.

Brambleberry leaned closer and whispered in his ear. “You should let her rest.” Gently she ushered him toward the entrance. Crookedstar felt a wave of gratitude toward the medicine cat. She had delivered the most beautiful kits in all the Clans. And thank you, StarClan, for forgiving me. Nothing could compare with the blessing of Willowbreeze and their daughters.

Crookedstar woke early. The sun had just broken the horizon as he padded out of his den and crossed the clearing, yawning. Quiet as a fish, he slid into the nursery and peeked into Willowbreeze’s nest. She was asleep with the three kits curled peacefully beside her. Crookedstar guessed she’d be hungry when she woke. He slipped into the clearing and headed out of camp. He’d caught a fat carp by the time the rest of the Clan was stirring.

“Is that for Willowbreeze?” Oakheart called from his den as Crookedstar pushed through the reeds with the carp dangling from his jaws. Crookedstar nodded, slowing as he saw Mudfur standing outside the nursery. He dropped the fish at the medicine cat apprentice’s paws. “Is everything okay?” he asked. There was something about Mudfur’s expression that made the pelt rise along his spine.

“You can’t go in,” Mudfur told him softly.

Crookedstar bristled. “What do you mean I can’t go in?” He heard Willowbreeze coughing inside. The kits were mewling.

“They’re hungry!” Crookedstar protested. “And Willowbreeze will be starving. I’m taking this fish in.” As he leaned down to pick it up, Mudfur moved in front of the entrance.

Crookedstar glared at him, fear rising in his belly. He spat out the fish. “Let me in!”

Mudfur met Crookedstar’s gaze steadily. “Brambleberry says she mustn’t be disturbed.” He glanced over his shoulder. “By anyone.”

“Is Brambleberry in there?” Crookedstar’s heart was racing. “What’s wrong? Why can’t I see Willowbreeze?”

“She’s a little sick,” Mudfur explained. “But the kits are fine, and I’m keeping a close eye on them.”

Crookedstar growled. “Let me in!” He tried to push past Mudfur, but Mudfur pushed back. He’d lost none of his warrior strength.

Brambleberry slid out of the den. “I thought I heard you,” she meowed cheerfully. “Nothing to worry about. Willowbreeze just has a little cough and I don’t want the infection spreading. You’ll have to stay outside till I tell you it’s okay to go in.”

Crookedstar couldn’t believe his ears. He was the leader of these cats, for StarClan’s sake! “How come you’re allowed in? And Mudfur! It’s not fair!” He was arguing like a scared kit. “Even Sunfish is in there.”

“Sunfish has moved to the elders’ den.” Brambleberry tipped her head on one side. “And if we were going to catch it, we’d have caught it by now.”

“But I was in there yesterday and I didn’t catch it!” Crookedstar argued.

“You were only there a few moments.” Brambleberry held his gaze. “It’s really better if you stay outside. You’re our leader. We can’t risk you getting sick, too.”

Crookedstar opened his mouth. There was nothing to say. The Clan needed him. But Willowbreeze needed him, too!

“Get better quickly!” he called through the wall of the nursery. “I love you! And our daughters!”