Leafpool’s Wish

Chapter 4

“Squirrelflight, do you have a moment? I need to speak with you.”

The dark ginger she-cat turned and looked at Leafpool. “Can’t it wait?” Her pelt was ruffled and her green eyes shone with temper. “Brambleclaw wants me to fetch soaked moss for the nursery, even though it’s an apprentice task. He hasn’t stopped giving out orders since Firestar made him deputy!”

“I could come with you,” Leafpool offered.

Squirrelflight twitched her ears. “Okay, if there’s really nothing more important you need to do.”

They passed Mousefur on the way to the entrance. The elderly she-cat eyed Leafpool’s belly. “Plenty of mice at the Moonpool, was there? You’re looking plump, Leafpool!”

Leafpool flinched and tried to tuck in her flanks. “StarClan has been generous with prey this leaf-bare,” she mewed, speeding up.

Once they had pushed their way through the thorns, Squirrelflight looked at Leafpool. “Wow, that was rude of Mousefur! She’s right, though. Have you been taking more than your fair share?” Her tone was gentle and amused, but Leafpool felt hot beneath her pelt.

“I’d never do that,” she meowed. She plunged into the ferns and headed down the slope toward the lake. The cool fronds brushed against her sides and made her feel calm again. Behind her, Squirrelflight was muttering.

“Who does Brambleclaw think he is, treating me like I’m still wet behind my ears? Toms are so much trouble! You don’t know how lucky you are, Leafpool, not having to worry about things like that.” She broke off as she drew alongside her sister. “Well, I know there was Crowfeather…”

Leafpool didn’t say anything. They emerged from the trees onto the edge of the lakeshore. Pebbles crunched under their paws, and in front of them stretched the lake, flat and silver.

Squirrelflight trotted ahead. “There’s a good clump of moss up here,” she called. “It won’t take long to soak some and take it back to the camp. I’m tempted to put it in Brambleclaw’s nest,” she added under her breath.

Leafpool waited until her sister had stopped by a fallen tree and was prodding at the thick growth of moss. Her heart was pounding and her pelt felt strange and prickly. Inside her, the kits were still, as if they were waiting. I have no choice, Leafpool reminded herself.

“I need your help, Squirrelflight,” she began.

The ginger she-cat paused and looked up. “Sure. Do you want me to fetch some herbs for you?” She pulled a face. “You don’t need me to collect mouse bile, do you?”

“No, nothing like that.”

Squirrelflight’s eyes widened. “Do you want me to take a message to Crowfeather? Leafpool, you know I can’t do that!”

Leafpool winced and closed her eyes for a moment. This is something Crowfeather must never find out!

Stones rolled beneath Squirrelflight’s paws as she shifted her weight. “What is it, Leafpool? It’s obviously important.” She let out a sigh. “I always used to know what you were thinking, but recently—since… since the Crowfeather thing—it’s as if you’re hiding from me. Is something wrong? What is so terrible that you can’t tell me? I’m your sister!”

Leafpool gazed out across the lake. Three tiny dots of light were dancing on the water, even though the sky above was gray with clouds.

“I’m expecting kits.”

“You’re what?” Squirrelflight jumped down from the fallen tree and faced her sister. “Are they Crowfeather’s?”

“Of course they are,” Leafpool snapped.

“Yes, of course.” Squirrelflight stared at her in dismay. “Are you going to leave again? I’ll miss you so much! Who’ll be our medicine cat instead?”

Leafpool lifted her head. “I am ThunderClan’s medicine cat,” she meowed. “Nothing is more important than that. Squirrelflight, you have to help me find a way to raise these kits and still serve my Clan!”

Squirrelflight took a step back. “That’s impossible!”

“Without me, ThunderClan won’t have a medicine cat,” Leafpool insisted. “There’s not enough time to train an apprentice, and there are still wounds to be treated from the badger fight!”

Squirrelflight’s eyes were troubled. “Other cats can take over your duties. Brightheart knows about herbs, doesn’t she? You don’t have to be a medicine cat, Leafpool. Everyone will get used to the idea eventually. It’s not like our Clanmates don’t know about you and Crowfeather.”

“ThunderClan needs me to be their medicine cat. I cannot have these kits!”

Squirrelflight looked at Leafpool’s swollen belly. “I don’t think you have a choice right now.” She moved closer and Leafpool felt the warmth of her sister’s breath against her cheek. “I’ll help you as much as I can, I promise,” Squirrelflight murmured. “Everything will be okay.”

Leafpool looked at the tiny points of light being tossed on the lake, fragile and churned by the waves. Oh, Squirrelflight, you don’t understand. Nothing will ever be okay again.