Ashwing yawned as she sat up. She'd been a warrior for one moon, and she was enjoying herself. The nest news though, Crystalfur had 'mysteriously been killed' two nights ago, and now Pinktongue had taken his place, with Fluffpaw, Murkypaw and Tawnypaw as apprentices.
The only thing she didn't like was how tiring her Warrior duties were. For the last few days, she'd been stifling yawns on patrols and had asked One-eye to have a few day's rest. He'd agreed reluctantly, saying it was probably best for her to keep her stregnths up. He and Violetslash seemed to know about her and Hickorypelt.
Though, she didn't know whether the strain had caused her lack of grace; she was always clumsy, and that always annoyed her.
With a sigh, she plodded out of the den, legs aching.
"H-h-hey, Pinktongue,"she yawned, "Any patrols I can join?"
Pinktongue glanced at her,"Braidfur and Bigwing are just going hunting; I was looking for someone to lead them. You'd may as well,"she shrugged.
"'Kay,"she blundered over to the younger warriors,"C'mon. Pinktongue wants me to lead you,"
They set off in the direction of the ThunderClan border, and rain began to fall steadily.
"There's a toad,"Ashwing whispered, crouching low to the ground. The movement shot pain through her muscles, and the effort of holding the postion built up sweat,"Bigwing, scare it into coming over here,"
Bigwing nodded and made her way in front of it. It was chewing on an ant, and didn't notice the brown molly.
She then let out a caterwailing yowl, it started and sped towards Ashwing's direction.
As she shifted her paws for a better poise, one of her hind legs slipped on the mud. Ashwing flopped down. It hurt. I don't hurt anywhere, but my belly does. I think I landed on it funny.
Why was she so weak? What was wrong with her? Why was a slip enough to knock her out? Why had the hunting crouch caused so much agony? Only one explanation came over her before she was overwhelmed by darkness.

* * *

"Yes, Ashwing. It's true. You have to tell Sharpstar,"Sugarlaugh confirmed, when she's struggled into consicousness and confided in the medicine cat about her theory.
Ashwing paced around the room, breath fast,"It's too soon. Sugarlaugh, I'm not ready for this!"
"I wish I could help, but I never knew what it was like. And you can't stop it, so don't bother getting distressed,"
She sighed,"I know you're right. My kits need me to keep a clear-head so I'll do just that...b-ut. I'm not ready to tell anyone yet,"
Sugarlaugh shrugged,"Just don't leave it too late. When I was an apprentice, a queen called Tawnydust delayed telling her leader that she was expecting and gave birth on a night patrol. The scent of blood attracked a badger; she and the kits died,"
Ashwing winced at the depressing story,"I'll keep it in mind,"she promised.
"Ashwing?"Sharpstar padded into the den.
He's had two litters...can he tell?
"I think it's time you, Bigwing and Braidfur went to the Moonstone for StarClan's blessing,"
Her ears pricked up,"Sure! When?"
"Now's as good a time as any," Sharpstar smiled,"I'm heading there anyway,"
Whilst the leader rounded up the cringy siblings, Ashwing had time to think about Hickorypelt, how happy he'd be when he found out he had kits inside of her. Then, it struck her. If they were Hickorypelt's kits...they'd be...half ghost.

The reason for this is because I wanted Ashwing and Dandelionshade to be related, and this was the only way.
:)