Mapleshade rested among the warriors of the den, Runningwish's nest was unfamiliar to her but she made due with it. Unlike the other cats in their mossy beds Mapleshade couldn't find sleep in this place. With eyes open and ears alert, she stared at the outside world through the entrance of the den.
She had no reason, just something to look at as she let her mind wander. She had to admit she was a little paranoid as well as relieved Snowtuft, or rather Goldensky, wasn't sleeping within the den. There was still mistrust lingering within the clan in relation to Tigertooth and his mate.
Mapleshade flexed Runningwish's claws from habit, something she had strangely developed lately. She sighed and rose, exiting the den without hesitance. All she could hear was the average sounds of Thunderclan's forest and smell the scent of slumbering Shadowclan cats nearby.
With a swift glance around the camp she spotted Voleeye enter the nursery. Her whiskers twitched in mild interest, curiousity spreading like a fever in her body. Mapleshade trotted over and peeked within the queen's den.
Voleeye was sitting near Spottedlegs, her belly round from her pregnancy. The two were talking together calmly, probably something sweet in their responses. Mapleshade knew she shouldn't be interested but she couldn't keep Runningwish's ears from leaning closer to listen.
Voleeye looked over at her and she began to retreat almost as if it were a flinching reaction.
"Runningwish?" Spottedlegs called gently from within the den. Mapleshade felt nervousness creep through her as she knew now there was no escape. Voleeye watched her.
"Come in, we were just talking about names for the kits when they're born."  Voleeye said, urging her over with his tail. Mapleshade feigned a smile and entered the den, sitting down with the two other cats.
"So... What names were you considering...?" Mapleshade asked cautiously. The longer she sat there with the both of them looking at her it felt more and more like they knew who she really was and what she was up to two days from now. Voleeye looked over to his mate as she stared off in thought.
"I had the idea of naming one after my father.. Oakpebble..." The tortoiseshell said softly. Mapleshade didn't recognize the name, and from what she could tell internally neither did Runningwish. Voleeye gazed over at his mate with a certain softness in his eyes that made Mapleshade's heart ache for a reason unknown to her. There was something here that made her want to stay and talk more, to crave their conversation, but that same thing drove her to desperately wish to leave.
It was emotional turmoil, something familiar to a cat with a background like hers.
"That sounds very sweet, Spottedlegs." Mapleshade said, doing her best in balancing her thoughts versus her actions. Voleeye chuckled.
"Maybe we should name one after my mother or father. Vineclaw or Lionpelt, I know my father is getting older each day and silver hairs are starting to appear..." Voleeye said, looking over to Runningwish. Mapleshade frowned.
"Yes.. I have.. Taken notice of that as well." Mapleshade said in response, unaware of who exactly Vineclaw was or even what he looked like. The same could be said for Runningwish and Voleeye's mother Lionpelt.
After talking to them for a while longer she tore herself slowly away from them, strangely like a bandaid being removed from a hairy arm. Mapleshade sighed as she felt the outside breeze once again, the scent of Thunderclan's clay floor and the feel of the soft ground reunited her with her true intentions again.
She decided to go back to the den and talk to Snowtuft again tomorrow to start planning their ambush. As the thought passed through her head it felt like something began to bubble in her heart, like butterflies let loose from a cage in her soul.
The ache from earlier appeared inside her again and she fought it with all her will power. What were these feelings? Was it regret for agreeing to this mission? Worry for hurting someone like Voleeye, taking him from his mate and future kits?
Mapleshade had so many paranoid thoughts racing through her mind she couldn't pick which one made the most since. For her they seemed so extreme and irrelevant.
"Runningwish." A thick voice broke through the darkness of her cluttered mind. Mapleshade wielded her host's eyes like a blade as she looked to where the call came from. Before her stood Greystar, strangely his pelt seemed to have longer fur, but Mapleshade couldn't be sure. She had only seen the Thunderclan leader once or twice since taking possession of Runningwish's body.
She watched him a moment before he called out to her again,
"Runningwish, I would like to speak to you in my den." The grey tom said, turning away to enter said den. Mapleshade awoke from her lack of response and quickly trotted to the highledge and climhed up. Her legs slightly shook, her nerves were on fire at the prospect of Greystar knowing the truth under Runningwish's pelt.