Shadepaw's POV:

Shadepaw was returning from a successful hunt when he heard shrieks coming from the nursery. At first he tensed, but then he recognised the shrieks were from the kits. They were simply playing. He forced down a chuckle and deposited his catches on the prey pile before heading to the nursery to check on the kits. They were only a quarter moon old, but already so active. All three had opened their eyes and were eagerly exploring the entire nursery cave, not yet allowed outside into camp.

As Shadepaw neared the nursery tunnel, he was stopped by his mother. The red furred she cat looked up at him with flattened ears. Now that nearing the end of his training, Shadepaw had grown taller than his mother. It wasn't much of an achievement; everyone above nine moons was bigger than NoName, but it still gave Shadepaw a sense of superiority when standing by the Dark Forest leader.

"Are you going to see your kit friends again?" His mentor asked, a hint of a growl in her voice. When he nodded, she muttered. "You're getting too close to Redleaf, Curledtail and their kits, if you continue to form this bond I will have them all executed on the spot. Understand?"

Shadepaw gulped and dipped his head. "I understand, NoName. May I still go in there today?"

"Very well, but don't forget what I just told you." NoName turned away and stalked over to the fresh-kill pile. She took one of the scrawny mice that Shadepaw had caught and settled down to eat it. Shadepaw watched her for a moment longer. He rarely saw his mother eat, and when she did it was very small amounts. Did Dark Forest cats even need to eat? Was it just a luxury?

Sighing through his nose, Shadepaw stepped down the nursery tunnel, waving his tail at the two guards he passed. Inside the cave, he saw the kits in a heap on their nest. They were scrambling at each other, frantic to pin the other down. Redleaf was giggling to herself, a wide smile on her face as she watched the three she kits play.

"Shadepaw!" The three kits looked up when they saw him, their wide eyes brightening with joy as they tumbled over to him. The dark furred apprentice purred as they latched onto his legs, pawing and nuzzling him.

"Welcome back Shadepaw." Flowerstream purred, stretching with a small mumble.

Shadepaw smiled at the two queens and the kits. "Hello. How are you all doing?"

"Great!" Redleaf grinned. "The kits are growing up so quickly, and they're so playful."

Flowerstream added. "And Spiderkit is napping most of the time, as usual." The grey she cat tensed all of a sudden, a light squeal leaving her lips.

Shadepaw tensed as well. "What's wrong?" He asked.

"Just my stomach..." She frowned, glancing down at her belly.

"Did you eat something bad?" Shadepaw asked, growing worried.

"No..." She mumbled, a grim look on her face as a realisation seemed to occur.

"What? What is it?" Shadepaw wondered.

"Kits." Flowerstream whispered, looking up at Shadepaw with a terrified half-smile. "I'm expecting kits."

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Blossompaw's POV:

Shadepaw left the den with a shocked look on his face. It seemed he was struggling to hide the shock, but his flicking tail easily gave the act away. Blossompaw rose from her spot near the apprentices den and approached the troubled tom. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." He muttered, distracted as he kept up his quick pace across the camp clearing. Where is he going? Blossompaw wondered, keeping pace with him.

She tried again. "There's obviously something wrong. You can tell me."

Shadepaw's step faltered, but he shook his head in silence. Blossompaw sighed angrily. "Don't you trust me?"

"I do trust you but..." His gaze travelled around the camp where many of the Dark Forest warriors were lounging about, relaxing after a tiring day of work. "If you must know, then follow me..." He led the way out of camp at a quick pace. Blossompaw trotted after him, her green eyes narrowed in curiosity.

Shadepaw stopped near the river, turning around to face her. "You must not repeat what I'm about to tell you. Not until it's been talked over by me and Flowerstream, understand?"

Blossompaw nodded.

"She's pregnant."

"Flowerstream?" Blossompaw blinked in surprise. "How?"

"I don't know." Shadepaw sighed. "But if my mother finds out, she could be killed. Please don't say a thing about this."

She nodded. "I promise."

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