Shadeheart's POV:

The dark furred tom set Blossomfur gently down into her new nest, giving her cheek an affectionate nuzzle. "I'll be back to see you after my border patrol." Shadeheart promised, stepping away from his mate and giving the rest of the nursery cave a glance.

Flowerstream was snoozing in her nest with Spiderkit; who was now over five moons old. The black she cat lay snuggled into her foster mother's belly, kneading Flowerstream in her sleep. Shadeheart smiled at the sight. He had been like that once, cuddling with Flowerstream and his den mates, safe within the nursery cave.

Then the young warrior turned to Redleaf. The ginger she cat was laying tensely in her nest, staring at Blossomfur fearfully. Compared to the cream she cat, the former prisoner looked tiny. She was still underfed, her ribs always poking through her fur. Shadeheart had tried to get her to eat but she often refused, too worried about what NoName might do if she over-ate.

But despite their mother's weak state, the three she kits were all healthy and strong. Their eyes had opened and they were extremely playful. They had been caught numerous times escaping the nursery tunnel. Shadeheart sometimes wondered if he'd be chosen as a mentor when Cherrykit, Flamekit and Snowkit were apprenticed. Maybe if he was lucky he could even take Spiderkit.

Without another thought on the subject, Shadeheart exited the nursery and headed into the main clearing. By the camp entrance, his patrol was already gathered. Wraith, Stormcloud and Bolt all raised their heads when Shadeheart approached. Bolt let out an impatient grunt. "Took you long enough." The white furred tom rose to his paws and lashed his tail, ordering the patrol the follow his lead as he left camp.

Shadeheart fell into step behind Wraith and Stormcloud. He watched the two closely, noticing how Stormcloud gave the Ghost Collective she cat deliberate nudges with his shoulder while they trotted, his jaws twisted into a grin. Wraith played along with the grey dappled tom, nudging him back. Shadeheart blinked as their tails intertwined for a split second before Stormcloud ducked his head and fell behind her; his pelt hot with embarrassment.

Once Stormcloud reached Shadeheart's side, he whispered. "Do you think she likes me?" He stared ahead at Wraith, who had quickened the pace to catch up with Bolt.

Shadeheart narrowed his eyes, following his friend's gaze. "I don't know... but if it makes you feel any better, I don't think she hates you."

Stormcloud sighed and slowed the pace even more, leaving them out of earshot from Wraith and Bolt. "What do I do to get her to like me?"

"Be yourself when you're around her." Shadeheart responded. "If she doesn't like that, then move on. Don't change yourself just to be with her."

"But she'd never like that side of me." Stormcloud replied, his ears flattened as he leapt over a stray cluster of brambles.

"How do you know that?"

Stormcloud looked at his paws, walking so slowly that Wraith and Bolt were out of sight, far ahead of the two young toms. "Everyone hates it, why would she think any differently."

"I don't hate you." Shadeheart urged Stormcloud to move faster, worried that they'd be punished for idling on patrol.

"Liar."

"I'm not lying." Shadeheart tilted his head to the side. "But so what if the others don't like you, Wraith might be different."

Stormcloud let out a disbelieving snort, but nodded his head. "Alright, I'll listen to you, Shadeheart. You seem to give logical advice most of the time. Maybe it really work."

Then, with a blank face, Stormcloud took off after Wraith and Bolt at a fast run.

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By the time the patrol returned to camp it was nearly sundown. Shadeheart broke away from the others and stalked into the Prison, making sure no one noticed his absence. He wanted to see Bluesnow again, even if it was just for a few moments. He knew he was mates with Blossomfur, and meeting Bluesnow was breaking his loyalty to his mate and clan, but he needed to see her. Even if it was only for a few, short moments.

Shadeheart spotted the blue she cat sitting with Silvershy. Since Flamestar's death, the silver she cat seemed to have taken it upon herself to be Bluesnow's personal guard, as if repaying a debt she owed to Flamestar.

When Silvershy saw Shadeheart, she nudged Bluesnow. "He's here." She mewed.

Bluesnow looked up from her paws, her eyes widening. "U-uh, Sh-Shadeheart!" The she cat stuttered, standing up. "You're here."

"I had to see you. Just to check if you are okay." Shadeheart replied, noticing how she had her tail wrapped protectively around herself. "...Are you okay?"

"Y-yeah!" She nodded immediately, her deep blue eyes filled with worry. "I'm completely okay."

Shadeheart stepped towards her but Silvershy stuck out a paw, pressing it firmly on his chest. "Not a step closer." The silver she cat murmured softly.

"Why?" Shadeheart demanded, staring at Bluesnow desperately. "What's wrong? Why won't you let me comfort her?" He tried to push past Silvershy but she held him firmly in place, her green eyes a bitter fire of no emotion.

"No it's f-fine." Bluesnow whispered. "He should know. He'll find out eventually anyway." The blue she cat padded over to Shadeheart, her gaze stuck to her paws.

Silvershy reluctantly let Shadeheart go, stepping back to watch silently with the rest of the prisoners. Shadeheart noticed some of the gathered cats held hostile glares. They still didn't like him.

Once Bluesnow was close enough for her breath to ruffle his whiskers, she murmured. "We're having kits."

Barely a second later, Shadeheart shouted. "Kits?! You too?!" He took a step back, his eyes wide as he stared at her.

Bluesnow flinched and hung her head. "I'm sorry.. I-I know you don't want them. I promise not to say anything when NoName finds out, I won't drag you into this." She crouched down, her thick blue tail wrapping tightly around herself.

"N-no. No." Shadeheart mumbled. "Don't do that. I'll tell my mother and I'll get you a place in the nursery, no matter what." He stumbled over to Bluesnow, his paws wrapping around her. "I would never abandon you to NoName's rage."

Bluesnow let out a sob. "I'm so so sorry I dragged you into this."

"I dragged us into this. It's not your fault at all." He licked her cheek.

"But I have to carry the burden." She murmured.

"No, you're not alone with this." Shadeheart replied. "I promise."

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