“That’s enough for her.” Beedew nuzzled Sunset, not caring who saw. “However, someone could easily have more than one life ripped away if the impact of death was bad…” “Whatever.” He meowed. “Help me get this honey inside.” “Fine.” Beedew helped him drag the bark inside. After that, Orangedust padded into the Medicine Cat den. “Beedew I-'' She stopped when she saw Sunset. “Can I talk to you, Beedew? Alone?” “Right here is fine.” Beedew said rather bluntly. “Fine. Sandfur and I are going to have another litter. We’re going to have them in two moons.” She glanced at Beedew’s slightly bigger belly. “How are you getting so much prey in Leaf-Bare?” “I’ve been trying new herbs.” She said coolly. “They made me bloated.” “Uh huh. I’ll see you later then.” She mewed, glaring at Sunset before she walked out. Beedew glared sharply at Orangedust and followed. “Why do you care?” “Because, I’ve seen how much time you spend with that… Rogue.” “He’s not a Rouge!” “So he says.”

Beedew huffed and stalked to Sunset. He looked up. “What?” “They still don’t trust you…” “I don’t blame them.” She sighed. “I’m sorry.” “It’s not like I’ve told anyone where I’m from.” “You’re right… But, you’re a Leafclan cat now…” “I guess so.” “But… Where are you from?” Sunset looked away. “I’ve been told not to tell.” “You can trust me.” She licked his cheek. Sunset’s pelt twitched. “I don’t know if I can- Not with this.” “It can’t be bad!” Beedew winced. “Right?” “The cat who told me to keep it a secret is one of my best friends.” “They're not here now…” “But I couldn’t betray them. They would know.” “Are they in this Clan?” “No.” “Just tell me.” She huffed, irked. “No!”

“I’m your mate though.” She hissed with clenched teeth with such a low voice that even she could hear herself. “I am carrying your kits. The very least you can do is tell me.” “You’re expecting… Just like he said…'' The orange tom trailed off, turning his back to Beedew, his unfocused gaze facing the ground. Beedew hissed and retreated to her mossy nest. Sunset walked to the edge of the camp, where Stormpelt was guarding. “Is it alright if I go hunting?” He asked the dark gray tom. “Bring someone with you.” The tom eyed Sunset. He rolled his eyes. “Fine. Sandfur?” “Fine… I’ll go with you.” “Thanks.” He padded out into the birch forest, the snow making his paw pads cold. Sandfur followed closely behind, shuddering along and grumbling. “I think there's bird scent over here.” “You want to take it?” Sandfur whispered.

“Sure.” The orange tabby tom crouched down to follow the scent trail, wincing as the cold snow soaked into his fur. Sandfur took his spot close to the scent trail, where if the bird escaped Sunsets grab, he could take the bird. The bird soon came into view. It was massive, it’s next reaching bigger than he was. It was white, black, and brown. “What is that…” “Is that an… Hawk?.. No, no…. It’s too huge.” “Well, whatever it is, we should be able to take it down.” Sandfur nodded. “You first.” Sunset krept up behind the bird, closer and closer. Sandfur did too, but kept more hidden. A twig snapped under Sunset’s paw. “Mouse dung!” He said, under his breath. The big bird swung it’s head around, fixing it’s small eyes on the cats. “Don’t stand there!” Yowled Sandfur, who in seconds lunged at the odd bird.

The bird spread out it’s wings, snapping it’s sharp beak towards the pale tom. “It’s like it has teeth!” Sunset yowled. Sandfur yowled in surprise and slashed the beast's wing. It let out a loud, large honk. The bird nipped it’s beak at the pale tom’s ears. The pale tom pulled back, and blood splashed everywhere as the ear ripped into two. “Retreat!” Sunset yowled. Sandfur staggered, staring at the beast. For a moment, the two locked eyes. Sandfur hissed and began to run to camp. Sunset swiftly followed, as the bird honked in victory behind them. “Help!” Sandfur yowled as he bursted into the camp. Goursewood looked up from where she was grooming her sister, Whitesnow. “What are you yowling about?” “A large bird is attacking Leafclan! It has teeth as scary as badgers!” Whitesnow rolled her eyes. “What nonsense are you rambling on about?” She said, putting the paw she was cleaning on the ground. “What did this bird look like?” “Large. Big neck. It has teeth!”

“Oh, calm down.” Stormpelt said, his guard shift over. “It’s just a goose.” “It bit my ear off.” He growled. “You’re lucky. They usually come in a gaggle.” “We need a patrol then.” Stingfoot said, Mushroomeye practically leaning on his side. “The gaggle can come here and hurt my shroom! And the kits!” “‘Your shroom’?” Badgerbumble asked. “Doesn't matter, Badgerbumble. I, Gorsewood, Sunset, and you will go search for the geese.” “I wouldn’t try that.” The dark gray tom advised. “Their gaggles are very big.” “We’re not going to be attacking.” Stingfoot began. “We’ll just be stalking and trying to see how many geeses there are to decide what to do.” “Whatever you say. But don’t come cryin’ to me when you all have only half your ears.” “Tch… We have to be careful.” Sunset began walking out. “Come on, let’s go.” The colony of cats crept silently through the grove, once in every other pawstep stabbing to twitch their ears for any noise. “I hear it.” Breathed Stingfoot.

“Which direction is it in?” Gorsewood asked. “East.” Stingfoot raised his head. The brown she-cat nodded, crouching down and creeping towards where the sun rose. The other cats followed, shifting the weight of themselves ever so carefully. A geese call ran out. Sunset flinched. “What now?” He whispered. “We keep looking…” The crowd kept stalking, and to their horror, saw another goose. Sunset poked his head out of a bush. “There’s a ton of them!” “I think we need to change camps…” Stingfoot awkwardly shuffled. “Other Clan camps... Or no… No… We could charge them out or protect our Clan…” Gorsewood rolled her eyes. “Geese don’t stay here long during the cold season. They’ll be gone soon.” “What if they do stay? Or what if they decide to get at our kits while they're still here?” “Oh- Stop it with your what-ifs.” “Shut up. I’m just being careful.” He hissed silently to her. “We should go back.” Badgerbumble said. “They don’t look like they’re going to attack unless we get close.”

“On it.” Stingfoot swiftly retreated. “Finally!” “Shut up.” Stingfoot made his way up to the tree and into his den. Otterkit was in the Nursery with Ghostkit. The little white tom was getting better, despite the cold Leaf-Bare. Beedew gently grooming him as she got a bundle of herbs to help him. He was almost better enough for him to be on track to be an Apprentice. He just needed to gain a few more pounds. “Hi Ghostkit!” Otterkit said, bounding up to him. “Hi!” He mewed. “How are you feeling?” “Better.” “Still sick?” “A little…” Huffed Ghostkit. “Maybe you could come out and play today!” “I’m too tired…” “You’re always too tired though.” “I mean it this time… Go play with yourself.” Otterkit huffed. “Fine.” She padded out of the den. A cold breeze made her shiver. The camp had been explored by her about a million times, yet she hadn’t seen anything beyond the camp. They wouldn’t mind if I went out for a bit… She thought, disappearing out of the entrance.

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