Эрин Хантер - Tigerheart’s Shadow

Dovewing flicked her tail impatiently. “I suppose you think that has something to do with ShadowClan.”

“Perhaps it does.”

“Why? Spire’s not a medicine cat. And these cats all live so far away from the Clans, they had no idea we even existed. Why would StarClan speak to him?”

“Perhaps because they want to reach me here.”

Dovewing rolled her eyes. “Because you’re so important to ShadowClan.”

Anger sparked in Tigerheart’s pelt. “I am important to ShadowClan. I’m their deputy, remember?”

“You were their deputy,” she reminded him. “But you gave all that up to be here with me.”

Not forever. He searched Dovewing’s gaze. Did she really think they would never go home?

She blinked back at him, doubt furrowing her brow. “You did give it up, didn’t you?”

Guilt jabbed Tigerheart’s belly. “I wanted to find you…”

Her green eyes blazed angrily. “So you could bring me back?”

“No!” he yelped. “Well, yes… I don’t know, exactly! I just knew that I wanted to be with you.” His head drooped as he kneaded the ground in confusion.

“You can be with me here .”

Tigerheart felt like a huge paw was pushing down on his head. He couldn’t bear to look up at her, because he feared what he would see in her eyes. Disappointment? Betrayal?

“Tigerheart?” She was searching his gaze now, fear sparking in her eyes. “You gave up ShadowClan to be here with me, right?”

Grief swept through him like a storm tearing through forest. “I… I guess I didn’t know it might be forever,” he meowed helplessly.

“And now because some cat has a dream,” she hissed, “you want to go back? I seem to remember it was not so long ago that you weren’t taking dreams quite so seriously.”

Tigerheart felt a pang of guilt, but stood up straight and looked at her. “Do you really believe we can stay away from our Clans forever? Can you really raise our kits here ? They’ll never know what it’s like to have Clanmates, or to have a mentor, or to be willing to fight for their territory.” He stared at her. “You want to raise our kits as strays ?”

Pain flashed suddenly across Dovewing’s face.

Tigerheart’s breath caught in his throat. “I’m sorry,” he yowled, pressing himself against her. “I didn’t mean to be so harsh…”

Dovewing gasped and staggered. “It’s not that, you mouse-brain!”

Panic flashed in her eyes. She shot him a desperate look as she dropped into a crouch. Heart pounding in his ears, he scanned the den for a healer.

Fierce was already crossing the floor toward them. She flicked her tail toward Spire. “Dovewing needs help.”

Spire hurried to join her.

“What’s wrong with her?” Tigerheart wailed as they reached him.

Dovewing panted beside him. “The kits are coming.”

Terrified, Tigerheart turned to Spire. “Is it time?”

Spire blinked at him calmly. “I think that your kits have decided it is.”

Fierce guided Tigerheart away as Spire helped Dovewing to her nest.

“She needs me.” Tigerheart looked at her, contorted with pain as she slumped among the furless pelts.

“The healers will take care of her.” Fierce nodded to Peanut, who was already hurrying toward the sound of Dovewing’s wailing. “Peanut’s had kits of her own, and she’s helped cats in their kitting before.” She blinked gently at Tigerheart. “We get a lot of queens through here. Spire and Peanut know what they’re doing.”

“I want to be with her.” Tigerheart’s chest was so tight he could hardly find his breath.

“First you need to calm down.” Fierce fixed her gaze on his, her eyes shimmering. “I know it’s your first litter, but it will be okay.”

“It’s my fault she started kitting.” Guilt surged beneath his pelt. “I upset her.”

“If a queen started kitting every time some cat upset them, there’d be a lot of unexpected deliveries,” Fierce soothed.

“I shouldn’t have said anything.” Tigerheart’s thoughts whirled. Why in StarClan had he mentioned Puddleshine’s dream? Dovewing already had so much to worry about right now.

“Tigerheart!” Dovewing’s cry cut into his thoughts.

He jerked his muzzle toward her. She was glaring at him, pain glittering in her fierce gaze. “Stop sitting there like a rabbit and do something useful!” She gasped as Peanut leaned into the nest and stroked her belly with a paw.

Tigerheart stared in panic. “What can I do?”

“Fetch me a stick to bite on,” Dovewing panted. “I don’t want these cats to hear me squealing like a kit!”

Tigerheart nodded and hurried to the gap in the wall. He scrambled outside, then raced to the tall chestnut tree he’d sat under with Spire. The Twolegs were still yowling inside. A monster rumbled past. White clouds dotted the sky. Tigerheart scanned the grass, spotting a sturdy stick lying beneath the tree. He bent down and bit it, relieved to feel it firm between his jaws. No bark splintered from the smooth stem. It would be perfect for Dovewing. Quickly he carried it back to the cavern, struggling to maneuver it into the gap. He pushed it through, end first, and it fell onto the ledge and bounced on the floor.

Fierce and Rascal turned to watch it tumble to a halt. Blaze hurried across the cavern and stood beside it. “What’s this for?” he asked as Tigerheart landed next to it.

“It’s for Dovewing.” Tigerheart snatched it up and carried it toward Dovewing’s nest.

“What does she need a stick for?” Blaze followed him.

“To bite on.” Tigerheart struggled to speak through the stick. He dropped it beside the nest. “It will help with the pain.”

Blaze stopped beside him and stared at Dovewing. Peanut had climbed into the nest and was soothing her with gentle laps behind her ears. Spire leaned in and ran his paws over her belly. Dovewing convulsed, a spasm jerking her body. “Why do cats have kits?” Blaze asked.

Spire turned from Dovewing and met the tom-kit’s gaze. “Blaze,” he meowed softly. “Dovewing will need water. Find a rag and soak it under the drip-pipe. Then bring it here. But wait until it’s dripping wet before you bring it back.”

Blaze nodded earnestly, then hurried away.

Tigerheart stared at Dovewing as another spasm gripped her. “Is she okay?”

Dovewing shot him a look. “Where’s the stick?” she growled between gritted teeth.

He pushed it hurriedly into the nest and she clamped her jaws around it and groaned as another spasm made her stiffen. She shuddered, then jerked.

Spire broke into a purr as a small, wet sac slid into the nest behind her. Quickly he nipped the sac’s membrane with his teeth and peeled the bundle of slick fur from inside. He placed it beside Dovewing’s cheek. “Meet your firstborn.”

Dovewing let go of the stick and, purring loudly, lapped at the tiny kit as it squirmed and mewled beside her.

“You have a daughter.” Spire blinked at Tigerheart happily.

Tigerheart stared at the kit, hardly able to believe his eyes. This small scrap of fur was what all the heartache and worry of the past two moons had been about. His heart seemed to swell until joy burst from his throat in a purr. “She’s beautiful.” How could he have ever doubted that he should be here with Dovewing? He thrust his muzzle close to hers, nuzzling first the kit and then her cheek.

She purred too, their gaze meeting as she turned her head to press her nose against his. “She’s so soft and—” A spasm cut her off. She nudged Tigerheart away, tucked the kit close to her chest, and clamped her teeth around the stick once more. Jerking, she groaned, and another kit dropped into the nest.