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Tawnypelt woke up in a daze, in the medicine cat den. The words of Bluestar rang in her ears.
“Beaware of the two-faced cat with a paw in each world.” Tawnypelt’s heart fluttered. What did Bluestar mean? She had seen Rowanclaw briefly in the dream but it just only reminded her that he was dead.
“Tawnypelt! Are you okay?” Leafstar cried. “I was… very upset when I heard the news.”
“I’m fine, Leafstar.” Tawnypelt sighed. For a brief moment, they looked at each other, and euphoria creeped through their bones. Tawnypelt blushed and laid down.
“T-thank you for checking in on me.” Tawnypelt sighed wistfully. Suddenly, Frecklewish intruded upon them.
“Tawnypelt! You’re awake!” Frecklewish exclaimed. “I was worried you wouldn’t wake up after all those injuries you sustained at the moonpool. I’ve put some herbs on your cuts to minimize infection, but I think you need more poppy seeds.”
“Respect your elders Frecklewish.” Leafstar replied, flicking her tail in annoyance. “Give Tawnypelt some time to get her bearings.”
“Anyways,” Frecklewish said, ignoring Leafstar. “Do you want your poppy seeds now or later?”
“Oh for star’s sake.” Leafstar snapped. “I may not be the official leader of Skyclan but you will NOT disrespect me! Why don’t you come back later.” Frecklewish glared at them.
“I know what you’re doing.” She said, “Come on Tawnypelt. Let me put another poultice on your cuts and lets get you some more poppy seeds.” Tawnypelt was a little annoyed at Frecklewish. She squirmed as Frecklewish did her medicine cat stuff.
“Take these." Frecklewish ordered, beckoning to the poppy seeds. Tawnypelt lapped them up, and immediately felt sleepy.
“Leafstar! Some cats are here!” Hawkwing called. Leafstar turned to Tawnypelt.
“Sorry. I have to go.” She whispered. “We’re still doing the secret quarter-moon meeting though. Usual place, usual time.” Tawnypelt nodded in elation, as she quietly fell asleep. When Tawnypelt woke up on the mossy floor of the medicine den again, Tigerstar, Puddleshine, and Shadowsight were standing over her. Tawnypelt was still in a daze and her thoughts were muddled. She wasn’t sure how to feel about their presence.
“What did you do?” Tigerstar huffed. “How? Why? What did you seek to accomplish by being so mouse-brained?” Tawnypelt was enraged. Tigerstar was out of line here, but she couldn’t find the words to admonish him.
“Woah!” Puddleshine exclaimed. “Don’t treat Tawnypelt like that! You of all cats should know better!”
“A-are you okay?” Shadowsight asked carefully.
“I-I’m fine!” Tawnypelt retorted. “I’m not s-some fragile kit you know!” Shivers ran down her spine. And she remembered what she needed to do.
“Tigerstar!” She said, “I’ve received a prophecy from Bluestar herself. She said to beware of a two-faced cat with a paw in each world.” Tigerstar and Puddleshine were shocked. Shadowsight was very nervous as he remembered his days of receiving prophecies.
“Are you sure you weren’t hallucinating?” Tigerstar asked gently. “I mean, you did injure yourself very badly…” Tawnypelt took a deep breath.
‘I was not hallucinating.” She said, “If I were, I would have had head damage.” Leafstar peeked her head in the den, to check on Frecklewish. Tawnypelt gazed into her eyes. Leafstar, please back me up here. Leafstar sighed and walked away. The poppy seeds must have been getting to her.
“Is that all you came here for?” Tawnypelt snapped grogily. “To tell me how stupid I am?” Tigerstar flinched, hurt by her words.
“I also came here to tell you.” Tigerstar said quietly. “That you can stay in Skyclan until you’ve healed up. I know you like spending time with Leafstar, and it’s the least I can do after everything you’ve been through.”
“Thank you.” Tawnypelt replied curtly, getting up. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going on a walk.” She strode out of the medicine den, confident in her words. The cats of Skyclan murmured in pleasant surprise, except for Hawkwing and Birchfeather, who were engrossed in a conversation. Leafstar passed Tawnypelt.
“Do you wanna go on a walk?” She asked shyly. Tawnypelt nodded in glee. They turned around and went out of camp, strolling around the Skyclan territory. They could feel the stares of their clanmates, shipping them silently. The grass blew gently in the wind, and the sky was as blue as the ice in winter, with not a cloud in sight. Tawnypelt was more invigorated than she had been in a long time. She was reminded of her youth, when she had first developed a crush on Rowanclaw. Tawnypelt made sure to keep up with Leafstar, sticking by her side. Leafstar treaded carefully.
“I hate that my eyesight is going bad.” She huffed. “I’m trying to memorize the layout of the territory, before it’s too late.”
“Oh my.” Tawnypelt replied, unsure what else to say. “At least your other senses are intact.” Leafstar sighed again.
“You know, I can still make out distinctive pelt patterns. I can still recognize you. Your voice is like the dew that drips from the grass at dawn. Your pelt is like the beautiful eclipse that the clans whisper of for generations. Even if I go completely blind, your image is burned into my head, and I will never forget.” Tawnypelt and Leafstar rubbed their heads together, purring in delight.
“Oh god.” Tawnypelt said bashedly, “You remind me of my old mate, Rowanclaw. He always complimented me excessively, with so many metaphors…”
“You remind me of my old mate Billystorm.” Leafstar replied. “Being fearless, and not afraid to do what is right. Being passionate and kind.” The talk of old mates unleashed a wave of sadness onto the she-cats. They remembered the good times they had with their mates, and how they were gone now. Leafstar stood up.
“I don’t know if our mates would approve of our… relationship.” Leafstar said quietly. Annoyance burned underneath Tawnypelt’s skin.
“They would. Billystorm and Rowanclaw want us to be happy.” Tawnypelt stated. “They understand, and when we die and go to Starclan, we’ll all be together in one giant polycule.”
“I guess…” Leafstar replied. “But like… I can feel the stares of our clanmates. They know what lies beneath our formalness.”
“I would switch clans for you.” Tawnypelt said lovingly, butting Leafstar gently. “We can do that now. We aren’t those scared little warriors anymore, debating whether to run away, cursing ourselves for our infedelity.” Leafstar and Tawnypelt curled up together in the grass.
“I know.” Leafstar sighed. “Why don’t we wait until all this drama is all over, and then you can switch over to Skyclan. You’ll even be with your son, Birchfeather.”
“I like the sound of that.” Tawnypelt replied. Elation tingled through her chest. It had been moons since she felt the sparks of love. Not the bright sparks a cat gets with a crush, but the beautiful ones a cat gets when they’ve been loving for a long time. Tawnypelt and Leafstar cuddled together for quite a bit, grooming each other and talking about their deceased mates, until they reluctantly untangled themselves and went back to camp. Tawnypelt felt much better than she had this morning, and the cuddle session with Leafstar had removed the last of her grogginess. When Birchfeather saw Tawnypelt, he rushed over to her and buried his face in her fur.
“Ahhhhhhhhhhh!” He moaned.
“What’s going on?” Tawnypelt asked.
“I can’t do the trials to become a Skyclan warrior until Hawkwing becomes leader!” Birchfeather complained. “And of course, the moonpool isn’t working so he can’t receive his nine lives! Me and Ridgeglow are meant to be together, not separated by borders!”
“I understand.” Tawnypelt sighed. “Me and Leafstar want to be together so bad. But given the circumstances… we simply can’t initiate the process. I hope we can become mates before we succumb to old age.” Birchfeather stared at Tawnypelt, blinking the tears out of his eyes.
“Wait, you’re in love with Leafstar!” He whispered.
“Of course mousebrain!” Tawnypelt teased. Birchfeather seemed to brighten up in excitement.
“I would appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone.”
“Seriously?” Birchfeather laughed. “We all know of your ‘secret romance’. It is more obvious than a white cat in the forest. We’re all betting on when you'll come out of the closet.” Tawnypelt laughed. She liked Skyclan. To be honest, she really didn’t want to go back to Shadowclan. She sighed forlornly as she gazed over at Leafstar, who reciprocated with the twitch of her tail. She loved Leafstar, so much.