Chapter Three, Part Two

It was when Cinderheart awoke with the urge to make dirt in the middle of the night when she heard some rustling. The creator of the noise was nearby, in fact very close. Cinderheart peeled open one eye and spotted a bulky figure sneaking out of the den right in front of her. It was most definitely Icecloud, considering how light-colored the cat was. Cinderheart figured that she was just making dirt, and the gray queen followed her out to do the same.

            But, thinking that no one was on her tail, Icecloud hung a left instead of heading straight to the dirtplace. Cinderheart really had to go, but she was wondering where Icecloud could possibly be traveling to at night, especially so close to having her kits. It wasn’t Cinderheart’s nature to eavesdrop, but this time she just had to. Curiosity got the better of her.

            Cinderheart pursued after Icecloud, who had disappeared behind the nursery. She realized that Icecloud would see her if she went directly after the white she-cat, so Cinderheart reentered the nursery and listened from her nest.

            “Hey, Icecloud!” a hauntingly familiar voice whispered in excitement.

            Some paws crunching heavily on slushy snow drowned out Cinderheart’s ears for a moment. Then she heard Icecloud reply, “Lionblaze, we can’t do this anymore.”

            Cinderheart felt sick. What was Lionblaze doing with Icecloud?

            Lionblaze was silent for a while before meowing, his voice gradually becoming quieter with each word, “What… do… you… mean?” His voice cracked.

            Now Cinderheart was in a grouchy mood. Icecloud hadn’t revealed the father of her kits. It was Lionblaze! How could he have performed a white lie right before Cinderheart’s face?

            Icecloud commenced to whisper her speech. “I’m pleased that you love me more than Cinderheart. I’m okay with you loving her as well as long as you like me more.”

            “Then what’s wrong?” Lionblaze interrupted.

            “The kits aren’t… t- they aren’t yours.” Cinderheart imagined the scene as if she were there at Icecloud’s bulged flank: the deep raven-black sky, the claw-moon drifting across the sky ever so slowly, casting its pitifully weak light down on the pair. The couple consisting of the liar and the mongrel. Lionblaze’s face so shocked, so devastated, and Icecloud’s expression exposing regret and guilt.

            I can’t believe I ever loved him.

            Cinderheart couldn’t listen to any more. Her eyelids fluttered down to cover her deep blue eyes, and she entered a dreamless slumber.

            She didn’t arouse from her sleep until late that morning. Cinderheart yawned and slunk out of the nursery on cramping legs. She cringed in pain from the hurt all over her body, including the love section in her heart. After a few good stretches, Cinderheart strode over to the smooth boulders used for sunning in greenleaf. Now they were cold to the touch from sitting in the freezing evening. She settled down beside one and began to groom herself.

            A cool breeze ruffled the ThunderClan cats’ fur; dawn frost glittered on the frozen tree limbs, and it replaced the usual dew on grass blades. Each individual one shimmered, proving that indeed the night had created a layer of pure ice over the green.

            Cinderheart shuddered. She believed that there was a blanket of ice over her. All of a sudden she sensed a presence behind her, and hot breath warmed her shoulder. Lionblaze, she uttered to herself after scenting the air. Why should I bother?

            “Hey, Cinderheart!” he purred, his scent glands rubbing against her cheek. Cinderheart hopped up and trudged away from him. Same exact greeting to Icecloud. Bet he started with ‘Guess who!’ to Icecloud as well. “Where are you going, silly?” he chuckled and proceeded after her.

            However, Cinderheart was searching for Icecloud. “Where is she?” she hissed to herself, scanning the camp clearing. Graystripe was climbing onto one of the sunning rocks, but left them with his teeth chattering. Squirrelflight stood tall and proud on the deputies’ Half-rock, assigning several patrols. Cats gathered around her exited then returned frequently. Bramblestar sat beside his mate, lazily observing his camp, grateful for peace after the battle with the Dark Forest around eight moons ago. If only Cinderheart was in a cheery mood too.

            The white queen was emerging from the nursery, and her blue eyes flitted around the clearing, probably looking for Lionblaze. Cinderheart scrambled over to her.

            Icecloud spun around and grinned somewhat nervously at Cinderheart. “Oh, hi!” she said. “Is there something you wan-” The white warrior was interrupted by Cinderheart dragging her to the thorn tunnel.

            Unfortunately, Berrynose was hanging around the camp exit and noticed them. He wrinkled his nose. “What are you two doing?” So nosy!

            “She-cats’ business,” Cinderheart retorted, lifting her muzzle into the air. She tried to move past the cream-colored tom, but he blocked their passage with his tail.

            “But you’re dragging Icecloud, and she…” Suddenly Berrynose stopped and shrugged. He removed his tail from their path. “Go, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. Want me to come along?”

            Cinderheart’s head shook from side to side. “Nope, thanks though,” she declined his offer. “Bye.”