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Sliverfish trotted up to Lightseed and whispered in her ear. Lightseed kept her excitement in check. “Of course! Is it all right if Beetlepaw stays?”
“That’s fine.”
Beetlepaw sat at the back of the medicine den, sorting herbs Applecliff had gathered.
“You can leave those for now, Beetlepaw. I want you to come learn this.” He padded over, ears angled curiously. Lightseed turned to Sliverfish. “What symptoms have you been experiencing?”
“I tire more easily, and even if I’m starving prey makes me queasy.”
“Lie down on your side. Watch me, Beetlepaw.” She placed a paw on Sliverfish’s flank, feeling beneath its legs to the slight distention of its stomach. “Press where I did, steady and gentle.”
Beetlepaw followed her instructions. His whiskers twitched thoughtfully.
“Can you guess?” Lightseed encouraged. He had a solid foundation as a medicine cat now. All he needed was experience with the different ailments Clanmates brought him.
In his slow, deliberate voice, he asked Sliverfish, “Do you feel uncomfortable when you do eat?”
“Sometimes. Until my stomach settles.”
“How long does that take?”
“Not long, usually. Before I’m through with my prey.”
Once more Beetlepaw felt along its flank. He turned to Lightseed and mewed, “I know it isn’t bloat, or blockage, but I’m not sure what it could be.”
“Well done, ruling those out.” With a purr, Lightseed told him. “Sliverfish is expecting kits.” Sliverfish narrowed its eyes delightfully while Beetlepaw stood straighter. “You can tell because of where its stomach changes firmness. The nausea with an appetite as well, thought that changes from cat to cat. We’ll have you learn more as it progresses. Back to the herbs, now.”
Beetlepaw blinked warmly at Sliverfish. Lightseed beckoned it out of the den. There was an understanding between the medicine cats that any conversation there wasn’t to be eavesdropped on.
“Congratulations!”
Sliverfish had wanted kits for some time. “I can’t believe it’s finally real! Do you…think it’s too early to tell the Clan?”
Lightseed waved her tail. “It’s up to you. The same with how long you continue your warrior duties.” Leaning forward eagerly, she lowered her mew. “So? Who’s the other parent?”
Sliverfish looked around to be sure no can was listening before mewing softly, “Ratstripe.”
“Them?!”
Sliverfish had always been a friend, and Ratstripe was…Ratstripe. The most annoying, disagreeable cat in the Clans.
“Oh, hush,” Sliverfish cuffed her ear harmlessly. “I wanted kits without the hassle of a mate, and they wanted…a legacy, I suppose, without the trouble of raising kits. This works out for the both of us.”
“They want kits without raising kits?” It turned out Lightseed’s opinion of Ratstripe could be lower.
“They want their family to continue. It’s better than forcing themselves to be involved with kits they don’t want.” Sliverfish sighed as Lightseed flicked her tail. “I’ll tell Blazestar so she doesn’t give them one to mentor. Keep it to yourself, please.”
Lightseed felt sure she looked as though a hairball had caught somewhere. “Gladly.”