Change |Private-Honeyflower

[tunnel]

Across Hollow Lake, night had fallen. Everything was silent, from the birds in the trees to the cats sleeping soundly in their nests. Everything, including Tunnelheart. Days had passed and he remained in the medicine cat den. Some wounds had healed nicely, some not so nicely- no one could quite get a reading on how long he would be staying here. Maybe a few more days, maybe a few more weeks, maybe a few more..Moons.

After all, his strange state seemed to have opened him up to nasty surprises. The nasty surprise in mention being the surprise infection in his right eye, unnoticed by Tunnel for unknown means, and unnoticeable under the cobwebs by both onlooker and medicine cat until it had been too late. At least now, it was healing nicely- sans the eye that used to be there.

That was a while ago, however- the trauma of losing an eye had passed. It had, infact, passed surprisingly quickly- the days of having it bandaged and likely not usable anyway had prevented him from being suddenly awkward on his feet. The realization that he would never see out of it again? Taking..Bizarely. With just about as much emotion as he had shown nearly every day since, including at Fallensnow’s death. That is to say, very little.

He was a relatively heavy sleeper when not troubled with nightmares. One would wonder, then, why he suddenly jolted awake. His head was not plagued by dreams.. His sleep was deep and black, as he liked it. Yet, now, he found himself blinking with his one remaining eye into the den. It was dark, barely light by the light of the moon.

A quick head shake, and he realized he was alone in the room. Hm. Wasn’t that odd..? Where was Honeyflower? With a slow stretch of his back legs to unstiffen them from their odd position, he rolled out of the next; using both gravity and his upper leg strength to lift him free, preventing a possibly annoying back-leg pain. It was a trick he had learned over the weeks, and it was useful. Whatever anyone said how strange it looked.

About the den he poked, sniffing where he couldn’t see, running his whiskers along the walls and sensing the vibrations. No Honeyflower. It was night..where had she gone? Outside the den at this hour?

Panic caught him- was something going on out there, that required a medicine cat’s help? He didn’t hear any commotion.. Of course, he was all the way in the medicine cat’s den. Something could be going on farther away.

Fear pushed him forward and out. Before he even knew it, he was in the clearing, looking around wildly for signs of a problem. Nope.. Everyone seemed, to him, to be sleeping soundly. Save for the night gaurds, who barely noticed his quiet, limping steps. Where had she gone, then? He contemplated asking a guard..But, if they didn’t know, he was screwed. In his state, he wouldn’t be allowed go look for her.

Thus, sneak out and pray he found her it was.

[Wargrace]

With silent pawsteps, the medicine cat had removed herself from her own mossy nest, and exited the medicine cat den only a short time ago, venturing into the moonlight camp without faltering. It was a routine she'd been performing for moons -- nine moons, exactly. Almost, not quite, one full turn of the seasons. It seemed strange to think about. Was life really that fast? The thought saddened her a bit. Had her family actually been gone that incredibly long? It was long enough for kits to have been born, made apprentices, and then warriors.

A whole generation should grow from birth to young adulthood in that time. She was still a young cat -- fourteen moons. But would life continue to flash by? Or would it slow down as she aged? ..Or worse, go faster? The thoughts drifted through her mind endlessly as she moved across the camp, sticking close to the edges, avoiding the notice of any nightwatch. No one was going to let the untrained little medicine cat venture from camp privately at night. Just as no one would've let the distraught kit venture, or quiet medicine cat apprentice.

Routinely, she left unseen and unheard. Not recently, however. Not since Tunnelheart had been torn by the dog. She'd been afraid to. Not because of dogs or predators, necessarily; but fear that the tom's condition would take a nasty turn and she wouldn't be present to tend him. A light-sleeper; who really didn't sleep that much, she felt secure in noticing if something went bad in the night. Not so much if she wasn't there to notice, of course.

But, Tunnelheart was improving. While not ready to resume warrior duties, he wasn't so poor of health that she feared him randomly declining over night. No; if something was wrong now, it would likely show progress over days. Honeyflower would have time to attend the problem before it grew to severe. She was a vigilant cat -- perhaps too caring and concerned. It was a miracle she allowed the sick or injured any rest; least something tragic happen to them.

Now, out of camp through a small gap in it's walls, the medicine cat made her way to her usual perch, leaping gently onto the rock and settling, tail wrapped around her paws, turquoise stare up at the sparkling stars. Tunnelheart. What was she going to do..? Kneading the rock a bit, she spoke up quietly. "Hello ancestors," But what to say now..? Never had she felt so awkward in addressing them. The glowing starlight and moonlight usually felt warm when reflecting on her fur. Tonight, it made her worry. Nervous.

"I suppose you're rather displeased with me, aren't you? Or disappointed? Breaking rules.. I've never been the type. But.. why is it even a rule..? What does it hurt..?" Ears tilting back a bit, the she-cat glanced down, then perked to focus back on the sky. "I'm sorry, I am -- but I don't really.. regret..? Oh, Starclan. I can barely talk to my own ancestors about this; my all-knowing ancestors, how am I going to talk to Tunnelheart?" Tone soft, the honey-ginger cat sighed a bit, quieting as she looked for what to say.

"What will he react like..? Will he be.. angry? He doesn't seem like the type. Still.. what if he does react poorly? What will I do, then? What will I even say.." Shifting, Honeyflower debated the topic for a moment, licking her muzzle. The stars still felt like ice-shards, rather than warm hearts. It made her more nervous then she already had been.

[tunnel]

It was a difficult task to escape the guards and exit the camp when one was large, covered in cobwebs, had half the vision they once had, and was limping.. Somehow, he had made it. A little patch in the plant life around the camp was easy enough for him to dig under quickly and squeeze out of- for some reason, neither guard had heard him. Perhaps StarClan wished him to exit the camp tonight. Tomorrow, he would
have to be sure to point out the hole so it could be fixed.

Out, now, he moved through the undergrowth; looking quickly for Honey’s scent, or..Something worse. Thankfully, he did end up finding her scent. It seemed untainted with panic and fear..Yet, he could smell the anxiety.

His stomach turned a bit. She did not know of danger when she had came past here? Or had she just not known what lie ahead, and thus the anxiety? He couldn’t very much put any other reasoning behind it- when it came to Honey, he really was quite a worry wart.

The undergrowth passed benieth him. Somehow, someway, he had found the orange she-cat with quickness and easy. She was talking, but to whom? Herself..? No, Starclan. His ear twitched a little when he recognized some of the words. She was talking about him. A long moment past, and he was unsure how to approach; then, finally, he just gave up and took a paw step into the clearing.

“Honeyflower..?” Be angry? What to say..? What if he reacted poorly? It wasn’t a matter the dark tabby could ignore, regardless of how rude it may be to fall upon someone’s personal conversation with the Starclan cats.

[Wargrace]

Looking away from 'Starclan', the medicine cat peered down at her own paws, and then her belly, blinking a couple of times. Maybe she had actually been wrong? It was hard to check oneself. But it seemed true. All signs pointed to it. And to Tunnelheart. The thought made her shift once more, trying to figure out what to do now. She shouldn't have been sitting here, explaining this to Starclan, but to Tunnelheart.

But.. what if she told him to soon, and was wrong? Breathing in the air around her, she took in the various scents, and her own. There was a milky-tinge to it. Faint, but present. As if she'd recently been checking on the queens and kits within the nursery. But she hadn't. Slight swelling suggested maybe being a medicine cat, not having to battle train or hunt, might've been very, very slowly catching up to her. Sickness and increased appetite.

Doubt lessened everytime she thought of these things. They could be dismissed by various illnesses and issues -- but not all of them at once. "I need to talk to him. Tell him. You already know, of course. What will my punishment be for this..?" Punishment. In some way or shape, Starclan would deliver it to her. She just prayed they left Tunnelheart and.. and the kits.. out of it. A voice disrupted her thoughts.

Turquoise eyes widened, the light ginger she-cat turned on the rock sharply, blinking at the warrior. Tunnelheart. He'd followed her? How much had he heard. Quietly, she sat once more, glancing away nervously. "Tunnelheart," What now?

[tunnel]

He had become very still, watching the she-cat carefully for signs. He detected the nervousness. Although he couldn’t see it, he could almost sense her eyes widening. So, It was about him, them..? But what? He wasn’t as silly as to assume she was complaining about him or worried that he was dangerous or something like that - she was not that type. If she hadn’t blamed him for the dog attack, she probably wouldn’t blame him for anything else. This had to be something else. Something more important..

Tunnel took a few steps near her, and relaxed slightly; she was safe, when he had thought something may have happened. Even if something was going on here, that was the first thing that mattered. He felt himself purr a little when he hopped on the rock; perhaps, without reason. An old habit that seemed to, miraculously, make a recovery.

Purring aside, he had picked up on the tenseness. Rather, her tenseness- he was only mildly nervous, wondering where this would lead. “What’s wrong..?” Soon as spoken, the nervousness intensified; what was wrong? What had troubled her so, that she was worried about him being angry, and so shocked to see him?

[Wargrace]

Attention settled on her paws once more, Honeyflower debated the situation. She hadn't expected to be followed. Tunnelheart had seemed to be well in the land of sleep when she left. Yet, here he was. Was it a good thing, or a bad thing? She could talk to him now, get it over with, least the reaction be a bad one. But.. she didn't even quite know how to say what she needed to. Would it have been easier if it wasn't breaking the rules..?

Moving herself to the side a bit, she made room for the darker tabby on the rock when he moved forward, ears perking at the purr, and a nervous glance flickering towards him. He was an amazing cat; and a good-natured one. Why was she so worried about telling him? It seemed sort of unreasonable to be -- but the anxiety didn't fade any. Honeyflower lifted her attention from her paws, and focused on the tom for a moment.

"I have something to tell you.." Quiet as usual, or perhaps a bit more, the medicine cat finally found words. "I just.. don't know if you'll take it well?" Did that sound alright? Maybe she should've been more direct. "I'm not even positive yet.. but.. I mostly am.." Blinking at Tunnelheart nervously, then looking away again, she waited for a response quietly. Should she say something more..?"

[tunnel]

Curling his tail around his paws, Tunnel gazed at the medicine cat. Yes, something was definitely bothering her. Why else would she travel all the way out here, and be nervous when she saw him? Had he done something..? The idea made his stomach a little queezy. He noticed how his relationships with many cats had changed since the accident.. Had he changed, more than even he had realized? That wasn’t a very fun idea.. Atleast, not if the change was for the worse, which he had figured it wasn’t.. That was his opinion, mind you. Maybe Honey’s was different.

He listened to her talk, and tried to make some sense; piece together some pieces. It turned out his mind remained sharp, despite tree bashing, personality change, and possibly fatal infection. Not even sure yet was what tipped him off. “Kits?”

What a fool he would look like if that wasn’t the case. That possibility, however, didn’t enter his mind- he was without anxiety already, calm and warm. Obviously, the idea had been playing around his own mind, as well- he showed no shock or surprise in his voice. Only a neutral warmness. At least until his claim was given an ‘ay or ‘nay.

It may not have been that surprising, but the medicine-den dwelling warrior spend a lot of time.. Watching things. Cats, and especially Honey. How the walked, how they talked, how the queens seemed to act before kitting and after- he had no reason behind it, and far from any malicious intent. His kit-like interest in everything around him had not died completely, after all, but formed into something much more age-fitting. Kits.. Something to think about. But not until Honey spoke again.

[Wargrace]

Gazing to the warrior once more, she was surprised as he spoke. Only one questioning word. Kits. It had suddenly made her attempted-conversation much, much easier. ..Had it become that obvious? She didn't think so -- no one had made any mention of such or drawn her aside to question. Then again, they might've simply had faith in her as a medicine cat not to be expecting. Whatever the case, she found herself still unseasy, but slightly less distressed.

Now she just had to figure out his opinion on the matter. Speaking just above a whisper, nervousness flickering in the words, the medicine cat would give a reply. "Yes, or I.. I think so," Once more, her attention had turned to her own belly, peering at it for a moment. How had her mother's announcement went to her father? Had it been as nervous and unsure? Atleast her mother had been a warrior. No rules broken.

Lifting her attention back to Tunnelheart, Honeyflower was quieted again with thoughts, trying to find her tongue. "I'm sorry, Tunnelheart. I doubt this is how you wanted thing to turn out," The dog attack, his injuries, being penned up in the 'den so long, and now kits. She hardly thought that was the plan he'd formed for his life. Most young warriors were busy planning their success, afterall.

[tunnel]

The dark tom was silent in his observation- watching her just as closely as he him, but without any if the anxiety or his own judgement. He kept tabs on himself; remaining in that emotional place of stillness for the time being. It was scarily easy to do, nowadays.. Yet, even now, he felt his one paw twitch in anticipation.

When she spoke, he didn’t say a word; but purred instead. A loud, roaring noise, that was sure to be loud enough to hear all the way back in camp. Words? Well, he hadn’t ever been a master of them, and he wasn’t about to start now. Instead, he neared the honey-coloured she-cat and pressed himself against her, attempting to rest his head over her shoulder.

Ah, she was a medicine cat, and this was no doubt a large part of what was bothering her. He, on the other hand, didn’t care much for what this meant.. But more of what she was thinking. Something he couldn’t easily discern. What was she thinking? More importantly. What was she thinking he was thinking..?

He shook his head when she began to speak, purr not stopping but at least lowering down a few notches to allowed words to actually form. “Nonsense. It’s..” Mid sentence, he suddenly found himself lost for words. Staring, only a little bit oddly, at the she-cat. As if at that second alone it had actually hit him- pushed through the emotional barrier that ran his feelings oddly and actually broke through.

His purring returned to roar. “Wonderful.” Medicine cat? Breaking the rules..? He didn’t care about that, in all honesty. He was a good, loyal warrior, but this was an unfortunate rule that held no water. Even if it did, he could see being with no other cat after the medicine cat- how sweet she was, how kind she was, how warm and caring. There would never be another Honeyflower. Nor where their be any little HoneyTunnel kits.
He pictured the little furballs already. The idea of becoming a father hadn’t quite sat with him for a long time, but now that it was less an idea than reality, it seemed just as or more pleasing. Ah, what a surprise! Now, if only Honey could see in a more lighthearted way..

[Wargrace]

Glancing nervously towards Tunnelheart, she took in the quiet, calm way he waited for a reply. Was it unnerving? In some way, yes, but in another, it was comforting, too. After her words, the small cat was quiet, claws tapping the rock lightly with her anticipation of a reaction. And though something half-made her expect negativity, none met her. Instead, Tunnelheart was purring thunderously. A good sign, if nothing else. Another quick glance. He was happy, then?

He pressed closer, head over her shoulders, and she settled against him in return, own head turning to rub affectionately on his chest. The warmth of the darker tabby was soothing. Why was she doubting him? He was a good-hearted cat; she'd seen that in him since first meeting him as an apprentice. The situation was just so.. unnerving. It wasn't supposed to be.. who had even decided that rule? What purpose did it hold? Aside from to deprieve all medicine cats of the warmth and love of a mate kept close.

Honeyflower certaintly wasn't one to question Starclan; she never had. But this.. she found unreasonable.

Blinking up at Tunnelheart when he announced it was wonderful, she cuddled even closer, a soft purr rising to meet his. "I don't know what I'd have done if you took it bad.." There seemed no logical solution if the warrior had been angered of displeased. If Starclan told her to, she couldn't have harmed the kits. She supposed she'd just have been on her own with them. But, Tunnelheart was happy. 'What if' wasn't needed.

"I wonder how many there will be?" Speaking softly, the medicine cat purred on, "I can't really count them too well, yet.. seems like three to five, though." Kits. Her and Tunnelheart's kits. The idea was.. happy. Despite the problems sure to occur over the forbidden kits.