Post by Ki on May 1, 2010 12:55:08 GMT -6
Smokepaw's POV on the whole Mousepaw incident. ^_^
Smokepaw woke up to angry voices outside of the den. What were they arguing about this late into the night? Smokepaw opened one dark green eye. The other apprentices were beginning to stir as well, baffled and curious. Smokepaw looked over to speak to Mousepaw about this. But then he remembered she'd gone to the medicine cat den to see Russetfang. His friend had been rather tired lately, and she and her mentor were beginning to fear it was attributed to some sort of illness. Mousepaw especially had been rather jumpy and moody. You would think she feared she would die within the moon! The other apprentices began to peer out the den entrance. Smokepaw stayed in his nest. But his ears were erect as he tried to listen.
"What do you mean she's pregnant?!" That was Smallnose, probably.
"I mean," This voice belonged to Russetfang it seemed, "she is having kits."
"Don't use such a sharp tongue! I know what being pregnant means; but I think you made a mistake!"
"There is no mistake, Smallnose! Russetfang knows what he is doing." This voice belonged to Flamehawk, perhaps? "If he says she is carrying kits, she is carrying kits. The little mouse-brained fool! What was she thinking?!"
"It's a disgrace!" Harewhisker seemed to speak now. "An absolute disgrace! She should be punished!"
"I think we're being too hasty-"
"Hasty! Mousepaw, an apprentice, is having kits! We have all the right to be hasty!" Flamehawk hissed.
The apprentices shared a collective gasp and stared at each other in disbelief. Mousepaw was having kits?! All eyes almost instantly turned towards Smokepaw. They'd all noticed that the two had been spending more time together...could he possibly have fathered these kits?! Smokepaw was unnerved by the sudden attention, though he was not yet certain what it meant. The gray apprentice curled back up into a tight ball. In reality it was his way of avoiding the attention and questioning gazes; in the apprentice's minds, however, it was an admission of guilt.
The following morning, Smokepaw went straight to the medicine cat den. Mousepaw was still there. Her head was on her paws and turned away from the entrance, her ears flat against her head. Russetfang was not present. Rather, he was explaining the news to his leader. His apprentice was there, however. When Crowpaw saw Smokepaw enter, he rose to his paws and blocked Smokepaw's way.
"Um...Russetfang and the warriors...they thought it was best that you two didn't see each other.." Crowpaw mewed uncomfortably.
Smokepaw blinked in confusion, swishing his tail as he tried to figure out this mystery. Why would they not want for him to see Mousepaw? "Um...why?"
"They think you're the father! Why did you say anything, Smokepaw? You're such a mouse-brain!" Mousepaw hissed suddenly. She rose to her paws and shoved past Crowpaw so she could get a clear shot at Smokepaw's head. She swatted at him, a growl rumbling deep in her throat. "Why did you do that?! Why?!"
"I...I didn't..." Smokepaw was stunned, confused, and very hurt. Mousepaw knew he hated being yelled at, much less swatted at by her. He ducked his head. Perhaps he was a mouse-brain. Why couldn't he ever say what he meant? "I...I didn't say anything..." He looked pleadingly at Crowpaw. It was obvious the two had a lot to discuss. Preferrably in private.
Crowpaw kneaded the ground uneasily. "I'll be sitting at the den entrance." With that he padded out and sat himself down in front of the medicine cat den.
"You're so...so..." Mousepaw was furious. "What did you tell them?"
"Nothing!" Smokepaw blurted out. "We heard the warriors arguing...and....they said you...that you were having kits. Is that true, Mousepaw?" Why did the idea of her being with a tom hurt? The father was a mystery but Smokepaw found himself hating him already.
She glared at the ground. "Yes, it's true. Now what did you say?"
"The others...they all looked at me. And I just ducked my head and curled up and..." The realization hit him. Everyone knew that Smokepaw spoke with his actions, not his words. Because so, it often led to misunderstandings. While he had been really avoiding attention and trying to lay low, perhaps they had thought something else..
Mousepaw seemed to realize this as well. "Well, just tell them they're wrong-"
"Why should I?" Smokepaw asked suddenly. "This way, you might take less grief...because I'm pretty sure the father isn't in WindClan." His friend was silent, confirming his assumption. "I'll let them believe the kits are mine. I'll even tell them outright, if I have to."
"What'll you do when the kits are born?" Mousepaw demanded. "They'll know you lied! Why would you even want to do this? Do you know how much grief you'll get?! Ravenstar will-"
"You're not changing my mind." Smokepaw mewed stubbornly. "I want to help you because...because you're my friend. I don't care what Ravenstar does or what anyone says. If they have someone else to be angry at, perhaps they'll go easier on you. Which is all I care about." Smokepaw rose to his paws. His friend was staring at him in astonishment. Truth be told, he was astonished at his own behavior. But he didn't care.
He just didn't care.
There was backlash. A lot of backlash. Ravenstar yelled at Smokepaw in front of the whole camp. He would have stormed into the medicine cat den to yell at Mousepaw, but Russetfang said stressing her out would only hurt her kits. After that their leader stormed into his den and didn't come out until around sunset. He proceded to ignore Smokepaw and Mousepaw, and many other cats followed his example. That night Mousepaw moved back into the apprentices' den, but she was under orders to move her nest as far away from Smokepaw's as possible. Smokepaw felt sadness claw at his belly. Perhaps this wasn't a good idea after all. Now he was being kept apart from one of his few trusted friends.
The next morning Rowanclaw took Smokepaw out on bit of hunting practice. No one accompanied them.
"Smokepaw," Rowanclaw said after a long silence, "I want you to be truthful with me."
Smokepaw didn't respond.
"Are you the father of Mousepaw's kits?" Rowanclaw asked seriously.
"Yes." Smokepaw replied.
"Smokepaw...I can always tell when you're lying to me." Rowanclaw mewed sternly. He stopped and narrowed his eyes at his apprentice, tail lashing at the air. "Doing this...it isn't like you. At all. You're always so..."
Inside, irritation bubbled within the apprentice. But, as usual, he kept a mask of stony calm on his face. "I am the father, Rowanclaw. You might as well accept that." After that he did not speak. Only listened as Rowanclaw stiffly explained a new complicated hunting technique.
He didn't look at his apprentice throughout the entire lesson.
When the full moon came, Smokepaw was left behind with the younger apprentices and Mousepaw. He'd expected as much, but some part of him still felt indignant. The gray apprentice sat himself in the center of camp and stared up at the stars. One of them was his mother. Dark green eyes scanned the skies for her and his siblings and his grandmother. But it was impossible to tell. Were they watching him now? What did they think of this whole ordeal? Did they have sympathy for Mousepaw? Were they angry at him for putting himself in trouble? Or were they proud of him for helping one of his best friends?
I don't regret it. Smokepaw thought to himself. Or perhaps he was talking to his departed family. When they want to yell at Mousepaw, they just yell at me. That's what I wanted. It was hard for him. Smokepaw was secretly very shy and sensitive. It did not show when they growled at him or gave him the cold shoulder. No, he kept the stony calm facade up. But deep down it hurt hat his Clanmates were so very, very angry with the both of them.
It'll pass. Smokepaw felt sure of it. When the kits were born, they'd be forced to accept them. Once it does everything will just go back to normal. She and I might still get a few looks, but it won't matter once the kits are here..
"Smokepaw?"
Smokepaw felt a surprised jolt go through his body. He turned his head and saw Mousepaw padding up behind him. Her body was beginning to show signs of the pregnancy; he stomach looked rounder and plump. She mewed, "What are you doing?"
"Thinking." he muttered.
"About?" Mousepaw sat down beside him. As if she didn't know! They hadn't been allowed to be together much the past few suns. Even now a few warriors were glowering at them.
He suddenly realized this and mewed, quietly, "Our kits."
"I wish you wouldn't-" Mousepaw began angrily. But she saw his ears flatten against his head and sighed. "Sorry...I've been really irritated lately."
Smokepaw nudged her comfortingly. "I know. It'll get better."
"How do you know?" Mousepaw asked, blinking at him.
"It will; I promise." Smokepaw mewed. He smiled at her.
Mousepaw smiled back.
A few more suns passed. Smokepaw stayed quiet. Most of the time he succeeded in taking most heat for Mousepaw. She layed low and stayed in either the medicine cat den or in the apprentices' den for the majority of the day. But shortly after sunhigh, she emerged from her hiding place and went to get a piece of fresh-kill. She was far enough into the pregnancy where many cats were expecting her to move into the nursery and take it easy, but she refused. Earlier in the morning she'd asked to go on a hunting patrol but had been denied.
Smokepaw raised his head and realized, much to his horror, that Flamehawk and Harewhisker were beside the fresh-kill pile. Mousepaw grabbed a piece of fresh-kill and eyed them warily. She vanished back into the apprentices' den to eat her fill in privacy. But Flamehawk and Harewhisker were off, talking about disgrace and shame.
"Do you know what would have happened if an apprentice pulled that when I was younger?" Flamehawk growled.
Harewhisker nodded. "What will happen when the other Clan find out? They'll think we can't even keep our own apprentices in line!"
Smokepaw set his head on his paws, fighting back his building anger. Let it be, let it be...
"Disgrace!" Flamehawk hissed. "And how will the poor kits react when they find out their mother was so irresponsible?"
Let it be, let it be...
"Mouse-brained fool!"
Ok, that was it. Smokepaw rose to his paws and stalked across camp to them. He was vaguely aware that Mousepaw was watching him from the den, but he didn't care. He glared at Flamehawk and Harewhisker. Usually he had great respect for the warriors. But at the moment, he just wanted them to be silent. "Could you both please just stop?"
Flamehawk growled. "Remember who your elders are, Smokepaw."
"Just because you're becoming a father does not mean you have any right to criticize warriors twice your age." Harewhisker mewed sternly.
"Oh just shut up already!" Smokepaw yowled suddenly. Some part of him was sent reeling by his own behavior. But that shock quickly turned to pleasure when he saw the shocked expressions on not only Flamehawk and Harewhisker's faces, but of all the warriors and apprentices in the camp. "We made a mistake, ok? Everyone makes them! Even Windstar must have made mistakes at one point! We know what we did has caused a good deal of grief and shame for WindClan; but how do you think this feels on us?! No one so much as says two words to poor Mousepaw! Everyone has been treating her like some sort of traitor, and I'm tired of it! So if anyone-" Smokepaw glared at all of the cats watching him. "-anyone has something to say, they can say it to me and see what happens!"
The camp was silent. Smokepaw glimpsed Rowanclaw staring at him in utter shock. Outbursts like that were not common at all for Smokepaw; no, in fact, they were unheard of!
"I have something to say."
Smokepaw turned around, full prepared to swat at whoever had spoken. But when he discovered the identidy of the speaker all of his newfound courage seemed to fade.
Ravenstar.
His leader stared at him with an expressionless face. Smokepaw forced himself to keep a brave face on. After a tense moment, Ravenstar mewed, "You are either very foolish or very brave, Smokepaw, for speaking to two senior warriors in such a way. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, since I've seen you grow up, and say it is the latter."
Smokepaw looked out of the corner of his eye. Mousepaw was still staring at him in horror and, perhaps, awe.
"You are right, however. I'm sure both of you realize that what you did was a mistake. So there is no need to further remind them of it." He looked meaningfully at the other cats in the camp, then moved away calling for the evening border patrol to be sent out.
Both Mousepaw and Smokepaw requested to go.
They were allowed.
"Smokepaw?"
Smokepaw was, once again, staring at the night sky. To his surprise, Smallnose approached and sat down beside him. Smokepaw blinked at her in confusion. What could Mousepaw's mentor possibly want with him?
"I just wanted to say...I know you aren't the real father. Rowanclaw and I both know." Smallnose mewed quietly. "It goes against your personality to father these kits at such a young, foolish age...but I still want to thank you."
Smokepaw stared at her. He didn't speak. It seemed as if the words he'd used earlier in the day had left him mute.
"You've offerred Mousepaw support I couldn't provide." Smallnose mewed. She was silent, then she slyly said, "You must really love her, don't you?"
His eyes widened and stomach clenched. Automatically, his ears flattened against the top of his snake-like head and his tail curled tightly around him.
Smallnose giggled. "Yes, I know your other secret. It makes sense when you think about it." She nudged him and stared at him in an almost sympathetic manner. "Good luck, Smokepaw..oh, and don't worry...Rowanclaw hasn't figured it out yet. Yet." With that, she smiled and padded away.
Smokepaw took in a deep breath to calm his racing heart. He looked up at the stars again, and instantly felt a sense of calm overcome him. He'd realized many suns ago why he felt so protective of Mousepaw and why he felt so jealous and hurt whenever he wondered about the real father's true identidy. But he hadn't said a word to Mousepaw; of course not! For all he knew, she could still be in love with her mate. Her real mate. It hurt to think about it, but it could very well be true. Confessing his feelings for her might only make her mad. Or worse, just put even more stress on her. No, it would remain his little secret. Or...really...his and Smallnose's little secret. And eventually Rowanclaw's as well, because somehow he could never hide anything from his mentor for far too long...
But it would be alright.
He was sure of it.
Smokepaw woke up to angry voices outside of the den. What were they arguing about this late into the night? Smokepaw opened one dark green eye. The other apprentices were beginning to stir as well, baffled and curious. Smokepaw looked over to speak to Mousepaw about this. But then he remembered she'd gone to the medicine cat den to see Russetfang. His friend had been rather tired lately, and she and her mentor were beginning to fear it was attributed to some sort of illness. Mousepaw especially had been rather jumpy and moody. You would think she feared she would die within the moon! The other apprentices began to peer out the den entrance. Smokepaw stayed in his nest. But his ears were erect as he tried to listen.
"What do you mean she's pregnant?!" That was Smallnose, probably.
"I mean," This voice belonged to Russetfang it seemed, "she is having kits."
"Don't use such a sharp tongue! I know what being pregnant means; but I think you made a mistake!"
"There is no mistake, Smallnose! Russetfang knows what he is doing." This voice belonged to Flamehawk, perhaps? "If he says she is carrying kits, she is carrying kits. The little mouse-brained fool! What was she thinking?!"
"It's a disgrace!" Harewhisker seemed to speak now. "An absolute disgrace! She should be punished!"
"I think we're being too hasty-"
"Hasty! Mousepaw, an apprentice, is having kits! We have all the right to be hasty!" Flamehawk hissed.
The apprentices shared a collective gasp and stared at each other in disbelief. Mousepaw was having kits?! All eyes almost instantly turned towards Smokepaw. They'd all noticed that the two had been spending more time together...could he possibly have fathered these kits?! Smokepaw was unnerved by the sudden attention, though he was not yet certain what it meant. The gray apprentice curled back up into a tight ball. In reality it was his way of avoiding the attention and questioning gazes; in the apprentice's minds, however, it was an admission of guilt.
The following morning, Smokepaw went straight to the medicine cat den. Mousepaw was still there. Her head was on her paws and turned away from the entrance, her ears flat against her head. Russetfang was not present. Rather, he was explaining the news to his leader. His apprentice was there, however. When Crowpaw saw Smokepaw enter, he rose to his paws and blocked Smokepaw's way.
"Um...Russetfang and the warriors...they thought it was best that you two didn't see each other.." Crowpaw mewed uncomfortably.
Smokepaw blinked in confusion, swishing his tail as he tried to figure out this mystery. Why would they not want for him to see Mousepaw? "Um...why?"
"They think you're the father! Why did you say anything, Smokepaw? You're such a mouse-brain!" Mousepaw hissed suddenly. She rose to her paws and shoved past Crowpaw so she could get a clear shot at Smokepaw's head. She swatted at him, a growl rumbling deep in her throat. "Why did you do that?! Why?!"
"I...I didn't..." Smokepaw was stunned, confused, and very hurt. Mousepaw knew he hated being yelled at, much less swatted at by her. He ducked his head. Perhaps he was a mouse-brain. Why couldn't he ever say what he meant? "I...I didn't say anything..." He looked pleadingly at Crowpaw. It was obvious the two had a lot to discuss. Preferrably in private.
Crowpaw kneaded the ground uneasily. "I'll be sitting at the den entrance." With that he padded out and sat himself down in front of the medicine cat den.
"You're so...so..." Mousepaw was furious. "What did you tell them?"
"Nothing!" Smokepaw blurted out. "We heard the warriors arguing...and....they said you...that you were having kits. Is that true, Mousepaw?" Why did the idea of her being with a tom hurt? The father was a mystery but Smokepaw found himself hating him already.
She glared at the ground. "Yes, it's true. Now what did you say?"
"The others...they all looked at me. And I just ducked my head and curled up and..." The realization hit him. Everyone knew that Smokepaw spoke with his actions, not his words. Because so, it often led to misunderstandings. While he had been really avoiding attention and trying to lay low, perhaps they had thought something else..
Mousepaw seemed to realize this as well. "Well, just tell them they're wrong-"
"Why should I?" Smokepaw asked suddenly. "This way, you might take less grief...because I'm pretty sure the father isn't in WindClan." His friend was silent, confirming his assumption. "I'll let them believe the kits are mine. I'll even tell them outright, if I have to."
"What'll you do when the kits are born?" Mousepaw demanded. "They'll know you lied! Why would you even want to do this? Do you know how much grief you'll get?! Ravenstar will-"
"You're not changing my mind." Smokepaw mewed stubbornly. "I want to help you because...because you're my friend. I don't care what Ravenstar does or what anyone says. If they have someone else to be angry at, perhaps they'll go easier on you. Which is all I care about." Smokepaw rose to his paws. His friend was staring at him in astonishment. Truth be told, he was astonished at his own behavior. But he didn't care.
He just didn't care.
There was backlash. A lot of backlash. Ravenstar yelled at Smokepaw in front of the whole camp. He would have stormed into the medicine cat den to yell at Mousepaw, but Russetfang said stressing her out would only hurt her kits. After that their leader stormed into his den and didn't come out until around sunset. He proceded to ignore Smokepaw and Mousepaw, and many other cats followed his example. That night Mousepaw moved back into the apprentices' den, but she was under orders to move her nest as far away from Smokepaw's as possible. Smokepaw felt sadness claw at his belly. Perhaps this wasn't a good idea after all. Now he was being kept apart from one of his few trusted friends.
The next morning Rowanclaw took Smokepaw out on bit of hunting practice. No one accompanied them.
"Smokepaw," Rowanclaw said after a long silence, "I want you to be truthful with me."
Smokepaw didn't respond.
"Are you the father of Mousepaw's kits?" Rowanclaw asked seriously.
"Yes." Smokepaw replied.
"Smokepaw...I can always tell when you're lying to me." Rowanclaw mewed sternly. He stopped and narrowed his eyes at his apprentice, tail lashing at the air. "Doing this...it isn't like you. At all. You're always so..."
Inside, irritation bubbled within the apprentice. But, as usual, he kept a mask of stony calm on his face. "I am the father, Rowanclaw. You might as well accept that." After that he did not speak. Only listened as Rowanclaw stiffly explained a new complicated hunting technique.
He didn't look at his apprentice throughout the entire lesson.
When the full moon came, Smokepaw was left behind with the younger apprentices and Mousepaw. He'd expected as much, but some part of him still felt indignant. The gray apprentice sat himself in the center of camp and stared up at the stars. One of them was his mother. Dark green eyes scanned the skies for her and his siblings and his grandmother. But it was impossible to tell. Were they watching him now? What did they think of this whole ordeal? Did they have sympathy for Mousepaw? Were they angry at him for putting himself in trouble? Or were they proud of him for helping one of his best friends?
I don't regret it. Smokepaw thought to himself. Or perhaps he was talking to his departed family. When they want to yell at Mousepaw, they just yell at me. That's what I wanted. It was hard for him. Smokepaw was secretly very shy and sensitive. It did not show when they growled at him or gave him the cold shoulder. No, he kept the stony calm facade up. But deep down it hurt hat his Clanmates were so very, very angry with the both of them.
It'll pass. Smokepaw felt sure of it. When the kits were born, they'd be forced to accept them. Once it does everything will just go back to normal. She and I might still get a few looks, but it won't matter once the kits are here..
"Smokepaw?"
Smokepaw felt a surprised jolt go through his body. He turned his head and saw Mousepaw padding up behind him. Her body was beginning to show signs of the pregnancy; he stomach looked rounder and plump. She mewed, "What are you doing?"
"Thinking." he muttered.
"About?" Mousepaw sat down beside him. As if she didn't know! They hadn't been allowed to be together much the past few suns. Even now a few warriors were glowering at them.
He suddenly realized this and mewed, quietly, "Our kits."
"I wish you wouldn't-" Mousepaw began angrily. But she saw his ears flatten against his head and sighed. "Sorry...I've been really irritated lately."
Smokepaw nudged her comfortingly. "I know. It'll get better."
"How do you know?" Mousepaw asked, blinking at him.
"It will; I promise." Smokepaw mewed. He smiled at her.
Mousepaw smiled back.
A few more suns passed. Smokepaw stayed quiet. Most of the time he succeeded in taking most heat for Mousepaw. She layed low and stayed in either the medicine cat den or in the apprentices' den for the majority of the day. But shortly after sunhigh, she emerged from her hiding place and went to get a piece of fresh-kill. She was far enough into the pregnancy where many cats were expecting her to move into the nursery and take it easy, but she refused. Earlier in the morning she'd asked to go on a hunting patrol but had been denied.
Smokepaw raised his head and realized, much to his horror, that Flamehawk and Harewhisker were beside the fresh-kill pile. Mousepaw grabbed a piece of fresh-kill and eyed them warily. She vanished back into the apprentices' den to eat her fill in privacy. But Flamehawk and Harewhisker were off, talking about disgrace and shame.
"Do you know what would have happened if an apprentice pulled that when I was younger?" Flamehawk growled.
Harewhisker nodded. "What will happen when the other Clan find out? They'll think we can't even keep our own apprentices in line!"
Smokepaw set his head on his paws, fighting back his building anger. Let it be, let it be...
"Disgrace!" Flamehawk hissed. "And how will the poor kits react when they find out their mother was so irresponsible?"
Let it be, let it be...
"Mouse-brained fool!"
Ok, that was it. Smokepaw rose to his paws and stalked across camp to them. He was vaguely aware that Mousepaw was watching him from the den, but he didn't care. He glared at Flamehawk and Harewhisker. Usually he had great respect for the warriors. But at the moment, he just wanted them to be silent. "Could you both please just stop?"
Flamehawk growled. "Remember who your elders are, Smokepaw."
"Just because you're becoming a father does not mean you have any right to criticize warriors twice your age." Harewhisker mewed sternly.
"Oh just shut up already!" Smokepaw yowled suddenly. Some part of him was sent reeling by his own behavior. But that shock quickly turned to pleasure when he saw the shocked expressions on not only Flamehawk and Harewhisker's faces, but of all the warriors and apprentices in the camp. "We made a mistake, ok? Everyone makes them! Even Windstar must have made mistakes at one point! We know what we did has caused a good deal of grief and shame for WindClan; but how do you think this feels on us?! No one so much as says two words to poor Mousepaw! Everyone has been treating her like some sort of traitor, and I'm tired of it! So if anyone-" Smokepaw glared at all of the cats watching him. "-anyone has something to say, they can say it to me and see what happens!"
The camp was silent. Smokepaw glimpsed Rowanclaw staring at him in utter shock. Outbursts like that were not common at all for Smokepaw; no, in fact, they were unheard of!
"I have something to say."
Smokepaw turned around, full prepared to swat at whoever had spoken. But when he discovered the identidy of the speaker all of his newfound courage seemed to fade.
Ravenstar.
His leader stared at him with an expressionless face. Smokepaw forced himself to keep a brave face on. After a tense moment, Ravenstar mewed, "You are either very foolish or very brave, Smokepaw, for speaking to two senior warriors in such a way. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, since I've seen you grow up, and say it is the latter."
Smokepaw looked out of the corner of his eye. Mousepaw was still staring at him in horror and, perhaps, awe.
"You are right, however. I'm sure both of you realize that what you did was a mistake. So there is no need to further remind them of it." He looked meaningfully at the other cats in the camp, then moved away calling for the evening border patrol to be sent out.
Both Mousepaw and Smokepaw requested to go.
They were allowed.
"Smokepaw?"
Smokepaw was, once again, staring at the night sky. To his surprise, Smallnose approached and sat down beside him. Smokepaw blinked at her in confusion. What could Mousepaw's mentor possibly want with him?
"I just wanted to say...I know you aren't the real father. Rowanclaw and I both know." Smallnose mewed quietly. "It goes against your personality to father these kits at such a young, foolish age...but I still want to thank you."
Smokepaw stared at her. He didn't speak. It seemed as if the words he'd used earlier in the day had left him mute.
"You've offerred Mousepaw support I couldn't provide." Smallnose mewed. She was silent, then she slyly said, "You must really love her, don't you?"
His eyes widened and stomach clenched. Automatically, his ears flattened against the top of his snake-like head and his tail curled tightly around him.
Smallnose giggled. "Yes, I know your other secret. It makes sense when you think about it." She nudged him and stared at him in an almost sympathetic manner. "Good luck, Smokepaw..oh, and don't worry...Rowanclaw hasn't figured it out yet. Yet." With that, she smiled and padded away.
Smokepaw took in a deep breath to calm his racing heart. He looked up at the stars again, and instantly felt a sense of calm overcome him. He'd realized many suns ago why he felt so protective of Mousepaw and why he felt so jealous and hurt whenever he wondered about the real father's true identidy. But he hadn't said a word to Mousepaw; of course not! For all he knew, she could still be in love with her mate. Her real mate. It hurt to think about it, but it could very well be true. Confessing his feelings for her might only make her mad. Or worse, just put even more stress on her. No, it would remain his little secret. Or...really...his and Smallnose's little secret. And eventually Rowanclaw's as well, because somehow he could never hide anything from his mentor for far too long...
But it would be alright.
He was sure of it.