The Truth Comes Out...

Sweetheart winced with a soft, pained groan. She had been trying to keep her pregnancy a secret, but as the days went by it started becoming increasingly obvious that she was expecting. She was already seen as untrustworthy by the Clan thanks to Ivystar, but if they found out her kit had ShadowClan blood... She couldn't begin to imagine the trouble she and her kit both would be in. She knew she had to do something about this, and thankfully she knew just what to do.

She just hoped he would agree and not give her away...

Gulping nervously, she padded over to Reedpaw, then smiled at him, trying to keep her nerves under control. "Hey, Reedpaw? Can I talk to you in private? I need to ask a favor of you. ...A really big favor."

"Yes, of course. He and Sweetheart had been growing closer over the past few moons, and he liked where it was heading. He could see a future with the she-cat. Reedpaw moved to the edge of camp with Sweetheart. "What is it?"

Sweetheart took a deep breath. "What I'm about to tell you, you can't tell anyone else. And... please don't think differently of me. Please?..." Her mew was soft and pleading.

Reedpaw saw the concern in her eyes.  "I won't.  I promise."  The young flattened his ears but he knew that it was serious.  "What is wrong?" He said now very concerned for her safety.

"Thank you so very much, Reedpaw," Sweetheart meowed softly. Taking one last deep breath to calm her nerves, she finally confessed. "...I'm expecting kits. But not just anyone's kits. The father is... a ShadowClan tom. I can't let him or my kits or anyone know about this. That's why... I want to ask you to father my kits. I know you're still an apprentice, but you're to become a warrior very soon, aren't you? So... hopefully that wouldn't be too much to ask of you... Please, Reedpaw? I don't want my kit suffering my punishment should anyone find out."

Reedpaw stood there in awe. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. The young tom looked at the ground in silence. "Sweetheart..." He trailed off. He didn't know what to say. He wasn't one to pass judgement and this time would be like the rest. He nodded, "I will do it." Reedpaw looked the she-cat square in the eyes.

"You... You will? Oh, Reedpaw, thank you so much!" All the fear and tensions weighing down on Sweetheart's shoulders seemed to lift off of her all at once, and she felt weak with relief. "You have no idea how much this means to me, knowing my kit will be safe."

Reedpaw licked her forehead to comfort her. "I will do everything in my power to make sure our kits are safe." He knew that the term our wasn't true, but for the sake of the kits, Sweetheart, the ShadowClan, and himself it would need to be.

Sweetheart purred at the affection and his words. "As far as I'm concerned, these kits will be no one else's but yours and mine. I love you, Reedpaw. I truly can't wait for your warrior ceremony, and I hope it's before the kits are born."