Chapter Text
Mapleshade gasped for air, clawing desperately at the merciless waters and trying to locate her kits.
Feeling wet fur brush her legs, Mapleshade dived down and grabbed a kit's scruff in her jaws; It was Patchkit.
The RiverClan side of the river was within reach. Mapleshade lunged for it, the river starting to sweep her away as she gripped the shore. Several RiverClan cats watched, including Appledusk, as she placed her gasping and coughing kit on the shore. "Don't just stand there!" She wailed. "Help my kits!"
Appledusk didn't hesitate. He plunged into the river and got a hold of Petalkit's scruff. Mapleshade saw him swim toward the shore and dived for Larchkit.
She collasped onto the shore of RiverClan with her last kit, panting. She'd made it. Her kits were safe. "Mapleshade," Darkstar growled. "What are you doing here?"
Struggling to her paws, Mapleshade looked the RiverClan leader in the eye. "I'd like to join RiverClan," she managed. "My kits- they're Appledusk's."
"What?" Came the shocked yelp of a she-cat named Reedshine. She stared at Appledusk, looking dismayed. "Appledusk, is this true?"
Mapleshade noticed Reedshine's stomach was swollen with kits. Appledusk's kits. She curled her lip.
"Yes," Appledusk admitted. "I'm sorry, Reedshine." Turning to Darkstar, he lifted his chin and said, " It's true. Mapleshde gave birth to my kits. I'm sorry that I broke the warrior code, but I'm not sorry I fathered her kits. I ask you to grant her request. Mapleshade is a strong warrior and a formidable opponent. To turn her down would be a loss to RiverClan." He paused, and Mapleshade's heart swelled with love for the pale brown warrior."At the very least, let her stay until the river calms. The warrior code says we must protect all kits, and to send them out now would sentence my kits to death. I can't let that happen."
"He's right," To Mapleshade's surprise, it was Reedshine who spoke up. "Appledusk may have made a mistake in taking Mapleshade as his mate," her gaze flitted to Mapleshade angrily, and she bristled. "But these kits aren't to blame for the mistakes of their parents."
A she-cat had been helping Mapleshade's kits cough up the water, and they now were staring up at Darkstar with wide eyes.
Darkstar growled. "Fine," the leader said. "Mapleshade, come with us. I'll decide what to do with you and your kits when the river recedes."