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“Tawnypelt! Do you know where Feathertail and Crowpaw are?” Tawnypelt opened her eyes to see Squirrelpaw anxiously pacing around. Brambleclaw was still asleep beside them, and Stormtail was there too, just behind Squirrelpaw. Feathertail…was she in danger? Tawnypelt hated how worried she was. She should be worried, yes, but not like this. Loving a cat from another clan is forbidden. Disloyal. Definitely not something a prophecy-fulfilling, heroic, savior of the clans type of cat should be thinking. It took her a moment to respond.
“Uh, no.” Squirrelpaw went over to wake Brambleclaw up and Tawnypelt stumbled to her paws. What was going on? Why would Feathertail abandon them like that? Well, thought Tawnypelt, she probably wouldn’t. So what was she doing? Suddenly Brambleclaw’s mew rang out
“There they are!” Tawnypelt turned and saw Crowpaw and Feathertail trotting up the hill, carrying a bunch of food. Brambleclaw ran over, but she hung back, reluctant to show how worried she had been.
Later that day, Tawnypelt shared a vole with Feathertail.
“I-I was worried when you didn’t show up.” She told Feathertail softly.
“I think everyone was. But I was worried about you too.” Feathertail mewed. Tawnypelt realized what this meant. Did Feathertail really like her back? Or was she saying “you” as in everyone.
“It’s too bad we’re from different clans.” Feathertail said with a gleam in her eyes. So she did like Tawnypelt back! Tawnypelt felt a burst of joy in chest.
While Feathertail and Tawnypelt never told anyone they were mates (and they weren’t really, it was too dangerous, they had both agreed) they still acted like mates. They were as obvious as possible without saying it. Every cat but Crowpaw seemed to notice, and Tawnypelt felt perhaps it was better he didn’t. Each day seemed to be happier with Feathertail. When they got to the Tribe of Rushing Water, Tawnypelt, despite her injury, was as happy as she had ever been. Until Feathertail died. How could she die, and leave Tawnypelt alone? Tawnypelt supposed she would move on, but for now it felt like a claw raking her face. But Tawnypelt cherished those memories she had with Feathertail. And this wasn’t forever. One day, hopefully far, far in the future, she would see Feathertail again.