it'stoodark--COMESAVEMEFROMFEAR.

[[t]Wilted Ros[e]]

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A throb of pain before a groan.

"We're always training...With you it's just fight, fight, fight!"

Weak flutter of life-hunger somewhere inside.

"Oh, you know I'm just teasing...We hunt a lot, too!"

Feeling of desperation...Cling to the desperation.

"Pigeonwing, learn to take a joke!"

The white tom swiveled his head to examine the face of his apprentice, and registered the spark of mischief in her eyes. "A joke?" he asked, not quite comprehending.

Stretching, the tabby next to him giggled. "I know you warriors are no fun, but having an apprentice usually softens you guys up! Your emotions are as stuck as a bug in a cobweb!" Her tawny eyes rose, and she jumped, as if surprised to find her mentor watching her so closely.

"I'm...stuck?" Pigeonwing flicked his tail, more confused than ever. He had stopped in his pawsteps.

The she-cat sighed, inching closer to the warrior. "Sometimes...I have trouble talking to you--and that hurts me. Inside."

A pang of guilt hit him and he lowered his head to brush his muzzle against the apprentice's head. Then, a much more corporeal pain slashed at his flank, and he saw the she-cat buckle under a ginger tabby.

"Riverpaw!"

Riverpaw...
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Riverpaw...

Riverpaw...[/i]

"Riverpaw..." the old tom moaned, body recoiling from the memory. Pigeonstar's head was dizzy as he gazed about himself, yellow eyes a dull mirror of anguish. He stumbled to his feet, breathing heavily.

Taking a look around himself, he soon became aware of two things.

He was in StarClan.

And he was not dead.

His pelt was still the same spotted white, not dotted with stars, but the area around him was rich with prey and beauty. Am I dreaming...?

Pigeonstar took a few tentative steps before his legs gave out, sending him collapsing awkwardly to the ground. A gasp shuddered through him, but was swiftly quieted by a soft nose pressed against his pelt.

"I can't stay, long, but...

Dim lights sprinkled back into his vision--fear-spotted voices smothering his ears. But they did not keep his eyes from seeing the blood-soaked grey-tan fur lying in front of him.

"I couldn't keep away if it meant not seeing you...Even for a briefest moment."

Wearily the leader raised his hazy gaze, panting from the effort.

Riverpaw smiled tenderly--and a little sadly. "My love for you did not die when my body did..."

Chills spread over him, a deep heartache searing into life once more. His gold eyes widened as he focused more clearly on the she-cat, stuck in her youth. Love...

Purring, the apprentice brushed her pelt against his, nuzzling briefly into his white fur before vanishing in a flurry of bright stars.

"Riverpaw!" Pigeonstar called, voice cracking. This was the desperation--the thing he needed to cling to. "Riverpaw, come back! Please come back!" I need to tell you!

Wild panic quickened his breath until blood roared in his ears. He could feel his heart slowly; edges were growing fuzzy as the darkness closed in.

I loved you, too...
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