Barley curled around Ravenpaw's frail body, the trees around them loomed over in a comforting way. "It's alright, I know you hate to leave me." his voice quiet and shakey with emotion, "I will never forget you, I promise."
He felt Ravenpaw relax beside his trembling body, Ravenpaw gasped for breath, "I will wait for you. Wherever you are, I will find you." Ravenpaw spoke as he let his head fall onto Barley's front paw, and his eyes closed forever.
Barley looked up at the sound of cats approaching. Leafstar stood in front of him, "We will give him a warrior's farewell, he may be far from home, but SkyClan will be honored to sit vigil for him." she bowed her head in respect to the fallen warrior.
Barley gulped, trying to control his emotions, he nodded his head. Looking down, Ravenpaw looked peaceful, as if he was sleeping. He wanted so badly for it to be true, that he would wake by his side when the morning sun peaked over the gorge. But that would not happen, and Barley would have to except that his only love was gone. He rested his head on Ravenpaw's side, holding on to the warmth that still remained. 'Farewell Ravenpaw, I'll love you forever...'
...
Barley woke as golden sunshine drifted through the shafts of the old barn. He squeezed the hay beside him, still expecting Ravenpaw to be at his side. Realizing what he had done, Barley rose to his paws and stretched his legs one by one. It had been two moons since he had to say goodbye to Ravenpaw, but it still hurt the same. It was like the warmth had been ripped from his life, and replaced by an empty numbness that blurred his vision and slowed his paws.
'It was his time to go, he's in a better place. He would want me to be happy, cheer up.' Thoughts like this buzzed through his head all throughout the morning. He even refused to catch a black mouse outside the barn because it was the same colour as Ravenpaw. Instead of snapping its neck, he held its tail down while it tried to run away, debating whether to kill it or not. He ended up letting it go, and mopped back to the barn empty stomached.
Eventually he managed to catch a fat mouse, and forced himself to stomach it down. The sun began to disappear leaving the barn to shadows. Barley curled up in his nest and drifted to an uneasy sleep. This was the average day for Barley.
He opened his eyes to the barn bathed in white moonlight. Blinking a few times, his eyes adjusted to a starry figure in front of him. "Ravenpaw? Ravenpaw!" he ran to the figure, "Oh Ravenpaw, I've missed you so much!" he rubbed his jaw against Ravenpaw's shoulder.
Ravenpaw rested his head on Barley, "I've missed you too, love. But look at you, you aren't yourself, you keep grieving over me."
Barley looked up, his bright blue eyes worried. He sighed, "I just can't let you go..."
Ravenpaw looked at him, "Whenever you think of me, you become sad. You shouldn't look back and morn over me, but think of all the great moments we shared." Ravenpaw licked Barley's cheek, "You may not realize it, but I'll always be with you."
Ravenpaw guided Barley to his nest and settled down beside him. "Ravenpaw, when I wake, you will be gone, just like a dream."
He nestled his head into Barley's fur. "Since I've been gone, the sun still rises and sets, prey still scurry, the birds continue to sing, the world keeps going. So don't stop for to long. It's okay to miss me, but remember, I will always be with you, and one day we will be together again. So cherish this moment, even though it won't last forever. I love you Barley."
He snuggled closer to Ravenpaw and purred. "I love you too Ravenpaw. I'll always think of you in the best way."
Barley fell asleep peacefully.