Cross My Heart
The two kits, one of gray color and the other of a brown color, played in the sunshine, giggling as they did so. It was a cheerful day; the sun was smiling, the sky was clear, and the weather was perfect. "Can I tell you a secret?" The gray tom kit asked after he pinned a leaf beneath his paws.
"Definitely!" The brown she kit exclaimed as she watched a beetle curiously.
"You have to promise not to tell," he said seriously. "Not a single cat can know."
"Cross my heart," she answered, purring.
"Okay." He leaned over and whispered something in her ear, then stepped back. The she kit's gold eyes widened and she gave him a quizzical glance.
"Amberkit is pretty, isn't she?" She inquired, a hint of jealousy in her voice.
"I think she's the most beautiful cat I have ever seen," he said, before letting the leaf fly away with the wind.
7 Moons Later
"Thornpaw! Wait up!" The brown apprentice exclaimed, racing after the gray tom. When she caught up, she panted slightly. "Do you want to practice with me?" The gray tom glanced at her, his focus directed on the pretty Amberpaw.
"Huh? No, not right now," he mewed distractedly. Her shoulders hunched, she padded away, wondering why a cat who hardly cared for Thornpaw could gain so much of his attention.
"Wait! Springpaw! Can I tell you a secret?"
5 Moons Later
"Hey Springfrost? Can I tell you a secret?" Thornfang asked, padding up to the brown she cat. Her eyes brightened, glad he was finally paying attention to her again. "You can't tell anybody."
"Cross my heart!" She exclaimed, and then grinned. The gray warrior leaned over and whispered in her ear. She tried to control the disappointment and hurt in her eyes, and succeeded, appearing cheerful. "That's wonderful!" The she cat purred, ignoring the aching in her heart.
"I'm sure she will say yes," he meowed before padding towards Ambersky. Springfrost hung her head and walked into the forest.
Many Moons Later
Thornfang sat next to the brown she cat. His eyes threatened to shed tears, and Springfrost looked up at him with cloudy eyes. She coughed raggedly, and the medicine cat nearby frowned. "You should hurry up, Thornfang. We don't need the deputy getting black cough," the cat said sharply.
He shook his head. "I'll stay until she's…gone." Springfrost coughed again, appearing sickly and malnourished.
"Your kits…will be…fine warriors…" she murmured, a horrible cough racking her chest. "Can I…tell you…a secret? You have to promise…not to tell…anybody…"
"Cross my heart," Thornfang answered, and a tear slipped down his cheek. He lowered his head, and she lifted hers weakly, then whispered something in his ear.
"I…have… always…." She coughed, drawing in her last breath. "Loved…you." The life then faded from her gold eyes, and her body went limp.