A Pawful of Stars
[Sequel to My Pet Rock & Me]
The moon hung high in a clear night sky. The clouds didn't dare to interfere its bright silvery glow, cast upon the world below and all its sleeping creatures.
The leaf-fall wind was cold tonight, blowing dead, fallen leaves up in the air and twirling them around limply like they were puppets made for dancing. A single, small owl hooted and flitted away in the distance.
Jayfeather trekked through the dying trees and bleak forest. He raised his head, tasting the wind. It wasn't far from here.
There were several flowers in the grey tabby tom's mouth. He grasped them securely but gently, making sure they still stayed fresh when he arrived.
A grave made of sticks and stones lay up ahead, coated in seasons of rain and snow and wind and tears. Jayfeather knew exactly where it was. By the lake where he first found Tim, and by the lake he left.
Jayfeather sat down in front of the grave. He lowered his head, set the flowers beside it, and dipped his head again respectfully.
"I haven't forgotten you."
A single cloud started to obstruct the moon. The moonlight dimmed a bit as a large shadow was cast over the forest floor and lake.
"Do you still remember me, Tim?" the tabby asked with a bitter smile, looking at the grave he made and then turning to stare up at the stars. Was Tim up there now? Was he safe? "How have you been? Is StarClan treating you well, dear rock?" Jayfeather laughed a bit. "Everyone says there's endless prey and the most beautiful forests and rivers and mountains and stars sprinkled everywhere. Is that true?"
Jayfeather looked at the grave sadly, expectantly, almost as if he was waiting for a response that he knew wouldn't come.
"I kept my promise, didn't I?" he suddenly blurted out, voice starting to rise with each word. "I promised I'd always remember you and here I am. I've spent seasons visiting you and you never give me any indication you're okay, that you're happy! I promised I'd always be by your side and I'd never break that promise! But you… but you…"
A tear streamed down his cheek from his dark blue eyes. A violent breeze stirred the dried leaves and they flew into the night sky, towards the moon and stars.
"I'm sorry… I wasn't good enough…" Jayfeather choked out between sobs, resting his forehead on the grave. He unsheathed his claws, gripping the dead earth as if holding onto something. "I miss you, Tim… I just miss you so much…"
But once again, like the hundreds of times before, the only answer was the wind carrying the sound of his own cries.