Evanescence padded into the warriors den with fragrent herbs in her jaws. Her eyes were clouded with pain. Setting down the herbs, she walked silently to a dark tabby tom and nuzzled him. The tom looked up.
"Hi, Evanescence... what do you need?" He yawned.
"I... I was worried about your wounds. Can you come to my den so I can treat them?"
"Do you have to do it right now? It's not even moonhigh yet, Evanescence. No one is even awake yet."
Evanescence bit her lip. "Come on, Thornheart, I'm worried about those scratches. I'm the medicine cat here!" She winced at the thought of lying to him.
Thornheart struggled to his feet. "Ok, ok... if you're worried, I better come with you."
Evanescence picked up the herbs she was carrying and padded to her den with Thornheart.
"What herbs are those?" Thornheart asked curiously, sniffing the flowers Evanescence had been holding.
"It's... ah... jasmine and honey. It will help keep you strong," Evanescence said, once again wincing at the lie.
"I've never heard of that, but all right." Thornheart lapped up the herbs. He stood up, dizzy, but sat back down. Evanescence stared at him, drowning in his deep blue eyes.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, and walked over to her herb pile. She sat down again. "Hopefully, the herbs are going into effect," she murmured quietly.
"Evanescence...? What am I doing here?" Thornheart looked around with new wonder. "I don't remember coming out of the warrior's den. It's not even moonhigh yet..."
Evanescence sighed heavily. "Thornheart, I want to talk to you about Maplefang. I know you love her..." she broken off, leaving her words broken and pained. "But I don't think she loves you. I see her talking about you behind your back, making fun of you. She's using you."
Thornheart fell to the ground instantly. "Maplefang... my beloved... she would really do that to me?" He gave a small cry of disbelief and unhappiness, making Evanescence feel all the more guilty and angry at herself.
"Thornheart..." she began again, trying to keep her tone even. "I... I know I'm a medicine cat, but... I... I love you." She ended in a whisper. "And I'd always be there for you, always look out for you. Always care for you." She felt tears welling up, and her voiced cracked. "I would never, ever abandon you like Maplefang."
Thornheart sat up and stared at Evanescence. He whispered something inaudiable and drew himself closer. "Evanescence..." He stopped. Evanescence felt her heart skip a beat. "I... I think I love you too. I trust you," he mewed, moving closer.
Evanescence's tears began to fall. She purred shakily, wrapping herself around and around Thornheart, her love. "I wish I wasn't a medicine cat, then we could be together..." She found herself sobbing into Thornheart's fur.
"I don't care if you're a medicine cat," he said into her ear. "If we love each other, we shouldn't have to be kept apart."
Evanescence felt her heart pounding. Nothing mattered, nothing at all...