Though I Cannot See I can feel your presence before you speak. My heart starts to drum faster, and I have to try to calm my spiking fur. "Poppyfrost." I meowed knowingly. You purr loudly. "Can I help you? Are you hurt? Any new feelings of fever?" I throw the questions at you hurriedly, hoping you don't see how much I trip and stumble over words when you're around me. I'm a medicine cat, for StarClan's sake. No one may know how I feel. You let out a raspy chuckle and my ears grow hot as you skim your tail over my flank. "No, I just wanted to tell you about my hunt today. For sharing tongues." Your mew is soft, but full of excitement. I know your eyes are flashing at the memory, and you must tell me now. I sweep a pawful of dead herbs aside. "Ok. Let's hear it," I meow when we are sitting comfortably outside of the den in the setting sun. I raps my tongue over your ears as you start. Though I am listening, I am deep in my own mind as I continue the clan custom that means much more to me than it does to you. Though I cannot see, I can vision is like this, an elderly pair of mates, sharing tales of the battles we've fought to our grandkits. We'd look at each other and I would say "though I cannot see you right now, I know you look perfect." And you'll mewl like a kit and complain about your greying muzzle and I'll slap my tail over your mouth and shake my head. "No," I'll say. "You look perfect." And you'll bat me over the ears with your paw before nuzzling my cheek. "I love you, Jayfeather," you'll whisper. And with a voice that suggests I've said it a thousand times before, I'll reply, "I love you, too, Poppyfrost." You swipe your paw playfully over my ears. "You're not even listening!" You mew with a slight twinge of sadness. "Of course I am!" I argue back, a rumbley purr coming out of my throat as I feel you shift and sit up, swiping your tongue over your chest fur embarrassingly. My fur prickles. Leafpool's looking for me. "I have to go. Congratulations on the pheasant all by yourself." A purr of satisfaction escapes your mouth. "Ok, Jayfeather. Maybe if there's any left tomorrow we can share it?" I know you look expectant. "Of course," I meow, dipping my head. "Good." Your nose touches mine after a hint of hesitation. But I know the clan cannot see us where we are. "See you later, Jayfeather." I hear the swish of your tail waving. Though I cannot see you right now, I hear your paw steps echo sadly as you pad away.