He buried his head in his paws. He felt the cold prick of tears but he refused to let them fall, his head bowed, his eyes shut firmly. Who cried on the Warriors Vigil? No one. He was not an apprentice anymore, he was a warrior now. He had to be strong. No matter how bad it hurt. But he remembered her. With the sound of the waterfall, he remembered her. He loved her. He sucked in a painful breath, raising his eyes to the stars.
"Where are you?" he whispered, his blue eyes searching. He knew he wasn't supposed to speak, but he had to do this now. A gentle breeze blew, some of the mist of the waterfall blowing in his direction, the droplets clinging to his charcoal colored fur.
"Show yourself. Let me know you are okay!" he hissed desperately. The stars continued to twinkle, giving no indication that they had heard him. He gave a strangled sob and pressed his head onto the damp stone, calling her name.
"I love you…" he whispered. He looked back at the stars, hoping she could hear him. "I wish I could see you again… I know that I cant…" he dug his claws into the stone, fluffing his damp fur out. He looked into the mist of the waterfall, and focused on it. For some reason it reminded him of her. Then the mist began to swirl. It swirled and twined, until it began to form a shape. His breath caught in his throat, and he saw the beautiful silver she-cat before him.
She smiled, her eyes full of love and she approached him, starlight in her blue eyes and frost on her paws. His tears fell freely now, and she wiped one away with her tail, sorrow and love reflecting in her eyes.
"I love you too." she whispered, then padded closer, and sat down next to him, pressing her fur against his. She pushed her head beneath his chin, and he twined his tail with hers, purring loudly.
"Stay with me…" he whispered.
"I wish I could, my love, I wish I could." she replied, pulling away. His head drooped again, and he felt her tail beneath his chin, pushing it back up. His eyes met hers.
"I am always with you, even if you can not see me. Don't ever give up hope, for I am here, love." Her silver coat shimmered.
"I don't know if I can live without you…" he started, but she closed the space between them.
"You can. I will never truly be far." she replied, licking his cheek. Then she began to fade.
"Don't leave me!" he called. Her figure was turning to sparks though, and floating away from her outline. When a particular rough gust came, it carried her image away with pink flower petals. He looked after them then breathed her name softly, "Feathertail…"
"You have much to live for, my warrior. This is not the last time we meet." her voice echoed on the breeze. At this he sat up a little straighter.
His name was Crowfeather. And now, he had something to live for.