"Cinderheart?" Brackenfur nudged his daughter, watching as she sleepily opened her dark blue eyes. "Can we talk?" he motioned to the entrance to the warriors den, where moon light was basking the hollow in pearly light.
"Sure." When she got to her paws, her turned around, slipping into the sandy clearing. It was beautiful night. Silverpelt glimmered brightly above dancing across the dark sky like fireflies. His amber gaze fell back on Cinderheart. Ever since she'd been revealed as the reincarnation of his sister, Cinderpelt, he knew that she'd been confused about who she was and he'd been confused too. But not anymore.
"What did you need to talk to me about?" She asked. Her blue gaze was so tired and sad and he realized how much she was really giving up by choosing to help Jayfeather. A warm wave of pride washed over him from nose to tail. She was a loyal warrior.
He paused for a moment, the words forming I his mind. Then he spoke. "I loved my sister, I loved her more than I think she knew. When we were kits we played together, we became apprentices together, we even trained together for a while until…."
"I know." She sounded bitter, her gaze going downward. "I remember. If all you wanted to do was tell me you love me then-"She began to get to her paws.
"No! That's just it!" The fierceness in his tone was enough to make her pause. "I loved Cinderpelt. She was my sister." He touched is nose to her ear. "But you're my daughter, Cinderheart. You are your own, independent, loving, loyal cat. Loyal warrior. And I love you for that, not for who you were before."
She smiled, her blue eyes glimmering as she looked at him. "Really?"
He nodded and purred. "Really."
She pressed her grey pelt into his. "You're the best Father I could have asked for." Then she got to her paws, rustling the leaves at the entrance to the den as she entered.
He stood there for a moment, letting the moonlight dance across his fur. Then he followed his daughter, sinking into his nest. I love you Cinderheart.