PROLOGUE
I knew when Patchbelly and I separated that night that it was going to have to be out last evening together. I told him this. He understood why, but did not want to leave me. So on that night, as a goodbye, we mated. We came together as one for a short sweet moment in time. It would be the last time him and I would be together in such a way. I knew then, when I was near my home that I would bear his kits. I don't know how I knew this, but I did. I knew I would have to find another tom to claim as a mate to hide my tracks, and I would have to do it fast.
Waterheart had his eyes on me for awhile, and if it hadn't been for Patchbelly I probably would've been with him. So I put my plan to work immediately.
I went and cleaned off before returning to camp, making sure every last trace of Patchbelly was gone. Once I had finished that I coaxed Waterheart away from camp and told him I loved him. He smiled and licked my ear encouragingly. That night, I would remember forever. Waterheart would be my mate for as long as we both "loved" each other.
I soon began to fall truly in love with Waterheart and I told him I was pregnant with his kits; he was overjoyed on that day. A few moons later I gave birth to three kits. A small miniscule spotty one, and two with ginger fur like mine.
Crystalstream questioned the small ones colouring before telling me he probably wouldn't make it through the night. Despite not wanting these kits to be born from Patchbelly in the first place, I was very saddened when he died in the middle of the night. Being so tiny, he never even stood a chance. Waterheart and I slept together with the kits the night after and I was comforted by his presence. My two daughters were strong and would see the world with open eyes soon. We decided to wait until then to name them.
Once we saw the eyes we chose Horizonkit and Jadekit. I know many moons ago my heart was in a confusing place. Patchbelly made me happy and we had many quiet nights together as well as many passionate ones not to be shared with others. I never would have guessed I would have his kits. I also never would have guessed that on that night, I should have said goodbye, not goodnight. We would never see each other again. Not alone, or at any time, because on that night Patchpelt never made to his den. He was doomed to fall off the cliff near his home when climbing up. His clanmates said a slide had happened earlier in the evening after he disappeared and he must have come up a route that was no longer safe.
On that night I got pregnant with Patchbelly. I also said goodnight, implying we would meet again and I saw him for the last time, because no cat could survive that fall.