Petaldust watched Crookedjaw, her crush since kit-hood, showing off to Willowbreeze. It made her heart ache as she glanced around the camp and saw couples, not to mention their kits. Hailstar and Echomist—Petaldust's own parents—were sharing a water vole together as they watched Beetlenose and Sunfish playing with the kits. Why is everyone happy except for me? Petaldust wondered. Every day she was forced to watch Willowbreeze moon over Crookedjaw and hear the purrs of cats and their mates on patrol. Crookedjaw, I wish you knew how I felt about you…
Petaldust knew she was dying; Mudfur had said so. Every time a cat entered the medicine clearing, Petaldust looked up in the hopes that it was the new leader Crookedstar, but it would only be Voleclaw or Beetlenose and Petaldust would lay her head back down in disappointment. This evening, Petaldust had a strange feeling and she wondered if she would die soon.
"Mudfur?" She croaked, her throat sore despite all the honey she'd been given.
"I'm here." The tom replied, bringing over some wet moss.
"No, I'm not thirsty." Petaldust explained. "I wanted to ask that you go get Crookedstar." Mudfur looked confused.
"Why?" He asked. Petaldust coughed in reply and Mudfur left although he looked disappointed that he wasn't in the know. A few moments later that felt like a longer time to the sick tortoiseshell, Crookedstar appeared with Mudfur at his side.
"You wanted to see me, Petaldust?"
"Yes…" Petaldust glared at Mudfur and the medicine cat left. "I wanted to tell you about how I feel about you." Crookedstar started.
"Petaldust?"
"Crookedstar I lo—"
"You should really save your energy." Crookedstar interrupted looking flustered. Petaldust shook her head.
"I'm going to join StarClan Crookedstar and I wanted to let you know that I love you." Crookedstar's green eyes widened.
"Petaldust…I-I'm with Willowbreeze now."
"But I now you've always liked me." Crookedstar sighed.
"It's true, Petaldust. I've always had a bit of a crush on you since I was an apprentice." He admitted. "But Willowbreeze would be so hurt…" Petaldust closed her eyes briefly.
"It's okay Crookedstar; I know I will never mean enough to you." The RiverClan leader's eyes flashed with hurt.
"I'm sorry, Petaldust." Without another word, the tom left the den. Petaldust closed her eyes again and saw a shining figure.
"Hailstar…?" She meowed softly. The gray tom nodded.
"It's time to come home with me, Petaldust." Petaldust nodded as she felt her spirit leave her body. I will wait forever for you, Crookedjaw.