"Shadow is that you?" Rose meowed as she saw the tom's starry black pelt. Shadow's blue eyes looked into hers and a smile washed over his opaque face as Rose ran to him. The black tom pressed his muzzle to her forehead and let out a purr.
"How is my beautiful flower?" The star-pelted ghost purred. His eyes beamed with affection. Rose purred and wrapped her tail around his and pressed her flank to his side, his narrow face fit perfectly into hers when he pressed his muzzle to her cheek.
"Better now that I'm with you." Rose sighed. Shadow placed his paw on top of hers and let Rose lean into him as the night crickets chirped a sweet and calm lullaby. Shadow looked to the stars and let out a sigh before licking Rose's nose.
"The third promise… you've considered it?" Shadow meowed to the ginger she-cat. Rose looked up at Shadow's face before she answered.
"S-Sure…I'm sure you want to see your family in StarClan…" Rose murmured. Her feelings where hurt once she realized all Shadow wanted from her were to fulfill the seven promises. Shadow nodded and untwined his tail with hers. "Don't leave so soon!" Rose meowed once Shadow's pelt started to fade. The black tom looked back and lowered his head with a sigh.
"As much as I love you, Rose…" He started but started to dissolve again. Anger bubbled under Rose's pelt as she ran after him.
"But what, Shadow, what is it, why can't you love me?" Rose hissed with a singed heart. The black tom looked deep into her eyes with ancient wisdom she had never seen before. His pelt completely dissolved and all that remained was his eyes.
"Love has been my enemy since my life began." His eyes faded and Rose found herself standing alone in the forest. The romantic chirp of the crickets now sounded dull and lonely as Rose sat stranded alone. A rustle in the bushes caught her attention; Timber padded up to her with a tiny shrew in his jaws. The tabby tom was unaware of the fact that Shadow had just broken her heart, but Rose didn't care. The saddened she-cat wailed loudly and ran into Timber's embrace, the tom taken aback but quickly licked the ruffled fur on Rose's shoulder.
"I'm here now, Rose…" Timber soothed the crying she-cat. The two sat under the glow of the moon until they fell asleep under the stars. The neediness in Rose's heart left and she let the steady purr in Timber's throat bring her dreams.
"I'm sorry, Rose…but I lay in stars, not hearts."