Whisper's POV:

I wake to another glorious morning. Surprisingly enough, I am the first one to rise. Usually, my dad wakes up first. I remember a time where Raska didn't want to get up so dad dumped a bucket of ice cold water on her. Ever since then, Raska is quick to rise whenever dad wakes her. She sure learned her lesson.

I wait awhile until my family also begins to rise. Dad wakes my siblings while mom prepares breakfast. I remember last night as we sit down to eat. I remember Shade. I have to fight the blush rising to my cheeks at the mere thought of him. If dad saw that, he'd get the wrong idea.

It is while we are eating that dad speaks. "So, 'ow was yer night last night?" Dad asks, obviously talking about Shade.

"Oh, it was great! We talked a lot. I told him about myself, then he told me about his past and…oh…dad, Shade was actually adopted. His parents were killed by a pack of Sabers when he was six. After that, two weasels took him in. They beat him, though. When he turned twelve, he ran away. He found his way to the village. A kind female weasel saw him and helped him. She later adopted him," I explain.

"Oh, I see. Well, tell 'im 'm sorry 'bout 'is loss," dad replies.

"I will. He said he got over it, but I'm not too sure," I whisper. I look at dad. "Can I go out and see him after breakfast?" I ask.

"Sure. Just be back fer lunch, alright?" Dad states.

"Alright," I reply. I hurry and finish my breakfast. After I finish, I exit the cave and begin heading towards the village. I can't wait to see Shade again.

When I make it to the village, I find Shade where I saw him the last time. This time, though, there is no one around. I come closer and realize that he's crying. "Shade?" I whisper.

Shade jumps. He quickly wipes his eyes before turning to look at me. "Yes?" Shade whispers back.

"Why were you crying?" I ask.

"I…I wasn't crying," Shade lies.

"Don't lie to me. I just want to know what's wrong," I whisper while placing a paw on Shade's left cheek.

"I…today is the ten-year anniversary since…since my parents…" Shade trails off. He looks away. Even so, I catch a glimpse of a tear rolling down his cheek.

I wrap my arms around Shade. I hold him, feeling his tears begin to dampen my fur. "Shhh…Shade, it's okay. You're not alone. I'm here with you and I won't leave you. I know you miss them. I'd bring them back if I could. I'd do anything to make you happy again. Just cry, Shade. You'll feel better after you do," I speak softly to Shade as I rock him as a mother would her child. I stroke his back as Shade continues to cry. I hear Shade whimpering as if he's trying hard to stop crying.

After what seems like an eternity, Shade's tears stop falling. He pulls away from me and wipes his eyes. Shade looks at me, his eyes red and puffy from crying. His face begins to redden from embarrassment. "I…I'm sorry…" Shade whispers.

"Shade, it's okay. There's nothing wrong with crying. It just shows that you have feelings. Any time you want to talk about your parents, I'm here to listen," I offer.

"Thanks, I…I would like to talk about them…now, if you don't mind…it's been a long time since I really got to talk about them…" Shade whispers.

"Go ahead. I told you, I'm here to listen," I reply.

"Well, my mom's name was Aspen and my dad's name was Pine. They were good to me. Played with me all the time. Made sure I was fed and well taken care of. I…when the Sabers killed them, I was angry and upset. I didn't understand how they could just be dead. I didn't know why they left me with those monsters I was with for another six years. I still don't understand and I…I still…still…miss them…" Shade whispers the last part. More tears squeeze past Shade's now tightly-clenched eyelids and down his cheeks.

I swipe the tears away with my thumb. I turn Shade's face to look at me. "I know you miss them. You'll always miss them. Just know that your'e not alone. I'll stick by you and help you through this," I whisper, hoping to comfort Shade in his time of grief.

"I…I…thank you. What would I do without a friend like you?" Shade asks.

"I don't know, maybe spend more time grieving instead of moving on?" I suggest.

"Yeah, maybe. Um…I want to tell you something important…" Shade begins. He's nervous. I can tell.

"What is it?" I ask.

"I…I love you…" Shade whispers, finally gaining the courage to look up at me.

I'm struck speechless for a second, but only a second. "I…I love you, too…" I smile at Shade.

"R…really?" Shade asks.

"Yeah," I answer. Shade's face gravitates towards mine and, before I know it, Shade plants his lips on top of mine. I have just enough sense in my love-struck mind to kiss him back.

When, finally, we pull apart, both of us have large, goofy smiles on our faces. "So, how was it?" Shade asks.

"It was…" Before I can answer, I am startled by the sound of a branch snapping behind me. I turn around to see an unusual male weasel standing there. He has what looks like battle scars all over his body. I take a step backward, suddenly afraid of this new stranger.

Shade steps in front of me, aiming to protect me. "Who are you!" He growls.

"My name is Thomas an' I 'ave business wi' 'er!" Thomas growls while pointing a claw at me.

My eyes widen. I remember Thomas…from all of my kit-hood stories. "You're the one who killed my brother, Silver!" I gasp in realization.

"That I am. Now, yer comin' wi' me!" Thomas snarls.

"Over my dead body!" Shade shouts, flexing his claws in preparation for a fight.

"That can be arranged!" Thomas growls. He lunges at Shade and begins biting and scratching him. Shade tries to fight, but he is no matched. Thomas knocks him out.

Just as he is about to kill Shade, I scream out. "Don't! I'll go with you, just don't kill him!" I plead.

"Very well, then, but he's comin' as well," Thomas growls. He comes towards me. I don't have the time to react before I am also sent into the blissful world of darkness.