The snow drifted down as Slash made her way to an abandoned Twolegs' building. It was on the edge of the forest, and the Twolegs, who she would never understand, would soon knock it down, like she had seen happen to another building after a year of it being a hive of BloodClan activity.

They had learned from the mistake of settling there bloodily. Counting those who were crippled by the rubble, the Clan had lost ten members. But for those ten, there were many more who had roamed the streets. At least Ice could say that. But sometimes Slash wondered whether the ten cats had been family, had kits, had mates or parents. It was a sobering thought.

But the Twolegs hadn't put barriers up yet, which was the clearest indicator that the nest was about to be demolished, and so Slash made her way through the doorless doorway, padding onto the bare concrete until she saw Brambleclaw.

"How can you live in places like this? It all seems so empty."

"We don't, though we tried to. The Twolegs soon taught us why we shouldn't."

"Why not? It seems structurally sound."

"Twolegs knock down their unwanted buildings."

He looked around in terror. "Why have you told me to meet here if it's going to be knocked down?"

She smiled reassuringly. "Relax. The Twolegs put barriers up to warn other Twolegs. There are no barriers here, so we're fine for the moment."

Brambleclaw visibly relaxed. "Good. I still have too much to do for my Clan to die."

This was what she loved about the tom – he was so loyal to his Clan. He seemed to work like he had something to prove. Maybe he could be loyal to me, too? She thought, before she quashed the thought. They were from two opposing factions – and Slash couldn't see a way out. Besides, she wasn't sure if he felt the same.

But the snow and the visions of rubble that played when she least expected it told her that she should say it now. She wanted to die without regret, when the time came.

She took a deep breath.

"Brambleclaw, I've known you for three moons now and you're an amazing cat. Life's too short to regret anything, so I've decided to tell you now. I love you."

Brambleclaw seemed to be reeling.

"You – you love me?"

"What did I just say?"

"Oh StarClan, you love me."

"Well? Am I going to be walked out on?" She couldn't hide the tremor in her voice.

"Not at all. I – I love you too, Slash. But how will this work?"

"I guess we'll have to be okay with secret meetings."

"Slash, I'd meet you in a Twoleg monster if we could make this work."

The pair nuzzled, aware that if they were caught from either side, it would bring punishment.