Hiya! Hola! Aloha! Bonjour! Nazdar! Hoi! Salve! Hallo! Szia! Merhaba! I'm declangual! (I hope that's the word for it....)

Dapplepaw: Not even close.

Me: Crap! You're back! *grumble grumble*

Dapplepaw: Can't get rid of me that easily.

Me: STOP RUINING MY FANTASY!

Dapplepaw: ....No comment....

Me: I SAID CUT IT OUT!

Dapplepaw: *gulp* ON WITH THE STORY!

Jayfeather padded into the medicine cat's den and collapsed in his nest. It pained him to see a whole family torn apart. Even though, it had been a moon since Poppyfrost's death, the Clan still mourned for her. With the bitter chill of leaf-bare slowly creeping in, Leafpool was working him to his limit. Anytime he had anything that even slightly looked like no work, she gave more work. It was always collecting herbs, or checking on Millie and Daisy, or even fetching new moss. An apprentice job! It's like she's conspiring against me!

With a last grumble, sleep finally stretched out its icy claw and took hold of him. For the first time since his nightmare, he dreamt.

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Jayfeather was in the forest. StarClan's territory. It was light and sunny, the brambles bustling with prey. Only a few puffy white clouds tainted the endless sapphire sea above his head. But this time, something was different. No cats that walked with StarClan padded out from the worn path that rippled its way through the forest.

A single cat sat on the other side of the clearing. With pale gray fur, the cat looked vaguely familiar. The cat turned around. Jayfeather gasped as he caught a glimpse of sparkling blue eyes.

"Jayfeather! What are you doing here?" Jayfeather looked at his paws, feeling his ears grow hot, but quickly shaking the sensation away.

"I'm dreaming, Cinderheart. What about you?" Jayfeather retorted. Cinderheart shot him a slightly annoyed look and he immediately regretted it.

"Why are you in my dreams?" she asked.

"Yeah. Like I can control it." He didn't mean to be sharp with Cinderheart, she had just lost her sister after all, but words spilled out of his mouth and just kept coming.

Hurt rolled off the pretty gray she-cat and she turned to walk away when Jayfeather said, "Wait! Look, I'm sorry. I know you still miss Poppyfrost..."

"Jayfeather, I'm not hurt because of Poppyfrost," Cinderheart said without turning around. "I'm hurt because..." Her voice trailed off into a whisper so Jayfeather couldn't hear anymore.

"Um, what?"

"Cuzikindalikeyou..." Cinderheart's words blended into one and was still quiet, but it was loud enough for Jayfeather to hear.

"You...you...you like me?" Jayfeather stuttered.

Cinderheart looked down, ashamed and replied, "I know I shouldn't. You are a medicine cat...Besides, you probably don't feel the same." Jayfeather thought for a moment and the two cats sat in silence. He came across a shocking realization. That feeling he had felt before, when Poppyfrost's vigil was held, to comfort Cinderheart. Earlier just then, the hot in his ears. Love. That was what he was feeling. That must be it!

"Cinderheart," he said quietly, "Don't sell yourself short. You are a beautiful cat. And I, I, I like you too."

The pretty gray she-cat's eyes shone. "Really? That's great, Jayfeather! But wait," The joyful look on her face disappeared. "We can't be together. The warrior code, Leafpool won't allow us!"

With no hesitation, Jayfeather replied, "We can meet here. At night in our dreams. Just remember this spot before you sleep and I will find you here."

"Oh, Jayfeather," Cinderheart rested her head on his shoulder and their tails twined.

"We have to go back now, Cinderheart. It's almost morning," The sad expression on her face pained Jayfeather. He didn't want to leave her, but if they were to remain undiscovered, they had to return. "I'm sorry."

The two young cats back in their separate directions, stealing their last glimpses of each other until morning. At the edge of the clearing, Cinderheart said, "Good night, Jayfeather. Sweet dreams."

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Soooooo. How was it??? Review! Please! And don't forget to read my new story, Sunrise: A New Generation!

Laugh, grow, shampoo a squirrel,

Goldenstar