"There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved."
-George Sand

Two moons later, Oakbranch's POV

I was in a dream as I saw a beautiful sunset ahead a pair of hills. The scene was very peculiar as I was in front of a pond that had a duck, a dove, and a toad near the water. There was a hog in the distance that was rolling in some orange flowers. And by the pond was a pile of stones neatly resting on poison ivy.

Finally, a snowy owl flew above all of it and past me. I looked behind me to see the elegant bird land on an oak tree branch.

"It's beautiful isn't it?"

"Dawnwhisper?" I was surprised to see my grandmother right next to me. "I'm so sorry that I didn't get to spend more time with youbefore you..."

"It's more than alright dear." Dawnwhisper purred. "After many seasons, you'll join me here and we can spend asmuch quality time as you wish. Although Spidermoon and Rowanpelt might compete for my attention. Do...do you not notice anything different?"

"Hmm?"

"Close your right eye." Dawnwhisper meowed. I did so and I could still see her!

"I can see with both eyes!" I gasped. "But that's because this is my dream. At sunrise I'll wake up with that ugly scar on my face."

"But there's so much more for you. See this whole scene before you? The harmony is beautiful." Dawnwhisper purred. "Wouldn't it be nice? No prophecies or vague StarClan messages as cats around you fall apart?"

"Yeah, I'd love that." I agreed, thinking of Owlmask. She was adventurous enough to anticipate the danger and face it head-on, but I wanted her safe in RiverClan with whoever she ends up with.

"You're thinking of her aren't you?" Dawnwhisper chuckled, rolling her eyes. "Don't be a wuss, just tell Owlmask how you feel already! And remember, all this drama will be over soon."

Dawnwhisper tapped her nose to mine and I heard a voice calling for me as everything disappeared.

"Oakbranch? You're not dead are ya? Oak? Oaky? C'mon buddy. I mean I know you look adorable when you sleep but...wait what?"

"Hmm? What is it?" I muttered to Owlmask. Then I realized who was trying to talk to me and I opened my eyes. "Oh! Yes Owlmask?"

"Stonestar is making all the apprentices into warriors!" Owlmask squealed. "Isn't that great? Who knows? Maybe when Marshcloud's kits are six moons I can be a mentor for one!"

"I could put a good word in for you." I purred. Owlmask's face brightened even more than I thought it could and my heart began racing.

"Always keeping my best interest, that's what I love about you." Owlmask realized what she said and she gave a nervous laugh. "Excuse me for a sec..."

Owlmask left the warrior's den and I left a few seconds after to see Stonestar standing before Honeybreeze's kits.

"Then you are now Irisgaze, may all three of you contribute greatly to our wonderful Clan." Stonestar purred.

"Beesting! Nightbreeze! Irisgaze!"

"And now for a cat that fought bravely in the battle against ShadowClan two moons ago. Spidermoon, is Blazepaw ready to become a warrior?"

"Absolutely." Spidermoon purred.

"Then you are now Blazeflower. May you find out who you are and feel happiness in RiverClan for moons to come." Stonestar announced proudly.

"Blazeflower! Blazeflower! Blazeflower!"

Flyfur ran to her side and stopped himself from nuzzling her after she gave him a hostile glare before wincing in pain.

"I understand." Flyfur sighed, walking away. I noticed Owlmask having what seemed to be an important conversation with her mother. They both looked at me and I turned away to leave camp.

Why should I tell her how I feel? A much smarter and more capable tom will come around and she can truly be happy. And I didn't want to lose my best friend.

I promise she won't stop beingyour best friend! So just tell her!

I knew Dawnwhisper would constantly bother me till I did, but as soon as I looked in the direction of the camp I felt my ears burn. I would die of embarrassment if I told her in camp!

"Oakbranch?"

"Woah, you...uh...really sneaked up on me." I'm an idiot. "Um...I need to tell you something..."

"Yeah?" Owlmask waited patiently with her eyes looking at me curiously. My ears immediately flattened and I wanted to sink into the ground.

"Please don't kill me but...I'm in love with you!" I stammered, I immediately looked away expecting her to walk away.

"I was waiting for you to say that! Great StarClan I thought you were going to take another six moons!"

What?

I looked back at her and she pressed her head against my shoulder so hard that I fell over and she laid down beside me.

"It was pretty obvious wasn't it? I thought you knew how I felt but you were just too nervous." Owlmask explained.

"You're right about the second one." I admitted. "But what do you mean? I figured you just wanted to be my best friend and you'd find some tom as smart as you."

"Nah, that'd be no fun. And what I mean is that I love you too." Owlmask confirmed, leaning her head against mine. I could hardly believe that my best friend loved me back, and if we protected each other we could be happily mates for seasons! She could even have my kits if she wanted! I realized what Dawnwhisper meant when she said there was much more for me.

This would be the start of a happy and loving relationship with my best friend.

Blaze's POV

"Alright, now leap at me!"

I leaped at the orange and white she-cat before me in the land I've been learning battle moves in for the past moon: the Dark Forest.

The cat's name was Mapleshade and she was the only cat that encouraged my desire to keep Redblossom away from Flyfur. In fact she said I should kill him!

Mapleshade shoved me off of her and got on all four paws looking at me disappointed.

"Is this how you'll strike when you see Redblossom and Flyfur happy together not caring how you feel?" Mapleshade spat. "Redblossom knows you love her and she chooses to let you suffer!"

"She doesn't know and she would never do that!" I snapped.

"Don't be so sure Blaze...pretend I'm Flyfur and I'm nuzzling Redblossom...happy to call her mine and I give you a look saying 'you'll never have her.'" Mapleshade grinned. I felt my temper break and I ran at full speed colliding into her and sending her flying. Pretending it was Flyfur made my anger burst like a volcano and it took me a few moments to register that Mapleshade's body was still.

"Mapleshade! Are you OK?!" I gasped. Mapleshade gave a groan of pain before managing to lift her head and looked at me with eyes full of excitement.

"That was AMAZING!" Mapleshade purred ecstatically. "I'm positive that you could finish someone off after using that move! You have to bubble up your anger and your resentment and let it ignite like a fire! A fire that would kill anyone in it's path!"

"But that blow really hurt so that'll be the end of tonight's lesson..." Mapleshade coughed. "You're going to spend the rest of the night hanging out with Redblossom aren't you?"

"You know I can't help myself." I sighed.

"You know my story Blaze. I loved someone too, but they ripped my heart out and let my kits die!" Mapleshade growled. "And yet he ended up in StarClan and not me! What if the same happens to you because you're making yourself vulnerable to Redblossom? If you kill Flyfur she'll realize the pain you're going through!"

I walked away considering her words and Pearlnose's, which would make me happier? Running off and letting the cat I love be happy or killing the cat she loves so she can know how much this hurts?

I saw Redblossom looking ecstatic and my heart broke knowing that would never be because of me. I put on a fake happy look and stepped forward.

"What is it Redblossom?" I asked her.

"Amberfern talked to Rowanpelt, he's going to take us to the Moonpool to separate us and I can be with Flyfur again!" Redblossom squealed. "I can be alive again and talk to my kin and my friends and-"

"That won't be happening." The words slipped out of my mouth unexpectedly, but I knew it was what I was holding back.

"You're staying with me."