Ashwings legacy

Chapter 13

Firesoul tilted her head, she'd never heard that name before. Owlnose seemingly had the same thought. "Osa? Who is that?" He said.
They followed Kade as he spoke. "Osa is our healer, he keeps to himself and doesn't leave his den much, so that's probably why you haven't heard of him yet." He said, leading them to a small hole under a berry bush.
After making their way through, the space opened up, revealing a few nests against the side and herbs all over the ground. There was a small wiry tom in the back picking through the herbs. "Greetings Osa, can you take a look at my friend here?" Kade said softly.
The small cat jumped, startled by Kades voice. He turned and made his way over to them. "Sorry, I didn't hear you come in... what seems to be the problem?"
   Kade laughed softly at the smaller cats reaction. "Still as aloof as ever I see. I'd like for you to check on our friend here." He said, nodding his head in Ashwings direction. "He had a fight with Alphas rogues."
   Firesoul noticed how Kade left out that Beta was the cat he had fought. "Sure, I can take a look at him." The small tom responded.
As Firesoul watched Ashwing be examined by the medicine cat, her thoughts drifted back to that night in the forest when Ashwing had offered to build nests beside eachother. That's not something just a friend offers... right? She thought.
She wanted to believe that his actions, no matter how small, indicated some kind of affection towards her other than that of just friends, but something always seemed off when she thought about it. Her uncertainty made her second guess herself. "Hey, I'm gonna go get some prey, if you want to come with..."
She was pulled from her thoughts by Owlnoses mew. "Oh, yea sure I'll join you."
Owlnose looked suprised at her words. She gave him a look. "What?"
"I just thought you'd want to stay with Ashwing..." he paused and was met by a confused look from Firesoul. "Y'know... since Osa wants him to stay for a while?" He said.
Firesoul hadn't even noticed Ashwing was told to stay behind. She did want to stay with him, but she couldn't admit that to Owlnose. "I can always talk to him later, besides my stomach is rumbling anyway." She doubled down, trying to sound natural.
Owlnose gave her a skeptical glare. "Alright then..."
When they returned to the surface, they both picked out pieces of prey and settled down to eat. Just as they began to eat, Kades mate, Fern walked up to them with her own piece of prey in her mouth. "Do you two mind if I join you?" She asked, a warm smile on her face.
   Firesoul didn't mind, but Owlnose replied first with a wave of his tail. "Sure, why not."
   Fern sat beside them and starting eating. Firesoul had come to admire the older she-cat. She looked down at her prey, her appetite suddenly gone. Should I ask her for advice?
Firesoul wanted to confide in Fern about Ashwing, but it was understandably an embarrassing topic for her. Maybe she could ask for advice in a non direct way. She took a breath and turned her head towards Fern. "Hey Fern, can I ask you something?"
Fern looked up from her prey, licking her lips clean before responding. "Yes, of course."
"How did you approach Kade about... wanting to be his mate?"
She immediately felt that she was being way too obvious and cringed internally. She caught Owlnose give her a quick glance before refocusing on eating. Fern looked a little suprised by the question, but looked thoughtful for a moment before responding. "Well... I really just told him my feelings out right."
"Did you know he liked you back?"
"Yes, I found out he liked me but was too embarrassed to say anything..." she paused, smiling sheepishly. "So I spared him the trouble and told him I liked him too, because I really did."
"How did you find out he liked you?" Firesoul asked.
"I'm known for being able to read other cats feelings... I just paid attention and eventually figured it out." She told her, smiling softly. This was all great, but it wasn't exactly helping Firesouls situation. I need more! She thought.
"What would you have done if you didn't know he liked you back?" She asked, searching for any kind of useful advice.
Ferns face shifted to one of confusion, then flashed to realization, then a knowing smirk. "This is about Ashwing isn't it?"
   Firesoul could hear the tease in her voice. She felt her ears burn with embarrassment and folded them back. "Is it really that obvious?" She said.
Fern held a paw over her muzzle to muffle her chuckle while Owlnose huffed loudly, clearly on purpose. "I assume you want advice on how to make a move on him, yes?" Fern said, now smiling sympathetically.
Firesoul felt as if she could melt from embarrassment right now. Before she could answer, Fern spoke again. "If so, then you may end up disappointed..."
Firesoul blinked at her, now confused. "What do you mean?"
"I'm sorry I have to be the one to say this, but he doesn't like you the way you think he does." She started with a frown, a hint of sadness as n her voice. "I've noticed how he acts around you and how you act around him, and trust me he doesn't like you like that. I understand how you got that idea, but I'm sorry... He has no romantic feelings for you as far as I can tell."
   Firesoul held back a wince. She didn't want to believe her, but she knew Fern was probably right. "H-how can you be so sure?" She asked.
   "You can see it in his eyes. He has the eyes of a cat who cares for his friend, not the eyes of a cat in love." She glanced off towards Kade, who was sitting in the middle of camp, his tail wrapped neatly around his paws, as if watching over everyone. "The eyes are a gateway to the soul you know. It takes practice, but when you're good enough, looking into a cat's eyes can tell you almost everything about them..." She finished, looking back at Firesoul.
   Firesoul felt strangely calm. She realized she didn't actually like him, she liked the thought of him. she was initially attracted to his physical appearance, and was blinded by her own fantasy to see past that. She still cared about Ashwing, of course, but seeing him as a friend and nothing more made a whole lot more sense now that she wasn't trapped in her own imagination. His previous actions made more sense now as well. That's just the way he is... a caring, loving cat, who only wants the best for everyone around him.
   "Yea... I get it now..." she said.
   There was still a hint of sadness in her mew that made Owlnoses ears perk up. He looked up from his now finished meal and nudged her gently with his nose. "Hey, obviously I don't know for sure, but I'm sure there are plenty of riverclan cats that like you... right?" He said.
   "I doubt it, I only recently became a warrior but I don't think any toms like me..." She answered.
   Firesoul immediately thought of home. It's been a few moons already since they'd left, Firesoul wondered how Duskfur and Shadepaw were doing. I hope they're well... and I hope I can see them again soon...

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Following their conversation, Firesoul excused herself and went to sit on the fence bordering the camp to watch the sunset. She thought of the days events. Ashwings battle with Beta, and her newfound outlook on her relationship with Ashwing. She sighed loudly to herself. "It's been a long day..."
She felt the fence wobble a little as Ashwing joined her with a smile. "It sure has... what have you been up too?" Firesoul wasn't expecting him to be the one joining her. But since he's here... she looked deeply into his eyes. Sure enough, his eyes were friendly, not loving. I can see now...Fern was right... Firesoul suppressed her sadness and smiled back at him. "Oh nothing, just watching the sunset..."
"Sunsets are always better when you have someone to enjoy it with." He said, looking up at the sky. Firesoul allowed herself to cringe for split second. I can't take this... how can he be so utterly hopeless! He always said the most romantic things at the most romantic times, but with no romantic intent. It's no wonder I was so captivated by him! He had undeniable natural charm. The whole situation was so silly, she couldn't help but laugh at herself. "What's so funny?" Ashwing asked, tilting his head in confusion.
"Oh nothing, I just realized something funny is all..." she said, hoping he wouldn't pry further.
Thankfully he didn't. She was content, a gentle breeze tickling her whiskers as she looked up at the sunset with her friend.