Seppuku

Chapter 26

Twistedsky slumped down.  Maybe I should just die.  I honestly can't wait... or would death even make a difference? Nettleskip doesn't like him anymore.  Brookmist can't tell the difference between a cat and a swan.  Nutclaw was dead.

Badgerstripe was dead.

I feel like I'm dead. What was the point of living a life where, nobody liked you?

Miststar padded up to Twistedsky.  "Its finally over."

"What...?"  Twistedsky looked up at her, confused.

"The pain, right?"

"What?"  The pain had only just started!

"Twistedsky, what I am saying is the fact that you can finally be free from your sickness.  Now that Badgerstripe is with StarClan, he is also free from any kind of possible disease, or any sickness in general.  StarClan is a safe place for him, but having you two as mates, that's not cool.  And, finally, its over--you see?"

Twistedsky shrinked down to the ground.  "No!" he shouted, awful loud.  The rest of PineClan... it was okay if they could listen!  Make them understand!

Twistedsky sat at the bank of the large lake.  He wanted the days back where he and Badgerstripe would just sit and watch as the sun set...

Those were the days.

Twistedsky felt remorse.

Losing Badgerstripe was like being blind and deaf, with a poor sense of smell.  It was like living a life that's nearly impossible to live, and a struggle every single day.  He let his body sink into the soft, silky sand. Life sucks. How could he live like this...?

...

Rainpuddle slid into the camp.  Nettleskip pounded to his side.  "Rainpuddle, you are soaked!" she hissed angrily.  It was downpouring outside, and Nettleskip hated for this cat to be so wet.

Rainpuddle gulped.  "Sorry," he meowed hesitantly.  "Do... do you care about me?" he asked, very cautiously.

Nettleskip stiffened. 

"Nevermind," Rainpuddle meowed, then turned to walk away.

"Wait," Nettleskip murmured.

Rainpuddle stopped.  Hope flared in his chest.  "Nettleskip, I-c-cant-"  Rainpuddle almost said it!  Embarrassed, he turned to sprint off back into the safety of his nest.

Rainpuddle hid at the back of his nicely woven den.  I can't believe how badly I freaked out!  Silly Rainpuddle!  Stop being such a whacko! Rainpuddle hid his face with his paws.  He never wanted to come out of his hiding spot.

"Rainpuddle?" 

Nettleskip.

"Leave me alone."

Rainpuddle

The young tom's voice was muffled by his shaky, wet paws.  They smelled bad.

"No, its okay," Nettleskip insisted.  "Rainpuddle.  Tell me what you were going to say."

Her voice was so stern, and strict.  It hurt Rainpuddle's ears; this just made him have to say it.

"I love you."  The words choked out of him.

Nettleskip ran up to him, licking him all over and purring.  She wrapped her tail around him and held him close.

It felt very nice to Rainpuddle.

Nettleskip whispered into his ear softly and sweetly, "I love you more than that, Rainpuddle--so much more."

These words were so nice to hear.