They Will Never Forgive

Chapter 19

In the shadow of a large oak, they were hidden from the other cats returning home.

"I'll never get used to it." Redleaf had curled his tail around Lightscale's. "It will never be the same.

Lightscale's head rested against his chest. She purred, "I'll miss this."

Redleaf licked the top of her head. "We can't only see eachother every gathering."

She looked up at him. "Are you suggesting sneaking out every night."

He purred. "Not every night, maybe every other night, or third."

Lightscale sighed. "I want every other, but every third is safer."

"I wish there was a place we could go to be together."

Lightscale chuckled. "I do too, but we have to go to our clans."

Redleaf sighed and licked the top of her head once more. He then stepped back. "I'll see you in three days, Lightscale."

"Goodbye, my love."

/-------------------------------------------------\

Lightscale stretched in her nest, expecting Redleaf to be there, but saddened when she reached the edge of her nest.

After Smalltail and the others had arrived along with Smalltail's sister, who planned to become a warrior, all of them had stayed at the barn for two more days. They then left back to their clans once the medicine cats were certain everyone was cured.

That was yesterday, and Lightscale missed the days of lounging around and not doing anything.

But she had a duty, though she didn't expect to go on any patrols.

Lightscale sat up in her nest and looked around the warriors den. Skyfur, Hollowoak, Vinefur, and Whitestripe were dead, and it felt oddly empty.

Lightscale's gaze settled upon the sleeping form of Nightfire, she quickly looked away and padded out of the den.

The sun was just breaking over the horizon as she stepped out under the cold and windy leafbare sky.

Snowwhisker was cleaning her fur, of course, as she awaited the rest of the clan to wake.

Lightscale dipped her head respectfully to the deputy. "Snowwhisker."

She dipped back, a respectful motion Lightscale wasn't used to.

Lightscale padded to the low fresh kill pile, with a fish and two water vole.

"You have to hunt before you eat, Lightscale." Snowwhisker's call stopped her, but Lightscale turned around in confusion.

Lightscale tilted her head. "I'm going on a hunting patrol?"

"I'm not going to force cats to walk with your mangy pelt, but since you will be hunting, I suspect you won't really be talking to anyone."

Lightscale sat down next to Snowwhisker and groomed her paws.

"It's good to see you again, Snowwhisker." The sound of her brother made Lightscale raise her head.

Brownclaw nuzzled Snowwhisker, their purrs loud.

Brownclaw backed up and smiled at her. "You know, I thought about our future when you were gone."

Lightscale could see Snowwhisker's eyes brighten.

"And, I don't want to risk never being able to be with you again." He glanced sideways at Lightscale, but continued. "I know I will never be my father, and so, I... I do want kits."