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Rootspring’s fur rose slightly in concentration as he tried to focus on the vole in front of him. Voles were Fidgetflake’s favourite prey, and he already had a cosy feeling in his stomach at the idea of the excited chirp the tom would make when he spotted such a thoughtful gesture as his favoured fresh kill in his nest. But before Rootspring could even take a step closer, he heard the snap of a twig, and the vole scurried off without even looking his way.
Frustrated, Rootstripe looked up to glare claws at whichever cat disturbed his hunt. To his surprise, it wasn’t a Clanmate at all, merely a dark grey tom with anxious eyes, one he certainly remembered.
How could I forget a fellow Light in The Mist? Rootspring’s gaze softened before he even spoke. As a healer, the tom might not understand how he’d made him miss his catch right away, and was there a point in spoiling a happy-ish reunion?
“Shadowsight,” He purred, leaning forwards. The darker tom’s fur stood on end at first, but soon flattened once he recognised his golden counterpart. “What’re you doing all the way out here? Herb-hunting?”
“Something like that,” Shadowsight murmured, amber eyes clouding. Worry clutched at Rootspring as he observed his friend. Is he alright?
“No warrior escort?” Rootspring tried to tease his friend, expecting him to bite back with, Like I’d need one! or No friends, solo hunting party? and feeling hollow at his lack of response. “How about I keep you company instead?”
“That’s alright, Rootspring… truth be told, I didn’t even mean to walk this far,” Shadowsight confessed, looking guilty. “I guess I was just distracted with all my thoughts.”
Sympathy washed over him. “I get that,” Rootspring padded a little closer to the grey tom, nudging him in comfort. How often had he wandered too close to the ThunderClan border while he pondered ways in which he could see Bristlefrost again? But I never will. The fact was a pair of claws tearing across his heart, even moons later. “What’re you thinking about?”
Shadowsight glanced at Rootspring, amber eyes softening. “There’s no point hiding it from you; you always were the kind of cat who could sniff out any secret,” the ShadowClan told him with a wry smile, though his tone was sombre more than anything. “Puddleshine has had a vision, and… it’s troubling me. Neither of us can think of what it might mean.”
Empathy ached in Rootspring’s heart. How many spirits had given him strange messages neither himself nor his father could understand?
“Perhaps I could fetch Frecklewish, or Fidgetflake,” the tomcat suggested hopefully. “They might help you understand.”
“Actually, since we’re both here… I was just hoping I could talk to you,” Shadowsight confessed, licking his chest fur in embarrassment. “You’re a smart cat, Rootspring. I could really use your insight.”
Me? A familiar warmth spread over Rootspring, but he flinched back from it, feeling wretched and treacherous. How could he feel that way about praise not from Bristlefrost? It’s not like that, he forced his fur to lay flat. I just… I don’t know, it was his tone. I’ve missed that tone, that’s all.
“Sure, go ahead,” Rootspring forced the words out of his mouth, ignoring his thoughts. His friend needed him, and that mattered more than any of these worries.
Shadowsight shot him a grateful look, amber eyes shining slightly. They looked like fireflies, glinting among dark fur.
“There were these butterflies, surrounded by moths - other bugs, too, but the moths were the only other ones flying,” Shadowsight’s tone was matter-of-fact, as if that settled what was of importance. Rootspring couldn’t help wondering if healers ever realised how strange their visions sounded to other cats. “One of the moths - a green one - flew over to the butterflies and tried to be alongside them, but it couldn’t catch up. Then its wings grew and shuttered out the butterflies entirely. When its wings shrank again, the butterflies weren’t there anymore.” He blinked earnestly at his SkyClan friend. “So? What do you think it means?”
Rootspring shifted his paws with uncertainty. “I’m not entirely sure, but…” He hesitated. “Maybe the green moth envied the butterflies, so it got rid of them. Because it wasn’t able to keep up.”
Shadowsight paused, nodding thoughtfully. “I hadn’t thought of that, but it’s a good theory,” he murmured. His whiskers twitched sympathetically. “I can’t help feeling for it, in that case. The moth, I mean.”
“Really?” Rootspring was surprised. “I never took you as a particularly jealous cat.”
“Certainly not to that extent, and I don’t wish harm on any cat for it,” Shadowsight explained himself quickly, fluffing out his tail. “But, well, I always found myself envying Bristlefrost… and yourself. Before everything, of course,” He added, blinking apologetically. “You just seemed so in love. I guess I always wanted that as well.”
“And a healer can’t,” Rootspring finished for his friend, heart sinking. “Even with the recent code changes. I’m sorry, Shadowsight - I didn’t think of that. I should’ve suggested it.”
“Don’t worry about it, Rootspring,” the healer huffed good-naturedly, before his gaze darkened slightly. “Even all the code-changes in the world wouldn’t make the only cat I want to be with love me back.”
“Don’t be so sure,” Rootspring protested, wondering at this cat’s identity, though he didn’t pry. “Any cat would be lucky to have a chance as your mate! I mean, I’d feel lucky.”
Shadowsight stared at him for a moment; something about what he’d said made him stand up straighter, his ears pricking. Then he relaxed. “…Thank you, Rootspring,” there was more of a warmth to his voice now, before he glanced over his shoulder. “I better get back now. But it was great seeing you.”
“Yeah,” Rootspring leaned forwards and touched noses with Shadowsight, catching sight of those brilliant amber eyes up close. They had hazel flecks, he realised, and wondered if there was a chance his counterpart might even be admiring his own eye. Both of them lingered for a second longer than they should’ve. Rootspring drew backwards first, guilt washing over him. Was he imagining that Shadowsight looked ashamed? “It was. Take care.”
Rootspring watched as the tom padded away, resisting the urge to call after him. Firefly eyes and the brightest mind he knew. Could any cat blame him for the longing he harboured as Shadowsight disappeared into the undergrowth?
Once he was entirely gone, and it was too late for Rootspring to make a mistake (or one of the best choices of his life), the warrior set back to tracking the now missing vole. Fidgetflake’s belly wouldn’t fill itself.