Night Whispers

“Watch out!” A shriek ripped from her throat. She leaped across the gap, clasping Tigerheart in her paws and sending them both hurtling to the floor. They landed with a thump on a soft pile of moss. Dust clouded around them.

Her eyes streaming and throat burning, Dovepaw wriggled her paws. “Are you okay?”

Tigerheart didn’t reply.

Oh, StarClan. Let him be okay!

“Tigerheart!”

“I think I’m okay.” A muffled voice sounded from beneath her. “But you’re going to have to get off me so I can find out.”

Mortified, Dovepaw wriggled away. “I’m sorry!” she squeaked. “I didn’t mean to land on you.”

Tigerheart sat up. He lifted one forepaw, then the other. Then he shook his head. “I’ll live,” he announced. His gaze was warm but puzzled.

Dovepaw fought the urge to stare at her paws.

“What happened?” he asked.

She glanced up at the log. It was still in one piece. “I heard a crack,” she mewed apologetically. “I thought it was about to break.”

Tigerheart followed her gaze, squinting a little. “Wow,” he breathed.

“Wow?”

“Can you see that tiny split?”

Dovepaw looked harder and saw in the moonlight a small, fresh crack in the log.

“You’ve got even sharper ears than I thought.” Tigerheart’s whiskers twitched. “You saved my life!” He scrambled to his paws and began to circle her, tail high, a purr in his voice. “Without you, I’d be dead now. You’re my hero. How can I possibly thank you?”

Dovepaw lifted her chin, playing along. “You must bring me mice,” she mewed haughtily. “And a fresh squirrel every day for a moon. And new moss for my nest. And…” She flicked his chin with her tail-tip. “You must follow me around all day and pick the burrs out of my pelt.”

The playfulness drained from Tigerheart’s warm amber gaze. Dovepaw tensed, wondering if she’d teased him too much.

“I’d gladly do all that for you.” His mew was as steady as his gaze. “You didn’t have to save my life first.”

Dovepaw stared back. “I didn’t really save your life,” she whispered. “It was just a tiny crack. That log could still hold your weight.”

“Maybe,” Tigerheart agreed. “But you were worried about me. That means you care, right?” Dovepaw saw doubt flicker in the young ShadowClan warrior’s gaze. “I mean, you care more than if we were just friends?” he pressed.

Dovepaw swallowed. For the first time she actually felt like she had the power of the stars in her paws.

“Yes,” she breathed. “Yes, I care.” Her heart twisted in her chest, half in pain, half in joy. “I shouldn’t, but I do.”

A purr rose deep in her chest as Tigerheart leaned forward and touched his muzzle to hers. Their breath billowed into a single cloud. He twisted his tail around hers, and warmth spread beneath her pelt.

Tigerheart sighed. “We’d better get back, before we’re missed.” He pulled away, but only far enough to let her get to her paws. Together they padded to the nest entrance, fur brushing fur.

They paused on the smooth rock, and Dovepaw stared out at the forest stretching down toward the distant lake. “This is going to work, right?”

“Yes,” Tigerheart promised. “No boundaries are ever going to be strong enough to separate us.”

Dovepaw blinked at him. “Really?” She wanted to believe it. She had to believe it. Nothing had ever felt so important.

“Let’s meet again before half-moon,” Tigerheart suggested.

“Tomorrow.” Dovepaw felt bold.

“Do you think we could leave camp two nights in a row?” Tigerheart’s eyes widened. “You’d take that risk?”

“It’s worth it.” She brushed his cheek with her nose. His scent felt warm on her tongue. He was hers now. He didn’t belong to ShadowClan. They belonged to each other.

“What about your denmates?” Tigerheart pulled away. “They’ll notice you’ve gone.”

“It’s just Ivypaw now.” Dovepaw hooked a clump of moss from Tigerheart’s pelt. “She won’t tell.”

She felt him stiffen. “Ivypaw?”

A cold stone dropped in Dovepaw’s belly. Suddenly she remembered the look her sister had shared with Tigerheart during the battle. “D-do you know Ivypaw?”

Tigerheart flicked a strand of dried grass awkwardly from her shoulder. “I’ve seen her at Gatherings.”

“But nothing more than that?” Dovepaw demanded.

Tigerheart sat back and looked her straight in the eye. “Do you mean, have I ever asked to meet her in the middle of the night, and brought her here to risk my life on collapsing logs?” He tipped his head. “Let me think…”

Dovepaw fought the urge to shove him.

“…No. I’m pretty sure I haven’t.” He touched his nose to her ear. “There’s only one sister I’m interested in.”

His breath was warm. How could she have doubted him? He’d risked so much, coming here and confessing his feelings. She must have imagined the look in the battle with ShadowClan.

I trust him.