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T I N Y F L A M E
Her face reflected the surface of the water she rested over, a wave of emotions pooling over her from what she observed. Her deep blue eyes betrayed her sorrow, despite the stoicness she held on her face as she watched the viewing pool reveal the events that unfolded before her. A pang resonated in her chest that she prayed and prayed she would never have to feel again.
Heartbreak.
She observed with a detached emptiness as he curled up with another feline, his eyes sparkling as they looked at her in a way that they had once done for her. Her jaw clenched uneasily as another wave of anguish crashed over her. Her heart fell to her stomach and her gut churned and churned with an almost unbearable sadness.
Though she would be lying if she said that a part of her hadn’t expected this. Tinyflame had met with her former mate shortly after she died, she had seen the changes that had happened since her passing and while her heart hurt at the circumstances, she genuinely wished for Hailgaze to be happy. She did, she truly did.
So then, why did she feel so betrayed?
A part of her earnestly hoped that he would continue to love her after she died. She held out hope that they would be reunited one day and that they would spend the rest of their existence dedicated to one another. But instead, he had chosen to move on. Hailgaze had decided that there was someone else who deserved his heart. Tinyflame turned away from the pool, unable to watch any longer.
All she felt was agony. Why? Why did those she love choose to move on from her? Her first love, Owlbelly, who had never gotten over the death of his past mate, chose Poppytail without a second thought when he met her again in StarClan. Tinyflame wasn’t surprised since she suspected that he was loyal to her and only her, despite giving into loneliness and taking Tinyflame as his mate. Yet, she desperately yearned for the same dedication from her second love. She was sure of herself that she would be with him for the rest of her life and in a way, she had. Except… Once she died, it felt like those around her didn’t hesitate to move on. That was a part of life, of course, she didn’t want her family to be sad forever, but… She also hoped that they wouldn’t forget about her.
Now, she felt incredibly forgotten. Discarded, even. Was it simply her destiny to be nothing but a second choice? Was she fated to be forgotten from the hearts of the living, her time in StarClan coming to an end, with her spirit fading away in the wind like many others before her. She didn’t know that being dead felt this lonely.
Sharpstone didn't come around this neck of the territory very often anymore. He'd been dead for many seasons now, seemingly nothing but a distant memory to those who knew him in life. He only ever crossed the minds of a pawful of cats, mainly his mother, his siblings, and his oldest nephew, Saplingskies. Occasionally he would enter the thoughts of his only kit, but Hawkstone had been so young when he died, only a few moons old, in fact. It hurt to know that his son could only barely remember him. Fate could be so cruel sometimes. Something had led him to the viewing pool today, and what he found there caused a pang of sadness to resonate deep within him. He saw a sorrow that he knew all too well.
The brown tomcat knew it was none of his business, but he silently observed the flame-colored she-cat, who didn’t appear to know he was even there. He didn’t know her, but he’d seen her around. She was usually so… bright, with a personality much, much bigger than her small frame. He’d be lying if he said it didn’t make him a little sad to see such a spark die out. So, against his better judgment, he decided to speak.
“It feels… unfair, doesn’t it?” He asked gently, cautiously approaching the she-cat so she knew he meant her no harm. “Watching life go on without you, I mean.” Curious, he took a peek down into the pool to see what she had been looking at. Oof. If he was assuming right, he definitely knew her pain. “I know it’s not my business, so please pardon my intrusion, but I understand how you feel. Feeling forgotten hurts.” He fell silent for a moment, offering her a sympathetic smile. “My name is Sharpstone, and I’ll listen if you want to talk about it.”