The moon hung high over the sky, casting beams of silver light between the towering pines. The cave twinkled in the blooming light, casting a shadow over a lone she-cat who sat at the mouth of the cave. Her gaze was trained on the sky, as if she were waiting for someone. The calico molly stood up when pawsteps began approaching, her melancholy shifting into frustration as her quarry passed on by. Waiting until he had padded by, she stepped from the shadowed mouth of the cave.
"Nightstorm," She started, her voice tense. Having left her remaining kits in camp under the protection of the other queens, Mapledawn had to confront the large tom about his behaviour. "You have some explaining to do." Her stubby tail lashed irritably as she padded toward him, her shoulders bunched.
Her kits had started noticing the way the two had become distant. Mapledawn was hurt, first two of her kits had been given to Thunderclan, and now Nightstorm had distanced himself without a word. The queen puffed out her chest, trying to hide the way her paws shook and her heart fluttered anxiously in her chest.
"You haven't even looked at me since Lightkit and Owlkit were taken. Have I done something wrong? Are you blaming me for what happened?" Her eyes were shimmering with hurt, the moonlight making her tears glint. "You were always around the nursery, Acornkit and Squirrelkit need you. I need you. At least tell me if you aren't interested in us any more."
Her eyes were pleading,
"Please."
Her touch quelled hisninner storm. Though a slight quiver of his whiskers betrayed ripples of anger yet to subside, he gave way to the reprieve that she offered, his large form deflating noticeably as his anger drained away.
“You are too forgiving, my lady.” He murmured, even as he rejoiced that he was not to be cast out of her life. It was a guilty sort of pleasure, one he felt that he ill deserved.
“Lightkit was a child. It should have never been up to her!” He protested, pulling away to gaze into her eyes sorrowfully. “They’re cowards for placing the burden on a child’s shoulders. How are we to know she won’t regret her choice someday? I know I had wild enough dreams at her age.”
Nightstorm sighed, placing his chin between her ears to rest on her crown.
“I will be whatever you wish me to be. Even if I am undeserving of it.”