Love and Loyalty

As DarkStream approached the bramble entrance, he crouched down to peer through it. He saw several shapes walking about. Surely enough, he was greeted by the whispers and curious mews of several cats when he entered the clearing. He hesitantly padded towards the center of the camp. He spotted three familiar faces: DustPelt, HoneyDew, and FireStar. His Former leader's pelt was dappled by small patches of light seeping through the branches.

“I am here.” he meowed.

There was a long pause. The cats were all staring warily at him. Finally, DustPelt spoke.

“As you know, I have left MistClan...” she stood silent for a moment. DarkStream's face remained emotionless. “And... we cannot be mates anymore, since it is against the Warrior Code—”

“I do not need to be reminded of such things.” DarkStream said matter-of-factly. He saw her blue eyes fill with a sea of disappointment, wishing he didn't have to speak this way.

“Well, what are you going to do? Stay with MistClan... or with me?” asked DustPelt, her voice cracking.

DarkStream tried to answer her, but his eyes filled with tears. His choice had already been made, but it tore his very soul apart to have to make it. He didn't want to leave her with a plain answer that would haunt her forever. Suddenly, these words came out of his mouth:

“Cats may forget what you did, cats may forget what you said, but cats will never forget how you made them feel.”

As DarkStream turned towards the entrance, he was stopped by a hiss.

“So that's IT??” growled HoneyDew. “You're just going to leave the love of your life without trying to comfort her or anything? You're not going to do anything about this?" Her voice grew into an accusatory yowl. "Don't you love her?”

DarkStream was immediately gripped by a surge of feelings; an urge to show them how he really felt about all this. He tried to fight it and stay calm, but he just couldn't

“Oh, I love her, I do” he huffed “She is beautiful, smart, passionate, and strong. There's just one thing you all don't know. My love for her is causing me very much distress at the moment. You see...” he paused, then pawed at a nearby rock. A sharp one.

DarkStream held up the rock with his front paws, leaning back on his haunches so all the cats could see it, Then said, “Let's all imagine you're in my paws right now. This is how I feel—” And with that, he threw himself downward and jabbed the rock into his chest, right above his heart. The camp was filled with meows of shock. DustPelt winced and turned her head away from it all.

DarkStream walked up to DustPelt. He dropped the rock in front of her. It had only just pierced the skin under his fur, but it was enough to leave a bit of blood. It glistened slightly in the sunlight that trickled past the overhead foliage and into the camp.

“This is my blood. This is your blood. It's MistClan blood.” he hissed, intensity in his eyes. Suddenly, that intensity disappeared, replaced by a sudden wave of calm. He backed away slightly.

“I'm sorry. I wish only wish the best for you. You know that.” He paused. “Love and loyalty are both very strong forces. In the end, it all comes down to how strong you are.” and with that, DarkStream turned to leave, and he didn't look back. He paused outside the entrance and thought to himself.

I love you DustPelt, and I respect your decision. I only hope you respect mine as well....