yay,,,,

--

The pine woodland was dim with evening light. The setting sun sent red and orange streaks running through the sky, staining the clouds pink.

   But, deep in the trees, sat a lone cat. Her sandy-colored ears were pushed back and she stared intently at her paws.

   She flicked one ear back as she heard somebody approaching, but she didn't turn her head.

   "...Did we just lose Asterfur?" She asked softly.

   The cat behind her came to sit next to her, the new cat's hazel eyes shining in the sunset light.

   "What do you mean?"

   The sandy cat refused to meet the other's gaze. "He said he had to go for a while."

   "Why do you think we lost him, then?"

   The sandy cat sighed, "I don't know. But he probably won't be back for a long time."

   Her friend replied, "Asterfur will be fine, Littletuft. If something happens he'll come back, he promised."

   Littletuft looked into the woods. "Just because he said that doesn't mean he will, Maplestripe."

   "...I know. But we have to look on the brighter side of things and hope for the best." Maplestripe swept her tail across Littletuft's spine, trying to soothe the she-cat.

   "That's really difficult to do." Littletuft hissed, eyes narrowed.

   "I understand. But we need to do it for Asterfur." Maplestripe said in her calmest voice possible.

   "Don't you worry about him? He's the smallest cat in the Clan, even a fox kit could make crowfood out of him!" Littletuft snarled.

   "Of course I worry, Littletuft. We all do. But for now we have to let him go." There was an edge in Maplestripe's voice.

   "I can't lose somebody knowing I could've helped." With that, Littletuft stood and stormed into the undergrowth, fur bristling. Maplestripe remained there, sitting, processing their conversation in the dark.

--

yay..