Think, Sablerose. You're wandering around camp with a crescent moon on your forehead. There has to be some kind of connection between the actual moon and this curse, she thought, staring up at the wide moon. The white symbol on her forehead began to throb, but she paid no heed to it - it was probably some kind of mind trick.

The camp was peacefully silent when the silver orb rose from the horizon, pushing the shining sun out of the picture for a while. Cats were sound asleep in their comfy nests, completely oblivious to the black she-cat watching them, only wondering about one little she-cat resting ever so softly. Shrouded in darkness and unable to see through her mate's disguise. That was probably the most heart-wrenching thing Sablerose was forced to do behind Finchnose.

Knowing her kind and sensitive attitude, Finchnose would either end up blaming herself for getting sick and shortening her lifespan, or she would do everything in her power to take back the curse, even if it meant falling sick again. That would only start an endless cycle of deals and vows, and with each promise falling out of their mouth, the worse their relationship would grow. Sablerose definitely didn't want to see the one she-cat that ever truly cared for her swept out of her paws.

Besides, Shadowdusk would probably grow tired of her coming back - and maybe he'd grow sick of Finchnose if she figured the best course of action was to meet the black tom. Lightdawn was definitely not one to talk to about life problems. That golden tom would rather spend time cleaning each fur on his pelt, making sure it shone as bright as the sun so it'd blind any cat that wandered into his den rather than sit and listen to other cats spilling out their troubles. As much as Sablerose hated to admit it, going to the apathetic and cold-hearted tom would be a better choice than asking the narcissistic and arrogant Sun Priest.

Regardless of who she went to, she was sure her impish and snappish behavior would send her straight to the bottom of their favourite-cat lists - if she hadn't already landed her spot on Shadowdusk's.

"Alright, look at things from a bird's eye," she whispered. "There's a crescent moon on my forehead that I obviously can't get rid of unless Finchnose regains her sickness. Perhaps there's something connecting this mark to the actual moon." Sablerose glanced at the bright, full moon with wide eyes, feeling entranced by its silver rays.

This curse came from the darker side of this Astral Tribe. There's got to be a reason for the moon. It'd probably be the same if I'd gone to Lightdawn first, but there'd most likely be a sun on my forehead. Sablerose frowned and whisked her tail around her paws, breathing heavily. Does anything happen on crescent moons? Has there always been some kind of pattern on every night with that kind of moon? Does it always rain or storm that night?

"No, Shadowdusk isn't that dumb to know that I wouldn't make some kind of connection to a crescent moon night. Perhaps it's something I have to do with Finchnose herself since she's also tied to this. Going out for a late stroll wouldn't be the best choice either, " she mumbled, crossing out that option - even though her heart and every nerve in her screamed and fluttered at the mere thought of just her and the petite she-cat. Sablerose lifted and paw and touched her forehead, an icy claw running down her back.

She already knew what would happen. Shadowdusk had spelled it out as clear as the night; it'd simply be removed and Finchnose would fall ill. There was no way around it and if Lightdawn heard about her deal, it'd cause her to be exiled or possibly killed - but at least Finchnose would still live - and a war between the two sides of the Astral Tribe. Being known as the cat that started a war between night and day was definitely not how she wanted her mate to remember her by. Granted, their relationship was as thick as blood, so she was sure the brown she-cat wouldn't think poorly of her.

Still, Sablerose swallowed the lingering fear churning in her stomach and continued to brainstorm plans and ideas to remove the mark by force. Banging her head against the trees would lead to concussions and Finchnose to swarm around her, constantly keeping an eye out for her safety. That'd be a perfect way to hog her, but then she wouldn't participate in patrols and risked getting yelled at by Lightdawn. Praying to the clouds went unheard and telling another cat would result in exile.

And the one cat she wanted to tell was the one cat that couldn't possibly find out, no matter what the cost.

If this is StarClan's way of having fun, then when I get the chance, I will drag them out of the sky and slam them on the ground so hard the Dark Forest will tremble. Sablerose gritted her teeth, claws curling into the ledge underneath her paws.

But I need to think of something to do. Could I just beg? Begging isn't in my blood, and besides, I could end up getting caught. I need to do something else.

A sacrifice.

Sablerose's heart stopped and she stared at the den that had cursed her. The den that started the paradisiac nightmare. There was a black tom in there that she could - possibly kill - under the moon. No, that was too risky if Shadowdusk did die and the curse on her forehead didn't vanish. Then she'd be digging up grains of dirt, desperate for that one speck that could grant her a miracle in a sea of utter oblivious and common similarities.

But maybe, there could be another cat that wasn't connected to this curse but did have the power to grant miracles.

Maybe there was some cat out in the Astral Tribe that could break the curse if she really tried.

Sablerose shook her head, figuring the idea was pointless, but the one cat that she could sacrifice was standing right there. She glanced at her own paws and then back at the moon.

What could I do to StarClan? A sacrifice requires something close. I'm not killing myself or Finchnose, Lightdawn and Shadowdusk will do nothing useful, but there is one thing I could do. Sablerose glanced over her shoulder and padded down the ledge, making her way to her den where a bunch of other pelts were peacefully sleeping, dreaming of a world that wasn't one they lived in.

A world where they could live.

She snickered and touched the mark on her forehead, closing her eyes.

"If it's Finchnose's life that's at risk, then I'll be her life. I could bring her out to the crescent moon and give her the time of her life. Making her happy is all I've ever wanted, and even if StarClan's not out to listen or change this curse, then at least she's going to be happy," she whispered softly, looking at her mate's pelt through the sheet of darkness, rising and falling with each little breath.

"But... Sablerose? Are you only doing this for yourself? You promised that we'd live for each other," Finchnose's quiet voice whispered in her head.

"I want to save you, my love," she promised, stepping into her nest, curling around Finchnose. The she-cat shuddered the slightest and then relaxed, enveloped in the scent of her mate. Sablerose gave her a quick lick across the head and there was a quiet purr, signaling the she-cat was up. Lifting her head, her viridescent eyes glowed in the dark, happy to see her by her side.

A place Sablerose would be more than happy to grow roots and stay at forever.

"There you are," Finchnose said, sleep clinging onto her eyes, forcing them shut. "I was starting to wonder where you were..."

"Even if I'm directly at your side, you know that I'll always be with you," she responded, lowering her head, getting herself into a comfortable position. "That's a promise."

"You say that so much..." Finchnose mused, already being dragged into the world of slumber.

"And I'm not ashamed of that."

"Never change... Sablerose," begged the tired cat. Returning to her warm nest, Finchnose slumped onto her side and fell sound asleep, leaving the black she-cat on her own. Finally, Sablerose shut her eyes, knowing that time spun around her and carried on against her will, but for now, a calm and long night with her loving mate by her side was all that she could ask for.

Just maybe, StarClan would allow that.

Written by Solstice
Edited by Bright