The bird shot into the air with a strangled cry as it flapped its wings frantically. Sablerose's heart quickened and she hurried after it, breaking into a sprint as it flew higher. Fear pricked her heart, affecting her more and more as it got higher, the wind carrying it out of her reach. She was about to stop when a brown pelt as warm as honey whisked by her like lightning, zipping past her, reaching the fleeing prey faster and faster.

With a graceful leap, Finchnose sprang out, stretching a delegate paw in the air, her body nimble and light as she soared. The bird let out a fearful squawk and flapped its wings harder as the she-cat approached. Unleashing her claws, the brown she-cat came down with a crash, her front paw pinned against the bird's back, dragging it to the ground where her mate squashed it. Sablerose hurried over just as the smaller she-cat picked up the newly dead bird in her eyes. Seeing her arrive, her eyes sparkled and she trotted over, placing the bird at her paws.

"I did it," she said, eyes shining as she held the limp bird in her jaws. Sablerose felt her heart flutter at those three words. Finchnose stared at her hopefully, the smile growing wider and fonder as the two silently congratulated each other. The black she-cat came up and gave her mate a quick kick across her head, and the tiny she-cat giggled, only increasing the pounding in her chest. She thought her heart was about to burst out of her chest, love and affection pouring into it like a flood.

"Of course you did," she replied, fighting with every nerve in her body to keep her voice under control. Finchnose rubbed her head against her, breathing in her scent, and Sablerose felt her legs shake like a newborn deer. Swallowing the nerves creeping up on her, she glanced at the brown she-cat as she purred.

"I'm sure we'll catch more prey, don't you think?" asked Sablerose, prodding her mate. Finchnose pulled back and blinked slowly, and she could tell her mind was sketching out a map of the territory, and her ears were alert for the slightest rustle. She was a hunter by heart, and the black she-cat crouched, focusing her attention around her.

Suddenly, Finchnose sprinted forward and took a leap into a bush. She threw herself in the air and crashed, a thud emitting from her. Sablerose sprang to her feet and raced over, poking her nose in the prickly bush, eyes scanning for a tuff of brown fur. In the middle of the bush, the tiny she-cat was caught in the thorns, but dangling between her claws was the slim tail of a scrawny mouse. She reeled back and paced around the exterior in search of an opening where she could get in.

Finally, she spotted a small opening and placed a paw on it, throwing the leaves and thorns out of the way. Finchnose glanced up at the sound of her, and her face quickly morphed into an embarrassed and uncomfortable expression, with a hint of enjoyment as Sablerose fought her way through the thick plant. When she managed to break through and make a space large enough for her mate to wiggle out - and after she removed all the thorns pricking and sticking to her pelt - she began to weave around, picking out the thorns trapping the she-cat.

Once free, Finchnose sagged to the ground in a series of laughter. Covered in tiny scratches, Sablerose began to fish out any remaining thorns that lurked in her pelt. After she was done, she raised an eyebrow at the she-cat, who was staring at the tiny mouse in her paws admirably. Noticing that she was staring, the petite cat scrambled to her paws and shook the mouse away, pushing it aside. Then she looked at her with wide eyes like the moon, dazzling as bright as the sun as her iridescent eyes shimmered.

"I caught the mouse," she said after a moment of silence. Sablerose was silent, her mind trying to weave together words. As she struggled, Finchnose stared at her for a reply, making her thoughts scatter like moths and scamper away before she could swipe them back up. Shaking her head, she gave the she-cat a swift cuff in the ear.

"Don't scare me like that," she growled. "I don't want to see your pretty face or pelt ruined." Finchnose gently batted her paw away, hit fluttering in the pits of her stomach. Sablerose glanced at the two prey they had caught, and she didn't mind that they both came from the smaller cat.

"Don't worry about it," she mewed and chirped like a bird. "If I get injured, it'll show that I was trying and it's simply a lesson." Finchnose tipped her head to the side. Her eyes darted over to a tree and trailed up the thick trunk. Sablerose followed her gaze up to the tall branch and immediately knew what her mate had in mind. They gave each other a quick nod and, after they grabbed their prey and buried it, both raced toward the tree and leapt off the ground.

Sinking her claws in, Sablerose heaved herself up the rough surface, claws slipping occasionally, and left a few scars on the tree. Finchnose struggles to climb, watching her tiny figure fight her way up was like watching a baby bird fight against the loud and thundering winds. She held her laughter in when the brown cat lost her grip and fell down, claws saving her at last second. Heart skipping a beat, she maneuvered herself around the trunk and peered down, using her strength to climb back down.

Finchnose shook her head and heaved herself up, back claws scraping against the tree. Sablerose moves out of the way, and she heard a victorious cry from her mate at her arrival at the top. She gritted her teeth and climbed next to her, front paws locking around the branch the tiny cat sat upon. Bringing her back legs up, she sat beside the cat as they looked at the territory from above. However, she couldn't stop her mind from trailing toward the cat beside her and all the beauty stored within her. Just being next to her made her paws and legs shake and all the words she wanted to say fly out of her range.

Next to Finchnose, Sablerose thought her voice had scampered far away, but her ears were wide and open, absorbing any words or tone she could from the brown she-cat. Thinking about her feelings made her heart flutter and beat uncontrollably.

"Remember when we first did this, Sablerose?" Finchnose asked, leaning against her pelt. "It was at sunset, the sun was in the perfect position and the sky was so full of color." Her voice said those words so smoothly and calmly like she was reliving the memory. Sablerose felt a purr of delight rise inside her. Interwinding her tail with Finchnose's, she squeezed it and let the weight of the cat rest on her.

"If I remember correctly, it was when we first got out of camp. Apprentices that struggled to climb," she responded. "You were such a crybaby back then."

"And you always seemed so bold I couldn't help but follow your lead," Finchnose answered. "The moment you marched out into camp, you took life with her own paws and faced it, not letting anything cause you to stumble or sway. I still love you for that."

I... I cut my life short, Finchnose.

"And I couldn't ask for anyone better," she said, giving Finchnose a quick lick across the head. "If anything, it should be me that thanks you. You were always there for me when I got myself in trouble."

"You still do," she joked. "It's always funny to stay by you when you try to talk yourself out of it."

"But I have you by my side," she whispered. "If you weren't there, I'm sure I wouldn't know what to say."

"Then, I'll stay by your side forever!" Finchnose chirped, eyes sparkling. "Yeah, as a matter of fact, I think I'll make it my goal to stay with you - even though I already promised to when I agreed to be your mate."

"Having you at my side is more than enough for me," Sablerose urged, letting Finchnose's scent flood into her nose. The soft heartbeat next to her was like running water, smooth yet strong and sturdy. Compared to the she-cat, she was a seedling in leafbare that struggled against the raging winds. The black she-cat curled into herself more to steady herself in a vain attempt to stay still. Noticing the battle, the she-cat beside gave her a quick look, a smile flashing across her face.

"If you're scared or nervous, we can always go down," she offered, beginning to inch down the trunk. Quick as a rabbit, Sablerose darted her fluffy tail in her path, blocking her way without causing her to stumble. Finchnose blinked at her, drawing her paw back, and latched it around the branch once again. The two she-cat's locked eyes, a peaceful and loving silence filling their hearts. For a moment, she forgot what she was going to say.

Perhaps staying silent was the best choice.

But her heart disagreed so much.

"Do you not want to go down?" Finchnose whispered, gesturing toward the sun.

"No."

"Thought so."

"Then, let's stay here, okay?"

"Yes!"

Not even two seconds later, Finchnose's mouth tumbled open and she had another comment to say that lit up her world.

"Sablerose, I think I want to become like you."

"Huh? Why's that?!" Sablerose sputtered, staring at her mate. Finchnose nodded, pointing her tail at her.

"You're brave, bold, strong, and you aren't afraid of what other cats think of you. You act all tough and bold, but I know deep down you're a softy and love it when someone compliments you. I want to be like that," she explained, tilting her head with a wide grin.

No, you don't want to be like me.

"I know I say this often, but I love you."

I love you too.

"I love you."

Your life is worth way more than my life nine times over, Finchnose. How lucky was I to even meet you? What did I do to deserve someone like you?

"I love you."

I traded my life away for your sake and happiness, I didn't want to see you suffer ever again. Finchnose, I want to protect and stay with you forever.

"I love you."

Forever and ever.

"I love you, Sablerose."