Maplestream was playing with Amberkit and Moonkit when the entrance to the camp rattled and in burst the lost cats.Maplestream shot up for joy, running to meet her friends, Darkface right beside her, belly bulging.Blackclaw was at the front when he saw his mate heavy belled running, he ran to meet her.Entwining his tail with her and resting his head on top of hers."Darkface I missed you, but you should be resting."

The other lost cats said hi to lost friends."Sandfire!Sandfire!Sandfire where are you?!"Suddenly all the returning cats looked sad, Blackclaw padded up to her and said:"He died saving Snowtail.I-I'm sorry Maplestream."Suddenly it all came rushing back to her the dream, her dead mate.

Bagerfoot padded out of camp and came back dragging a light sand colored body.He layed the body in the middle of the clearing.Maplestream let out a ghostly shreak, then her legs buckled and she was laying next to the dead body of Sandfire.Maplestream raised her head to the sky and cried.

"No!You took my mate away from me!"Tears slid down her cheek and she rested her head on Sandfires shoulder.All of the clan mourned Sanfire in the evening.But when night fell only Maplestream and the returning cats stayed by the body.Maplestream closed her eyes hoping to see her mate.

Maplestream woke to be next to the pool, the stars around her seemed cold."If I could go back and not give you so much pain I would, my love."Came the voice of Sandfire as he came to sit next to her.

"Why did you have to leave me?"Sandfire gave a small sad smile"It was my destiny but I know we will see each other again."Maplestream pressed her nose into his fur" Promise?"Sandfire pulled back and looked her in the eyes and vowed:"I promise."Maplestream smiled and closed her eyes.

Maplestream opened her eyes to the morning light, it turned her orange patches gold and Sandfires body gold.Then the elders came and took the body to the grave."Goodbye, my love."Maplestream whispered, suddenly a stary light sand colored cat stepped out from the tee where the grave was. Sandfire waved around her whispering.I promise you will me again.

Maplestream was eating when she felt a wiggle in her stomach, she ran into the medicine cat den and found Streamleaf."Streamleaf my flank moved."Streamleaf moved over to her and felt her belly, she smiled"Maplestream I have good news, you are expecting kits."Maplestream smiled.

My love you will have other lives to love now.Came the voice of  Sandfire.