Eventually my mother grew old.
She got greencough.
And on her final day, she spoke.
She used tail signals to show she wanted me.
Alone.
So I went, and this is what she said:

"Foxface... I ... I love you. I always have." Her voice was like a cooing dove, beautiful and soft.

I was shocked. "You spoke!"

"Yes, yes I did."

"But mother, you were always angry!"

She slowly shook her head. "No, no dear. I was mad, but not at you. At the clan. ShadowClan. For ruining my precious son's life." She coughed harshly. "I want you to be with me as I die. Petaltear to."

I got Petaltear and curled up to my mother. And as she died, she gave us new, unofficial names. "Foxflame, for your defensive fire that is in you (I learned she actually named me for my pelt, not my face. Everyone assumed that.). And Petalsong, for your beautiful voice..."

And then she died.