Not-so-silent Vigil (For Drippy)

The setting sun cast its golden light over the forest, causing a small while of beauty, though it would soon sink over the horizon. The air carried the chill of leaf-fall, promising colder weather soon to come. However, there was no wind, dulling the freeze and creating a serene aura. The first few stars were just starting to show themselves, as if some members of StarClan were eager to watch the night. Trees cast shadows over the ground, which sometime might be ominous, but on that night just added to the feeling of stillness. Crickets chirped, but other than that the night was silent. Deep within the forest, on the edge of a sandy dip in the ground, stood the figure of a cat.
Shrewheart stood at the entrance to camp, watching both outside and inside the ravine at the same time. The sooner Sharptooth got there, the better. If a fox attacked, it simply wouldn't be fair if he had all the fun. Even though he didn't feel much different in his new rank, it was kind of nice to be respected, and have a little more power within the clan. But it also meant FightClan meetings were over. That wasn't too big of a deal, he could always ask one of his friends to spar. Just thinking of his friend made him wonder once again when the other newly appointed warrior was coming. She was good company, probably the least stupid cat in the clan. But Leopardclaw and Reedheart tied in a close second. Exhaling loudly, he stared into camp, and finally she was padding towards him.
"Finally, Sharptooth. Took you long enough," he teased.

"Shh!" Sharptooth giggled, trotting towards Shrewheart happily. "I was hungry, alright?" The fluffy she-cat sat beside her friend with a lopsided grin. "It's not dark, so we can still talk." Sharptooth mewed confidently, casting a worried look at the sky as she spoke. A few clouds were starting to roll in. Not enough to promise rain, but perhaps... The tabby turned back to her friend, a small hint of concern in her voice. "D'you think it'll rain?" She hated rain. Her fluffy fur was already heavy, and with all the extra weight from the water, it made it nearly impossible to move. Not to mention how itchy was while it was drying. She shuffled her paws awkwardly and turned her gaze away from the territory and instead towards the setting sun. The golden glow lit up her face brilliantly, and her bright green eyes sparkled. She was young and beautiful, with more life ahead of her than she had experienced so far. After a small pause, she broke the silence. "Shrewheart?" She mewed softly.
"What now?"
There was more to life than fighting. In fact, the once-violent she-cat found she enjoyed quietly patrolling the territory before sunrise, listening to the sleepy conversations of her companions more than battling others.

"I doubt it's gonna rain, the sky's still pretty clear," Shrewheart replied, almost reassuringly. Looking at Sharptooth, he was surprised at how he had never noticed how pretty she was. Her green eyes were bright and held meaning, and the way the different shades of brown on her pelt reflected the amber light was truly stunning. His jaw dropped slightly in amazement, but he closed it as she started talking. Her voice was more of a whisper than anything else, but her tone conveyed a deeper message than just the words she said. He had never really thought about the future in the long run. He would just live life to the fullest, and take life as it comes. Sure, he would sometimes look forward to a gathering, or plan ahead of time a patrol with his friends, but other than that, he hardly ever thought of anything other than the present and the next day. But his friend's question made him think deeper. What was his ultimate plan for life? Cocking his head thoughtfully, he looked at the stars for a moment. He wanted to be a respected warrior, maybe even deputy, that other cats would listen to and take orders from. He wanted to be known for his skills in battle and in hunting. But most of all, he wanted to spend as much time as possible with his friends. That, he realized, was better than any old fight.
"Well, we wait until morning and then we enjoy all the upsides of being a warrior for a few days, before we start to realize it isn't much different than being an apprentice. Then we work as hard as we can to make a name for ourselves and becoming some of the more respected warriors in the clan." Before he continued he turned his yellow eyes to look right into her green ones. "And we would spend a lot of time together. And with Reedheart. We will have a great life together, I can tell."

Sharptooth held her breath as Shrewheart spoke, meeting his gaze. Her tail twitched, every so slightly, and she rested it on top of his.
"Together?"
She held her breath for a moment, taking in the stillness of the night. But one thought broke the comfortable silence.
Reedheart.
What would he say, if he found them like this? He would be heartbroken. He would never speak to them again. Sharptooth didn't want that.
Did she?

"Shrewheart." It was barely a whisper, but it rippled through the territory, stronger than any wind.
"... I'd like that."
Spending time together, lying side-by-side in the warm Greenleaf sunshine. Sharing voles, climbing trees... And perhaps, one day, looking after a little of young ones.

"I..."

It wasn't until Sharptooth started speaking that Shrewheart realized what his words had sounded like. He had been trying to say that spending time with friends was more important than being respected, but it had sounded like he wanted to be her mate or something. But for some reason, he didn't correct himself. And as she rested her tail on his and answered, he finally realized that he would like it that way. Being friends with her had been some of the most fun he ever had, so why would any of that go away if they became something more? A warm, peaceful silence had come after she spoke, but he was the one to break it.
"Sharptooth." Though it was just her name, that word had more meaning than most sentences he had said in his life. "You've been my best friend for so long now. You were the only cat who understood me. Reedheart is amazing friend, but even he didn't understand completely. You did. You have been by my side, doing something fun, for a while. So what do you say to being more than just friends in our life together?"

...being more than just friends in our life together?
Sharptooth's world slowed down slightly and her vivid green eyes widened. "More...?"
They were walking alone together in the woods. Training apprentices together at dusk. Spending the cold winter nights together under the stars. And maybe, one day, watching a playful litter of kits run around, just outside the nursery. Growing old together.
The fluffy tabby blinked rapidly, trying to clear her mind.
"Oh, Shrewheart. Y-yes. Yes, of course!"

"Thank you, Sharptooth." For the first time in a while, Shrewheart felt at peace. There was no longer the burning desire to go find something fun and exciting to do, because everything he wanted was right next to. He knew he would be happy with Sharptooth by his side for the rest of his life. They would still do fun things of course, like fighting off predators together and sparring, but he was just as happy just sitting next to her, watching the sun dip below the horizon. As the last of the golden light disappeared, he looked lovingly at his former best friend, now mate. He knew that he would give adventure up for the rest of his life, heck he would give his life up, if it meant that she was able to lead the kind of life that she wanted. He nuzzled into her fur, purring slightly. The sudden burst of affection he felt was unlike anything he had experienced before. It was the best feeling her had ever felt. And he was able to put a name to it. "I love you."

Sharptooth purred as Shrewheart nestled closer to her, her eyes closed contentedly as the golden sun dipped below the horizon. The sky was still dyed a wonderful lilac-blue color, but Sharptooth knew it wouldn't last long. Soon, the stars and moon would show their familiar faces and the crickets would start to sing.
Her heart stirred like a restless songbird as Shrewheart began to speak. She felt an overpowering feeling, a need, rush through her very soul.
"I love you too, Shrewheart." She mewed, wrapping her tail around his.

An immense feeling of relief and joy filled Shrewheart as Sharptooth returned the compliment. He let out an involuntary purr, letting their tails become intwined. He gently groomed her neck fur, infection and some natural desire telling him to do so. His heart knew that this was where he was meant to be. His imagination flowed with what could happen in the future, the two of them fighting off a pack of dogs and saving the entire clan, but also just spending time talking, patrolling together in times of peace. Maybe even raising kits. That would be a sight to see. A smile was spreading across his maw, and a shiver of anticipation and love shot down his spine. As the sky turned from periwinkle to the inky color of night, the stars seemed to smile, and the moon reflected off their pelts. The whole forest seemed, in that moment, to be perfect and at peace.

OOC: End of topic?