The sky was painted with gold and pink as the sun slowly began to set, casting the prairie in shadows as it slowly crept to the edge of the world. Insects rang out their lively sound, each trying to be louder than the rest, and bats were beginning to take wing. Underneath a cherry tree, the leaves interspersed with ripe red fruit, was a rock that looked like two cats leaning against one another, and on that rock was a she-cat watching the sunset.
Spiderwind’s fur was itching all over as she thought about what the tree represented. Stupid Snowbloom and his romantic ideas! Though RavenClan had barely gotten to see the tree during newleaf, the explosion of pink blooms paired with the vaguely cat-like appearance of the rock underneath was enough to convince Snowbloom to concoct a story about lovers and eternal happiness. Apparently, cherry trees symbolized love back where the tom had come from.
But what’s that have to do with me? Spiderwind again glared down at the rock. Up close, it was more of a lumpy hunk of stone than a statue of lovers. She just couldn’t understand the appeal of it all.
Just as Spiderwind thought about getting up and leaving the ridiculous tree and ugly rock behind, Featherstep’s gentle laugh flashed through her head, and she froze. After a moment, her pelt grew hot as she remembered why she was there.
Spiderwind didn’t have a single clue about romance. Her parents rarely showed affection, and it was hard to say if they even liked each other. There weren’t any other cats in the Clan with a mate who she could talk to for advice, either. Snowbloom had been a last resort since he once had a mate, but his ideas were too flowery and cute. And yet…
I want to make this work, Spiderwind thought forlornly as she sat back down. She liked Featherstep and his soft laugh and blue eyes and the way he listened to her without interrupting. He didn’t expect Spiderwind to take care of him or scold her for being too rough, and he never once told her to be quiet. On rainy days he would lay on top of her so they could keep warm, and when Gracklepaw needed to learn how to swim, Featherstep took her out so that Spiderwind didn’t need to be close to the water.
Watching as a mockingbird fluttered up to the cherry tree to pick at the shiny red fruits, Spiderwind felt her heart pang in her chest. Featherstep was immature and lazy, but he took time out of his day to help her anyway. Isn’t that a sign he likes me? But did he like Spiderwind as a Clanmate or a friend? Or… something more? Heart twisted in knots, Spiderwind let out a sigh and laid down, resting her chin on her paws.
Love is stupid.
Snowbloom gave Spiderwind a knowing look as he arranged patrols. Darkmoth was taking all of the apprentices out for training, leaving both Spiderwind and Featherstep free for the day. Smug old tomcat! The crowd dispersed after they were assigned their tasks, and most of the cats filtered out of the underground warrens that made up most of the RavenClan camp.
As he passed, Snowbloom dipped his head to Spiderwind and said quietly, “You won’t have time tomorrow.”
Still, Spiderwind felt a bit grateful. She needed to talk to Featherstep, after all, and this was the perfect opportunity. I’ll forgive you this time, she thought as she slipped away from the crowd and wandered out of the den warrens, following the path up to the camp’s clearing.
The late greenleaf sun made Spiderwind blink from the harsh light as she looked around. Scorchshade, Bunnystar, and Rabbitspring were chatting as they planned their hunting patrol. Dandeliontuft was already leading Icepaw out of camp for foraging, while Darkmoth had the rest of the apprentices jumping over the thistle barrier for their morning exercise. And Featherwind… stretched out on a rock and taking in the sun.
Snorting softly, Spiderwind padded over to Featherstep and jabbed him with her paw. “Hey.”
“Hey,” Featherwind didn’t open his eyes.
“Get up.”
“Why?”
Spiderwind’s whiskers twitched in amusement. If it had been anyone else, she would have been annoyed, but Featherstep seemed… cute when he was lazy like this. “I need to talk to you.”
“We can talk here.”
“No.”
“Please?”
“We’re going outside camp now.”
“Okay.” Featherstep rolled to his paws and leisurely slipped off the rock, brushing his pelt against Spiderwind’s as he did so. “Are we going hunting? We could wait until tonight when it’s cooler.”
“We’re not,” Spiderwind ignored the way her heart fluttered and led the way to the thorn barrier before springing over it. After a moment, Featherstep landed softly beside her. “Come on.”
As the pair walked at a brisk pace, Featherstep cheerfully tried to guess what they were going to do. “Do you want to collect seashells? We’re going in the wrong way, though. Oh! What about cherries? Dandeliontuft said that the flesh of the fruit is tasty, but the rest of it is toxic, so let me prepare them for you.”
At the mention of cherries, Spiderwind’s thoughts flashed to the cherry tree, and her stomach twisted. “N-not cherries,” she said, “but… maybe later.”
“Okay!” Featherstep didn’t seem to notice her faltering voice.
As Spiderwind crested a hill, she realized that the stupid cherry tree was far ahead. It would take quite a while to reach it, and she was far too impatient. With a huff, she whirled around to face Featherstep. He looked startled, but his eyes were kind as he asked, “Are we here?”
“I want you to be my mate.” Spiderwind blurted out the words before thinking.
“Okay.” Featherstep’s voice was cheerful as ever.
“I’m serious.”
“I know.”
“We’ll be mates, and that means you can’t be with anyone else.”
“That’s what ‘being mates’ typically entails,” Featherstep replied. “So we’ll share a nest and hold a ceremony in camp.”
Spiderwind’s heart stuttered, and she added, “And… we’ll have kits in the future.”
“Three litters.”
“Two.”
“That’s fine.” Featherstep looked around for a minute before saying, “You know, phlox doesn’t grow until newleaf.”
“Huh?” Spiderwind stared at the tom for a long moment before the realization hit her. Phlox was the flower that cats were supposed to present when they wanted to officially become mates. “Is that important right now?!”
“It is to me,” Featherstep plucked a firewheel – a flower that symbolized everlasting – and offered it to Spiderwind, putting it behind her ear. “But this is just as good.”