The entire early morning, from the crack of dawn nearly to sunhigh, had been spent out and about. The primary goal was ensuring that all of the territory borders had been checked and marked, but an occasional stop for prey included itself every so often. Everything had been quiet, peaceful even. But, as much as she loved the territory and the feeling it brought her, there was still another place that was even more enticing and serene for her.
Dark paws carried the tall she-cat through camp, depositing most of the prey she had caught, except for one little rabbit. Her final stroll took her to the Medicine Cat den, bright green eyes peering through the darkness. The nests lined along the front half of the den were all empty, which was a relief. But it wasn’t these nests that her attention focused on. She stepped quietly to the back of the den, where a larger nest sat comfily in the corner, a sleeping figure curled up inside. She lowered her neck, placing the rabbit next to the nest before maneuvering around it, taking careful steps into the nest. With slow and smooth movements, she laid in the nest with her back curved along the edge, her body lightly pressing against and folding around the ginger and white cat that laid next to her. Her tail gently wrapped around the other molly’s as her head lowered, chin resting on the edge of the nest and slightly leaned over, a large black ear and a warm cheek touching the Medicine Cat’s own.
It had taken no time at all for her to pass out. Kindleflare’s warmth had quite a large effect on her when it came to comfort, something she was extremely thankful for. It was amazing how much better one’s sleep could be when it was spent alongside someone you...loved. It was still rather unbelievable to her, even after all this time, that she was able to say that she loved someone, even just in her own mind. The fact that the target of her affections was the Medicine Cat was even more incredible, and strange, but it was a good sort of strange.
Kindleflare had confessed her feelings to Batear, and she had returned them, nearly two seasons ago now. Yet it still felt like only a few days had gone by since then. Life had gone surprisingly smooth since then. No extreme worries, no self-doubt, no periods of depression or self-questioning. She felt...whole. That was something she hadn’t felt in quite a while, and she was thankful to feel this way again.
Though, there was, in all of this, still one thing that crossed her mind rather often recently. During that cool and dark night in Greenleaf, Kindleflare had told Batear that she loved her, and Batear had said the same. They both knew of each others’ feelings for one another, they had shown each other physical affection nearly every day. The lanky night-furred Warrioress had even started sleeping in the Medicine Cat den in the same nest as Kindle every day, as though this den was where she now belonged. And while all of this felt right and felt as though it was the way things were meant to be, there was one thing, one question, that continuously bogled her mind.
What exactly
were they to each other? Obviously they loved each other, and their connection had grown exponentially over time, but she wasn’t sure what word truly fit their relationship. Maybe ‘partners’? Or did that word sound too casual for them? There was ‘mates’, but neither of them had ever asked that question officially. Did cats automatically become mates if they acted like they were? There was the word ‘lovers’, but when she thought of that word she thought of cats who...no, no she wouldn’t let herself think that way. Only young cats thought about stuff like that, and she was not young, nor was Kindleflare. Lovers could mean cats who just loved each other. Surely. Even so, did that word fit?
Thoughts like these prevailed within her dreams, only interrupted by a physical disturbance outside of her dreamstate. One large ear twitched, at first because of a little wisp of air, and then by instinct. That was one thing that Kindleflare had pointed out to her during their time of sleeping together. Her ears would begin to twitch on their own when she was beginning to wake up, only stopping once her eyes were open.
Slowly, those emerald pearls began to open, vision blurry at first, but clearing as a familiar beautiful face came into view. Though her eyes were not open all the way, a smile formed on her maw at the sight of Kindleflare. No matter how many times she woke up to see that face, it always made her smile. She did not speak, but she did listen intently as the other she-cat spoke, mentioning that she needed an escort for the day, and asked if Bat knew of anyone fit enough to take on the role.
Her smile grew more and her eyes opened fully, her tail lifting and curling behind her.
“Hmm…..I am not sure. I do know-” a yawn interrupted her, though the corners of her maw still curved into a smile as she did so.
“-of a certain Warrior who always enjoys your company. Believe me, they adore you.”She slowly stood, moving forward with a stretch. She extended her neck forward in a stretch as well, brushing her face against Kindleflare’s and allowing her breath to lightly swirl against the other’s ear as she said a few final words.
“Worships you, even.”Her nose pressed against the other’s cheek before she pulled herself completely from the nest, stepping past Kindleflare and peering out towards the entrance of the den. The light that filtered in was rather bright, telling her that it was already midday, if not later than that. She didn’t always enjoy remaining asleep for a long portion of the day, but dawn patrols always took a lot out of you, especially if you hadn’t slept much previously. She needed the sleep.
With a deep breath, she turned to peer with loving eyes at the tabby she-cat behind her.
“Where is it that you plan to be escorted to, my dear?”1059
