following the loner

Rose walked along the bank of a small, clear stream. Nearby, weeping willows spread their dark green branches downward. The she-cat turned her head and looked at her friend, Dustmane. In the young tom's eyes, genuine love shone. He pressed his fur closer to hers and said, "I love you so much..." Rose could not say the same. A few sunrises had passed since her first Gathering, and during that time, Dustmane had hardly left her side. The she-cat felt sorry for him—she truly wanted to love him, but her heart still felt empty. But this isn't right! He... saved me from the badger... and Darkmane saved me too... from the dog. But Darkmane is from another Clan! That's... forbidden... Rose sighed sadly. "I love you too," she replied flatly. Dustmane was too naive and trusting to sense that something was wrong. Yes, Rose had refused Darkmane, but with each passing day, the weight of longing in her soul pressed down on her more and more. What if he just wants to use me? At first, he didn't care at all... The she-cat shuddered at the memory of the dog's jaws, which had nearly ended her life. "Hey, is everything alright?" Rose shook her head, shaking off the memories. "Yeah, just remembered a nightmare..." she lied. "I would have made a wonderful father to our kits..." Dustmane said, giving his friend a cheerful nudge. Rose suddenly felt so sick, so suffocated, that she couldn't bear it and ran as fast as her paws would carry her—away from her Clanmate. I'm sorry... I truly am sorry, Dustmane! You're so good, but I can't force myself to love you, and we will never have kits. Forgive me.