Withered/Seven

insert poem here lol

~

I'm honestly taken aback.

Autumnbreeze thinking this way... is this really how she sees this?

I mean, I've always had so much fun with Sweetfeather and Roseblossom and Applefrost...

I wince when I realize my mistake.

Autumnbreeze...

... how could I have missed all this?

"Autumn," I say, using her old name. "Remember whe we imagined our perfect world? No sickness and no hunger. We'd said we'd rule together as best friends."

"I don't think that'll ever happen." Autumnbreeze says bitterly, reverting her gaze.

"Well, maybe no." I agree. "But we're still best friends. You're my best friend and so is Sweetfeather, Roseblossom, and Applefrost. No one can change that."

"I don't know, Owlmoon..."

Autumnbreeze takes a deep breath.

"I'm sorry, Owl. For hiding myself. For jumping to the wrong conclusions. For just being... me." a single tear rolls down her cheek.

"Oh, Autumnbreeze. I'll always want you for you. We both know things that the others don't know. We've experienced things that they'll never experience." I almost choke as I say it.

"They don't know Grass and Pipes. They don't know the Wildflower Meadow, or the High Tree. That's our secret. No one else can take it."

Autumnbreeze's head finally comes up, and she meets my gaze.

"Come, Autumn. You can have a fresh start. Throw away your misconceptions. Sweetfeather's waiting."

Autumnbreeze climbs out of her nest and follows me out of the den.

Sweetfeather comes to me, and I thank her.

"It worked Sweetfeather! Thank you!" I whisper, a warm feeling growing inside.

She looks at Autumnbreeze, who has gone motionless again.

"Come on, Autumnbreeze! Race you to High Rock!"

I smile.

Autumnbreeze is finally back to normal.