[AliKat]

Firestar

Firestar trudged along the glazed river, waiting for Sandstorm to arrive.  She was supposed to meet him here today.  Firestar sighed impatiently, knowing that nothing he could possibly do or say to her could make Sandstorm arrive on time.  Suddenly, though, he heard a strange rustling in the nearby trees...

[AliKat]

Sandstorm

"Here I am!" Sandstorm rushes hurriedly over to Firestar. "Sorry I'm late, Firestar...I hope you aren't mad at me."  Sandstorm pouts, hoping that her kitty-cat pout works.

[AliKat]

Firestar

"No, why would I?"  Firestar felt unusually guilty about worrying her.  "So, where would you like to go now?  Wherever you go, I'll follow."  He suddenly noticed how beautiful Sandstorm looked today.  He was glad Sandstorm was already headed towards the waterfall and couldn't see his embarrassment that was washing over him like waves on a beach.

[AliKat]

Sandstorm

Sandstorm was terribly glad Firestar wasn't upset with her.  She wondered what she would do if he was.  She'd probably cry.  When he asked her where she wanted to go, she flicked her tails towards the shimmering waterfall and began making her way over there.  She suddenly wondered how it would feel to have Firestar as a mate...

[AliKat]

Firestar

He was relieved that the hot wave that had spread over him just moments before had disappeared.  He joined Sandstorm by the glistening river.  He felt uncomfortable being so close to her.  Then, she leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder.  Back came the hot wave...he felt embarrassed of the sudden closeness yet soothed by her warm scent.  He relaxed and the embarrassment flowed away like the leaves in the river before them.

[AliKat]

Sandstorm

Sandstorm felt Firestar relax when she laid her head against his shoulder.  She relaxed too, watching the incandescent fish flow with the glistening current of the river.  She relaxed so much, she fell asleep.  She felt Firestar curl around her comfortably, assuring her of his presence and protection.

[AliKat]

Firestar

When Firestar arose from sleep, he felt Sandstorm sigh.  He gazed down at her feminine face, smiling slightly, her dazzling eyes covered by full, long lashes.  He felt a sudden urge to wake her and watch her come alive, as if watching an ornate doll come alive.  Just as he was about to rouse her, she stirred and opened her eyes.

[AliKat]

Sandstorm

Sandstorm opened her eyes to a beautiful waterfall, and hearing an affectionate purr from behind her, turned over to meet Firestar's warm gaze.  She mewed lovingly and snuggled against his lean, agile figure.  Sandstorm could not remember any happier time in her life.  Oh, if only this moment could last forever...

[AliKat]

Firestar

Firestar purred when Sandstorm nuzzled against him.  He saw the sun rising in the east, its first rays of light escaping the horizon.  Wow, he thought, I can't believe this.  One day, we're just friends, and the next...Wow.  I guess that's what happens at Idalani Falls...  He mewed back tenderly to Sandstorm, who had left to take a refreshing drink from the river, now reflecting the living rainbow of the magnificent sunrise.  When she heard him, she turned around and strode back to him.  He rubbed his head against her fur, lost in love.  He wondered what it would be like to have her as his lifemate.  He wondered what it would be like to father her kits.

[AliKat]

Sandstorm

Sandstorm came back from the river to Firestar, who was calling her back as if he couldn't survive without her.  She sat down next to him and leaned against him affectionately.  After a few minutes, he got up abruptly and started walking in the opposite direction.  Sandstorm almost fell over, and she mewed questioningly to him.  No response.  When he came back, he had a few flowers in his mouth.  He set them down in front of her, and she purred happily.  She was completely unprepared when he asked...

[AliKat]

Firestar

He asked, "Will you be my lifemate?"  His heart was pounding, wishing, hoping, that she'll say yes.  He saw her smile happily and say, "Of course!  Was there any doubt?"  She came up closer to him and licked his nose.  He returned the gesture and chuckled, "No, I guess not!"

[AliKat]

Sandstorm

Sandstorm twined her tail around Firestar's and purred to her heart's content.  She couldn't believe it...he was hers...she was his...forever.  They would never part, they would never leave.  She would bear his kits.  Their kits.  As they left the falls, she dreamingly imagined their family; She, Firestar, and their kits.