Fireheart & Cinderpelt/Sandstorm

5

  Fireheart lifted his head, about to speak, but Cinderpaw beat him to it.

  "It's my fault, Tigerclaw." She stared boldly up at the great tabby. "We were hunting on a frozen stream near the training hollow. I was careless - I slipped, and Graystripe came to help me. But the ice wasn't thick enough for him and it cracked and he fell into the water." Tigerclaw looked into her clear, bright eyes for a moment. His gaze was searching, a little intimidating. As if they were well acquainted and he was trying to warn her. It gave Fireheart an uneasy feeling. 

  But after a heartbeat, he nodded and looked at Graystripe. " You'd better get yourself to Yellowfang before you freeze to death." The ThunderClan deputy stood up and stalked away, and Fireheart breathed a sigh of relief.

  Brackenpaw dipped his head respectfully, leaving Fireheart and his sister while he went to get some fresh-kill. Cinderpaw was just about to leave when Fireheart stopped her. "Aren't you even a bit frightened of Tigerclaw?" he asked curiously.

  "Why should I be?" replied Cinderpaw. "He's a great warrior. I admire him."

  Of course, why shouldn't she? Fireheart thought. He nodded at Cinderpaw to dismiss her. She hesitated a little, her eyes telling a different story from what she had said. Then she dipped her head and left him, heading towards Brackenpaw.

  Fireheart sighed. What was going on between Cinderpaw and Tigerclaw?

***

  Cinderpaw took a shaky breath. Tigerclaw sat in front of her, his eyes holding a glint of danger as he stared her down. "Are you sure you were telling me the truth back there?"

  "I'm sure." Anything to keep Fireheart safe. Cinderpaw looked at her paws. Lying was the best way to protect of all them. Even if she had to suffer the consequences.

  Tigerclaw looked up as a cat padded into the tiny spot behind one of the huge trees. "Darkstripe," he nodded at him. "Have you figured a path they should take?"

  Darkstripe dipped his head, eyes glancing at Cinderpaw for a moment before looking back up at Tigerclaw. "Yes. All is done."

  "Good. I hope you do not fail me this time," Tigerclaw growled. Darkstripe swallowed, flattening his ears.

  "I wish you had more faith in me."

  "You deserve none." He snarled in reply. Cinderpaw's tiny voice piped up, breaking the tense silence between them.

  "What path?"

  Tigerclaw's attention snapped back to Cinderpaw. He narrowed his eyes. "Nothing you need to worry about currently, Cinderpaw. But I promise you'll have a little taste of the plan about to unfold." His claws curled into the earth, tearing up fresh clumps of dirt.

  Cinderpaw shivered, flinching as Tigerclaw and Darkstripe stood and left the spot, leaving Cinderpaw alone with her thoughts. Fireheart, why couldn't you sense what I was trying to tell you? Why can't you see that I need you?

***

  Fireheart looked up at Bluestar in surprise. "Me and Sandstorm? Only two of us on a patrol?"

  Bluestar nodded. "Tigerclaw needs more warriors to patch up the dens for the coming leafbare."

  "And you?" Fireheart asked. "What do you want?"

  Bluestar stared at him in confusion. "What-what I want?"

  Fireheart nodded, stepping closer. He searched her eyes for the wisdom he used to see, for the understanding that he admired in her. But now it was gone. All he could see was sadness and tiredness, a strange weariness in her that he had never seen before.

  She stared at him for a while longer, then shook her head. "I'm sorry, I don't know what you're saying. Whatever Tigerclaw says is what's right. Just follow him."

  "But-"

  "No arguing with me, Fireheart." Bluestar snapped, turning back to go to her den. Fireheart stared after her, wondering what he could do when Sandstorm bumped into him, breaking his thoughts.

  "Hello there, partner!" She mewed enthusiastically. "We're going on a patrol together?"

  Fireheart purred. "Yes, we are." As they headed to the entrance, Fireheart couldn't help but notice Dustpelt talking to Tigerclaw. Sandstorm pointedly walked past Dustpelt, and judging from her posture, Fireheart could tell she was mad.

  He caught up to her as she sprinted to Fourtrees. Silently, he admired her speed. She was still two fox lengths ahead when she leaped over the trunk of a fallen tree and disappeared.

  Fireheart followed, taking the tree in a single bound. As he landed on the other side, something hit him from behind. He skidded, rolled over, and sprang to his paws.

  Sandstorm faced him, her whiskers twitching. "Surprise!"

  Fireheart hissed playfully and leaped on top of her. He was impressed by her strength, but he had the advantage of size. When he finally held her down, she protested, "Get off, you great lump!"

  "Okay, okay!" Fireheart purred, letting go of her. "But you asked for it!"

  Purring, they completed their rounds and made it back to camp.

***

  Fireheart tossed and turned in his nest. All he could think about was Spottedleaf. Her face flashed across his mind, whispering words in her sweet voice... Spottedleaf, I miss you so much...

  I miss you too, Fireheart. I'm waiting for you, here in StarClan. Don't forget me.

  I'll never forget you... Suddenly, Tigerclaw's face flashed up in his mind, and Fireheart felt the whole day's grudges bear down on him again, forcing him awake with a small cry.

  When he lifted his gaze, he met Sandstorm's hurt ones. Her green eyes shone with sadness and hurt. "Sandstorm?" He muttered, confused. It was in the middle of the night. "What are you still doing awake?"

  "You were crying out in your sleep. I couldn't help but hear..." Sandstorm swallowed. "Never mind. It isn't important."

  "Sandstorm..."

  "It's okay. Just... leave me alone." Sandstorm whispered, curling back into her nest, right beside Dustpelt.

  Sighing, Fireheart turned his back on them and tried to sleep. 

Author's Note:

New chapter up! :) What did you guys think of this chapter? I included a few scenes of Fireheart and Sandstorm, a little bit of Cinderpaw and Tigerclaw... Yea, I'm sorry this took so long to write, I was kinda busy. And how dare Fireheart still think about Spottedleaf :/ I feel sorry for Sandstorm, but seems like she has Dustpelt ;)

  Anyway, I want to thank a certain person out there for making me smile today. And thank you to all of you too! I don't know where I'd be without you guys :) 

  Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, see ya' soon!

~Jayhow 😜