Fireheart lay outside the warriors den. He looked up at the rising sun and trotted over to Tigerclaw to find out what patrol he was on. Tigerclaw called Fireheart to him and Fireheart hurried over.
"Fireheart, you will be checking on the borders along with Graystripe, Sandstorm, Dustpelt, and Darkstripe." Tigerclaw stalked away and went into Bluestar's den.
"Hey, Graystripe, Sandstorm, Dustpelt, Darkstripe we're going to check the borders." Fireheart called. He waited until everyone was there and set off.
The borders were clear with no sign of attack. Fireheart thought he heard cat screeching through the ferns as he approached the tunnel. He pushed his way through the bracken and saw cats fighting in the clearing. Bluestar. Fireheart thought. He rushed to Bluestar's den.
"Hello, Bluestar. I've waited a long time for this." Fireheart heard Tigerclaw say. Fireheart stuck his head inside the den to see what was going on. He watched in horror as Tigerclaw stuck his thorn sharp claws into Bluestar's belly. The blue warrior screeched and she fell to the floor - a still, unmoving figure.
Fireheart looked away. He couldn't see any more of it. He couldn't believe the leader he had known for so long could be dead, and Tigerclaw, her own deputy, would kill her. Fireheart ran away before Tigerclaw would come out and find out he witnessed what he had done.
Fireheart ran blindly into the fray so full of rage and sadness he fought any unfamiliar cat he saw. He had to choke back tears through all of it until he heard Tigerclaw yell, "Enough." as he walked outside of Bluestar's den. Tigerclaw hopped onto the High Rock and let out a loud yowl.
"Listen, Clanmates. Bluestar is dead." Tigerclaw said so full of sadness Fireheart almost believed that Tigerclaw had no idea what happened. There were shocked mews that sounded across the clearing. "And do not harm any more of these rogues, they will be your new Clanmates now." This brought even more shocked mews.
Fireheart looked away and stared at his paws as Tigerclaw continued, but he payed no attention to what Tigerclaw said he knew Tigerclaw was lying. He waited until Tigerclaw finished speaking and walked to the tunnel entrance, his tail dragging. When he had gotten to the end of the tunnel entrance he ran like mad when he knew no one was looking. He couldn't hold back his tears, they were streaming down his face as he ran.
When he finally thought he got far enough away so no one could hear him, he began to mourn for Bluestar. He began to feel a presence near him. He felt fur brush his shoulder so he looked to his side, but he didn't see anything. Suddenly he saw a faint shape in front of him. It looked like Bluestar, but she was beginning to fade.
"Fireheart, you are so much more than you think. You have a great destiny in front of you." she said.
Then there was a rustling in the bushes. Fireheart crept forward and sniffed, he smelled Sandstorm. He went even further into the bush and clashed heads with Sandstorm. They both grunted then fell backwards.
"Sandstorm, what are you doing here?" Fireheart asked.
"I just got here. I saw you leave and when you didn't come back I decided I would follow you", she replied. "I..I was worried about you."
"Why?" he asked very confused. Why would Sandstorm worry about me. he thought.
"Because... because I...I..I love you." she said shyly then she looked away.
Sandstorm loves me. Fireheart thought. He wasn't sure what he was feeling now, but it felt good. So he said, "I love you to." Sandstorm looked back at him and they looked at each other for what seemed like ages then Fireheart licked Sandstorm's ear.
They walked back to camp together with their tails twined. When they exited the tunnel the cats were crowded around the entrance.
"Oh, Fireheart, thank Starclan you've finally come back. Tigerclaw was right when he said you'd come back later."
"What do you mean?" Fireheart asked. He looked around to see all the anxious faces.
Mousefur approached him and said, "You mean you don't know. Your the new Clan deputy."
"What?" Fireheart asked still very confused. Why would Tigerclaw choose me as deputy? I thought he hated me.
Then Fireheart saw Tigercaw approaching him, he stepped forward to meet Tigerclaw. "Congratulations, new Clan deputy." he said with a sneer on his face. Tigerclaw narrowed his eyes and turned away.
What's he up to? Fireheart thought. Sandstorm came and rubbed her head against his chin and he nuzzled her back. They got up and walked to the warriors den together.
Sandstorm and Fireheart shared tongues for a few moment before they went to sleep. As hard as he tried Fireheart could not fall asleep. Tigerclaw was up to something and he wanted to know what it was. Fireheart got up careful not to disturb Sandstorm and got out of the warriors den.
He snuck around camp until he came up to the leader's den. Tigerclaw was in there and he wasn't alone. Fireheart got as close as he could to the den without getting found out. He angled his ears in the direction of the conversation inside. It was muffled but he could still hear what they were talking about.
"Listen, Boulder. I told you it's only temporary. As soon as he messes something up trust me, I won't be as patience as Bluestar with it. He won't last long I'll make sure of that." Fireheart heard Tigerclaw say. "And when I get my nine lives tomorrow there will be no mercy in this Clan for cats who do not honor the warrior code or follow orders. Anyone who steps up to me will be finished."
"I see. Well I will try my absolute hardest to be an example of what is to be expected around here."
"Good. Now I need to rest for my ceremony tomorrow. I'll be back in about two days."
"Okay. I'll be sure to keep and eye on you-know-who. I'll report everything to you when you get back."
"Excellent, now get out."
Fireheart raced back to his den and hoped his scent wouldn't give him away. He peeked out of the den, but the cat Tigerclaw was talking to didn't seem to notice his scent. He found a place to relax and scooted in next to Sandstorm and tried to go to sleep. Eventually sleep came over him and he drifted into darkness.