Okay, so this is my own little collection of Warriors songfics - of course, everyone knows that songfics are illegal, so I'm not posting lyrics. But I will include titles and disclaimers to all songs used. Hope everyone enjoys the first installment!

My Hero
A FireXCinder songfic
Song: My Hero by Paramore.

There he was.

Her hero.

She couldn't help but stare, her gaze drawn to his flame-colored pelt as it glowed in the sunlight, dazzling her senses until nothing but he remained. She felt a bit warm under the fur, but she still couldn't look away as he padded over to a group of warriors to speak a moment. She could hear his mew, but she couldn't make out the words.

With a quiet sigh, she remembered the short time she had spent as his apprentice. Those were probably the best days of her life, if she were being completely honest with herself. Back then, she'd wanted nothing more to become a warrior just like he was, to be just like him. She purred when she thought of how much trouble she'd been back then, and how patient he was with her.

She remembered how, when she'd been injured, he came and saw her every day. Even when she didn't want to see him. She'd been so... hurt, both physically, and mentally. Her spirit had taken a hit when they'd told her she'd never be able to be a warrior after the twoleg monster had hit her. But he had stayed with her, even though he couldn't be her mentor anymore.

He was her best friend.

And now here he was, bright and shining in the sun, clan leader. She wasn't surprised at all when Bluestar had announced he would be deputy. He was one of the most respectable, trustworthy, loyal warriors in the clan. And he was an excellent, fair leader.

And she knew he'd make a wonderful father to his kits. With a bittersweet pull of her heart, she watched Sandstorm pad out of the nursery, her milky scent washing over her on the breeze as she walked over to her mate's side. She forced herself to be happy for the two of them - they made a good couple, he and Sandstorm. It was obvious he loved her with all his heart, and she returned his love just as strongly.

And their two kits were beautiful, so, so beautiful. They'd opened their eyes only a few days ago. A tiny ginger she-kit, with eyes so much like her father's, and a feisty personality to match her mother's. And her sister, a tabby with eyes of amber, who was more like her father in demeanor. She was so happy for him - and for Sandstorm.

But she couldn't help but long for what Sandstorm had. That she-cat was the luckiest in the world, and she hoped the ginger she-cat realized just what she had. She hoped she realized just how special he was, and how much she didn't deserve him. And she hoped that Sandstorm never messed it up, because he didn't deserve to have his heart broken by some stupid she-cat who was too blind to see all that he was.

She only looked away when he turned to look down at his mate, his green eyes lighting up with a fire that she could only imagine. Part of her wished to have him looking at her that way, but the logical, medicine-cat side of her told her that it just wasn't meant to be. Medicine cats couldn't have mates, and she could never let him break the warrior code for her. He was too important to her, and she would never let him ruin his life, even if it meant being with her.

And she was willing to live her life hurting, wondering what might have been, and never bringing it to the light of day, so long as he was happy. She would give up everything, anything, for him, including her life. Because she loved him enough to let him go.

She loved him...

"Cinderpelt?"

She was startled by a quiet mew from one of the apprentices, Rainpaw. The gray tom looked up at her, curiosity in his blue eyes. She quickly forced herself to brighten up, looking down at the apprentice. "What can I do for you, Rainpaw?"

"I need some mouse-bile - Cloudtail put me on elder duty today," he twitched his whiskers and flicked his tail, clearly not thrilled with the idea of searching the elders for ticks.

"Of course," she paused, her pelt tingling for a moment. "You go on ahead. I'll be right behind you." He blinked, but nodded and padded off towards her den. She looked over her shoulder, and blue eyes met emerald as she saw him watching her. She stared into his eyes for only a moment, but in that moment she realized all that could have been, but could never be. She twitched her whiskers at him, before turning her back and limping towards her den, cursing her hind-leg for being such a nuisance.

He was her leader, her best friend, and her one and only love.

But more importantly, he was her hero.

Hope you all enjoyed it enough to review! Now, this one is actually a two-parter - the next part should be up... sometime, haha. Whenever I get it written. Peace, everybody!

The Warriors series belongs to Erin Hunter. My Hero belongs to whomever wrote it.