(I think it's a known fact that Cinderpelt loved Firestar, so I wanted to write something that involved her pain from watching him be mates with Sandstorm and have kits)
Cinderpelt watched Firestar go into the nursery, a proud glint in his green eyes. Four moons ago Sandstorm had given birth to two beautiful she-kits, one a ginger like her father with a ginger paw and tail tip, the other a light brown tabby with white paws and underbelly. Cinderpelt's heart ached, while she loved Sandstorm's kits and did everything in her power to make sure the kits were healthy, she still had feelings for Firestar, feelings that made her restrain the occasional urge to hiss and slash at Sandstorm's pretty face, but she never did. In fact, she was the one who introduced the idea of Sandstorm as a mate to Firestar, she delivered his kits, provided for the new queen, made sure the kits were well and pushed aside the pain of loving him. Picking up a small bundle of herbs for sandstorm she limped out to the nursery, 'If only… Don't dwell Cinderpelt, at least Bluestar survived for many moons after the incident and left the clan in capable paws.'
"Cinderpelt?" Sandstorm spoke from where she and Firestar were sharing a mouse while the two she-kits were nibbling on a small vole. Leafkit's eyes lit up and she scrambled over to the medicine cat as she put down the herbs and pushed them towards Sandstorm with a paw.
"Cinderpelt!" Leafkit squealed excitedly, "What's that?" She sniffed the herbs before licking a leaf and drawing back at the taste, "It's yucky!"
"That's a strengthening mix of herbs Leafkit," Cinderpelt purred, leaning over and licking the tabby kit's fur flat, "It keeps other animals from eating them."
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"Firestar, I think Leafkit is destined to be a medicine cat." Cinderpelt meowed to her leader, wrapping her tail around her paws, right leg out at a funny angle.
"Will you accept her as your apprentice?"
"Of course, I'd be honored to be your daughter's mentor." She meowed in reply, her heart aching as she said the words. She watched the proud leader ponder over the idea, shining green eyes thoughtful, flame-colored fur laying flat and smooth. She looked away from him, looking down at the injured limb that prevented her from having the life she wanted. She was broken out of her thoughts when he spoke,
"Then she'll be a medicine cat. Thank you, Cinderpelt."
"I'm honored to teach her Firestar, I'll teach like better than Yellowfang taught me." She promised him and herself, she wouldn't take out her hurt feelings on the young cat she would teach that happened to be his daughter with Sandstorm as the mother.
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Hissing loudly Cinderpelt fended off the badger trying to attack Sorreltail, 'I'm sorry Firestar, Sandstorm forgive me. Leafpool, I hope you come back to the clan.' She attacked the Badger, her injured leg preventing her from making any good attacks. Getting thrown into the den wall moments later her vision went fuzzy and she could see, she felt blood splashing onto the ground. 'Forgive me Firestar, I tried. I still love you.' Then her vision blackened and her body gave a jerk before going limp. Thunderclan's long and trusted medicine cat was dead. Leafpool burst into the den with a howl of misery, amber eyes wide, light tabby pelt ruffled and fluffed up. Sorreltail gave a heave and a small kit emerged from under her tail, she freed the kit who squealed and cried, seemingly confused and anxious, strikingly familiar to the cat who's blood stained the ground in a final defense.
