A/N: Many thanks to my fantastic reviewers! I've paragraphed both chapters for you, as I was asked. So ENJOY! I wanted to explore the difinitive moment when Sandstorm chose Firestar over Dustpelt. Such drama! Review and you will get another chapter pronto! Completely FREE!

Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors or any of the characters. Erin Hunter does. I do own this story though, so no stealing!

2

Firestar sat stunned for a minute, then a deep purr broke from his throat. He pressed his muzzle against her flank and twined his tail with hers. When he was finally able to speak, he said, "I hope they'll be as beautiful as their mother." Sandstorm purred and licked his ear. Images of orange-coated kits danced in front of his eyes. Kits! He was going to be a father!

They wandered back to camp, tails twined together. Goldenflower waited nearby.

"I'd never mistake the signs of a young she-cat with her first litter," she said. "Cinderpelt is young, and there have been no kits in camp since she became medicine cat. You'll soon be moving into the nursery, Sandstorm!"

Sandstorm stiffened. "I'm not ready to be a queen yet. I can still hunt! I can do my warrior duties. There's no need . . ." Goldenflower bundled her off to the nursery as Graystripe hurried up.

"Sandstorm is going to have my kits!" said Firestar, then stopped, realizing that those were exactly the words Graystripe had used about Silverstream.

But Graystripe was not offended. "Wow, congratulations! Looking at you and Sandstorm, I'm guessing they'll have very orange coats . . ."

"What's this?" asked Mousefur. "Our mighty leader is going to be a father! Well, well. I suppose we all knew you've been Sandstorm's mate for moons . . ."

"And been padding after her for a few seasons before that," teased Graystripe.

The rest of the clan started gathering around, offering congratulations. Even Dustpelt managed a curt nod. He had been in love with Sandstorm for seasons, and resented her choice of Firestar over him. But he had found new love in Fernpaw, and was learning to make peace with the past. Firestar nodded back.

A few minutes later, he broke away from the crowd and hurried over to the nursery to see Sandstorm. He pushed through the brambles into the sheltered nursery. Goldenflower had made Sandstorm comfortable on a bed of moss next to Willowpelt, despite Sandstorm's protests.

"Really, Goldenflower, I'm not a kit! And there's no need for me to stay in the nursery.

"Nonsense," said Goldenflower. "You're a queen now, and this is your first litter. You'll need an experienced hand to guide you through."

"Do you want some fresh-kill?" asked Firestar. Sandstorm nodded. "I could do with a mouse or two."

They shared their meal, munching thoughtfully. "I wonder if they'll be he-kits, she-kits, or both?" said Firestar. "And we'll have to start thinking of names," said Sandstorm. "I'm sure at least one of them will have an orange coat, so maybe Flamekit or Cedarkit . . ."

Firstar's thoughts drifted back, farther back, to when Sandstorm had been an apprentice and he a new warrior . . .

"Want to see Frostfur's new kits?" Fireheart asked Graystripe. "Sure," said Graystripe, and they bounded over to the nursery.

Sandpaw was there, watching the kits roll around playfully just outside the nursery. "Aren't they beautiful? said Frostfur.

"Yes!" said Graystripe enthusiastically.

"Graystripe!" shouted Longtail. "Patrol!" Graystripe bounded off.

Frostfur nodded. "Time to go in, kits," she said. Two of the kits wandered into the nursery, but the last stayed out.

"Do I have to go in?" whined a golden brown tomkit.

"Yes, Brakenkit, you do," said Frostfur.

Brakenkit scowled. "I won't," he pouted.

"Brakenkit," said Sandpaw, "You're mother's right. Aren't you hungry? It's time to eat."

"I want to play," squeaked Brakenkit.

"Then you're in luck," said Sandpaw gently. "You've got moons and moons of play ahead of you. Then you'll be an apprentice and get to do important training to become a warrior! But for now you can play and play and play. Right now, though, it's time to eat."

"Oh . . . okay," said Brakenkit. He wobbled into the nursery.

"Thank you, Sandpaw," said Frostfur. "Someday you'll be a great mother." She went into the nursery, leaving Sandpaw looking embarrassed but pleased.

"Do you want to be a queen?" asked Fireheart cautiously. "You are really good with kits." Sandpaw's eyes flashed up to meet his own.

"Yes," she said quietly. "I think all she-cats want to have their own kits someday. After I'm a respected warrior, and if I find the right mate, who knows? . . . do you want father kits?"

Fireheart thought for a moment. "Yes," he said. "I guess. I'm not the best with kits, but I could learn. And it would be a wonderful thing to make kin with a cat you love. If I find the right mate, who knows?"

Fireheart felt his pelt tingling warmly as she gazed at him. Then Dustpaw called across the clearing. "Hey, Sandpaw, let's go hunting! Leave the great warriors to their affairs."

The warmth left Fireheart, and in its place was a cold paw around his stomach. He knew Dustpaw had been padding after Sandpaw for moons. He thought Sandpaw liked him, but maybe not. Sandpaw glanced towards Dustpaw. For a moment, indecision flickered in her green eyes. They flicked from Fireheart to Dustpaw and settled on Dustpaw.

Can I have lost her? thought Fireheart. Is Dustpaw the mate she wants? I thought we had something special . . .

Sadness filled Sandpaw's eyes. Fireheart knew what she was thinking as clearly as if she had said it out loud. Dustpaw wants to be more than friends. He'll never be content without that. And he's afraid Fireheart is ruining his chances.

"No thanks, Dustpaw," said Sandpaw. Fireheart saw sadness in her for a friendship that might die with this choice, but no regret. As Dustpaw slunk out of the camp, she turned her deep green eyes to him.

"Want to go hunting?" she asked. And Fireheart knew he had won. Whatever challenges their relationship might hold in the future, he was the one she wanted. Sandpaw had made her choice.

Firestar turned to look at Sandstorm beside him. They had come a long way since then. And he felt in Sandstorm's whole being, in her face, her voice, the sparkle in her eyes, that she was content with her choice, and that each of them had found the right mate.

A/N: I like reviews. A lot. Plus I have 8 beautiful chapters written up, waiting for you! No flames, but constructive criticism is welcome.