Firepaw returned to the camp behind Mousefur. The ThunderClan warrior hadn't spoken to her since he confessed his 'love' for Sandpaw to her.

"Hey there kittypet how was hunting with Mousefur?" He heard Sandpaw sneer. Mousefur looked at the young apprentice scornfully.

"It was fine." She spat and turned away. She approached Willowpelt and Runningwind and began to murmur something in a low voice. Firepaw was afraid she was telling them about what happened while they were out hunting.

"Mousefur huh? You didn't do to bad for yourself there Firepaw." An admiring voice came from behind him. Firepaw turned to see Tigerclaw standing with Darkstripe behind him. Darkstripe shrugged.

"I've seen better." He said. Tigerclaw looked at him with interest.

"Who?" He inquired. Darkstripe ignored his former mentor. He just looked up at the sky. He muttered something inaudible and stalked away. Firepaw looked at Tigerclaw.

"What was that about?" He asked. The tabby warrior shrugged.

"Got me." He answered. He then looked at Firepaw with a half grin half sneer on his face.

"Tell Mousefur I say congratulations." Firepaw nodded at him.

"Of course Tigerclaw." He answered. He really couldn't understand the senior warrior. Sometimes he seemed to be okay with Firepaw, but other times he was a complete jerk. Right now he couldn't tell which one Tigerclaw was trying to be. A joking friend or a sneering pest. He shrugged it off. He knew he couldn't give Mousefur Tigerclaw's message so he decided to go visit Spottedleaf. He wanted to let her know about the situation before anyone else got the chance. He was too late. He saw a sad look on the medicine cat's face and Longtail coming out of her den.

"Why are you coming to visit her instead of Mousefur?" He asked half jeering half curious.

"I have a bellyache." Firepaw answered. He did have an ache but he didn't know if it was his belly or his heart. He entered the den and saw the beautiful tortoiseshell mixing herbs.

"Spottedleaf-

"It's okay Firepaw, I understand. You thought you loved me, but you realized that you loved Mousefur more. And it would work better since I can't have a mate or kits." She said. Firepaw shook his head.

"No Spottedleaf, I don't love Mousefur it was a lie. I said that so Lionheart wouldn't find out that I loved you. You said you wanted to keep us a secret so I wanted to as well. You might not be able to mate and have kits, but we can find away around that. Love will find a way. If Kovu and Kiara can do it, then by StarClan, so can we." Firepaw declared. Spottedleaf looked at Firepaw with wide eyes.

"Who are Kovu and Kiara?" He asked.

"Oh they're from a movie. It's a Twoleg thing." He explained. Spottedleaf nodded. She brushed her muzzle across his flank.

"Are we still on for tonight?" She asked. Firepaw licked her ear.

"Of course, even if StarClan came down from Silverpelt and told me not to I would still come to be with you. I love you Spottedleaf." He said. He closed his eyes and breathed in her warm scent. Nothing could bother him right now.

"How sentimental. It almost brings a tear to me eye." A gruff voice sneered. Except that. Firepaw knew who he would see standing at the den. Tigerclaw had the biggest grin Firepaw had ever seen.

"Mousefur indeed." He said with gleaming eyes. Firepaw knew he was screwed for sure.

"Don't worry, I won't tell. I wouldn't betray my own kin." He said flicking his eyes at Spottedleaf. "But in all fairness I think you owe me a favor." He said smoothly. Firepaw moaned. What was Tigerclaw going to have him do? The dark warrior just winked at him.

"I don't know yet but when I have an idea I'll let you know." He replied. He then looked at Spottedleaf.

"The medicine cat and the kittypet. StarClan's probably laughing their tails off at this." Tigerclaw laughed. He then left the two lovers alone in the medicine cat den. His departure was followed by an awkward silence. Say something Firepaw, the apprentice thought. He opened his mouth to speak but the medicine cat spoke first.

"Firepaw…I don't think this is going to work." Spottedleaf whispered. Firepaw looked at Spottedleaf in horror.

"What, why?" He asked.

"Because Tigerclaw found out. I know he's my kin but I wouldn't trust him with a secret like this. Plus I don't know what kind of favor he'll have you do and me won't make you just do one. As long as we're together he'll manipulate you into doing what he wants. Plus someone else could find out." Spottedleaf explained. Firepaw knew what the she-cat said made sense but he just shook his head.

"No." He said firmly. "So what if Tigerclaw knows that we're in love. It's not like the whole clan knows." Firepaw assured. Spottedleaf nodded.

"I guess your right." She agreed and buried her muzzle in his flank. As happy as Firepaw was at being with his lover he couldn't shake the feeling that something ominous was lurking just around the corner and somehow Tigerclaw and his knowledge of their secret was at the heart of it.