Chapter 11: Something to Talk About

By the time Fireheart and the returning warriors arrive back at came, the sky was glowing pink as dawn was beginning to rise on the horizon. Spottedleaf glances at what once was her beautiful home. The came will never look the same as she notices the signs of late greenleaf closing in. She looks at Fireheart and with a sigh she softly meows, "Will it ever be the same?"

Fireheart looks exhausted as he looks out over the ravine, "One day," he promises her, "We've been through bad times before, we will overcome this as well. We'll survive." He then pusses his muzzle into her flank and soaking in her beauty and love. Spottedleaf sent him a reassuring purr to him as he moves away from her side.

Spottedleaf watches as the rest of the remaining warriors went in, but a figure stops her. She moves stops by the entrance tunnel not letting Spottedleaf in. "Sandstorm..wha.."

"What kind of game are you playing?" Sandstorm hisses.

Spottedleaf looks at her with her soft amber gaze, "Game?"

"You and Fireheart. I see the way you look at him, as well as he looks to you. You can't have him, you are a medicine cat!" Sandstorm growls. "It's against the code as well as the Clan!"

"Was….I was the medicine cat. Not anymore, as of a few dawns ago, I stepped down, and retired, so technically I am not bound by StarClan's law….not anymore." Spottedleaf stated.

"Is that why you chose Cinderpelt as your apprentice so you can mate with Fireheart?" Sandstorm moves closer to Spottedleaf forcing Spottedleaf to back out of the tunnel.

"No!" Spottedleaf meows, "Cinderpelt was chosen by StarClan not me…it was StarClan's will."

"Just like it was StarClan's will for you to fall in love with a warrior, while you were a medicine cat!" Sandstorm growls. "I wonder what the whole clan will know what you have done. You have betrayed everything! You are a traitor just like Tigerstar!"

Spottedleaf looks at her niece as she threatens her, "I'm no traitor! I didn't murder a cat for power."

"No but you defied the code that was written to you! You think that the code doesn't apply to you? In fact will go and tell Bluestar what you have done and expose your romance with Fireheart right now…." Sandstorm looks at the entrance to the camp then back at her aunt. "But I won't….unless.."

Spottedleaf looks to her niece, "Unless what…"

"You end it with him. Fireheart should be mine. Everyone knows and is wanting him and I to be mates, never you. You made your choice by being a medicine cat, and sacrifice your chance at love. Fireheart is all I ever wanted, and I had been wanting and waiting for him to accept my offer as mates. I won't expose your romance with him, because I love him and he is the true warrior of ThunderClan….I won't risk him being banish either…..that is why I am giving you this one chance to end it so that it will spare him." Sandstorm narrows her eyes. Then she turns to padded in the camp. Just before she turns she looks at her aunt with disgust, "You have until next sun down to end it, otherwise you give me no choice but to turn you in."

Spottedleaf was left alone in the pale light. The words that poured out of her nieces mouth was like an adder sinking its venom into her heart and squeezing her throat tight. Her heart was broken, and she doesn't know what to do now. Spottedleaf doesn't want to lose the one thing that is holding her in place, but she also doesn't want to banished from the Clan. She then bows her head and goes into the camp. She notice that the cats was forming near the elder's den where Fireheart was. Spottedleaf stands back as she sees Sandstorm keeping a close eye on her.

"Listen all of you," he meowed. "There's something you need to hear. Whitestorm will tell you what happened at the Gathering." He pauses as the white tom stepped forward. "And then I want a dawn patrol."

"Ashpaw and I will go." Dustpelt offered.

"I'll go too," Mousefur added in.

"and me," followed by Cloudpaw.

Fireheart nodded to the volunteered cats for the dawn patrol, "Dustpelt, Mousefur, Cloudpaw and Ashpaw, then," he meowed. "The rest of you get some sleep. We'll need hunting patrols later on."

"And what about you?" Asks Darkstripe.

Fireheart closes his eyes and then peers up at Bluestar's den, "I'm going to speak to Bluestar."

Spottedleaf then walks to the elder's den where she sees One-Eye, and Dappletail talking about the news of Tigerstar as leader of ShadowClan. Spottedleaf . Spottedleaf then padded to her apprentice's den which used to be her own. She needed some advice on what to do now.

Spottedleaf waited there for a few moments and then she sees her former apprentice limping in. "Spottedleaf, you are back so soon. Here to check up on me." Cinderpelt cracked a smile.

Spottedleaf tries to give one in return but failed to do so. And Cinderpelt picked it up, "What's wrong?"

"I need some advice." Spottedleaf came out with it.

"Uh oh….that isn't good…normally it is me who asks you for advice not the other way around.. What is up?" Cinderpelt stated as she looks at her former mentor.

"Sandstorm knows…." Spottedleaf got down to the point.

"Knows…about…what?" Cinderpelt squinted her eyes, and then looking at Spottedleaf's face told her what, "oh…"

Spottedleaf then got up and started to pace, "I don't know what to do, Cinderpelt…."

Cinderpelt came to her mentor and places her paw on hers, "What did she say exactly? Does the whole Clan know!"

Spottedleaf shook her head, "No…not yet….she won't expose it unless I end it with Fireheart…by tomorrow at dawn." Spottedleaf then now is in tears. She then sank to the ground and her heart breaks. "I don't want to be banished from my Clan, over my stupidness of falling in love! But I also don't want to feel that my body is dying because of giving up the one I love the most. Tell me what to do? Tell me what to do!"

Cinderpelt looks to StarClan then looks back at her once strong willing leader, as she sees the weakness upon her now. Cinderpelt looks to her and places her paw under her chin, "Spottedleaf, what is the one thing you taught me when I was uncertain about something in medicine."

Spottedleaf dries her tears a little, "Trust in StarClan."

"Yes that. But what else." Cinderpelt stated.

She looks at the young gray she-cat. And then sees the cripple leg that Cinderpelt managed to live by after the fatal accident that happen last leaf-bare. Spottedleaf then answers her former apprentice's question, "Following my heart."

Cinderpelt nodded, "And what does your heart tell you…"

Spottedleaf shook her head, "I don't know…."

Cinderpelt looks to her, "Yes you do….you'll figure it out when the moment comes." Cinderpelt then goes and heads to the back to mix the herbs she had found.

"How?" Spottedleaf asks.

"StarClan will give you an answer…..you'll know in your heart what the right thing is." Cinderpelt stated.

Spottedleaf looks at her former apprentice and sees the true wisdom in her young eyes. It is almost as if their roles has been reversed somehow, that Cinderpelt is now Spottedleaf's teacher. Spottedleaf then left the den and made her way to the grave site to seek council with StarClan.

Once Spottedleaf enters the grave site, she padded over to her mother's grave and prayed to her fellow ancestors for guidance. I feel so lost, oh StarClan….why must my relationship be brought out of secrete now? Is this some kind of test of fate? Please I am hurting, I can't take another loss. If I give up my love for Fireheart and watch him be in the paws of another she-cat, I might as well have died back when Yellowfang had saved me. Because that is what I will feel, if I see him and Sandstorm together….Maybe all of this was for my own personal gain, and maybe it was your will to have him and my niece together. I am so confused. Please help me.

"No this is not all of your personal gain, Speckles.." A familiar voice spoke out to her.

Spottedleaf looks up from her mother's grave and sees a cat she did not expect to be praying to. "Redtail?"

In spirit Redtail came to her. He stands a few feet from his mother's grave. "Nice to see you again, sis."

"But why you….why did they.." Spottedleaf stares at her brother in disbelief.

"And not our own mother…because of the corral relation that you are having with my own daughter. The sent me for a reason." Redtail stated.

Spottedleaf looks down not wanting to look into his amber gaze, "I didn't want this to happen….If I could, I wish this burden will be taken from me. I know you must be pretty angry with me by taking your daughter's mate away. I'm sorry…"

Redtail looks at her with some anger in his eyes, "Well….when I had heard the news long ago by Sunstar, I was angry at you for a while. And was shocked even."

Spottedleaf stares at him, "But you're not…"

Redtail shook his head, "How can I be angry when it all ready written when Goosefeather gave you that omen early last greenleaf. Fire Alone will save Our Clan. That Fire, is not fire of the forest, what Bluestar claimed it was, Spottedleaf, but to a flame pelted cat. And along with that prophecy, which was passed down by an ancient Clan, that a medicine cat, will raise dangerous waters by betray the warrior code, to define the love of a warrior. I believed it was Yellowfang, but I was wrong, it was you."

"You mean…my love for Fireheart will cause a rift in the Clan!" Spottedleaf shouted.

"I'm not saying it will….but your love for each other might bring hope to our Clan. Or it could drown it." Redtail stated.

"What about Sandstorm…..she will expose my love for Fireheart tomorrow. What should I do?" Spottedleaf asks.

Redtail looks at his sister then in the distance he sees something in the future, as he spoke, "You know what you have to do in your heart. As mom always told us….when in doubt always listen to your heart. Your heart is wiser, than your head. Trust your instincts Speckles. You are going to need them soon." Redtail then went to licks his baby sister's head, "I will be watching over…and that Fireheart….StarClan has big plans for him. You keep him close to you. You are going to need his love and strength for what is coming."

"What is coming?" Spottedleaf asks, but Redtail doesn't answer her.

"I love you, Speckles…." Redtail utter his final words to her as then he was gone which then brought Spottedleaf back to her realm of reality.

"Spottedleaf?" A voice called her back to reality. Spottedleaf looks up and sees Fireheart looking at her. "You okay?"

Spottedleaf looks to him, "Who told you I was here."

"No one…I looked in the elder's den and you weren't there. Then something in my heart lead me here. What is going on?" Fireheart asks.

Spottedleaf looks to him as her heart was torn. "Nothing….I need to talk with Bluestar."

Fireheart looks to her, "I don't think that is such a good idea.."

Spottedleaf looks at him, "I have to tell her something. Is she stable so I can talk with her?"

"Yes. But Spottedleaf remember what happen in RiverClan. The way she struck you…I think you will upset her more." Fireheart searches her eyes.

"I know….but I really need to talk to her, please Fireheart." Spottedleaf insisted.

"Did StarClan spoke to you?" Fireheart asks to why she wants to talk with the leader.

"That is between me and Bluestar." Spottedleaf stated.

Fireheart nodded as he understood. Spottedleaf then dismisses herself from him, as she makes it back to camp, with him following her. In the distance near the fresh kill pile she saw Sandstorm as she and Frostfur where discussing about something. Her haunting threats came in her head, I will expose your relationship with Fireheart to the whole Clan, unless you end it with him. Then her brother's words came flooded into her mind, You know what you have to do in heart. As momma always told us, when in doubt always listen to your heart. Your heart is wiser. Trust your instincts Speckles. Then her apprentice words came into her head, Follow your heart. Spottedleaf knows what she has to do.

Spottedleaf then looks to Bluestar's den, and made her way to where her leader was. It was blacked by the fire, and curtain of vines that once sheltered the leader's den was now crisp vines. Exposing the den like an open sore. Spottedleaf took a deep breath and softly spoke out to her leader, "Bluestar."

The leader was curled in a ball on the far side of the den. When Spottedleaf spoke out the leader raises her head and looks at her once faithful medicine cat. "What is it Spottedleaf." Her tone was calmer than when she spoke to her in RiverClan, but still was not as warm and welcoming as it used to be.

Spottedleaf took a deep breath and sat a respectful distance from her leader, "There is something I want to confess to you, and I want you to hear it from me directly, than from the Clan."

That got her leader's attention as she sits up in her nest. The leader's gaze glowed in the dim lighting in her den. The Ice blue eyes narrows on her former medicine cat. Then Bluestar nodded for Spottedleaf to speak.

Spottedleaf took a deep breath and then came forth the truth about her love affair with Fireheart, "I am in love with Fireheart. Fireheart and I have been involved and had a secret love affaire with one another for quite some time. I know I shouldn't have, but I couldn't stopped it. I'm sorry for being breaking the code, and for all this to happen."

Spottedleaf looks at her leader just then. Bluestar stares at her. There was nothing in her blue gaze, then Bluestar sighs, "I kind of figure you were."

Spottedleaf eyes her leader in shock, "You are not going to banish me?"

Bluestar looks at her, "That's what I should do. For breaking the laws of warrior code, out of your own personal gain, but I won't. I suffered too much already and banishing Tigerclaw….or Tigerstar whatever the hell he is now." Then she eyes her medicine cat, "Cinderpelt told me that you stepped down, and she is now the medicine cat. She has informed me she will travel to Highstones here soon. My question is, did you choose her so you can be with Fireheart?"

Spottedleaf looks to her, "No! of course not. The reason I chose Cinderpelt as an apprentice, because she had no other way to serve her Clan. She wanted a place to belong after what happened to her. And I can see that she has real talent in medicine, and that this is her path to follow."

Bluestar nodded. "Very well….I appreciate you telling me the truth. I hate to have liars and traitors in my Clan! What you and Fireheart did was foolish on your part, and probably stupid. I know a thing or two about mingling in a foolish and a forbidden relationship." Bluestar looks down at her paws. "Who am I to judge and be a hypocrite, when I too, committed such a crime back in my young adult life."

Spottedleaf looks up at her as she eyes her with question, "You mean….you broke the code too?"

Bluestar nods, "Like Graystripe, I too fell in love, and still am in love, with the RiverClan former deputy. Oakheart was my mate that I chose. I knew it was wrong and went against everything I stood for, but I couldn't stop my heart for falling. I had three kits with him, as you know…you where there. But…I was up for a nomination of being deputy. I knew that with the kits I bore will pass me up for a chance to lead. One winter, I took the kits to Oakheart, and told him to care for them. I now regret that decision. Yes your dear friends in RiverClan, Mistyfoot, and Stonefur, are my kits." Bluestar pauses, "Not saying I approve of your relationship with Fireheart, but I won't judge it. Just be warn by your fellow Clanmates, that they may shun you when you public announce this."

Spottedleaf nods to her leader. "Thank you Bluestar for understanding."

"Don't thank me…just want you to fully understand what your consequences is by continuing on this path. And what the Clan may think of you. Both of you." Bluestar states.

Spottedleaf nods, "I know my risks. And I accepted them. But I got to trust my instincts and follow my heart. As my mother told me, trust my heart. I know in my heart, that I belong to Fireheart and he belongs to me. I couldn't help by falling in love with Fireheart, just like you couldn't help by falling in love with Oakheart. Love finds us when we least expect it would. And we can't help on who we love, it just happens."

Bluestar nods to her former medicine cat, "Then I greatly appreciate you confessing to me. You are not like your nephew, and I respect that."

Spottedleaf dips her head in return and then walks out of Bluestar's den. Evening was beginning to set as she makes her way to the fresh kill pile. She chose one for herself and padded over to where her new denmates is at. Fireheart was off training with Cloudpaw.

When evening came about Spottedleaf was soaking up the dying sun rays. She her heart pounded as Fireheart came to her. He purrs as he sits down and finally eats and enjoying her company. For the first time ever Spottedleaf made a romantic jester to him out in the open. She had no fear in her eyes just then….not even Sandstorm's threat could stop her. She is just too much in love with Fireheart to even care.

Fireheart took notice on that and stares at her, "You know cats are watching."

Spottedleaf smiles, "Let them watch….I am no longer a medicine cat, so there for, I am not breaking the code."

Fireheart then took that as an invitation as he moves closer to her and touches her like a lover would do. Then he tenderly meows to her, "Meet me outside of camp."

Spottedleaf picked up her ears at that, "What for?"

"You'll see." Fireheart winks.

When night came, Spottedleaf pretending that she was sleeping. When she knew that the last elder was fully asleep, she opens up her eyes, as she quietly made her way out of the elder's den. She was so quick, and her paw steps were so light, it almost was like she was a ghost. Fireheart was waiting for her at the edge of the clearing near the entrance tunnel. Spottedleaf bounded to him and together they slip out of camp.

Through the forest he came to small den. It was lined with beautiful flowers, and inside was light by late summer fireflies. Spottedleaf notice that he tried to restore the beauty the mating den once had before the fire ruined the magic touch. Suddenly flooded memories before the fire happen came to her as the night he had promised her to be his mate. Fireheart looks to her, "Remember this place back in leaf-bare where Cinderpelt almost.."

"Almost walked in on Tigerclaw and Goldenflower mating…" Spottedleaf giggles as she finishes Fireheart's sentence. "of course I know this place. Every cat in the Clan knows, that this is the mating den."

Fireheart then looks to her, "Well…..do you want to ….now that you are, not the medicine cat anymore?"

Spottedleaf looks to him and a hunger in her eyes shown in the quarter moonlight. Then she leans over and kisses him deeply and seductively giving him her answer. Fireheart took that as a yes, as he kisses her more fiercely and moves them inside the den without breaking contact of her lips.

There was flowers lined the den as well as fireflies. He had planned it for some time now. Spottedleaf had been yearning for Fireheart's tender touch for some time now, and after losing two more people she had loved, it seems right to be in this moment with her lover. Fireheart then moves onto of her as their souls joined together once more.

When the moon was slipping past the treetops Fireheart roles on his side, as he catches his breath from his wildest moment with her. "wow…..that was…"

Spottedleaf giggles as she lays on his chest still nuzzling his neck as he spoke, then she eyes him, "Intensifying."

Fireheart was thinking of another word, "Actually I was going to go with magical, but that works too. You are really good at this."

Spottedleaf kisses him lightly, "You are really good yourself," then she playfully adds, "For a kittypet."

That made both of them smile, then she snuggles into the warmth of his fur as he entwines his tail with hers, and warps his back legs in with hers. Spottedleaf felt him kissing the back of her neck. She smiles warmly at his touch. "Fireheart there is something I want to tell you…"

Fireheart pauses in kissing her, "What is that."

Spottedleaf decides to tell him what Sandstorm told her this morning, "After coming back from the Gathering,….Sandstorm…..Fireheart, she knows about us. And this morning she is threating to expose our relationship to the whole Clan. Unless…."

"Unless what?" Fireheart eyes her.

"Unless I end it now with you." Spottedleaf sighs.

Fireheart looks at her with worry in his eyes, "You are not going to break up with me, are you?"

Spottedleaf let out her breath she has exhaled, "I thought long and hard about it….and the truth is, I am moving forward with this. I am too much involved with you to ever be parted from you." Then she looks into his eyes, "As my mother always told me, to trust my instincts and follow my heart. This is the path I choose. I want a life with you Fireheart, I can't bare to see you in the paws of another she-cat."

Fireheart smiles then he asks her, "What about Sandstorms challenge?"

Spottedleaf nodded to that, "Well….let's get the Clan something to talk about."

Fireheart let out an amusing purr, and went to kiss her tenderly. After a brief moment of them making out, Spottedleaf snuggles in his embrace to listen to his thundering heart. Fireheart then slips something on her forepaw. Spottedleaf looks down and sees the familiar rope with a rare blue stone in it. It was Redtail's necklace. Spottedleaf looks at him and eyes him, "You are giving this back to me?"

"If you want to call it that…no…I am giving this to you as a symbol." Fireheart smiles.

"Symbol of what?" Spottedleaf ask.

"Giving you my heart and soul, and for being my mate for life. I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you until death tears us apart." Fireheart smiles. "You are the love of my life, Spottedleaf. I love you so much."

Spottedleaf shifts her body so she is fully facing him. Then she moves in and kisses him deeply. "You have my heart already. And consider that we had sex twice under StarClan, we already establish that we are mates for life."

Fireheart then looms over her body, then adds in, "How about we make it three times."

Spottedleaf looks at him, "twice in one night.. huh, you seem a little to cocky there Fireheart, you sure you are not tired after our…..pervious moment"

"I still have energy for one more go around. That is if you are up for it." Fireheart asks. Spottedleaf giggles as she sits up with him and let him make love to her once more.

They finally slept in their tight embraces as the second wave of sexual pleasure came and went. Spottedleaf wanted this moment to happen for quite some time now. She never expect to make love twice in one night.

The sun was beginning to seep into the den as she slept. Spottedleaf felt a light touch on her cheek, as she slowly opens up her pretty amber gaze. When she opens them, Fireheart's rich green emerald eyes is staring right back into hers. "Good morning my love" He tenderly spoke.

Spottedleaf let out a giddy laugh as she closes the gap to kiss him tenderly. When she pulls away he looks to her and sighs, and Spottedleaf ask, "What's wrong?"

"We have to get back to camp. As much as I love to be in your embrace, there is still work to be done in camp." Fireheart admitted.

Spottedleaf nods, "Yeah…I know."

"I had a great time with you though…..you really know how to get to me." Fireheart cracked a smile.

Spottedleaf nuzzles his matted fur as he led the way out of the den and back to camp. Shortly after they arrive back in camp, the returning dawn patrol with Whitestorm in the lead came into the camp. Whitestorm padded to Fireheart as they both nodded. "Any signs of ShadowClan?"

Whitestorm shook his head, "nothing. Just the usual scent markings along their border." Then he face squinted, "There was one thing, though."

Fireheart looks at Spottedleaf then at Whitestorm as his ears twitched, "What?"

"Not far from Snakerocks we found a whole stretch of undergrowth trampled down, and pigeon feathers scattered all over it."

"Pigeon feathers?" Spottedleaf asks.

"I haven't seen a pigeons for days. Is there some other Clan hunting in our territory?" Fireheart asks the senior warrior.

"I don't think so. The whole place reeked of dog." Whitestorm wrinkled his nose with disgust. "There was dog dirt there too."

"Oh a dog." Fireheart flicked his tail dismissively, "Well, we all know that Twolegs are always bringing their dogs into the forest. They run around, chase a few squirrels, and then the Twolegs take them home again." He let out a comforting purr. "The only unusual this is that it looks as if this one caught something."

Whitestorm still held a serious face, "All the same, I think you should tell the patrols to keep their eyes open."

"Okay." Fireheart nodded to him. Whitestorm then padded to the fresh-kill pile to eat.

Spottedleaf looks at him, "Do you think the dog will come back?"

Fireheart shook his head, "No…it is probably long gone, besides it will be cooped up in a nest somewhere. There is nothing to worry about, my love. We are safe."

Spottedleaf looks to him. Still she was uncertain about it. Something that night at the Gathering spooked her. She saw something in her nephew's eyes. Like he was planning something on his former Clan. Spottedleaf then dismisses the nagging feeling in her heart and went with Fireheart to choose something out of the fresh-kill pile.

"Look at this!" Cloudpaw complained as he pulls a vole out of the pile. "There's hardly a descent mouthful on it!"

"Prey is scarce," Fireheart meows as he reminded his apprentice, "Any creatures that survived the fire can't find much to eat themselves."

"We need to hunt again," Cloudpaw stated. He took a bit out of the vole and swallowed it, "I'll go as soon as I've finish this."

"You can come with me," Fireheart insisted. As he selected a magpie for himself. "I'm going to lead out a patrol later on."

"No, I can't wait," Cloudpaw mumbled through another mouthful. "I'm so hungry I could eat you." Then he looks at the ginger patch she-cat. "Brightpaw, do you want to come with me?"

Spottedleaf sees the young she-cat blush a bit. Then the young apprentice gazes at her mentor for permission. When Whitestorm nodded she turns back to Cloudpaw, "Ready when you are."

"All right then, but stay close." Fireheart stated.

"But the best prey is farther away, where the fire didn't reach." Cloudpaw object. "We'll be fine, Fireheart…I promise." Then he looks to Spottedleaf, "We'll hunt for the elders and queens." Then he swallows the rest of his vole and race off with Brightpaw to the camp entrance.

Fireheart calls out after them, "Stay away from Twolegplace!"

Whitestorm shook his head, "Apprentices…..Dawn patrol, and now they're off hunting. I wish I had their energy." He then clutches a blackbird in his jaws and carries if off to a spot where he would normally meet Willowpelt when she gets up.

Spottedleaf chuckles at Whitestorm's comment, and Fireheart turns his head, "What's so funny."

Spottedleaf looks to him, "You don't see it."

"See what?" Fireheart asks.

"Your apprentice and Brightpaw…I see the way he looks at her. Young love." Spottedleaf meows.

Fireheart looks to her, and returns her smile. There moment was cut short when Spottedleaf spotted, Sandstorm coming out of the warriors den. She looks at Fireheart and then back at her niece. Sandstorm zeros in on Spottedleaf as she makes her way to her aunt. Spottedleaf backed away from her and Fireheart steps in, "Do you want to come and hunt with me?" He asks as a diversion.

Spottedleaf notices her mood changed really rapidly. "Looks as if we need it." She surveys the pitiful few pieces of fresh-kill that remained. Then she turns to look at Fireheart only, giving Spottedleaf the cold shoulder, "Let's go now….I can wait to eat until we catch something." Sandstorm glares at Spottedleaf through narrow eyes. Then she turns to head toward the camp entrance.

Fireheart turns to look at his mate, "I did that for a reason."

Spottedleaf smiles to him, "Thank you….but you know she will pressure you."

"I know…which is why I asked her to go hunting with me. So I can tell her to back off from you, and confront her that I love you and not her, and I have chosen you I purposely dropped hints the night of the Gathering of claiming you as my mate, and no one else. Since you are free from the laws of being a medicine cat, why not make give the Clan something to talk about." Fireheart smiles.

Spottedleaf smiles with him but then a feeling nagged at her a bit, "Aren't you afraid of loosing your respect from the Clan? I mean after all that you managed to keep a good reputation."

Fireheart sees where Spottedleaf is going with this, then he replies, "Somewhat….but I don't strive for a good reputation. A true leader is measure by his heart and morals, not by power and good reps. If the Clan can't face the fact that I love you, then to hell with them. We are meant for one another Spottedleaf. I just know it. You said it last night, following your instincts…well this is my instinct." Fireheart then looks to her, "I'll be back by sunhigh, and give you a better juicy fresh-kill." Then he made his way over to Longtail and talk with him.

As soon as Fireheart left to go out hunting Spottedleaf enjoys her time with her sister and her new family. Spottedleaf pays a visit to her sister's new kits. "Nice to see you out and about." Spottedleaf stated as she smiles brightly.

"Yeah….they were driving me crazy. But StarClan promises good weather, I want them to enjoy this while it lasts." Replies Willowpelt. Then she caught onto her sister's happy mood, "What has gotten into you, you seem so…happy?"

Spottedleaf glances at her, "I am. I mean part of me will always be sad for losing both Patchpelt, and Yellowfang, but I can't keep on dwelling on their deaths. They would want me to keep living, which is what I am doing."

Willowpelt nods to her response but that is not the happiness she was referring to, "That was not what I meant by happy." Then she whispers to her, "You had sex didn't you?"

"What?" Spottedleaf meows in shock to her sister's question. "No, I didn't…"

"Speckles….I know that look. I had that look numerous times when Whitestorm and I….done it….even Redtail had that glow. It is not hard to miss…" Then in a low tone she meows to her, "You mated with Fireheart didn't you?"

Spottedleaf knows there is no fooling with her sister, and came out with the truth, "Yes….twice in fact last night."

Willowpelt still not happy what Spottedleaf is doing, but on the other hand, seeing her sister this happy made her somewhat happy for her. Willowpelt wishes she could say that she is happy for her, but she couldn't. All Willowpelt said to her was, "Just be cautious with what you do." Then she moves away from her to be with her kits.

For a split second she saw an amuse glimmer in her sister's eyes. So part of her is happy that her sister has found a mate, even if she doesn't admit it. Spottedleaf watches her sister as she meets with Whitestorm as he plays with his kits. Spottedleaf was happy to see the happiness in her sister's life again. With everything that has happened, Graystripe living in RiverClan, Redtail and Patchpelt are dead, she still manages to find love and be surrounded by cats that make her happy.

Sunhigh was just about here when Cloudpaw and Brightpaw return from hunting. Spottedleaf has spent most of mid morning with her new denmates, as she patently awaits for Fireheart's return. Cloudpaw came up and gave Spottedleaf a fatten mouse. "For you miss…"

"Oh….that is kind of you….but I um…" Spottedleaf was waiting on Fireheart to give her something.

"It's alright Cloudpaw…..young Speckles here is new to elder life, and is used to being feed a bit later." Smallear spoke out blocking Spottedleaf's words.

Cloudpaw looks at her and then to the older tom. "You still want this?"

The smell was making Spottedleaf's stomach growl and then she caves, "Yes….sorry, young one…I am not used to…"

Cloudpaw waved his tail, "It's fine….it is part of change I guess…well enjoy your meal. Smallear…I'll be back later on to hear about the haunting creek by Treecut place. I'll bring Brightpaw too…" Then Cloudpaw dashes off to go help the young she-cat.

Spottedleaf chuckles at his young spirit. Then she eyes Smallear, "The haunting creek?"

Smallear looks up from his magpie, "Yeah…what about…"

"You know it's not actually haunted?" Spottedleaf stated.

"I know…but it gives off a nice scary tale for the young ones. They buy into it like bees fly into honey. Besides, it's great story telling." Smallear chuckles as he gnaws at his meal.

Spottedleaf shook her head and then gazes out into the Clan. Her heart speed up faster the moment she saw Fireheart emerging from what used to be the gorse tunnel. He then caught her gaze from across the clearing and then he gave a signal to her to wait a few more moments. He had a fish in his jaws as he padded to what used to be her old den. Spottedleaf knew that he is going to feed Cinderpelt.

The sun was now passing the treetops as Fireheart comes out of the den and bounded across the the clearing to be with Spottedleaf. Spottedleaf found a small area that was in the shade with dappled sunlight shining as it made her fur so soft and beautiful. Fireheart came and sat down next to her, as she felt him nuzzling her cheek. "Good afternoon. Sorry for the delay of being near you.."

"It's fine….how did it go?" Spottedleaf stated.

"How did…what go?" Fireheart looks at her.

"Telling Sandstorm…." Spottedleaf reminded him when he created the diversion.

"Oh….that." Fireheart looks down at his paws then back into her eyes. "I told her the truth. That I am in love with you and not her, and chosen you as my mate. And also mention to her, of what you told me that she threatened you. I told her that I am deputy now, and I have the authority not her."

Spottedleaf spots with her licking of her forepaw, "And how did she handle it?"

"You know her…..she will be short tempered for awhile, but she will get past it. Just like how she was hostile when I first came to the Clan, but she got over it." Fireheart stated as he moves closer to Spottedleaf.

"She won't get over it Fireheart….." Spottedleaf meows.

"True…but at least she won't threaten you anymore. Besides I also told her, that I wouldn't be fair to her if I ended things with you. I can't love her the way she wants me too. Two cats are who are mates are suppose to love one another, not be half asked. I wouldn't be giving my full heart to her, because my heart will always be with you, my sweet Spottedleaf." Fireheart stated. "Sandstorm is hurt yes with my rejection. And she will be for awhile, until she can learn to love someone else and not me."

Spottedleaf looks across the clearing at her niece as she eats with Brackenfur and Longtail. A pang of hurt goes out to her, and the aunt in her wants to go and cuddle her, but she is hostile toward her. Even from this far distance she can see the unwelcome glare in her leaf green eyes. She then ignores the glare and turn to gaze into the loving handsome eyes staring right back into her own. "Thank you….for what you have done for me."

Fireheart let out a loud purr, "You're welcome….I want to protect you from any harm. I love you."

Spottedleaf felt him, as he licks her cheek, "I love you back." There were eyes now staring at them, But Spottedleaf didn't care anymore. She is in love with him, and Fireheart is in love with her. And then they really give the Clan to something gossip when Fireheart moves to fully kiss her tenderly.