Fire's History

by Sageberry3

What if after Jake was killed Nutmeg abused Firestar and neglected him? What if Nutmeg was just like Rainflower? What if Firestar resented his littermates because they got care and affection of Nutmeg while he got nothing? What if she tried to kill him when he was a kit? What dark secrets are Firestar hiding?

16. Chapter 16

"Silverstream?" Graystripe called, slipping out of the bushes.

"I'm here," she mewed.

Silverstream's tabby fur glistened as she pulled herself out of the river. She slid to his side as though she were part fish herself. Her broad head rubbed against his sturdy gray shoulder. "Is something the matter?"

He shuffled his paws, unsure of what to say. All he wanted to do was pour out what happened throughout the past few days, but he resisted. It was already hard enough for the Clan to deal with Fireheart's death; it was harder for him even, to know he'd never see his best friend again.

Fireheart's gone, the tiny voice in his mind told him. You'll never see him again.

Shut up, he told it. Fireheart believes in StarClan. That's where he is now.

The voice wouldn't go away. What makes you think he believes in StarClan? it hissed.

Dread crept into his belly, making his questioning more apparent. Maybe Fireheart doesn't believe in their warrior ancestors. Why would he? He was born a kittypet.

Silverstream nudged him. "Graystripe?" she prompted. "What's the matter?"

Graystripe shook himself. "Fireheart's dead," he breathed. "He died not too long ago."

"I'm so sorry," his mate mewed. "Is there anything I can help with? I'm right here if you or ThunderClan need anything at anytime."

"No," he meowed. "It's just hard to take in."

"I understand that," meowed Silverstream. "It's always hard to lose a Clanmates, especially if that Clanmate was close to you."

He nodded his head. "Exactly."

"He's in StarClan, though," she told him. "He has to be. Fireheart was a good warrior."

"He was." Graystripe's voice cracked. He felt an odd stirring of rage. "I doubt he's in StarClan. He probably didn't even believed in them anyway."

"Graystripe-"

"I mean, why would he? He was born and raised a kittypet for his entire kithood," he spat. "Longtail's right. Once a kittypet, always a kittypet."

"Graystripe!" Silverstream gasped. "Just because a cat isn't Clanborn doesn't mean they lack belief in StarClan, or they lack skills a warrior should have."

He stood up and stormed away. "You know I'm right," he growled.

Strangely enough, he felt no guilt or shame saying what he did. I am right. Longtail is right. He always has been. I've just been too ignorant to see it.

Graystripe felt an odd sense of pride creeping into his chest.

Once a kittypet, always a kittypet.