Here I am with another chapter of this one-shot that has turned into anything but a one-shot!! I always end up doing this to myself. When I want a one-shot it doesn't magically end up as a one-shot. My "creative brain juices" just started coming up with more to add to the plot and more details and...ugh!!!
I am going to stop this around the time Tigerclaw finally becomes Tigerstar!!! What does that look like? Either after he receives his nine lives or the first Gathering!!! (Maybe the Gathering because I want to see ThunderClan's reaction to seeing Fireheart again...I'm doing it again!!!)
Review!! I love reviews!! They (and my indecisive brain) are what keeps me going!!
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Fireheart couldn't catch a wink of sleep that first night. Not when the former ThunderClan warrior and her kits were surrounded by their once enemies. It left the flame-colored she-cat strung up all night, on the alert for something dreadful to happen to them. Being in a strange place wouldn't be as hard as it would being in enemy territory, or what had been their enemy territory.
Dawncloud was an elderly queen of ShadowClan who Fireheart remembered vividly during her days as a ThunderClan apprentice. When ShadowClan had stolen Frostfur's kits, the small, pale ginger tabby she-cat had agreed to join the other cats in the group going up against Brokenstar. Surprisingly, Dawncloud seemed to remember Fireheart just fine, and acted as though it had only been a few days instead of seasons since they last saw one another.
Dawncloud had been very welcoming to Fireheart and her kits. As had Tallpoppy, another ShadowClan queen who was currently ready to burst any day now. The two she-cats had helped settle the exiled ThunderClan cats and made them a nest lined with pine needles and moss. Fireheart still remained nostalgic over sleeping in a warm nest, though one unlike the one she had, in a Clan nursery again. But despite how welcoming they were, Fireheart was still having trouble settling in and was unable to sleep due to her paranoia.
Fireheart's kits on the other paw didn't seem to have any problems falling asleep. They were asleep before their heads even hit the moss. The flame-colored queen had been curled protectively around them all night and had gone stiff as a log. But she was thankful for the peace and security that the nursery provided from outside elements.
Fireheart had been awake to watch the weak light that struggled to filter through the pine trees, and through tiny cracks in the thornbush. ShadowClan was always dark and gloomy and it was only fitting that the sun hardly shined here. Perhaps that was why they had such great night vision. They practically lived in the dark, their territory obscured by shadows. Would she and her kits adjust or would they be stumbling around in the dark forever?
Fireheart rose only when Tallpoppy awoke. The two she-cats shared a good morning, and Tallpoppy was all too happy to show Fireheart where they kept their fresh-kill pile. Reluctant but starving, Fireheart left her kits sleeping safely in their new nest as she followed Tallpoppy to a dry pile of pine needles that was topped with that morning's hunting patrols catch.
An impressive pod of frogs was lining the fresh-kill pile. An intimidating sleek, dark ginger she-cat named Russetfur, who stood by the pile, helpfully pointed out that it had been Tangleburr who had caught those frogs that morning.
Though impressed, Fireheart wasn't in the mood to be trying anymore frogs anytime soon. So instead, Fireheart took a vole for herself and was talked into eating together by Tallpoppy and Russetfur.
Though apprehensive at first, Fireheart actually found enjoyment in eating with the two ShadowClan she-cats. It was achingly familiar in the way it was when she used to share prey with Sandstorm or Spottedleaf.
However, the two she-cats kept sneakily inquiring about Fireheart and her kits and the reason for their sudden need of refuge in ShadowClan. Fireheart had to cut their time short and return to her kits right as they were awakening to their new lives as ShadowClan refugees. After nursing her kits, and fantasizing about Featherkit and Stormkit and wondering how they and Graystripe are doing in RiverClan, Fireheart felt as though she couldn't hold off on introducing them to the rest of ShadowClan any longer.
Following her newly energized kits out of the nursery, Fireheart watched them slosh through the muddy camp clearing as they took a look around at what would be their new home.
It was relieving to see that no one seemed to mind the horde of kits scampering about and sticking their noses where they shouldn't be. If anything the ShadowClan cats seem to be taking amusement out of watching Fireheart trying to wrangle all of her scattered kits together. Fireheart would grimace in embarrassment as her kits kept drifting apart. It seemed so easy in her mind. But every time Fireheart thought she had them going in the right direction, one would get distracted and wander off, and then another would follow and within seconds Fireheart had three different groups of kits waddling in all the wrong directions.
It was exhausting and Fireheart wondered how she had ever managed to keep them all together when they had been rogue's and on their own. It was a blessing from StarClan that she hadn't managed to have lost any of them yet.
The two apprentices and brothers, Cedarpaw and Rowanpaw, were more than eager to get to know the new kits. Though Cedarpaw was more excited to meet them than his brother. Though the reason being could be both Hawkkit and Squirrelkit had jumped the dark ginger tabby apprentice when his back was turned.
Leafkit and Cedarpaw seemed to get along great. Both comfortable and openingly friendly with each other, and it seemed as though they would become good friends. Cedarpaw didn't even seem to mind that his tail was being batted back and forth between Tawnykit and Bramblekit; Though Fireheart was quick to intervene to stop them.
Touring ShadowClan's camp thanks to the assistance of Boulder, who had insisted that they should be allowed to see everything part of their new home. Fireheart got a good idea of the place as they were shown around.
ShadowClan had all the things ThunderClan had: A main clearing, a fresh-kill pile, nursery, apprentices den, warriors den, medicine cat den, elders den, leader's den, vantage point, a camp entrance tunnel, even a dirtplace. But regardless of the basics, nothing was truly the same. ShadowClan was like the shadow of ThunderClan. Perhaps it was biased of her but ThunderClan was the sun as ShadowClan was the moonless night. Fireheart desperately missed the sun.
Fireheart kept up a polite, respectful demeanor. Despite how she might feel, ShadowClan had gone out of their way to help Fireheart and her kits, whereas ThunderClan had thrown them out due to the actions of one. And thinking of their banishment brought Fireheart back to the reason for their banishment, Tigerclaw.
Fireheart was dreading having the inevitable conversation with Tigerclaw about the whole messy situation. The big, dark brown tabby would want answers, something Fireheart was strangely reluctant to give.
No sooner had she thought about it, Tigerclaw appeared from seemingly nowhere. Two ShadowClan warriors flanking his sides, dawn patrol? Tigerclaw spared her a glance as he brushed past, the patrol seeming to head towards Nightstar's den to report to the elderly leader.
Fireheart wondered how Tigerclaw had managed to end up in ShadowClan. Obviously, Tigerclaw went back for the rogue's he used to attack ThunderClan, but it didn't answer the question as to why ShadowClan has allowed them back into their Clan. After all, some of these rogues are the ones that they had chased out of their Clan in the first place for following Brokenstar. Has ShadowClan forgiven them after all they've done? Or did Tigerclaw and his rogue's force their way back in the Clan? It was unsettling to think about and also something she didn't want to worry herself over.
"Fireheart," Cedarpaw meow drew Fireheart's attention away from her thoughts. Turning to the young ShadowClan apprentice, and noticing her own kits trailing behind him, Fireheart listened as he sought her permission to take her kits to the elders den to listen to a story, "I'll be sure to keep a close eye on them!"
Fireheart looked from the imploring yellow eyes, to the eager gazes of her kits. It's been so long since Fireheart had told them any stories, even longer since they've heard one from an elder.
Even though it wouldn't be a ThunderClan elder who would be telling them the story, Fireheart felt a burst of warmth at the normalcy they were falling into.
"I don't see why not." Fireheart relented with a purr. "So long as they are all on their best behavior."
"We will!" Tawnykit crooned as she and her siblings scampered after Cedarpaw towards the elders' den.
Fireheart fondly watched them go. It was good to see them in such high spirits and getting along with the ShadowClan cats. Though Fireheart felt a pang of regret at the thought of them forgetting all about their time with ThunderClan as they will now be a part of ShadowClan. If they decided to stay, that is.
"Fireheart," Fireheart jolts up, a familiar bolt of anxiety pumping through her heart.
She takes a deep breath.
It's fine. She could handle this. The flame-colored she-cat had to. For her sake and their kits.
Fireheart turned, expression guarded, and looked right into the amber eyes that always seemed to smolder with a deep inner warmth that seemed to appear only for Fireheart and their kits.
"Tigerclaw" Fireheart greets, shaking off imaginary dust and coming to meet him halfway to the clearing.
Tigerclaw's gaze sweeps over Fireheart in a quick, nerve-wracking moment. Until they snapped back up to stare into Fireheart's jade green ones. That warm, gentle look never wavering.
"I think we have a lot to talk about." Tigerclaw meowed at last, causing Fireheart to release the breath the sleek-furred ginger she-cat didn't realize she had been holding. "Though not here. Come hunting with me, please."
Fireheart sharply nods her head, it was better to have this conversation in private.
Fireheart's heart ached like it had never ached before. This was going to be a long hunting trip.
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Next chapter is either Tigerclaw or Fireheart's pov!!! Leaning towards Tigerclaw but who knows?
Fun facts:
Fireheart's closest friends in ShadowClan are Russetfur and Tallpoppy.
Though I love Thorn x Leaf, if Fireheart and her kits were to join ShadowClan she would end up with Cedarpaw/heart. (But there will always be a sort of longing and friendship between Leaf and Thorn!!!)
Smokekit and Talonkit are gonna get along great with Fireheart/Tigerstar kits!!!
