A/N - I'm finally back from my 3-week vacation guysssss~

So this might be the last chapter solely comprised of "talky-talky" moments for a while. The previous chapter, we sort of had an action scene… and I wanna get more into that lmao.

Yeah, I know; Y'all don't need to say it - I know, I know. I will fully admit things have been moving very slowly so far, but if I'm gonna be honest with y'all… literally EVERYTHING that I've written so far is probably, like, the most boring stretch of story in the entire fic.

Soooo, not trying to hype y'all up or anything, but basically, that means I'll finally be putting all this pesky buildup and whatnot to good use over the coming months, and hopefully make it all worth it! :DD

Disclaimer: Warriors is owned by Erin Hunter/HarperCollins Publishers LLC

…

The Strength of a Warrior

…

The herb poultice stung as soon as it touched Fireheart's wounds, causing him to grumble in pain. Yellowfang didn't back down, simply going about her business with an uncaring expression on her face.

"As I said, I can only heal your wounds, not prevent you from getting them," she said, frustrated, but with a slight inflection of pity that Fireheart could pick up on.

He said nothing, simply huffing at her words. The stench of herbs and dried blood, combined with the waves of pain from his wounds, helped to desensitize him from... well, everything.

However, one emotion he could most certainly feel, was frustration. He pawed the ground lightly as Yellowfang treated him, stretching his claws.

"Tigerstar's training them well," he said, his face contemptuous. "They all had the same look in their eyes as he did."

Yellowfang sighed exasperatedly. "Fireheart, come now. Your mind is not well if all you see is him."

The ginger tom squinted, flicking his ears as if he'd been insulted. He stood up angrily, leaving Yellowfang to stare in shock as a few bundles of leaves fell from her mouth to her paws.

Her ears pinned back. "Fireheart!" she scolded.

Fireheart just shook his head, turning to face her.

"I'm fine!" he exclaimed, irritably. "I don't need any of that stuff; all it does is hurt!"

He took a few steps before sitting on his haunches, licking his chest fur. "I can handle a few scratches from a band of kits," he grumbled more quietly, almost to himself.

The fight, if you could even call it that, just kept replaying in his head. Every time he was knocked down, every time he was thrown around, every time he didn't resist - remembering each of these humiliating moments only stimulated his frustration.

He snarled.

"Nrgh. I should've fought back! Or at least tried to defend myself!" Fireheart seethed, whipping his head around and beginning to slowly pace. "I don't care how much strength I've lost. Whimpering like some abandoned kit in front of everyone? Pleading for them to stop?" He scoffed at his own misfortune. "What kind of warrior do I think I am? They're no less than kits themselves!"

Meanwhile, Yellowfang remained silent, busy putting away the herbs she'd planned on treating him with. Even though she appeared to be only half-listening, the old she-cat murmured her agreement.

"I'm sorry, Fireheart," she said flatly. "I just... don't think anyone can do much about this. So far, nothing Tigerstar has done violates the warrior code. Claw-fighting, colluding with outcasts, keeping prisoners to use as scratching posts..."

Fireheart grumbled, continuing to pace without looking at her.

"And so, that's reason enough for StarClan to ignore it?" he argued. Yellowfang frowned.

"Of course not. I'm sure they are well aware, but…" She paused, then sighed. "I suppose they just don't want to speak to me. I haven't heard their voices in forever, and believe me, I have been trying to contact them ever since your incident at the Moonstone. We both agree on one thing - they have much to explain."

Fireheart slowed his stride, lashing his tail and staring off into space.

Something is seriously wrong. These stupid scars are supposed to block me from StarClan. They couldn't possibly be blocking anyone else, could they?

His mind was so engrossed that he barely heard when Yellowfang spoke again.

"Oh, and I think you'd be quite interested in knowing that Whitestorm and Sandstorm were talking to a while ago. They seemed disturbed about your whole situation with the apprentices, though who knows if they'll make a fuss about it to Darkstripe or Tigerstar," she turned to look at Fireheart then. "I had also seen Brightpaw earlier. After what happened, she wouldn't even touch her fresh-kill, poor lass."

'Poor lass'. Was I not the one getting mauled? Fireheart thought as he felt the soreness in his limbs, but he quickly dropped it.

He resumed his pace, this time towards Yellowfang, but his gaze remained fixed on the ground beneath him.

"Hmph, so Whitestorm and his apprentices?" he remarked. "Figures... they're the only decent cats left in this clan, which isn't saying much."

Yellowfang frowned at that, releasing a huff.

"Look, I know you're in a bad state of mind, but don't start saying things you know aren't true," she scolded him. "Besides, Cinderpaw and I have been rather decent, I would say!"

Fireheart hummed lightheartedly, nodding as he sat down near her

Yes… He supposed she was right about that.

In fact, he lowered his ears slightly in shame, as the sting of the poultices she'd made for him brought back memories of every other time either medicine cat had taken care of him. Mentally, he took back his cynical remark.

"Yes, you both have," he simply replied. It's true, Yellowfang and Cinderpaw were probably the only cats keeping him alive at this point, both literally and figuratively.

Yellowfang simply nodded before grunting tiredly.

"And by the spirits, I wish the bloody molly would be back already, too," she groaned. "I tell you Fireheart, StarClan must be testing the both of us, for spirit's sake! I'm running rampant with you and all these apprentices hurting themselves, not to mention Tigerstar breathing down my neck."

Fireheart just rolled his eyes, listening to her complaints.

"He breaths down everyones' necks, Yellowfang. Ego is a pretty big thing for him," he said. Although, the she-cat was too busy ranting to even notice.

"-once Cinderpaw returns, maybe I'll even get a lick of sleep! Those rogues should be taking some of the pressure off her and Runningnose if they're worth a spit - hunting, patrolling, and the like."

Humming, she glanced toward the ginger tom.

"And when she comes back, maybe that'll finally be something that helps cheer you up."

Fireheart was silent, looking away as he sat on his haunches. However, he acknowledged what she said with just one deep, exaggerated breath.

"Oh, c'mon, you know you'd love to see her," Yellowfang snickered before lowering her voice. "And I can tell you're aware of it, Fireheart - the dark path you're being drawn towards. Not by choice, but by the negativity that's been burying you lately. It is only natural."

Fireheart curled his paws closer to him, saying nothing once more. He didn't want to acknowledge what Yellowfang was talking about, but he knew what she meant.

It's not like I hate everyone or anything… I am just… frustrated.

Yellowfang averted her gaze but still kept a serious look in her eyes.

"There's only so much that chamomile and poppy seeds can do to help your pain. You've obviously been growing… bitter… but as I said, that's to be expected in this environment. Cinderpaw and I understand."

Fireheart just sat there silently, prompting Yellowfang to huff. She went to sit next to her collection of herbs, sitting in the many cracks lining the den walls.

"With that being said, I trust that Cinderpaw's return will bode well for the both of us; much good a friendly face could do," she stated. Extending her gray paws, she reached for a few of her many herbs, starting to pile them on top of laurel leaves. "Many warriors would never consider it, but your mind requires just as much care as your body. The presence of a specific cat may even put us at ease more than a herb."

Fireheart murmured his agreement. "I'll always be proud of Cinderpaw, even if she's no longer my apprentice," he replied, feeling the need to praise one of the few friends he had. "And… yes, I guess you're right. Her face would be one of the few I'd welcome, but still… it's just-..."

Yellowfang grunted hoarsely.

"She'll understand, Fireheart. She's been a witness to many of your treatments, not to mention the marks on your face. I'm sure this 'training' nonsense will be just another thing to roll her eyes at."

"Yes, and that's the problem!" Fireheart raised his head toward her. "It's to be expected now. Tigerstar's making things worse for me on purpose!"

He lashed his tail, settling down when he realized Yellowfang had stopped gathering her herbs to glare at him. He averted his gaze, gradually slumping over again.

"But- I… hope you're right. Even if she expects it, I wouldn't blame her if she avoids me."

A moment of silence passed before finally, Yellowfang sighed. The old she-cat went back to pciking out her herbs, not looking at him as she spoke.

"I don't think I've ever met a cat treated worse in all of my life, not even Brokentail." She grumbled that final word out. After a short pause, she snorted. "Yet, here you are, getting scars and taking a beating for a cause that may never reap its benefits. I'll say this, Fireheart: You're loyal and honorable, so much so that it makes you a mousebrain."

Fireheart shuffled uncomfortably at her… praise?

No, it's not like he wanted to be desensitized to Yellowfang's praise - her praise has always been hard-won, after all. It's just… as far as he was concerned, he was simply doing the right thing. Nothing more. Why did he need praise? Wasn't it obvious what he was doing? Or was it simply Yellowfang's pity in disguise?

Nonetheless, Fireheart simply shrugged. "I can't just let Tigerstar simply ruin everything, can I?

Yellowfang made a small rumbling noise, like a grunt.

"Well, frankly, you only make it easier for him, acting out as you do," she pushed one of the leaf pods, now full of herbs, over to her side - where Fireheart noticed she had multiple.

She glanced toward him.

"Listen… I want you to help me in the medicine den from now on, at least until Cinderpaw gets back."

Fireheart grumbled, but she quickly continued, "I know you've been taking everything like a warrior, but still, I've let you off ever since that incident with those RiverClan kits. Although now… I think it's in your best interest to stay here. Tigerstar I'm sure won't have any complaints."

Fireheart didn't reply, thinking. After a few moments, she just continued with a sigh.

"So while you rest from your wounds, I suggest you think over what's happened these last few days, and how you might learn from it," she told him. "It won't get any easier, Fireheart; not so long as you have those scars on your face; not so long as Tigerstar has his lives."

Fireheart lashed his tail, being reminded of the grim truth of his reality.

He watched with narrowed eyes as Yellowfang began to move the pods of herbs, one by one, closer to the entrance of the den. She stopped at one point to look at him again.

"By the way, try not degrading your clanmates next time you're angry with them. You are not a bad cat, but your emotions may get the best of you at times." She seemed understanding in her tone as if she'd been in his position before. "Let your actions speak louder than your words, then they'll have no choice but to be enlightened with your real nature."

Fireheart gave her a skeptical look, but her attention had already moved elsewhere. He followed her gaze to the bundles of herbs next to them.

"Speaking of which, it seems what I've taught you is already helping with that, eh?" She poked at a few of the small, dark-colored leaves. Fireheart watched, unamused, as she looked back at him. "Those 'boring' lessons weren't all for nothing, you know. If I were you, I'd practice pulling more thorns."

Fireheart grunted, realizing what she'd been implying. "I somehow have the feeling nobody would want me practicing on them."

"Hmph, suit yourself~" Yellowfang stretched, rolling her head across her shoulders. "Alright, now then. You know the drill: Apprentices need checking after their rigorous training session; I'm going out for herbs afterward; Be back as soon as I can; Don't do anything stupid. Blahbuhblah."

Fireheart chuckled lightly, watching the she-cat as she loaded the bundles of herbs - which Fireheart now assumed was for each of the apprentices - onto a large sycamore leaf. He got up to follow her as she left, mainly to pick up anything that might fall off her load, but fortunately, she exited the den without a problem.

Fireheart winced in pain as he sat down, the curtains of moss now draping over him. Midday sun hit his eyes, and the sounds of his clanmates were much more apparent now that he lay at the den's entrance.

However, in the blink of an eye, Yellowfang suddenly vanished from sight, only leaving a faint scent trail behind. Fireheart pouted - seeing how she treated wounds was something he was becoming more interested in as of late.

Almost immediately, however, the sounds of screeching caused him to perk up, casting his gaze across the camp.

What in StarClan's-

His eyes widened as he noticed what appeared to be one large cat being attacked by two smaller cats just outside the nursery. Fireheart had no idea if they were simply playing or trying to kill each other.

He squinted toward them, curious about the commotion, but when he recognized the cats' identities, he almost immediately dropped back into a depressed slump.

Oh… them. Fireheart plopped his head onto his paws.

He thudded his tail as he watched Swiftpaw and his two siblings wrestle. Swiftpaw took a playful swipe at Bramblekit, making them leap away with a squeal. A second figure emerged from behind the older sibling, leaping onto him and sinking their nearly-developed teeth into his ear. Swiftpaw fell on his stomach, feigning defeat as Tawnypaw straddled him, chewing his ear with a triumphant glint in her eye.

"Th'o you weally beat up th'at th'melly cwofood-eater, Th'wifpaw?!"

Fireheart growled, now even more bothered. Why do I always have ot be nearby whenever they talk about me?

Swiftpaw chuckled lightly, gritting his teeth in a bit of pain. "Not the ear please, dear sister," he said, but Tawnykit just seemed to ignore him as her face lit up.

"Dath th'o awwwth'um!"

She quickly spat out her brother's ear as another voice could be heard.

"Well, I dunno," Bramblekit said in a timid voice, swatting at Swiftpaw's tail from behind. "Seems… kinda unfair."

Tawnykit rolled off her older brother, scoffing at her younger one.

"Yeah, well, he thought he was so tough yesterday, didn't he? 'You're all short-sighted fools' he says!"

She puffed out her chest in exaggeration, only to quickly deflate with a laugh. "Geesh! He sounded almost as whiny as Bramblekit is sometimes! And how can your sight be short anyway? Can it be tall, too?"

Swiftpaw gave her a look as if thinking whether or not to genuinely answer that. Meanwhile, Bramblekit cried with disapproval.

"H-hey, when have I ever been whiny?!" he said, looking at his sister offended. She simply shrugged, albeit with a knowing grin.

"Oh, I don't know, like… just now?"

"Alright, you two," Swiftpaw intervened. "Let that not distract us from the fact that I kicked the kittypet's butt today."

Fireheart murmured curses from his spot by the medicine den, seeing the kits' faces grow more intrigued. He looked down at his own paws, noting the scratch wounds on them.

There weren't that many on his paws, he'd learned from a quick overview, but everywhere else was still sore from earlier. It made him wonder what he looked like. How many scars were there? Were there any patches of missing fur? He'd only gotten to see his face after the… incident… and nothing else.

Fireheart narrowed his eyes. Beaten by some cocky apprentice. He bared a single fang, eyeing his ginger paw with disdain, then the forearm it was attached to - noticing a distinct lack of bulk. …When did I get so small?

He stopped his pondering, suddenly hearing mewls of surprise from a certain pair of kits. He looked back over, figuring Swiftpaw, judging by the kits' expressions, had just regaled them with the story of his hard-won 'victory' over him in battle.

"I wish I could've seen that!" Tawnykit jumped up, waving her tail excitedly just as Swiftpaw finished. "And I bet he bawled his eyes out like Ashkit did the first time we wrestled."

Swiftpaw could only grin, clearly enjoying his sister's rapt attitude. "Heh, trust me, when I become a warrior, I'll make sure he never even thinks about coming anywhere near you guys."

Tawnykit beamed, completely enamored with him.

"We all know you'll be the strongest warrior in the clan, Swiftpaw. Just as strong Tigerstar!"

A concerned mewl came from Bramblekit just then, the young tom eying his sister worriedly.

"But, hey- I'm the one who looks like dad! …Surely that means I'll be just as strong as him, too?"

Tawnykit spun around to reel on him. "You're still scared of your own shadow… And, you still have kitten fluff in your ears!"

Bramblekit frowned, mouth slightly agape. "What? N-no, I don't!"

"You really do, though."

"I- nrgh. Take that back!" Bramblekit hissed, only making Tawnykit snicker.

"Okay, okay." Swiftpaw quickly said, abashed by their behavior. "We'll all be the best warriors in the clan, how 'bout that? I think you two already have the strength of a warrior - just a little training and you'll be unstoppable!"

Fireheart frowned, looking both confused and forlorn toward the oldest tom.

The two kits - he expected that act out of them just now. But Swiftpaw… What kind of sick joke was this? This same cat practically tried to kill him only a few hours ago. Now, he was playing with kits, trying to break up their fights, and actually seemed… kind-hearted and loving?

He's nothing like he was before. Fireheart mused to himself. Is this the same cat?

*Ahem*

All of a sudden, the three cats dropped whatever they were doing, flattening their ears in the process. Fireheart looked to the side, startled, as Goldenflower and Frostfur suddenly strode into view - and he swore he could feel the intensity of their glares despite being across the camp.

Swiftpaw and his siblings sat frozen. It was then, suddenly, that Fireheart realized Bramblekit and Tawnykit being outside of the nursery was most likely something they should not be doing.

Frostfur lashed her tail, turning to the she-cat beside her with a huff.

"Well, Goldy, did I not say this is where they'd be?" She said, clearly vexed. "I told you they'd be off jumping at Swiftpaw every chance they could get, and wouldn't you know it-"

"Not now, Frostfur."

The former queen stopped then, simply resigning with a hmph before turning tail towards the warrior's den, leaving Goldenflower alone with the three of her children. The second the white-furred molly had left, all three of them quickly scrambled to their haunches, with the kits hiding behind their older brother.

"Uh-" Swiftpaw straightened up immediately, putting on the coolest smile he could muster. "H-hello, mother."

"Mmmh." The she-cat's expression remained unamused as she scanned them. "I'm looking for a certain pair of warriors who've decided to sneak out of their den."

Bramblekit leaned from behind Swiftpaw, huffing with disappointment.

"Aw, c'mon! You never let us see Swiftpaw…"

"Then, Bramblekit, you ask for him to visit you," Goldenflower crossly said. "Because I'm sure he would rather that than you jumping all over him in the middle of camp!"

Swiftpaw waved his paw at her, chuckling nonchalantly. "Ahah, it's fine. I can take it."

Goldenflower cocked her head in his direction. If looks could kill, Swiftpaw would've been halfway to StarClan. Fireheart shivered himself, before hearing Swiftpaw's stutter.

"B-but, nevertheless–"

The young apprentice hurriedly evaded his mother's look, turning to his younger siblings.

"You two! You know you have to stay in the nursery, where it is safe and we all know where you are!" His two younger kits immediately pouted, prompting him to frown a bit. He leaned in closer, offering an encouraging smile. "You never know what kind of danger is lurking in the forest, so just, uh… please don't leave unless Goldenflower says so? Okay?"

Bramblekit just nodded at him, likely just wanting to avoid any more trouble. Tawnykit seemed a lot more hesitant but eventually gave a nod, although clearly disappointed.

Swiftpaw hugged them a little closer.

"Aaaand from now on, I'll make sure to drop by every day to teach you some cool battle moves! Sound good?"

That seemed to light a spark in the younger kits' eyes, as both of them gave their mewls of approval. The moment was short lived, however, as Goldenflower suddenly spoke up again.

"Kits." The two of them flinched slightly, looking back at their mother. She flicked her tail curtly. "Say goodbye to your brother, and return to the nursery before you land in more trouble."

Tawnykit only gave a light scoff, trudging toward the den. Bramblekit gulped, meekly nodding as he followed in her sister's pawsteps - Goldenflower watching them all the while.

Once they were a sizeable distance closer to the nursery, the she-cat finally turned around to face her oldest, who by now was approaching her.

"Goldenflower, please don't be too hard on them," he said in a troubled tone. "No kit likes sitting in the nursery."

Goldenflower once again gave her son a scolding look.

"And do you think that's an excuse to wander off? It seems I haven't been hard on them enough." She snapped. "And as for you, Yellowfang is currently tending to the other apprentices. Why aren't you with them?"

Swiftpaw pinned his ears back slightly. "Uh, because I was being attacked by those two little savages?" He scoffed, looking away. "Besides, I don't need some smelly old she-cat to nose around me. Training today was hardly a chore."

Goldenflower huffed, unimpressed. "I know what training you did today, Swiftpaw. The kits themselves could've done just as well in that kind of… exercise."

Swiftpaw gave her an offended look, but she cut him off before he could retort.

"But, that's not the problem here." She scanned his whole figure, making a look of disgust. "Your face - bloody. Your claws - bloody. You reek of the kittypet yourself, there's so much blood on you. If you don't want to be near a smelly old she-cat, then at least look like you didn't just fight one!"

Swiftpaw lowered his head, eyeing himself as he became overtly aware to his appearance.

"But-"

Goldenflower growled loudly.

"No buts!" She commanded, flicking her tail as she stood over him. "Stream. Wash. Now."

Swiftpaw reluctantly stalked away, muttering to himself as he sent a look of contempt toward his mother. Fireheart watched, both stunned and amused, as the exchange came to a close.

…Wow. He blinked, watching as Goldenflower turned around with a sigh. She really holds back against nobody.

He then returned his gaze to Swiftpaw, narrowing his eyes.

And apparently, it runs in the family. He watched the apprentice a bit longer, seeing him greet his other apprentice and warrior friends as he traveled, likely to wherever Yellowfang was.

It made Fireheart grimace on the inside. He thought back to the looks of wonder on th either apprentices' faces as Swiftpaw threw him around - how eager they were to attack him once Swiftpaw gave them enough encouragement.

Fireheart scoffed. Being idolized… having kin in the clans… having not realized your leader is a traitorous snake… life must be such a dream.

Despite the sarcasm in his thoughts, however, Fireheart soon realized the sad truth behind them.

Swiftpaw made him jealous. He was envious of a cat who could have the most serious problem in their life be a scolding from their mother.

Fireheart frowned dejectedly, his mind wandering once again to the events before this past moon, thinking about how much better they were in comparison to now, despite their own shortcomings.

Was I never meant to live such a life? He looked down, eyeing the scars all over his body.

You will be so scared then.

He shivered as the words of the entity invaded his mind.

Scared… No, no, I'm not scared. Just– concerned… He thought. Yeah… just concerned that I won't really be able to make a change, and Tigerstar wins… but, to that shadow, I guess it probably means the same.

After a long moment of silence, he just sighed.

Oh… who am I kidding? I'm weak… He frowned, looking at himself - hypercritical of every defect on his body. Sorry, Yellowfang, but I don't think it's possible to talk my way into a better situation… a monster never stops to hear a cat's plea, after all.

He thought back to when Brightpaw had struck him, hissing at the memory. And clearly, helping others with the knowledge you've given me hasn't done much good.

He grumbled, slowly drawing one of his claws out, and eyeing it carefully.

We both know that now, more than ever, it's all about violence. He thought with disappointment. Who can beat the most blood out of the kittypet? Or… out of each other? How many cats can we chase off our borders? How many scratches can we inflict in one day?

He curled his paw tighter before setting it on the ground, shaking his head.

All they do now is fight! The only thing they would take seriously is something more dangerous than themselves!

Fireheart stared, remaining silent for a moment as he let those thoughts sink in, before eventually, a drawn-out sigh escape him.

Well, then… He sniffed, checking his claws again. Looking them over, he noticed they were sharp - having not been used in over half a moon.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

…What if I became just that?

Slowly, he reached down, scraping the earth.

He could not explain it, but for some morbid reason, he felt an unexplainable urge to feel someone's pelt under them.

He tightened his hold as the thought entertained him more. He wanted to feel his stress be released. He wanted whoever it was to understand his anger, his pain. It seemed to work so well for his 'clanmates', after all!

Fireheart growled as he led his paws through the dirt. He knew he shouldn't be thinking like this - he'd only just been complaining about how his clanmates turned to violence.

But, in my case… He thought numbly. It seems I'm out of options.

Fireheart kept lashing his tail, thinking the same thing over and over again.

Hmm… A cat with a powerful gift from StarClan… who's apparently the greatest warrior the forest has ever seen?

That option did seem too good to be true. However, despite all of his pondering and careful thought, that was the only idea he could entertain for more than a second. Everything other solution just seemed to pale in comparison.

Fireheart huffed in amusement, lifting his claw and brandishing it in front of him.

Maybe they'll listen to that cat instead.

…

A/N - Okay, cool. Quick and simple chapter for everyone's viewing pleasure. On to the next one, which is definitely gonna be a bit more interesting! ;)