EDIT! I completely forgot to add this in before I posted, just wanted to say sorry for the inconsistent uploading. I've been really busy and just haven't had the time to write anything. I wanted to start working on some new fanfics but those will have to wait until this one is finished or I get more time. Just wanted to clarify in that in this chapter a OC Nightwhisper is mentioned a few times, he was the first deputy of Snakestar who unfortunately died shortly after his appointment and was replaced by Fireheart. I'm currently writing the next chapter for this fanfic, and I'll try to get it out soon but no promises. Sorry again for the slow updating.
Fireheart's P.O.V
She watched as Snakestar swiftly left his den, the Skyclan leader wore a scowl upon his face like a scar. Beside her, Cloudtail huffed, her nephew wasn't watching Snakestar like her but rather the gathered Clans currently huddled closely together near the entrance of camp.
"Something wrong?" Fireheart asked gently, her eyes scanning over the new arrivals.
Cloudtail shook his head before responding, "Its somewhat depressing really, I remember when I was a kit, listening to Morningdew and Stoatnose tell stories about Skyclan's exile and the hardships our ancestors went through. Now I look at those cats and all I can think is, see? This is what your clans did knowingly to an entire, innocent clan. Its wrong of me to think that, they probably lost so many clanmates, but I still can't help but think that this is Skyclan's justice for what happened."
Fireheart frowned momentarily before nodding. She understood, she was raised listening to those same stories, only told by different elders. It was truly conflicting, and with Echosong's omen the whole clan was on edge with the clans arrival.
"It's certainly strange, isn't it? I never thought I'd ever see another clan cat other than my own clanmates, yet here I am." Fireheart murmured, Cloudtail grunted in agreement before padding over to his mother whom was deep in conversation with Pebblesplash.
Looking around for a moment, Fireheart realized that Iceclaw was missing. Strange, he'd returned to camp with her and the rest of the patrol.
She huffed as she got to her paws and made her way to the fresh-kill pile. As she pulled a rabbit from the pile, nodding to Redfeather as she did so, a wail of a kit caught her attention. Looking over her shoulder, Fireheart could see a small kit hungrily wailing to its mother causing several other kits to join in. Redfeather tapped Fireheart with her tail before nodding in the direction of the kits. With a dip of her head, Fireheart and Redfeather carried the fresh-kill they'd chosen to the other clans. A few warriors hovered warily but stepped aside to let the two she-cats pass. A long-limbed queen looked up to them, a small patch-pelted kit tucked at her paws. Redfeather dropped the pheasant she'd carried before them.
The small kit gasped, "Is that for us?"
"Of course, little one!" Redfeather chirped, the queen before her purred her thanks as Fireheart dropped the rabbit before another pair of queens with a gaggle of hungry kits. The kits lunged forward, trying to tear the flesh of the rabbit, but their tiny teeth were too small.
"Thank you." A tortoiseshell queen mewed, her pelt was shiny and thick, very different compared to most of Skyclan, Fireheart noted. But before she could respond to the queen, several others thanked her as well.
With a burning pelt Fireheart replied, "It's no issue really, no kit should go hungry for any reason."
"We'll thank you regardless. These circumstances are unusual, it wouldn't be strange for Skyclan to avoid interacting with us." The long-limb queen stated, "I'm Tallpoppy and these are my kits Frostkit and Hollykit"
The queen motioned each kit with their names, the other queens introduced themselves quickly.
"I'm Darkflower."
"Mosspelt, and my daughter Plumkit."
"Ashfoot."
After introducing themselves, Fireheart and Redfeather parted ways with the queens as the other clan leaders called for their respective clanmates. Swiftly snatching up a vole, Fireheart made her way to the warriors den. Upon entering she spotted Iceclaw talking to Rainfur, with a muffled call she padded over to the pair of toms.
"You finished talking with the outsiders?" Rainfur asked, his dappled tail flicking.
Fireheart sighed, dropping the vole between herself and Iceclaw, "I hope you mean other clans Rainfur, soon enough we'll be having Gatherings with those 'outsiders' you ought to get used to their presence."
"Of course I mean them. And regardless they are outsiders, don't try and stand on some moral high ground with me Fire. All of us know that if it weren't for Starclan's interference, we would never accept all four clans here." Rainfur huffed, "I've known you since we were kits, you're only being kind and embracing those outsiders because you have faith in Starclan and Echosong. But its hard for everyone else, theres going to be fighting between the clans eventually and what if they chase out Skyclan again?"
Fireheart looked down at her paws and shifted slightly. However a glance at the vole with now a missing bite in it caused her to whack her tail against Iceclaw's pelt with a small huff of laughter.
"Its a possibility, but I do want to give the clans a chance before I can condemn them for something their ancestors did, not them." Fireheart mewed, pausing to snatch a bite of the fresh-kill, "But, I do understand where you are coming from. Anyways how's Mintkit and Sagekit? I haven't visited the nursery recently."
Iceclaw snorted as Rainfur dived into proud bragging over his beloved kits and mate. Pushing over the vole to her brother with a paw Fireheart smiled brightly as Rainfur began to speculate who would be a good mentor for his kits.
"Its a bit early to be thinking about mentors! But I'm sure Waspwhisker or Whitepelt would make a good mentors for your kits. After all Waspwhisker hasn't had an apprentice yet and Whitepelt did great mentoring Shrewtooth." Fireheart chuckled, Rainfur however scrunched up his nose.
"Not too sure about Whitepelt, but Waspwhisker is certainly a great warrior." Rainfur replied, glancing out of the den.
Iceclaw huffed, "I'd ask for one of them, Rainfur, but I just finished training Tulipseed so its unlikely."
Rainfur looked at Iceclaw in surprise, as did Fireheart. Iceclaw was very stubborn and regularly refused to mentor apprentices. Whitepelt had been his first apprentice back when Fireheart was still a kit, and Tulipseed had only become Iceclaw's apprentice because Snakestar hadn't given him a choice that time.
"Really?!" Rainfur mewed, completely shocked.
"No." Iceclaw deadpanned.
— A few sunrises later —
As Fireheart sent out a hunting patrol and mew of greeting was called out to her. Turing her head she saw the Windclan deputy standing a few tail-lengths away from her.
"Morning Deadfoot, I hope you and your clanmates are settling in well." Fireheart mewed, the black pelted deputy sitting beside her.
"Thank you, and morning to you as well. How's the hunting been?" Deadfoot inquired, making chitchat.
"Running well, has Snakestar told you and Tallstar when we'll be showing you all to your new territory yet?" Fireheart meowed, curling her tail around her paws neatly.
Deadfoot nodded, "At Sunhigh, I must thank you and your clan again for helping us."
Fireheart's fur burned with embarrassment, far too many cats have been giving her thanks in recent days, "Its fine, besides it'll still take some time before the borders and camps are figured out."
"I'm aware. However may I ask you a somewhat rude question?" Deadfoot mewed with a flick of his head, Fireheart nodded curiously.
"I noticed that you're quite the young deputy, I know Whitestar's deputy is about your age but his choices were limited. How is it that you were picked over some of the senior warriors?" Deadfoot questioned, his voice genuinely inquisitive and not rude.
Fireheart thought for a moment before replying, "Actually, I wasn't Snakestar's first choice. He wanted my brother Iceclaw but he refused, while the senior warriors were certainly capable of being deputy, Snakestar opted for me. He never told me why, but I assume it was due to the fact I had the respect of the clan."
Deadfoot nodded sagely, "I've noticed many cats respect Iceclaw, he must be rather capable despite his stature."
Fireheart couldn't help the rumbling purr of laughter from escaping her, "He's a great warrior, one of our best fighters too. Very intelligent and to the point, he certainly doesn't mince his words. He just isn't that fond of others."
"I could tell," Deadfoot chuckled, "I tried to speak with him earlier but he just acted like he didn't hear me."
Fireheart smiled fondly at the thought of her brother blanking a clan deputy. Iceclaw you certainly know how to make an impression, that's for sure.
Before they could continue talking, a screeching and shaking Shrewtooth practically flew through the camp entrance. The young tom nearly slamming into Waspwhisker who barely managed to dive out of the way. Snakestar shot out of his den as Fireheart swiftly rushed to Shrewtooth who was attempting to speak with Waspwhisker.
Snakestar's lips curled back, "What is it now, Shrewtooth? It better be-"
"Ambush! Stick!" Shrewtooth wheezed, shaking from every limb, "Blizzardstrike was attacked first!"
"What do you mean?" Fireheart questioned, "I sent your patrol to the valley border!"
Shrewtooth only shook his head, "We didn't see them! Please! They need help!"
Snakestar spun around and roared for more warriors, Skyclan only however. "Fireheart stay here, I'll deal with this." Snakestar snarled before demanding Shrewtooth to lead the way. Fireheart watched as Snakestar and the others ran out of camp at Shewtooth's heel. As she turned, Fireheart could feel countless eyes watching her.
Foxdung, Snakestar, you just had to leave me behind. Again…
Straightening up Fireheart made her way to to Echosong who had witnessed the entire event by the entrance to the Medicine den. Beside her the other medicine cats watched warily. As she neared Echosong closed the space between them and began to whisper into her ear.
"Whats going on?" Echosong hissed, her green eyes shining with worry. Fireheart just shook her head.
"I'm not sure, something about an ambush by Stick. Doesn't matter, I need you to get prepared for injuries. I'm sure you have enough help?" Fireheart mewed, motioning towards the other Medicine cats.
The silver she-cat nodded before padding back to the medicine den, Fireheart fluffed up her fur before making her way to the Rockpile to keep an eye on the camp.
~Flashback~
"Theres a fox by the training hollow!" Brokenshell yowled, entering camp. Runningstar who'd been in the middle of scolding Firepaw, swung around to give her orders.
"Snaketooth! Round up a patrol and meet us at the hollow!" Runningstar commanded before rushing to the training hollow with Brokenshell.
Snaketooth immediately began to round up several warriors and even Lightpaw, his own apprentice. Lightpaw, who was Firepaw's littermate, and who direly wished to become a medicine cat. Quickly running to Snaketooth, Firepaw desperately tried to stop him.
"Snaketooth, let me go instead of Lightpaw! I'm a better fighter, please." Firepaw pleaded, her brother gratefully smiling at her.
Snaketooth snarled in irritation, "I don't have time to deal with you Firepaw. Besides Lightpaw needs to learn how to be a warrior. He'll be fine." The young deputy then turned and shouted for the patrol to move out.
Lightpaw glanced over his shoulder as he followed Snaketooth out of camp with the patrol leaving Firepaw behind.
She'd never forget Acornflower's cries when the patrol returned. Lightpaw had died, grabbed by his neck and swung around like a kit by the fox. His head barely remaining attached to his body. Sunblaze had turned on Snaketooth, demanding to know why any apprentice had been taken. The training hollow had been empty after all, flooded from recent rain. And in Sunblaze's eyes there was no reason any apprentice should have been present, maybe Lightpaw wouldn't have been taken had Sunblaze not been on a hunting patrol.
Firepaw could only stare at the pale ginger pelt that now was coated red in blood, the muffled cries of Acornflower ringing over the rage of her father. Fawnpaw was pressed against her sobbing over their brother, some tail-lengths away stood Magepiewing and Pebblesplash, who allowed for them to approach first.
A familiar soft pelt pressed to her other side, and a small turn of her head revealed Iceclaw. Her ice-eyed brother reached forward with his white paw and gently closed Lightpaw's eyes.
Later Firepaw would learn that Snaketooth nearly lost his deputy position. Sunblaze having rallied several senior warriors into demanding his punishment for the endangerment and death of Lightpaw. Snaketooth was punished, forced to act as the elder's primary caretaker and hunting for every apprentice in the clan himself for nearly two moons. During that time another warrior, Nightwhisper, had taken over deputy duties. Firepaw felt sick every time Snaketooth would drop off the prey for her and the other apprentices. Anytime he came near that same sickness came back, and that sickness didn't fade for many moons.
Hatred, Skywatcher had described it once. Unbridled hatred with no way of escape.
~Flashback End~
The Sickness was back again, churning her stomach and constricting her heart like a snake.
Fireheart watched as the patrol was taken care of by Echosong and the other Medicine cats, the worse injury belonging to Blizzardstrike's foreleg. Stick and his cats had attacked, just as Shrewtooth had said, only Oscar had been with them. It was obvious that the nuisance of a kittypet must have seen Blizzardstrike or Redfeather with Skyclan and told Stick. Thankfully no Skyclan cat had died, but the same couldn't be said about the others.
Apparently Cloudtail had fought Oscar and landed a fatal attack on Oscar's stomach. The kittypet had bled out before anyone could do anything. One of Stick's cats, also died when retreating from Cherrytail, running down a steep slope before slipping and snapping their neck during the sharp fall.
Cherrytail was devastated, unlike Cloudtail, the young she-cat hadn't intended to kill any cat and was unnerved by the event. Sharpclaw was beside her uttering comforting words as Echosong patched up a scratch on her side.
Next to Fireheart sat Snakestar, watching over the clan with her.
"You left me behind, Snakestar." Fireheart mewed, "We both should have gone."
Snakestar glanced at her from the corner of his eye, "Someone needed to stay behind in camp, had the other clans not been here I would have brought you."
"Rainfur stayed, he could have watched over the clan. Besides the other clans are too weak to do much even with the two of us gone. I doubt they would have done anything, if only to avoid Starclan's wrath."
"You put too much faith in Starclan and in the hearts of others, Fireheart." Snakestar replied cooly, "You'll learn one day."
Fireheart narrowed her eyes at him, "Don't patronize me, Snakestar. I'm not some naive kit, I know exactly what trusting the wrong cat can lead to. We all do, we all grew up learning about Icestar, and trust me when I speak. I warned you before that something needed to be done about Oscar, now he's dead. I told you that if something happened we'd face it together and yet you still insist on doing everything yourself."
"Watch your words, Fireheart." Snakestar growled under his breath, "This wouldn't have happened if we didn't allow Red and Harley into the clan."
Fireheart returned her gaze to the clan, forcing her fur to remain flat, "I gave the decision to you, and we both know that they deserved better than Stick's control. And don't call them by those names, they're Redfeather and Blizzardstrike."
Snakestar huffed, before snickering, "I'm aware, but do keep in mind that leader's word is law. If I say to stay behind you do it. The clan respects you Fireheart, because you a caring cat and good warrior, but if I wished to replace you I could."
"Do it then, Snakestar. If I'm so replaceable, ask Iceclaw, Rainfur, even Leafdapple. Then tell them and the clan why I'm being replaced. I'm sure Sharpclaw would jump at the opportunity to be deputy and Speckledthrush would support you if only to go against me. But the rest of the clan? I doubt it." Fireheart dared, her voice quiet, "I nearly died twice to protect my clanmates, one of those was from me saving you from that dog. You may have the nine lives of a leader, but how many lives did you think you would have lost that day if not for me? More than the two you did lose, thats for sure."
Her leader remained silent, turning slightly to analyze her, " You are loyal, and a good cat. Even if you hate me, you remain undyingly loyal. And I commend you for it."
"I'm not sure if I hate you Snakestar, but I do hate your decisions that result in suffering. That is what I know for sure, you've been a decent leader and I respect your strength in leading our clan. But don't try and threaten the one who does everything to help you. I don't recall ever undermining your decisions, so I'd hope for some level of respect that you have for me as you did Nightwhisper."
Snakestar studied her for a moment longer before sighing, "I do respect you Fireheart. You're my deputy, and despite our differences in leadership I do trust you to watch my back. I know that you can be a good leader. Someday."
Hearing the dismissal in his tone, Fireheart dipped her head to Snakestar before hopping down from the Rockpile and made her way back to the warrior den for some rest. The tour of the other clan's new territories had been moved to the next sunrise. And Fireheart would need her energy to take the Thunderclan patrol to their new home. Flopping into her nest, Fireheart sighed deeply and shifted to pull her tail out from under her.
"Are you okay?" A Thunderclan warrior asked from a nest not far away, several warriors of the other clans having been moved into occupied Skyclan dens when the spare ones were filled. She recognized the pale tabby as the same one she'd met the day the clans had arrived. Pale blue eyes shone with concern.
She shifted to face the tom better, "I'm alright. Thank you for asking."
The tom gave a small smile, "Its no issue, have a good rest."
"Have a good rest…" Fireheart started, wishing she could remember his name.
"Its Longtail." Longtail chuckled, his laugh made her laugh as well. With a wave of her tail she rolled back over and drifted off into a dreamless sleep.