Cheese? I know I said I would update it during the weekend but... I have no excuse. It only came a day later right? ... I miss my beta.
Anywho, are you guys excited that this is going to be the 10th chapter? Because I am! The longest story I have ever written! Who wants to celebrate with me! Also, 66 reviews! I love you all. XD I feel so weird all of a sudden. I am used to reading other authors thank their reviewers for giving them a high review number. Yes I consider 66 a high review number! I know some have like 5,000 (And more), but this is the most I have ever gotten. ON ANYTHING!
Disclaimer: If I owned Warriors it would be shorter, horribly written, and have fluffy TigerFire slash. :D
Enjoy!
Tigerclaw took in a deep breath as he sat in a bush close to the ThunderClan border. The moon was up and Firepaw still had yet to show up. He was worried. What if Firepaw regreted his decision in coming to meet him? What if this was really a trap? He didn't think he could bare it if it was a trap.
"Tigerclaw?" came a hushed whisper.
Tigerclaw's ears perked up and he moved his eyes to a hole in the bush. Firepaw was cautiously heading into a small clearing that separated the territories.
Seeing the perfect chance to scare the apprentice, Tigerclaw quietly leaned onto his haunches and waited for Firepaw to turn away from his hiding spot. As he did, Tigerclaw jumped out of the bush and right onto Firepaw.
"Ah!" Firepaw let out a surrised howl and started to struggle under Tigerclaw's body.
"Be quiet kittypet. Someone might hear you." Tigerclaw got off of Firepaw and sat beside the ruffled cat.
Firepaw turned to look at Tigerclaw. A huge, toothy grin spread across his face. "You really came."
Tigerclaw snorted. "I have nothing else better to do."
Firepaw smiled and sat up, then faced Tigerclaw. "Did you know?"
Tigerclaw titled his head in confusion. "Did I know what?"
"That I was Rusty."
Tigerclaw took this information in with shock. Firepaw was Rusty? All of a sudden he felt like clawing himself. Of course! It was so obvious! "Way to make a tom feel stupid." He replied with a huff.
"So you didn't know?"
"No. How did you remember?"
"A cat came to me in a dream. A ginger she-cat told me to remember. I had these flashbacks. I realized you were Tigerpaw..." Firepaw shifted in embarrassment. "You saved me."
Tigerclaw blinked at Firepaw's revelation and whispered out, "Lexiflight."
Firepaw looked at Tigerclaw in confusion. "Who?"
"Another cat whose life was destroyed by Darkstripe."
Firepaw's gaze hardened and he let out a hiss. "I am sorry. I had backed him up. I didn't see through his lies quick enough."
Tigerclaw gave Firepaw a sympathetic look and shook his head. "It was not your fault, Firepaw. How could you have known."
They sat in silence, both avoiding the subject that was going to come up next.
"So..." Firepaw started, "...you really...like me?"
Tigerclaw stiffened and nodded. Please don't let him turn away from me, Tigerclaw thought.
Firepaw had an emotionless face on before breaking out in a wide grin. "Thank you."
Tigerclaw looked at Firepaw in confusion and yelped as the younger tom jumped onto him. Firepaw rolled to his side and rubbed up against him. "It is nice to know I am no longer alone."
Tigerclaw felt the skin under his pelt warm. Though this was embarrassing, he smiled and curled up next to the smiling tom.
That night they talked and showed each other that they cared.
~It is done... ha! Fooled ya! ~
Tigerclaw yawned and stretched his tired limbs before blinking and looking around him. He still layed in the clearing where Firepaw and himself had stayed the night before.
Speaking of Firepaw, he glanced to his side where he felt heat. Firepaw was still curled up next to him. His ear twitched but he did not awaken.
Tigerclaw smiled before letting his smile go. He snapped his head up and his ears swerved to the side. He opened his mouth slightly and sniffed the air. His eyes widened. Lionheart! He looked down at his new mate in worry. He couldn't let Firepaw get into trouble. He shook Firepaw with his paw until tired brown eyes opened.
"What?" he mumbled out.
"We have company." He hissed back urgently.
Firepaw's eyes snapped open and he quickly scurried to his paws. He sniffed the air and his eyes widened. "Lionheart!" he meowed.
Tigerclaw nodded. "Act like you are hunting. I can hide down wind." He turned to leave before looking back at Firepaw. "Do you... want to meet again tomorrow night?"
Firepaw's sharp eyes turned soft and he grinned widely. "I would like that."
Tigerclaw nodded and quickly scurried away as Lionheart's scent grew stronger.
~Firepaw Pov~
Firepaw watched in sadness as Tigerclaw quickly went to hide. He gave a small smile. He had a mate, and he loved him.
"Firepaw?"
Firepaw's head snapped around to look at Lionheart. "Oh! Hello Lionheart. I went out for a little training. I wasn't missed was I?"
Lionheart gave him an odd look. "No. But you are up early."
Firepaw smiled. "I need to catch up on some of the warrior training. I am still behind."
Lionheart nodded in understanding but he still had a suspicious look on his face. "Maybe you should head back. I am sure Bluestar will start to looke for you soon."
Firepaw gave a nod before padding past Lionheart and into a bush.
~Lionheart PoV~
Lionheart quickly took in a deep breath as Firepaw passed. Confirming his suspicions, he shook his head. So, they had mated. He walked into the center of the clearing and took in a deep breath again. Firepaw's scent was mixed in with Tigerclaw's strong scent. He shook his head once again and rolled around in the clearing.
He knew he was technically betraying his clan in a way but he had a strong feeling in a the pit of his stomach. He had to protect Firepaw and Tigerclaw's secret. He just had to.
Sniffing the air once again, he nodded a little to himself. His sent was covering up the other two's scent. Though if one stayed in the area long enough, you could being to smell them.
He would have to keep the other warriors and apprentices away from the spot. He sighed and turned toward the bushes to head back to camp.
TADA! XD I hope you enjoyed!