Here we go again! Let's do this!

Chapter 14: Olivenose's Reason For Loving Fireheart.

Fireheart opened his eyes and saw he was somewhere he didn't recognize. He looked down and saw himself in a den with someone else sleeping next to him. He looked around and saw a Cougar approach him. Fireheart said, "I didn't die Sharptooth." Sharptooth replied, "I know. I am just here to ask you something." Fireheart's ears flicked with curiosity and he said, "Shoot." Sharptooth asked, "What did you dream of when in the Dark Forest?" Fireheart looked around and said, "I dreamt of a hollow that filled up with bodies and blood. All of the bodies told me their death was my fault. As the blood began to rise, I felt something drag me into the depths of it, and then you pulled me out of it. Tigerstar was trying to destroy me psychologically so he can finish the job on me once and for all. You saved me just in time." Sharptooth mewed, "I see. Glad I could make it." Fireheart nodded and said, "Anyhow! Was that all?" Sharptooth shook his head no and asked, "What did you learn from Smokefoot?"

Fireheart replied, "I learned where to start my search for Tigerstar's body and I learned what the last creature in his army is." Sharptooth kept listening as Fireheart continued, "I need to search near the Sunning Rocks in the Old Forest for his body, and the last creature is Foxes." Sharptooth said, "Intriguing." Fireheart nodded his agreement and said, "So. Based on what I have learned, I will come up with strategies and fill you in." Sharptooth said, "Perfect! That is all. I will see you next time you need me." Fireheart smiled and disappeared from Starclan.

Fireheart opened his eyes and realized he was in his Leader's Den in Shadowclan. Fireheart looked over his shoulder and smiled as he saw Olivenose sleeping next to him. He purred quietly and said quietly, "I will count myself lucky that I woke up before her. I don't want her to worry about me more than she already does. Poor girl. Probably been worrying about me for quite awhile." Noise at the entrance made him shoot to his paws. Fireheart leapt in front of Olivenose quietly to protect her, teeth bared. His hostility vanished as soon as he recognized Smokefoot. Smokefoot purred in amusement and said, "I see you woke up to a nice surprise. Am I safe in the Dark Forest again?"

Fireheart chuckled quietly and said, "It was a nice surprise. I won't lie. And yes. It is safe for you. I… disposed of Ashfur." Fireheart sighed and looked at the paw that ended Ashfur's life. Smokefoot mewed quietly, "Don't beat yourself over it. I know killing someone is always a hard vole to swallow. You did what you had to protect the entire forest." Fireheart took a slow deep breath as he said, "I know. But it doesn't change the fact that I killed someone! How many is that now? I've lost count." Smokefoot mewed seriously, "Fireheart, you do what you must to protect the forest. Every cat in the Forest knows you'd rather handle things peacefully instead of with violence. You've proven that time and time again!" Fireheart looked at Smokefoot and sighed.

Fireheart felt Olivenose stir and he rested his tail on her back, lulling her back to sleep. Olivenose purred in her sleep at Fireheart's touch. Smokefoot said to Fireheart, "You do care about her. Don't you?" Fireheart said, "I do. But I don't know if it's love, or something else entirely." Smokefoot said seriously, "You know what it is deep within you, but the question is will you see it before it's too late." Fireheart replied, "I hope so. How long have I been out?" Smokefoot replied, "About a day."

Fireheart replied, "Well shit. No one has come looking for me?" Smokefoot laughed quietly and said, "Quite the opposite. Many cats from all the other clans have come looking for you. Blackstar told them that you needed to rest after handling something. No one thought anything of it. I am thinking that the only clan that you haven't fully reunited with is Shadowclan, Fireheart." Fireheart nodded in understanding and asked, "Am I cleared to go? And you are correct. Shadowclan is the only clan that hasn't joined back up with Lionclan."

Smokefoot's eyes glinted mischievously and he said, "Don't wanna stay until Olivenose wakes up?" Fireheart chuckled and said, "You know what. You're right. I will stay until she wakes up. Hopefully she'll stop worrying at that point."

Smokefoot purred in amusement and said, "Doubtful. Olivenose will always worry because she loves you, Fireheart." Fireheart replied, "I know she does. I do not know why, but I know she does." Smokefoot shook his head and said, "I shall go tell Blackstar you're awake. Need some fresh-kill?" Fireheart felt hunger pangs, the fact he hadn't eaten in a day or so evident to him, but he replied, "No. I'm fine. Thank you for the offer though." Smokefoot looked at him, seeing through his lie as easily as spotting a tree in the forest and he said, "Well. I will bring a couple pieces. I am sure Olivenose will be very hungry when she wakes up." Fireheart responded, "I'm sure she will be."

Smokefoot walked away and Fireheart felt Olivenose stir next him. He looked over his shoulder and saw Olivenose slowly wake. As she began to stretch, Fireheart looked away, not wanting to see anything her stretch might reveal to him. Olivenose giggled and said, "Such a gentleman. Not many Toms like you nowadays sadly. You're good to look now." Fireheart turned around and gasped in disbelief as he realized something. Fireheart thought to himself, 'I-It can't be! Holy shit! HOLY SHIT!'

Olivenose saw Fireheart staring at her and she blushed lightly and asked, "Is this your way to ask for something?" Fireheart regained his composure and flashed his best smile to hide what he noticed and said slickly, "Just now noticed how truly gorgeous you are, and how great a personality you have. Truly the whole package that any Tom would be lucky to have in a mate." Olivenose blushed bright red and said, "Hush you." Fireheart chuckled and said, "Just stating the truth."

Fireheart decided to ask the question that he has been meaning to ask her. He asked, "So. Why do you love me?" Olivenose blushed lightly and said, "I knew that question was coming eventually." Fireheart sat down as did Olivenose and Olivenose mewed, "It started when you fought for Shadowclan. I have never seen a cat, even from my clan, fight to protect a different clan. It stole my heart that a cat, even one who was given some of the worst threats someone could be threatened with by Blackstar, would still fight to protect Shadowclan. Someone that would do that, is someone that I can trust entirely with my life and my body. You were so forgiving to Blackstar. Not many cats would forgive someone that said some pretty severe threats. And then you came back after becoming a Leader and vocally forgave him in front of all of Shadowclan. You showed your true colors when you did that. You're kind, brave, caring, forgiving, loving, etc. That was when you truly stole my heart. And then defending me from Smokefoot multiple times! You're always trying to keep the entire forest, even at the risk of your own life, peaceful and safe! It's admirable! And you're always humble, never bragging about anything, even your looks. You're nice to everyone, including your enemies."

Fireheart replied, "I wouldn't say I'm nice to my enemies." Olivenose mewed, "Not true. You have put your enemies out of their misery multiple times! A heartless bastard would leave them to die slowly via bleeding out or being killed by a predator like a fox. Someone who wasn't nice to their enemies would revel in watching the light fade from the eyes of their enemies! Someone who wasn't nice to their enemies, wouldn't offer them a chance to make it right! Before every fight, I have heard that you ask your enemies if your differences can be settled without bloodshed! You always offer your enemies a choice! And they always choose poorly! Someone who wasn't nice to their enemies wouldn't give their foes a choice!" Fireheart opened his mouth to argue, but was interrupted as Olivenose gently put her tail over his mouth and said, "Just admit it Fireheart. You are one of the kindest Toms in the forest currently. Any She-Cat in their right mind would fall for you. I also know you have denied some she-cats' affection for you. Word travels around Fireheart. And the fact that you are not just accepting the love of every she-cat you come across, shows that you're loyal even with a harem of She-Cats."

Fireheart gently pushed Olivenose's tail from his mouth and said, "But still. I may have helped many, but I have also killed many." Olivenose replied calmly, "I know, but you have only killed when left with no other option." Fireheart replied calmly, albeit a little snappy, "There is always another option!" Olivenose looked shocked at Fireheart's tone of voice, but replied, "I know you think that, Fireheart. Believe me, I do. But there is not always another option other than you being the one to die or get severely hurt." Fireheart opened his mouth to argue, but Olivenose interrupted him with her tail once again and said, "Now. Don't go saying, well I have the extra lives to spare. You might have them, that is true; but you also don't have unlimited lives. Use your lives sparingly, it's only a matter of time before you lose the inability to die. As it stands currently, you are far too strong a leader currently since you can't die." Fireheart nodded his agreement and said, "I might not lose the inability to die now that I think about it, but I have a feeling when the time comes, it will be greatly reduced. But I think that won't happen until I defeat Tigerstar once and for all."

Olivenose replied, "Most likely. But you need to get into the mindset of, I can fucking die; before it's too late, or all hope will be lost." Fireheart chuckled as he said, "You're right. You're right, Olivenose. Sorry for snapping. Just a lot on my mind lately." Olivenose purred in amusement and said, "I understand. You need to blow off some steam. Go get some, Fireheart." Fireheart laughed and said, "Depends if Honeypaw and Silverstream are in heat. I made a promise to them a little while ago." Olivenose nodded her understanding. Fireheart looked at the entrance and saw some fresh-kill there. Fireheart grabbed both voles and walked over to Olivenose. Fireheart said, "Before I go relieve some stress, would you like to share some food with me and share tongues afterwards?" Olivenose purred happily and said, "I'd love to Fireheart."

Once Fireheart and Olivenose had finished eating and sharing tongues, Fireheart walked out of his Leader's Den and was greeted by Tawnypelt. Tawnypelt said, "Good to see you up on your paws, Fireheart." Fireheart replied, "Yeah. Sorry for worrying everyone." Tawnypelt stifled a purr of amusement and said, "You don't need to apologize to me. You gotta apologize to everyone else. Especially Honeypaw and Silverstream. They came to check on you and I smelled a special scent. They talked about a promise you made and figured you wouldn't mind a third." Fireheart blushed bright red and said, "A third? Who could they be talking about?" Tawnypelt chuckled and said, "They didn't go into more detail. But I guess you better get back to Thunderclan and check it out." Fireheart nodded his agreement and left Shadowclan.

Fireheart walked towards Thunderclan and decided to hunt for the clan. He walked into the Thunderclan with a mouthful of prey. He was greeted by Crowfeather and Bramblestar. Bramblestar watched Fireheart place his fresh kill in the freshkill pile. Bramblestar motioned with his tail behind Fireheart. Fireheart turned around and immediately caught the scent of heat. He saw Honeypaw, Silverstream, and Splashfur sitting there.

He took a whiff of the air again to confirm what he was smelling and blushed lightly as he realized the scent was coming from all three she-cats. He walked over and eyed Splashfur curiously. Honeypaw giggled and said, "Believe me. I was confused as well. But looks like you get to handle three she-cats this time." Fireheart asked Splashfur, "Are you sure about this? Your first time is going to be with two other She-Cats." Splashfur replied shyly, "Y-Yes. I am sure. They have been teaching me a few things."

Fireheart looked at Honeypaw and Silverstream and said, "But why?" Splashfur said, "I asked them too." Fireheart looked at her, disbelief clear in his eyes and Splashfur continued, "I'm tired of being left behind!" Fireheart placed his paw under Splashfur's chin as he gently made her look at him and said, "I never meant to make you feel like you're being left behind. I just never wanted to make the first move for fear of ruining your innocence." Splashfur felt her heart skip a beat as Fireheart made her gently look at him. Fireheart asked, "Are you sure about this?" Splashfur nodded and said shyly, "Y-Yes. I am sure about this."

There we go! A short chapter and everyone knows what's next at this point! SO! PREPARE! May Starclan watch over you all, and until next time, HappytheExceed16, logging out!