Another new chapter from me and my amazing Beta ( Co-author) ((I am amazing, aren't I?)) -Ashe, and we are happy to continue on with the Au!

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O0O0O0O

Fireheart laid awake in her shared nest with Tigerclaw, who snored away at her side while her thoughts ran wild. Yes, something needed to change, she knew that. The flame-pelted she-cat might not remember everything that happened in her past life, but she definitely remembered all the devastation and loss that had happened in it.

The memories of her first life, what she could remember of it, began from the singular moment she had been first introduced into the life of a Clan cat. From her first steps into the new world she calls her own, Fireheart had to prove herself over and over again, of which she is still trying to prove herself.

The words in which Rock had spoken to her filled her ears, as though he were there whispering them to her, "Not in the way you may think, not everything will be the same, much will change."

What exactly did he mean by 'much will change?' and why had he been so vague? Was Rock leaving it up to her to interpret? And if so, then how much was she meant to change? Saving the lives of all those she had failed to save the first time around was more than obvious. But what was the point of saving them if they were still put in jeopardy?

What was a sure way to protect them? Fireheart couldn't think of anything as more thoughts began to swirl around in her mind.

Though one thing that she was definitely sure needed to be fixed was Tigerclaw and his future actions. Fireheart wasn't sure if he was still planning to bring in the rogues and attack Bluestar, but she needed to make sure that didn't happen. Tigerclaw was a great asset to the Clan. Even in her past life Fireheart could tell that Tigerclaw was a great warrior, though a misguided one. The flame-pelted mother-to-be wanted him in ThunderClan where he was needed, with her and she wanted him around for their kits.

Sure, Bluestar had her faults, but she didn't deserve to be murdered in cold blood. None of them did. Tigerclaw needed to be stopped but she didn't want to continue on with her original exposure plan or even kill him.

How would Fireheart manage to deject Tigerclaw from a path he already built for himself? She didn't know, but the jade-eyed warrior knew she needed to try. Fireheart didn't know if she would be able to forgive herself if Tigerclaw still got exiled, leaving her future kits fatherless.

Fireheart vigorously shook her head. Tigerclaw wasn't the only thing that needed to change! She looked around, as if thinking the warrior's den would give her the answer to all her problems. Her eyes landed on a snoring dark gray warrior who had been there with her through thick and thin, and her eyes widened in recognition.

Of course! Graystripe needed to see sense! He had suffered so much loss from Silverstream. He didn't listen to any of her opinions before, though, so what could she say to make it different? How could she get Graystripe to listen to reason?

Graystripe was stubborn, he always had been, and Fireheart didn't want to get into another fight with him.

Unfortunately, that might be what has to transpire in order to make him see sense. Fireheart sighed as she laid her head back down. She'd deal with her thoughts tomorrow.

O0O0O0O

Dawn brought sunshine but the snow was still piled around the camp as well as a terrible chill in the air. The fresh-kill pile was frosted over and could hardly fill the belly of even the smallest cat. Whoever that cat may be. It was clear leaf-bare was truly setting in now. Fireheart roamed the clearing, looking for either her apprentice, her best friend or even her mate. Though it was clear to see that Graystripe had already headed out, and Fireheart hoped he took both apprentices with him. Luckily, Fireheart spotted Tigerclaw near the base of the Highrock, seeming to be in deep conversation with Bluestar. Fireheart didn't want to interrupt, so she settled down underneath the protection of the nursery walls and just watched them, waiting for them to finish whatever it was between the leader and deputy.

Fireheart was so distracted that she didn't realize she was being approached before the cats were right up on her. "Hi, how are you today, Fireheart?" Fireheart nearly jumped out of her pelt as she whirled around to find an amused Sandstorm and an awkward looking Dustpelt standing behind her. "Are you going to check out the nursery? Planning to move in already?" Sandstorm said in a teasing way, so it calmed Fireheart's racing heart and allowed her to get in a better mood.

Fireheart shook her head. "You're not throwing me in the nursery just yet."

"Why not?" Dustpelt spoke up, still appearing awkward and refusing to make eye contact. "After all you're--you know--with Tigerclaw and you're having--you know--"

Sandstorm rolled her forest green eyed and sighed in exasperation. "They are having kits together, Dustpelt. It's not that unexpected when they are mates. Stop acting like Fireheart is going to give birth to a litter of foxes!"

Dustpelt visibly bristled. "I wasn't acting like that!"

Sandstorm once again sighed in exasperation, before turning back to Fireheart. "We actually came looking for you."

Fireheart blinked in surprise. "You were looking for me? Why?"

Sandstorm's whiskers twitched in amusement as Dustpelt shuffled in place and looked everywhere but at Fireheart. "We both wanted to congratulate you and Tigerclaw for having kits soon. I've heard the announcement that Bluestar gave but we weren't able to properly give our blessing."

Fireheart swelled with pride at hearing this from her Clanmate's. The flame-pelted she-cat was more than ecstatic to soon have more kin within the Clan. Knowing that her Clanmate's were equally looking forward to the kits just made her more proud. "Thank you, both of you. Me and Tigerclaw are looking forward to having our kits with us."

"Do you want to come on a patrol with me and Dustpelt?" Sandstorm offered. "We can also bring Tigerclaw along once he and Bluestar are finished talking."

Fireheart hung her head in embarrassment at being caught practically spying on her mate. Though she really shouldn't be embarrassed by simply watching him, everyone looked at Tigerclaw, the large dark brown tabby was the Clan's deputy and the most admired warrior in the entire Clan. Fireheart realized she didn't want the admiration that shone in her Clanmate's eyes for her mate to fade with the knowledge of his horrible betrayals both past and possibly future.

"If Tigerclaw isn't busy then we'd be happy to join you."

Dustpelt's amber eyes flicked upwards, looking pointedly somewhere above Fireheart's head. "Well you can ask him now because he's coming this way."

Fireheart turned around to see the deputy right behind her and almost jumped out of her pelt. Tigerclaw blinked down at her warmly. Then the dark brown tabby warrior turned his questioning gaze onto the two warriors that Fireheart was just speaking too.

"Dustpelt. Sandstorm." Tigerclaw greeted the pair pleasantly enough. "A good day to you both."

"And a good one to you as well, Tigerclaw!" Dustpelt seemed to have recovered from his awkwardness in the presence of his idol. "Me and Sandstorm were just congratulating Fireheart on expecting kits and also wanted to know if you wanted to go on a patrol with us."

Tigerclaw blinked slowly, then looked down to silently ask Fireheart as to whether or not his mate was up for a patrol. The flame-pelted she-cat rolled her eyes, she was pregnant, not one

paw in the grave. Fireheart communicated this through a simple look. They only needed a look now to know each other's minds! Her past life would be rolling in his grave.

Tigerclaw nodded once as he caught onto her answer, then turned to the two waiting warriors and gave them confirmation that they'd be happy to join their patrol.

Naturally Tigerclaw took the lead as he led the group across the clearing, bypassing a group of warriors that had decided to weather the cold and go about their duties. Tigerclaw waved his tail to these warriors, who in turn happily returned the gesture. Tigerclaw was so well loved by everyone, how he didn't seem to care in his past life was beyond Fireheart's understanding. Tigerclaw went headfirst into the gorse tunnel with the rest of the patrol following closely on his tail.

The patrol then slowly made their way up the ravine and out towards the direction of Sunningrocks. Tigerclaw and Fireheart walked next to each other in the front, while Dustpelt and Sandstorm quietly talked together as they brought up the rear.

It was odd that Dustpelt of all cats had come to congratulate her. Fireheart had never gotten the impression that he liked her very much. Though perhaps it has more to do with the kits being Tigerclaw's than it did with Fireheart herself. Though it was still a win in the flame-pelted warriors mind. Having closer relations with her Clanmate's was always a good thing.

A lot of odd things had been happening, and she didn't know how to react to it all. The unfamiliarity scared her, yet also excited her. Things were slowly, in very small ways that mean the most, changing, and she couldn't be happier. The ThunderClan leader in a past life was setting the grumpy, yet also secretly deep down a kindhearted deputy on a better path, and hopefully his followers. She was going to try to set Graystripe on a better path of loyalty as well.

Things were looking up.

Paws of different sizes crunched through the undisturbed layer of snow. Arriving they emerged into open territory. Ahead of them, a slope of rock rose out of the soft earth, its smooth surface lined with cracks. It was also dusted with snow much to everyone's disappointment. Everything seemed so untouched, quiet and void of anything or anyone.

"We're not going to get any hunting done here." Sandstorm whined from the back. Fireheart turned with her whiskers twitching in amusement as she gazed upon the greatest hunter in the entire Clan.

"You'll manage to find something for sure, Sandstorm." Fireheart said, truly meaning her words.

Sandstorm ducked her head. Appearing shy but pleased by Fireheart's compliment. Dustpelt seemed to agree with Fireheart as he also made his own form of encouragement, "besides, you

can't do worse than anyone else seeing as there's nothing here." Sandstorm looked at her tabby friend in bewilderment, not sure whether to take that as a compliment or not.

"The river's strangely quiet today," Tigerclaw mumbled, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.

The patrol shared a look amongst themselves. Uncontestedly following Tigerclaw as he led them towards the edge of the river that separated RiverClan and ThunderClan's territory. They stared in amazement as they gazed upon the nearly large sheet of ice that covered the surface of the river. It was still flowing. But large chunks of ice were drifting down in the water from upriver. It wouldn't be long now until it was frozen completely.

"I've never seen the river like this before!" Dustpelt breathed, his amber eyes shining in excitement.

"I wonder if it's going to freeze entirely?" Sandstorm added, appearing just as excited as the dirt-colored tabby warrior.

Fireheart turned to get her mates opinion but found him peering deeply across the river into RiverClan territory. There was an alertness in his posture and the aggressive kneading on the frozen pebbly shore with his unusually large claws showed that Tigerclaw didn't share the other two warriors' excitement.

Fireheart wanted to ask what he was thinking but didn't know if she should.

Tigerclaw looked like he was about to say something, but Dustpelt beat him to it. "Do you think RiverClan would try and use it as an opportunity to raid ThunderClan?"

"Oh, they certainly might try," Sandstorm murmured. "Rotten fish-breaths, the whole lot of them."

"Let's just hope it doesn't get to that point, then." Fireheart meowed quickly.

Fireheart gazed back at Tigerclaw who fell silent again. Quietly brooding to himself. What she would give to walk within his dreams and unlock all his secrets. Fireheart desperately hoped she could save her mate. As Fireheart turned to gaze at RiverClan herself it made something come to mind, perhaps a thought spoken in her past life.

"Wouldn't it be nice if--RiverClan weren't our enemy?" Fireheart said carefully, keeping her tone light and airy. Pretending as if her heart weren't trying to beat its way out of her chest.

"What do you mean?" Sandstorm inquired.

Fireheart quickly responded. "I just mean, wouldn't it be easier to share the territories. Clan's seem to be struggling with prey lately, how come we can't help them out? Wouldn't being united be better than being divided?"

Seeing their bewildered looks, Fireheart quickly apologized. "Sorry, just a passing thought. Let's see if we can find anything at the Owl Tree, yeah?"

"Sounds alright to me." Dustpelt shrugged, looking to Tigerclaw to make the final verdict.

Tigerclaw did nothing but nodded slowly, indicating to the group that he had heard and agreed.

As the patrol turned to head towards the direction of Fourtrees to the Owl Tree, Fireheart saw Tigerclaw lingering. She saw the way he was gazing across the river at RiverClan's territory and it made her wonder if he was thinking about what she had said.

"Tigerclaw?" She spoke up. His pale amber eyes rested on the opposite side of the river, before turning his gaze towards Fireheart. "Are you coming?" He nodded, and started walking with Fireheart.

O0O0O0O

The patrol walked into camp with the sun at its peak height, their jaws clamped with prey. They set it on the fresh-kill pile.

"Well, that was the worst hunting I've ever done." Sandstorm sighed.

"Hey, at least we caught prey." Dustpelt added. "Three's not bad for leaf-bare."

"Do you want to go out and see if we can catch anymore?" Fireheart asked. Sandstorm looked at her and shrugged.

"Why not?"

"We should at least eat first." Tigerclaw argued, staring directly at Fireheart.

Dustpelt was already pulling a squirrel from the pile. "About time, I thought we were all going to starve."

The others followed his lead and went over to the nettle patch to eat together, light conversation flowing easily amongst the group.

Fireheart looks up from her prey, not having anything to add to Dustpelt and Sandstorm's argument about the best prey. She saw Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw happily play fighting near the stump near the apprentices' den.

"Looks like Graystripe took Cinderpaw and Brackenfur out today." Fireheart commented. Sandstorm and Dustpelt shared a confused look.

"I thought Longtail took them out with Swiftpaw?" Sandstorm mused.

"He did." Dustpelt replied, turning back to look at Fireheart. "Graystripe didn't take either of them out. So I don't know where you got that idea from."

Fireheart turned back to her vole. Graystripe promised he would take Brackenpaw out today! Why did he continually neglect his warriors duties? Fireheart was getting more and more irritated with her dark gray-pelted friend. The flame-pelted she-cat was going to have to have another talk with him about boundaries with Silverstream.

"Well where was Graystripe if not with his own apprentice?" Tigerclaw demanded too nobody in particular.

Fireheart shrugged. "Maybe he went out hunting as well? Or on one of the patrol's? I didn't see him this morning so I wouldn't really know. I do know, he's out seeing Silverstream." She silently added, seething.

Tigerclaw huffed. "He seems to be going out hunting quite a bit lately. Perhaps one of those times he should take Brackenpaw out and show him."

The jade-eyed warrior quickly rose to Graystripe's defense. "He has taken him hunting before! I guess today he just knew that Longtail was going to take them out and decided to go out on his own?"

Dustpelt rolled his eyes. "Come on, Fireheart, how dense can you be? It's obvious that a fat cat like Graystripe doesn't care all that much about his apprentice, when he could go galavanting off on his own."

"What Dustpelt means," Sandstorm quickly interrupted. "Is that nobody in the Clan has seen him with Brackenpaw recently, that's all."

"I meant what I said." Dustpelt argued.

"Why don't you have some tact when opening your mouth." Sandstorm retorted, tail lashing out behind her in irritation.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Dustpelt shot back at her.

"Looks like the cat in question has finally returned." Tigerclaw growled. Fireheart jerked her head to where Tigerclaw was looking and saw the yellow-eyed warrior walking into camp, some prey dangling from his jaw.

Fireheart rose to her paws within a heartbeat and rapidly padded towards him. "I thought you said you were taking Brackenpaw out today?" Fireheart hissed softly when she was close enough for only her friend to hear.

Graystripe put his prey on the fresh-kill pile before turning back to Fireheart. "Did I?" Fireheart gave him a stern look. "You did, yesterday, after you didn't take him out."

"Oh," he meowed. Fireheart felt some hope, if Graystripe had actually forgotten about taking him out today then it would be easier to forgive him and correct his mistake, but that hope was squashed as the dark gray tom simply shrugged. "Oh well, you still took him out today, right?"

"No." Fireheart spat, struggling to force her fur to remain flat. "I went on a patrol with Sandstorm, Dustpelt, and Tigerclaw instead. Longtail took the apprentices out before I left the den and I thought you were the one that had them! "

Graystripe suddenly snapped his head towards Fireheart, his fur bristling. "What do you mean Longtail took him out? Why didn't you get to him sooner!"

Fireheart almost scoffed at the absurdity. "I'm supposed to take him out? He's not my apprentice, Graystripe, he's yours! Although nobody would know it with how little you're around."

Graystripe's shaggy tail whipped out behind him. He even had the gall to look irritated at her. "I'll deal with it, just get off my back already."

Fireheart's fur started bristling. "I'm on your back because you never follow through on your word, and I'm trying to make it so you don't get caught! But you're making that very complicated with how much time you're away."

Graystripe visibly gritted his teeth. "I can't help it that that's the only time I can see Silverstream!"

"You shouldn't be seeing her at all!" Fireheart blurted, instantly regretting saying that as Graystripe all but shut down, turned and walked away.

The flame-pelted she-cat wanted to desperately go after him and apologize. Make her friend see that she only wanted the best for him. That his relationship with Silverstream will only end in disaster and she was trying to prevent the heartbreak before it could even get that far.

Instead Fireheart turned her back on Graystripe and stomped back to her Classmates and mate. No one really said anything as Fireheart sat down, practically vibrating with repressed annoyance. Until Dustpelt decided to have a say on the matter, "Well that was painful to watch and I didn't even know what you were talking about."

Sandstorm shot him a glare, then turned back to Fireheart with a sympathy in her forest green eyes. "It's not just you, Graystripe's been that way with everyone lately. He seems to be short with any cat that so much as looks at him. It's quite out of character from his usual behavior, to be honest."

"I know," Fireheart grumbled, taking a bite out of her mate's vole. Fireheart was eating for more than one after all. Tigerclaw rested his tail on her shoulder in silent support. She sent him a grateful glance.

"Though it seems like he's been more on edge since the battle between RiverClan and ShadowClan." Sandstorm pointed out.

Dustpelt snorted as he finished with his own fresh-kill. "Everyone has been more on edge since the battle at WindClan. Now that we've made enemies with the two."

"We're still allies with WindClan though." Fireheart hastily pointed out. "It's not like we're up against them alone."

Dustpelt rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Those rabbit-chasers needed us to save them. What good will they do if RiverClan or ShadowClan were to attack us?"

"ThunderClan is strong enough to face down any foe, Dustpelt." Tigerclaw chastised, sternly eyeballing the dark brown tabby, who ducked his head in embarrassment.

"Tigerclaw is right." Sandstorm agreed, her chest sticking out with pride. "We've managed to drive them all off at WindClan and we'll be able to chase them off our own territory. We know every rock and tree and creature that roams these forests after all."

"Don't get too cocky though," Tigerclaw warned, "have some humility." Though Tigerclaw had no heat behind his words, he seemed to wholeheartedly agree with Sandstorm.

Fireheart listened to them silently, taking the concentration before her and rolling their words around in her head. RiverClan was fighting for WindsClans territory because they were running low on food, ShadowClan was doing so for the same reasons, if not more entitled thanks to Brokentail's lingering influence. Fireheart wondered if all that fighting could be avoided if they all could reach some sort of compromise. A better system that would make sure that no cat would go hungry or lead to war.

She remembered all the times the Clan's got along in her past life. When Scourge invaded, when they had joined together in order to find a new home, when the lake has been threatened by strange creatures that were hogging the water and nearly draining it dry, when kits had been lost underground, and not to mention the war that took her past self last life; between StarClan and the Place of No Stars.

Fireheart knew they could get along. They have done so many times.

"I wish the Clan's would just get along." Fireheart sighed, drawing everyone's attention.

The trio blinked, seeming surprised by Fireheart's words, not seeming to ever heard such a thing uttered before. "Well," Sandstorm began, "it would be nice if we could all get along."

Dustpelt snorted in disbelief. "That will never happen."

Fireheart's tail lashed out behind her. "It could. Under the right circumstances. It would solve most of the problems the Clan's face, but every cats too stubborn to admit that."

"If it were possible," Tigerclaw rumbled, seeming to humor Fireheart. "Which I don't think it is. There would be serious changes to make regarding the Warrior Code."

"Besides," Dustpelt added, "who would be mouse-brained to even try something like that?"

Fireheart was beginning to realize that she wouldn't mind claiming the title of a mouse-brain.

0o0o0o0o

Another wonderful chapter! We hope you all enjoyed it so far! Thank you all for favoring and following! (Though we wish for some reviews!)

Fun Facts:

This chapter has nearly 4,000 words and I had to edit it!

Graystripe is simping for Silverstream and nobody likes it.

Fireheart being so concerned about Tigerclaw is so adorable. We need to add more cute Fire x Tiger moments in this!

Dustpelt makes an appearance and has more interaction than in the books. Who expected that? Certainly not the main author!

Sandstorm, we all love you!

Yep. Fireheart is really starting to unawaringly doubt the warrior code.

I need more Tiger x Fire moments like all of you do. So that's what's gonna be happening in the next chapter!!! Are you with me my dear Beta? Absolutely! -Ashe

Dustpelt is going to be a chaotic little kitty in his book! And his, Sandstorm, and Fireheart's friendship is going to be amazing, so stick it out for that! -also Ashe

Also some call backs from the books! If you can tell where they are from then you are amazing and a true warriors fan!