Another chapter to this AU version of Heart of Fire! Both me and my Beta hope you enjoy!!

Favorite, Follow and Review!

O0O0O0O0O

Fireheart was done with being pregnant as she stalked her way towards Tallpines and Twolegplace. The morning sickness, the hormone swings, the pickiness when it comes to her freshkill, the sluggishness that made her feel lazy, etc…it all contributed into one big hairball of reasons to never get pregnant ever again.

Not to mention how more and more protective Tigerclaw seemed to get as her pregnancy progressed. It was almost suffocating and although they had plenty of talks about it Tigerclaw never stuck by his word of toning it down. She had barely managed to get out of camp without being caught this morning and being interrogated as to where she was going and for how long. It wouldn't be long until he would start to notice her absence.

Speaking of Tigerclaw, the further the mother-to-be got to ThunderClan's border the easier it was for her to catch his scent in the wind that was blowing towards her. Odd. It was at first that she thought she was just imagining it. Tigerclaw's constant presence messes with her sense of smell. But no, she came to realize that it was Tigerclaw's actual scent, and fairly recent at that.

She could've sworn he had assigned himself to patrol the RiverClan border. Why would he be near Twolegplace?

The flame-pelted she-cat decided to investigate, but then Graystripe's words echoed in her ears. You're always intruding on everyone's business! You can't keep to yourself! Why don't you go somewhere you're actually wanted?

This made her pause. Should she really be doing this? It was wrong. This was her mate. She needed to trust him like he trusted her. But then again she did live an entirely different life beforehand. Fireheart didn't think it would be considered nosing-around-somewhere-she- was-unwanted if she was headed in the same direction.

She took a deep breath, attempting to shake Graystripe's hurtful words out of her ears, and kept going.

The jade-eyed warrior stumbled across the scent sooner than she thought she would, and discovered a barrage of scents between a set of trees.

Fireheart struggled to pick out individual scents from the pile, but could ultimately only pick out Tigerclaws. She knew the others definitely were not kittypets. Rogues, probably? But no, she recognized the others! She was familiar with them.

Brokentail's rogues! She needed to tell Bluestar.

She was already halfway to camp before remembering. This was Tigerclaw's doing. He organized to meet these rogues to plan an attack on camp and Bluestar.

She couldn't let that happen. And it would if she told Bluestar, but perhaps if she confronted Tigerclaw first, he'd be a bit diverted from it?

Fireheart didn't know how this outcome would go, but she needed to try it.

O0O0O0O0O

After half a day, and Fireheart growing more and more anxious, she finally spotted him coming in with a hunting patrol.

Once Tigerclaw put his prey in the fresh-kill pile, Fireheart immediately approached him. "Hi!"

He looked at her, slightly surprised, but it immediately faded into a gentle stare. "Hello, Fireheart."

Fireheart motioned with her tail to the Ravine. "Walk with me?" The she-cat didn't wait for her mate's reply as she started walking, but he soon fell step in step with the shorter she-cat.

They walked with each other, not really saying anything. But neither minded. They were together, and that's what mattered.

With a pang, Fireheart realized they hadn't been spending much time together recently. Tigerclaw had been busy with his deputy duties. And Brokentail. And Fireheart had been busy with her pregnancy, Graystripe, and her own plans that they needed some time to catch up.

"So, what's on your mind?" Tigerclaw asked, startling her out of her own thoughts.

"Well, we haven't been spending much time together, just the two of us." She replied, lacing her slightly crooked tail with his. "And also, I wanted to talk to you about something."

"What? Are we having more kits?" Tigerclaw's teasing voice replied.

Fireheart stared at him in horror. "Oh, StarClan no!" Tigerclaw's mrows of amusement filled the silence as Fireheart stared at him with endearment.

Her tone changed serious, the playful atmosphere dissapaiting. "But, I did smell your scent near the Twolegplace, mixing with other cats that weren't from our territory or kittypets. They seemed like rogues, but their scent was familiar. What were you doing with them?"

The flame-pelted she-cat wasn't accusing him of anything, simply asking a question. Tigerclaw took a while to speak, seeming to consider Fireheart's and his own words.

They eventually reached Sunningrocks, and still Tigerclaw had not spoken a word. Fireheart was about to ask if he was okay, before he finally spoke up. "They were Brokentail's rogues." Was all he said. Truthfully, Fireheart was surprised he actually admitted it. But she was also incredibly grateful he did.

"Why did you meet them?" She asked gently.

"I was originally going to tell them to leave, but I saw how hungry and ragged they were. I couldn't just turn them away knowing that, so I asked what they were doing on ThunderClan territory. They said they were starving and didn't know where to go." He paused for a moment. "I think they deserve a second chance, Fireheart. I think Brokentail had just manipulated them, since the warrior code demands for the Clan to listen to their leader."

Now it was Fireheart's turn to be quiet for a while. In the time Tigerclaw had been talking, they settled down on one of the flat rocks, right next to each other.

"Fireheart?" Tigerclaw asked hesitantly.

The flame-pelted she-cat turned to look at her mate, who had a clouded expression of desperation and forced restraints, "I'm not mad, if that's what you think." She could visibly see the tension release from his shoulders. "I think it's a noble thing to do. The warrior code might have definitely had a part to play in it. But if you're going to keep meeting with them, I want you to tell me what happens, and I want you to be honest. I won't tell Bluestar, and I won't be mad. I just want to make sure you and ThunderClan are safe."

Tigerclaw nodded. "I promise, I'll keep you in the loop of things."

Fireheart beamed. "Thank you."

"Though it begs the question," Tigerclaw slowly drawled out, "what justice can we give to these rogue's?"

Fireheart's head tilted in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Tigerclaw slowly blinked, his pale amber eyes bored into her own jade-green ones, imploring her to understand, "Brokentail was the one that ordered them to attack our camp. Brokentail was the one to order them to steal our kits. Brokentail was the one behind all of the Clan's suffering. What shall we do when all our troubles are caused by one cat?"

Fireheart had a sinking feeling that she knew where Tigerclaw was going with this. And it seemed that he wanted Fireheart onboard with the idea as well. "You want to get rid of Brokentail."

Tigerclaw seemed to shut down as Fireheart's question came out weak and unsure. The giant dark brown tabby deputy drew himself up more, he turned his now expressionless face to better face Fireheart's, "you don't agree that we should?" his voice was solemn, and the sound of it sent shivers down her spine.

"Of course I agree with you!" Fireheart quickly blurted out. "It's just that--"

"You have some reservation, I'll take it." Tigerclaw pointed out the obvious, sounding more understanding than Fireheart thought he would be.

"Well, of course. Brokentail might be an evil heartless cat who deserves nothing more than pain but--"

"But you wish to do it in a more lawful way." Tigerclaw finished, hiding his frustrations with the idea well. Well not as well when it comes to Fireheart.

"Right!" Fireheart agreed. "Perhaps it should have been more of a vote than an outright decision on Bluestar's part. It doesn't seem fair for anyone that we kept Brokentail alive. Not for ThunderClan, or any of the other Clan's. Especially WindClan and ShadowClan."

Tigerclaw seemed to be listening, which gave Fireheart a little more encouragement to say what she did next, "what if we really did change the warrior code?"

Unlike last time, Tigerclaw seemed a bit more interested in the topic, taking it just a bit more seriously, "and how would you go about changing the warrior code?"

"It would definitely have to be something all the leaders can agree on. And it would be a matter of taking in all the things that made the warrior code work, and all the things that didn't make it work, as well as taking in the opinion of other cats. The leaders would join together and make a new, brand new one that better fits." Fireheart explained.

Tigerclaw hummed thoughtfully. "Of course, get the leaders on board, and the rest of the Clan will naturally follow. But do you think the other leaders will agree to join together?" It was simply a question, but a sting to Fireheart nonetheless. Would the other leaders follow, or would they stick by their ancient outdated code?

"I'm not sure," she admitted. "A few probably would. Nightstar probably wouldn't be willing, I don't think. He would need a lot of convincing. I feel like Crookedstar might need a bit, but I think Tallstar and Bluestar would come around, or at least be willing to work closer together for now."

"What about the Clanmates? How easily would they come along with the idea?" Tigerclaw asked.

"Based on our own Clanmates, the younger cats would come across more easily, but the older generation would need a lot of convincing and would have a lot of push back of the idea. The cats in the middle are uncertain. They could go either way to be honest."

"And you've been collecting this information…often?" Her mate's amber eyes bore into her jade eyes.

Fireheart flicked her ears in embarrassment. "Yeah, I guess. Subtly, so no cat would catch on and talk to Bluestar about it."

"And you think I'm the mastermind." Tigerclaw snorted. "Though I think you're wrong about Nightstar. Right now ShadowClan is weak. It will only take a strong breeze to send them all scattering to the wind. They'd be begging for better guidance to come and help save them in their time of need. Even if that help comes from another Clan."

"You want to take advantage of that?" Fireheart asked, finding herself detached in a way as she secretly plotted alongside Tigerclaw to essentially tear down the warrior code and the ways of the four Clan's and basically rewrite it in their own image. She never thought this was how her second chance would turn out. Instead of defeating Tigerclaw, Fireheart is actively joining him.

Tigerclaw nodded. "It's more efficient that way. A crisis or tragedy occurring in ShadowClan that they can't possibly handle on their own. In comes someone with the ability and know-how of fixing their problems. Instantly they become grateful and reliant on their saviors. And with the right encouragement and words, they can become loyal."

"I see. That makes sense. They're probably desperate for help." Fireheart meowed. Tigerclaw nodded his agreement, though Fireheart could see a new glint in his eyes. Curiosity? Excitement? Relief? She shook it off, and stood up. "Thank you for being honest with me, Tigerclaw. But I'm going to head to Princess's and then see Bluestar to tell her about the rogues."

Tigerclaw's eyes widened. "You're going to tell her about the rogues?"

Fireheart stared at him, confused. "Well, of course. Imagine if she or a different warrior found the scents and discovered our scents with it. She wouldn't be so happy if she knew we came across them and didn't report back."

Her brown tabby mate huffed out in indignation. "I suppose you're right."

"I'll just tell her we found scents of rogues." The jade-eyed warrior shrugged. "No big deal."

"Alright," Tigerclaw got up to touch noses with her. "I trust you. I'll hunt a bit for both of us, so if you don't catch any prey on your way back I can say we were hunting together."

"Thank you." She purred, before running off to Princess's fence, as she originally planned.

She arrived at the edge of the Twolegplace.

"Fireheart! Fireheart!"

Springing to her paws, she whirled around. Sitting on the fence at the end of her Twoleg garden was her sister, Princess. Instantly Fireheart raced across to the fence and leaped up beside her. Princess broke into a deep, throaty purr and rubbed the side of her face against her own. "Fireheart, you're so thin, even while being pregnant!" she exclaimed, pulling away from her. "Are you getting enough to eat?"

"No, nor is any cat in the Clan," Fireheart admitted. "Prey is scarce in this weather."

"Are you hungry now?" his sister asked. "There's a bowl of food in my Twolegs' nest. You can have it if you like. You are eating for more than one after all."

For a couple of heartbeats Fireheart was tempted. Her mouth watered at the thought of filling her belly with food she hadn't had to catch first. But common sense won. She couldn't possibly return to camp with Twoleg scents all over her, and the warrior code forbade her to eat before feeding the rest of the Clan. That's one part of the code Fireheart planned on keeping.

"Thanks, Princess, but I can't," she meowed.

"I hope you're feeding Cloudkit," Princess mewed anxiously. "I've been watching for you for days, so you can tell me how he is."

"He's doing well," Fireheart replied. "He'll be made an apprentice soon."

Princess's eyes shone with pride, and Fireheart felt a prickle of uncertainty in her fur. She knew how much it meant to her sister to have given her firstborn to the Clan. There was no way she could let her have any doubts about how the kit was settling into Clan life.

"Cloudkit's strong and brave," she told her. "And intelligent." And nosey, spoiled, disrespectful, she added to himself. But surely Cloudkit would learn soon enough, when he grew used to Clan ways. "I'm sure he'll make a fine warrior," she meowed.

"Of course," Princess meowed. "How are you doing?"

"Well, not bad." She replied. "Like I said, prey's getting scarce, and a lot more is going on."

"Such as?" Princess asked.

The flame-pelted she-cat hesitated. How much did she want to reveal to Princess? Half the stuff she was doing she wouldn't want getting back to the Clan, and while she didn't think Princess would come across any ThunderClan cats, she couldn't be sure and didn't want to take the risk.

"Well," the soon-to-be mother started. "One of my friends has been a bit standoffish to me recently. I'm pretty sure it's because I've been in his business and have been trying to persuade him out of his relationship with a different Clan cat, since it's against the warrior code, and I don't want him getting in trouble. But he doesn't want to listen to me, or even talk about it." It felt good to get that off her chest. Fireheart couldn't really talk to anyone else about it, for fear of getting Graystripe in trouble.

"It sounds like he doesn't want to listen." Princess meowed. "Reasons for that could vary, he knows it's wrong and feels guilty about it, he just doesn't want to be reminded of the consequences of what he's doing, or maybe he thinks you're jealous."

"Jealous?" Fireheart echoed.

"It's possible. Tom's often think that if you're arguing with them about a relationship, it's because you're jealous of them, whether it's because you wish it was you or because you want what they have." She explained. "It's usually not the case for she-cats, but it's an easy excuse for a tom to make up in their minds. I see it happen all around the neighborhood."

"Oh," Fireheart muttered. "But I'm not jealous? And I don't think I've ever hinted that I had feelings for him, because I don't, and I have a mate!"

Her light-brown tabby sister shrugged. "Like I said, it doesn't always make sense, in fact it often doesn't. It's just an easy excuse for them to come up with."

"You really think that's what he thinks?" Fireheart asked.

"I think it's the most likely possibility. That or he doesn't value your opinions, or just doesn't care. Take what I say with a bit of skepticism though, Fireheart. I don't know him well." Princess replied gently.

"Alright, thank you for your advice, Princess." Fireheart stood up. "But I should probably be going."

"Okay," Princess meowed, "see you later, Fireheart!"

She was about to jump down, before remembering something. "Oh, also. You should probably stay in your garden for the near future."

Her green-eyed sister suddenly looked concerned. "What? Why?"

"There's some dangerous cats wandering around in the forest, and I don't want you to get tangled up with them. They won't be afraid to fight you, or worse." The flame-pelted sister meowed.

"I see," Princess shivered. "I'll be sure to let the other garden cats know. But, Fireheart, will you and your Clan be okay?"

Fireheart hesitated before replying; "I hope so. But I'll be sure to protect Cloudkit to the best of my ability." She licked her sister on the head. "I'll see you again, I promise."

She jumped down from the fence, and raced back off into the woods.

0O0O0O0O0O

"Bluestar!" Fireheart called once she entered camp, a squirrel in her jaws.

The blue-gray furred leader turned her head at the sound of her name. "Ah, Fireheart. What is it?"

"Me and Tigerclaw scented some rogues in Tallpines." Fireheart stated.

Bluestar's eyes darkened. "I see, thank you for letting me know, Fireheart. I'll tell the patrols to keep an extra lookout. Is Tigerclaw still hunting?"

"Er- yes. He told me to report back to you while he continued to hunt for more prey."

She nodded. "I see."

Fireheart walked away after being dismissed and put her prey in the fresh-kill pile.

What has her life come to? Plotting with Tigerclaw, actively lying to Bluestar, her friendship with Graystripe slowly coming to an end.

What else would change?

0O0O0O0O0O0O

Hiya everyone, co-author here! I'd say to expect some slow updates, things are intense in both of our lives, and probably only gonna get more intense!

Yes, Fireheart and Tigerclaw are actively planning possible murder together! -Ashe

Tigerclaw has been considering Fireheart for a few chapters now, but this was kind of the final push for him! Things are going to start to get extra interesting now!!! Also, guess what scene is next? Flooding! I wonder what'll be different? -Ashe

My co-author really put in the effort in this chapter! I hardly did anything! -Sierra

Fire x Tiger ultimate power couple! -Sierra