Another chapter for another wonderful story!
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Also gave that scary review some thought and have decided to press forward with updating and continuing all my stories. Though it scared me I have decided that until something has actually happened I'm going to ignore and push forward. I've been on this site since Feb 10, 2013 and I ain't going nowhere until I'm forced too. Do enjoy the updates as they come. (This goes for all my stories!!!)
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The misty morning air clung to Fireheart's pelt, seeping deep underneath the usually glossy fur and causing the mother-to-be to shiver at the cool draft. The weight of the squirrel clamped between her jaws forced Fireheart's head to hang down low but it wasn't a struggle seeing as the she-cat's patrol only had to do one drop off before they switched off with another patrol for the day.
Fireheart was flanked on both sides by Graystripe and Mousefur who both carried their own prey. Just ahead they could spot the waiting RiverClan patrol, Leopardfur, Silverstream and Mistyfoot, three warriors at the same place at the exact time of day.
It was a few days later after Bluestar announced the alliance with RiverClan, and Fireheart found herself excited about the drastic turn her life took after making one decision. It was exhilarating to not have to sneak around with Graystripe to take food to RiverClan this time around, but to instead be assigned by Bluestar or even Tigerclaw to take them prey with other cats.
After the announcement, cats started slowly coming around to the idea, though still unsure of future continuation or permanent alliance, and many were still doubtful or completely opposed to the idea. So far, Bluestar and Tigerclaw were only asking those who were on board with the idea or curious to try and bridge the gap between Clan's.
Fireheart glanced at Graystripe, who looked as if he were flying on a cloud at being able to go to RiverClan without being yelled at or reprimanded. Fireheart secretly wondered if this could be a good way to get their friendship back on track.
"It's a good thing the sun was out today," Mousefur commented, "otherwise I don't think we would've been able to find much prey for both ourselves and RiverClan."
The mother-to-be nodded along. "It really is, I think the prey are really enjoying the sun after the brutal leaf-bare."
Mousefur shrugged. "They're not the only ones, I'm anxious for green-leaf to come back. And I'm sure you are too, with your kits on the way."
"You bet I am! I want to introduce my kits to the beautiful and warm weather that green-leaf offers. Although the snow is also beautiful, it's awfully cold." Fireheart purred, then turned her full attention to the approaching RiverClan patrol.
Fireheart's patrol met up with Leopardfur's, the two allied Clan's dipped their heads in greeting as the ThunderClan patrol dropped off their prey, but neither patrol rushed to separate just yet.
"How are your kits doing, Mistyfoot?" Fireheart politely asked, dropping her squirrel right at the RiverClan queen's paws.
The pale blue-gray she-cat purred, "they're all doing really well. Growing into strong RiverClan warriors with each passing day."
"That's good to hear!" Fireheart purred back.
Mistyfoot's whiskers twitched as her ice-blue eyes gleamed back at Fireheart. "Though what about yourself? Expecting your kits anytime soon."
Fireheart quickly shook her head. "No, no time soon. Not until newleaf." Something that Speckletail had been stressing is when it's easier to raise kits.
Mistyfoot nodded. "Yes, that's a good time of season to be raising kits in. Unlike in leaf-bare when it's most dangerous for all cats."
Fireheart saw the flash of unseen horror dim the RiverClan queens eyes for just a moment before she blinked it away. It went unsaid but Mistyfoot had nearly lost two of her kits due to flooding and all because of the melting frozen ice that piled up over leaf-bare. It brought about Fireheart's own worries, although it might not be drowning that could harm her kits as much of a common possibility for RiverClan, there were plenty of other things that could easily harm her kits; badgers, foxes, hawks, the thunderpath, rogues, and a lot of other things. The mere thought of any of those things coming into contact with her poor defenseless kits, it made Fireheart's heart squeeze.
"T-Tigerclaw is very thankful for it." Fireheart coughed, trying to shake those worries from her head.
Mistyfoot bobbed her head in agreement. "Blackclaw hadn't been the same since the kits went missing. He's much more protective over us. Hardly lets me do anything outside of Crookedstar's specific or direct orders."
Fireheart wonders if all mates were like that. The flame-pelted she-cat could vaguely remember in her dwindling memories being so very concerned and always hovering over Sandstorm when she was expecting their kits.
Suddenly Mistyfoot's eyes narrowed and Fireheart could see her shoulders tense. Subtly, as if she wasn't paying attention, Fireheart turned her head just enough to see what Mistyfoot was looking at. Fireheart turned just in time to see the retreating tails of Silverstream and Graystripe as they disappeared into a bed of reeds.
Mistyfoot shook her head and turned back to face her, and Fireheart pretended as though she didn't witness a thing.
"I should be getting back to my kits and taking this back to the Clan." Mistyfoot gestured to the squirrel that Fireheart placed before her paws and with a flick of her tail Fireheart gave her permission to take it.
Mistyfoot scooped it up and quickly departed towards RiverClan's makeshift camp, but not before shooting an icy glare towards where the forbidden couple disappeared too.
Fireheart waited for Mistyfoot to be out of sight, along with checking that Leopardfur and Mousefur were still in deep conversation, before stealthily sneaking into the reeds after the pair. Because although there was an alliance going on it would seem suspicious that Graystripe and Silverstream would be alone like this if they were to be found.
Fireheart peeked through a clump of reeds. Jade eyes searching for Graystripe's dark gray pelt just as she heard a deep purr that was filled with exuberance. The sound caused her to pause and lean more towards a parting in the reeds, she found Silverstream and Graystripe intertwined, Graystripe was rubbing and purring all over the silver-and-black tabby she-cat. It was concerning, especially if anyone else caught them like this, Fireheart was about to call out to them before freezing in place and the words dying on her tongue as she overheard Graystripe say, "Silverstream that's great news! We're expecting kits!"
Suddenly image's of her past life flashed before her eyes;
She saw a silver tabby bleeding out in a clearing. Her lifeless eyes glared into Firehearts own. The blood that was leaking out of her infiltrated her nostrils, while the cries of motherless kits reverberated through her ears.
Fireheart felt an eruption of sudden panic induced anger course through her veins which caused her to burst through the reeds, startling the pair of cats, and shoved her way between them. "What were you both thinking?" Fireheart reprimanded the pair. "You can't have kits right now." Not before Tigerclaw and I chang the warrior code. "It's dangerous!"
"Fireheart!" Graystripe meowed, shocked by Fireheart's sudden appearance that was soon replaced by annoyance. "Were you spying on us?"
Fireheart drew back in offense, hurt by the accusation but still in that anger induced rage to dwell on it. "I came looking for you! But more pressing than that is the fact that you've got her pregnant!" Fireheart's tail flicked sharply in Silverstream's direction. "You think that just because we have a temporary alliance right now that the Clan's are just going to accept your relationship?" At least for now. Hopefully.
"Hold on a--"
"And what will you be doing during this delicate period?" Fireheart harshly cut the beautiful RiverClan queen off. "You can't keep sneaking back and forth between Clan's to meet during this time! Imagine the danger you'll be in when you're all alone, bleeding and in pain, wailing for help that might not even come. You could die all alone, Silverstream. Your kits could die! No one will be able to be there for you when it happens."
Silverstream's ears pinned back, she had nothing to say and shifted uncomfortably in place. Graystripe also seemed uncomfortable at the harsh reminder about what could happen when it came to expecting kits.
Both mates shared a look before Graystripe turned back to Fireheart. "It's best that you leave now."
"But-" Fireheart bit off her protest. Her paws turning sharply as she disappeared back through the reeds, leaving the couple to themselves once more and abandoning Graystripe to clean up his own mess this time around. It left her dejected and full of regret.
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"You seem awfully glum this morning." Mousefur meowed as the two she-cat's headed back to camp. The small dusky brown warrior didn't appear to have noticed Graystripe's absence, or perhaps everyone has just gotten used to his sudden disappearances. "It wasn't like this before, how come, did RiverClan's fish scent make you sick?"
Fireheart shook her head, not feeling up to having a conversation but also knowing she couldn't ignore her Clanmate's that just wanted to help.
"Does it have to do with Graystripe?" It was a guess that most have realized was half the time right whenever Fireheart has gotten upset or just silent. And instantly Mousefur could tell when she was right from the not so subtle flick of Fireheart's crooked tail. "What did that bee-brain do this time?"
"It's nothing," Fireheart murmured.
Mousefur let out a snort of disbelief, "usually when someone says it's nothing it's always usually is something. So what is it?"
"It's nothing that anyone needs to worry about." Fireheart stubbornly reiterated.
Mousefur didn't seem pleased by Fireheart's reluctance to voice her problems but thankfully let it go. There were those that liked to push but cats like Mousefur were the ones that respected someone's decision to whether or not speak.
Of course that didn't mean Mousefur wouldn't mention it to someone that would push for information.
Soon as two warrior's out of three had returned to camp, Mousefur went to Tigerclaw to debrief him on their drop-off with RiverClan and must have casually mentioned Fireheart's change in mood. Because the next thing Fireheart saw was the massive, dark brown tabby warrior's hulking form just looming over her smaller body from where she was crouched beside the nettle patch.
"What's this I hear about Graystripe causing you problems again?" Tigerclaw demanded before Fireheart could even get the chance to greet him.
Fireheart was shockingly getting used to this type of question and although it vexed her to no end it was nice to know that no one seems to think it was Fireheart being the one causing the problems in their friendship. Although she would appreciate it if everyone can take a step back from ganging up on her giant goofball best friend.
"Graystripe hadn't --"
"Fireheart," Tigerclaw sighed, "why do you continuously defend him when he's been awful to you? You defend him constantly, why?" He laid down next to her.
Fireheart couldn't understand what Tigerclaw meant by that statement. Graystripe hadn't been awful towards her, in fact, Fireheart may have just pushed Graystripe further away with how upset she got over Silverstream's pregnancy.
"Graystripe has always been great to me." Fireheart meowed, becoming defensive over the dark gray tom without realizing it. "It's just that I've been--"
Tigerclaw's tail gently slapped itself across Fireheart's muzzle, halting the mother-to-be from saying another word.
"Graystripe is the one that's been having an attitude lately. Not just toward you but also Brackenpaw, Sandstorm, Dustpelt and even Speckletail. He's been stepping on everyone's tail's and has the audacity to bail on his warrior duties. Nobody knows where he is most day's and as things stand nobody besides you is missing him. What do you see in Graystripe that all the rest of us don't?"
Fireheart cringed at the reminder of just how sour Graystripe's relationship is currently to their Clanmate's. Brackenpaw was rightfully upset due to Graystripe's mismanaging his apprentice training, Sandstorm had gotten into an argument over it and now isn't speaking with Graystripe, Dustpelt and Graystripe had never seen eye to eye and clash constantly when their even in the same camp, but Speckletail? Fireheart could only wonder what her best friend had done to upset the oldest nursery queen.
Fireheart contemplated for a moment before answering. "I've known Graystripe ever since we were apprentices," I've known him much longer than that, Fireheart also internally added. "We've been through so much together. He was my first interaction with who the kittypets called wild cats. He's how I met Bluestar and was offered a place within ThunderClan. He was the first one to welcome me in the Clan and became my first friend alongside Ravenpaw. Graystripe saved me over and over again during battles. How anyone cannot see Graystripe's merit is beyond me."
Tigerclaw didn't give any sign of a reaction besides the twitch of a whisker. Fireheart could hear the internal argument that Tigerclaw was forming inside his mind. It would be something that paints Graystripe in a negative light and she honestly doesn't want to hear it.
"Well I need to get going." Fireheart suddenly blurted, wanting to get away before a rather nasty argument could start. "I bet you have things to do too."
Tigerclaw seemed reluctant to let her off so soon. But he nodded, "Yes. Bluestar is planning out how we're getting to the Gathering tonight."
Fireheart's ears pricked in surprise. They've all been so busy with RiverClan that Fireheart completely forgot about tonight's Gathering.
"Who all will be going?" Fireheart asked curiously.
Tigerclaw searched around, his pale amber eyes narrowed thoughtfully, "Only warrior's will be allowed to go. No apprentices, elders or queens. The flooding will be challenging enough as it is for warrior's. Let alone those that might need assistance."
"If it's so hard to get there then why go at all?" Fireheart questioned, the information causing her fur to prickle up in concern.
Tigerclaw shrugged. "Bluestar believes that StarClan would be angry if we didn't at least try. Though I don't see the point of risking a cat drowning just to go sit around with other Clan's and talk about how good the prey is running when we all know what the other Clans say are mostly lies to make them look good."
"But we also need to have strong relations with the other Clan's, too." Fireheart pointed out. "We don't want to be caught unaware as to what they are up to."
Tigerclaw seemed to take a moment to mull over her words. It was beneficial to their plans if they knew the state of the other Clans. Right now ShadowClan was still in a state of vulnerability and one good conflict away to destruction once again. RiverClan was allied to ThunderClan but who knows how long that would last without any permanent teethers. WindClan is somehow in the middle as it stands.
Fireheart spotted a special dark tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat passing by and decided to leave her mate to his musing as she quickly followed after Spottedleaf.
Spottedleaf must have noticed Fireheart as she slowed her pace and let Fireheart catch up. "Are you going to the Gathering?" Fireheart asked as she caught up to the medicine cat.
Spottedleaf put down the marigold she was carrying in order to reply. "No. Only warriors are allowed to go tonight." There was understanding in her tone, meaning that she had accepted Bluestar's decision.
"Have StarClan sent you any signs for tonight?" Fireheart questioned, wondering if StarClan has said anything about this Gathering.
Spottedleaf slowly blinked. Appearing thoughtful of Fireheart's question. "No. StarClan hadn't spoken to me about tonight."
Fireheart tried not to feel disappointed, the uncertainty of what might come of tonight's Gathering had begun to fester in her mind. Anything can happen at a Gathering. The moods and tensions between Clans shift every moon. Being segregated kept one another uninformed and it's practically too late to do anything if problems were to arise during that span of time.
Where the two she-cat's stood they heard Bluestar's call for those attending tonight's Gathering. Fireheart spotted Tigerclaw at the head, standing right next to their ThunderClan leader as she spoke to the group leaving, there was also Dustpelt and Sandstorm standing together, both sharing an uncertain look, and the flame-pelted she-cat also spied Graystripe kneading the ground impatiently. Others were also there such as Mousefur and Darkstripe and Runningwind but Fireheart wasn't too focused on them. Fireheart watched wistfully as they departed for Fourtrees.
"They'll come back soon." Spottedleaf reassured, "I'm confident Tigerclaw won't leave out a single detail when he tells you all about it."
Fireheart still had a foreboding feeling as she followed Spottedleaf into the medicine cat's den to continue on with their conversation, mindful about the other snoring medicine cat that slept deeply in her nest at the back of the den.
"I wonder what's going to happen when the other two Clans find out about our alliance with RiverClan." Fireheart meowed, wondering this for quite some time. "I hope we don't appear as a threat to them." Because that would be bad. If WindClan and ShadowClan thought that ThunderClan and RiverClan's alliance was one forged to possibly take down one of their own, it could cause hostility and discord between them.
Spottedleaf placed a comforting black-tipped, gold-and-brown-striped tabby tail on Fireheart's shoulder and gave the flame-pelted she-cat a reassuring look. "ThunderClan hasn't given any reasons for them to think we are a threat. Tonight's patrol will bring back only good news."
Spottedleaf couldn't be more wrong.
Both she-cat's, who remained awake for the duration of most the time typically spent at a Gathering, were startled when Darkstripe charged into camp, appearing angry.
Before anyone could ask, the rest of tonight's patrol appeared just a moment after, coming through the gorse tunnel. Fireheart had never seen Darkstripe turn so fast, fangs bared at their startled leader as he said, "You've made enemies of us all!"
Fireheart was taken aback, trying to find Tigerclaw amongst their returning Clanmate's to seek answers. But Darkstripe explained things perfectly, "If we had gotten rid of that useless pile of buzzard-food then WindClan and ShadowClan wouldn't declare war against us!"
So this is over Brokentail, Fireheart thought.
Jade green eyes eventually found Tigerclaw's pale amber one's. Though dissatisfaction and even some anger glowered in them the ThunderClan deputy still came in defense of their leader, "I know that we are all angry by this turn of events, Darkstripe. But remember who you are talking to. Bluestar is your Clan leader and despite how her decision has bad consequences we should still show some respect."
That was by far the most back-pawed defense that Fireheart had ever heard. Especially when Tigerclaw was supposed to be defending Bluestar.
"Darkstripe, everyone, I--" Bluestar tried to speak but their leader looked lost for words. However Tigerclaw didn't really give her a chance to talk as he continued on.
"We must all prepare ourselves for the worst outcome as we seek a peaceful solution." Tigerclaw meowed, taking charge. "Try and get some sleep if you can. We have much to do tomorrow."
Fireheart watched as Tigerclaw shared a brief conversation with Bluestar before dismissing himself and heading right for Fireheart. The flame-pelted she-cat happily met her mate halfway and touched noses. "What happened?" Fireheart was the first demand out of her muzzle.
Tigerclaw angrily shook his massive head. "ShadowClan found out about Brokentail still being alive. One of our apprentices let their tongues run away. Nightstar revealed it at tonight's Gathering and now WindClan also knows and they both see it as a massive betrayal, an act of treachery and deceit. They aren't going to peacefully go about their lives knowing Brokentail's alive, nor let us be either with us sheltering that tyrant. They're angry and out for blood. Bluestar has doomed us with her decision by keeping him alive."
Fireheart's muzzle hung open but she had nothing to say. In a way she knew something like this would happen, something like this had happened in her past life she was sure. They had been attacked by both Clan's over Brokentail and now they will have to face the same consequences, perhaps unless--
"ShadowClan also refused to let us pass back onto our territory so we were stuck at Fourtrees. If it hadn't been for RiverClan then we'd still be stuck there." Tigerclaw added, calming down somewhat. "Crookedstar swore to show his support with ThunderClan if we ever needed their aid." Tigerclaw snorted at the very idea. But Fireheart was hardly listening at this point.
"Tigerclaw," Fireheart said softly, almost too softly, and it causes the giant dark brown tabby warrior to strain his ears and lean closer to his mate. "I think it's time we rid ourselves of Brokentail once and for all."
Something like satisfaction glinted in Tigerclaw's pale amber eyes.
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Fun Facts:
Graystripe is still on the dirt list.
Silverstream does take Fireheart's advice to heart and will remain in RiverClan for the remainder of her pregnancy. Which will have great consequences later on.
The Gathering went as well as it goes in Canon.
Fireheart is on everyone's protection list.
I think Dustpelt is turning into that brotherly figure to Fireheart and we didn't anticipate that to happen. This story literally writes itself sometimes.
Got to love when Fireheart and Tigerclaw are plotting a coup together. Relationship goals!!
New world order has a slight hiccup but it gets worse before it gets better as they say!!!
