Author's Note: Feel free to leave a review on my writing style and how you'd like to see the story turn out. A response to one review: This is not an evil Fireheart AU. I was hoping to give Darkstripe more of a personality in this AU as well as allow for Fireheart to mature through others instead of how the original usually let him fail to learn.

Chapter 8: Workaholic

Fireheart found Darkstripe waiting for him around sundown.

"So, have you gotten an answer for my questiond?"

Despite Darkstripe attempting to appear in control, his unkept fur and stench of sweat gave away that he was utterly exhausted. Fireheart instinctively could tell Darkstripe would avoid talking about it if he could.

"Tigerclaw's favorite fresh kill is rabbit because of its efficiency. I had to ask Goldenflower about that one."

Darkstripe having started to groom the matts out of his fur just nodded.

"Brindleface's mother was Robinwing. Her father was Fuzzypelt. She's siblings with Frostfur and related to Dustpaw and Ravenpaw. Longtail is a half brother and Whitestorm was raised with her,"

Having finished giving himself a first pass grooming himself, Darkstripe nodded again.

"I'm impressed. I thought you'd only figure out her parents and Frostfur. I hope you talked with her more than just who her family was."

This time Fireheart nodded.

"She told me about her kithood and a bit about her desire to be a queen one day. She talks a lot about Whitestorm."

"Then the last question should be easy to answer."

"Whitestorm is Bluestar's nephew. Since her sister passed, Bluestar has raised Whitestorm, so he is in essence her child."

"I guess that makes you siblings in a sense." Darkstripe mewed thoughtfully.

"What?! Bluestar's not my mother!"

"And yet she treats you as such. You don't realize this, but she sees you as her lost child. I was told this by Tigerclaw, but Bluestar lost three kits right before she got the deputy position and hasn't looked for a tom ever since. She still mourns them I believe. You are probably the fifth most influential cat in the clan because of this."

"Are you one of the five above me?"

"No. I'm probably like ten or something. The only reason I get to boss you around at all is the senior warrior title."

Fireheart paused to think, but Darkstripe's scent was throwing him off. He smelled like all the corners of Thunderclan territory as well as a faint hint of the Twoleg Place.

"Sheeze Darkstripe. Have you been constantly on border patrol or something. You smell like you've run laps around the territory all day."

"Not far from the truth. I'll be honest for once. That Wind Clan mission really messed up my ability to complete my routines. I know I need a break, but I'm too far behind schedule."

"I've been dealing with a hyperactive apprentice thanks to you. How in Starclan can you be more tired!"

"I've always been busy since I was an apprentice. Its what Tigerclaw taught me. 'If you have time to rest, you have time to be productive.' It is how it is. Its how Tigerclaw says I can prove my worth and build on my legacy."

Fireheart was dumbfounded. This cat was going to work himself into an early grave. He didn't realize how deep seeded Tigerclaw's influence on Darkstripe really was.

"I've got a favor to ask you Housie."

"Housie?"

"I've heard some kittypets prefer the term. Anyways, I think I could end tomorrow early and catch some rest if you can meet two of my 'acquaintances' near the Twoleg place. One is new to trading, so I want you to set up a first deal with him. A friend of mine wants a yellow flower as big as they can find. The other acquaintance was supposed to get some catnip for our medicine cat. If you do it I'll skip questions tomorrow."

"Sure. How will I know these cats?"

"The first is Rusty. Don't ask for real names. He's right beside where Bluestar recruited you. He'll be able to point you to the other. Her name is Queen. Your name is Lightning if any cat asks. It lets them know you are filling in for me. I've had Dustpaw and Longtail fill in for me a few times."

"Why the secrecy?"

"Not everyone in the clan would approve. The names protect our identities in case someone listens in. Its also a way of verifying identity. If I talked to one of my acquaintances as Darkstripe, they'd run away on the spot."

"What's your secret name then?"

"I'm sure you can figure it out. You're a clever cat. Albeit reckless, but you are a thinker when you take the time to be. Let's make it a game. I have an acquaintance in River Clan called River. When my acquaintance in Shadowclan is out, they send a temp called Shade. Guess my name?"

"Your name is Thunder!"

"Got it in one." Darkstripe purred. You're finally starting to shape up kittypet. Maybe one day I'll let you into the few I truly trust. For now, get some rest. I have one last thing to do, then I'll head to rest myself."

It felt like Fireheart had finally pierced a wall. Darkstripe still called him a kittypet, but it didn't have the same spirit as the first time Darkstripe called him one. Fireheart held his head high as he contemplated how the next day would go. Who were Darkstripe's strange friends and why did one bear his old name. He contented himself to puzzle away while drifting to sleep. Darkstripe was right. Fireheart was a thinker when he let himself be and was happy for it.

Darkstripe made his way to the medicine den as every other warrior was beginning to bed down for the night.

"You got what you want to trade?"

"I got it oh so mysterious Thunder." Yellowfang replied with dripping sarcasm. Then she noticed the state Darkstripe was in.

"You can't go out like that! You'll collapse on the way."

"I've been in worse. You need those herbs and I have no one else I can send right now. I'll be back before dawn."

With that Darkstripe grabbed the bundle Yellowfang prepared and made his way to Fourtrees. Three other cats waited for him there.

"River, Wind, Shadow! It's been too long. Sorry I was out for a while. I'm sure Wind knows why. Anyways, lets do this quick. I can hear my nest calling my name from here."

With that, the cats quickly swapped items and made their way to their respective clans. Darkstripe was bearly on his paws by the time he entered camp, visibly swaying. He unceremoniously dropped Yellowfang's items near her storage for her to sort in the morning before he barely managed to push his way into the warrior's den. Darkstripe was far too tired to make his way to his usual nest and dropped into the nearest unowned pile of moss. By happenchance, this pile of moss was close to the sleeping Fireheart. Some cat sleeping so close usually signified they were friends. Fireheart had woken slightly when Darkstripe made his way in and purred himself back to sleep when Darkstripe accidently told every cat who would see him that he was friends with the ginger tom he ridiculed so regularly.