Chapter 27: Melting Snow (A bit of FireDark)
New Leaf was beginning to embrace the forest. Plants were springing forth, but with new leaf comes melting. The snow that once buried the land was instead turning to water. The water to mud in the loose soil and a flood to the rivers. Newleaf made itself known harsh and fast.
Fireheart made his way out of his den to find the camp was a muddy mess. There were dry spots where warriors had cleared the snow before, but anywhere neglected had a shallow layer of mud that sucked at Cats paws. Fireheart could hear an elder complaining, "it almost feels like Shadowclan with how much mud there is this year."
Fireheart got ready to make his rounds before an old friend of his came bursting up to him.
"Riverclan has flooded!" He mewed with urgent, yet hushed tones.
Fireheart nodded and snuck his way out of camp with his estranged best friend. When they reached the flooded river, Fireheart saw two kits on a matt of reeds drifting. The matt war rapidly coming apart in the current, so Fireheart launch himself in to push the matt to shore. He managed to save both kits after one fell in from the matt giving way under it. Fireheart and Greystripe surveyed the river to find the best point to cross. The kits were obviously Riverclan. As they made their way to the Riverclan camp, they noticed the cats conglomerated on higher ground. Fireheart and Greystripe swam over with the kits.
Crookedstar assessed the two Thunderclanners who so brazenly entered their impromptu camp. Each was carrying a familiar kit, Mistyfoot's kit. The Thunderclan cats were returning lost kits to Riverclan!
"You two have my thanks for returning these two kits. As you can see, our camp has flooded, and this flood has poisoned the river. As grateful as I am to receive these kits, I fear starvation may overtake our clan regardless."
Leopardfur looked shocked and pissed that Crookedstar so openly stated their clan's weakness at this time. What she did not see or comprehend that Crookedstar saw was that the two warriors were clearly acting without the orders of their clan leader. Mistyfoot's kits were lost too recently for the cats to have seen them, saved them, went back to their camp to inform their leader, and bring them back. He was preying on their soft hearts to squeeze a bit more aid out of them.
"We could hunt some prey on our territory and bring it over until your territory is dry enough to hunt on your own."
A sparkle shined in Crookedstar's eye as he took a tone that Fireheart felt familiar with. It was that tone Darkstripe takes when he's trying to weasel a bit more out of a deal. Instantly Fireheart knew he'd been played by the Riverclan leader. A part of himself was impressed while the other was resigned as it knew he couldn't just not give Riverclan prey now.
Fireheart made his way back to Thunderclan territory to hunt for his new obligation and felt himself a fool. Another cat had used his kindness against him. He didn't regret agreeing to help Riverclan, but the way Crookedstar had looked at him after he agreed to help left him feeling dirty. When he gave the prey he caught to Riverclan, most cats were kind and appreciative. Crookedstar made no such comment and Leopardfur just looked insulted. On their way back across the river to Thunderclan territory, a certain dark warrior waited for them. Greystripe looked both embarrassed and pissed to see the tom.
"Well, well, well. It appears you two were out swimming, but what is this? I smell fresh kill on you as well as Riverclan. I'd usually claim you were hunting on Riverclan territory, but with all the flooding, I don't imagine they have much viable territory, so I must assume you were giving them our prey."
Fireheart felt more embarrassed then when Bluestar chastised him in his apprentice-hood.
"Did you at least make a deal of it or did Crookedstar play you?"
"Riverclan needs food. They can't sustain themselves with the flooding."
"So, you got played. Crookedstar has always been a slinger of bad deals. Tell you what. I'll fix the issue. You can keep feeding Riverclan, but the next time you go over, you are Lightning and Sparks. You'll request a favor in return for the assistance. They'll give you a stone that symbolizes the favor. You'll bring it back to me, and you'll be good."
Greystripe just looked confused while Fireheart realized what Darkstripe was playing at. A favor could be anything, so it wasn't a cruel ask of Riverclan in this trying time. It also let him out of Crookedstar's claws in terms of obligations. It was a kind plan that would give a return. Darkstripe certainly had a way with allowing Fireheart's benign nature while ensuring the acts he committed would be a boon to the clan. It felt good to have such a sly cat supporting him.
"OK, but how do we keep Bluestar from getting mad?"
"Don't worry about that. This is now officially dealer business. I'll let Bluestar know. She won't be happy with me, but she knows I'm an opportunist when it comes to deals."
Fireheart made his way back to camp with the two cats he felt trust for. Trust? When had Fireheart began to feel trust for the dark tom? Their pelts touched as they made their way back. It wasn't intentional, but Fireheart felt something then. It was somewhat similar to when he was with Sandstorm but somehow also the exact opposite. Darkstripe did not flinch away like he expected, but he did not move into it as well. Did Fireheart feel something for Darkstripe? Too much was going on, and there was too much to do for Fireheart to sort out these feelings. He pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind where he hoped they'd stay until the Tigerclaw issue was resolved. Darkstripe helped the two put together a reasonable amount of excuse fresh kill and helped them cover their scents. He then disappeared into the forest to continue on his business while the two returned to camp. Fireheart was exhausted early, so he returned to his nest. That night he dreamed of Sandstorm and Darkstripe. The two would call for him, but he couldn't reach them. They were always a tail length away. Finally, the two cats of his dream stood together, and he felt that he could finally approach. Unfortunately, timing was not on his side as that was the moment he awoke.