A/N - Soo yeah. To make a long and tedious story short:

These last few months have genuinely been the busiest in recent memory. I got a new job in January, and it is SO MUCH more labor-intensive and stressful than my last one, plus my college classes got more difficult since they were approaching their end. I found myself exhausted and hardly able to gather the energy to do anything, much less write. I still tried though; I got around 6,000 words into the next few chapters before I realized that I just needed to step away from it all.

Buuut good news! School finally ended in April, so now I only have to focus on adjusting to the challenges within my line of work. Even more importantly, however, I'm determined to make up for lost time. I'm hopeful this and the next chapter will push my motivation even higher!

That said, I'm curious to hear what y'all think after you read… Will there be more excitement or more skepticism? I'm thankful for the interaction either way :D

Disclaimer: Warriors is owned by Erin Hunter/HarperCollins Publishers LLC

…

The Slip

…

Fireheart stepped carefully through the clearing of ThunderClan's camp, careful not to gather much attention to himself.

Today, he decided, was yet another day for him to take a risk: He had to find Sandstorm. Of the few cats he wanted to start something with, she was the only one that'd reciprocated akin to an interest in him.

And today, it was like the stars had aligned for him.

As Fireheart moved along, he scanned through crowds of cats as he looked for Sandstorm. A few days had passed, so it'd been long enough for any suspicion of his latest venture to have worn down, assuming there had been any at all. Nevertheless, he didn't want to test his luck. Cats like Dustpelt and Goldenflower acted suspicious of him even when he wasn't doing anything at all.

And it was thanks to the particular training from Yellowfang, Fireheart could spot many fresh injuries among the cats as they flooded the clearing.

Another border patrol. He figured, noting younger faces such as Fernpaw and Brightpaw in the group.

He wasn't surprised. Fireheart noticed after his visit with RiverClan that they gradually had become more aggressive at their borders. Patrols lately came back with encounters to speak of multiple times a day.

There was no doubt that things were heating up between the two clans, only amounting to more pressure for Fireheart as well. While a useful distraction, the growing threat of another clan was another threat to him as well.

Which means all the more reason to find allies. Fireheart thought as he finally laid his eyes on Sandstorm, talking near the patrol. And upon seeing Dustpelt was the conversation partner, he had to sigh. This had better be worth it.

Fireheart stepped towards the pair of warriors, begrudgingly clearing his throat once he got within earshot.

"Sandstorm?'' he sounded out, seeing her ears flick towards him. The molly turned her head, looking at him with surprise. Dustpelt also peered over, allowing Fireheart to tense up even more.

Sandstorm flicked her tail. "Is there a problem?"

Fireheart nodded, keeping a level head. "I must speak with you about something." The look of reproach from Dustpelt made him shiver, but Sandstorm lashed her tail at him.

"Hmph… Alone?"

Fireheart nodded wordlessly, trying to ignore Dustpelt's glare. He watched as he suddenly pulled her into a hushed conversation. The ginger lashed his tail, feeling his fur prick with impatience. He knew other cats would grow suspicious the longer he sat near the returning patrols.

Eventually, Dustpelt pulled away from her. He leered at Fireheart a second longer, but the two never exchanged words as Sandstorm turned around, stepping towards him

"Just over here will do fine." She motioned toward the side of the clearing, with a few bushes and trees overhead. Fireheart was briefly skeptical but shook away those thoughts, following her without a word of argument.

"Dustpelt won't bother us. I told him to wait nearby," she said, reading his expression. "I'm assuming whatever you have to say will be quick and worth my time?"

Fireheart nodded vehemently, and the two took a seat near the edge of the clearing, surrounded by only a few shrubs, but enough foliage that no passerby would bother them.

Well, she must trust me to some degree. Fireheart noted, looking around. He could feel his heart beating quicker as he sat beside her, knowing the next thing that came out of his mouth had to be good.

Fireheart sighed. "I wanted… to apologize for not listening, and pushing you away. I should appreciate any help I can get, and be grateful for it. I see that now," he said, pausing. "And I'm sorry I got into trouble with RiverClan yet again."

Sandstorm blinked. To his surprise, she nodded. "I see. I've only been trying to help a clanmate; there's no need to apologize."

"I-I'm grateful nevertheless," Fireheart said. Sandstorm looked at him suspiciously, and soon a small grin of amusement crept onto her muzzle.

"You sound like a kit who was caught picking through the fresh kill pile," she remarked. "Did Yellowfang give you a lecture?"

Fireheart looked away. "Er, no. Not exactly."

"I'm kidding," Sandstorm said, sighing lightly. "Well, I suppose since you're willing to cooperate now, I might as well ask... What were you really doing around RiverClan?"

"Oh, I was-" Fireheart drew off, suddenly growing worried. Oh, no. I can't tell her about that just yet, can I? I have no idea how she'll-

"Were you trying to run away?" she suddenly inquired, making Fireheart widen his eyes.

"W-what? No! It's nothing like that!"

Sandstorm gave him a look, seeming unconvinced. "I mean, it wasn't the first time you got caught being around RiverClan," she pointed out.

"Caught?" Fireheart said, sounding more coy than he wanted. "But I was just getting herbs?"

"Oh, were you?" Sandstorm retorted. "I've noticed you never go out for herbs near any other clan."

Fireheart snapped shut, not knowing what to say. Hrm… There's really no way to hide anything from this cat, is there?

With a deep breath, he spoke, "Fine, I… couldn't help but want to see a few cats."

Sandstorm hummed, knowing she was getting somewhere.

"You miss Graystripe and Cloudpaw, is it?" she asked. Fireheart nodded

"Yeah," he replied. "And, just so you know… even if I were trying to run away, RiverClan would never take me in."

"Mmph," Sandstorm grunted. "Then, what about ShadowClan?"

"What do you mean?" Fireheart asked, confused. And why don't you seem at all bothered to talk about this?

Sandstorm stared at him. "Is that not where your accomplices are? So what if you're on bad terms, you could work something out with them, I'm sure…" She hardened her gaze. "Unless, of course, your relationship isn't what it's made out to be?"

"Yes, Sandstorm, you already know what I'm going to say," Fireheart grumbled. "Yes, I have never been associated with them, just like I've said before. Anything you may have heard from Tigerstar or those rogues was a lie."

"And how so?" she continued. Fireheart lashed his tail, unsure of what she was trying to accomplish by pushing him, but he supposed he might as well take advantage of this.

"Because Tigerstar has been the one working with them the whole time instead," he said. "And I knew this, so he labeled me a traitor. Now I can't reason with anyone because they'd think everything I'd say is a lie."

"...So it all comes back to that?" Sandstorm hummed. "And I suppose being a kittypet doesn't help either."

Fireheart blinked. "W-well, yes, exactly."

Sandstorm grew more lost in thought, looking away. "Something like that could also explain why Tigerstar visits ShadowClan so often. Those rogues are probably still on good terms with him... if what you say is true."

Fireheart gave her a questioning look, hardly able to believe what he was hearing. She was considering his story? Everyone else would just pass him off.

"Uh, Sandstorm?" Fireheart called to her, bringing her out of her stupor.

"Sorry, I got carried away," she said. Fireheart scoffed.

"Carried away? It sounded like you believed me for a second," Fireheart commented, looking at her strangely. "But you don't, right? Like everyone else?"

Sandstorm grumbled, looking around them as if making sure they were alone. After a moment, she leaned in closer.

"You wanna know something?" she mumbled lowly. "See, it never sat right with me as it did with everyone else. You know, the young feisty kittypet colluding against the forest?" She scrunched her face up. "Yeeeah, couldn't catch on to that. Sure, there were lots of things you did that weren't in favor of the clan, but no matter what, it always seemed you were… helping in some way. That image of a cruel, selfish cat didn't really fit."

Fireheart's head spun, hardly able to keep up. "So you... believe me?" His voice was almost a whisper.

"No, no…" Sandstorm affirmed. "It's more like, I'm not sure what to believe. My clan may tell me one thing, but my heart tells me something different. I guess this whole time, I've just been trying to figure out who to trust more."

Fireheart processed what she said for a moment, struggling to comprehend it all. "So then, what does your heart say about Tigerstar?" he pushed after a moment.

"Well, I don't need either to tell me he's a pain in the tail-end," Sandstorm replied, frowning. "He's violent, callous, hardly listens to anyone, always has this condescending tone, and-..." She looked away, seemingly fighting the urge to scoff. "In short, I have a lot of problems with the way he's running the clan, and ever since I've made that apparent, he's been nothing short of difficult. He makes himself hard to read… I don't trust cats like that."

"Mmm," Fireheart simply replied, feeling a sliver of hope growing within him. "Does that mean… I'm pretty easy to read?"

He gave her a hopeful look, fully knowing his question. His anxiety was relieved slightly when she seemed to grin just the slightest bit.

"I've been around you long enough to know you're a terrible liar," she said, looking at him. "But still, on that night, even if you were being truthful… I was still uncertain. I was afraid to be in the wrong, so I kept to myself, trying to decide on my own what the deal was between you and Tigerstar."

"Is that why you kept approaching me?" Fireheart inquired, which she confirmed with a nod.

"I wasn't expecting to gain much, but you were a lot more abrasive than I had anticipated," she said. "I figured cats do that when they're hiding something… something they wouldn't want getting out. After all, Tigerstar's the same way, especially when you become the subject of conversation." Her face turned more serious. "So then, Fireheart, tell me… What's really going on between you and him? Is there something both of you don't want to get out?"

Fireheart raised his brows in surprise, realizing with excitement what it was she had just asked. She's serious? He thought with shock. Oh, but where do I even start? Should I-

"What doesn't Tigerstar want to get out?"

A voice from behind caught the two of them off guard. Fireheart whipped around as Dustpelt appeared, recoiling away from him. Sandstorm stood up quickly, going over at him with a growl, while Fireheart sighed to himself, knowing their conversation was effectively derailed as Dustpelt attempted to explain.

"I thought I told you I'd catch up," she murmured to him, irritated.

"You were taking a lot longer than you should've!" he complained. Seeing the disappointment on Sandstorm's face made him pin his ears, letting out a growl of frustration. "Look, sorry. It's just- What's your deal with him anyway? You know I can't help but feel concerned when he's involved. He's always buzzing around us, like flies on scat."

Fireheart huffed, raising a brow toward him. "Are you the scat, Dustpelt?"

Dustpelt just bared his teeth at him as Sandstorm quickly interjected.

"I know you're concerned, but you also know I can handle myself. Besides, I've spoken to him before, and alone at that," she said, only for Dustpelt to scoff.

"Bluestar could handle herself too, and she spoke with him alone many times…"

Fireheart felt his stomach tighten, hearing that name. Sandstorm's frown deepened. "This has nothing to do with Bluestar. There's no need to bring her up," she said.

"But why not?" Dustpelt jeered, turning to Fireheart. "Why should we let him forget what he's done?"

"I can never forget, Dustpelt," Fireheart suddenly spat. "Every day in this clan reminds me of it."

"As you deserve," Dustpelt retorted, looking down on him, causing Fireheart to bare his teeth.

"Like you know anything!" He raised his head, glaring at him. "You never gave me a chance when I was an apprentice and you wouldn't dream of it now."

"Of course I wouldn't!" Dustpelt sneered. "Kittypets deserved no chances then, and by now you've proven that tenfold!"

"That's enough!" Sandstorm suddenly shot between them, glaring at Dustpelt. "I would've expected this from Longtail or Darkstripe, but not you," she scolded him before looking back. "Fireheart, please, don't listen to him. He's just-"

"Fireheart?" Dustpelt's ear perked. His eyes suddenly glowed with dangerous suspicion. "Don't tell me you still think of him as a warrior?" Sandstorm pinned her ears back in confusion, prompting Dustpelt to frown. "Or are you two something more?" he said lowly. "What else is he to you, Sandstorm?"

Suddenly, Sandstorm bared her fangs, her expression teetering on outraged. "What in StarClan's name do you think you're suggesting?" She growled. "Look, Dustpelt, like it or not, he earned his name, just like we did. You can't change that fact, as much as you hate it. Those are the rules!"

Fireheart thought he could see Dustpelt restrained an eye-roll, stepping toward her with a growl.

"Sandstorm, we are older than him. We were apprenticed before him. We deserve to be called our warrior names more than anyone, much less him," he explained. "Or did you forget all those times we stayed up the whole night training together just to prove it?"

The two of them locked glares, seemingly trying to bore through each other's heads, but by this point Fireheart wasn't listening anymore, as he merely stared at the ground in defeat.

Every time I get a chance… It's always ruined… His frustration could be felt rising within him the more he spoke to himself.

Dustpelt couldn't hold his glare for long, feeling the air growing heavy. He shook his head as he broke away.

"No, never mind. I'm sorry," he grunted. "You have a good heart Sandstorm, but trust me, don't try getting through to this one. He's not worth it."

As he finished, a degrading look was sent toward the ginger tom, making Fireheart's fur prickle with anger.

Why do you have to look at me like that? His breathing grew heavier. Why… can't you just let me have one chance?

Dustpelt must have noticed his demeanor, as the tom curled his lip. "Whatever Bluestar saw in him was clearly a mistake," he shot at him again, almost like it was some instinct of his.

Fireheart clenched his teeth. His ears grew hotter as his face flushed a light red. He could never get used to being talked down to like this. Why didn't they just listen? …And why did they always have to be so mean?

Sandstorm must've noticed how he was reacting, as she quickly stepped next to Dustpelt.

"Just forget about him, Dustpelt. I really don't care enough to argue about this," she said, groaning. "It isn't that serious, so just drop it. Besides, I was almost done talking-"

"I could tell you so much," a growl sounded from behind her, making both cats turn their heads. Fireheart's claws gripped the ground, looking ready to lash out. "I know so many things you both would kill to know. About Tigerstar. About Bluestar. About Redtail. Ravenpaw."

A glint was in Fireheart's eyes as he looked up toward Dustpelt. The older warrior suddenly growled as the nerve Fireheart was looking for had been struck.

"Don't you say those names," he ordered as a horrified look suddenly befell his face. "Or… did you kill them too?"

"Hah!" Fireheart just had to laugh at that, despite the situation. "Wouldn't matter what I told you, would it? Everything I say is a lie. All those times we trained together… Hunted together... It was all just me being the attention-seeking kittypet, right?"

By the look on Dustpelt's face, he had enough of him. His claws unfurled as he stalked forward, brushing past Sandstorm.

"Sandstorm, get out of here," he said in a low rumble, catching the she-cat off-guard.

"What was that?" she growled, going to follow him. "Dustpelt, stop. What do you think you're doing?"

Dustpelt inhaled sharply, jerking his head around. "You heard me!" he shouted. "Why do you always have to be so difficult? I said I'll deal with this rat, so go on!"

He suddenly stepped forward, nudging her away roughly with his head. Surprise lit up across her face as she stumbled over.

Fireheart's eyes shot wide open. And it was then, like the final chain breaking away, Fireheart felt a sudden, overwhelming rush of adrenaline, so much that his fur stood on end.

With a snarl, his pupils slit - though not before they started to glow a faint green.

"Don't TOUCH HER!"

He crouched low to the ground, assuming the fighting stance he'd repeated dozens of times in his dreams. However, the second his paw left the ground, a deafening CRACK erupted from the sky.

Sandstorm and Dustpelt nearly jumped out of their skin, pinning their ears as the deafening sound echoed across the forest. Mewls of distress quickly rose throughout the clearing as Sandstorm stood back up, ears still ringing. She shook her head with a groan, looking around disoriented before a smaller fainter sound of cracking could be heard.

"Sandstorm, look out!"

Blinking, the she-cat quickly looked above her, eyes widening as a large tree branch could be seen swaying at an awkward angle, its end splintered and ablaze with flame. She quickly pushed away in fear as the branch suddenly snapped, careening right towards her.

She practically threw herself out of the way of its path as the branch landed with a resounding THUD beside her, only managing to knick a few furs from her pelt. Breathing heavily, she stood up, shaking her fur out as Dustpelt came around.

"H-hey! Are you alright?" He asked, his demeanor entirely different from before. He nearly began nosing her over before she could even answer, eliciting a growl from the she-cat as she shoved him away.

"Get off! I'm fine!" She exclaimed, looking around. The ends of the branch next to her was still up in flames, but her clanmates were quickly on top of it, calling for wet leaves and mewling orders to each other, trying to stop the small fire.

She grumbled, quickly padding away from them, and ignoring Dustpelt's attempts at speaking with her. She rounded the fallen branch, where she could see a certain ginger tom hunched over and unmoving.

"Fireheart?" She called, growing worried when he didn't respond. "Hey… You good?"

She called to him, but he did not hear. Fireheart sat arched over the ground, his head throbbing like never before. Whatever bit of strength he had just beforehand was gone, suddenly replaced with indescribable pain.

He exhaled sharply, tipping over as if a great weight was pulling him. Clutching his chest, he could feel his breathing was fast and tight. It felt like he was being crushed. Like he was dying. He'd felt it before - at the Moonstone. That sense of dread had returned in full force, bringing every drop of pain with it.

Time seemed to slow down as he heard Sandstorm call him once again. But again, he didn't respond. He couldn't. His mouth wouldn't move, his thoughts constantly turned into gibberish. There was an intense tingling in his feet as his muscles stiffened.

Suddenly all he could feel was his head pounding, and he could only observe as his vision began tilting on its side. He could barely register that the ground was growing closer - he was falling. Mere seconds seemed to last years, as the final thing he remembered was Sandstorm's look of concern before his vision went dark.

In an instant, all the noise seemed to disappear. The aching pain in his chest and head went away, and long gone was every thought that was his head before.

Seemingly trapped in a void swirling with random colors, Fireheart had nothing of a body to speak of. He must've been inside his own mind.

What happened? He swore he last heard a loud crash, and that's when the pain began. He could remember being angry and having thoughts full of hate, but then he experienced a rush, one unlike any he's felt before. Was it… too much?

THE STONE…

Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice chimed in his head. Soft, but there was an unmistakable edge to it. Out of the mist, something was taking shape. Fireheart felt tired, and in pain, so he hardly could make it out.

FIND…. THE STONE. FIND… ME.

Fireheart listened to the ethereal voice, as the image in his mind began to grow more clear.

He was in a dark cave now, cold and damp. In the center of it, a brilliant light radiated, and Fireheart recognized it then. After all, he's only seen such a divine, colorful glow once.

The... Moonstone?

The image began to fade away as soon as it appeared. Before he knew it, he was slipping back into darkness, and the light of the void was no more.

"..."

"He's awake."

Fireheart blinked his eyes open. He tried lifting his head, only to fail as he felt his energy had entirely run out. His pupils came into focus as a dark gray cat stepped over towards him.

Before he could register where he was, Yellowfang was suddenly at his side, giving him a worried glance as she looked him over.

"Fireheart?" she called to him. Fireheart huffed as he tried to move his leg, eliciting a groan of pain as he did, feeling a bed of soft leaves underneath him.

"Don't try to move." Yellowfang quickly stopped him, looking worried as she put a paw over his head. "Tell me, do you feel any pain?"

Fireheart groaned in discomfort, nodding at her voice in a state of deliriousness.

"Head," his voice croaked. "Only… head."

Yellowfang grunted, continuing to look him over before eventually, she lifted her head back up, giving him a sigh.

"If that's really all, then you should be fine," she told him.

Fireheart looked at her worriedly. "What… happened?" he asked.

Yellowfang frowned, shaking her head.

"I'm sorry, but you're awake now, and that's all I was waiting for," she said, suddenly stepping away. "I'm sure you have many questions right now… but they'll have to wait. You're in the medicine den, and for now, I simply want you to rest, okay?" She paused, giving him a promising look. "I promise, I will explain, but just… think about feeling better for now."

Fireheart blinked, his mind numb as in a split second Yellowfang had suddenly turned away, leaving him with even more questions than probably the near thousand he already had. He felt like calling out to her, but he barely had the energy to talk, much less plead.

As Yellowfang stepped away, Fireheart could see Sandstorm sitting near the entrance, realizing the she-cat had likely been sitting there the entire time. The medicine cat paused as she walked by, looking up.

"I don't know what you plan on doing, but go very easy on him. You may talk but do not excite him. Expect him to be very tired. If he wants to rest, let 'em," Yellowfang instructed, giving her a serious look.

Sandstorm replied with a cool nod. "I understand."

Yellowfang huffed, turning away. "And don't leave a mess around here for me to come back to, like you warrior types love doing," she grumbled.

Sandstorm gave her a small huff of amusement, looking towards Fireheart as the she-cat went out. "We'll get along."

Fireheart gave her a troubled look, struggling to lift himself off his side as the she-cat did the same.

"Sandstorm?" he said warily as she seemed to observe him. Fireheart felt pinned against a wall as she approached him. Although she was light in her step, seeming calm and collected.

"How do you feel?" she asked, sounding genuine from what Fireheart could tell. It was then that bits and pieces of their conversation from before started to return, hearing her familiar tone. For some reason, it calmed him down, and the furs began settling on his back.

"Well, mmph… I'm tired..." Fireheart choked up a bit of air, looking ready to vomit. "Ah… and sick."

Sandstorm curled her brow sheepishly.

"I see," she said, giving him a pitiful look. "I'm… sorry."

Fireheart shook his head, unwilling to look her in the eyes.

"Why are you here?" he asked tiredly. "Wait… do you know… what happened?"

The she-cat looked to think for a moment.

"Well, honestly, I don't know how to explain it. I think you should just wait for Yellowfang," she began. "But whatever it was, you got hurt from it, so I… I wanted to apologize. Dustpelt hasn't been the same lately. He's more aggressive towards everyone, not just you, so… just try not to take him seriously, 'kay?"

Fireheart said nothing at first, looking confused. "Oh… right, I remember. We were talking, and he…" Fireheart paused, stumped. "Did I pass out?"

Sandstorm averted her gaze slightly. "Erm, something like that," she said. "I just wanted to see that you were alright."

Fireheart lowered his head distrustfully, not expecting that answer. I don't get it. He thought. Why does she bother with him when everyone else doesn't? Does she really want something from him that badly?

"Thanks… but is that all you really wanted?" Fireheart asked although he knew the answer already. "I still don't know what happened to me… I'm tired… but if you still wanted to talk, then… I can do that."

Sandstorm said nothing for a moment, only reinforcing Fireheart's belief.

"You said something to Dustpelt during your argument," she began, sounding careful. "What do you know… about Redtail and the others?"

"...Oh."

It was then Fireheart started to panic. Oh, great going! He mentally scolded himself. How would he explain something he said in the heart of the moment?

"I don't-..." he began before Sandstorm gently put her paw next to his, wearing a calm yet stern expression.

"Please, if you know something I don't, I need you to tell me," she said with a strange sense of urgency in her eyes. "It's… important."

Fireheart elicited something of a pained groan. He really didn't want to tell her about that just yet. This was not at all how today was supposed to go… but then again, he supposed, he needed to get somewhere.

After a moment of thought, he sighed.

"Do you think… I would murder Bluestar?" he asked quietly, then watching as her face turned more disturbed. He quickly continued. "I-I'll tell you if you tell me."

"I... Well." Sandstorm responded with a troubled expression. "I was told you murdered her."

Fireheart huffed. "Tigerstar told you. He told you about Redtail as well," he said. "So far, you've only ever heard what he wants you to hear, but in some cases, that might not be the whole truth."

Sandstorm appeared to understand what he was getting at. "Then, why don't you tell me what happened."

Fireheart shuddered, uncomfortable with how fast this conversation was moving. "Look, I-I can tell you what I know, but you won't like it… and you probably won't even believe me."

"But you don't know what I'll think," Sandstorm said quickly.

Fireheart clenched his eyes. "Look… I'm not just being stubborn without a reason," he said. "What I know could get you and many cats hurt if-"

"Stop that."

Fireheart winced, shutting up immediately. Sandstorm sighed, looking down at him.

"Alright, you've said that before, so I guess I need to break it to you, Fireheart," she said. "Cats will still get hurt, every day, regardless. You can't stop that from happening no matter what you do - nobody can. Therefore, it sounds like you're just making up excuses. I mean, think about it. How do you know that keeping whatever it is to yourself isn't hurting them more?" Her voice turned a bit more stern, her tail swishing once or twice. "Do you care about your clan or not? Because if you did, you wouldn't be keeping any secrets from us."

Fireheart just sat stunned by her words. No, he hadn't really considered he could be hurting cats by trying to protect them. Although, Fireheart usually underestimated just how far his actions could reach, and how varied the effects could get.

I guess cats are just destined to get hurt no matter what I do.

"You know what, I think I see what's going on now." Fireheart returned her gaze after hearing her abruptly continue. Her face was hardened as ever, as if she actually had everything figured out. "Whatever is going on in your head is eating you from the inside out, but you insist on keeping it all to yourself. You think you're doing the right thing, don't you?"

Fireheart lowered his ears further the more she spoke. Couldn't she tell he was trying? He didn't need another lecture. He already had it drilled through his head that he couldn't do anything alone, and how foolish he was to think otherwise.

"Fireheart?"

The ginger tom looked back, watching as Sandstorm gave him a light sigh. "Look, okay, what I'm trying to say is… If what you're hiding causes you to act like this, then you shouldn't keep it to yourself. So then, and I'm saying this for your own good… Tell me everything. Right here, right now, while we have the chance."

Fireheart flashed her a look of surprise. Her words truly sounded genuine, and from what he could tell, she seemed to be expecting the worst.

"...Alright," he said. He was tired and in pain, but he knew he couldn't ignore Sandstorm this time.

After all, she was right. She's been right this whole time. He couldn't deny anything she said, he was making excuses for himself. Trying to do things his way even after nothing worked out.

But by now, he was tired of it. Tired of being constrained. Tired of having to deal with everything himself. Tired of trying to prove his innocence to those who never listen. He was tired of how all his efforts seemed to only bring him pain.

Hmph…Yeah. Maybe this could work…

While he still didn't know what kind of accident he was involved in earlier, it certainly must've been big if it was able to hurt him to a degree.

With that and RiverClan fresh in everyone's minds, so much tension is built up… Maybe, just maybe, nobody would suspect a thing if something were to slip.

And so, Fireheart turned his gaze towards Sandstorm and opened his mouth to speak.

…

A/N - Sooo yeah. Here comes the cheesy supernatural stuff. Hopefully, y'all like it, 'cuz this chapter was totally in development hell x(

I ended up once again cutting this chapter in half, so I already have the next one like 60% complete. I swear, I can't decide what I want to do more: Big cinematic chapters, or shorter, more consistent ones. I'd prefer the larger ones, but I feel they require taking huge risks since my motivation swings all the time and the quality of the whole thing is affected by how long it takes me to develop them, so I think I'll try leaning more towards shorter chapters tbh, but we'll see.