Wonders (Firestar X Spottedleaf)

Chapter 6: Long day

Long folded blades of grass illumined by a shining crescent moon helped lead the way for Fireheart as he followed Spottedleaf into the depths of the forest. The events of the day had been stressful to say the least. More so, he was worried for his friend. Graystripe had almost lost his mate today, and now everyone and their grandmother knew about their relationship in Thunderclan. What would happen to him, he had broken the Warrior Code by mating with someone outside the clan. Would Bluestar exile him? "No, It can't happen" He thought, wishing he could be right. StarClan knows what would happen to him had he been forced to leave. Turned Rouge and left to fend for himself would only hurt Graystripe more, and possibly endanger him with Tigerclaw still roaming around.

Fireheart gazed up at the Starry sky, knowing he was almost in no better situation himself. He had fallen in love with a Medicine cat, something that was also against the code he swore a oath to live by. And worse, he didn't know how to express his feelings to her. How could they possibly have a relationship together without breaking the rules, or what if she just said no altogether. He shook his head, too many questions and not enough answers. The only thing he could do was keep going and let time do the rest.

Spottedleaf seemed to catch Fireheart's depressing vibe, as she paused in front of him. " You ok Fireheart? You seemed worried."

He shook his head, "I'm fine, just worried about Graystripe." Hiding his real issue.

She blinked sympathetically, "He will be ok, he's very fortunate she is still alive." She said, continuing down the path. "The plants are just up here, we'll grab what I need and head back."

He nodded, escorting her along the way. Fireheart recognized this area, it was close to the Twolegplace, his old home. Memories began to flood in from his old house-folk to his very first venture out into the forest. Had he simply stayed there, he wouldn't have to deal with any of his problems. No romance, no drama, and no warrior code. But alas he never would have became a warrior, or understand what it was like to truly work to live, and not have everything handed to him like all the other kittypets. He belonged in the forest, and to be honest there's no other place he would be.

Spottedleaf's plants were growing in surplus's thanks to the Greenleaf sun, easily providing all the herbs she would need for the next few moons. Fireheart was grateful that these plants were preserved, they would be in great trouble without them. Tediously, Spottedleaf picked the leaves off of both comfrey and marigold plants, the moon and stars making her spelt sparkle. Fireheart wanted to cry, she was beautiful. But yet there was nothing he could do, not without risking his place in his home. Mouth full of herbs, she looked up and caught Fireheart's gaze, holding it with his for a moment. Fireheart thought he could see a trace of wistfulness and love in her eyes that matched his own, but it was so quickly dismissed that he couldn't be certain.

She began padding back the way they came, mumbling "That's all I need, lets head back."

He seemed frozen in place with his thoughts whirling. He wanted to confess his feeling right then and there, but panic kept him still. What would she say, or what if she called him a fool for falling in love with the wrong clan member? "No she wouldn't say that" He thought, but how could he be certain? He almost didn't notice her pad up beside him, laying her tail on his back.

"Fireheart" She said softly, "I can tell something is wrong, please tell me, don't shut me out."

"And don't even try to say there's nothing wrong" She retorted as he opened his mouth to object. Fireheart paused, what was he going to say? He remembered Eternalflame's statement, "Just talk to her Fireheart, she told me she loves you." Fear of the outcome was not going to control him anymore.

"Spottedleaf, I know this is wrong but... I love you. Ever since I joined Thunderclan I've always had this feeling towards you, and after you almost died it strengthened. I've been wanting to talk with you about this for awhile now, but I just never found the chance..." His voice trailed off back into thought.

A moment of silence passed over as Fireheart's heart ever so casually turned up to 11, or maybe 141 IDK. After what seemed like a eternity, Spottedleaf replied, "Oh Fireheart, I love you too."

Wait a minute, did he just hear her correctly? Instant replay didn't exist but if he herd correctly...

His heart soared. Spottedleaf loved him?! Every single problem just vanished into thin air. Purring, he nuzzled her cheek as the two embraced each other. Right then and there it seemed like nothing else mattered, his dream love had loved him back, and that was all he ever wanted.

Somewhere in the distance, two toms sat crouched in the grass over watching the forest as the stars shone down brightly. Looking up at the moon, one of the toms sighed. It was going to be a long night after a even longer day. Over watch duty SUCKED, he would much rather be asleep in a nest enjoying a break after a long days worth of training. But someone had to get the job done, it was just unfortunate that it had to been him.

Peering in next to him came his superior, who was accompanying him on his duty tonight. Where he came from, cats earned their roles through rank, which is shone by the teeth or claws of enemies that you have slain in battle. The more you killed, the higher you ranked. Tonight he had the pleasure of being accompanied by one of the highest ranked members in the clan, Bone. His trophies of battle shining in the moonlight to the toms brittle few. It was no big deal to him however, he would earn more as time went on, maybe even more than bone himself.

"See anything ace?" Bone peered.

He shook his head, "No, it's quiet." He angled his ears to the surroundings, catching a faint noise. He angled his tail in it's direction "Something over there. The two studied the distance where the noise came from, and made out two cat figures silhouettes passing through the distance towards them.

"Down" Bone commanded. Ace reacted quickly, almost becoming one with the ground as he perched his ears to listen as the two cats came past, meowing loudly.

"... this needs to be a secret between us." Meowed one of the cats as they passed by. From the looks of them they appeared to be a tortoiseshell, accompanied by a flame colored pelt tom who followed close behind.

"Yeah" Meowed the flame colored tom, "The last thing you want to do is be exiled with Tigerclaw still roaming around." He paused for a moment, "I'm glad I got to spend some time with you today" He purred.

She nuzzled him back as they carried on, "I'm glad as well."

"Try not to make your presence any more obvious" Ace thought. That name however, Tigerclaw... It rang a bell. Once they were certain the two cats were gone, he mumbled to bone, "That name Tigerclaw sounds familiar, you know anything about him?"

"Yeah, me and brick encountered him the other day towards the northern border" Bone mumbled back, "Said he was recruiting cats for his so called "Shadow-Clan"."

"Wasn't he Thunderclan, he was the one who attacked sco-"

"SHHHHH" Bone whispered loudly, "Don't mention that, it's still a very sore subject with him and he'll claw anybody's throat out if you mention it to him."

Ace trusted him, he was deputy of the clan after all, he was one of the most who were closet to him. "An X-Thunderclan member running around in a different clan recruiting cats seems kinda odd." He thought for a second, "Do you think they exiled him?"

Bone pondered for a minute, "They could have, given our friends statements back there." He grunted, "He also mentioned how he's already deputy there and how their current leader is on their last leg."

Ace's eyes lit up, "An X-Clan member going to lead another rival clan is a war waiting to happen" He exclaimed.

Bone nodded, getting to his feet he beckoned him, "Come, Scourge will want to know about this."