My Immortal (Fireheart X Spottedleaf)

The arrivals

Setting off as the sun began to rise, Firestar and Spottedleaf bade farewell to Ravenpaw and Barley before setting across the moorland. Dangling limply from their parent's jaws, the kits silently slept as the cats headed for the ThunderClan border.
As Spottedleaf was still a little weak from the kitting, Firestar carried Squirrelkit and Leafkit, thus meaning that only Finchkit had to be carried by her mother. Swaying slightly in Spottedleaf's jaws, Finchkit was only noticeable by he occasional streak of orange that prevented her from perfectly merging into the medicine cat's pelt.
Visibly relaxing as they crossed the familiar scent markings of ThunderClan, Firestar noticed that Spottedleaf was exhausted and so suggested that the have a brief respite hidden a mig the reeds. Dipping her gratefully, Spottedleaf lay down and gently nudged Finchkit so that she could nurse. Softly Firestar placed Squirrelkitand Leafkit beside her. For a while they sat in comfortable silence as the kits fed.
A sudden rustling from across the river caught Firestar's attention and he stalked close to the border to peer out. Carried by the wind, a strange scent drifted towards Firestar. What made this scent peculiar was that instead of the fishy smells associated with RiverClan, this was the horrid reek of a ShadowClan warrior!
Waiting silently, Firestar and Spottedleaf held their breaths so as not to give away their position. Soon enough a white furred tom padded out of the reeds on the RiverClan side of the border. It was Blackfoot, Tigerstar's deputy! Calmly sniffing the ground for prey, the ShadowClan cat showed no signs of fear or unease of being in a rival clan's territory. As of suddenly sensing their eyes watching him, Blackfoot glanced toward Firestar and Spottedleaf's hiding place. The ThunderClan couple hardly dared to move as Blackfoot scrutinised he reeds. However if he sensed them, Blackfoot gave no sign and padded away back casually upstream.
Sighing with relief, Firestar and Spottedleaf picked up their kits and padded back to camp. Although they said nothing, both cats were both thinking the same thug. Why had Blackfoot been on RiverClan territory? He had been far to casual to suggest that he had been on a mission. Perhaps he had betrayed Tigerstar for a life in RiverClan. But Firestar doubted that was the case. Blackfoot was far too loyal to his clan and Tigerstar in order to do that. So what was his business in RiverClan and did it bode ill for ThunderClan?
Reaching the tunnel of brambles that marked the entrance to the clan camp, Spottedleaf followed closely by Firestar pushed their way in. Almost immediately, the couple were swarmed by their clanmates.
" Your kits are beautiful," cooed Cinderpelt, nudging Leafkit slightly.
" This one looks so much like her father," meowed Whitestorm padding over to Squirrelkit. As the senior warrior approached, Squirrelkit kicked out with hwr hind paws hitting him across the nose. " She has his fighting spirit too," chuckled Whitestorm earning a ripple of quiet laughter from the rest of the clan. Only Darkstripe remained silent, choosing to scowl at the new kits from the back of the camp as though they were ticks that needed to be removed.
Sandstorm padded over to the kits and for a moment just stared as though she could no longer deny their existence. Gently touching her nose to Finchkit, she gave out a quiet purr.
"Im glad she makes you happy." Although this had been meant to show reconciliation, Firestar swore he detected a hint of sorrow as Sandstorm looked at his kits.
Nodding Firestar turned to face the highrock. Scrambling up the ancient stone, Firestar sat as he a dressed the clan, his clan, for the first time.
"May all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather under highrock for a clan meeting."
Padding over, the warriors of ThunderClan gathered to form a semi circle around Firestar. Spottedleaf watched from the nursery with the other queens while Cinderpelt and Lostface sat by the medicine den.
" I have been given nine lives by StarClan," Firestar meowed, "I promise to lead this clan with honour and compassion. To put your needs above my own and as my first act, it is time to elect a new clan deputy. I say these words before StarClan so they may hear and approve of my choice."
On their way back from Barley's barn, Firestar had had much time to choose a deputy. At first he had thought of Greystripe but he knew that his friend was still readjusting to life in ThunderClan and would be thankful not to be given the extra duties. Sandstorm was a skilled hunter and a competent warrior but alas has not mentored an apprentice. But even if she had, Firestar had deep down always known who his choice would have been. A strong and intelligent warrior who's advice was welcomed by any member of the clan and who's honour was second to none.
" Whitestorm shall be the new ThunderClan deputy," he announced. Wide eyed, Whitestorm stared at Firestar, clearly not expecting to have been given the tremendous honour of becoming ThunderClan deputy.
" I thank you Firestar," he finally magazine to say, "I swear I will do all within my power to protect this clan."
A loud cheer of approval immediately followed this and Firestar knew instantly that he had made the right choice. "Long live Whitestorm! Long live Firestar!"
" I have one more task," said Firestar, "Lostface, step forth."
Quietly the young, scarred she cat stepped forth.
" You have proven yourself a worthy warrior of ThunderClan. Despite sustaining injuries that would have driven most other cats to despair, you have trained hard to learn how to serve the clan. As such I think it fitting for you to have a proper ceremony. Do you promise to follow the warrior code and protect this clan even at cost of your own life."
Lostface's eye lit up. " I do."
"Then by the power of StarClan, I name you Brightheart. ThunderClan honours your skill and dedication." Leaping down from the rock, Firestar rested hus head on Brightheart's in accordance with ancient tradition. Licking his shoulder, Brightheart mewed quietly, "Thank you," while the clan called out her new name. Loudest of all was Cloudtail who ran and touched noses with Brightheart, both cats purring loudly.
" Now unless there is any further business, " meowed Firestar, "I would like to close this..."
" RiverClan inbound!" Snarled Longtail. No sooner than had he said this did a battered, blue grey she cat throw herself into the clearing. Firestar immediately recognised Mistyfoot.
" Stand down," he told his warriors who had begun to circle Mistyfoot. " Let her speak. Mistyfoot what is wrong?"
Panting for breath, Mistyfoot struggled to form words as Greystripe and Sandstorm gently helped her up. Her eyes were wide in pure tail.
" Tigerstar has forced Leopardstar to join him. RiverClan is now part of TigerClan. Although Leopardstar claims she is sharing power we all know who is in charge."
A tide of outrage tore through ThunderClan.
"How dare he. There have always been four clan, " yowled Dustpelt.
" He cannot use the name TigerClan, " growled Smallear, "He disgraced our ancestors. "
"StarClan help us all," muttered Firestar.
" That's not the worst," she panted, "He claims half clan cats are disloyal and should be destroyed. Stonefur. Featherpaw and Stormpaw. He is going to execute them!"