My Immortal (Fireheart X Spottedleaf)

Rescue mission

Shocked murmurs rippled through ThunderClan camp threatening to become a crescendo until Whitestorm called for order.
"We must help them!" yowled Greystripe, the sheer terror for his kits readily apparent in his voice.
"Why should we?" sneered Darkstripe, "That is a RiverClan affair. Besides those cats should never have been born in the first place."
If Darkstripe expected support from this comment, he was to be severely disappointed for immediately outraged yowls challenged the dark warrior. Even Longtail, who Darkstripe had considered his ally, seemed to recoil in horror at his words.
Firestar looked around the sea of faces as they turned to looked at him. These cats were depending on him to lead them. But that also that also meant that he was responsible whatever happened to them. Any wound. Any scar. Any death. It would be his fault. Was this what it was like to be leader, Firestar wondered.
Glancing around, Firestar found his gaze being drawn to the nursery. Inside he could faintly make out Spottedleaf as she tried to calm the kits by curling around them. Mewing as they scrambled blindly about her, the litter was soon nestled within her soft fur. The sight melted Firestar's heart and he knew instantly what he must do. His kits were similar to the half clan hostages, they should not exist according to the code. But that did not in anyway mean that their lives meant less than that of any other cat. Unsheathing his claws in anger of Tigerstar's malice, Firestar knew he would defend those kits to his last breath.
"We leave immediately!" He called, "Greystripe, Sandstorm, Brightheart and Cloudtail will come with me. Whitestorm, you are in charge of camp until my return." The white tom nodded in affirmation.
"At any cost these cats are half ThunderClan," Firestar, "They share your blood and I say this, we will not suffer our own to torment and death!"
Cheering in agreement, the clan dispersed into their groups. Thick enough to cut with the stroke of a claw, the tension hung over the warriors like some malicious deity as it consumed their minds.
Padding into the nursery, Firestar was greeted by the sight of Spottedleaf nursing the kits. Seeing hwr mate enter the den, Spottedleaf suddenly looked worried, concern filling her amber eyes. Firestar knew she was worried for him and for a while they sat in silence simply enjoying one another's company.
"Be safe," Spottedleaf pressed her muzzle to his cheek. " I don't want to imagine life without you. "
"You won't have to," Firestar replied gently licking her ear. " I'll be fine."
Worried but knowing that he had to do this, Spottedleaf nuzzled him one last time before Firestar reluctantly left the nursery. It pained them both to be apart but they reasoned that they would see each other before the day was through. Or rather they hoped.
Joining the rescue party, Firestar was about to signal to move out when Mistyfoot, supported by Cinderpelt, limped over.
"Please save them," she begged, her eyes brimming with worry.
"Don't worry, we'll bring them back. That's a promise," Firestar meowed determinedly before flicking his tail and joining the battle group as they disappeared into the forest like the morning mist.
Racing through the undergrowth, Firestar glanced quickly at the cats around him. Forming a pair, Cloudtail and Brightheart weaved through the trees in a blur of white and ginger fur. Alongside him, Sandstorm raced on, determination written on her facial features. But most imposing of all was Greystripe.
Surging through the ferns and brambles, the grey furred tom blazed a trail for the rest of the party to follow. His amber eyes burned fiercer than the very flames which had threatened to consume the entire forest. Gazing into his soul, Firestar saw only a grim determination and a will who's strength was only ever hinted at in the ancient legends. Greystripe had lost Silverstream. He would not lose his kits!
Up ahead, the splashes of the running river could be heard as the ThunderClan warriors approached the border. Breaking of the ensnaring brambles and ferns, Firestar studied the terrain. After deciding that the best way to reach RiverClan camp was to cross the stepping stones, Firestar lead them downstream until they found the stones and crossed the white foaming waters.
Leaping into RiverClan territory, Firestar's fur instinctively bristled and he unsheathed his claws for fear of being jumped by a pack of defending warriors. But no one came.
" Tigerstar must have called them all to watch the execution," meowed Firestar thoughtfully.
" That makes our job more difficult, " Greystripe meowed grimly.
"Cloudtail, Brightheart," Firestar meowed somewhat curtly, "Bring up the rear. I don't want to risk this being a trap." Nodding the two warriors took up their position and the cavalcade set off deeper into the unfamiliar reaches of RiverClan territory.
A cold wind blew from the west, bringing with it a stench of carrion. Fighting his gag reflex, Firestar continued to pad on as the sound of many voices began to fill the atmosphere, getting louder as they approached the camp. Signaling the patrol to halt as they neared a wall of reads, Firestar took Greystripe stealthily forward and they gazed into the camp.
Sat atop a grisly throne of bones and skull or prey, Tigerstar watched as Blackfoot and another ShadowClan tom dragged a bloodied and beaten tom before him. With a jolt of alarm, Firestar recognised Mistyfoot's brother, Stonefur the RiverClan deputy. Bleeding from a dozen deep cuts in his flank and one jagged scar running down the length down the length of his face, Stonefur looked up at Leopardstar who say beside Tigerstar, although it was clear who was truly in command.
The stench from the bones was overwhelming to the point that Firestar had to he his breath. His eyes suddenly flashed as he recognised the terrible effigy from his vision.
" Leopardstar," Stonefur growled, "You can't let him do this! This is not the way of the code."
"Silence traitor," spat Tigerstar, "You are nothing more than a vile half clam piece of fox dung."
"Absurd," Stonefur growled, "I have served RiverClan my whole life. I myself only found out about my heritage recently."
"Hmm true," mused Tigerstar milling the thought over. As he turned to Leopardstar, Firestar in turn faced his warriors.
" Sandstorm," he whispered, "Take Cloudtail and Brightheart and hide in the bushes to the left of Tigerstar. Wait for my signal before attacking. "
Nodding quickly, Sandstorm padded off with the other two warriors to await the signal.
Tigerstar's voice returned Firestar's attention back to the RiverClan camp.
" What you say is true Stonefur." rumbled Tigerstar, "If you wish to prove your loyalty you must kill the half clan apprentices." Feeling Greystripe tense beside him, Firestar gasped as he saw Russetfur herd Stormpaw and Featherpaw in front of Stonefur. If they were to strike it had to be soon. Stormpaw growled as he attempted to shield his sister.
" I won't let him kill us," Firestar had to admire the young tom's courage in the face of overwhelming odds.
" Do it," sighed Leopardstar, "We must obey Tigerstar."
"Kill them!" snarled Tigerstar.
" You'll have to kill me first, " growled Stonefur unsheathing his claws.
" So be it," Tigerstar's voice was oddly calm as he turned to Blackfoot. "Finish him. "
"With pleasure," smirked the tom leaping down at Stonefur. Grabbing the RiverClan by the scruff, he tried to sink his teeth into his neck only for Stonefur to claw his face, forcing him to let go. Staggering back, Stonefur shielded Featherpaw and Stormpaw.
" Give up," sneered Tigerstar as more warriors joined Blackfoot, "Your death is inevitable."
"Don't count your prey before it is caught." yowled Firestar, making Tigerstar wheel around in shock, "ThunderClan attack!"
Leaping out of the reeds, Firestar powered towards Blackfoot, tackling the large white tom to the ground. Yowls from not far away alerted him that Sandstorm and the others had joined the attack. Hissing he raked his claws across Blackfoot's muzzle. Growling Blackfoot pushed up with his hind paws sending Firestar flying off. Before he could retaliate however, Firestar saw Stonefur smash into Blackfoot knocking him off balance. The RiverClan tom the rushed to join Firestar.
"I see Mistyfoot managed to get help," he panted.
" Yes,"Firestar replied, clawing at a ShadowClan tom who dared to get too close, "Now let's get out of here." He then yelled for all to hear."ThunderClan, withdraw to the river! Go now."
Reacting immediately to his order, Greystripe and his kits bolted out of the camp. Allowing Stonefur to lean against him for support, Firestar followed his friend while Sandstorm, Cloudtail and Brightheart defended the rear before in turn disappearing into the tall plants.
Ringing in their ears, the yowls of the pursing cats only served to add flight to the paws of the ThunderClan cats. Although Stonefur 's wounds slowed them down, Firestar and his party managed to keep up a fair pace and arrive at the stepping stones before Tigerstar.
By now the clam river had turned into a raging torrent, white foam splashing against the rocks.
" Brightheart, take Stonefur across. Greystripe, you take Featherpaw and Stormpaw. We'll follow."
Briefly casting a glance at the violent waters then back at her leader, Brightheart nodded and made the first jump with Stonefur close behind.
No sooner than had they make it half way across, did Tigerstar leap from the bushes, murder and malice burning in his eyes.
"Greystripe go!" yowled Firestar tackling Tigerstar without looking to see of his order was actually being fulfilled. Snarling in rage, Tigerstar swung his claws at the flame furred tom. Feeling the claws brush his pelt as he evaded, Firestar returned with a kick from his hind claws, scoring a hit across the tabby's muzzle. Claws flashed again as Tigerstar sort to strike a blow, his face contorting itself into a cruel sneer as he drew blood from Firestar's flank.
Suddenly something charged into Tigerstar, forcing him to briefly disengage. Sandstorm turned to Firestar.
" We need to go now before more arrive," she meowed before leaping onto the first rock, just behind Cloudtail. Noticing TigerClan warriors beginning to appear, Firestar leapt after her.
Steadying himself as he landed on the treacherous rock, Firestar sighed with relief as he saw Stonefur scramble up the other back. Behind him, Firestar heard Tigerstar order his minions after the fugitives. Not daring to look back, Firestar began to leap from stone to stone as the water crashed around them. A yowl behind him signaled one TigerClan warrior falling into river. Firestar sent a silent prayer to StarClan that they wouldale it across.
Suddenly Featherpaw yelped as she lost her footing attempting the final jump. For a split second, her paws touched air before a flash of white fur seized her by the scruff and pulled her ashore. Fighting the urge to yowl loudly lest he lose his footing, Firestar smiled as he saw Whitestorm, Longtail and Dustpelt help the other cats scramble up the bank. Leaping across beside them, Firestar dipped his head in thanks to the senior warrior.
" When you hadn't returned, I assumed you needed help," Whitestorm remarked.
"Your timing is perfect," panted Firestar. Turning around, Firestar saw Tigerstar stood two stones away. From the look on his face, Firestar could tell he was weighing up the risks of attacking the full ThunderClan battle patrol. For a few terrifying moments, Firestar thought that in his rage, Tigerstar would attack, and he unsheathed his claws ready to fight.
But even in his rage, Tigerstar was not foolish enough to attack at least eleven battle ready warriors over a bottleneck as thin as the stepping stones.
" I won't forget this Kittypet," he hissed before turning around and leaping back across the river.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Firestar allowed himself to relax and turned back to face the party.
"I thought we were dead," panted Stonefur, "We owe you our lives Firestar. "
"You owe me nothing," Firestar smiled, shaking his head, "Let's get you back to ThunderClan camp. You will be safe there."
As the patrol turned on its heels and headed bacl to camp, Firestar couldn't help but wonder if the camp was safe and if it was, for how long?
But he kept this to himself.