Warriors: If Things Had Changed

If Spottedleaf Had Survived - Part 1

What Happened:

Firepaw nosed his way forward and saw Tigerclaw standing over a motionless bundle of dappled fur.
Spottedleaf!
Firepaw stared in disbelief at her lifeless body. (Into the Wild)

What If:

Spottedleaf coughed as her eyes opened, and she saw Yellowfang working through her supplies. Yellowfang turned around and grunted, "You're awake, finally. Everyone else was convinced that you died." 

Spottedleaf turned and instantly, the memories flooded back, Clawface, the kits. He had struck a blow to her throat, but as Spottedleaf looked down, her throat was unharmed, but there was instead, a large, ugly-looking blow to her chest that had been plastered with cobwebs and marigold. 

"Stop moving, you have to stay still if you want to heal. You should know that you're a medicine cat after all," Yellowfang grumbled, and she continued sorting herbs. 

Spottedleaf got back down, but raised her head, despite the screaming of pain from her chest, "Are the kits okay?" 

"The kits are fine. Fireheart and Graystripe managed to save them from Brokenstar with the help of Whitestorm and his patrol as well as some ShadowClan elders I directed them to. Ravenpaw died in their attack, Brokenstar and his followers have been kicked out, Nightstar is the new leader of ShadowClan," Yellowfang said. 

Spottedleaf rested her head again, had Firepaw and Graypaw been made warriors while she was knocked out? They must have, although they did have a very short apprenticeship. Bluestar had given them both beautiful names, especially Fireheart. It matches his personality perfectly. 

Had anyone visited her while she was unconscious? Had Fireheart? Spottedleaf found herself wondering, and hoping, that he cared enough to come see her. Just as her mind drifted back to Fireheart and his handsome ginger pelt, Fireheart walked into the medicine cat den. 

Spottedleaf's heart leaped at the sight of him, and she wanted to greet him, but as soon as she lifted her head, her chest screamed in agony, and she stayed resting in her nest, although her eyes looked at Fireheart longingly. 

"Spottedleaf, you're finally awake," Fireheart said, smiling at the medicine cat, and Spottedleaf felt her heart melt at his warm gaze. 

"Don't talk to her for too long, she still needs more rest if the chest wound will ever heal, too much movement is going to hinder that," Yellowfang said, "I'm going out to collect some more marigold." With that, she left the medicine cat den, and Spottedleaf and Fireheart were left alone. 

Fireheart walked up to her, and for a moment, Spottedleaf thought he looked undetermined and nervous, before saying, "How are you doing?" 

The next sentence she said would violate one of the most important rules in the medicine cat code, but she couldn't help it, not when the handsome tom was standing in front of her, staring at her with his deep green eyes. "Better now that you are here," Spottedleaf purred, the very act of it hurting her chest. 

Fireheart looked shocked for a moment before nuzzling her gently, and Spottedleaf was shocked as well, she had never been affectionate like this with any tom before, aside from her mentor. However, she felt warmer, and even though it hurt, she nuzzled him back. 

When Fireheart pulled away, no words were spoken for a few moments, but their eyes met, Spottedleaf's amber ones and Fireheart's green ones, both with a look of longing and wanting before Spottedleaf broke the gaze. 

What was she thinking? She was a medicine cat, albeit she wasn't doing her duty right now, but once she healed, she would be back to being a medicine cat, and she couldn't take a mate. However, she wanted to be pressed against Fireheart, to feel him breathing next to her, their tails entwined together, knowing they would always love each other, and she knew he wanted that as well. 

When she looked back, Fireheart was still there, this time looking a little sad and he said, "I'm glad you're alive." 

"I am too," she replied, and then she said, "Thank you for visiting me Fireheart, it really means a lot."

Fireheart nodded before leaving the medicine cat den, and Spottedleaf was left thinking, what did she want more?

Ever since she was a kit, she had wanted to be a medicine cat, she loved mixing herbs, and helping other cats, she was never good at hunting or fighting. However, did she love Fireheart more, or being a medicine cat? Medicine cat, but could that change? If she and Fireheart spent more time together, could she grow to love him more than her duties? Did she want to take that chance?

A/N: I've had this part prepared for a long time to publish once I finished Brackenfur. The second part is also already written, so that will be published soon after. As always, tell me your thoughts.