Firestar & Sandstorm/Spottedleaf

8

  Spottedleaf licked her paw and cleaned her whiskers. Although she showed her frightened look outside, she was calm inside. Almost delighted. But even when she felt like that, there was also a strange feeling. 

  Nervousness.

   Why would she feel like that? Was it because of Sandstorm's glare? 

  Spottedleaf blinked and kept her feelings down. Her plan was going on fine. What was there to worry about? She stared at Firestar. Was she really going to risk her kind reputation for him? Was it worth it? 

  Yes, she told herself firmly. Sandstorm did not deserve Firestar. 

  "Well?" Firestar asked, curling his tail around Spottedleaf fiercely. A shiver of pleasure rippled through her.

   Spottedleaf could tell that Sandstorm was controlling her anger and disgust. "Well. Before I leave you with her, I need you to tell me why you were acting like this. When I was still in ThunderClan and you were here in StarClan. Betraying me." Sandstorm said, her eyes staring straight into Firestar. 

  Firestar replied back smoothly, "I never wanted to be with Spottedleaf in StarClan, Sandstorm. I kept reminding myself that you were my mate. But..." 

  "But?" Sandstorm prompted. 

  Firestar faltered, "I-I failed. I did give in to Spottedleaf, but I still loved you Sandstorm." 

  Sandstorm laid her tail over her paws. "Alright. But then...But then why didn't you just visit me? Was it so bad that you even forgot me?"

  Firestar sighed. "That was my mistake, and I repent. Will you please forgive me and give me another chance?"

 Spottedleaf couldn't help but curl her lips back in disgust. Firestar! What was he doing? Spottedleaf mewed for the first time, "Firestar...Aren't you with me?" 

  Nobody seemed to be paying her much attention. 

   Sandstorm cut in, "I'm sorry, Firestar. I can't. There's too much words that you have said to Spottedleaf that I don't know about. And, well... you wanted Spottedleaf just now, didn't you?"

  Firestar kneaded the ground in frustration. "Sandstorm-"

  "Look, just go with Spottedleaf. I'll save you the trouble. My heart is not a toy to be tossed about." She stepped up to Firestar and licked his muzzle, for maybe the last time. "Goodbye, Firestar." 

  She turned to Spottedleaf. "Don't play him, you understand? And I think you should tell him what you told me that night. I've kept it a secret for too long. Now that everything's through, you can tell him."

  Firestar pricked his ears, eyes curious. "What? Tell me what?"

  Spottedleaf's heart was crushed. She had hoped that Sandstorm would not mention it...That was the only flaw in her plan. 

  Spottedleaf tried to stay calm as she turned to Firestar. She purred sweetly, "Well..."

  Firestar tilted his head. "Well?" He mewed. 

  Sandstorm was obviously still recovering from leaving Firestar, and so did not notice that there was something wrong. Spottedleaf tried willing her to go away, but she stayed, waiting patiently for Spottedleaf to explain. 

  "As you know, I visited Sandstorm." Spottedleaf said, trying to take her own sweet time.  

  Sandstorm cocked her head, copying Firestar's movements. Her sharpness was returning, and Spottedleaf knew that her time was almost up. "That night I told her that you had been distracted."

  Firestar nodded. "Yes, I was. Well, that's that-"

  "Wait." 

  Spottedleaf turned to Sandstorm. Suspicion burned like a flame in her eyes. "That's not all. Spottedleaf, would you care to tell more? After all, no keeping secrets."

  Spottedleaf fought back the rising urge of despair and anger at Sandstorm. How could that sandy she-cat be so cruel? Then she remembered what Sandstorm was giving up. Her mate. Her life.... "Alright then, I asked her about her shoulder and told her what to expect in StarClan. Also that you would want to visit her tomorrow night."

  Firestar nodded, then suddenly he stopped nodding. Confusion flashed across his face. "Wait, what is it that Sandstorm had to expect in StarClan?"

  "That you were being distracted." Spottedleaf mewed back smoothly, relieved that the conversation was almost over-

  "By?" Sandstorm urged.

  Spottedleaf blinked. No more hiding. 

  "By me."