Fireheart and Tigerclaw

Part Four - Tigerclaw's point of view

I padded alongside Darkstripe, glancing to the bushes, just in case someone was watching or following.

Although they showed no sign, I still felt like we were being watched. I leaned into Darkstripe, who looked at me with curiosity, and I whispered, "we need to be cautious, Darkstripe."

He nodded, and we kept walking. Meanwhile, my thoughts were on the kittypet. Yes, Fireheart. He's been trying to ruin my plans of becoming leader! And we need to get rid of him.

And yet, there was a different feeling that bothered me ears to tail tip. I know what it is, but I don't want to admit it.

But what if he feels the same way, I thought. Or knows?

I shook the feeling to the back of my mind. I was too engaged in my own thoughts that I hadn't noticed that we were at Sunningrocks. I was sitting with my tail wrapped around my paws, Darkstripe in front of me. Longtail was sitting next to us, making a triangular shape.

I also hadn't realized that Darkstripe was trying to get my attention.

"Tigerclaw! Tigerclaw!"

I snapped back to reality, and noticed that he looked annoyed. When I looked at Longtail, he was shifting his paws nervously, but he said nothing. He was silent.

I quickly looked back at the dark gray warrior, my former apprentice, who sighed deeply, but held his gaze.

"What's up with you, Tigerclaw? You're never this engaged to your thoughts." He meowed.

I shook my head.

"Doesn't matter," I growled.
"We-" I cut myself off, wondering why I asked them to meet me here. What am I here for? What-
The thought came back to me. Fireheart.

Darkstripe looked at me with a confused look. "What? We what?" He asked, a little mockery in his tone, but you could hardly tell it was there.

Ignoring his comment, I took a deep breath and continued. "We need to get rid of Fireheart."

It felt as if each word was being dragged out of me. Why, though? Why did I feel this way? He's a kittypet! I'm a warrior!

But he is so loyal to ThunderClan, no one can compare. But why the feeling? The way he looked at me. The glares had something else. Yes. Love? I can't tell with him, he's unusual. But I smiled earlier this morning. To him!
I guess I can only ask one cat. The one Fireheart is closest to.

Graystripe.

"Good idea, Tigerclaw." Darkstripe meowed excitedly. We glanced at Longtail, who was still silent.

"Yeah..." He muttered. "It's a good plan... If you don't think he's as good of a mouse-brain as you think." He unsheathed one of his claws and messed with the dirt.

Darkstripe thought for a moment, but reluctantly nodded agreement.

Me being confused, I growled, "what in StarClan's name do you mean?"

Longtail flinched, but continued.

"Well, sure, Fireheart's a kittypet. But that doesn't mean he's not... " he trailed off, looking for the right words to say. "... It doesn't mean he can't use his wits."

Longtail looked at me and clearly saw that I was confused.

"Example?" He asked.

"Yes. Please, explain with detail," I replied.

"M'kay..." He thought for a moment. Darkstripe and I exchanged glances before looking back at Longtail. "Well, say you, Darkstripe, found a fox trap. What would you do with it?"