Fireheart & Cinderpelt/Sandstorm

13

  Sandstorm watched in curiosity and slight suspicion as Cinderpaw slipped out the camp's entrance with a bundle of herbs in her mouth. Her reason was that she needed to identify the same herbs as the ones she already has, but Sandstorm didn't believe one mousedung of it. Medicine cats are supposed to remember every plant, right?

Sandstorm finished her mouse off, licking her jaws. She could almost bet that Cinderpaw was going to Fireheart, but she wasn't so sure.

A biting guilt gnawed at her. I couldn't even do anything to stop Fireheart from being exiled. She stood up, whisking her tail back and forth.

A wave of uneasiness washed over her as she realised there was someone looking at her. It was Tigerclaw. She glared back, daring him to hold her gaze. That fox-heart. He probably planned all this to get Fireheart out of the way.

No matter, I'll find him tonight. Just to make sure he's okay.

Sandstorm waited until all was dark. The warriors den was filled with sleeping cats, all tired from the day's work.

Sandstorm peeked her head out at the night patrol. There was Brindleface and Dustpelt. Easy.

Sandstorm padded out, heading to the entrance.

"Where are you going?" Dustpelt called out, catching sight of her from the corner of his eye.

"Just having a night walk to clear my head." Sandstorm replied back smoothly. Without waiting for a reply, she slipped out the camp's entrance, heading into the night.

Sandstorm opened her mouth, letting the forest's night scents wash over her scent glands. Her tail twitching, ears pricked to catch any sound, she followed Cinderpaw's waning scent. It led her weaving about the trees, at times double-crossing as though Cinderpaw was trying to shake off anyone trying to track her.

Persistent, Sandstorm concentrated on following her scent - that is, until she heard Fireheart's voice.

Heart pounding in excitement and anticipation, she nearly bounded out of the bushes where she knew on the other side would be Fireheart. However, as she caught flashes of his flame-coloured pelt, Sandstorm also saw patches of dark grey fur. Cinderpaw.

Cinderpaw bent over Fireheart, dropping her crushed herbs into Fireheart's wound and smoothing them. Fireheart closed his eyes, wincing slightly but withstanding the numbing pain. "Thank you, Cinderpaw." He muttered.

Cinderpaw, job done, sat back on her haunches. Fireheart stared up at her, searching wonderingly in her sad gaze. "Do you regret any decision you've made before?" Cinderpaw mewed softly. Her paws grazed his wound site again, like a subconscious action of rechecking the quality of her work while her thoughts wandered far away.

Fireheart paused. There was a faint rustle in the bushes, and Fireheart's head whipped in that direction. He thought he caught sight of a familiar sandy-coloured pelt, but it vanished before he could confirm the thought. "I..."

Sandstorm turned away, tail accidentally brushing the bushes and causing a slight rustle. But she didn't care. Instead, she continued walking dejectedly away. She didn't need to hear his response, it didn't matter. Besides, it looked like Cinderpaw had it covered - she was his shoulder to lie on where Sandstorm failed. Before, I let my emotions overcome me. And now... I'm too late.

Fireheart cleared his throat, his gaze returning back to Cinderpaw's. Her pale blue eyes pierced right into him. He thought about Spottedleaf, about Sandstorm, about decisions Bluestar, Dustpelt, and even Tigerclaw had to make. "Of course I have, Cinderpaw. Who hasn't?"