Chapter Text
Whistler smiled and left the den afterwards. The three cats were still looking at each other.
I'm gonna go now!
Sandstorm returned back to her senses and looked confused behind her to see Whistler leaving.
She turned around, and went to the medicine den. When she came by, she licked Firestar his fur in hope to give him some strength.
Suddenly, his paw started moving.
Sandstorm didn't expect that. She panicked; not knowing what to do. Getting Cinderpelt would be a waste of time, but she was the only medicine cat. And Sandstorm wasn't stupid. If she tried to heal Firestar it would end up in disaster.
Getting Cinderpelt it is.
She ran out of the medicine den, seeing Longtail and Cinderpelt still staring at each other. "Snap out of it you two! Cinderpelt, I need your help. Come with me," at Sandstorm her demanding tone Cinderpelt nodded and followed her to the medicine den.
Also Cinderpelt saw his paw moving. "He's gonna wake up. If we don't do anything he'll wake up with a lot of pain."
"Sandstorm, I need your help. See that herb on the left? Take it and place it on one of the wounds."
Sandstorm nodded, and got the herb, and placed it on a wound. She felt like she was an apprentice again.
"Good. Now take that herb on the right and place it on a different one."
Sandstorm did as what Cinderpelt said, and placed the other herb on a different wound.
"You're good at this Sandstorm," Cinderpelt said as she was placing a herb on another wound. "You would be a proper medicine cat."
No I wouldn't. It's not something meant for me.
Both cats were hoping for Firestar to wake up.
And it happened.
His eyes went open, as he let out a cough.
"Hey. Firestar," Sandstorm whispered. She didn't want to make a lot of sound, to not hurt him.
Turning to Cinderpelt she asked: "Does Firestar still have to stay here?"
"No. Firestar his wounds will be gone tommorow. Only what he needs is rest."
Sandstorm nodded and helped Firestar standing up. "Come on, let's go to your den."
He nodded, and just when they went outside, a bunch of apprentices came to them.
"Firestar!"
"Firestar, you're okay!"
"Did Cinderpelt heal you?"
"I'm gonna train to be a warrior!"
Sandstorm saw Firestar having pain from them. "Firestar needs rest. Stop asking questions and return to your mentors," she said strictly and the apprentices quickly went to their mentors at Sandstorm her glance.
They went to his den, but not without problems. Sometimes Sandstorm had to make sure he didn't fall.
He's still in pain.
At the den, Firestar was laying down. "I.. thank.. thank you Sandstorm. Truly."
"For what?"
"For... everything."
"I didn't do anything, Firestar. I just helped you getting here safely."
"T...that's enough.. for me."
Sandstorm smiled.
"S.. Sandstorm. I..."
"I... love you, Sandstorm."
Sandstorm turned shocked. Shocked, but smiling. "Firestar.. I love you too."
They touched noses, and Sandstorm went licking on a wound.
Now the hard part.
"Firestar, I have to ask you a question. Do you know who did this to you?"
"I... can't remember the name.. but.. I remember something else."
"Tell me," she said. Sandstorm wanted to punish the cat who was responsible for this. Punish the cat and make sure it never came back.
You see Kittypet... I always wanted to kill you from the start. But now was my chance.
Because I'm a friend.
Not a friend of yours.
A friend of Tigerstar.
Even though I never joined the BloodClan battle, I knew what happened due to the other Clans. When I heard Tigerstar was dead – I swore to get revenge on his enemy.
That enemy was you, Kittypet.
You're weak because of your sort. And because you are weak by yourself. Everytime a friend of yours dies, you go on with your life. While I swore to honor my friend.
Whistler looked at Firestar. A pool of blood next to him.
You're disgusting, Firestar. Disgusting. I imagined you to be bad just as Tigerstar told me, but I've seen you now and you're worse. Worse than what Tigerstar told me.
But you see...
everyone you care about,
everyone you love,
will see you as nothing but a weak, disgusting cat.
Sandstorm felt rage in her, deep inside. "No one here who cares and loves you, sees you as a weak and disgusting cat! All lies!"
Ignoring what she said, Firestar continued. "He had a... white fur.. with amber eyes."
White fur, amber eyes.
Whistler!
"Is the name Whistler by any chance?"
"Y.. yes. How did you–"
"I've met him! Oh, he will be punished for this!"
She ran out of the den and the camp forgetting the looks of the others. She wanted to find this cat and punish him. Seeing Longtail, she made a move with her head that he had to come. With two, they could easily defeat him.
Oh hey Sandstorm! And.. Longtail I imagine.
"You," she spat out. Her claws were out and she was ready to attack him, but Longtail looked at her and shook his head.
Me?
"You hurt Firestar. He told me. You're Tigerstar his friend."
Suddenly Whistler looked evil.
So he told you.
"I'm gonna punish you for this!"
And how, may I ask?
He turned around and Sandstorm saw this as her chance. She ran and jumped on him, which surprised Whistler. Her grip was quite hard, he couldn't go away, let alone give her a kick. Longtail stood at his head and the two cats felt like they were about to strangle a doll. However, they didn't hurt him or choke him. Longtail grabbed his head and Sandstorm put her paws on his fur. Whistler growled in response and looked at them. "Let me go!" he demanded. The two ThunderClan warriors didn't even bother to let go. Longtail's tail moved around and whispered something to Whistler, yet Sandstorm could hear it. "Leave. Leave and never come back. If you do, we'll kill you."
They let go and Whistler ran away, not wanting to do anything with them. He gave the two cats a glance and left.
As hard as she wanted to, she couldn't feel any pity, guilt or regret. He hurt Firestar.
They ran back to the camp, Longtail going in a different way and Sandstorm going to the den of Firestar and said what she and Longtail had done.
"Smart.." he said. "You're strong.. and so is Longtail.. smart idea."
Sandstorm nodded. Looking at Firestar, she touched noses with him.
You're never alone, Firestar.
Never.
You're not a weak, disgusting cat.
You're a great leader.
I love you.