Post by 𝓣𝓲𝓷𝓾𝓿𝓲𝓮𝓵 on Jun 15, 2021 21:25:51 GMT -5
So, we all know that Sandstorm initially didn't like Firestar when they were both apprentices, but they ended up falling in love later on. However, do you think this relationship was handled well? Now, this will mostly be focusing on their interactions as warriors and before they became parents, but I do feel like it's worth noting is that she acted civil towards Firepaw at least once in Into the Wild.
So, here's when he saves her life.
After this, Sandpaw starts to grow out of her bullying ways and even after he saved her, she's either awkward or friendly around him throughout the rest of Fire and Ice.
At some point, she also opens up to him about being disappointed at not being made a warrior and comforted him when he was worried over Cloudkit.
And like I said before, it's up to you if you want to consider the field guides canon or not, but her change of heart is sort of put into more depth in her short story, appropriately named A Change of Heart: Sandstorm Speaks.
Sandstorm grew close to Fireheart after Graystripe began seeing Silverstream as well as after he left, but they still had their arguments that ultimately ended up getting resolved every time.
Sandstorm also continuously supports him and tries to comfort and defend him through tough times, which increased their relationship.
On his end, Fireheart didn't even realize Sandstorm had feelings for him until Cinderpelt told him, and he didn't begin to develop his own feelings for her until later on.
The two don't really confess their love for each other until A Dangerous Path. She also confessed to him that she felt like he didn't appreciate her, especially after he didn't give her Tawnypaw to mentor.
Sandstorm has also been shown to be jealous of Firestar's relationship with Spottedleaf and it's implied this was even the case with Cinderpelt too at some point.
For Cinderpelt, the two still got along well for the most part, but it's only until Spottedleaf comes in does Sandstorm once again begin to doubt Firestar's love for her until she's confronted over it by both cats.
We never really see them have any issues ever again after this and they remain in a loving relationship from here on out.
So, what are your thoughts on the relationship as well as Sandstorm's character development?
"Well, then," mewed Sandpaw. "You'd better go and see Spottedleaf.
Firepaw listened for sourness in her voice, but there was none. There was no time jealousy now. All the cats in the Clan seemed to be united against the threat from ShadowClan.
Firepaw listened for sourness in her voice, but there was none. There was no time jealousy now. All the cats in the Clan seemed to be united against the threat from ShadowClan.
So, here's when he saves her life.
Fireheart heard a vicious squeal behind him. He spun around to see Sandpaw locked in battle with another RiverClan she-cat. Twisting and tussling, the pair rolled over and over on the wet grass, spitting and clawing each other fiercely. Fireheart gasped. They were rolling toward the rocky edge of the gorge! One more roll and they would be over the side.
Fireheart sprang. With a mighty swipe he bundled the RiverClan warrior off Sandpaw and away from the edge. Sandpaw skidded away, closer to the drop. Fireheart lunged forward and grabbed her by the scruff of her neck with his teeth. She squealed with rage as he dragged her away from the gorge, her paws scrabbling on the muddy ground. She sprang to her paws as soon as he stopped and hissed at Fireheart, her eyes burning with fury, "I can win my own battles without your help!"
[...]
Fireheart noticed that Sandpaw was standing at the edge of the gorge, staring down at the torrent below. Her paws seemed frozen to the ground, and her eyes remained fixed on the steep drop. Fireheart guessed she had realized how close she had come to sharing Whiteclaw's fate.
Fireheart sprang. With a mighty swipe he bundled the RiverClan warrior off Sandpaw and away from the edge. Sandpaw skidded away, closer to the drop. Fireheart lunged forward and grabbed her by the scruff of her neck with his teeth. She squealed with rage as he dragged her away from the gorge, her paws scrabbling on the muddy ground. She sprang to her paws as soon as he stopped and hissed at Fireheart, her eyes burning with fury, "I can win my own battles without your help!"
[...]
Fireheart noticed that Sandpaw was standing at the edge of the gorge, staring down at the torrent below. Her paws seemed frozen to the ground, and her eyes remained fixed on the steep drop. Fireheart guessed she had realized how close she had come to sharing Whiteclaw's fate.
After this, Sandpaw starts to grow out of her bullying ways and even after he saved her, she's either awkward or friendly around him throughout the rest of Fire and Ice.
She was awkward towards him when Dustpaw made a snide remark.
He glanced at Sandpaw sitting nearby. Beside her, Dustpaw stared at Fireheart with raw jealousy in his eyes. Fireheart couldn't blame him. He was about to become a mentor when Dustpaw hadn't even been given his warrior name. But he flinched when Dustpaw leaned toward Sandpaw and whispered, loud enough for Fireheart to hear, "I feel sorry for Fireheart’s apprentice. Imagine a Clan cat being trained by a kittypet!"
But for once Sandpaw didn't react. She just shot uncomfortable glance at Fireheart.
He glanced at Sandpaw sitting nearby. Beside her, Dustpaw stared at Fireheart with raw jealousy in his eyes. Fireheart couldn't blame him. He was about to become a mentor when Dustpaw hadn't even been given his warrior name. But he flinched when Dustpaw leaned toward Sandpaw and whispered, loud enough for Fireheart to hear, "I feel sorry for Fireheart’s apprentice. Imagine a Clan cat being trained by a kittypet!"
But for once Sandpaw didn't react. She just shot uncomfortable glance at Fireheart.
"Sandpaw," Fireheart shifted uneasily. "Whitestorm wants you to patrol with me at dawn tomorrow."
He waited for a resentful hiss, but Sandpaw merely looked up at him and meowed, "Fine." Even Dustpaw looked surprised.
"O-okay," echoed Fireheart, taken aback. "Meet you at sunrise, then."
"Sunrise," agreed Sandpaw.
He waited for a resentful hiss, but Sandpaw merely looked up at him and meowed, "Fine." Even Dustpaw looked surprised.
"O-okay," echoed Fireheart, taken aback. "Meet you at sunrise, then."
"Sunrise," agreed Sandpaw.
Fireheart led the way. "We'll start at Fourtrees and walk our way along the border to Tallpines," he meowed as they climbed out of the camp ravine.
"Sounds good," replied Sandpaw. "I've never seen Fourtrees in the snow." Fireheart listened for sarcasm in her voice, but she seemed to be sincere.
They reached the top of the ravine. "Which way now?" Fireheart decided to test her.
"Do you think I don't know the way to Fourtrees?" she protested. Fireheart began to regret acting like a mentor until he noticed a good-humored gleam in her eyes. She charged away through the woods without another word, and Fireheart pelted after her.
It felt good to be running through the woods with another cat again. He had to admit Sandpaw was fast. She was still twofox-lengths ahead when she leaped over the trunk of a fallen tree and disappeared.
Fireheart followed, taking the tree in a single bound. As he landed on the other sidw, something hit him from behind. He skidded in the snow, rolled over, and sprang to his paws.
Sandpaw faced him, her whiskers twitching. "Surprise!"
"Sounds good," replied Sandpaw. "I've never seen Fourtrees in the snow." Fireheart listened for sarcasm in her voice, but she seemed to be sincere.
They reached the top of the ravine. "Which way now?" Fireheart decided to test her.
"Do you think I don't know the way to Fourtrees?" she protested. Fireheart began to regret acting like a mentor until he noticed a good-humored gleam in her eyes. She charged away through the woods without another word, and Fireheart pelted after her.
It felt good to be running through the woods with another cat again. He had to admit Sandpaw was fast. She was still twofox-lengths ahead when she leaped over the trunk of a fallen tree and disappeared.
Fireheart followed, taking the tree in a single bound. As he landed on the other sidw, something hit him from behind. He skidded in the snow, rolled over, and sprang to his paws.
Sandpaw faced him, her whiskers twitching. "Surprise!"
At some point, she also opens up to him about being disappointed at not being made a warrior and comforted him when he was worried over Cloudkit.
"I wish I were going as a warrior," she murmured. Fireheart tensed, but for once there was no hint of jealousy or bitterness on her mew.
Fireheart felt awkward. He knew his training had started after Sandpaw's, and he had been a warrior for more than two moons already. It won't be long till Bluestar gives you your warrior name," he meowed, trying to sound encouraging.
"Why do you think it's taking so long?" Sandpaw asked, turning her pale green eyes on Fireheart.
"I don't know," he admitted. "Bluestar's been ill, and there's RiverClan and ShadowClan causing trouble. I guess she's got other things on her mind.
"You'd think she'd need warriors more than ever!" meowed Sandpaw.
Fireheart felt a stab of sympathy. "I suppose she's just waiting for the... the right time." He knew it didn't sound very helpful, but it was all he could think to say.
"Maybe by newleaf." Sandpaw sighed. "When do you think you'll get a new apprentice?"
"Bluestar hasn't said anything yet."
"Perhaps she'll give you Cloudkit when he's old enough."
"I hope so." Fireheart stared across the clearing at the nursery, wondering if Yellowfang had finished treating Cloudkit. "If he makes it that far."
"Of course he'll make it!" Sandpaw meowed confidently.
"But he has a fever." Fireheart let his shoulders sag with worry.
"All kits get fevers!" Sandpaw retorted. "With his thick fur, he'll recover in no time. That coat's going to be handy in leaf-bare, perfect for hunting in the snow. The prey'll never see him coming, and he'll be able to stay out twice as long as thin-pelts like Longtail!"
Fireheart felt awkward. He knew his training had started after Sandpaw's, and he had been a warrior for more than two moons already. It won't be long till Bluestar gives you your warrior name," he meowed, trying to sound encouraging.
"Why do you think it's taking so long?" Sandpaw asked, turning her pale green eyes on Fireheart.
"I don't know," he admitted. "Bluestar's been ill, and there's RiverClan and ShadowClan causing trouble. I guess she's got other things on her mind.
"You'd think she'd need warriors more than ever!" meowed Sandpaw.
Fireheart felt a stab of sympathy. "I suppose she's just waiting for the... the right time." He knew it didn't sound very helpful, but it was all he could think to say.
"Maybe by newleaf." Sandpaw sighed. "When do you think you'll get a new apprentice?"
"Bluestar hasn't said anything yet."
"Perhaps she'll give you Cloudkit when he's old enough."
"I hope so." Fireheart stared across the clearing at the nursery, wondering if Yellowfang had finished treating Cloudkit. "If he makes it that far."
"Of course he'll make it!" Sandpaw meowed confidently.
"But he has a fever." Fireheart let his shoulders sag with worry.
"All kits get fevers!" Sandpaw retorted. "With his thick fur, he'll recover in no time. That coat's going to be handy in leaf-bare, perfect for hunting in the snow. The prey'll never see him coming, and he'll be able to stay out twice as long as thin-pelts like Longtail!"
And like I said before, it's up to you if you want to consider the field guides canon or not, but her change of heart is sort of put into more depth in her short story, appropriately named A Change of Heart: Sandstorm Speaks.
If Fireheart was just a kittypet, would he have gone to Tallstar behind Bluestar's back and arranged to stop the battle before it began? Would he have risked Bluestar's trust because he believed what he was doing was best for the Clan? Would so many of his Clanmates have supported him, even Whitestorm and Goldenflower?
Dustpelt tells me over and over that Fireheart can never be a true Clan warrior because he wasn't born in the forest. He belonged to Twolegs, who fed him that muck that looks like rabbit droppings, and they made him wear a collar! He was such a show-off when he first came to ThunderClan. He always had to be the best in training, or catch the most prey, and be the most solemn when we went to Gathering. Dustpelt and I could never figure out why Graystripe was friends with him; he didn't seem to know what fun was.
And he was always causing trouble! Like taking Ravenpaw away—Fireheart said he didn't know what happened when Ravenpaw vanished, but I saw them sneaking out of the camp. He always seemed to be doing something to annoy Tigerclaw. But now it looks as if he was right, and Tigerclaw was our biggest enemy all along. Would a kittypet have been able to figure all of that out? Not even Bluestar realized until Tigerclaw tried to kill her.
Maybe it's because Fireheart was a kittypet. He doesn't just accept the warrior code; he thinks about it and figures out how it's supposed to work. And when it doesn't, like when he should have obeyed his leader who ordered him to attack WindClan, he challenges it and does something different. Is that a weakness in Clan cats, that we do what we're told just because our ancestors did?
Dustpelt insists that Fireheart doesn't belong in ThunderClan, because the code says we have to reject kittypets. But we have to reject their life, not the cats themselves. And Fireheart has done that, hasn't he? He started out as a kittypet and chose to leave it all behind to join ThunderClan.
If I had to choose between Dustpelt and Fireheart to lead the Clan, who would I pick? Dustpelt is so loyal to the warrior code, and he'd never dream of breaking it. The other Clans would respect him for that, which might make them more peaceful toward us. Fireheart would argue with any cat, from ThunderClan or outside, if he didn't think they were doing the right thing. I don't want to live in a Clan that is always at war.
But Fireheart won't fight a battle that he doesn't believe in. That's why he talked to Tallstar, persuaded him not to let his warriors fight when Bluestar led the attack on his border. Which means Tallstar must respect Fireheart and trust him, because he's always been friendly with Bluestar before now.
Maybe a kittypet can know us better than we know ourselves. Maybe it takes an outsider looking in to see the truth—like Fireheart knew the truth about Tigerclaw. I wonder if he'll ever see the truth in my own heart: that whatever Dustpelt says, however much Fireheart breaks the warrior code, I love him more than I could ever imagine loving any other cat.
And if Fireheart knew, would he love me, too?
Dustpelt tells me over and over that Fireheart can never be a true Clan warrior because he wasn't born in the forest. He belonged to Twolegs, who fed him that muck that looks like rabbit droppings, and they made him wear a collar! He was such a show-off when he first came to ThunderClan. He always had to be the best in training, or catch the most prey, and be the most solemn when we went to Gathering. Dustpelt and I could never figure out why Graystripe was friends with him; he didn't seem to know what fun was.
And he was always causing trouble! Like taking Ravenpaw away—Fireheart said he didn't know what happened when Ravenpaw vanished, but I saw them sneaking out of the camp. He always seemed to be doing something to annoy Tigerclaw. But now it looks as if he was right, and Tigerclaw was our biggest enemy all along. Would a kittypet have been able to figure all of that out? Not even Bluestar realized until Tigerclaw tried to kill her.
Maybe it's because Fireheart was a kittypet. He doesn't just accept the warrior code; he thinks about it and figures out how it's supposed to work. And when it doesn't, like when he should have obeyed his leader who ordered him to attack WindClan, he challenges it and does something different. Is that a weakness in Clan cats, that we do what we're told just because our ancestors did?
Dustpelt insists that Fireheart doesn't belong in ThunderClan, because the code says we have to reject kittypets. But we have to reject their life, not the cats themselves. And Fireheart has done that, hasn't he? He started out as a kittypet and chose to leave it all behind to join ThunderClan.
If I had to choose between Dustpelt and Fireheart to lead the Clan, who would I pick? Dustpelt is so loyal to the warrior code, and he'd never dream of breaking it. The other Clans would respect him for that, which might make them more peaceful toward us. Fireheart would argue with any cat, from ThunderClan or outside, if he didn't think they were doing the right thing. I don't want to live in a Clan that is always at war.
But Fireheart won't fight a battle that he doesn't believe in. That's why he talked to Tallstar, persuaded him not to let his warriors fight when Bluestar led the attack on his border. Which means Tallstar must respect Fireheart and trust him, because he's always been friendly with Bluestar before now.
Maybe a kittypet can know us better than we know ourselves. Maybe it takes an outsider looking in to see the truth—like Fireheart knew the truth about Tigerclaw. I wonder if he'll ever see the truth in my own heart: that whatever Dustpelt says, however much Fireheart breaks the warrior code, I love him more than I could ever imagine loving any other cat.
And if Fireheart knew, would he love me, too?
Sandstorm grew close to Fireheart after Graystripe began seeing Silverstream as well as after he left, but they still had their arguments that ultimately ended up getting resolved every time.
Fireheart lifted a foreleg and turned over his paw to look. He gazed blankly at the oozing blood until Sandstorm leaned forward and began to lick the grit from his wounds. It stung, but Fireheart didn’t protest.
The rhythmic licks comforted him, stirring long-distant memories of kithood. Gradually the panic that had frozen his mind began to melt away. “He’s gone,” he meowed dismally. His heart felt like a hollow log, ringing with sorrow at every beat.
“He’ll find his way home,” Sandstorm told him. Fireheart looked at her calm green eyes and felt a flicker of hope.
“If he wants to,” she added. Her words pierced him like thorns, but her eyes were full of sympathy, and Fireheart knew she was only speaking the truth. “Cloudpaw might be happier where he’s going,” she meowed. “You want him to be happy, don’t you?”
Fireheart nodded slowly.
“Come on then; let’s get back to camp.” Sandstorm’s mew became brisk, and Fireheart felt a surge of frustration.
“It’s easy for you!” he argued. “You share Clan blood with the rest of them. Cloudpaw was my only kin. Now there’s no one in the Clan that’s close to me.”
Sandstorm flinched as if he had struck her. “How can you say that? You have me!” she spat. “I’ve done nothing but try to help you. Doesn’t that mean anything? I thought that our friendship was important to you, but clearly I was wrong!” She spun around, flicking Fireheart’s legs with her tail before racing away into the trees.
[...]
“Sorry about earlier,” Fireheart whispered to Sandstorm.
“So you should be,” she muttered, not looking up.
“You’ve been a good friend,” Fireheart persisted. “I’m sorry I made you think I don’t appreciate you.”
“Yeah, well, next time try thinking beyond your own whiskers!”
“Are we friends again?” Fireheart meowed.
“We always were,” she replied simply.
The rhythmic licks comforted him, stirring long-distant memories of kithood. Gradually the panic that had frozen his mind began to melt away. “He’s gone,” he meowed dismally. His heart felt like a hollow log, ringing with sorrow at every beat.
“He’ll find his way home,” Sandstorm told him. Fireheart looked at her calm green eyes and felt a flicker of hope.
“If he wants to,” she added. Her words pierced him like thorns, but her eyes were full of sympathy, and Fireheart knew she was only speaking the truth. “Cloudpaw might be happier where he’s going,” she meowed. “You want him to be happy, don’t you?”
Fireheart nodded slowly.
“Come on then; let’s get back to camp.” Sandstorm’s mew became brisk, and Fireheart felt a surge of frustration.
“It’s easy for you!” he argued. “You share Clan blood with the rest of them. Cloudpaw was my only kin. Now there’s no one in the Clan that’s close to me.”
Sandstorm flinched as if he had struck her. “How can you say that? You have me!” she spat. “I’ve done nothing but try to help you. Doesn’t that mean anything? I thought that our friendship was important to you, but clearly I was wrong!” She spun around, flicking Fireheart’s legs with her tail before racing away into the trees.
[...]
“Sorry about earlier,” Fireheart whispered to Sandstorm.
“So you should be,” she muttered, not looking up.
“You’ve been a good friend,” Fireheart persisted. “I’m sorry I made you think I don’t appreciate you.”
“Yeah, well, next time try thinking beyond your own whiskers!”
“Are we friends again?” Fireheart meowed.
“We always were,” she replied simply.
Fireheart jumped down from the Highrock and padded to Sandstorm. “We need to organize a burial party for Yellowfang.”
“You didn’t mention her death,” Sandstorm pointed out, her green eyes puzzled.
“Or Halftail’s!” Fireheart glanced down as Cloudpaw’s mew sounded beside him. The young apprentice sounded reproachful.
“The Clan knows they are dead,” Fireheart told them, feeling his fur prickle uncomfortably. “It is for Bluestar to honor them with the proper words. She can do it when she’s better.”
“And what if she doesn’t recover?” ventured Sandstorm.
“She will!” Fireheart snapped. Sandstorm winced visibly, and he cursed himself. She was only voicing the fears of all the Clan. If Bluestar had really turned her back on the rituals of StarClan, Yellowfang and Halftail would never hear the proper words to send them on their journey to Silverpelt.
Fireheart felt his confidence slide away. What if the forest didn’t recover before leaf-bare? What if they couldn’t find enough fresh-kill to feed the Clan? What if Tigerclaw attacked? “If Bluestar doesn’t get better, I don’t know what will happen,” he murmured.
Fire flared in Sandstorm’s eyes. “Bluestar made you her deputy. She’d expect you to know what to do!”
Her words hit Fireheart like stinging hail. “Put your claws away, Sandstorm!” he spat. “Can’t you see that I’m doing the best I can? Instead of criticizing me, go and organize the apprentices to bury Yellowfang.”
He glared at Cloudpaw. “You can go too. And try to keep out of trouble for once,” he added.
[...]
He glanced backward. Cloudpaw was keeping up well, and Sandstorm was pushing ahead, drawing closer until she ran at his side, matching his pace.
“You spoke well on the Highrock,” she meowed, panting.
“Thanks,” answered Fireheart. He pulled away as they scrambled up a steep mound, but Sandstorm caught up as they reached the top.
“I… I’m sorry about what I said about Bluestar,” she meowed quietly. “I was just worried. The camp is looking great, considering…”
“Considering I’m deputy?” Fireheart suggested sourly.
“Considering it was so badly damaged,” Sandstorm finished. Fireheart’s ears twitched. “Bluestar must be proud of you,” she went on, and Fireheart winced—he doubted if Bluestar had even noticed, but he was grateful for Sandstorm’s words.
“Thanks,” he meowed again. He turned his head as they ran down the other side of the mound and looked into the warrior’s soft emerald eyes. “I missed you, Sandstorm—” he began.
“You didn’t mention her death,” Sandstorm pointed out, her green eyes puzzled.
“Or Halftail’s!” Fireheart glanced down as Cloudpaw’s mew sounded beside him. The young apprentice sounded reproachful.
“The Clan knows they are dead,” Fireheart told them, feeling his fur prickle uncomfortably. “It is for Bluestar to honor them with the proper words. She can do it when she’s better.”
“And what if she doesn’t recover?” ventured Sandstorm.
“She will!” Fireheart snapped. Sandstorm winced visibly, and he cursed himself. She was only voicing the fears of all the Clan. If Bluestar had really turned her back on the rituals of StarClan, Yellowfang and Halftail would never hear the proper words to send them on their journey to Silverpelt.
Fireheart felt his confidence slide away. What if the forest didn’t recover before leaf-bare? What if they couldn’t find enough fresh-kill to feed the Clan? What if Tigerclaw attacked? “If Bluestar doesn’t get better, I don’t know what will happen,” he murmured.
Fire flared in Sandstorm’s eyes. “Bluestar made you her deputy. She’d expect you to know what to do!”
Her words hit Fireheart like stinging hail. “Put your claws away, Sandstorm!” he spat. “Can’t you see that I’m doing the best I can? Instead of criticizing me, go and organize the apprentices to bury Yellowfang.”
He glared at Cloudpaw. “You can go too. And try to keep out of trouble for once,” he added.
[...]
He glanced backward. Cloudpaw was keeping up well, and Sandstorm was pushing ahead, drawing closer until she ran at his side, matching his pace.
“You spoke well on the Highrock,” she meowed, panting.
“Thanks,” answered Fireheart. He pulled away as they scrambled up a steep mound, but Sandstorm caught up as they reached the top.
“I… I’m sorry about what I said about Bluestar,” she meowed quietly. “I was just worried. The camp is looking great, considering…”
“Considering I’m deputy?” Fireheart suggested sourly.
“Considering it was so badly damaged,” Sandstorm finished. Fireheart’s ears twitched. “Bluestar must be proud of you,” she went on, and Fireheart winced—he doubted if Bluestar had even noticed, but he was grateful for Sandstorm’s words.
“Thanks,” he meowed again. He turned his head as they ran down the other side of the mound and looked into the warrior’s soft emerald eyes. “I missed you, Sandstorm—” he began.
Sandstorm also continuously supports him and tries to comfort and defend him through tough times, which increased their relationship.
“Sandstorm,” he began hesitantly.
“Yes?”
“Do you think I made the wrong decision bringing Cloudpaw into the Clan?”
Sandstorm was silent for a few moments, and when she spoke, her words were careful and honest. “When I looked at him today, lying outside his den, I thought he looked more like a kittypet than a warrior. And then I remembered the day he caught his first prey. He was just a tiny kit, but he went out into a blizzard to catch that vole. He looked so unafraid, so proud of what he had done. He seemed like a Clan cat then, born and bred.”
“So I made the right decision?” Fireheart meowed hopefully.
There was another heavy pause. “I think only time will tell,” Sandstorm replied at last.
Fireheart didn’t say anything. This wasn’t the reassurance he’d been hoping for, but he knew she was right.
“Has something happened to him?” asked Sandstorm, her eyes narrowed with concern.
“I saw him go into a Twoleg nest this afternoon,” Fireheart confessed flatly. “I think he’s been allowing them to feed him for a while now.”
Sandstorm frowned. “Does he know you saw him?”
“No.”
“You should tell him,” advised Sandstorm. “Cloudpaw needs to decide where he belongs.”
“But what if he decides to return to a kittypet life?” Fireheart protested. Today had made him realize how much he wanted Cloudpaw to stay in the Clan. Not just for his own sake, or to show the other cats that warriors didn’t have to be forestborn, but for Cloudpaw’s sake too. He had so much to give to the Clan, and would be repaid more than enough by their loyalty. Fireheart felt his heart begin to pound at the thought of what Cloudpaw might be about to throw away.
“It’s his decision,” meowed Sandstorm gently.
“If only I’d been a better mentor—”
“It’s not your fault,” Sandstorm interrupted him. “You can’t change what’s in his heart.”
“Just talk to him,” urged Sandstorm. “Find out what he wants. Let him decide for himself.” Her eyes were round with sympathy, but Fireheart still felt miserable. “Go and find him,” she meowed. Fireheart nodded as Sandstorm stood up and padded away into the trees.
“Yes?”
“Do you think I made the wrong decision bringing Cloudpaw into the Clan?”
Sandstorm was silent for a few moments, and when she spoke, her words were careful and honest. “When I looked at him today, lying outside his den, I thought he looked more like a kittypet than a warrior. And then I remembered the day he caught his first prey. He was just a tiny kit, but he went out into a blizzard to catch that vole. He looked so unafraid, so proud of what he had done. He seemed like a Clan cat then, born and bred.”
“So I made the right decision?” Fireheart meowed hopefully.
There was another heavy pause. “I think only time will tell,” Sandstorm replied at last.
Fireheart didn’t say anything. This wasn’t the reassurance he’d been hoping for, but he knew she was right.
“Has something happened to him?” asked Sandstorm, her eyes narrowed with concern.
“I saw him go into a Twoleg nest this afternoon,” Fireheart confessed flatly. “I think he’s been allowing them to feed him for a while now.”
Sandstorm frowned. “Does he know you saw him?”
“No.”
“You should tell him,” advised Sandstorm. “Cloudpaw needs to decide where he belongs.”
“But what if he decides to return to a kittypet life?” Fireheart protested. Today had made him realize how much he wanted Cloudpaw to stay in the Clan. Not just for his own sake, or to show the other cats that warriors didn’t have to be forestborn, but for Cloudpaw’s sake too. He had so much to give to the Clan, and would be repaid more than enough by their loyalty. Fireheart felt his heart begin to pound at the thought of what Cloudpaw might be about to throw away.
“It’s his decision,” meowed Sandstorm gently.
“If only I’d been a better mentor—”
“It’s not your fault,” Sandstorm interrupted him. “You can’t change what’s in his heart.”
“Just talk to him,” urged Sandstorm. “Find out what he wants. Let him decide for himself.” Her eyes were round with sympathy, but Fireheart still felt miserable. “Go and find him,” she meowed. Fireheart nodded as Sandstorm stood up and padded away into the trees.
Dustpelt trotted up and interrupted them, his eyes glistening with barely disguised scorn. "You must be proud of your apprentice," he jeered. "Darkstripe tells me he made the smallest catch of the day." Fireheart flinched as the warrior added, "You're obviously a great mentor."
"Go away, Dustpelt," spat Sandstorm. "There's no need to be spiteful. It doesn't impress anyone, you know."
"Go away, Dustpelt," spat Sandstorm. "There's no need to be spiteful. It doesn't impress anyone, you know."
On his end, Fireheart didn't even realize Sandstorm had feelings for him until Cinderpelt told him, and he didn't begin to develop his own feelings for her until later on.
“You talk about her as if she is still alive,” murmured Cinderpelt, closing her eyes. “Why can’t you let her rest with StarClan? I know she was special to you, but remember what Yellowfang said to me when I couldn’t stop thinking about Silverstream: Put your energy into today. Stop worrying about the past.”
“What’s wrong with remembering Spottedleaf?” Fireheart protested.
“Because while you’re dreaming about her, there’s another cat—a living one—right under your nose whom you should be thinking about instead.”
Fireheart stared at Cinderpelt, puzzled. “What are you talking about?”
“Haven’t you noticed?”
“Noticed what?”
Cinderpelt opened her eyes and lifted her head. “Fireheart, every cat in the Clan can see that Sandstorm is very, very fond of you!”
“What’s wrong with remembering Spottedleaf?” Fireheart protested.
“Because while you’re dreaming about her, there’s another cat—a living one—right under your nose whom you should be thinking about instead.”
Fireheart stared at Cinderpelt, puzzled. “What are you talking about?”
“Haven’t you noticed?”
“Noticed what?”
Cinderpelt opened her eyes and lifted her head. “Fireheart, every cat in the Clan can see that Sandstorm is very, very fond of you!”
Yellowfang had left him the choice of squirrel or a pigeon. Fireheart took the pigeon and looked around the clearing, wondering where to eat it. He sensed Sandstorm watching him, her slender body stretched out and her tail neatly curled over her hind legs.
Fireheart felt his heart begin to beat faster. Suddenly it didn’t matter that she wasn’t tortoiseshell, and that her eyes were pale green, not amber. Fireheart looked at the pale ginger warrior, the pigeon hanging limply from his jaws, and remembered what Cinderpelt had told him: live in the present, let go of the past. He knew Spottedleaf would always remain in his heart, but he couldn’t deny the way the fur tingled along his spine at the sight of Sandstorm. He padded across the clearing to join her. As he laid his pigeon beside her and started to eat, he heard her begin to purr.
Fireheart felt his heart begin to beat faster. Suddenly it didn’t matter that she wasn’t tortoiseshell, and that her eyes were pale green, not amber. Fireheart looked at the pale ginger warrior, the pigeon hanging limply from his jaws, and remembered what Cinderpelt had told him: live in the present, let go of the past. He knew Spottedleaf would always remain in his heart, but he couldn’t deny the way the fur tingled along his spine at the sight of Sandstorm. He padded across the clearing to join her. As he laid his pigeon beside her and started to eat, he heard her begin to purr.
The two don't really confess their love for each other until A Dangerous Path. She also confessed to him that she felt like he didn't appreciate her, especially after he didn't give her Tawnypaw to mentor.
Sandstorm swallowed the last mouthful of squirrel. “Fireheart? What is it?”
Quietly Fireheart told her what Longtail had discovered at Snakerocks. “I want you to come with us,” he told her. “You’re fast and brave, and the Clan needs you.”
The she-cat turned her green gaze on him, but Fireheart could not read the expression there.
“I need you,” he blurted out, afraid she was about to refuse. “For Bluestar’s sake, as well as the Clan’s. I know things haven’t been right between us ever since I stopped the battle with WindClan. But I trust you. Whatever you think about me, do it for the Clan.”
Sandstorm nodded slowly. She was looking thoughtful, and a small seed of hope began to grow in Fireheart’s heart. “I know why you didn’t want to fight WindClan,” she began. “In a way, I thought you were right. But it was hard to know you had gone behind Bluestar’s back without telling the rest of us.”
“I know, but—”
“But you’re the deputy,” Sandstorm interrupted, reaching one paw toward him for silence. “You have responsibilities the rest of us can’t understand. And I can see how torn you must have felt—between loyalty to Bluestar and loyalty to the Clan.” Hesitating, staring down at her paws, she added, “I was torn too. I wanted to be loyal to the warrior code, and I wanted to be loyal to you, Fireheart.”
Fireheart felt too full of emotion to answer. He stretched out his head to press against her flank, and to his delight she did not move away. Instead she looked up at him again, and he felt as if he were drowning in the depths of her green gaze. “I’m sorry, Sandstorm,” he murmured. “I never meant to hurt you.” His voice barely more than a whisper, he added, “I love you.”
Sandstorm’s eyes glowed. “I love you too, Fireheart,” she whispered. “That’s why it hurt so much when you asked Bluestar if Brackenfur could mentor Tawnypaw. I thought you didn’t respect me.”
“I made a mistake.” Fireheart’s voice shook. “I don’t know how I could have been so mouse-brained.”
Sandstorm let out a purr and touched her nose to his.
“I want you beside me always.” Fireheart breathed in her scent, rejoicing in the warmth of her body. He suddenly felt that he would always be happy if he could stay like that forever.
Quietly Fireheart told her what Longtail had discovered at Snakerocks. “I want you to come with us,” he told her. “You’re fast and brave, and the Clan needs you.”
The she-cat turned her green gaze on him, but Fireheart could not read the expression there.
“I need you,” he blurted out, afraid she was about to refuse. “For Bluestar’s sake, as well as the Clan’s. I know things haven’t been right between us ever since I stopped the battle with WindClan. But I trust you. Whatever you think about me, do it for the Clan.”
Sandstorm nodded slowly. She was looking thoughtful, and a small seed of hope began to grow in Fireheart’s heart. “I know why you didn’t want to fight WindClan,” she began. “In a way, I thought you were right. But it was hard to know you had gone behind Bluestar’s back without telling the rest of us.”
“I know, but—”
“But you’re the deputy,” Sandstorm interrupted, reaching one paw toward him for silence. “You have responsibilities the rest of us can’t understand. And I can see how torn you must have felt—between loyalty to Bluestar and loyalty to the Clan.” Hesitating, staring down at her paws, she added, “I was torn too. I wanted to be loyal to the warrior code, and I wanted to be loyal to you, Fireheart.”
Fireheart felt too full of emotion to answer. He stretched out his head to press against her flank, and to his delight she did not move away. Instead she looked up at him again, and he felt as if he were drowning in the depths of her green gaze. “I’m sorry, Sandstorm,” he murmured. “I never meant to hurt you.” His voice barely more than a whisper, he added, “I love you.”
Sandstorm’s eyes glowed. “I love you too, Fireheart,” she whispered. “That’s why it hurt so much when you asked Bluestar if Brackenfur could mentor Tawnypaw. I thought you didn’t respect me.”
“I made a mistake.” Fireheart’s voice shook. “I don’t know how I could have been so mouse-brained.”
Sandstorm let out a purr and touched her nose to his.
“I want you beside me always.” Fireheart breathed in her scent, rejoicing in the warmth of her body. He suddenly felt that he would always be happy if he could stay like that forever.
Sandstorm has also been shown to be jealous of Firestar's relationship with Spottedleaf and it's implied this was even the case with Cinderpelt too at some point.
He broke off, realizing that Sandstorm had left Speckletail and was walking toward him. “Finished talking secrets?” she mewed with an edge to her voice. Flicking her tail toward Speckletail, she added, “She’s asleep. I’ll leave her to you, Cinderpelt.”
“Thanks for your help, Sandstorm.”
Both she-cats were being very polite to each other, but somehow Fireheart felt it wouldn’t take much for them to unsheathe their claws. He wondered why, then decided he didn’t have time to worry about petty squabbles.
“Thanks for your help, Sandstorm.”
Both she-cats were being very polite to each other, but somehow Fireheart felt it wouldn’t take much for them to unsheathe their claws. He wondered why, then decided he didn’t have time to worry about petty squabbles.
“Sandstorm,” he mewed. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Firestar.” She didn’t meet his gaze, but looked down at her paws. “It’s good to have you back.”
Now Firestar was certain something was wrong. He had been looking forward all the long journey home to lying beside Sandstorm in the warriors’ den, to sharing tongues with her and catching up on her news. But he would not be able to do that again. From now on he would sleep alone in Bluestar’s old den—his den now—underneath the Highrock.
And with that realization came understanding of what was troubling Sandstorm. For all her confidence when he left the camp, she was not at ease with him now. “Mouse-brain,” he purred affectionately, pressing his muzzle against hers. “I’m still the same cat. Nothing has changed.”
“Everything’s changed!” Sandstorm insisted. “You’re Clan leader now.”
“And you’re still the best hunter and the most beautiful cat in the Clan,” Firestar assured her. “You’ll always be special to me.”
“But you…you’re so far away,” meowed Sandstorm, unconsciously echoing Firestar’s own fears. “You’re closer to Cinderpelt now than anyone else. You both know secrets about StarClan that ordinary warriors don’t.”
“Cinderpelt’s our medicine cat,” Firestar replied. “And she’s one of the best friends I have. But she’s not you, Sandstorm. I know things are difficult right now. There’s so much I have to do to take over the Clan… especially after what Tigerstar tried to do with the pack of dogs. But in a few days we’ll be able to go out on patrol together, just like we used to.”
To his relief he felt Sandstorm relax, and some of the uncertainty faded from her eyes. “You’ll need an evening patrol,” she mewed. Her voice was crisp, more like the old Sandstorm, though Firestar guessed she was covering up her unhappiness. “Shall I round up some cats and go?”
“I’m fine, Firestar.” She didn’t meet his gaze, but looked down at her paws. “It’s good to have you back.”
Now Firestar was certain something was wrong. He had been looking forward all the long journey home to lying beside Sandstorm in the warriors’ den, to sharing tongues with her and catching up on her news. But he would not be able to do that again. From now on he would sleep alone in Bluestar’s old den—his den now—underneath the Highrock.
And with that realization came understanding of what was troubling Sandstorm. For all her confidence when he left the camp, she was not at ease with him now. “Mouse-brain,” he purred affectionately, pressing his muzzle against hers. “I’m still the same cat. Nothing has changed.”
“Everything’s changed!” Sandstorm insisted. “You’re Clan leader now.”
“And you’re still the best hunter and the most beautiful cat in the Clan,” Firestar assured her. “You’ll always be special to me.”
“But you…you’re so far away,” meowed Sandstorm, unconsciously echoing Firestar’s own fears. “You’re closer to Cinderpelt now than anyone else. You both know secrets about StarClan that ordinary warriors don’t.”
“Cinderpelt’s our medicine cat,” Firestar replied. “And she’s one of the best friends I have. But she’s not you, Sandstorm. I know things are difficult right now. There’s so much I have to do to take over the Clan… especially after what Tigerstar tried to do with the pack of dogs. But in a few days we’ll be able to go out on patrol together, just like we used to.”
To his relief he felt Sandstorm relax, and some of the uncertainty faded from her eyes. “You’ll need an evening patrol,” she mewed. Her voice was crisp, more like the old Sandstorm, though Firestar guessed she was covering up her unhappiness. “Shall I round up some cats and go?”
“I know you never really wanted me for your mate,” she mewed as soon as they were out of earshot of the other cats. “You’ve always been in love with Spottedleaf.”
Firestar thanked StarClan that he had not mentioned his dream encounter with the former ThunderClan medicine cat. “I loved Spottedleaf,” he admitted. “But even if she had lived, what could I have done? She was a medicine cat. She would never have chosen a mate.”
“So I was second-best?” Sandstorm spoke bitterly, not looking at him.
“Sandstorm …” Firestar pressed against her side, curling his tail around her as she tried to move away. “You’re not second-best to any cat.”
“But you can still go off and leave me.”
“No.” Firestar had spent a long time thinking about this. Meeting Sandstorm’s gaze steadily, he went on. “I never meant to abandon you. Graystripe and Cinderpelt must stay here to look after the Clan, but I don’t want to make the journey alone. Sandstorm, there’s no other cat I’d rather have with me than you. Will you come with me?”
As he spoke, the grief and anger faded from Sandstorm’s eyes. Her green gaze shone, and the sun warmed her ginger pelt to the brilliance of flame. “You really want me to come?”
“I really do.” Firestar pressed his muzzle to her shoulder. “I don’t think I can do it without you, Sandstorm. Please.”
“Of course I will! I—” Sandstorm broke off. “No, I can’t, Firestar. What about Sorrelpaw? I’m her mentor.”
Firestar hesitated. Sandstorm had desperately wanted an apprentice, and he knew how seriously she took the little tortoiseshell’s training. “It won’t do Sorrelpaw any harm to have another mentor for a while,” he meowed. “It won’t be the first time an apprentice has had to change—Sootpaw will have a new mentor now, because of Longtail’s bad eyes.”
Sandstorm nodded slowly. “The experience could be good for her,” she murmured.
“Then that’s settled.” Firestar didn’t ask himself what would happen if he hadn’t returned before the apprentices were ready to be made warriors. He had no idea when he would come back—or if he and Sandstorm would come back at all.
Firestar thanked StarClan that he had not mentioned his dream encounter with the former ThunderClan medicine cat. “I loved Spottedleaf,” he admitted. “But even if she had lived, what could I have done? She was a medicine cat. She would never have chosen a mate.”
“So I was second-best?” Sandstorm spoke bitterly, not looking at him.
“Sandstorm …” Firestar pressed against her side, curling his tail around her as she tried to move away. “You’re not second-best to any cat.”
“But you can still go off and leave me.”
“No.” Firestar had spent a long time thinking about this. Meeting Sandstorm’s gaze steadily, he went on. “I never meant to abandon you. Graystripe and Cinderpelt must stay here to look after the Clan, but I don’t want to make the journey alone. Sandstorm, there’s no other cat I’d rather have with me than you. Will you come with me?”
As he spoke, the grief and anger faded from Sandstorm’s eyes. Her green gaze shone, and the sun warmed her ginger pelt to the brilliance of flame. “You really want me to come?”
“I really do.” Firestar pressed his muzzle to her shoulder. “I don’t think I can do it without you, Sandstorm. Please.”
“Of course I will! I—” Sandstorm broke off. “No, I can’t, Firestar. What about Sorrelpaw? I’m her mentor.”
Firestar hesitated. Sandstorm had desperately wanted an apprentice, and he knew how seriously she took the little tortoiseshell’s training. “It won’t do Sorrelpaw any harm to have another mentor for a while,” he meowed. “It won’t be the first time an apprentice has had to change—Sootpaw will have a new mentor now, because of Longtail’s bad eyes.”
Sandstorm nodded slowly. “The experience could be good for her,” she murmured.
“Then that’s settled.” Firestar didn’t ask himself what would happen if he hadn’t returned before the apprentices were ready to be made warriors. He had no idea when he would come back—or if he and Sandstorm would come back at all.
“Are you okay?” Firestar panted.
“What does it look like?” Sandstorm hissed, lashing her tail. “We could have been washed away. Why can’t you listen to me for once, instead of being so stubborn?”
Guilt washed over Firestar like another wave. Sandstorm was right; if they had stayed in the shelter of the abandoned nest they would have been warm and safe now.
“I’m sorry—”
“‘Sorry’ catches no prey!” Sandstorm snapped back at him. “Admit it, Firestar; you don’t really want me here at all.”
“That’s not true!” Firestar protested.
“I don’t believe you!” Sandstorm glared at him, then added more softly, “I know you love me, Firestar, but is that enough? Don’t you wish Spottedleaf were with you right now?”
The question took Firestar by surprise. What would it be like to have the StarClan medicine cat by his side? Would she be able to convince him that he was doing the right thing?
As he hesitated, the anger faded from Sandstorm’s gaze, replaced by a look of horror. “Don’t say a word, Firestar,” she mewed. “I know what your answer would be.”
“No, I didn’t mean—”
Not listening to him, Sandstorm spun around and dashed off, back the way they had come, her paws splashing along the flooded path.
“Sandstorm, wait!” Firestar yowled. He forced himself to bound through the water until he caught up with the fleeing she-cat. “You’ve got to listen to me.”
Sandstorm rounded on him. “I don’t want to listen!” she hissed. “I’m going home. I know you don’t want me. You’ve never wanted me as much as you want Spottedleaf.”
“What does it look like?” Sandstorm hissed, lashing her tail. “We could have been washed away. Why can’t you listen to me for once, instead of being so stubborn?”
Guilt washed over Firestar like another wave. Sandstorm was right; if they had stayed in the shelter of the abandoned nest they would have been warm and safe now.
“I’m sorry—”
“‘Sorry’ catches no prey!” Sandstorm snapped back at him. “Admit it, Firestar; you don’t really want me here at all.”
“That’s not true!” Firestar protested.
“I don’t believe you!” Sandstorm glared at him, then added more softly, “I know you love me, Firestar, but is that enough? Don’t you wish Spottedleaf were with you right now?”
The question took Firestar by surprise. What would it be like to have the StarClan medicine cat by his side? Would she be able to convince him that he was doing the right thing?
As he hesitated, the anger faded from Sandstorm’s gaze, replaced by a look of horror. “Don’t say a word, Firestar,” she mewed. “I know what your answer would be.”
“No, I didn’t mean—”
Not listening to him, Sandstorm spun around and dashed off, back the way they had come, her paws splashing along the flooded path.
“Sandstorm, wait!” Firestar yowled. He forced himself to bound through the water until he caught up with the fleeing she-cat. “You’ve got to listen to me.”
Sandstorm rounded on him. “I don’t want to listen!” she hissed. “I’m going home. I know you don’t want me. You’ve never wanted me as much as you want Spottedleaf.”
“No, I found him,” Sandstorm growled. She sounded as if she wished she hadn’t. “I’m surprised you even bothered to look for me,” she went on to Firestar, her green eyes glittering with hostility. “After all, what’s one Clanmate compared with all the nameless cats who are depending on you who knows where? Why didn’t you go on looking for them, instead?”
Firestar was too worn-out to quarrel with her any more. Padding over to her, drinking in her warm, familiar scent, he murmured, “I would have searched for you forever. I would never have gone on without you.”
Sandstorm gazed at him for a long moment. “I meant it when I said I wanted to come on this journey,” she mewed. “But I want to share your mission. I want to understand why you need to help this Clan, and play an equal part in finding them.”
“But StarClan sent the dream only to me—” Firestar began.
“That’s not true,” Sandstorm pointed out. “What about Smudge? This Clan must be desperate for help if they would try talking to a kittypet. Surely two cats are better than one?”
Firestar rested his muzzle against hers. He remembered how he had felt when he thought he had lost her forever. Now he knew that he could never complete his journey without Sandstorm by his side.
Firestar was too worn-out to quarrel with her any more. Padding over to her, drinking in her warm, familiar scent, he murmured, “I would have searched for you forever. I would never have gone on without you.”
Sandstorm gazed at him for a long moment. “I meant it when I said I wanted to come on this journey,” she mewed. “But I want to share your mission. I want to understand why you need to help this Clan, and play an equal part in finding them.”
“But StarClan sent the dream only to me—” Firestar began.
“That’s not true,” Sandstorm pointed out. “What about Smudge? This Clan must be desperate for help if they would try talking to a kittypet. Surely two cats are better than one?”
Firestar rested his muzzle against hers. He remembered how he had felt when he thought he had lost her forever. Now he knew that he could never complete his journey without Sandstorm by his side.
For Cinderpelt, the two still got along well for the most part, but it's only until Spottedleaf comes in does Sandstorm once again begin to doubt Firestar's love for her until she's confronted over it by both cats.
"Thank you, Spottedleaf,” Firestar meowed. Brushing his pelt against the medicine cat’s, he added, “I didn’t know you could come so far to help us. I haven’t seen you since we left the forest.”
Too late, he realized that Sandstorm was bristling beside him. “You mean you’ve seen Spottedleaf before?”
Firestar faced her to see anger and hurt in her green eyes. “Spottedleaf visits me in dreams. She helps me—”
“You never told me!”
Firestar’s belly churned with guilt. He knew how insecure Sandstorm felt when she thought about Spottedleaf, knowing the connection she had shared with Firestar when she had been ThunderClan’s medicine cat. But he had never felt that he was betraying her by meeting Spottedleaf in his dreams.
Before he could reply, Spottedleaf slipped between the two of them and laid her tail tip gently on Sandstorm’s shoulder. “Peace, dear one,” she murmured. “Firestar loves you.”
“He loves you more.” Sandstorm’s voice was choked.
Spottedleaf hesitated, her amber eyes warm as she gazed at the ginger she-cat. “That’s not true. Firestar and I never discovered what we might have meant to each other,” she mewed at last. “I was alive in the forest for such a short time after he came to ThunderClan. But I know for sure”—her voice grew more intense—“that he and I could never have been mates. I was and always will be a medicine cat. That comes first, more than any cat who walks the forest, more even than Firestar.”
Sandstorm searched the tortoiseshell cat’s face. “Is that really true?”
“Of course,” Spottedleaf purred. “Even now I’m a medicine cat, not for my Clanmates in StarClan, but for all the cats in the forest below.”
“I love you, Sandstorm,” Firestar put in. “You’ll never be second-best for me. My love for you belongs here and now, in the life we share—and it will last for all the moons to come, I promise.”
Sandstorm looked from Spottedleaf to Firestar and back again. At last she took a long breath. “Thank you, Spottedleaf. I’ve never stopped thinking about how you and Firestar seemed to belong together when he first came to the forest. But I understand better now.”
“I thought you always knew how I felt about you,” Firestar mewed, bewildered.
Sandstorm blinked at him. Even though her eyes were full of love, there was a trace of exasperation there too. “Firestar, you can be so dense.”
Spottedleaf dipped her head. “I must go, but we will meet again, I promise. Until then, may StarClan light your path.”
“Good-bye, and thank you—not just for the burdock root,” Firestar meowed.
The tortoiseshell she-cat padded toward the cave entrance and paused for a heartbeat, her pelt brushing against his. Too softly for Sandstorm to hear, she murmured, “Sometimes I would give anything for things to be different.”
She did not wait for a reply. The moonlight had faded; for a heartbeat her slender shape was outlined against the first pale light of dawn from the sky above the far side of the gorge; then she was gone.
Sandstorm shook her head. “Have I been dreaming, or did that really happen?”
Firestar stepped to her side and pressed his muzzle against her shoulder. “It really happened.”
“I can’t believe she came to help us.”
“There’ll never be another cat in the forest like her. But she’s not you, Sandstorm.”
Sandstorm turned to gaze at him. “No more secrets, Firestar. I promise to try to understand how important Spottedleaf is to you, but I need to be able to trust you.”
“You can,” Firestar vowed. Patchfoot let out a sigh, distracting Firestar from the depths of Sandstorm’s green eyes. The black-and-white warrior was quieter now, his breathing easier. He seemed to be sleeping more deeply.
Too late, he realized that Sandstorm was bristling beside him. “You mean you’ve seen Spottedleaf before?”
Firestar faced her to see anger and hurt in her green eyes. “Spottedleaf visits me in dreams. She helps me—”
“You never told me!”
Firestar’s belly churned with guilt. He knew how insecure Sandstorm felt when she thought about Spottedleaf, knowing the connection she had shared with Firestar when she had been ThunderClan’s medicine cat. But he had never felt that he was betraying her by meeting Spottedleaf in his dreams.
Before he could reply, Spottedleaf slipped between the two of them and laid her tail tip gently on Sandstorm’s shoulder. “Peace, dear one,” she murmured. “Firestar loves you.”
“He loves you more.” Sandstorm’s voice was choked.
Spottedleaf hesitated, her amber eyes warm as she gazed at the ginger she-cat. “That’s not true. Firestar and I never discovered what we might have meant to each other,” she mewed at last. “I was alive in the forest for such a short time after he came to ThunderClan. But I know for sure”—her voice grew more intense—“that he and I could never have been mates. I was and always will be a medicine cat. That comes first, more than any cat who walks the forest, more even than Firestar.”
Sandstorm searched the tortoiseshell cat’s face. “Is that really true?”
“Of course,” Spottedleaf purred. “Even now I’m a medicine cat, not for my Clanmates in StarClan, but for all the cats in the forest below.”
“I love you, Sandstorm,” Firestar put in. “You’ll never be second-best for me. My love for you belongs here and now, in the life we share—and it will last for all the moons to come, I promise.”
Sandstorm looked from Spottedleaf to Firestar and back again. At last she took a long breath. “Thank you, Spottedleaf. I’ve never stopped thinking about how you and Firestar seemed to belong together when he first came to the forest. But I understand better now.”
“I thought you always knew how I felt about you,” Firestar mewed, bewildered.
Sandstorm blinked at him. Even though her eyes were full of love, there was a trace of exasperation there too. “Firestar, you can be so dense.”
Spottedleaf dipped her head. “I must go, but we will meet again, I promise. Until then, may StarClan light your path.”
“Good-bye, and thank you—not just for the burdock root,” Firestar meowed.
The tortoiseshell she-cat padded toward the cave entrance and paused for a heartbeat, her pelt brushing against his. Too softly for Sandstorm to hear, she murmured, “Sometimes I would give anything for things to be different.”
She did not wait for a reply. The moonlight had faded; for a heartbeat her slender shape was outlined against the first pale light of dawn from the sky above the far side of the gorge; then she was gone.
Sandstorm shook her head. “Have I been dreaming, or did that really happen?”
Firestar stepped to her side and pressed his muzzle against her shoulder. “It really happened.”
“I can’t believe she came to help us.”
“There’ll never be another cat in the forest like her. But she’s not you, Sandstorm.”
Sandstorm turned to gaze at him. “No more secrets, Firestar. I promise to try to understand how important Spottedleaf is to you, but I need to be able to trust you.”
“You can,” Firestar vowed. Patchfoot let out a sigh, distracting Firestar from the depths of Sandstorm’s green eyes. The black-and-white warrior was quieter now, his breathing easier. He seemed to be sleeping more deeply.
We never really see them have any issues ever again after this and they remain in a loving relationship from here on out.
So, what are your thoughts on the relationship as well as Sandstorm's character development?