Firestar & Sandstorm/Spottedleaf

7

  Sandstorm knew her time was up. 

  She grumpily allowed Alderpaw to smear her wounds with a delicious-smelling poultice, but her heart ached inside. It was time to face Firestar. 

  Opening her eyes, she found herself in a beautiful meadow. The golden rays filtered through the canopy, warming her pelt instantly. For once, Sandstorm forgot her worries or even Firestar as she enjoyed her youthfulness and StarClan.

  Then she saw her father Redtail. "Sandstorm?!" He exclaimed, waving his tail to call Brindleface. 

  Brindleface was basking in the sun with her friend Dappletail when he called. She glanced up in surprise. "Oh! Sandstorm, my dear!" She purred, standing up and hurrying over. 

  Sandstorm purred and nuzzled her mother, then greeted her father by pressing her nose to Redtail's. "How are you?" She asked, a feeling of joy spreading in her. Her world doesn't really revolve around Firestar. She had her family, after all! She forced the feeling of despair whenever she thought of Firestar, but Brindleface immediately spotted it. 

  "We're great, but really, what's bothering you?" Brindleface asked, licking Sandstorm's ear fondly. 

  Redtail sat down and touched his tail to her shoulder. "Yes. Tell us." 

  "Well," Sandstorm sighed. "It's just that Firestar and me are not really...on good terms now."

  Redtail's eyes darkened in protectiveness for his kit. "Yes. Firestar's been hanging too long around Spottedleaf." Then he shook himself and pressed his flank against Sandstorm. "Never mind, Sandstorm. This is StarClan. Forget it!"  

  Brindleface gave a him a stare. No cat could just ignore their mate in StarClan. 

  Redtail purred and licked Brindleface's cheek. "Okay, I guess you can't just ignore them. Just confront him, alright? Find out the reason why he's been acting like this." 

 Sandstorm wrinkled her nose. "Redtail, I have already spoken to him. I don't want to speak to him again."

  "Whatever you want, Sandstorm. He's your mate. Just try to confront him again, alright?" Redtail meowed gently, then continued, "Promise?"

  Sandstorm glanced at Brindleface for help. She really didn't want to speak to Firestar again, but Brindleface had an expectant look on her face. She obviously agreed with Redtail. Sandstorm rolled her eyes and got to her paws. "Alright, alright. I promise. Let me just get a bite. I'm really hungry."

  Redtail and Brindleface nodded in pride at their daughter, then padded over to a rock to lie down and bask. Sandstorm sighed and first marked her nest under an oak tree. She realized there was also another nest made on a nearby root, but she didn't really care to check the scent. Sandstorm padded into the forest and her scent glands immediately caught a whiff of Firestar's scent. 

  Mixed with Spottedleaf's.

  Hatred and anger filled her whole body, almost making her stumble. She blinked and looked down at her paws for a while, controlling her emotions. When she looked up again, she spotted a hare sniffing in between the grass. 

  Excitement bounced through her and she crouched. 

  She pounced but was a heartbeat too late. 

  The hare spotted her and bolted off. Sandstorm snarled in frustration, but enjoyed the feeling of swiftness that she had not felt for a long time. She chased the hare easily, but when she started nearing it and was about to pounce, she smelled a very familiar scent. A heart-aching one that she wanted to smell from the day he had joined StarClan.